Hagrid led everyone off the boat, checked them briefly, and then handed them over to Professor McGonagall, who had been patiently waiting.
Professor McGonagall noticed Artel and Hermione in the crowd and greeted them with a smile, but her expression quickly turned serious.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" she announced to the young wizards, her voice stern, leaving an impression of strictness.
She went on to explain that the opening banquet was about to commence, but before entering the auditorium and taking their seats, they had one more important task: the sorting ceremony. After being sorted, they would join their respective houses.
Professor McGonagall provided some basic information about the four houses, along with the rules and guidelines for behavior and point deductions. With her instructions given, she tapped her wand lightly, causing the castle gate to open automatically. The braziers inside ignited one by one, casting a warm glow throughout the corridor. The passage was now brightly lit.
The group followed Professor McGonagall up a spiral staircase, stopping in front of the entrance to the Great Hall.
"Now, form a single line and maintain silence," Professor McGonagall instructed. The door swung open, and they entered the foyer, proceeding into the grandeur of the Great Hall.
"Woah!"
"Incredible!"
"My goodness!"
Exclamations of wonder filled Artel's ears, even Hermione gripping his wizard robe even tighter as they both marveled at the magnificent castle hall before them.
In truth, Artel himself was taken aback. Although he had watched the movies, the castle he now beheld far exceeded the one on the screen.
The Great Hall featured four enormous long tables, with senior Hogwarts students seated at them, eyeing the newcomers with curiosity.
Thousands of candles floated in mid-air within the hall. Their warm light bathed every corner, casting no shadows.
The tables were laden with golden plates, goblets, and matching silverware. At the front of the hall, a long table accommodated the Hogwarts professors. Artel recognized many familiar faces, including the kindly Headmaster Dumbledore, the somewhat surly Professor Snape, and the hooded figure of Professor Quirrell.
The candlelight revealed a night sky in the hall, with stars that twinkled like the real thing, silver ribbons dancing, and the occasional meteor streaking across, creating a breathtaking celestial display.
The young wizards were utterly mesmerized.
It wasn't until Professor McGonagall called their attention a few times, leading them to the front of the hall and stopping in front of a chair, that they snapped out of their reverie.
Then, Professor McGonagall placed a worn, patched, and stained pointed wizard hat on the chair for everyone to see.
All eyes in the hall were fixed on the hat, and Hermione seemed about to say something but felt Artel tug at her sleeve.
Suddenly, to the astonishment of the young wizards, the hat appeared to stretch and move on its own. It began to sing, a song of introduction and welcome.
After the song, there was thunderous applause from both the students and the professors.
Once the applause died down, Professor McGonagall approached with a scroll of parchment in hand.
"Now, when I call your name, come forward, sit on the chair, put on the hat, and await your sorting," she instructed. Professor McGonagall then glanced at the parchment.
"Hannah Abbott!"
Artel looked at the blonde girl who nervously stepped forward. She took a deep breath and cautiously walked to the chair.
Hannah placed the hat on her head, and after a brief moment, Artel heard the hat declare, "Hufflepuff!"
Hannah visibly relaxed, greeted by applause and cheers from the Hufflepuff table. She removed the hat and made her way to her new house.
"Susan Bones!"
Professor McGonagall continued calling names, and each student was sorted into their respective houses. Hermione eventually stood up to go through the process.
The Sorting Hat seemed to take a moment, as though having a conversation with Hermione, but Artel couldn't hear their exchange. After a brief pause, the hat moved twice and called out, "Gryffindor!"
Cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table, and Hermione removed the hat and made her way toward her new house, casting a hopeful glance at Artel before running to join her fellow Gryffindors.
After Hermione, it was Ron and Harry's turn, and they too were sorted into Gryffindor.
Finally, it was Artel's turn.
"Artel Shelby."
Professor McGonagall called his name, her eyes encouraging, and even Dumbledore, sitting behind her, appeared attentive, having heard about Artel from Professor McGonagall.
Artel stepped forward confidently, put on the sorting hat, and took a seat.
"Well... what a potent talent, an inclination toward dark magic, a natural dark wizard... I have never encountered a wizard with such a terrifying potential, surpassing the four founders, exceeding Merlin, surpassing even Dumbledore," the Sorting Hat's voice echoed in Artel's ear.
"Deep within your heart, a formidable ambition resides, yet you know how to conceal it. Hmm, a perfect fit for Slytherin," the Sorting Hat muttered in Artel's ear before raising its voice.
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