Unfortunately, most of the first-year wizards on the boats were too busy shivering in the icy rain to appreciate Hogwarts Castle shrouded in the downpour.
"Why do first-years have to cross the lake by boat?" Albert asked, turning to the three students on his boat, their teeth chattering from the cold.
"I-I don't know, and I don't want to know," one replied.
"Me neither. It's freezing," the Twins chimed in. They were nearly frozen solid; who had time for such questions?
Albert shook his head inwardly. He understood the symbolism of the boat crossing ceremony: it was meant to retrace the journey of Hogwarts' four founders, with the four-person boats representing the founders themselves. It was a ritual of inheritance, allowing new students to feel the founders' excitement and joy while remembering the hardships they endured to establish the school.
But how many people truly understood this anymore? Even Hagrid, who guided them across the lake, probably didn't know.
Not that many students cared about such things anyway.
"Watch out! Duck!" Hagrid shouted.
The first-years immediately lowered their heads.
The small boat carried them beneath the cliffs, heading toward the boat dock beneath Hogwarts Castle.
"This is awful. I hate the rain," one of the twins said, shivering and hugging himself.
Everyone was soaked to the bone, shaking like leaves in the wind.
"How did you do that?" Lee Jordan asked in astonishment, noticing that Albert's robes and pointed hat remained dry.
"A simple charm," Albert replied softly, aware of the others' curious glances.
"Alright, everyone follow me," Hagrid called, holding up an oil lamp. He led the first-years up a gravel path to the lawn beneath the castle. Ahead of them rose a flight of stone steps leading to the castle's massive oak doors.
A witch in emerald robes stood before the oak doors. Albert recognized her—Professor McGonagall, who had visited his home.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take the first-years from here," Professor McGonagall said, surveying the bedraggled newcomers. Albert thought he saw the corner of her mouth twitch.
It was no wonder. The first-years looked far beyond merely bedraggled; nearly all were drenched to the bone and covered in mud.
"First-year students, follow me."
Professor McGonagall led the newcomers into the castle. Albert trailed behind the group, his eyes darting around the ancient structure, which had stood for over a thousand years.
"That's Professor McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindor. Percy said she's very strict," George whispered.
"Oh, I've met her once. My sister loved her trick of turning teacups into mice." Albert's attention was fixed on the stone walls, where torches blazed with an unnatural intensity. He wondered if they burned with eternal fire.
He'd heard of a type of magical fire that could burn forever, and this seemed to fit the description.
"Come on, what are you staring at?" Fred nudged Albert gently, urging him forward in a hushed voice.
"I was wondering what kind of magical fire that is. It doesn't seem like ordinary flames." The absence of smoke suggested it was something more.
Fred opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.
Albert resolved to investigate these mysteries later. Hogwarts Castle held countless secrets worth uncovering.
As the thought of exploring the castle took root in Albert's mind, a mission suddenly appeared on his Panel:
*Millennial Ancient School: Hogwarts*
Hogwarts, an ancient and mysterious school of magic, has stood for over a millennium. Within its ancient castle walls lie countless secrets yet to be uncovered. As a fiercely curious explorer of hidden mysteries, you can't afford to miss this opportunity. Before graduation, explore Hogwarts Castle and uncover its hidden secrets.
Current Progress: 1%
Reward: 1,000 Experience Points, 1-10 Skill Points.
"Holy shit!" Albert couldn't help but curse inwardly, utterly stunned.
This was undoubtedly the most badass quest he'd ever seen.
Is this trying to turn me into a nocturnal prowler?
It seemed mastering the Disillusionment Charm had to be moved up his priority list. Albert began considering how to obtain the spell.
Professor McGonagall led the first-year students into the Sorting Ceremony waiting room, a cramped space where everyone was packed tightly together.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall began, delivering her customary opening speech. "The Welcoming Feast will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your respective houses..."
It reminded Albert of his previous life's corporate speeches: I'll just say a few words, which inevitably stretched into half-hour monologues. While Professor McGonagall wasn't quite that extreme, her speech still lasted a good fifteen minutes.
Albert summarized Professor McGonagall's speech into three main points: accommodation, the Sorting Ceremony, and the House Cup.
After delivering the standard Hogwarts welcome speech, Professor McGonagall instructed the first-years to line up so she could remove the mud and water from their clothes.
As Deputy Headmistress, Professor McGonagall couldn't possibly allow the newcomers to enter the Great Hall in such a disheveled state. Their bedraggled appearance would be a disgrace to Hogwarts.
The first-years jostled in the queue, eager to dry their damp clothes. The chill and dampness made them deeply uncomfortable.
"Is this a sardine-packing contest?" Albert observed the crowd with amusement, stepping back to the rear of the line. The rain hadn't bothered him much.
Professor McGonagall worked swiftly, skillfully casting Scouring Charms and Drying Charms. It took only a few minutes before Albert's turn arrived.
She glanced at him with a hint of surprise before casting the spells. Instantly, his clothes became warm and dry, and the mud splattered on his boots and trousers vanished.
"Now, please remain quiet," Professor McGonagall announced loudly. "I will fetch you when everything is ready."
After she left the room, the first-years began whispering excitedly about the Sorting Ceremony.
"How will they sort us into houses?"
"How do they accurately sort everyone into the right House?"
"Maybe there's some kind of test."
The mention of a test made everyone tense.
Watching this scene, Albert suddenly felt like laughing. He understood why the older students were reluctant to reveal the secrets of the Sorting Ceremony to the newcomers.
What a bunch of mischievous pranksters!
"You don't seem nervous at all? I'm Aria Spinnet," a girl approached him, the same one Albert had helped earlier.
Of course, she was probably drawn to Albert's calm demeanor, which made him look like someone who knew the secrets of the Sorting Ceremony.
In truth, she was right.
"As long as I don't end up in Slytherin, I'll be fine," Albert shrugged, deliberately avoiding any mention of the Sorting Ceremony. Watching the nervous faces of the first-years was rather amusing.
Alright, Albert admitted he did have a bit of a mischievous streak.
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T/N— You can read upto Chapter 50 and get two chapters a day at— Patreon.com/EtherealTL
Details about bonus chapters mentioned in Auxiliary, Chapter 0.