The Shopkeeper of All Worlds in the British Wizarding World

Chapter 7 Entering the Castle
Ryan shivered in the cold air on the platform. Then a rough voice came over, "Freshmen! Freshmen, come over here!"

Ryan saw a burly man standing out from 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 beetle-like black eyes sparkled in the tangled hair.

This should be Hagrid, the Hogwarts guard. Above the crowd of people, Hagrid's bearded face showed a smile. "Come on, follow me, are there any first-year students? Watch your step, all right! First-year students, follow me!"

All the freshmen followed Hagrid and stumbled down the slope along a rugged and dark path. Neville almost slipped, but fortunately Ryan helped him up in time.

"Turning this corner, you will soon see Hogwarts for the first time." Hagrid called back.

After turning the corner, even though Ryan was mentally prepared, with his soul age in his thirties, he still opened his mouth and exclaimed in amazement along with his classmates.

At the end of the narrow path, a black lake suddenly opened up. On the other side of the lake, on a high hillside, stood a towering castle with towers and windows that flickered under the starry sky.

"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid pointed to a group of small boats moored on the shore and shouted. Ryan and Hermione got on the boat, and Neville followed.

"Everyone aboard?" Hagrid called out, and he was in a boat all by himself. "Then let's go!" A fleet of boats immediately set off across the smooth lake.

This must be the entrance ceremony for freshmen. Ryan looked at the towering castle and recalled the books he had read in his previous life.

The four founders must have followed this road and sailed across the Black Lake to come to Hogwarts, so later students also had to take this route.

The fleet approached the castle slowly. "Draw your heads!" Hagrid shouted as the first boats approached the cliff. Everyone ducked their heads as the boats carried them through the ivy curtain that covered the cliff face and into the hidden open entrance.

They followed a dark tunnel that seemed to lead beneath the castle, and finally arrived at a place that resembled an underground dock, and then climbed up onto a ground of gravel and pebbles.

Everyone followed Hagrid up a flight of stone steps and gathered in front of a huge oak door. "Is everyone here?" After asking, Hagrid raised a huge fist and knocked on the castle door three times.

The door opened immediately. A tall black-haired witch in emerald green robes stood in front of the door with a serious expression. This should be Professor McGonagall.

"First year, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take care of this."

Then Professor McGonagall motioned for all the freshmen to follow her. You could see torches burning around the stone walls on both sides of the passage; the ceiling was so high that you could hardly see the top; and in front of you was a luxurious marble staircase leading directly to the upper floors.

After turning a corner, Professor McGonagall led the first-year students to a small empty room at the other end of the hall. Everyone rushed in, rubbing shoulders with each other, and stared at everything around them nervously, because the next moment would be very important.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The opening banquet is about to begin, but before you go to the restaurant to sit down, you must first confirm which house you are entering. Classification is a It is a very important ceremony, because while you are at school, the college is like your home at Hogwarts. You will have classes with other students in the college, stay in the college dormitories together, and spend time together in the common room of the college. 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 witches. During your time at Hogwarts, your outstanding performance will earn extra points for your house, while any violation of the rules will cause your house to lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will receive the house cup, which is a great honor. I hope that no matter which house you are assigned to, you can bring honor to the house." In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will be held in front of the entire school. I suggest that you tidy yourself up and be more energetic while waiting.

"When the other side is ready, I will come to pick you up." Professor McGonagall said, "Please keep quiet while waiting."

With that, 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, Hogwarts was the only magic school in the UK, and being kicked out would definitely be a lifelong shame.

Ryan looked around and found that everyone, including the freshmen from wizard families, was very nervous. It seemed that this was a prank passed down from generation to generation. He couldn't help but pity the British sense of humor.

Just when everyone was nervous about what was going to happen next, about twenty ghosts suddenly jumped out from the wall behind them. These ghosts slid across the room, paying little attention to the first-year students. They seemed 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 you are ready to take the test?"

Some students nodded silently. "I hope you'll be sorted into Hufflepuff!" said the monk. "I used to be in that house." "Now move forward," said a shrill voice. "The sorting ceremony is about to begin."

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

After passing through the foyer, the door of the auditorium opened and the freshmen lined up to enter the auditorium. There were four long tables filled with golden tableware. There were many students sitting at the tables, but a section of each long table was reserved, probably for the freshmen.

Ryan looked up at the miraculous ceiling. Through the transparent dome, he could see the stars in the sky. It was hard to believe that this was not open-air. Thousands of lit candles floated in the air, illuminating the entire restaurant without a drop of wax or a trace of smoke. It also showed the extraordinary nature of these candles and the heritage of the school.

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

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

This should be the Sorting Hat that has been infused with wisdom by the four giants. It is also one of the cornerstones of Hogwarts. But to be honest, when Ryan thought about this thing being used every year but never being washed, he felt a little itchy on his scalp.

Soon, after listening to the hat's annual song, Professor McGonagall took a few steps forward with a roll of parchment in her hand.

Whoever's name I call now, put on his hat, sit on the stool, and wait for the Sorting."

The highlight of the opening of school, the sorting ceremony, began.

A newbie is on the road, and it’s fun to have people watching him.

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(End of this chapter)