LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 42: Chapter 42
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Chapter 42: Orthodox Sorting Ceremony
The train arrived at the station, and under the guidance of the big man Hagrid, four people got into a boat. Martin had no choice but to join Draco, Goyle, and Crabbe.
Night shrouded the black lake. Under Hagrid's warning, few young wizards dared to play in the lake water, especially when there were a few ripples from time to time. The young wizards knew that there must be something in the lake.
What ordinary people could not see, the eyes of several children of the Black family could. It is recorded in the history of Hogwarts that there are fish-men in the Black Lake. Alice saw a strange-looking creature, ugly yet cute. If the situation had allowed it, Alice would have liked to catch one and play with it.
In this way, the young wizards walked the same path that the four legendary wizards once did and arrived in front of the Hogwarts Great Hall. Professor McGonagall waited with a serious face. Hagrid went up to explain the situation. After speaking, he walked into the auditorium through the small door on the side.
Although the little wizards came to a strange place, they whispered excitedly. At this time, Harry also saw Martin, Draco, and others. They were acquainted with them from previous experiences, and Draco also saw Harry.
"So, you are here, Potter; no wonder I didn't see you. Come on, stand here with us," Draco invited Harry to join his team.
Before Harry could say anything, a sneer sounded next to him. Draco immediately stared at Ronald. Seeing Ronald's red hair and old robes, Draco knew that the person laughing at him was a member of the Weasley family.
"No wonder he is so rude. It turns out to be Weasley. His red hair and ill-fitting robe have almost become Weasley's trademark."
Harry looked at the two of them awkwardly. Although he also thought it was inexplicable for Ronald to laugh at Draco just now, he still said a few words for Ronald. "Draco, I'm sorry, he wasn't laughing at you; Ronald just thought of something funny."
In front of Martin and Harry, Draco felt he had to show his magnanimity and did not continue to taunt them. But when Ronald saw Harry explaining for him, he didn't appreciate it. Instead, his face turned red, thinking that he had lost face in front of Malfoy.
"Malfoy is not a good person, Harry. His family is full of dark wizards."
Ronald's words attracted the attention of those around him. After all, in the young wizard's worldview, dark wizards are all bad people. Malfoy was also angry at this time; he was ready to let this lowly Weasley go.
"Potter, you have to know that some wizards are always superior to others. Don't associate with these lowly wizards. Weasley can hardly afford to eat, so does he still care about other people's families?"
Malfoy's words not only stung Ronald but also made Harry uncomfortable. After all, although he was from the Potter family, Harry had never lived a day like a young master. Malfoy's words were hard for Harry to accept, especially considering everything he had experienced at the Dursleys. Coupled with what Ronald told him about the wizarding world on the express train, Harry also understood that his parents had died at the hands of a mysterious man. Death Eaters are all dark wizards.
A surge of anger rose in Harry's heart. "I think I know how to pick my friends."
After Harry finished speaking, he looked at Draco blankly. Draco did not expect that Harry would reject him like this. Ronald heard Harry's words, as if he had won a victory, and looked at Malfoy with arrogant and provocative eyes.
However, Ronald's expression looked really foolish to Hermione beside him. After all, Ronald had already embarrassed himself when he attempted a spell on the train earlier. Just as Draco was about to step forward to teach Ronald a lesson, a hand was placed on Draco's shoulder.
"It's time for you to enter the auditorium," Professor McGonagall's voice sounded, stopping the fight. Draco reluctantly adjusted his robes, aware that the upcoming ceremony was also very important.
Ronald whispered in Harry's ear, "Looking at him, he might become a dark wizard in the future. Harry, you have to be careful; the Malfoy family is very bad." When Harry heard Ronald belittling Draco, he instantly calmed down and regretted what he had just said. After all, Draco had been kind to him in Diagon Alley and had protected him. When he met Mr. Lucius, he felt that Mr. Lucius had no ill intentions toward him. Draco was just a little arrogant.
The young wizards were adjusting their clothes, and Martin was pondering what had just happened. From his point of view, Draco had not provoked Ronald first. On the contrary, it was Ronald who laughed at Draco initially. For a character like Draco, Martin found this unacceptable. Things didn't seem simple. The Weasley who appeared next to Harry seemed to be specifically against Draco.
Martin already sensed that things were not going to be simple. Harry passed by Martin and didn't dare to talk to him again. He just said, "Don't be blinded by anger," from the side. Harry turned around and saw Martin adjusting his clothes nonchalantly and ignoring him.
The door of the auditorium opened, and four long tables came into view. The banners of the four houses—Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff—floated above the long tables. At the front was the staff's long table, with a golden chair standing in the middle, where the white-bearded Principal Dumbledore sat.
Under the leadership of Professor McGonagall, the young wizards walked into the auditorium under the gaze of countless senior students. The ceiling of the auditorium mirrored the sky outside, twinkling with stars. Such a magical sight amazed many of the young wizards who were seeing it for the first time.
On a chair at the front was an old sheepskin hat with a mouth and eyes. It began to sing, "You may think I'm not pretty, But never judge a book by its cover... You may belong to Gryffindor, where bravery lies deep in your heart... You may belong to Hufflepuff, honest and loyal people... You might go to wise Ravenclaw, with learned and wise folk... Or make sincere friends in Slytherin, though cunning and shrewd..."
The Sorting Hat's rustic song made Martin a little irritable. Yet, both professors and students listened attentively for the song to finish, as this was a Hogwarts tradition. Professor McGonagall approached the stage and unfurled a parchment scroll. With the help of magic, her voice resonated clearly for all to hear.
"Hannah Abbott." A little girl with brown hair approached, placed the Sorting Hat on her head at Professor McGonagall's prompting, and sat quietly on the chair. "Hufflepuff!" The announcement was met with applause from the Hufflepuff table. Hannah, nervously, returned the hat, walked to the Hufflepuff table, and safely sat down amidst the cheers. The young wizards realized that this was the Hogwarts sorting ceremony, and many of them relaxed.