Chapter 425: Preparation

The little wizards who had changed clothes heard someone shouting, "No need to bring luggage; it will be delivered to your rooms later. Get off, get off first." So Bai Lang, cloaked in a robe, held his wand in his hand—of course this attracted the attention of almost everyone who saw him, as they had never seen a wand like that. It should be noted that the other little wizards kept their wands neatly hidden at their waists...

His wand was still a bit too conspicuous; not only its length, but the shaft soaked in oil, then coated with a special slightly soft protective lacquer that made it shine black, plus a head that was half gold, half steel, already made it very eye‑catching. "All first‑year students! First‑year students, come here! Harry, come here, are you okay?" Bai Lang saw a huge lantern flashing, and his eyes also saw the giant carrying the lantern—a bearded, hairy fellow about three meters tall, who was Hagrid.

"Come on, follow me, any more first‑year students? Watch your footing, alright! First‑year students, follow me!" Hagrid led them down a wet, slippery path. Bai Lang wondered whether Hogwarts would be responsible if anyone fell.

Bai Lang leaned on his wand and walked very steadily, and he even had Neville Longbottom clutch his robe so the kid wouldn't fall. The wand's iron tip was indeed effective; its interlocking teeth could easily grip the ground—one thrust from Bai Lang could embed it a centimeter or two.

"Turn this corner, and you'll see Hogwarts for the first time," Hagrid shouted back. Then came a bright "Whoa—!" and the narrow path's end suddenly opened onto a black lake. Across the lake, a towering castle rose on a high slope, its towers spiking, windows flickering under the starry sky. "No more than four per boat!" Hagrid said loudly, pointing at a row of small boats docked at the shore.

Bai Lang signaled Neville Longbottom to go first, and he stepped back; as a result, Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter shared a boat, while the big Hagrid naturally took a boat himself. In the end, Bai Lang rode with three other little wizards—all girls—who curiously eyed his wand, and some even asked if they could touch it.

"Touch it, touch it, it won't break," Bai Lang held out his wand for them to feel, eliciting giggles. Finally everyone fell silent, staring at the massive castle soaring into the clouds. As they neared the cliff on which the castle perched, it seemed to hover above their heads. "Look down!" Hagrid shouted as the first boats approached the sheer wall. They all lowered their heads, and the boats carried them through a vine‑covered curtain on the cliff face to a hidden wide entrance. They followed a pitch‑black tunnel that seemed to lead beneath the castle, eventually reaching a place resembling an underground dock, then climbed onto a floor of broken stones and small pebbles.

At that moment, as Hagrid went to knock on the door, a little wizard with platinum hair bumped into Neville Longbottom, causing his toad to fall. The little wizard acted as if he hadn't seen it, rushed ahead, and was then stopped by a wand. "Did you not apologize for bumping someone?" Bai Lang said.

Of course he knew who it was—Draco Malfoy—but the fellow's next words made Bai Lang laugh. "Don't block my way, mud‑seed!" Malfoy looked at Bai Lang with a contemptuous gaze. "Sun… I, the law department, actually didn't know that shit could be stacked four feet five inches high!"

Draco Malfoy's eyes flickered; he hadn't yet grasped the meaning, but the chubby fellow behind him looked foolish yet seemed quick to laugh, and when Malfoy finally understood the remark, his face flushed bright red as he drew his wand, ready to act.

In the next instant, a brass wand tip was pressed against his chin, and the cold feel and the force transmitted forced Malfoy to lift his chin. "What are you doing?" a stern voice called from above. Bai Lang smiled and withdrew, and although Malfoy's face was still flushed, he dared not act—especially in front of the witch in a green robe. Bai Lang also saw Professor McGonagall, indeed an elderly yet upright, severe‑faced witch, clearly very strict and hard to deal with.

All the little wizards fell silent at once, following Professor McGonagall upward. The entrance hall was huge, but they did not enter it—inside were the voices of hundreds of people, likely other years' students who had arrived, and McGonagall led them to a side room.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall said, "The opening feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first determine which house each of you will join. The Sorting is an important ceremony, because during your time at school, the house will be like your home at Hogwarts. You will attend classes with other students in the house, live in the house dormitories, and spend free time in the house common room."

"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding male and female wizards. While you study at Hogwarts, your excellent performance will earn points for your house, and any misconduct will deduct points. At the end of the year, the house with the highest points wins the House Cup, a great honor. I hope that no matter which house you are placed in, you will bring glory to it."

"In a few minutes, the Sorting ceremony will be held before the entire school. I suggest you use the waiting time to compose yourselves and be alert," she said, her stern gaze sweeping over the little wizards, paying particular attention to Malfoy's flushed face and Bai Lang's wand.

"When they're ready over there, I'll come get you," Professor McGonagall said, "During the wait, please remain quiet." She then left. Bai Lang almost immediately heard Harry Potter talking to Ron Weasley, but before he could catch the words, a scream rose from behind. Pale, translucent ghosts streamed out like fish, apparently paying no heed to the little wizards.

Bai Lang wasn't afraid of these things; he was mentally prepared and now curiously observed the ghosts. The ghosts spoke a lot, mostly boasting about the house they came from, and at that moment Professor McGonagall returned, ordering the students to line up in a single file for the Sorting ceremony.

Then Bai Lang saw a once‑in‑a‑lifetime sight, even more magical and splendid than what he had seen in the movies: hundreds, perhaps thousands, of candles floating in the air, together with wall sconces lighting the massive hall brightly… Four rows of long tables were already filled with little wizards in black robes and comically pointy hats. At the far end of the hall was another row of tables, presumably where the professors sat.

Professor McGonagall placed a four‑legged stool, then took a terribly dirty pointed wizard hat… The Sorting ceremony was about to begin.