Chapter 14: Entering Hogwarts

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, there are four great houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. Each house embodies one of the founding founders' core principles. A person's philosophy is closely tied to their background, upbringing, and range of abilities. Over time, the division into these four houses has come to represent four distinct social groups. Although exceptions exist, most individuals tend to pursue careers aligned with the house they were sorted into after graduation.

This is not only due to the atmosphere within each house but also because the networks and connections made during their school years make it easier to develop in related fields. It's rare for someone who studied filmmaking for years to suddenly switch to scientific research, after all. Hogwarts’ houses are not like certain academic programs with bleak job prospects; as long as one graduates, following the established path ensures a livelihood.

Roger, however, had only one thought about his sorting: as long as it wasn’t Slytherin, he would be fine. Given his identity, being sorted into Slytherin would spell trouble—he likely wouldn’t be able to focus on his studies for quite some time.

From his past life memories, he knew the Sorting Hat’s decision took into account not only a young wizard’s inherent traits but also their personal wishes. Still, just to be safe, he decided to ask directly.

Roger did not fully trust the information from his memories because of two reasons. First, Harry Potter exists in novels, films, radio dramas, stage plays—who knew which timeline he was in, and how different timelines might vary? Besides, Roger had only seen part of the films. Second, the magical world was far more complex than the glimpse portrayed in the movies, as could be seen from the magical textbooks Professor McGonagall had lent him and the two history books in his bag.

It was like how the situation in a state or province of a large country could not represent the complex realities of the entire nation or the world.

Therefore, when facing critical decisions, even with memories from a past life, Roger analyzed each situation carefully.

“Hufflepuff, if possible, I’d like to go there,” Hannah answered earnestly.

After the earlier little incident, Hannah suddenly realized that Roger might not be the person she had assumed him to be.

Could part of the legends whispered by the tavern patrons be true?

In everyday life, Roger showed no extraordinary aura of a faction leader, so she had dismissed such wild rumors and thought of him as just an ordinary bookworm. Now, she was a little confused.

“I... I haven’t decided yet,” Neville replied, looking somewhat nervous.

Roger could see that although Neville said he hadn’t decided, he already had a leaning in his heart but was afraid to face that choice.

Checking grades, getting into trouble and having parents called, confessing one’s feelings—hesitation on big decisions was human nature.

After pondering the backgrounds of these two and other information he had gathered, Roger nodded to himself. He roughly understood how things would unfold.

***

The train arrived at its destination, and young witches and wizards flowed out of the compartments like a stream after changing into their uniforms in the carriage’s dressing rooms.

Roger and his companions had boarded during the day; by the time they reached Hogwarts, night had fully fallen.

Though their uniforms had temperature-regulating enchantments for warmth in winter and coolness in summer, the cold night air still chilled their skin.

After disembarking, the students split into two groups.

Some upperclassmen headed straight for the main entrance of Hogwarts.

But the first-year students had a different arrangement.

“First-years! First-years, over here! Harry, come here, how are you?” a tall figure called out with a smile above the bustling crowd.

Beside him, a small boy with glasses approached.

Though it was their first meeting, Roger recognized him: Hagrid, Dumbledore’s trusted half-giant.

“Come on, follow me! Are there any more first-years? Watch your step! Alright, first-years, follow me!” Hagrid called out loudly, pointing to a group of small boats moored on the shore.

By tradition, all first-year students entering Hogwarts must retrace the path once taken by the four founders of the school.

Along a long, steep, and narrow path, they passed through a dark forest. At the end of the road stood a grand, towering castle perched on a hillside, with a vast, bottomless lake before it.

Near the lake’s surface, small boats drifted gently. It was by crossing this lake by boat that the founders established Hogwarts on the hill.

“No more than four per boat!” Hagrid shouted, gesturing toward the boats docked at the shore.

They passed through the forest and across the lake, then climbed rocky tunnels, reached damp meadows, and ascended a flight of stone steps.

The first-years arrived safely and gathered before a massive oak door.

***

Once Hagrid confirmed everyone was present, he knocked three times on the door.

When it opened, Roger saw a familiar face: a tall witch in emerald robes, Professor McGonagall.

After Hagrid handed over the group to her, McGonagall scanned the students, pausing briefly on Roger before moving on. She led the new students inside Hogwarts, beginning to explain the sorting process as they walked.

“Huh?!” Roger was taken aback.

Though some memories were hazy, he would never forget that iconic scene from the films.

Normally, this moment would precede the first encounter between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter.

Had fate already shifted?

Seeing the Sorting Hat, Roger instantly pushed aside his surprise.

He knew the test was about to begin.

The Sorting Hat could read minds and peer into the heart, something Roger had to be very careful about. If anything went wrong at this stage, he feared his fate might be worse than falling into Azkaban!

For Roger, it was one thing if his future was revealed—everyone already knew he was a seer. Even revealing that he had died and come back to life wouldn’t be disastrous; in the wizarding world, death was not always final.

But being an outsider from another world had to remain secret, or who knew what chaos might ensue?

Roger had his own strategy.

Mental blocking spells? That was one way, but it would be too obvious, and he had no way to learn such magic yet.

Roger’s method was simple: the Sorting Hat could not possibly delve into every memory. There were many wizards with secrets they refused to reveal. If it were truly omniscient, the Hat would have been destroyed long ago.

It should only be able to read the person’s current thoughts and roughly judge personality based on magical and mental fluctuations.

That made things much easier.

When Roger was ready, under the watchful eyes of all students and professors throughout Hogwarts, the Sorting Ceremony began!

They proceeded in alphabetical order by name.