HP: Wizards at Hogwarts

Branch ceremony?

Elaine didn't answer Harry's question immediately, but instead began to think about what kind of joke to use to fool everyone.

Ron chimed in, "It must be some kind of test. Fred said it hurt us a lot."

Upon hearing this, the freshmen immediately looked terrified, their faces turning even paler.

"Did it cause a lot of damage?"

"Could it be more troublesome than hiking across the frozen black lake just now?"

"No, I'm completely exhausted."

The crowd erupted in noise again.

Elaine raised his right hand, indicating that he was about to speak.

The new students immediately fell silent.

"Listen, I did get some definite information in Diagon Alley."

"The Sorting Ceremony at Hogwarts is different every year, and this year's test is to fight a troll."

Upon hearing this answer, the young wizards' faces turned pale again, even paler than when they were in the cold wind on the Black Lake.

"What?! A troll?!"

"I've seen it in a book; it's an XXXX-level monster!"

"What am I going to do?! I don't even know a single spell!"

Harry didn't panic like the others.

He keenly realized that this was most likely another joke by Elaine.

Oh ho~

Have you already noticed...?

I have to say, Harry is really a smart kid!

Elaine maintained a faint smile.

Harry's eyes were filled with resentment.

If I still can't tell this is a joke after spending the whole day with you, then I'm so stupid I could bang my head against a wall!

"We fight the trolls, and then what? How are we sorted into houses?" Ron asked, his eyes wide.

Harry: "..."

This guy is so stupid he could go bang his head against a wall!

"The professors will decide your college based on the outcome of the battle."

Elaine looked around and saw that many people were looking at him seriously, so he also explained to them seriously.

"Whoever defeats the troll goes to Gryffindor;"

"Those who can subdue trolls go to Slytherin;"

"Whoever knocks the troll unconscious goes to Ravenclaw;"

"If you can eat a troll, go to Hufflepuff."

"If you kill the troll, then congratulations, you've earned the right to go to Azkaban!"

The young wizards listened with trepidation, their heads spinning, and they almost collapsed.

Most of them don't even know how to use a single spell. If they were to actually fight a giant, let alone knock it out, defeat it, eat it, or make it submit, they would be lucky to avoid getting hurt!

Some mentally strong individuals, such as Hermione, have begun frantically memorizing the spells they have learned, pondering which spell would be more effective against the troll.

"What about those who didn't defeat the trolls, but were defeated by them instead?"

Neville stammered out the question that had been puzzling everyone.

Elaine replied, "Then I'll be eaten by the ghosts of the school and become part of Hogwarts."

Just then, a dozen ghosts suddenly jumped out from the wall next to them.

These pearly white, translucent creatures slid past the crowd, arguing about something.

"I think it should be boiled in water; that way, the soup will be fragrant and rich."

"No, no, no... grilling it and sprinkling it with salt makes it taste the best."

"In my opinion, it's best to eat them raw, as that best preserves the freshness of the ingredients."

Suddenly, the ghosts stopped in their tracks and all looked in their direction.

The little wizards: "!!!"

"Hey, look, it's a freshman!"

"Strange, what are all these people doing gathered here?"

"I think they're probably waiting for the Sorting Ceremony, right?"

"Oh right, today is registration day for new students!"

"Haha, Hogwarts is going to have a new little wizard again? That's great! I always look forward to this time of year because the days ahead are going to be so fulfilling!"

"Look how energetic these children are!"

The little wizards turned pale as they listened to the ghosts' conversation.

To them, the ghost before them seemed to regard them as food.

"Aaaaaah—!!!"

"How terrifying!!"

"Don't eat me!!!"

"Bring it on, I'm not afraid of you!!"

The little wizards started shouting one after another, leaving the ghosts completely bewildered.

What are these little wizards doing?

Are you that shy?

Or is there some misunderstanding?

"What's all the noise about?!"

"Quiet down, everyone!"

"You guys are the loudest in the whole auditorium!"

Professor McGonagall walked over with a stern face, and the ghosts, sensing something was wrong, all ran away through the walls.

The young wizards then stopped shouting.

"Now, everyone line up in a single file and follow me!"

The group did as instructed, lined up, passed through the lobby, and entered the luxurious restaurant.

In the restaurant.

On the pitch-black ceiling, twinkling stars twinkled.

Countless lit candles floated in mid-air, illuminating the entire restaurant.

All the tables were set with gleaming gold platters and wine glasses.

Students from all four colleges were already seated at their respective long tables, and the professors were also in their seats.

In the center of the teachers' table, Dumbledore noticed that Elaine was smiling at him, so he smiled and nodded in response.

Not bad, not bad...

Elaine, that kid, truly lives up to my reputation as someone I personally mentored.

She's sensible and polite!

The young wizards went to the open space between the student dining table and the professor's dining table, with their backs to the professor and facing all the students.

There was a small stool in the open space, and on the stool was an old, worn, and dirty pointed wizard's hat.

Just as everyone had taken their positions, the Sorting Hat began to sing, explaining the procedure of the Sorting Ceremony with its awful song—first put on the hat, then line up.

The composition of the four colleges was also introduced.

Gryffindor is resilient and brave, Hufflepuff is honest and loyal, Ravenclaw is intellectually inclined, and Slytherin is cunning and ambitious.

While the Sorting Hat was singing, Elaine focused his gaze on the upperclassmen sitting in front of him.

They didn't look very well.

I'm starving!

The gazes of everyone looking at the new students were filled with resentment.

Elaine felt he could even read what they were saying from their eyes—

"Why are you taking so long to get here?!"

"Do you know we're starving to death?!"

Ah, so pleasant!

Don't worry, there's an even bigger surprise waiting for you!

Elaine then looked toward the Gryffindor table and saw the Weasley twins.

They were probably the only two students who still retained their energy.

That's truly rare!

When thunderous applause erupted in the dining hall, Elaine realized that the Sorting Hat had already finished singing.

When he turned around, he saw that almost all the freshmen were looking at him with strange, angry eyes.

They looked like a group of poor little wretches who had been tricked out of their lollipops.