Time passed into the afternoon as the train traveled, and Cho nervously mentioned the Sorting Ceremony.
"I heard we're going to be sorted into Houses. Do you know how they do it? It won't be an exam, will it?"
"I've asked my parents so many times, but they won't tell me. They just said to be ready when the time comes."
Karl was looking at a few Chocolate Frog cards. These things brought back the fun of collecting cards when he was little, though it was a pity he hadn't gotten Albus Dumbledore.
"Don't worry, there's no exam, no danger, just a tattered old hat that hasn't been washed in hundreds of years."
Cho looked bewildered: "A hat? How does that sort us?"
Nina had just learned the trick of twirling her wand from Karl and was now practicing with great enthusiasm.
"It's a sentient hat. As soon as we put it on, it will see through our hearts, and then the hat will sort us into the four Houses based on our different qualities."
After understanding the Sorting Ceremony, Cho was a little indignant, "My parents are too much! They made me nervous for so long!"
"Calm down. It's said that all Wizard parents keep it a secret from first-year new students. Maybe it's a kind of prank."
"What about the upper-year students then?"
Facing Cho's confusion, Karl gave her a soul-stirring answer:
"If you've already been drenched by the rain, why wouldn't you throw away someone else's umbrella? Think about this time next year, watching a group of new students looking terrified—isn't that fun?"
"Ah… hehe!"
Lost in imagination, Cho's smile gradually became unrestrained.
Karl ignored the silly girl. He needed to discuss a problem with a reliable person now, so he leaned closer to Nina.
"Do you think the Sorting Hat's ability to see through hearts is Legilimency? You know that magic, right?"
Nina stopped her wand, which had been flipping up and down in her hand, frowned, and thought for a moment before offering her opinion:
"I believe the Sorting Hat's ability is a special kind of Legilimency, similar yet very different."
"Firstly, the Sorting Hat was created by the four founders of Hogwarts, so this ability is very likely derived from Salazar Slytherin's Legilimency."
"Then, compared to Legilimency, which directly reads thoughts and even views memories, the Sorting Hat's ability is to perceive a person's emotions, qualities, and intentions."
"The reason for this change might be related to the original purpose of creating the Sorting Hat."
"After all, the Sorting Hat's purpose is to sort, not to interrogate. The subjects it examines are students of the school, not enemies or criminals."
"So the four founders must have conducted some research to form this special kind of Legilimency."
Karl: (⊙ o ⊙)
Discussion means exchanging opinions or debating a certain issue. Why are you giving me a lecture directly!
"Hmm… I think what you said makes a lot of sense. Actually, I was thinking the same thing. Well… you really know a lot!"
"Who made it so that I have a Legilimency master in my family? I don't even need to speak when I'm with her."
"Then do you know Occlumency?"
"I won't tell you, but during the Sorting Ceremony, you'll have a little surprise~"
Translate what a "little surprise" means! Don't be a riddle-maker!
Karl was about to press for more when he was interrupted by Cho, whose smile was already becoming a little twisted.
"Karl, Nina! I have a fun idea! Quick, help me make up a story!"
After hearing Cho's idea of scaring the Young Wizards, Karl suddenly remembered Professor McGonagall's method of making money.
Perhaps he could take this opportunity to create some buzz, making it easier to sell books at school later.
…
By the time it was almost dark, the Hogwarts Express train was finally about to arrive at the station.
Karl and Nina got up and took out their robes from their trunks, putting them on directly over their clothes.
The night air was quite chilly at this time, so it was better to wear more layers.
"The train has arrived. It's time for us to get off."
Karl opened the compartment door and looked out. The corridor was crowded with Young Wizards, who were pushing and shoving their way towards the train door.
Soon, most of the people in the carriage had left, and Karl turned back to call his two companions.
"Let's go."
"Coming."
Nina followed behind Karl, carrying a brown leather trunk in one hand and holding Cho's hand in the other.
After getting off the train, they were on a dark, small, old platform. In the distance, where the crowd gathered, a tall figure held a dim lamp.
Needless to say, it was Rubeus Hagrid, the Hogwarts gamekeeper.
"First years! First years, follow me! Watch your step! Follow me!"
The crowd began to move slowly, advancing into the darkness.
Karl gave a slight flick of his arm, and his wand slid from his robe sleeve into his palm.
"Lumos."
A soft ball of light illuminated the tip of his wand, lighting up the rugged, narrow path for the three at the very back.
"That's a great Lighting Charm."
Nina's voice was very soft, as if it would dissipate into the night wind once it left the light and shadow.
"Thanks, I think you could do it too, but it's a pity you don't have a free hand."
Cho pretended not to understand, glanced at the pitch-black surroundings, and simply hugged Nina's arm.
"I can't help it. My treasure is in the trunk, and I'm not comfortable leaving it on the train."
The two chatted idly until Hagrid's shouts came from ahead.
"Just around this bend, you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time!"
Excited shouts continuously came from the Young Wizards in front, who finally reached the end of the path.
Looking across the black lake, a majestic Castle stood on the high slope, with numerous spires and windows twinkling under the starry sky.
After walking in the darkness for so long, suddenly seeing such a beautiful scene, their suppressed mood brightened instantly.
"Everyone board the boats in order. Don't rush or push. No more than four people per boat."
"Is everyone on board? Then let's go!"
Under Hagrid's command, the Young Wizards boarded the small boats and glided across the calm lake towards the Castle.
They passed through cliffs and ivy curtains in succession, arriving at a hidden, open entrance. The small boats then proceeded through a dark tunnel, finally reaching an underground dock.
The Young Wizards disembarked one after another, stepping onto a ground of gravel and small pebbles.
"Everyone follow me!"
Hagrid, holding his lamp, led everyone from the underground tunnel to a shadowy lawn, finally gathering before a huge oak door.
He raised his fist and knocked three times on the door, which immediately opened.
Karl looked on expectantly, as Professor McGonagall appeared before all the Young Wizards with a powerful aura.
She scanned them with a serious gaze, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes when her gaze met Karl's.
Although they had been exchanging letters, she was still worried that the little kitten might not be doing well outside.
Now, seeing Karl with a rosy complexion and high spirits, and with two pretty girls by his side, she finally felt relieved.
"First years, Professor McGonagall."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."
Professor McGonagall pulled the door fully open, motioned for the Young Wizards to follow, and led them through the lofty entrance hall to a small, empty room on the left.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."