The cold air on the platform made Ryan shiver, and then a rough voice came, "First-year freshmen!

Ryan saw a large man standing tall in the middle of a crowd of students, carrying a lamp in his hand. His head was so hairy that he almost covered his entire face. A pair of beetle-like black eyes, glittering in tangled hair.

This should be Hagrid, the caretaker of Hogwarts, who smiles on his bearded face in the midst of a sea of people. "Come on, come with me, are there any first-year freshmen? Watch out for the soles of your feet, all right! First-year freshmen come with me!"

All the freshmen followed Hagrid as he stumbled down a rough and dark path, and Neville nearly slipped on it, but Ryan helped him in time.

"Turn this corner, and you'll soon see Hogwarts for the first time. Hagrid shouted back.

Turning the corner, even though Ryan was in his thirties, he was mentally prepared, but he still opened his mouth wide and let out an exclamation with his classmates.

At the end of the narrow path, a black lake suddenly unfolded. On the other side of the lake rises a majestic castle with spires and windows twinkling under the stars.

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

"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.

It's the entrance ceremony for new students, Ryan looks at the towering castle, recalling the books he has read in his previous life.

This is how the four founders must have followed this path, driving a boat across the Black Lagoon to Hogwarts, so the students in later years would have to walk this route again.

The flotilla slowly approached the castle, "Bow your head!" 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.

Everyone followed Hagrid up a flight of stone steps and gathered in front of a large oak door. "Are you all there?" After asking, Hagrid raised a large fist and slammed it three times on the castle gate.

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

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

"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll leave it to me here. ”

Professor McGonagall then motioned for all the freshmen to follow her. The stone walls on both sides of the passage are surrounded by flaming torches, the ceilings are so high that you can barely see the top, and the façade is dominated by a lavish marble staircase that leads to the upper floor.

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, huddled together, nervously gazing at everything around them, because it would be a very important moment.

"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.

"The names of the four houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. During your time at Hogwarts, your outstanding performance will earn extra points for your house, while any misconduct will result in a loss of points for your house. At the end of the year, the college with the highest score receives the House Cup, which is a high honor. I hope that no matter which house you are assigned to, you will be able to bring glory to the college.

"In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will be held in front of all the teachers and students of the school. I suggest that you get in order and be refreshed while you wait.

"I'll pick you up when it's ready. Professor McGonagall said, "While you wait, be quiet. ”

With that, Professor McGonagall left the room.

The atmosphere in the small room became tense, except for Ryan, who was the traverser. Neville next to him looked trembling slightly. And Hermione's lips kept squirming, as if she was reciting something. After all, Hogwarts is the only school of witchcraft and wizardry in the UK, and it would be a lifelong shame to be kicked out.

Ryan looked around and noticed that everyone, including the freshmen from wizarding families, was nervous. Looks like this is an ancestral prank. He couldn't help but pity the British sense of humor.

Just when everyone was nervous, about twenty ghosts suddenly popped out of the wall behind them. The ghosts glided across the room, paying little attention to the first-year students. They seem to be arguing about something.

Suddenly, they seemed to find a new student, "New life!" A chubby monk smiled at them. "I guess you're going to get tested, right?"

Some students nodded silently. "Hopefully you'll get a Hufflepuff!" The monk said, "I used to attend that college. "Now move forward," said a shrill voice, "and the Sorting Ceremony is about to begin." ”

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." ”

Passing through the foyer, the doors of the auditorium opened, and the freshmen entered the auditorium in a line, four long tables filled with golden cutlery, and there were many students at the tables, but each long table had a section set aside for the freshmen.

Ryan looked up at the miraculous ceiling, through which he could see the stars in the sky. It's hard to believe that it's not open-air. Thousands of lit candles float in the air, illuminating the entire restaurant without a drop of wax oil, a trace of smoke. It also shows the extraordinaryness of these candles and the heritage of the school.

Hermione's voice came from the side: "There was a spell here, and it looked 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 freshman, and placed a wizard's hat on the stool.

This is probably the Sorting Hat that has been infused with wisdom by the Big Four, and it's one of the cornerstones of Hogwarts, but seriously. The thought of this thing being used every year and never being washed made Ryan feel like his scalp was a little itchy.

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

Whoever I call by name now puts on his hat, sits on a stool, and waits for the Chamber. ”

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