The Shopkeeper of All Worlds in the British Wizarding World

Chapter 7 Entering the Castle
The cold air on the platform made Ryan shiver, and then a rough voice came over, "Freshman! Freshman, come here!"

Ryan saw a burly man standing out of the crowd among a group of students, holding a lamp in his hand.His hair was so thick that it almost covered his entire face.A pair of black, beetle-like eyes gleamed through tangled fur.

This should be Hagrid, the caretaker of Hogwarts. Above the sea of ​​thousands of people, Hagrid smiled on his bearded face. "Come on, come with me, are there any first-year students? Watch out for your feet, okay! First-year students come with me!"

All the freshmen followed Hagrid as they stumbled down a rough and dark path. Neville almost slipped, but fortunately Ryan helped him in time.

"Cut this corner and you're about to see Hogwarts for the first time," Hagrid called back.

Turning the corner, even though Ryan's soul was in his 30s and he was mentally prepared, he still opened his mouth wide with his classmates and exclaimed.

A black lake suddenly opened up at the end of the narrow path.On the high hillside on the other side of the lake stands a majestic castle with spiers and windows shining under the starry sky.

"No more than four per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a fleet of small boats moored to the shore.Ryan and Hermione got into the boat, and Neville followed.

"All aboard?" Hagrid called, taking the boat by himself. "That's a good way to go!" A group of small boats rowed across the smooth lake like a mirror and drove forward.

This is the entrance ceremony for new students. Looking at the towering castle, Ryan recalled the books he read in his previous life.

The four founders should have followed this road in that way, driving a boat across the Black Lake to Hogwarts, so the later students have to walk this road once.

"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled as the first boats approached the cliff.All bowed their heads, and the boat carried them through the curtain of ivy that covered the face of the cliff to the secret open entrance.

They followed a dark tunnel that seemed to go beneath the castle, and at last they came to what looked like an underground pier, and then climbed up a patch of gravel and small pebbles.

They all followed Hagrid up a flight of stone steps to a large oaken door. "Is everything here?" After asking, Hagrid raised a huge fist and knocked three times on the castle gate.

The door opened instantly.A tall dark-haired witch in emerald green robes stood solemnly in front of the gate.This should be Professor McGonagall.

"First-year freshman, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. Leave it to me when you get here."

Professor McGonagall then motioned for all the new students to follow her.It can be seen that the stone walls on both sides of the passage are surrounded by flaming torches; the ceiling is so high that the top is almost invisible; the front is a luxurious marble staircase leading directly to the upper floor.

Turning a corner, Professor McGonagall led the first-years into a small empty room at the other end of the hall.Everyone rushed in, rubbing shoulders and huddling together, staring nervously at everything around them, because there will be a very important moment.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The opening banquet is about to begin, but before you go to the dining hall, you must first confirm which college you have entered. Classification is a This is an important ceremony, because the college is like your home at Hogwarts while you are at school. You will attend classes with other students in the college, live in the college dormitory together, and spend time together in the college common room After school time.

"The names of the four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding wizards and wizards. You are in Huo During Gewartz's studies, your excellent performance will earn your house points, and any violations will make your house lose points.At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will win the house cup, which is very high Honor. I hope that no matter which house you are assigned to, you will bring honor to the house.

"In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will be held in front of the teachers and students of the whole school. I suggest that you tidy up yourselves and be more energetic while waiting.

"I'll pick you up when it's ready over there," said Professor McGonagall. "Please keep quiet while you wait."

After speaking, Professor McGonagall left the room.

The atmosphere in the small room became tense, except for Ryan who was a time traveler.Neville next to him seemed to be trembling slightly.And Hermione's lips kept moving, as if she was reciting something.After all, in England, Hogwarts is the only wizarding school, and it would be a lifetime of shame to be kicked out.

Ryan looked around and found that everyone, including the freshmen from wizard families, was very nervous.Looks like this is an ancestral prank.He could not help pitying the English sense of humor.

Just when everyone was nervous about what happened next, twenty or so ghosts suddenly appeared on the wall behind them.The ghosts slid across the room, paying little attention to the freshmen.They seem to be arguing about something.

Suddenly they seemed to have discovered a new student, "New student!" A chubby monk smiled at them and said. "I think, probably ready to be tested?"

Some students nodded silently. "Hope you get a Hufflepuff!" said the Friar. "I used to go to that house." "Move forward now," said a shrill voice. "The Sorting is about to begin."

Professor McGonagall is back.The ghosts floated in file and disappeared across the opposite wall. "Now, stand in single file," Professor McGonagall said to the first-years, "follow me."

Passing through the foyer, the door of the auditorium opened, and the freshmen entered the auditorium in a line. The four long tables were covered with golden tableware. There were many students beside the tables, but each long table had a section set aside, which should be reserved for Newborn.

Ryan raised his head and looked at the miraculous ceiling. Through the transparent dome, he could see the stars in the sky.It's hard to believe that it's really not open air.Thousands of lighted candles floated in the air, illuminating the entire dining room without a drop of wax or a trace of smoke.It also shows the extraordinary and school heritage of these candles.

Hermione's voice came from the side: "Spells have been cast here, and it looks like the sky outside. I read about it in "Hogwarts, a School History."

Professor McGonagall gently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year students, and placed a pointed wizard hat on the stool.

This should be the Sorting Hat that has been injected with wisdom by the Big Four, and it is also one of the cornerstones of Hogwarts, but to be honest.Thinking of this thing being used every year but never washed, Ryan felt his scalp itchy.

Soon, after listening to the hat's song of the year, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, a roll of parchment in his hand.

Whoever's name I call now will put on a hat, sit on a stool, and wait for the sorting. "

The highlight of the new semester, the sorting ceremony has begun.

　Novice on the road, someone watching, happy.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)