Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 5 The Hogwarts Express and the Sorting House

For more than a month, aside from occasionally going to the oak tree to think about problems, Ike spent most of his time locked in his room practicing various spells.

Through daily practice, Ike previewed all the first-grade textbooks and raised the levels of the Illumination Charm, Loud Charm, Soft Charm, Silent Charm, Repair Charm, Cleanse Charm, Summon Charm, and Unlock Charm to LV6.

Unfortunately, none of the spells reached Lv7.

Ike knew very well that he was able to achieve this level thanks to his magical affinity and knowledge mastery skills. Otherwise, just look at Ron and the demolition genius Simon Finegan in the original books to see just how difficult it is for a young wizard to master a new spell.

Unfortunately, this time for freely practicing magic had to come to an end. Until a solution to the "trace" was found, Ike could only read books during the holidays.

Early on the morning of September 1st, after Julianne finished explaining things at the orphanage, she drove her over ten-year-old Rover with Ike to London.

Of course, what others say is that Ike was admitted to a boarding school in London for free because of his outstanding grades in primary school.

Everyone else at the orphanage, and even Ike's friends at school, firmly believed this.

After all, when it comes to academics, Ike has no rivals among Gloucester's peers.

More than three hours later, the two finally arrived at King's Cross Station.

I found a trolley and put Ike's luggage on it. One trolley for clothes, one for daily necessities, plus the ones Professor McGonagall gave him, made it easy to move the one big guy and two small kids.

"When you get to school, don't just read books all the time. Talk to your roommates more, make more friends..."

"Remember to write to me if you need anything, tell me what you need or what you're missing, and I'll send it to you..."

"Oh my god, I still don't know how to send you anything! Remember to tell me as soon as you get to school..."

"Remember to wear more clothes when it's cold..."

"Remember to get your hair cut if it gets uncomfortable when it grows long. I don't know if there's a hair salon where you are..."

Julianne clutched her handbag tightly, giving him instructions as they walked. Ike smiled throughout, but his eyes betrayed his reluctance as he repeatedly agreed…

"I will..."

"I will definitely write to you as soon as possible..."

"If there's nowhere to cut it, I'll just leave it as is. I've never had long hair before..."

Just like a child leaving home for the first time, a mother will always have a lot of advice and instructions.

However, we must always part ways.

Before long, the two arrived at platform nine. Ike clearly saw several people pushing carts run towards a partition between platforms nine and ten, and then disappear in front of the partition.

"Julian, we're here." Ike pointed to the partition wall, gently interrupting Julian's instructions.

Hearing Ike's words, Julianne then noticed the strangeness of the partition: "Ah! How come it's so fast! I still have so much to say."

"I'll come back during the holidays." Ike wrinkled his nose, pretending to be angry. "You're not going to stop me from coming back, are you?"

"How could that be!" Julianne quickly denied, placing her hands on Ike's shoulders and pulling him into her arms. She patted his back as usual, then bent down and looked directly into Ike's eyes.

"You're my absolute favorite, little Ike."

"You're my favorite too! Julianne," Ike replied softly, then flashed a smile that could dispel any gloom.

Goodbye, Julianne's mother...

Goodbye, little Ike...

Passing through the partition wall, what comes into view is a train platform that looks like it was at the beginning of the century and a steam train that also looks like it was at the beginning of the century, with its red and black body full of historical feel.

On the platform, there were many other people pushing carts, some alone, some with family members. Some were even leaning out of the train, where one or two people were often talking to each other not far away.

Ike instinctively turned around and saw only a dark red brick wall.

He took a few deep breaths, and a smile returned to his face. Ike pushed the cart to the side where it was parked, took out his wand, and waved it. The three bags floated behind him in unison.

This scene naturally surprised those around them, as it was rare for a newly enrolled wizard to do something like this.

Ignoring the curiosity and surprise in the eyes of those around him, Ike boarded the train and found an empty compartment at the back of the carriage, then went straight in.

With a flick of his left hand, two suitcases landed securely on the luggage rack. Ike twitched his fingers slightly, and the remaining suitcase clicked open, revealing a thick book. With another wave of his wand, three suitcases were neatly arranged on the luggage rack.

Ike arrived very early; the train wouldn't depart for another half hour. Besides reading, Ike had no other way to pass the time.

See the scenery? What's so interesting about a train platform?

After a while, a little witch with fluffy brown curly hair appeared at the door, dragging a huge suitcase. She glanced at Ike, who was looking at her curiously, and asked loudly, "May I sit here? All the seats in front are taken."

"Of course." Ike nodded, waved his wand with his right hand, and the little witch's suitcase flew onto the luggage rack to her surprise.

Do you have any other luggage?

"Oh! Of course, thank you." The little witch pulled in three more equally large boxes from outside, which Ike placed on the luggage rack in the same way.

"Are you a freshman too? You used the Levitation Charm, didn't you? I saw this spell in 'Standard Spells: Beginner'."

"I've tried a few spells myself when I'm at home, but I can't do it as easily as you."

"How did you manage to do that?"

"Do you know any other spells?"

"You were reading a book earlier? 'The Beginner's Guide to Metamorphosis'? Are you really a freshman too?"

Ike looked at the familiar little witch in front of him, listening to her say all sorts of things and ask all sorts of questions, just like he remembered, and couldn't help but smile.

Close the textbook and extend your right hand.

"Ike Strayder, a freshman."

"Hermione Granger is also a freshman."

"Miss Granger, it's a pleasure to meet you." Ike withdrew his right hand and replied with a smile, "I think with more practice, you can do it just like me."

"Oh right!" Hermione scratched her tousled hair, slightly annoyed. "I was only thinking about not falling behind at the new school, so I memorized all the textbooks. How come I didn't think to practice my magic more!"

"There's no rush. I think everyone has their strengths." Ike smiled and patted "The Beginner's Guide to Transformation." "At least I've tried to memorize the textbook several times, but I still haven't succeeded."

Hermione smiled upon hearing this and then discussed some of the contents of "The Beginner's Guide to Transformation" with Ike.

The two chatted casually, mostly Hermione talking and Ike listening. A little while later, two more new students entered the cubicle. One was Hermione's future roommate, Lavender Brown, and the future Gryffindor Sword Saint, now the timid Neville Longbottom.

"So am I surrounded by Gryffindor?" Ike wondered to himself. He wasn't sure if it was because of the butterfly effect he had caused, but he didn't recall Neville and Hermione being in the same cubicle.

Perhaps Ike misremembered; after all, so much time has passed, it's normal for him not to remember these details.

The rest of the story unfolded as I had imagined: Neville's toad was still missing, and Hermione took Neville to each box to inquire. One difference was that Lavender also went with them, leaving Ike alone in the box flipping through "The Beginner's Guide to Transformation."

To be honest, Ike didn't want much contact with the main characters, or even the entire Gryffindor group. The general personalities of the young lions meant they were all troublemakers.

Getting involved doesn't align with Ike's plan.

The train moved slowly, and Neville finally returned with a dejected look on his face. After all that trouble, Rafer was still nowhere to be found.

Hermione and Lavender continued to recount what they had seen, while Ike buried himself in the book before him. Gradually, darkness fell outside, and the train finally arrived at its final destination.

Ike and Neville gave the private room to the two little witches to change into their school uniforms first, and then went in to change their clothes after Hermione and Lavender had finished changing.

Stepping off the train, following Hagrid's instructions, Ike boarded a small boat and crossed the Black Lake along the path once trodden by the legendary four great masters. Finally, Ike arrived at the gates of Hogwarts Castle.

Hagrid knocked on the door, and Professor McGonagall appeared before the new students with her usual serious expression. She led them to the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The opening banquet is about to begin, but before you are seated, you should first confirm which house you will be going to."

"This is a very important ceremony because during your time at the college, you will be attending classes with other students, living in dormitories together, and spending your free time in common rooms."

"Hogwarts has four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, each with its own glorious history..."

Professor McGonagall recounted the basic information about Hogwarts to the group of freshmen who dared not even breathe, and was quite satisfied with their performance, at least for now.

Nodding in satisfaction, Professor McGonagall finally finished her routine speech and led the new students into the auditorium.

The grand auditorium had four long tables, with students from four different colleges seated around them. Countless candles illuminated the hall, and the ceiling was decorated with a starry sky.

Professor McGonagall gestured for the new students to stand in line, then walked over to the faculty seating area and stood next to a four-cornered stool with a tattered wizard's hat on it.

With a flick of her right hand, a piece of parchment flew into her grasp. Professor McGonagall unfolded the parchment, looked around at the students below, and slowly said, "Next, whoever I call your name, sit down on the stool, put on the Sorting Hat, and await your sorting."

"Hannah Abbott!"

Ike squinted as he watched a little witch with two golden braids sitting nervously on a stool, and then witnessed her being assigned to Hufflepuff.

"So this is the indestructible Hannah, the legendary ****?" Ike thought to himself.

As each new student was called to the front, fewer and fewer remained in the line. Hermione, Neville, and Lavender were sorted into Gryffindor as usual, while Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle were sorted into Slytherin, just as Ike remembered.

Amid cheers from the Weasley brothers, Harry Potter followed in his father's footsteps and entered Gryffindor.

And the next one is Ike.

"Ike Streid!"

Professor McGonagall glanced at the composed Ike, watched as Ike sat calmly on the stool, and then placed the Sorting Hat on Ike's head.

"Well……"

"It's clear you have an extraordinary yearning for knowledge..."

"But you also possess extraordinary courage and unwavering goals..."

"In Gryffindor, you will find companions..."

"Ravenclaw will take you further down the path of magic..."

"Slytherin will also bring you extraordinary achievements..."

"Well then, I think I understand..."

"Ravenclaw!"