Stepping off the train, Lucien saw an extremely tall, heavily bearded man holding a lantern.
He was shouting in a booming voice:
"First years, this way, this way."
"Hurry, hurry, don't be shy."
Seeing this man, Harry proactively walked up and greeted him:
"Hi, Hagrid."
Hagrid lowered his head and smiled at Harry.
"Hello, Harry."
"Are these children your new friends?"
Hagrid scanned the three people standing beside Harry and asked in a muffled voice.
Harry shyly nodded and quietly replied:
"We just met on the train."
Hagrid smiled at the young Witches and Wizards.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Alright, children, follow me!"
Soon, Hagrid led dozens of first-year Witches and Wizards to a pitch-Black Lake, the Black Lake.
Across the Black Lake, Lucien could already see Hogwarts Castle.
A tall and majestic Gothic Castle, it was evening now, and lights were twinkling throughout the Castle.
This ancient building, which had existed for over a thousand years, was showcasing the mystery and unknown of magic.
Lucien's heart also stirred with excitement.
Hogwarts, I'm here!
"Children, four people to a boat."
After saying that, Hagrid found a small boat for himself and began leading the young Witches and Wizards forward.
Lucien naturally led Harry and his two companions onto a boat, slowly trailing behind Hagrid.
From behind, Hagrid, sitting in his boat, looked like a small mountain; his boat's waterline was deeper than all four young Witches and Wizards combined.
This path they were taking was said to be the path the four founders of Hogwarts took when they first arrived.
Therefore, every year, new Witches and Wizards had to walk it, which was considered a ritual.
"Hey, which House do you all want to go to?"
Ron leaned over and whispered to Lucien and the others.
Knowing that others might not understand the Hogwarts House system, Ron proactively explained.
"Hogwarts has four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
"Every Witch and Wizard is sorted into a different House upon enrollment, and each of the four Houses has its own characteristics..."
After saying that, Ron shook his head and spread his hands.
"I don't know which House you'll go to, but I'm basically a Gryffindor."
All red-haired Weasleys were Gryffindors, with no exceptions.
Harry didn't express his thoughts; after hearing Ron's description, besides a slight dislike for Slytherin, he felt that the other three Houses were fine, and he could go to any of them.
Hermione, while reaching up to pat down her brown hair, which had become even fluffier from the cold wind, said:
"I think Gryffindor is the best; Dumbledore came from Gryffindor!"
"Then there's Ravenclaw, which sounds like a great place for studying."
Hearing Hermione's words, Ron pouted.
"My brother says Ravenclaw is full of bookworms; it's boring."
Hermione's lips curled into a slightly disdainful smile:
"Oh really? Maybe someone doesn't even have the qualities suitable for Ravenclaw?"
Ignoring the quickly fuming Ron, Hermione turned to ask Lucien:
"Lucien, which House do you want to go to?"
"I don't have a particular preference; I can learn magic anywhere."
...
Soon, the small boats docked, and a group of young Witches and Wizards followed Hagrid, gathering in front of a huge oak door.
With a creak, the large door swung open.
A Witch in a dark green robe walked out; it was Professor McGonagall.
"Professor McGonagall, all the first years are here."
Hagrid pointed behind him.
"Thank you, Hagrid; you can leave the rest to me."
"Children, follow me."
Professor McGonagall turned and entered the large door first, and the young Witches and Wizards followed closely, filing in.
In stark contrast to the dark and cold outside the door, the Castle's interior walls were lined with burning torches, and countless candles floated in mid-air, filling it with brightness and warmth.
Looking up at the ceiling, there was an illusory starry sky.
Faced with this dreamlike ancient Castle scene, many young Witches and Wizards couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, looking around with curiosity.
Inside the Great Hall, several long tables were arranged vertically, with older students already filling both sides.
At the very end was a raised platform, with only one long table placed horizontally on it.
Teachers sat there, most of them looking at the newly admitted young Witches and Wizards with gentle eyes.
Reaching the platform, Professor McGonagall looked at the young Witches and Wizards and said with a serious expression:
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Principal of Hogwarts and Dean of Gryffindor."
The young Witches and Wizards all quieted down.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before the Opening Feast, there will be a Sorting Ceremony where you will be sorted into different Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. During your time at school, this will be your home. Your outstanding performance will earn points for your respective Houses, while any rule-breaking will result in points being deducted from your House. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup..."
As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, the hat beside her suddenly split open, and a hoarse voice came from within.
"It's my turn, it's my turn!"
"You may think I'm not pretty, but never judge a book by its cover...
You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwells the brave at heart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal..."
Listening to a tattered, patched, grayish-brown hat singing loudly, most young Witches and Wizards looked at it in surprise.
They were all curious as to why a hat could talk and sing, but no one seriously listened to what it was singing because it was really quite mediocre.
Only after the Sorting Hat's performance was complete did it contentedly shut up.
McGonagall picked it up and took out a student list.
"The Witch or Wizard whose name I call will step forward."
"Hannah Abbott."
Lucien watched from below as this young girl, nicknamed 'Iron Hat King,' with a rosy complexion and two golden braids, was the first to step onto the stage.
Haha, truly a flowing Sorting Hat, and an unyielding Hannah.
McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Hannah's head, and the Sorting Hat did not hesitate much.
"Hufflepuff!"
The senior students at the Hufflepuff table immediately applauded and cheered; the first student of the year being a Hufflepuff was a good omen! They should eat more to celebrate later!
"..."
"Hermione Granger."
After taking a few deep breaths, Hermione stepped onto the stage.
Once placed on Hermione's head, this time the Sorting Hat pondered noticeably longer.
However, it was quiet for less than five minutes.
"Gryffindor!"
Hearing this result, Ron turned his head and whispered to Harry:
"She even mocked me for not having Ravenclaw qualities, but she didn't get sorted into Ravenclaw herself."
Actually, Ron's parents and brothers had told him that the Sorting Hat only sorted based on a Witch or Wizard's most obvious and true qualities; the longer the Sorting Hat hesitated, the more qualities the Witch or Wizard possessed that suited different Houses.
So Ron knew Hermione should have Ravenclaw qualities, but he just wanted to talk trash.
Harry didn't respond to Ron because Lucien's name was about to be called, and he was also curious about which House Lucien would go to.
"Lucien Grafton."
When Lucien stepped onto the stage, Professor McGonagall showed a rare smile.
The Sorting Hat was placed on Lucien's head, its mouth-like slit tightly pursed, and the two depressions that resembled eye sockets flickered in size.
One minute passed.
Three minutes passed.
Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes passed...
As time went on, McGonagall's expression, standing beside him, gradually became strange.
When she was sorted, the Sorting Hat had also taken a full five minutes to consider, which was already very long and was even called a 'Sorting Hat dilemma' student.
But the time Lucien was taking was a bit too long!
The Professors at the teachers' table also looked surprised and exchanged glances; this was the longest time they had ever seen the Sorting Hat spend on a student.
Dumbledore, sitting in the middle, clasped his hands, and a shrewd glint flashed in his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.
His interest and attention towards Lucien intensified.
The young Witches and Wizards, who had never waited so long before, grew anxious and began to whisper.
"Could that old hat be broken?"
"No way, can magic items break?"
"It looks like it; don't you think this hat is ridiculously old?"
"..."
Harry, who had been staring at Lucien, felt his eyes dry a little, adjusted his glasses, and blinked.
Immediately, his beautiful emerald-green almond eyes widened suddenly.
"P-Professor!"
"That hat is smoking!"