"Solim… Tre… Trevor… I can't find him. I looked everywhere."
Neville's eyes were so swollen it looked like he had been punched by a troll.
"Relax. You'll see your toad again soon. Can you stop crying already?"
Solim casually chose a boat and got on with Hermione and Neville.
"Besides, what's so great about a toad? If you want a pet, I'll get you an owl later."
Once all the first year students had boarded, the boats began to move on their own, slowly heading toward the castle.
Hermione and Solim sat on one end, while Neville sat on the other. The chubby boy took up quite a bit of space.
Looking at the magnificent castle in the distance, even someone like Solim, who had lived two lifetimes, could not help but whistle softly.
"Yes, that's Hogwarts Castle. I read about it. The ceiling of the Great Hall is…"
Hermione, sitting beside Solim, started rambling again like a little old lady.
"Alright, alright, Hermione. Talk less."
Solim quickly interrupted her.
"But are you really set on going to Gryffindor? I think Ravenclaw suits you better."
"Hm? Why do you say that?"
Hermione turned to look at him, frowning slightly.
"How do you know Ravenclaw suits me?"
"Alright, let me tell you something your books won't."
Solim decided it was better to explain than listen to Hermione keep going.
"Gryffindor represents courage, Slytherin represents talent, Ravenclaw represents wisdom, and Hufflepuff represents loyalty. That's what Hogwarts: A History says."
"That's not exactly wrong. It's just that some things aren't written too clearly."
"Hermione might not understand, but I do."
"Gryffindor is full of mischievous troublemakers. The common room is always noisy. If you go there, don't expect to study peacefully. Unless you're completely immune to distractions."
"Compared to that, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are much better. Students there are more mature, and the environment is more suitable for studying."
"Ravenclaw has its own library. It's smaller than the main Hogwarts library, but the books were left behind by Rowena Ravenclaw herself."
"Slytherin doesn't have a library, but there are plenty of empty and hidden classrooms near their common room."
"That's perfect for me."
Solim shrugged.
"I don't want to walk halfway across the castle just to get back to bed after brewing potions or practicing spells."
"Professors can tell whether you're in your bed after curfew."
"As for Hufflepuff… well, I can only say they're all very friendly."
He turned to Hermione.
"So think about it. Based on what I've seen, do you really think you can adapt to Gryffindor?"
"In a group of students who equate recklessness with courage, love sneaking out at night, and enjoy causing trouble… do you think you'll fit in?"
"Watching them lose points because of their antics… can you ignore that?"
"And besides…"
Solim smiled slightly.
"There's Potions class."
"Trust me. Professor Snape doesn't like Gryffindor at all. He'll find every excuse to target them. If you go to Gryffindor, you're going to suffer."
At this point, Solim turned to Neville.
"Speaking of Professor Snape, Neville. Did you review your Potions material like I told you?"
Neville froze for a moment before realizing.
"Uh… I… I forgot."
He looked embarrassed.
"I suggest you hurry. You've got a double Potions class on Friday morning. If you have questions, ask me."
Solim then glanced at Hermione.
"And if you both end up in Gryffindor, I'm sure Hermione will help you too. Right?"
"Hm? Yes… I will help you, Neville."
Hermione was still processing what Solim had said earlier, so her response came a bit late.
After hesitating for a moment, she brought up what had happened earlier on the train when she was helping Neville search for his toad.
"Oh, so you met the famous 'Boy Who Lived' and that freckled boy from the Weasley family."
Solim noticed Hermione subconsciously scratching her freckles.
"Disappointed?"
Solim stood up. They had arrived.
"Not really disappointed. Just that…"
Before Hermione could finish, there was a loud splash behind them.
Solim quickly turned around.
He and Hermione had already stepped off the boat, but Neville had just stood up when the boat tipped over under his weight.
"Seriously…"
Solim waded into the water and pulled Neville ashore.
"At least be careful."
Feeling his soaked shoes and heavier robes, and looking at Neville who was completely drenched, Solim simply took out his wand and dried both of them.
"Alright, first years! Over here!"
A massive figure called out from nearby.
"Come on, Neville."
Solim gestured for them to move.
"Now, what were you saying, Hermione?"
Hermione looked at Neville, now dry again, and then thought about how soaked he had been moments ago.
Magic really was incredibly convenient.
Even though Hermione came from a non magical family and her understanding of the wizarding world was limited, she was not lacking in judgment.
She was certain that Solim was one of the most outstanding students among all the first years.
"Hermione?"
Solim called her again when she didn't respond.
"Ah… Solim, can I ask you something?"
She pressed her lips together, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Can I come study with you too? Like Neville does. I'm worried I won't be able to keep up."
Solim immediately understood.
The spells he had casually used had clearly made Hermione feel a gap between herself and those raised in wizarding families.
"I know what you're thinking, Hermione."
He led them into line, with Hermione standing in front of him.
"Don't overthink it. Most young wizards are just like you. They don't know much magic before coming to school."
"Of course, if you want to join, you're welcome. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday…"
"Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. I remember."
Hermione answered quickly.
Her memory was clearly far better than Neville's.
Solim clicked his tongue.
"Fine. As long as you remember. I'll come find you when the time comes."
The first year students followed the Keeper of Keys and Grounds in a line up the long staircase toward the castle.
The castle was truly breathtaking.
Whispers filled the air. Children from wizarding families boasted to each other, while those from non magical families stared wide eyed at the grand structure ahead.
Every now and then, someone tripped after stepping on another's robes.
Solim did not continue the earlier topic about Harry Potter.
After all, they would be attending the same school. There would be plenty of time.
Under the guidance of the half giant, the students passed through a side door of the castle.
The main entrance was reserved for older students arriving by carriage.
First years arrived at the foot of the mountain and had to climb the long staircase.
After the brief chaos caused by encountering a group of ghosts, the students gradually quieted down.
They all knew the Sorting Ceremony was about to begin.
"Were those ghosts just now?"
Hermione asked quietly.
"More accurately, they are 'ghosts,' not souls."
Solim replied.
"They are imprints of a wizard's consciousness left behind after death. It's quite different. I'll explain later."
He had already spotted Professor McGonagall approaching with a roll of parchment, so he ended the topic.
"Alright, quiet down! First years. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. I am…"
"Trevor!"
Neville suddenly shouted and rushed forward.
"Pfft—"
Solim was very glad he wasn't drinking anything at that moment.
Neville carefully picked up his toad from beside Professor McGonagall's feet.
Then he realized what he had just done.
He lowered his head and cautiously looked up at the stern witch, who seemed even stricter than his grandmother.
"I'm very sorry, Professor McGonagall."
Solim quickly stepped forward and pulled Neville back.
"This is his lost pet."
Professor McGonagall's thin lips twitched slightly.
She glanced at Solim, then fixed her gaze firmly on Neville.
"All of you! Form a single line and follow me."
She turned sharply and led the students toward the Great Hall, gripping the parchment tightly as if she wished it were Neville instead.
Interrupting her speech right before the Sorting Ceremony was something she had likely never experienced before.
"You're finished, Neville. She's the Head of Gryffindor."
Solim patted Neville on the shoulder.
"Good luck."
Neville stood frozen, clutching his toad.
He was terrified.
"Hurry up, Neville."
Hermione pushed him.
"The Sorting Ceremony is about to start. Stop standing there."
When the doors to the Great Hall opened, everything inside came into view.
Floating candles filled the air.
Massive stained glass windows towered above.
Older students sat on both sides, while the professors sat at the high table.
At the center stood a stool with a worn, shabby wizard's hat placed on top.
Even children from wizarding families had never seen such a scene before.
Hundreds of people were watching them.
At this moment, whether pure blood or Muggle born, every student was nervous.
Some were trembling uncontrollably.
Neville, standing right behind Solim, was one of them.
"Relax, Neville. The Sorting Hat isn't going to eat you."
Solim pulled him forward.
"If you truly want Gryffindor, show some courage. You don't want to disappoint your grandmother, do you?"
"Damn Fred and George. The way they described it, I thought we'd have to fight a troll."
A red haired boy nearby muttered angrily.
"The one in front of him is Harry Potter. I saw them on the train."
Hermione whispered behind Solim.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward and called for silence.
The Sorting Hat began to move.
A crease formed like a mouth, and it started to sing:
"You may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me…"
The hat finished its song, and the hall erupted in applause.
It bowed to each of the four house tables before becoming still again.
"Wasn't that terrible, Hermione?"
Solim turned his head slightly.
"And look at that hat. It's covered in dust and grime. I bet it's never been cleaned."
He did not bother lowering his voice, so the nearby students all heard him.
Looking closely, they realized he was right.
There were even green and white spots on it.
Mold.
"If the outside is this dirty, imagine the inside."
Solim continued calmly.
"I bet you can smell something strange before you even put it on."
"Stop talking."
Hermione jabbed him hard in the side.
"We still have the opening feast later."