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In front of the long table on the stage was a four-legged stool with a well-worn, patched, and historically significant pointed wizard's hat.
At that moment, the hat was singing a song to itself, only stopping when Professor McGonagall approached.
"Now, when I call your name, step forward, put on the hat, and sit on the stool to await your sorting," McGonagall instructed as she took out a scroll of parchment.
"Colin Creevey!"
Colin, slightly startled, quickly jogged forward, nervously sat down, and put on the hat.
Almost without pause, the hat declared:
"Gryffindor!"
The Gryffindor table erupted in applause, celebrating the addition of a new member to their house.
"Astoria Greengrass!"
"Slytherin!"
"Luna Lovegood!"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Ginny Weasley!"
"Gryffindor!"
As each young witch or wizard was called up and sorted, it wasn't long before it was George's turn.
"George!"
As soon as George donned the sorting hat, he, like the other students, did not hear any hesitation or inquiry from the hat before it gave its answer.
"Slytherin!"
"Really? Slytherin?"
George's face showed a hint of surprise, but he quickly composed himself. He set the hat aside and walked calmly to the Slytherin table to take his seat.
To be honest, he had thought he was more likely to be sorted into Gryffindor or, at the very least, Ravenclaw, but not Slytherin.
However, upon reflection, he realized that his preference for planning, clear goals, and sometimes practical approach did align with some traits of Slytherin.
Perhaps, deep down, he did have characteristics that leaned toward Slytherin.
Slytherin does not necessarily equate to being bad. No house is definitively good or bad.
Gryffindor has also had its share of less admirable members, like Pettigrew. Slytherin has had figures like Regulus Black, who sacrificed himself to resist Voldemort, even preferring to die rather than let a house-elf replace him.
The characteristics of the four houses largely carry positive connotations.
Gryffindor is known for bravery, Ravenclaw for wisdom, Hufflepuff for integrity, and Slytherin for intelligence, ambition, and goal-oriented behavior.
"Slytherin isn't too bad. Snape is protective and well-versed in dark magic. If I can bring honor to Slytherin, it could be quite rewarding."
As he refocused, the sorting ceremony concluded.
Beforehand, he had analyzed the characteristics of each house and their head's personality, preparing strategies accordingly.
Thus, even being sorted into Slytherin wasn't a major issue for him.
Dumbledore briefly introduced the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, before announcing the start of the feast.
Immediately, an array of delicious foods prepared by house-elves appeared on the long tables, and the hungry students began to eat eagerly.
George also enjoyed the food at his table but kept some attention on the long table at the front.
It wasn't long before a thin, sallow-skinned wizard with a hooked nose, greasy black hair falling to his shoulders, and clad in black robes and cloak, exuding a cold, sinister aura, appeared at the entrance of the hall.
He moved swiftly toward the long table like a large bat. Every student he passed, regardless of house or year, instinctively held their breath.
The figure who had just entered the hall was none other than Severus Snape, the head of Slytherin House.
He was the foremost master of potions and a magical expert just below the levels of Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Grindelwald.
Snape briefly exchanged words with Dumbledore and McGonagall. McGonagall's expression quickly darkened, and then the three of them exited the hall together.
"My dad just got a promotion at the Ministry," one student boasted.
"When I was seven, my mom bought me a wand worth twenty galleons," said another.
"Ha, that's nothing. I—"
At the Slytherin table, first-year students began to boast about their families and wealth as they ate.
Most Slytherin students came from pure-blood families, with very few being half-bloods, and it was nearly impossible for a Muggle-born to end up in Slytherin.
So, many of them already knew each other from a young age.
Even if they didn't, they would use this moment to flaunt their family backgrounds and wealth to secure their status.
George chose not to participate. His current body was likely a half-blood, the product of a Muggle mother and a wizard father, and it was quite normal for the father to be absent.
In terms of family status, he was clearly at the bottom of Slytherin. There was no need for him to draw attention to himself.
As a half-blood, he only needed to show absolute skill, like Snape and Voldemort, to earn respect and followers.
Slytherin values bloodlines but places even greater importance on power. At the very least, one must be a half-blood.
"Oh, Merlin's beard, it's the Bloody Baron. He looks terrifying!"
At that moment, the students shuddered as a ghastly ghost, blood-soaked and with a hollow gaze, suddenly appeared at the Slytherin table and took a seat right next to George.
George looked up at the Bloody Baron with a faint smile, elegantly nodded in greeting, and then continued eating his dinner at a relaxed pace.
Blood-soaked? That was nothing. He had seen all sorts of gruesome sights in his laboratory, and after killing dozens, he certainly wasn't going to be intimidated by a bit of blood.
The Bloody Baron was visibly surprised that a first-year student could remain so composed in his presence.
However, as a Slytherin ghost, he was pleased to see a brave student in Slytherin and responded with a nod of his own.
"Which family is he from, to dare greet the Bloody Baron?"
"I don't know; I haven't heard of him. He must be a half-blood."
"A half-blood? He doesn't look like one. He seems more like he's from one of the twenty-eight families. He has quite an aura."
George's interaction with the Bloody Baron had certainly caught the attention of the entire Slytherin table. They were intrigued by this elegant and bold newcomer.
However, they quickly deduced that George was a half-blood, since a pure-blood would not have been so unknown, and his name was also unusual.
Even so, some younger Slytherins, particularly first- and second-year girls, felt a certain admiration for George.
This, in turn, led to some jealousy among the younger boys who looked at George.
(End of Chapter)