Chapter 14: The Power of Magic, Part Three

"As long as you don't lose your nobility, the whole world will open up to you.

Arriving at Hogwarts, Chapter One of the main storyline begins, unlocking tasks based on sorting results."

"Each boat cannot carry more than four people!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to the small boats docked by the shore. Tom and Hermione boarded one boat, and Neville followed suit. Hagrid took a boat for himself.

"Is everyone on board?" Hagrid called out, receiving affirmations from all. He declared their departure, and the boats immediately started moving on their own. The boats glided across the calm surface of the Black Lake and arrived beneath the cliffs where Hogwarts Castle was located. Below the cliffs was an expanse of ivy-covered rock, concealing a hidden entrance.

Inside the entrance was a pitch-black tunnel. The first-years proceeded blindly, following the tunnel until they reached what seemed like an underground dock. The first-years disembarked onto a ground paved with crushed stones and small pebbles.

"Neville, your toad," Tom called out, reminding Neville to retrieve his toad from the boat.

"Thank you!" Neville said excitedly, reaching down to cradle the toad in his hands. Despite its exceptionally ugly appearance, the toad held great significance to Neville. The first-years climbed through a narrow tunnel in the rocky terrain until they reached a damp, flat meadow beneath the shadow of the castle.

Before them stood a massive oak door. Hagrid knocked on it three times, and the door opened. Many Muggle-born students had expected some sort of magical spectacle, but the door simply opened, leaving them disappointed.

Once inside, they found themselves in an extravagant entrance hall. The ceiling was so high that it couldn't be seen, the stairs were made of marble, and torches blazed along the walls, illuminating the hall as brightly as daylight. People living in the 21st century with the convenience of electricity might not appreciate how precious ample lighting once was. But it's essential to remember that for most of human history, having illumination at night was a luxury. The phrase "to borrow light through a hole in the wall" encapsulates this idea well.

However, the authenticity of the story behind that idiom is debatable. After all, ancient people didn't live in such close proximity to their neighbors as modern city dwellers. How could a person hide by a newlywed couple's wall like that? And were you really able to read a book while squatting by the wall? Didn't it disturb the couple?

To the right of the entrance hall, a door led to where several hundred people were buzzing with conversation. Presumably, the students from other years had already taken their seats. But Professor McGonagall didn't let them enter. Instead, she guided them to a small room at the other end of the hall.

After ensuring that all the new students were present, Professor McGonagall began her introductory speech. She explained that before the start-of-term feast, there would be a sorting ceremony. After sorting, everyone would eat, sleep, and study together in their respective houses. Each student's performance would earn or deduct points for their house, and at the end of the year, the house with the most points would win the House Cup...

"...In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you freshen up while waiting and look your best," Professor McGonagall advised. Her eyes briefly scanned Neville's crooked cloak, Ron's dirty robe, and Harry's messy hair.

"Once they're ready, I'll come to fetch you," she said. "You can stay here and wait quietly."

She left the room, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Professor McGonagall had a certain aura about her, akin to a primary school teacher, making the eleven-year-old witches and wizards nervous. Thus, when she left, the small room immediately buzzed with conversation. The volume gradually increased until it seemed like everyone was talking.

The main concern was the sorting ceremony. Professor McGonagall had explained a lot, but the crucial part—how they would be sorted—remained undisclosed. Some students, like Harry, wondered aloud, and the surrounding voices lowered slightly. Many knew that this red-haired boy had five brothers who had attended Hogwarts, so his information was likely accurate.

"They'll probably use some sort of test, right? Fred said it's quite harsh on us," Ron added. When he saw his new friend turn pale, Ron quickly clarified, "But I think he was joking."

Whether sorting was painful or not, this statement certainly hurt the students' feelings. Everyone shivered, and those nearby clammed up.

"Yeah, my cousin also said they'd perform magic in front of us," the tall, skinny boy chimed in, agreeing with Ron.

Harry's heart sank. Perform magic? He didn't know any magic yet. He regretted not reviewing his textbooks during the holidays. He anxiously scanned the room. No one was speaking now. Only Hermione was muttering something under her breath, quickly reciting the spells she had learned. Occasionally, she would ask the boy named Tom a question. Harry couldn't help but imagine the scene of him delivering the expulsion letter to the Dursleys.

However, Malfoy couldn't resist scoffing and raised an eyebrow, saying in his languid voice, "Nonsense! My father is one of the twelve directors of Hogwarts. He told

  me that the sorting ceremony is a test of your talents. Only the most talented pure-blood wizards can enter Slytherin..."

In Tom's mind, a bizarre image suddenly appeared:

A young boy stood before a stone monument, placing his hand upon it. Above the monument, five dazzling words shone brightly:

The Power of Magic, Three Stages!

The boy's expression was devoid of emotion, with a touch of self-mockery on his lips. His eyes held 30% stubbornness, 30% resentment, 30% anger, and 10% sadness. His clenched hand, due to excessive force, caused his fingernails to pierce into his palm, bringing waves of excruciating pain...

"Ha-ha!" Tom couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Anyone with a little common sense can tell that your father was just teasing you. If the most talented students all went to Slytherin, why did Dumbledore graduate from Gryffindor?" Tom's lips curled with a smile as he mercilessly mocked Malfoy.

When Malfoy saw that it was Tom, his pale face flushed slightly. He had wanted to retort further but refrained from discussing his ancestors' scandalous affairs in public.

At that moment, a large group of ghosts suddenly emerged from the walls, interrupting their conversation.

(End of this chapter)