Up ahead, Harry also noticed something was off and whispered to Hagrid on the neighboring boat, "That blond new student doesn't seem to be in real danger. It feels more like he's being… toyed with."
After Harry pointed it out, Hagrid also sensed something strange. Everyone else had managed to climb back into their boats—so why was that one boy the only one still being dunked up and down in the water?
Hagrid scanned the surroundings, observing for a long while, but couldn't spot anyone casting a spell. All he could do was mutter in confusion, "There's no sign of magical fluctuations anywhere… Looks like that lad might've angered some magical creature living in the Black Lake."
After tormenting Malfoy for a bit, Chu Yang felt that he'd vented enough of his anger. He withdrew the power of Wood Release, freeing Malfoy at last.
Malfoy immediately felt the force gripping his legs vanish. Using every ounce of strength he had, he swam desperately toward the boat.
Seeing the branches and vines retreat from the hull, Goyle and Crabbe cautiously leaned over and hauled the utterly exhausted Malfoy back onto the boat.
"Blech—!"
The moment Malfoy collapsed onto the deck, he began violently retching. Who knew what lurked in that lake? He had swallowed more than enough water, making the scene utterly miserable.
"I think his first stop after term starts will be the hospital wing," Hermione said, her expression showing about thirty percent sympathy and the rest pure disgust.
Chu Yang nodded, smiling very happily.
Hogwarts stood perched atop a sheer cliff, surrounded by water on three sides. Directly below, a cavern opening served as the school's waterway entrance—dark and gaping, like the maw of some monstrous beast.
Up close, the young witches and wizards gazed up at the towering castle rising into the clouds, unable to stop themselves from gasping in awe.
Only now did they truly grasp, in a tangible way rather than through stories on parchment, just where they were about to study.
They could feel it clearly—Hogwarts was without question the most magnificent school in the history of magic.
The boats drifted into the cavern. After a brief passage through darkness, light gradually returned, revealing a dock hidden deep beneath the castle.
At Hagrid's urging, the first-years disembarked in an orderly fashion and gathered together in groups.
Malfoy looked like a puddle of sludge, completely unable to stand. Goyle and Crabbe had to prop him up, his eyes unfocused and dazed.
"He doesn't look like he'll be able to attend tonight's Sorting Ceremony…" Hagrid muttered.
He then led the students along a winding stone staircase that climbed upward.
At the top of the steps was a flat courtyard. Beyond it lay the grand entrance to Hogwarts.
The massive doors were open, as though they had just let another group inside.
"Your upperclassmen should already be in," Hagrid reminded them. "Head up the stairs and you'll see Professor McGonagall. Remember—be respectful."
With that, Hagrid walked over to Malfoy, hoisted him up onto his shoulder, and carried him off.
Malfoy had just finished vomiting and was starting to feel marginally better—only to be assaulted again by Hagrid's powerful body odor and animal stench. He immediately began retching all over again.
Chu Yang caught a glimpse of greenish bile and couldn't help but wonder if he might have gone a bit too far.
"Poor kid," Hagrid said sympathetically, shaking his head. "I'd better get you straight to the hospital wing."
With long strides, he disappeared.
The remaining first-years exchanged glances, then followed Hagrid's instructions and climbed the steps. Before long, they came face to face with a tall, elderly witch with a stern expression.
"Welcome, first-years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," she said. "I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. I will be teaching you Transfiguration, I am the Head of Gryffindor House, and also the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts."
Dressed in dark green robes that only emphasized her severe demeanor, Professor McGonagall stood before them. The students scarcely dared to breathe.
"Your upperclassmen, the professors, and Headmaster Dumbledore are waiting for you inside. But before the start-of-term feast, you must first undergo the Sorting Ceremony."
"You will be sorted into your respective houses, where you will spend the next seven years of your school lives."
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has a proud history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards."
"During your time here, you will attend classes together, live in your house dormitories, and spend your free time in your common rooms."
"Your achievements will earn points for your house, while any rule-breaking will result in deductions. At the end of the year, the house with the highest score will be awarded the House Cup—a great honor. I hope that no matter which house you are sorted into, you will bring it glory."
Listening to this familiar speech, a playful smile tugged at Chu Yang's lips.
He was certain that no matter how many points Harry deducted from Gryffindor early on, Dumbledore would find all sorts of reasons to give them right back in the end.
While that undoubtedly tied into Dumbledore's intention to mold Harry Potter into the Boy Who Lived, such favoritism was, regardless of motive, unfair to the other houses.
Fortunately, Chu Yang had no interest whatsoever in the House Cup. Whoever won it was irrelevant—as long as it didn't interfere with his magical research.
Once the introduction concluded, Professor McGonagall was about to lead the students into the Great Hall when her sharp eyes caught sight of the damp patches on Goyle and Crabbe.
She frowned and walked over to them. The two boys froze in fear, hands and feet stiff, as if bracing themselves for a scolding.
Instead, Professor McGonagall asked in a surprisingly gentle tone, "What happened to you two? Did you fall into the lake on the way here?"
She had meant it as a joke—but was startled to see Goyle and Crabbe cautiously nodding.
"You actually fell in?" McGonagall said in disbelief. She had personally placed protective charms on every boat, ensuring they would reach the dock safely and preventing students from falling into the lake.
"We ran into a monster!" Goyle said, first glancing fearfully at Chu Yang before explaining. "There was something in the lake attacking our boat. It kept dragging us into the water before stopping."
"A monster?" Professor McGonagall said in surprise. "That's impossible. The route you traveled isn't within the activity range of any magical creatures in the Black Lake."
"It's true, Professor!" Crabbe shouted anxiously. "Goyle and I were lucky, but Malfoy couldn't get back onto the boat. The monster trapped him in the water, and he drank a lot of lake water! He was just sent to the hospital wing!"
(End of Chapter)