The evening began, as usual, with the Sorting Ceremony, followed by the students' feast.
After everyone had eaten their fill, it was time for Dumbledore's speech.
However, during the Sorting Ceremony, Alaric was particularly intrigued by the Sorting Hat's song.
This year, the Sorting Hat's song was unusually long.
It first recounted the history of Hogwarts, mentioning how the founders had painstakingly established the school and how their differing criteria for selecting students had led to the division of Hogwarts into four houses.
As the Sorting Hat spoke about this, Alaric's mind began to wander.
He thought about the founders' relics.
The four founders, who had once been the toast of the Sorting Hat's song, probably never imagined that their relics would be gathered up by the unfortunate heir of Slytherin, with only Gryffindor's relic narrowly escaping destruction.
Worse still, in the quest to destroy the Horcruxes, these precious relics had also suffered, facing the grim fate of being destroyed.
Currently, the Slytherin locket and the Hufflepuff cup had already fallen victim to Alaric's hand, and it was evident that the Ravenclaw diadem would soon meet the same fate.
If the founders could come back to life, they would undoubtedly be furious with Voldemort for desecrating their relics.
Thinking of this, Alaric glanced at Hermione and Cho Chang beside him.
Over the summer, the two girls had helped him destroy three Horcruxes.
Perhaps the girls were thinking the same thing, as their eyes met with a tacit understanding.
The three shared a knowing smile.
Alaric then turned his attention elsewhere.
He suddenly noticed Luna, who had been holding a Crumple-Horned Snorkack, gazing at him with her silvery, misty eyes.
—Do I really seem that fascinating?
Alaric recalled the girl's comments about him on the train and touched his face.
Suddenly, the Sorting Hat's song reached its climax, and its soaring notes interrupted Alaric's thoughts.
"...But this year I'll go further,
Listen closely to my song:
Though condemned I am to split you
Still I worry that it's wrong,
Though I must fulfill my duty
And must quarter every year
Still I wonder whether Sorting
May not bring the end I fear.
Oh, know the perils, read the signs,
The warning history shows,
For our Hogwarts is in danger
From external, deadly foes
And we must unite inside her
Or we'll crumble from within.
I have told you, I have warned you...
Let the Sorting now begin."
The hat fell silent once more.
Applause filled the hall, but it was accompanied by murmurs—something Alaric had never experienced before.
Students across the hall whispered to one another, and Alaric, clapping along with others, knew well what they were discussing.
"Seems like it's gotten a bit off-topic this year, hasn't it?" Marietta raised an eyebrow beside Cho Chang.
"Indeed," Cho Chang agreed.
Normally, the Sorting Hat only describes the different qualities valued by the four Hogwarts houses and its task of sorting students.
"I wonder if it has ever given such a warning before?" Hermione asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"To my knowledge, it has," Professor Gray responded knowingly, leaning over Anthony to speak to Hermione (Anthony recoiled in fear, as being passed through by a ghost is quite unsettling).
"The Sorting Hat feels a moral obligation to give appropriate warnings to the school.
I have heard the Sorting Hat give warnings several times before, always when it senses the school is in great danger.
Of course, its advice is always the same: stay united and maintain internal stability."
Hermione and Cho Chang exchanged looks, and both spoke in unison.
"It's Voldemort!"
"Voldemort?" Marietta covered her mouth in surprise.
"Do you really believe Voldemort… has returned? The department has been in an uproar about this.
Some firmly believe it, while others dismiss it as nonsense.
I heard that Director Bones is leading those who believe this to stay vigilant.
My mother heard Fudge say they're just creating a climate of fear and it's all unnecessary…"
"They're not being unnecessary!" Hermione interrupted Marietta loudly.
"What… what?" Marietta was stunned by Hermione's words.
"I'm saying they're not being melodramatic, not at all," Hermione replied earnestly.
"These people are very respectable. They risk their lives to protect everyone, and you shouldn't speak of them that way."
Over the summer, Hermione had visited the Ministry with Alaric to gather information, where she witnessed how Ms. Bones led her Aurors in a constant state of vigilance and preparation.
Hermione had a deep respect for these people, despite Alaric's influence making her more aware of the many fools and politicians in the Ministry.
She had to admit that there were also dedicated people working seriously there.
"But… but…" Marietta stammered, struggling to respond, "Voldemort is dead, there's no evidence to suggest…"
"There is!" Hermione said with conviction.
"There is evidence. That night, I saw Voldemort's return with my own eyes."
Marietta had no words to counter Hermione, the very person who had witnessed the event.
She looked to Cho Chang, hoping her friend would support her view.
However, Cho Chang's gentle tone, while sympathetic, was disheartening.
"I believe Granger," she said, "I believe Voldemort has returned."
"You… you too…" Marietta was unable to believe her friend's "betrayal."
"Sorry," Cho Chang said with a gentle smile, but her stance remained unchanged, "I still think Hermione is right."
"Well… alright." Marietta lowered her head in sadness.
It seemed that Marietta was a bit angry with Cho Chang, and the two might have a falling out for a while.
However, Cho Chang's stance was understandable.
After all, she had seen firsthand and participated in the destruction of Horcruxes—such evidence was far more real than any baseless rumors.
Moreover, although she and Marietta were good friends, Cho Chang was closer to Hermione from another perspective.
No matter how close friends are, they can't compare to comrades, especially those who have fought side by side...
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