The temperature in the Scottish Highlands during the September nights is very low, and the moment Harry alighted from the car, a cold wind slapped him in the face, penetrating deep into his bones.
"It's so cold." Ron shivered nearby.
"First-year students, over here!" A familiar voice called out, "Come over, oh Harry, I see you, how are you?"
"It's Hagrid." Harry said to Ron, then waved high, "Hagrid, I'm here!"
Hagrid's tall figure was very noticeable, he showed a kind smile, waved to Harry, and then said to the children, "Are there any more first-year students? Follow me, I'm taking you to the school—"
This path wasn't new to Harry, slippery and muddy, covered in thorns. It's said to be the path the four founders took when establishing Hogwarts, allowing the new students to feel the hardships their predecessors faced in founding the school.
It's about remembering the past struggles.
"Round the corner, and you'll soon see Hogwarts," Hagrid proclaimed loudly, "Come, there's a lake ahead, we need to take boats across, four to a boat, remember, you can start grouping now."
Harry pulled Ron along, and after just a glance back, Hermione had attached herself to them, accompanied by a chubby little boy holding a toad.
"Harry, Ron, this is Neville." Hermione introduced him to the two, then said to Neville, "It's Harry who helped find your toad."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter." Neville thanked Harry somewhat nervously.
"No worries, just call me Harry." Harry smiled warmly at Neville.
Neville felt that Harry was like a little sun, not only dispelling his anxiety but also warming him from the cold.
"Shall we, four to a boat?" Ron invited Hermione and Neville, hugging Harry's neck.
"Alright, we're just four." Hermione responded, then muttered under her breath, "But I'm worried we might get expelled..."
"Don't worry Hermione, we only used a Floating Spell for theatrics, not Av..."
Harry was about to say Avada Kedavra but suddenly found it inappropriate.
"Av what?" Neville asked, puzzled.
"Alohomora." Harry quickly changed the topic, "Alright, let's catch up, we need to get on the boats."
No one suspected anything, as students of this age surely wouldn't know what Avada Kedavra is.
The temperature on the lake was even colder than when they got off the car, perhaps due to the damp air. The young wizards on the boats tightly wrapped themselves in their robes, attempting to fend off the ever-encroaching cold air.
They only felt slightly better once the boats reached the shore.
Everyone followed Hagrid to a big door.
"Wait here, soon..."
Before Hagrid finished his words, the door opened, and out walked a stern-faced witch dressed in a dark green robe.
It was Professor McGonagall.
"The new students are all here, Professor McGonagall." Hagrid said to her.
Professor McGonagall nodded and replied, "Leave this to me, Hagrid, I'll lead them into the castle."
Hagrid waved to Harry and turned to leave the door.
"First-year students, follow me." Professor McGonagall said to the newcomers.
The newcomers followed Professor McGonagall into the castle and soon arrived at a small room.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "The welcome feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the dining hall, you must each be sorted into your respective houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because during your time at school, the house will be like your family at Hogwarts. You will attend classes with your housemates, sleep in the house dormitories, and spend free time in your house's common room."
"The names of the four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own proud history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. Your outstanding performance at Hogwarts will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will deduct points. At the end of the year, the house with the highest points will win the House Cup, a very high honor—I hope you all shine in whichever house you are sorted into."
"In a few minutes, the sorting ceremony will take place in front of all the school staff and students. I advise you to get yourselves tidied up and look smart while waiting."
Saying this, her gaze shifted briefly over Neville's cloak before scanning Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger, please come with me." She said, then looked at Draco, "And Mr. Malfoy."
Upon hearing Professor McGonagall's words, Hermione's body went limp.
"Oh no, Harry, oh no..."
She said with a sobbing tone, "We're going to be expelled..."
Draco heard Hermione's sobs and let out two harsh laughs.
Harry looked towards the sound, Draco was mouthing "Mudblood" to Hermione.
This kid really deserved a beating, Harry thought to himself, but the priority right now was figuring out how to get them through this.
"Hermione, don't be afraid." Ron was still comforting Hermione, "Even if we get expelled, Harry and I will be with you, right?"
Hearing this, Hermione cried even harder.
Soon, the four were led into a small room.
Sitting inside were four people, one of whom Harry instantly recognized as Dumbledore, whom he had seen on chocolate frog cards; sitting on his left was a short-statured person dressed in formal wear, with a bow tie pinned at his collar; beside him was a plump witch dressed plainly, with a few green leaves on her.
To Dumbledore's right was a greasy-haired wizard with a hook nose.
Harry noticed that the wizard seemed taken aback when he saw him, then stared blankly at his face. Intuitively, Harry felt this wizard didn't like his face.
Have I offended him? He pondered internally.
"I think the matter is clear," the wizard spoke first, "Mr. Potter cast an evil curse on students aboard the train, and Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley were his accomplices—"
Suddenly, Hermione let out a loud sob.
"Calm down, Severus." Dumbledore's gaze twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. He gave Harry a smile, then said, "Why don't we ask Harry and the two of them? It's not right to listen to just one side of the story."