Chapter 30: Branch Academy Ceremony

Upon hearing this, the other students immediately began to voice their opinions in a chaotic clamor.

Some claimed there were water monsters in the lake, others said there were vengeful spirits in the Black Lake, and some suggested that Malfoy and his lot simply didn't know how to swim and had fabricated the monster lie to cover their embarrassment.

Professor McGonagall was highly displeased by this cacophony and immediately barked, "Silence!"

Once the usually stern Professor McGonagall lost her temper, her deterrent effect was considerable; almost all the first-year students shut their mouths at the same time.

Professor McGonagall gave a light cough and asked, "Where is Hagrid?"

Harry, standing in the crowd, replied loudly, "He took that boy to the hospital wing!"

"The hospital wing..." A deep furrow formed on Professor McGonagall's forehead. She mused, "I must go there and see how the student is doing. Wait here for my return."

After Professor McGonagall left, the group of first-years became noisy again, and everyone began sharing rumors regarding the Sorting Ceremony.

First was Ron, who said with absolute certainty, "I have five brothers studying at Hogwarts. They told me the Sorting Ceremony is extremely strict. If you don't meet the standards, you might even be kicked out of school tonight!"

Someone in the crowd gasped, "Haven't we already enrolled? How can we be expelled? Doesn't that mean all those things on the list were a waste of money? That was a huge amount of gold."

Ron, having overblown his boast, rubbed his nose awkwardly and said, "I heard it from Fred and George. They always like to tease me, so they might just be lying."

At that moment, another student said, "I don't think they're lying to you. I heard the Sorting Ceremony involves fighting a troll, and your house is decided based on the outcome of the battle. Many first-years have lost their lives because of it in previous years!"

Another gasp erupted from the crowd. "No wonder people always say Hogwarts has a certain quota for deaths, and students die every year!"

Some of the naturally timid girls, hearing their discussion, began to huddle in the corners, trembling with fear.

Hermione impatiently interrupted the boys' delusions, arguing logically, "How could a wizarding Sorting Ceremony be so barbaric? We are wizards, not warriors! How could they make us deal with creatures like trolls right at the start of term?"

"True wizards rely on brains and knowledge! Therefore, I think the Sorting Ceremony is actually an exam, and houses are assigned based on exam scores!"

"Otherwise, why would the school remind us to buy textbooks a month in advance? Isn't it so we can prepare for the exams early?"

Many first-years nodded in agreement upon hearing Hermione's explanation; this theory seemed far more reliable than fighting trolls.

However, many others looked miserable, sighing in despair. They had never seen any textbooks, and some didn't even know what books they had purchased.

"It's over, it's all over! I'm definitely going to get a 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 all directions, Chu Yang shook his head helplessly. He thought to himself that these little kids were quite good at scaring themselves; they would never guess that the Sorting Ceremony only required putting the Sorting Hat on one's head.

Trembling, Ron pulled on Harry's sleeve and asked, "Have you looked at those textbooks?"

Harry shook his head. "My aunt and uncle didn't want me to attend Hogwarts. They tried everything to stop me from getting that acceptance letter. It wasn't until a few days ago that I got the chance to come to school with Hagrid's help. Do you think I've seen them?"

"Then it's fine. It looks like we'll definitely end up in the same house." Ron was suddenly relieved, even finding the mood to wink at Harry.

"You have quite the attitude." Harry was amused by Ron and then turned to look at Chu Yang, saying admiringly, "Chu Yang will definitely get the highest score."

"That's true. Chu Yang's brain isn't something ordinary people can compare to. I think only that girl can catch up to him," Ron smacked his lips, agreeing with Harry's thought.

Hermione was also in sync with them. She looked at Chu Yang seriously, and while feeling competitive, she said somewhat resignedly, "You'll probably take first place in this exam, but this is only for now. I guarantee that in the upcoming exams, my scores will all be higher than yours!"

Although he knew Hermione had guessed wrong about the Sorting Ceremony, Chu Yang still felt a headache coming on, because he could not yield on this matter.

Hogwarts' favor toward geniuses was very obvious.

Excellent learning ability and the halo of being the top of the age group could help Chu Yang obtain certain small privileges, such as reading books in the library that ordinary students were not allowed to read.

Furthermore, the professors and teachers at the school were more willing to give extra attention to genius-type students, all of which would allow Chu Yang to learn a great deal of knowledge.

While the first-years were letting their imaginations run wild, Professor McGonagall rushed to the hospital wing, just in time to see Madam Pomfrey treating Malfoy, with Hagrid guarding nearby, looking worried.

"Hagrid!" Professor McGonagall called out softly upon entering the room.

"Oh! Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid was startled and felt somewhat guilty, not daring to meet her eyes. After all, strictly speaking, this was a failure in his duty.

"Madam Pomfrey, how is the child?" Professor McGonagall walked slowly to the Matron's side and asked with concern, "Does he need to be transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries?"

"Don't worry, Professor McGonagall, it's not that serious," Madam Pomfrey smiled. "This first-year just drank some dirty water and caught a cold from the chill. He'll be fine after two or three days of rest."

Professor McGonagall breathed a long sigh of relief and finally relaxed. She then turned to Hagrid and inquired, "Before I arrived, I heard some nonsense stories from the children. Can you tell me what actually happened?"

Hagrid scratched his head. "By the time I turned back, he had already fallen into the lake. As for how he fell in, I didn't see it, but there was definitely something in the lake at the time!"

Professor McGonagall said with certainty, "We all know there are magical creatures in the Black Lake, but certainly not in that area. The fixed protected zones are part of a treaty Hogwarts established with them long ago; they wouldn't dare ambush students right under Dumbledore's nose!"

"More than that, I suspect someone used magic. Using offensive magic against a classmate is a very serious act of misconduct."

Hagrid immediately shook his head. "Professor McGonagall, I was right nearby and didn't feel any magical fluctuations. Besides, those students left their wands on the train. You don't think any of them are powerful enough to perform wandless magic, do you?"

"Hagrid, not everyone follows the rules," Professor McGonagall took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice, "Once the Sorting Ceremony is over, I will check them one by one to see if they are hiding any wands."

(End of Chapter)