Chapter 30: The Sorting Ceremony
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The other students immediately began chattering excitedly, each voicing their own theories.
Some claimed there was a water monster in the lake. Others insisted that the Black Lake was haunted by vengeful spirits. A few suggested that Malfoy and the others simply could not swim and had invented a monster to conceal their embarrassment.
Professor McGonagall was deeply displeased by the wild speculation and immediately shouted, “Silence!”
The stern-faced professor was an imposing figure when angered. Almost as one, all the first-years fell silent.
After a light cough, Professor McGonagall asked, “Where is Hagrid?”
Harry called out from within the crowd, “He took the boy to the hospital wing!”
“The hospital wing...” A deep furrow appeared on Professor McGonagall’s brow as she pondered. “I must go there and see how the student is doing. You will wait here until I return.”
As soon as Professor McGonagall left, the first-years grew noisy again, exchanging rumors about the Sorting Ceremony.
Ron was the first to speak. With absolute conviction, he declared, “I have five brothers who study at Hogwarts. They told me the Sorting Ceremony is extremely strict. If you fail to meet the requirements, you might even be expelled tonight!”
Someone in the crowd cried out, “But haven’t we already been admitted? How could we still be expelled? Then all the things on those lists would have been a waste of money! It cost a fortune!”
Having exaggerated a little too far, Ron awkwardly rubbed his nose. “I heard it from Fred and George. They’re always playing tricks on me, so they might have been lying.”
Just then, another student said, “I don’t think they were lying. I heard the Sorting Ceremony involves fighting a troll, and students are assigned to houses according to how well they perform. Quite a few first-years have died because of it in previous years!”
Another chorus of gasps rose from the crowd.
“No wonder people always say Hogwarts has a fixed number of deaths every year! Students really do die here!”
Some of the more timid girls, frightened by the discussion, began trembling in the corners.
Hermione impatiently interrupted the boys’ fantasies and said reasonably, “How could a wizard’s Sorting Ceremony be so barbaric? We’re wizards, not warriors! Why would the school make us fight a creature like a troll the moment we arrived?”
“A true wizard relies on intelligence and knowledge! So I think the Sorting Ceremony is actually an examination, with students assigned to houses according to their scores!”
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“Otherwise, why would the school remind us a month in advance to purchase our textbooks? Surely it was so we could begin preparing for the examination early.”
Many of the first-years nodded in agreement after hearing Hermione’s explanation. It sounded far more plausible than fighting a troll.
Yet quite a few others wore troubled expressions and sighed miserably. They had never even looked at their textbooks. Some did not know what books they had bought.
“We’re doomed! I’m definitely going to get zero!”
“My books are still on the train. Can I go back and get them?”
“Too late. The luggage has already been sent to the dormitories!”
Listening to the groans coming from every direction, Chu Yang shook his head helplessly. These children were remarkably good at frightening themselves. They would never have guessed that the Sorting Ceremony could be completed simply by placing the Sorting Hat on their heads.
Ron nervously tugged at Harry’s sleeve. “Have you read any of those textbooks?”
Harry shook his head. “My aunt and uncle didn’t want me to attend Hogwarts. They did everything they could to stop me from receiving the admission letter. I only got the chance to come here a few days ago, with Hagrid’s help. Do you think I’ve had time to read them?”
“Then we’re fine. It looks like we’ll definitely end up in the same house.” Ron immediately looked relieved, and he even found the mood to wink at Harry.
“You certainly have a good attitude.” Harry laughed at Ron’s antics, then turned to Chu Yang and said enviously, “Chu Yang will definitely get the highest score.”
“That’s true. Chu Yang’s mind is in a league of its own. I’d say only that girl could keep up with him.” Ron smacked his lips, agreeing with Harry.
Hermione felt the same way. She stared earnestly at Chu Yang, clearly unwilling to concede yet already resigned to the outcome. “You’ll probably come first in this examination, but this will be the only time. I guarantee that my scores will be higher than yours in every examination after this!”
Although Chu Yang knew Hermione had misunderstood the Sorting Ceremony, he still felt a headache coming on. This was one matter on which he could not afford to yield.
Hogwarts’s preference for talented students was unmistakable.
Exceptional learning ability and the prestige of being the top student in his year could earn Chu Yang certain minor privileges, such as permission to read books in the library that ordinary students were not allowed to touch.
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Moreover, the professors and teachers at the school were more willing to provide extra guidance to exceptionally gifted students. All of this would allow Chu Yang to learn a great deal of knowledge.
While the first-years were letting their imaginations run wild, Professor McGonagall hurried to the hospital wing. There, she found Matron Poppy Pomfrey treating Malfoy, while Hagrid stood anxiously nearby.
“Hagrid!” Professor McGonagall called softly as she entered the room.
“Oh! Professor McGonagall!” Hagrid jumped, looking too uneasy to meet her eyes. Strictly speaking, this counted as a failure on his part to carry out his duties.
“Madam Pomfrey, how is the boy?” Professor McGonagall slowly approached the matron and asked anxiously, “Does he need to be transferred to St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries?”
“Professor McGonagall, there’s no need to worry. It isn’t that serious.” Madam Pomfrey smiled. “The first-year merely swallowed some dirty water and caught a chill. He’ll be fine after two or three days of rest.”
Professor McGonagall released a long breath, finally reassured. She then turned toward Hagrid and asked, “Before I came here, I heard some rather absurd stories from the children. Can you tell me exactly what happened?”
Hagrid scratched his head. “When I turned around, he had already fallen into the lake. I didn’t see how he fell in, but there really was something in the water at the time!”
Professor McGonagall spoke with complete certainty. “We all know that magical creatures inhabit the Black Lake, but certainly not in that area. The protected zones are governed by an ancient agreement Hogwarts made with them. They would never dare ambush students under Dumbledore’s watch.”
“More than that, I suspect someone used magic. Using offensive magic against a fellow student is an extremely serious offense.”
Hagrid immediately shook his head. “Professor McGonagall, I was nearby the entire time. I didn’t sense any magical fluctuations. Besides, that group of students had all left their wands on the train. Surely you don’t think one of them is powerful enough to perform wandless magic?”
“Hagrid, not everyone obeys the rules and regulations.” Professor McGonagall drew a deep breath and said in a grave voice, “Once the Sorting Ceremony is over, I will inspect each of them to see whether anyone has concealed a wand.”
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