บท 18: Chapter 18: Hello, Hogwarts
The small boat gently drifted on the surface of the Black Lake.
Ino noticed Hermione fell silent suddenly and was glad for the peace.
Compared to Malfoy, who was central to the story, Ino really didn't want to get too involved with Hermione.
But fate had other plans. Just as the quiet settled in for a few minutes, he heard the bushy-haired girl next to him start muttering to herself.
"I've clearly forgotten about that incident, and besides, our meeting here should prove something."
It was a sort of indirect concession, but Ino still didn't feel like engaging in conversation, especially considering how fierce the girl could be later on.
However, Hermione had other plans. Staring fixedly at the lake's surface, she suddenly exclaimed loudly, "Yes! Your divination was quite accurate, and one pound as payment is fair, Mr. Swinburne!"
Ino jumped at this sudden high pitch.
At the same time, he detected a hint of clear grievance and a quivering tone in Hermione's voice.
"Well then! I used the Fire-Making Charm," Ino replied.
Faced with this situation, continuing to stay silent felt like bullying a young girl.
"I knew it! The Lighting Charm gives off white light, and the orange light could only be from the Fire-Making Charm. But how did you keep it obediently on your wand? I tried it during summer break, but it was like a... well, not very bright lighter."
Hermione's demeanor changed from subdued to a rapid-fire expression of her insights into magic.
"Well, the Fire-Making Charm was originally intended to create a flame that wizards can use at any time. Your comparison to a lighter is actually quite apt."
Ino deliberately slowed down his speech.
Because he noticed Hermione's hands involuntarily clutching her robe, a sign of inner tension according to psychology.
Thinking about it, it made sense. An 11-year-old girl in an unfamiliar environment would naturally feel nervous.
Reflecting on this, Ino couldn't help but feel remorse for his previous indifference. After all, she was just a girl who had left her parents.
"Miss Granger! You must have read 'The Standard Book of Spells'..."
In terms of language control, no one could match a bard.
Although Ino was merely an apprentice, he had a good grasp of the rhythm of conversation. With a few words, Hermione gradually began to relax.
"Call me Hermione, and yes, I finished reading 'The Standard Book of Spells' during the summer..."
...
Time quietly slipped away during their conversation.
The boat carrying everyone passed through the ivy curtains covering the cliff face and arrived at a platform resembling a dock.
Under Hagrid's arrangement, after walking along a pebbled path for a few minutes, they finally reached the castle.
Before a gigantic oak door, Hagrid raised his massive fist and knocked on the castle's door.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The door swung open from within, and a tall, slender witch stepped out.
...
Some people naturally bring humor with them, while others arrive with a boombox.
But this one, dressed in emerald green robes with a pointed wizard hat, clearly said nothing yet managed to impose a palpable sense of pressure with her serious expression, instantly silencing all the young wizards.
The lively atmosphere just moments ago turned deathly quiet.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here," Professor McGonagall said as she glanced over the small wizards below.
As the Head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall knew these young wizards too well.
If she didn't establish authority right from the start, firmly asserting control, who knew how unruly they might become later? And disciplining them then would be far from easy.
"Firstly! Welcome to Hogwarts."
Professor McGonagall spoke solemnly and waved her wand, causing the towering oak doors behind her to swing wide open like a lion ready to roar at any moment.
This scene rendered the young wizards below speechless. Ino even saw a chubby boy nearby looking like he might burst into tears.
He couldn't help but admire Professor McGonagall's approach.
Her method truly subdued these new students completely.
"Now, stay quiet and follow me!"
With that, Professor McGonagall turned and walked toward the castle.
Behind her, all the young wizards naturally formed a line, silently following, not a single one daring to look around.
They arrived at a side hall of the Great Hall.
"The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before that, we need to determine your respective houses. These are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The houses are not ranked; each has its own distinguished history and has produced many outstanding wizards."
Professor McGonagall scanned the young wizards below, paused for a few seconds, then continued,
"The Sorting Ceremony is a tradition at Hogwarts, and one of the most important events in your life because it represents your life and study for the next seven years."
Professor McGonagall's tone was serious.
"Now, wait here quietly for a moment. I need to prepare for the Sorting Ceremony. Remember! Quiet waiting."
As Professor McGonagall left, the young wizards collectively breathed a sigh of relief. There was no escaping the overpowering presence of such a powerful witch.
However, youth is naturally restless.
A few minutes after Professor McGonagall left the hall, it regained its original liveliness, with everyone whispering and talking quietly.
At first, it was tentative chatter, but finding no one to reprimand them, the volume gradually increased, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Ino, which house do you hope to be in? I want Gryffindor. It has the greatest wizard of this century, Headmaster Dumbledore. Ravenclaw isn't bad either; the books say only truly smart people end up in Ravenclaw."
Upon hearing the familiar voice beside him, Ino couldn't help but rub his forehead.
He couldn't understand why Hermione was so talkative; they had talked all the way on the boat, wasn't that enough? She seemed like a cool and intelligent girl from the original story.
"I don't know, whichever house they sort me into. As long as it's not skipping years, I don't care!"
Yet, with this casual reply, Hermione seemed to discover a great secret, her eyes instantly brightening.
"Skipping years? Hogwarts isn't a seven-year system? And there's skipping years?"
"That's something for later; you should focus on the present."
He was already regretting engaging with Hermione, especially now that he knew her nature.
"But the future is also the present in the future, so what's skipping years? Hogwarts' history doesn't record such a thing." Hermione persisted.
Faced with Hermione's relentless pursuit, just as Ino was preparing to make up an excuse, Professor McGonagall returned to the side hall.
No need for more words; with just a glance, the new students were silenced as if released from a spell, the hall fell into complete silence.
"Now, everyone line up single file and follow me!"
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