Chapter 16: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them

Kyle had always been curious about how the Hogwarts new student boats moved.

He had always assumed it was magic, but now he was starting to doubt it.

Because Kyle had observed, and he had never found any trace of magic on the boats.

And Hagrid, a half-giant nearly four meters tall, looked much heavier than four first-year wizards, but his boat's draft was the same as the other boats. It was not normal.

Of course, it could also be that the boats were enchanted with more advanced and concealed magic, or they were simply alchemical objects. But Kyle preferred to believe that something was under the lake pushing the boats.

"The giant squid?"

He leaned out and looked down into the water. Unfortunately, the visibility of the Black Lake at night was too low. He couldn't see anything except his reflection.

...

Soon, the boats left the tunnel and docked at something like an underground pier.

Everyone got off the boats and followed Hagrid up a cobbled path. Eventually, they reached a flat, damp patch of grass under Hogwarts Castle.

They followed the stone steps and arrived at a huge oak door.

"Welcome to Hogwarts."

Hagrid finished speaking, turned around, raised his massive fist, and knocked three times on the castle door.

The door opened with a bang.

An older cat... ahem, a black-haired witch wearing an emerald-green robe was standing at the doorway.

It has to be said, that some people have a natural silence aura when they make an entrance. It's like the class teacher appearing at the back door of the classroom. Anyone who sees them will subconsciously close their mouths.

Professor McGonagall was like that.

As soon as she appeared, the noisy chatter around them ceased immediately.

Even Hagrid became a little restrained. He said formally, "First-year students have arrived, Professor McGonagall."

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."

Professor McGonagall glanced at everyone, then opened the door and led everyone into the castle.

The stone walls around the castle were lined with blazing torches. A wave of heat washed over them, dispelling the coldness outside. It put many of the young wizards who were shivering from the cold at ease.

To their right was a closed door. Kyle could hear the buzzing voices inside.

But Professor McGonagall didn't stop there. She led them to an empty room at the other end of the hall.

"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts."

As everyone looked around, Professor McGonagall smoothly delivered the annual opening speech.

"The welcoming feast is about to start, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your respective houses. Sorting is a very important ceremony because while you are here, your house will be like your home at Hogwarts..."

Although he already knew this part, Kyle listened attentively.

He had to. He was standing in the front row, right under Professor McGonagall's eyes. If he daydreamed now, his days at Hogwarts would be difficult.

Besides, this was a famous scene. It was only going to happen once, and Kyle didn't want to miss it.

By this time, Professor McGonagall had finished talking about the House Cup and began introducing the four houses.

They were Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.

Or, to put it simply, Brawlers, Foodies, Brainiacs, and Purebloods.

When she got to this point, all the young wizards around listened very intently, their eyes full of longing. They would glance at the Great Hall from time to time as if they couldn't wait to rush in.

It was clear that this was what they were looking forward to the most.

...

"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will be held in front of the whole school. I suggest that you tidy yourselves up while you wait and look lively."

"I'll come and get you when they're ready." Professor McGonagall finally looked at everyone, "Please be quiet while you wait."

It has to be said, that Professor McGonagall's last sentence was a bit redundant. After she left the room, the silent mode instantly turned off.

A group of young wizards huddled together, excitedly discussing what might happen next.

"How will we be sorted? Do we choose?" a young witch asked nervously.

This was also the question that everyone cared about the most.

"Maybe there's a test. Like at Smeating Middle School." A Muggle-born wizard turned to his companion and said loudly, "I was accepted at Smeating Middle School when I got the Hogwarts letter, but I chose here... I mean, Professor McGonagall convinced my mom. She insisted on sending me to Smeating Middle School."

This was an attempt to show off his achievements, but it didn't work well.

After all, everyone was concerned about Sorting. Who cared about Smeating Middle School, some people didn't even know what it was.

"I think it's the Head of Houses who choose their students." Someone said confidently, "It's like that at Ilvermorny, except they use statues. My dad is friends with the head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic. He told me."

This was a show-off dad moment.

But compared to the previous test, his words were more convincing. He quickly gained a large number of supporters.

It made him very proud. He raised his head and told everyone how amazing his dad was.

You would think his dad was the Minister of Magic.

At this time, Kyle suddenly felt someone pulling on his robe sleeve. He turned his head and saw Kanna looking at him nervously.

"Kyle, is it the Head of Houses who chooses? What if no house wants me? Will I be expelled?" Kanna said anxiously.

"Don't worry, that's not going to happen." Kyle smiled, "Think about it, Ilvermorny and Hogwarts are two different schools. How could they use the same Sorting method? That would be too low-class."

"Oh, okay..."

Kanna breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask, "Then do you know how we're sorted?"

"Well... I do."

Kyle thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth. He leaned close to Kanna and whispered in her ear,

"It's nothing. Each person just gets a Killing Curse from the professor. Whoever survives gets to enroll. You don't have to worry, you definitely won't be expelled."

...

Just then, a ghost happened to float past them.

Kyle turned his head and waved naturally, "Hello, senior. We're about to be sorted too. Wish us luck."

Although the ghost didn't understand what the young wizard was saying, seeing someone greet him, he subconsciously nodded in response.

Seeing this, the light in Kanna's eyes instantly vanished. She stood there listlessly, like a soul lost in the world.