As they approached Hogwarts, the unpleasantness of the earlier incident faded from their minds. Guided by Hagrid, the first-year students arrived at a lakeside dock.
"Everyone onto the boats! Remember, no more than four per boat," Hagrid called back to the group.
Anduin, Charles, and Vivian boarded the same boat, joined by another girl.
"Hey, I'm Oriana. Nice to meet you all," the girl greeted them.
"Hello, I'm Vivian, and these are Anduin and Charles. Let's leave the rowing to the gentlemen," Vivian quipped, introducing herself and assigning the task without consulting the boys.
Anduin and Charles exchanged speechless glances but silently began rowing.
Soon, however, Anduin realized the boat seemed enchanted. It followed its course with minimal effort, as if guided by magic.
"I heard only first-year students have to row to school," Vivian, the gossipy girl, began, repeating a rumor she'd picked up from who-knows-where. "It's supposed to be a reenactment of the founders' journey, and each boat with four students represents one of the four founders." Anduin listened absently, his gaze fixed on Hogwarts as it loomed closer.
He wondered what the founders had felt as they approached the castle. The students on the boat were certainly excited.
"All first-year students, disembark and follow me," Hagrid called, holding up an oil lamp as he led the way. After disembarking, the students arrived at Hogwarts' first structure: the Boat House.
Beyond the Boat House lay a winding, lengthy staircase carved into the cliff face. The students struggled up the steps, finally reaching the cliff's summit. There, towering above them, stood the majestic castle of Hogwarts.
Having climbed the cliff, the group followed Hagrid into Hogwarts' Entrance Hall. Inside, a middle-aged witch in deep emerald robes awaited them on the steps—Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall surveyed the newly arrived First-Year Students, her gaze falling upon Anduin in the crowd. She shot him a pointed glare, undoubtedly aware of his "glorious" exploits.
"Professor McGonagall, these little ones are in your hands now," Hagrid said, turning to leave.
"Thank you, Hagrid. You've been a great help," Professor McGonagall replied politely. She then addressed the assembled students: "Welcome to Hogwarts. The Opening Feast will begin shortly, but first, you will undergo the Sorting Ceremony. I will lead you into the Great Hall shortly..."
Professor McGonagall proceeded to outline a series of instructions for the First-Year Students waiting at the foot of the stairs. Anduin listened intently, realizing the main points revolved around two things: the Sorting Ceremony and the House Cup. After being sorted, students were expected to perform well—good deeds would earn points, while misbehavior would result in deductions, ultimately affecting the House Cup standings.
Having efficiently delivered her instructions, Professor McGonagall glanced at the excited young wizards, smiled warmly, and instructed them to wait briefly before departing herself.
The First-Year Students waiting at the bottom of the steps were a mix of nervousness and excitement. They were anxious about the Sorting Ceremony, fearing they might not pass, yet eager to join their respective Houses and start earning points for them. They looked ready to sacrifice themselves for their Houses at any moment.
Anduin rolled his eyes. What do these little brats know about honor? This isn't some street brawl where whoever wins gets the prize. They'll soon realize earning House points isn't as easy as they think. If these wild kids don't end up costing their Houses points, that'll be a miracle.
"Anduin, are you nervous? The Sorting Ceremony is about to start! I wonder how they'll do it. It's not going to be a test, is it? I spent the whole summer playing around—I don't know anything!" Vivian was clearly on edge, desperate to pass her anxiety onto Anduin.
Anduin found her amusing. You didn't spend the whole summer playing around—you spent it gossiping about others! Still, he quietly reassured her.
Professor McGonagall soon returned and led the First-Year Students to the Great Hall. They arrived at the doors separating the Entrance Hall from the Great Hall, flanked by four massive hourglasses. Beneath each hourglass was a sculpted animal: a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake. All the hourglasses were currently empty, suggesting they were used to track each house's scores.
Professor McGonagall pushed open the doors and led the group into the Great Hall.
Hogwarts' Great Hall was incredibly vast, with an impossibly high ceiling. Perhaps due to magic, the ceiling was invisible, lost in the darkness above. Countless floating candles illuminated the hall with an otherworldly glow.
Four extraordinarily long tables stretched across the hall, already occupied by older students who eyed the newcomers curiously. At the head of the tables stood a single chair, upon which rested a tattered old hat.
As the First-Year Students entered, the hat was already belting out its opening song in a discordant tune. By the time they reached the chair, the hat still hadn't finished, howling with undiminished enthusiasm.
To Anduin's ears, it sounded more like a banshee's wail. It was as if "awful" had opened the door for "utterly dreadful," and "utterly dreadful" had made itself right at home.
After a short while, the Sorting Hat finally finished its song to thunderous applause. Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a parchment and announced, "The Sorting Ceremony will now begin. When your name is called, please come forward and sit on the stool."
Oriana Sinclaire, the girl who had traveled with Anduin and the others on the boat, was the first to be called. With a mix of nervousness and excitement, she sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall gently placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Ravenclaw!" the hat declared after a few moments of deliberation.
Oriana walked toward the Ravenclaw table, where cheers and applause greeted her.
The Sorting Ceremony proceeded smoothly. Vivian was sorted into Slytherin, just as she had predicted. Though not a Pure-blood, her family had traditionally been Slytherin.
Charles was sorted into Gryffindor, as Anduin had anticipated. Samuel Travers was also placed in Slytherin. Anduin silently pitied Vivian; being classmates with someone like him would be no easy task.
Is this all there is to the Sorting Ceremony? Anduin wondered inwardly. Before he could dwell on it, Professor McGonagall called his name: "Anduin Wilson."
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T/N— You can read upto Chapter 50 and get two chapters a day at— Patreon.com/EtherealTL
Details about bonus chapters mentioned in Auxiliary, Chapter 0.