"I'm preparing for the upcoming test!"
This statement caught everyone's attention.
The little wizards were already feeling anxious about the impending Sorting Ceremony, haunted by the fear of the unknown. Did Wayne know more about the ceremony?
"Hey, do you know what the Sorting Ceremony will entail?" A condescending voice interrupted. The speaker was a boy with platinum blonde hair, accompanied by two large, intimidating figures that dwarfed the other first years.
Though the little wizard had a decent appearance, his expression was rather unappealing, making him seem quite unpleasant.
Wayne clenched his fists. As someone who had been a 'bully' in elementary school for four years, it had been a long time since anyone dared to speak to him like that. But recalling his own plans, he kept a calm demeanor and explained:
"Of course, Cedric and a pair of twins just told me about the Sorting process."
Ron, standing beside Harry, gasped. "Twins? It can't be George and Fred!"
Wayne nodded. "You're Ron Weasley, right? Your brothers mentioned you."
At this, all the first years surrounded Wayne, eagerly asking:
"What's the Sorting Ceremony really like?"
"Is it dangerous?"
"I haven't mastered any spells—can I really enroll?"
Good, good, they took the bait. Wayne felt a surge of joy inside. Did they really think he was just bored and played along with the twins and Cedric on the train?
On one hand, he indeed felt a bit bored and thought it would be fun to mess with them. On the other hand, he was plotting something bigger.
The hunt began!
Before Professor McGonagall returned, Wayne quickly recounted everything the twins and Cedric had told him about the Sorting Ceremony, even polishing up some of the more ludicrous details to make them sound more credible.
As Wayne spoke, the expressions of the little wizards grew increasingly pale, and their legs began to tremble. Even the pure-blood wizards looked shaken; Malfoy's face was devoid of color.
Though parents often used the Sorting Ceremony as a means to frighten their children for their own amusement, never had the details been so vividly alarming!
By the time Wayne finished, the first years seemed to feel the impending brutality of the Sorting Ceremony.
Ron muttered, "It's over, I remember now. When we came back from summer break in the first year, Fred and George could barely walk."
"They must have been injured during the Sorting Ceremony."
In reality, it was just the twins trying to sneak back into the Forbidden Forest one last time, only to be chased by Hagrid's dog and twisting their ankles in the process.
At that moment, no one responded to Ron—Harry had sunk into deep despair.
What should he do? If he failed the test, would he have to return to the Dursleys' cupboard?
Having caught a glimpse of the wonders of the magical world, he really didn't want to go back.
Wayne casually sighed, "If it's too dangerous, I might just give up on the test and return to Harrow."
This sparked ideas for several other wizards from Muggle families.
What if we just… give up?
"Y-You mean all of this is true?" Hermione, also quite shaken, desperately hoped Wayne was joking.
"It's not me saying it; it's Cedric and Ron's two brothers," Wayne clarified. "You might not know who Cedric is, but he's been the top student for two years running, a model student in the eyes of parents."
Hermione felt despondent, completely losing hope.
Creak!
The door to the room swung open, and Professor McGonagall walked in, momentarily stunned.
What was going on? While past years' first years had been nervous, they hadn't been like this!
One might think they were preparing for an execution instead of a Sorting Ceremony!
Before she could speak, a little witch rushed over, crying, "Professor McGonagall, can I choose to drop out?"
"What did you say?" McGonagall could hardly believe her ears.
Was there really a little wizard who wanted to drop out of Hogwarts?
"Me too!"
"Waah, Mommy, where are you? I want to go home!"
Four more little wizards cried out. McGonagall felt a dizzying wave of panic wash over her.
Since Hogwarts was established, there had been expulsions, transfers, and even tragic deaths among students. But there had never been a student explicitly wanting to drop out!
And here she was, facing five at once!
What would other magical schools think of Hogwarts if news got out? They'd mock them for a hundred years over this!
"Why do you want to drop out? Did someone bully you on the train? The professor will stand up for you," McGonagall said, trying to sound friendly and gentle.
As the vice principal, she couldn't allow something so humiliating to happen and needed to pacify these little wizards.
They spoke in a jumbled mix of voices, and after a while, McGonagall finally pieced together their concerns.
"So, you're planning to drop out because you're afraid the Sorting Ceremony might be dangerous and you don't know any spells?"
All the little wizards nodded vigorously.
Instantly, McGonagall's face flushed. "Who's spreading these rumors about the Sorting Ceremony being dangerous? That's absolute nonsense!"
At once, all eyes turned to Wayne, who stood in the center.
McGonagall noticed this too and snapped, "Mr. Lawrence, are you the one terrifying your classmates?"
"Professor McGonagall, I'm not scaring them," Wayne feigned innocence, even looking a bit aggrieved. "I just wanted to inform everyone about what they might encounter during the Sorting Ceremony so they could prepare accordingly. Is that wrong?"
"Well, you shouldn't be spreading baseless rumors about trolls and ghouls appearing!"
"If the Sorting hasn't even begun, I'd definitely take twenty points from your house!"
Wayne couldn't help but protest, "I didn't make this up! Older students told me!"
"Which older students?" McGonagall demanded.
Without hesitation, Wayne replied, "George Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Cedric Diggory."
At this, Professor McGonagall was completely flabbergasted.
Twins, you really ought to be ashamed!
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