"Damn it, who spread this ghostly news? I said there couldn't possibly be such a thing."
"It was Malfoy! He was the one who spread it! It's all his fault!"
Seeing this, the new students were oblivious to the fact that they had been deceived. The so-called entrance examination was just a rumour.
In the crowd, Malfoy's face turned ashen. He glared fiercely at Cro and Cassandra's backs.
"Silence! The next one is Draco Malfoy!"
Professor McGonagall sternly scolded. Upon hearing her words, the crowd that was denouncing Malfoy promptly shut their mouths.
They eagerly and nervously watched the Sorting Hat, knowing that there was no danger now. They began to look forward to which house they would be sorted into.
Malfoy, with a stiff expression, walked to the chair and sat down. He tightly gripped his sleeves. Although he was furious, he couldn't help but feel anxious at this moment. If he didn't get sorted into Slytherin...
"Slytherin!!"
Before Professor McGonagall even placed the Sorting Hat on Malfoy's head, the hat already shouted the result.
Hearing this result, Malfoy's tense nerves instantly relaxed, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. He shot a disdainful glance at Cro before rising to walk toward the Slytherin table.
"The next one is Cassandra Vole!"
Cassandra calmly walked forward, looking somewhat disgusted at the dirty Sorting Hat. However, she forced herself to sit down on the chair, suppressing her revulsion.
"Have you been well lately?"
Professor McGonagall looked gently at Cassandra while continuing to place the hat on her head.
"Oh, the little girl from the Vole family, how rare. Since that's the case... "
"Slytherin!!"
The Sorting Hat's shout rang out again.
Cassandra hurriedly stood up. "I've been well, thank you for your concern, Professor McGonagall. Also... I made two friends."
Cassandra glanced at Cro, who looked leisurely. "Hmm, I'll think about how to switch his brain later. He's a decent friend."
Professor McGonagall shook her head with amusement. "Well, you better study that well. Switching brains isn't an easy task. Go on, they are already waiting for you."
Cassandra turned and walked toward the Slytherin table, completely unsurprised by this result. She was pureblood, after all. If not Slytherin, would she go to Gryffindor?
"Why is it like this... If I had known, I would have gone to Slytherin too."
Hermione puffed out her cheeks, looking very unhappy.
"The next one is Harry Potter!"
Professor McGonagall's voice carried a hint of excitement. The noisy hall instantly fell into silence.
The several professors on the high platform who were whispering also turned to look.
Harry Potter nervously walked in front of Professor McGonagall and sat down awkwardly. This was his first time experiencing being the center of attention.
"Don't be nervous, child, don't be nervous!"
Professor McGonagall softly comforted him.
The Sorting Hat was slowly placed on Harry Potter's head.
Everyone in the hall held their breath in anticipation, watching Harry Potter.
"Hmm... You're very clever, exceptionally wise, and brave. Let me think about where you should go."
The Sorting Hat mumbled to itself.
"Not Slytherin!"
Harry Potter whispered.
Under Ron's influence, he couldn't help but feel a dislike for Slytherin. However, this feeling wasn't too strong.
"Not Slytherin? Well then!"
The Sorting Hat displayed a human-like smile.
"Gryffindor!!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers at this announcement.
Cro touched his mouth, finding it amusing as he observed Dumbledore.
He had brainwashed Harry Potter before, so he shouldn't be influenced by Ron's nonsense anymore, thinking all Slytherins were dark wizards.
But why was there no change in the outcome? Was it the so-called Savior Cultivation Plan?
Cro's gaze flickered slightly.
"Hmm?"
Dumbledore keenly sensed the feeling of being observed. He turned to see Cro looking at him with a playful expression.
"A fascinating little fellow. Did you discover something?"
Dumbledore's lips curled up.
"The next one is Cro Well!!"
Cro shook his head, dispelling the thoughts in his mind.
Whatever Savior Cultivation Plan, as long as it didn't affect his box collection, it was fine.
Once he became powerful, he could crush any plan with a slap!
"Once again, Professor McGonagall."
Cro smiled brightly and greeted Professor McGonagall.
"Hmm, you don't know, I just asked Miss Hermione about you. I saw that you've been doing quite well recently."
Professor McGonagall responded with a smile.
"I'm fine. I used to wander outside, but now I have a place to stay and know the path I want to take."
Cro sat down in the chair and spoke lightly.
"I don't have to fight over food with stray dogs on the street anymore, nor do I have to be driven away by vagrants. It's not bad, right?"
Upon hearing this, Professor McGonagall couldn't help but tenderly ruffle his hair.
"I'm sorry, child, I didn't mean to bring up your sad past."
[Detected a strong emotion of compassion!]
[Reward: Gold Treasure Chest!]
---------------------
T/N:
For advanced 30 chapters and exclusive content, visit my Patreon: p@treon.com/WizFic.