Chapter 18: Morbid Curiosity

Unfortunately, most of the young wizards on the boats had no time to appreciate the sight of Hogwarts Castle through the rain. The freezing rainwater made them shiver uncontrollably.

"Why do first-year students have to cross the river by boat?" Albert withdrew his gaze and looked at the three trembling individuals on the same boat.

"I-I don't know. I really don't want to know," one of them stammered.

"Me neither. It's so cold." The twins chimed in. At this point, they were almost freezing to death, and who had the mood to pay attention to such things?

Albert couldn't help but shake his head. He had some understanding of the boat crossing ceremony. It was actually a route that allowed the new students arriving at Hogwarts to follow the path the four founders took to the castle. The boats, carrying four people each, symbolized the four founders and served as a kind of ritual to connect the students to the founders' excitement and joy, while also reminding them of the founders' arduous journey in establishing the school.

However, how many people truly understood these things at this point? Even Hagrid, who guided them across the lake, probably didn't know.

But then again, not many students cared about these things anymore.

"Watch out, duck!" Hagrid shouted loudly.

Upon hearing this, the new students quickly ducked their heads.

The boats carried them through the cliffs and approached the dock below the castle.

"This is ridiculous. I hate the rain." One of the twins hugged themselves, sneezing.

Everyone was soaked, trembling like sieves.

"How did you do that?" Lee Jordan asked in astonishment. He noticed that Albert's robe and pointed hat remained dry despite the rain.

"It's a simple spell." Albert noticed the curious glances from others and explained quietly.

"Alright, follow me, everyone." Hagrid held the lantern and led the new students up a gravel path, reaching the lawn below the castle. Ahead of them was a flight of stone steps that led to the oak doors of the castle.

A witch in emerald robes stood in front of the oak doors. Albert recognized her as Professor McGonagall, who had visited his house once.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take the new students from here." Professor McGonagall surveyed the bedraggled new students, and Albert felt her mouth twitching.

It wasn't surprising at all. The appearance of the new students was beyond bedraggled. Almost everyone looked like drowned rats, covered in mud.

"First-year students, follow me."

Professor McGonagall led the new students into the castle, with Albert following at the rear of the group. He looked around at the castle, which had a history of over a thousand years.

"That's Professor McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindor. Percy said she's very strict," George whispered.

"Oh, I've seen her once. My sister loves the trick where Professor McGonagall turns teacups into mice." Albert's attention was fixed on the stone walls. He had always wondered if those burning torches were eternal flames.

There was a legend about some kind of everlasting fire that could burn forever, and this scene before him seemed to fit that description.

"Come on, what are you looking at?" Fred gently nudged Albert and urged him in a hushed voice.

"I'm just wondering what kind of magical fire that is. It doesn't seem like ordinary flames." If there was no smoke, it meant that it wasn't an ordinary fire.

Fred opened his mouth but didn't know what to say.

Albert decided that he would explore these secrets in the castle later. This ancient castle held many mysteries worth exploring.

Just as Albert was thinking about exploring the castle, a panel popped up with a task:

"Ancient School: Hogwarts."

Hogwarts is an ancient and mysterious school of magic that has existed for thousands of years. This ancient castle hides countless secrets unknown to most people. As a curious and adventurous explorer, you should not miss this opportunity. Explore Hogwarts Castle before graduation and uncover the hidden secrets.

Current progress: 1%.

Reward: 1,000-100,000 experience points, 1-10 skill points.

"Damn!" Albert couldn't help but curse in his mind. This was absolutely the most prestigious task he had ever seen.

Was this task trying to turn him into a nocturnal wanderer? It seemed like he needed to prioritize learning the Disillusionment Charm. Albert started considering how to obtain the incantation for that spell.

The new students were led by Professor McGonagall into the waiting room of their respective houses. The space inside was small, and everyone was crowded together.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began with the customary opening remarks. "The Opening Feast is about to begin, but before you proceed to the Great Hall, you need to determine which house you will be in..."

It felt like a leadership speech from a past life: saying a few words and then droning on for over half an hour. Although Professor McGonagall wasn't as exaggerated, she still spoke for about ten minutes.

Albert roughly summarized Professor McGonagall's heap of words into three points: accommodations, houses, and the House Cup.

After explaining the Hogwarts traditions, Professor McGonagall asked all the new students to line up and cleaned off any water stains and dirt from their clothes.

As the Deputy Headmistress of the school, Professor McGonagall couldn't tolerate the new students entering the Great Hall in such a disheveled state. This sorry appearance was a disgrace to Hogwarts.

The new students squeezed together in the queue, hoping to dry their wet clothes as quickly as possible. The dampness and chilliness made them uncomfortable.

"Are we squeezing sardines here?" Albert looked at the group of new students with great interest, taking a step back and voluntarily staying at the end of the line. The rainwater hadn't affected him much.

Professor McGonagall's movements were quick and skillful. She used the Scourgify and Drying Charms, taking only a few minutes. Soon, it was Albert's turn.

She glanced at Albert with a hint of surprise, then cast the same spell on him. His clothes immediately became dry and warm, and the mud splatters on his boots and trousers vanished.

"Now, please remain quiet," Professor McGonagall said loudly. "When they're ready over there, I'll come to fetch you."

After Professor McGonagall left the room, everyone started whispering and discussing the sorting into houses.

"How are we sorted into houses?"

"How can they accurately place everyone in the right houses?"

"Perhaps there's some kind of test involved."

Speaking of tests, everyone was nervous.

Watching this scene, Albert suddenly felt like laughing. He understood why others didn't want to reveal how the sorting into houses was done.

They were quite a group of sadistic folks!

"Aren't you nervous at all? I'm Alya Spinnet," a girl came over and struck up a conversation. Albert had inadvertently pulled her arm earlier.

Of course, the girl approached him because of his composure. It seemed like he knew the secret of the sorting ceremony.

In fact, she guessed right.

"As long as I don't end up in Slytherin, I can accept any house," Albert shrugged. He didn't give away any hints about the sorting ceremony. It was amusing to see the nervous expressions on the faces of the new students.

Well, Albert admitted that he did have a bit of a sadistic streak.

(End of this chapter)