Chapter 19

"You are mental if you think we're going up there by ourselves!"

Draco's scream was soon followed by many first years shouting out as well.

"We wouldn't survive even a minute on that trek."

"What will happen to or Pokémon if we can't beat the challenges?!"

"You're trying to kill us aren't you!"

The giant simply made a calming gesture and spoke over the group.

"Now, now there's nothing to worry about, the mountains been warded to only allow certain Pokémon on it and to ensure your safety."

That seemed to calm many but not all.

"Besides, you don't need to pass all the challenges to get sorted, just take each one as it comes and do your best, no one's ever failed in the history of Hogwarts."

This finally calmed all the first years down, but Harry was wondering what type of Pokémon he would run into and if he might find any new companions along the way.

The giant, seemingly satisfied that the first years had calmed, pulled out a scroll and unrolled it, it reached almost to the ground with how long it was, even from the giants impressive height.

"I'll read off your names and when it's called you'll head up the path and it will lead you straight to the doors of Hogwarts."

As the group began to talk and whisper about what they'll do once they get to the castle, the first name was called.

"Hannah, Abbot."

A red headed girl with a small Pokémon that looks like a pink and white flower bulb in her arms walked forward and with a nervous glance at the crowd, begins the long track up the mountain. After she is out of site, everyone waits for another five minutes before another name was called.

"Susan, Bones."

A blonde haired girl this time moved forward, a small yellow furred creature with blue feet and eyes sat on her shoulder as she followed the previous girl. Just like that the rest of the evening went, one name after another until someone Harry recognized was called.

With a squeak Hermione went forward,Lucia followed behind while the Jangmo-o head poked over her shoulder watching the path ahead as Hermione took a deep breath and then entered the path to Hogwarts.

Harry was growing anxious at standing around for so long, and he could tell his team was feeling the same way, Ria was twitching at every sound and she also was starting to throw hostile looks at many of the other first years near Harry. John wasn't any better, he would puff up and make a barrier between Harry and anyone he thought was getting to close for comfort.

Ivan was simply standing at Harry's back to ensure that nothing tried to take them by surprise with Hedwig atop his head keeping a look out for threats heading their way.

Salazar was asleep, because unlike the others, he was still just a young Dreepy that needed to still take naps and rests to grow up big and strong, Harry kept him in a inner coat pocket since it would help with Salazar's night terrors.

Finally Harry's name was called, so with purpose and excitement rushing his stride, Harry didn't even look back at the other first years and strode up the path with his partners following him into this new adventure. Soon Harry couldn't see or hear the crowd he had just left, all he could see was the snowy forest and the sound of the wind and wild Pokémon that covered it.

As Harry walked he couldn't help but let his mind drift at the thought of what these challenges could be, and why didn't anyone warn them about them or the dangers of the trek here in the first place.

Harry knew Galar loved their traditions but this one is a bit ridiculous, making first year students, who most probably hadn't ever been in a battle let alone left their towns or cities, climb a mountain and face unknown challenges and Pokémon both.

Harry wouldn't have been surprised if this led to many students not even making it to the school, and wondered how they would explain that to their parents.

Harry's train of thought was thrown off by the sound of trees falling and snow being crushed under foot, then from the right a large four legged creature emerged, it was a bluish green color with red piercing eyes.

A large grey X covered the front of his face and three grey spikes seemed to grow out of the bottoms of its feet.

The creature stopped in front of the group and simply looked at them, Ria and John immediately jumped in front of Harry and prepared attacks for if the creature made a move. Ivan grabbed Harry and placed him on his shoulders, Hedwig took flight and began to look around for anymore possible enemies, and Salazar continued to sleep in Harry's pocket.

A voice that sounded like a text to speech device sounded out in Harry's head as the creature in front of him seemed unfazed by the aggression aimed towards it.

'Greetings student hopeful. My name is Joe. I am the proctor for the challenge of Ravenclaw house.'

Harry's companions seemed to calm slightly at this but did not let down their guard.

'The challenge is simple. I am going to tell you three types of Pokémon and you will tell me their weaknesses.'

Harry was surprised at how simple the challenge was, but then remembered that he's only going to be a first year, of course the challenge was going to be a simple one.

'Are you ready?'

"Yes I am."

'The first type is the fairy type, what are the known weaknesses of this type?'

Harry had to think back to the lessons he had to take when he got John since he wanted to make sure that he never put him in a bad spot.

"Steel and poison type."

'That is correct. The next type is the flying type.'

Harry had to stop himself from smiling at the first three that jumped into his head since he knew that it was the one type he wouldn't have to worry about as much.

"Ice, electric, rock."

'Correct. The final type is the one that also has the most weaknesses. What are the weaknesses for grass types.'

Harry had to think for a second because he thought it would have been big types, but with this he atleast had two types ready for the list he had to make.

"It should be bug, poison, fire, ice, and flying."

'Correct. You have finished the challenge. Please continue your climb.'

Joe then simply turned around and returned to the forest as Harry was surprised that the challenge was already over, he expected to atleast be forced to do a duel type, but it seemed that the challenges where made very simple for the first years.

So with a shrug and a few new questions to ask once he got to it, Harry continued his climb up the mountain, keeping an ear out for any surprises or possible new team mates. Harry walked for another ten minutes before something happened again, a rumbling from the ground this time, something ahead of them moved, a tree that sat at a bend in the path rose up from the ground.

With it came a green and white shell covered in dirt and roots, from under the shell a green and brown head poked out, staring at the group that had seemingly disturbed its sleep.

Harry was wondering if this was part of the Hogwarts challenges when the creature fully removed itself from the ground and moved into the middle of the path and laid down on it.

With a sigh, Harry moved forward with Ria at his side waiting to see if this would need her, or Ivan's touch, to remove the obstacle in their trainers way. So with trepidation, Harry moved as close to the creature as he thought was safe and had Ria send out an aura message to ask if the creature would move.

"The creatures name is apparently Ben, and he says that he won't move unless you can give him something to make him want to move."

Ria sounded annoyed with Ben and Harry knew that they were going to have to have the conversation again, but that was for later, right now he needs to move Ben.

"Well ask him what he wants and we'll see if we can do it."

Ria was just about ready to say that they didn't need to listen to Ben they could just move him themselves, but she couldn't deny her trainer if he asked for it, so with reluctance she asked, and the answer left her shocked.