Simultaneously traversing: the pinnacle of all realms

In the early morning, under Beth's repeated admonitions and Darren's gaze, Xavier finally stumbled through the seemingly solid but actually illusory brick wall of King's Cross Station.

On Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the Hogwarts Express was puffing out scalding steam.

There were quite a few people on the platform—some were frantically looking for their carriages, and a few first-year students who looked like Xavier, curiously observing everything around them.

Xavier boarded the train with his luggage. It was still early, and he found a seat in a relatively quiet carriage.

He leaned against the window, watching the countryside rushing past. The green fields of England outside were soon swallowed by the fog, and the sky gradually darkened.

As the train journey continued, some people began to remind others to change into their school uniforms, while others—like Xavier—were trying to make out any trace of the castle in the darkness outside the window.

Unfortunately, I didn't see anything.

I don't know where Hogwarts is.

As the train arrived at the station, a gruff voice rang out on the platform: "First-year students! First-year students, this way!"

Xavier looked in the direction of the sound and saw an unusually tall man holding a lamp and beckoning to them.

That was Hagrid—Xavier recognized him, but he looked different from the one in the movie; he was taller and looked more disheveled.

A group of apprehensive yet excited freshmen followed Hagrid down the path leading to Hogwarts.

Hogwarts Castle stood atop a cliff, its countless windows brightly lit, its spires piercing the night sky, resembling a moving painting under the starlight. Even though Xavier had mentally rehearsed it countless times, he still froze for several seconds when he actually saw it.

-

As Xavier traveled by water to the castle, he tried to count the number of new students traveling with him by the dim light.

A rough count revealed that there were only about forty new students, with an average of about ten new students per college.

Indeed, the fact that "20 brooms were laid out on the ground" during the first flying lesson for Gryffindor and Slytherin in the movie also indirectly confirms this point.

In my past life, there weren't enough people for a middle school class.

The new students were led by Hagrid through the gate and into the castle, where they were handed over to Professor McGonagall, who had been waiting for them, in the foyer.

Professor McGonagall, dressed in a turquoise robe, had a serious expression and sharp eyes. She briefly explained the Sorting Ceremony procedure to the new students, then led them into a small room next to the auditorium, asking them to wait there and tidy themselves up.

Xavier stood in a corner of the crowd, listening to the whispers around him.

"I heard that during the sorting process, we have to fight trolls!" a boy said seriously.

"Don't be silly, my brother said all you have to do is wear a hat." Another kid rolled his eyes—hey, there's an honest guy here!

A moment later, the door slowly opened, and Professor McGonagall appeared in the doorway—

"Line up in a single file and follow me."

The new students filed in and entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

The auditorium was magnificent, with thousands of floating candles illuminating the entire space, and the ceiling above the dome was enchanted, reflecting the dazzling starry sky outside.

Four long tables were occupied by upperclassmen from the four houses, and in the center, at the faculty table sat an old man with a silver beard that reached his waist—Dumbledore.

Xavier's gaze swept quickly across the faculty seating area:

The purple-skinned garlic cloves, wrapped in a purple headscarf, looked timid and hesitant.

A large black bat, dressed in a black robe, with an expressionless face and sinister eyes;

Professor Flitwick was so short, just like a hobbit in an illustration, that he was standing on tiptoe trying to see the freshmen line.

Professor Sprout, on the other hand, was all smiles and looked like a kind gardening auntie.

The branch campus has begun.

Professor McGonagall took out a roll of parchment and read out the first name.

"Hannah Abbott!"

A rosy-cheeked girl with two golden braids trotted forward and sat on the four-cornered stool. Xavier watched as the Sorting Hat struggled for a moment on the girl's head, then the brim opened and it cried out—

"Hufflepuff!"

Hannah Abbott took off her hat and ran happily toward the Hufflepuff table.

Professor McGonagall unfolded the parchment again and read out the second name.

"Susan Bornes!"

A girl with a reddish-brown ponytail stepped forward, her hat barely touching her hair as she called out "Hufflepuff!" Susan also ran happily to the Hufflepuff table and gave Hannah a high five.

Next was Lavender Brown, who went to Gryffindor; and Millison Burstd, who went to Slytherin.

Justin Finley – Hufflepuff.

"Seimor Finnigan" - Gryffindor.

"Hermione Granger"—when Professor McGonagall uttered this name, a girl with fluffy brown hair and prominent front teeth almost ran forward.

The Sorting Hat twirled on her head for almost a minute before finally calling out, "Gryffindor!" Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, took off the hat, and walked toward the long table where the cheers were loudest. Xavier noticed that she seemed to glance at Ron Weasley and Harry Potter as she passed by—though the two were busy at the moment.

"Draco Malfoy"—Slytherin. The pale-faced, pointy-chinned boy walked with an air of superiority, calling out Slytherin the moment his hat touched his blond hair.

"Neville Longbottom"—Gryffindor. Neville, wearing a hat, nearly tripped over his robes as he ran toward the long table, eliciting a burst of good-natured laughter.

The Petit sisters – Padma went to Ravenclaw, and Pavati went to Gryffindor.

The moment the name "Harry Potter" was uttered, the entire Great Hall fell silent.

Everyone craned their necks to see what the "boy who survived the ordeal" looked like.

Harry timidly sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat muttered something on his head for a while. Finally, when the hat shouted "Gryffindor," the entire Gryffindor table erupted in deafening cheers.

Ron Weasley – Gryffindor.

-

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat: "Ethan Xavier."

Xavier took a deep breath and stepped out of the crowd. He could feel dozens of eyes on him—although he wasn't Harry Potter, an unfamiliar surname always attracted curious glances.

He sat on a four-cornered stool, and Professor McGonagall gently placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

The hat was so big that it completely covered his eyes, plunging the world into darkness.

A soft voice whispered in his ear: "Hmm... interesting."

You have ambitions for power, but you are not merely a tool of ambition;

You don't like to stand out, nor do you want to get involved in pointless disputes;

You value knowledge and a down-to-earth approach, right? I see that you are very patient and know how to balance things.

...What you want is something truly valuable.

Hmm... Hufflepuff would be perfect for you. There, you'll find like-minded friends who will appreciate your hard work and integrity.

Let's go to Hufflepuff.

The Sorting Hat loudly proclaimed, "Hufflepuff!"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted at the Hufflepuff table.

Xavier took off his hat and walked to the long table with the yellow and black flag. Hannah Abbott and Susan Borns moved aside to make room for him.

An older boy patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Welcome to Badgerhouse! We are the best and most united house."