Chapter VIII Branch

As it wore dark, Malfoy glanced out of the window to see mountains and trees under a deep purple sky. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. biqUgE。 info The train gradually slowed down.

The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes, so please leave your luggage on board and we'll take you to school. The voice echoed through the train.

"It's finally here. Hearing this voice, a strange emotion rose from Malfoy's heart, excited with a little confusion, perhaps the truest portrayal of his heart.

The train slowed down and finally stopped. Passengers pushed and shoved, rushed to the door, and descended to a small, dark platform. Malfoy put the book back in his suitcase and joined the crowd.

"Shhh Malfoy couldn't help but take a breath of cold air. The temperature outside the car is not high.

"First-year students! First-year students come over here, watch your step. "An unusually tall man was maintaining order, with a thick beard on his face.

"I guess he really has giant blood. Malfoy looked at Hagrid silently.

The freshmen then followed Hagrid's slippery stumbling and stumbling down a steep, narrow path. It was pitch black on both sides of the path.

"Turn this corner, and you'll soon see Hogwarts for the first time. Hagrid shouted back. Then there was a loud "oh β€”β€”!" At the end of the narrow path, a black lake suddenly unfolded. On the high hillside on the other side of the lake rises a majestic castle with spires and windows twinkling under the stars.

"This is Hogwarts. Malfoy looked at the scene in front of him, a little stunned. In contrast to the somewhat somber atmosphere of the Malfoy family's private estate, Hogwarts has a sense of history, with ancient masonry and mottled stone walls all showing the school's long history.

"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid exclaimed, pointing to a group of small boats moored to the shore.

"Pansy!" Malfoy shouted as he saw Pansy in the crowd. It's better to take a boat with Pansy than with some strangers.

"Humph!" Pansy looked disgruntled when she saw Malfoy, and got into the other boat without looking back.

"Where did I offend her again?" Malfoy shook his head, still wondering why Pansy's attitude towards him had changed again.

"I'll ask her later. Malfoy thought, casually stepping into a small boat.

"Are you all on board?" Hagrid shouted, and he was in a boat by himself. "That's good to move forward!" A group of small boats immediately rowed across the mirror-like lake. Everyone was silent, staring at the huge castle that reached into the sky. As they approached the cliff on which the castle stood, it seemed to rise above them. "Keep your head down!" As the first boats approached the cliff, Hagrid shouted. Everyone bowed their heads, and the boat carried them through the ivy curtain that covered the cliff front to the secluded open entrance. They followed a pitch-black tunnel that seemed to lead to the castle underneath, and finally reached a place that resembled an underground pier, and then climbed up to the ground of gravel and small pebbles.

Malfoy and the other students disembarked.

"Thank you Merlin!" Neville shouted in ecstasy as Neville suddenly stretched out his arms and found his Riffou on an empty ship.

"I think you've found your toad. Malfoy said, standing behind Neville.

"Thank you so much. Neville stammered a little excitedly, though he probably had some of them.

"Now that we've found it, let's go. Malford looked around a few more times, but unfortunately did not see Pansy.

Illuminated by Hagrid's lanterns, the freshmen climbed a tunnel in the rocks and finally reached a flat, damp meadow in the shadow of the castle.

They climbed a stone staircase and gathered in front of a large oak door. Hagrid raised a large fist and slammed it three times on the castle gate.

The door immediately opened.

"Thank you, Hagrid. A tall dark-haired witch in an emerald green robe stood in front of the gate with a serious expression.

Professor McGonagall then led the freshmen to a small room, which was crowded in, making the already small room even more crowded.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, "the opening party is about to begin, but before you get to the dining hall and take your seats, you should first determine which house you are going to. Sorting is an important ritual because during your time at school the house is like your home at Hogwarts. You will attend classes with other students in the college, live in the dormitory of the college, and spend your free time together in the common room of the college.

Professor McGonagall then introduced the new students to the four colleges, certain matters of the branches and some rules of the school, such as the bonus points between the houses, the acquisition of the House Cup, and so on.

Harry and Ron whispered, looking a little nervous, he thought he was going to do a magic test, and Hermione kept reciting the spells she had learned.

Malfoy, by contrast, was a little absent-minded, and in his eyes, it was more important for the Sorting House to find Pansy now and ask what was going on.

"Found you. Malfoy glanced around and finally saw Pansy. She was laughing with a few girls next to her.

The space was so cramped that Malfoy had to squeeze through the crowd one step at a time.

"Ladies, can you interrupt your conversation?" Malfoy said as he walked over to Pansy, "I think my friend and I have some misunderstandings that need to be clarified, would you like to do me a favor?" Then Malfoy bowed slightly, an impeccable courtesy.

"Pansy, I'm looking for you, my little boyfriend is very handsome. We won't bother you. A few girls next to her quipped, apparently not believing Malfoy's misunderstanding.

"I don't have much to say to him. Pansy said coldly.

"I'm really angry, so I need to be coaxed even more. The girl next to her continued to quip, and then stepped over to the other side, making it possible for Malfoy and Pansy to be alone.

"I guess at least I should know what I was wrong with, didn't I. Malfoy asked.

Pansy puffed out her cheeks and thought for a while before she spoke, "You didn't even know how boring I was in the car, and you know how boring I was in the car?"

"Uh....." Malfoy was a little at a loss, apparently he hadn't really thought about it that much.

"Look, you obviously just forgot about me. Seeing Malfoy's somewhat unnatural expression, Pansy clearly guessed the truth.

"I also went to look for you in other carriages. Pansy's voice was suddenly quieter, but she could still be heard.

"By the way, maybe you just annoyed me and avoided me, otherwise I wouldn't have found you. Pansy's voice suddenly became louder again, as if she had thought of something.

"Look, the retribution of privilege is coming. Malfoy groaned in pain, and it was clear that Pansy had only found the normal compartment. The special was apparently overlooked by her.

"Then it's my dad to blame. Malfoy quickly threw the pot away. "My father gave me a place, and I didn't know you were coming to me." Malfoy explained.

"Even if you hadn't avoided me, you would have forgotten me. Pansy didn't give up.

"That's right!" Malfoy seemed to think of something.

"I've been helping Neville find the toad, the Neville of the Longbottom family. Malfoy said, "You know, my father always wanted me to be on good terms with other people, and the Longbottom family is a pure-blood, so I can't ignore him." ”

"That little fat man is a bit silly, but is that toad more important than me?" Pansy asked again.

This question is even more difficult to answer. Malfoy thought, his face even more embarrassed.

There was silence.

"No, I can't help it. Pansy, who had been frosty just a moment ago, suddenly sneered.

"Huh?" Malfoy clearly hadn't understood what was going on. I saw that the girl who was with Pansy before was also eating and laughing.

"I knew you nerd wouldn't have thought of it so much, but your expression was funny, much funnier than usual. ”

At this point, Malfoy didn't know that he was being tricked by Pansy and her friends.

"It's always been the little gentleman's look, it looks fake, and now it's finally a little different. ”

Pansy suddenly approached Malfoy and said, "You were so calm last time I threatened you, and today you are still in a hurry, it seems that I am still very important in your heart, I am very happy." It's a reward for you. With that, Pansy stood on tiptoe and kissed Malfoy's forehead like a dragonfly.

Seeing this, the girl next to her coaxed for a while. Pansy's face was covered with red glow, too.

"It'sβ€”" Malfoy could only lament that he had provoked a little witch, although it wasn't a bad feeling.

"Please be quiet while you wait!" said Maggonagall, who seemed to notice the commotion, and left the room.

"Ahh

Malfoy looked back, only to see twenty or so ghosts popping out of the wall. These pearly white, translucent ghosts glided across the room, turning heads and ears.

"Disembodied, thinking, translucent, visually non-aggressive. It seems that these creatures probably have these characteristics. Instead of the frightened reactions, Malfoy took a closer look and quickly concluded several characteristics of the ghost that had appeared. Maybe this is the characteristic of Xueba.

Professor McGonagall is back. The ghosts fluttered across the opposite wall and disappeared. "Now, in a row," Professor McGonagall said to the first-year students, "follow me." ”

Malfoy was about to move when he realized that his sleeve was being ripped on. I saw Pansy looking at herself with tears in her eyes.

"Don't pretend, I know it didn't scare you, you haven't been to these places in my house before. Malfoy ruthlessly debunked Pansy. After the relationship between the two was of course not limited to Malfoy's storytelling, Pansy, who was adventurous by nature, naturally forced Malfoy to go to many secret rooms in the manor. Naturally, ghosts have not been seen uncommonly. How could a family that had been inherited for so many years not have a few ghosts.

"I was just saying that you were kind of interesting. It's the same old again so soon, it's boring. Pansy pursed her lips and returned to her normal expression as if nothing had happened. Apparently not satisfied with Malfoy's reaction.

The two followed the crowd out of the room and into a luxurious dining room.

Students from the rest of the academy were already seated around four long tables, above which thousands of candles fluttered in the air lit up the cafeteria. Four tables are lined with glittering gold plates and goblets. At the top of the cafeteria is a long table with the teachers' seats.

Professor McGonagall took the first-year students to the other side, facing the seniors in a row, with the teachers behind them. The candlelight flickered, and hundreds of faces staring at them were like pale lanterns. The ghosts also mingled among the students, shimmering with a hazy silver light.

Malfoy looked up at the ceiling and saw stars twinkling on the velvety black ceiling.

It's hard to believe that there is a ceiling on it, and it's hard to believe that the roof of the restaurant isn't open-air

"How can you keep a spell within a certain range?" Unlike the exclamations of the others, Malfoy fell into deeper thought.

Professor McGonagall gently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year freshman, and then placed a wizarding hat on the stool. The hat was patched, worn out, and dirty.

There was silence in the restaurant.

Then, the hat twisted. The brim of the hat was torn open with a wide slit like a mouthβ€”and the hat began to sing:

"You may think I'm not pretty,

But don't judge people by their appearance.

If you can find a more beautiful hat than mine,

I can eat myself.

You can make your bowler hat jet black and shiny,

Keep your high-capped caps smooth and structured.

I'm a Hogwarts test hat,

Naturally, they are taller than your hats.

Any thought hidden in your mind,

can't escape the golden eyes of the magic hat.

Put it on and try it,

I'll tell you which house you should be assigned to.

You may belong to Gryffindor, where there is bravery buried in the bottom of your heart,

Their courage, courage and boldness make Gryffindor stand out;

You may belong to Hufflepuff, where the people are honest and loyal,

Hufflepuff students are stoic and honest, unafraid of hard labor;

If you are shrewd, you may get into the wisdom of old Ravenclaw,

Those who are wise and learned will always meet their fellow believers there;

Maybe you'll go to Stetelin, maybe you'll make sincere friends here,

But those who are cunning and insidious will stop at nothing to achieve their goals.

Put me on! Don't be afraid!

In my hands (even though I don't even have one) you are absolutely safe

Because I'm a thinking hat!"

After the hat finished singing, the audience applauded, and it bowed to the four tables one by one, and then stood still.

Professor McGonagall took a few steps forward, a roll of parchment in her hand, "Whoever I call now, he will put on his hat, sit on a stool, and wait for the Chamber." She said, "Hannah Abbott!"

A ruddy-faced little girl with two blonde braids stumbled out of the queue and put on a hat that just covered her eyes. She sat down. There was a pause for a moment - "Hufflepuff!" The hat shouted.

The people at the table on the right applauded Hannah and welcomed her to their table.

One by one, the freshmen stepped forward to put on their hats and accept the choices that the Sorting Hat made for them, of course, this is not entirely true, the Sorting Hat actually follows the wishes of their hearts. The Sorting Hat can make its own suggestions, but if I stick to a house for life or death, the Sorting Hat will not go against my will.

For example, Harry Potter kept thinking when he was in the Sorting House: "No Slytherin, no Slytherin." While the Sorting Hat might have preferred him to go to Slytherin, Harry's choice was respected.

As for Neville's kind of person who may not seem to have much opinion, the Sorting Hat looks at his inner traits.

It's clear that the Sorting Hat is still accurate, and in the original world line, Neville showed the extraordinary courage of a Gryffindor.

Then Hermione, Neville, and then they were all sorted into Gryffindor.

"Draco Malfoy," Professor McGonagall said.

"The soul is no longer a person, will the outcome change?" Malfoy's heart was no longer as calm as it had appeared, but lost in thought.

Malfoy thought as he slowly walked out of the queue and put on his Sorting Hat.

And no longer like in the original: "As soon as the hat touched his head, he screamed, "Slytherin!"

The Sorting Hat was lost in thought, and soon a voice rang out in Malfoy's ear.

"Ravenclaw, absolute Ravenclaw, I've never seen a kid with such a strong thirst for knowledge in all this time, and I think the knowledge you have now will be able to graduate you straight away. Ravenclaw is a good fit for you, isn't it?"

"Oh no!" Malfoy felt the hat seem to shake over his head.

"What is the burning ambition that is buried deeply, what is hidden beneath the thirst for knowledge? Knowledge is only the means necessary for the end you are pursuing. Your purpose is not knowledge per se. After all these years, I almost lost my eyes this time. ”

"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat gave his answer anyway.

"Is this what fate was meant to be?" Malfoy smiled, then walked over to the Slytherin table and sat down next to Pansy.

He didn't notice Hermione's complicated expression in the crowd.

"Ron is right, he really is a Slytherin, no, what is it, can you judge that he is a villain?" Hermione struggled inwardly, and it was clear that what Malfoy had said earlier had touched her greatly.

"To be honest, I thought you nerd was going to Ravenclaw. Pansy spoke.

"Then my parents won't have to skin me alive. Malfoy exaggerated.

"That's funny. Pansy seemed to think of that scene and couldn't help but giggle.

Suddenly, a tidal wave of cheers resounded throughout the restaurant. The Weasley twin shouted loudly, "We've got Potter!

"It seems that our savior classmate is really charismatic. Malfoy couldn't help but sigh when he saw this.

"It's just luck. Pansy pursed her lips, clearly unhappy that the so-called "savior" had gone to the Lion's House. In her eyes, this glory should only be found in Slytherin.

With the last place Blaiss, Sabini was sorted into Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat, and left.

A tall, thin old man stood up.

Malfoy silently looked at the old man in the crowd.

He has a long hooked nose that has been broken at least twice, wears half-moon shaped glasses, a pair of blue sharp eyes, a long silver-white beard, and waist-length silver-white hair. This is the greatest wizard of our time – Dumbledore!

Dumbledore spoke, "Welcome to Hogwarts to start the school year!" That's it: stupid, crying nose, dregs, screwing!" Thank you!" He sat back down. Everyone applauded and cheered.

Then all the students began to enjoy the food in front of them.

"Who would eat mints at dinner!", Malfoy couldn't help but be a little speechless. It's clear that Hogwarts has once again set a new bar for British cuisine.

After a difficult end to the meal, Malfoy heard the various versions of the school songs of the various houses. You can sing the school song with a variety of tunes as long as you want. The Weasley twins even used the Funeral March, and Dumbledore conducted the last few bars for them with his wand.

"The new Slytherin students came with me. "At the end of the party, the prefect will take the new students to find their respective dormitories.

Following the prefect, the Slytherin freshmen descended many flights of stairs to finally reach the common room.

Behind an empty, wet stone wall was a long, narrow, low basement, the walls and ceiling were made of rough stone, and round, greenish lamps were chained and hung from the ceiling.

The serpent carving on the door hissed: "Password?"

"Pureblood. The prefect replied. Then he said to the new students in the back: "Remember this password, I don't want anyone to sleep in the aisle, of course I'm not worried about whether you will catch a cold, but if I think no one will be happy to let the academy be deducted points." ”

"Yes. The team replied neatly.

"It seems that the binding of honor is more obedient to a Slytherin than a command. Malfoy thought silently.

Inside, Malfoy glanced at the fireplace and unconsciously compared it to the one at home, and came to a conclusion: "It seems that Hogwarts is short of funds." ”

Of course, this is just a joking idea.

Nothing happened, and Malfoy found his bedroom, put the luggage he had brought in, and went to bed. The end of the day's trip.

"The long-awaited college life is finally about to begin. This was Malfoy's last consciousness before bedtime.