Kyle had always been curious about how the boats carrying the first-year students at Hogwarts moved across the water. He had initially assumed it was magic, but now he was beginning to have doubts.
He had watched carefully for a long time, but he couldn't find any sign of magic on the boats. And then there was Hagrid—this half-giant, who was nearly four meters tall and surely weighed much more than the four first-year students in his boat. Yet, the waterline of his boat was exactly the same as the others'. This was clearly unusual.
Of course, it was possible that some advanced, concealed magic had been cast on the boats, or that they were enchanted with some kind of alchemical item. But Kyle preferred to believe that something underneath the lake was supporting the boats.
"Could it be the giant squid?" he wondered, leaning over to look beneath the surface of the water. Unfortunately, the visibility in the Black Lake at night was far too low. All he could see was his own reflection.
...
Soon, the boats emerged from the tunnel and docked at what appeared to be an underground dock. The students disembarked and followed Hagrid, climbing up a path of cobblestones, and eventually arrived at a damp, flat grassy area at the base of Hogwarts Castle. From there, they made their way up stone steps and reached a massive oak door.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Hagrid said. He turned and raised his enormous fist, knocking three times on the castle's entrance.
The door creaked open to reveal a tall, older witch in a green robe—no, scratch that, a black-haired cat-witch—standing on the other side.
It was impossible not to notice when someone made an entrance like hers. It was like a teacher appearing in the classroom doorway—instantly commanding silence. That's exactly how it felt when Professor McGonagall appeared. The moment she stepped into view, the chatter around them died instantly. Even Hagrid seemed to straighten up, becoming much more formal.
"First year students are here, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said, now sounding much more serious.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," Professor McGonagall said with a brief nod. She scanned the group before opening the door wide and leading them into the castle.
Torches burned brightly on the stone walls surrounding them, sending waves of warmth that immediately dispelled the chill of the outside air, making the shivering students feel much more at ease.
To their right, a large door was shut tight, and Kyle could clearly hear buzzing voices coming from within. However, McGonagall didn't stop there. Instead, she led the group down a long corridor to a small empty room at the other end of the hall.
"First of all, welcome to Hogwarts," she began, speaking her annual opening lines as the students took in the surroundings. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin, but before you sit down in the Great Hall, we need to sort you into your houses. The Sorting Ceremony is an important ritual, as your house will be like your family here at Hogwarts..."
Although Kyle was already well aware of all this, he still listened intently. He had no choice—he was standing in the front row, right under Professor McGonagall's watchful eye. If he let his attention wander now, his time at Hogwarts would definitely become uncomfortable.
Besides, this was a big moment, the kind that only happened once, and Kyle didn't want to miss it.
Professor McGonagall soon finished explaining about the House Cup and began to introduce the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Or, in simpler terms, the Brave, the Loyal, the Wise, and the Purebloods.
As she spoke, the other first-year students listened with rapt attention. Their eyes were filled with eager anticipation, and every so often, they would glance toward the Great Hall, almost as if they couldn't wait for the Sorting Ceremony to start.
Clearly, this was what they were most excited about.
...
"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place before the entire school," McGonagall continued. "I suggest you take this time to gather yourselves, straighten up, and look your best."
"When everything is ready, I'll come and get you," she added, giving the group one last look. "And please, stay quiet while you wait."
It was a bit unnecessary for her to say that last part. The moment McGonagall left the room, the students immediately broke into excited chatter.
"How will we be sorted? Do we get to choose?" a nervous girl asked, her voice tinged with worry.
It was the question on everyone's mind.
"Maybe it's some sort of test, like at Smeaton Academy," said a Muggle-born student, turning to his companion. "When I got my letter from Hogwarts, I was also accepted to Smeaton, but I chose here instead... Professor McGonagall convinced my mom; she wanted me to go to Smeaton, you know."
That was an attempt at name-dropping, but it didn't get the reaction the boy had hoped for. Most of the students were too concerned with the Sorting to care about his bragging, and some of them didn't even know what Smeaton Academy was.
"I think it's the heads of the Houses who choose the students," said another boy confidently. "That's how it is at Ilvermorny. They use statues to do it, though. My dad is friends with the director of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic. He told me all about it."
This was more convincing, and immediately, a group of students began to nod in agreement. The boy stood a little taller, basking in the attention.
He practically strutted, proudly telling anyone who would listen how his father knew influential people in the magical world. To anyone who didn't know better, they might have thought his father was the Minister for Magic.
At that moment, Kyle suddenly felt someone tugging at his sleeve. Turning around, he saw that it was Canna, looking worried.
"Kyle, is it really the heads of the Houses who choose? What if no one wants me? Will I be expelled?" she asked, her face filled with panic.
"Don't worry, no one will be expelled," Kyle reassured her with a smile. "Think about it—Ilvermorny and Hogwarts are two different schools. There's no way they use the same sorting method. That would be so boring."
"Ah, I see..." Canna sighed in relief. Then she asked, "Do you know how we're really sorted?"
Kyle thought for a moment and then decided to tell the truth, leaning in close to whisper in her ear: "Well, it's pretty simple. Each of us gets a nice little taste of the Killing Curse from the professors. Whoever survives gets in. Don't worry, you won't get expelled."
...
Just then, a ghost floated past them. Kyle turned, waved, and said, "Hello, Senior. We're about to be sorted too—wish us luck!"
The ghost didn't understand what the student was saying, but when he saw the greeting, he nodded in response.
Seeing this, Canna's face instantly drained of color. She stood frozen, her expression blank, as if her soul had left her body.
(End of Chapter)
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