"Oh, a clever little girl, where should I sort you?" murmured the Sorting Hat as it rested on Hermione's head.
The Sorting Hat had a unique ability, a kind of magical mind-reading known as Legilimency, which allowed it to see parts of Hermione's memories. But, more importantly, it could look deeper—into her heart, character, and potential. For some students, the Sorting Hat saw only the best-suited house. But occasionally, it used its judgment to give a student an opportunity to grow, to help them find strengths they didn't even know they had.
For example, Neville Longbottom, a boy who was shy and timid, was placed in Gryffindor not because he already possessed bravery, but because the Hat sensed he had the potential for it. Neville didn't lack skill; he just needed confidence and courage, and Gryffindor could help him build these traits. Similarly, although Hermione was very bright, there were aspects of her personality that needed shaping.
Hermione's sharp mind was unquestionable, but she struggled in areas beyond academics. She had trouble understanding others' feelings, often focused too much on rules and strict facts, and believed deeply in logic without daring to question it. She was orderly but didn't yet have the courage to bend or break the rules when necessary—traits that the bold Gryffindors were known for.
"Hmm… what a dilemma," the Hat said, thinking it over for a full minute. "If I placed you in Ravenclaw, you'd surely fit right in there."
"Ravenclaw?" Hermione whispered. She knew all about the four houses, and she knew she didn't want to end up in Hufflepuff. Though she hadn't spoken it aloud, she harbored a subconscious belief that Hufflepuff was a house for those less gifted or not as ambitious. As for Slytherin, Hermione was even more resistant. She felt intimidated by the house's dark reputation and the noble families that often occupied it.
"I know where you should go," the Sorting Hat finally declared, with its brim curling up in a smile. Then it shouted loudly, "Gryffindor!"
The teachers clapped, and Professor McGonagall looked especially pleased to see Hermione sorted into Gryffindor. Hermione stepped off the stage with a smile on her face. She didn't completely understand why the Hat had placed her in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw, but she was satisfied with either outcome. Now, she only hoped her friend Ivan would join her in the same house.
The sorting continued as Ronald Weasley was called up next. Just as in the original story, he was placed in Gryffindor. Then came Malfoy, Moon, Nott, Parkinson, and the Patil twins, each sorted one by one into their respective houses.
Finally, "Harry Potter!" was announced. Ivan watched as everyone—both professors and students—turned to focus on Harry with great interest. As Ivan's gaze moved to the staff table, it rested on the white-haired, white-bearded figure of Albus Dumbledore, known as the greatest wizard alive. From where he sat, Ivan could sense the immense magical power radiating from Dumbledore. His magic was not just an energy; it was a profound and mysterious force. The calm, almost natural aura around Dumbledore made him appear both ordinary and wise.
Dumbledore, noticing Ivan's gaze, looked back. Their eyes met, and Ivan felt a peculiar recognition. Just as Ivan could feel Dumbledore's strength, Dumbledore seemed to sense something unusual about Ivan too. 'A naturally gifted wizard,' Dumbledore thought, smiling kindly. His gaze was warm and without suspicion, only filled with admiration for Ivan's potential.
But as Dumbledore studied him, his expression shifted, first to puzzlement, then to thoughtfulness, until eventually, his eyes held a hint of worry. 'Has he sensed it?' Ivan thought, surprised by Dumbledore's perceptiveness. The old man seemed to be noticing the powerful magic concealed within Ivan—something ancient and quiet, something Ivan himself barely understood.
"Gryffindor!" The Sorting Hat's shout snapped both Ivan and Dumbledore back to the present moment. Dumbledore gave Ivan an apologetic smile, raised his goblet, and turned to congratulate Harry on joining Gryffindor.
"We've got Potter! We've got Potter!" the Weasley twins cheered, and Professor McGonagall looked even more thrilled. With both Hermione and Harry joining Gryffindor, she thought the day was shaping up quite well. Now, all that remained was for Ivan to complete the trio, and her hopes for Gryffindor would be set.
"Ivan Ambrosius!" Professor McGonagall called.
As Ivan's name was announced, he calmly stepped forward. Most of the students didn't know him, so he didn't receive much attention. Only Dumbledore and McGonagall seemed to know his true potential.
McGonagall felt a pang of anxiety as she placed the Sorting Hat on Ivan's head, hoping that he wouldn't be placed in Slytherin. Not because she had anything against Slytherin as a house, but she worried that its current influence might steer him down a less favorable path.
But McGonagall's fears were unnecessary. Ivan didn't care about blood status or pure-blood ideals. His beliefs aligned more with "for the greater good."
"Merlin's beard, what are you?" the Sorting Hat whispered in surprise. In all its centuries of existence, it had rarely encountered a young wizard quite like Ivan. "Are you sure you're not an old wizard using Polyjuice Potion?"
The Hat could feel an immense magical force within Ivan, almost like a storm. It even sensed another presence—another will within him—that blocked it from fully understanding Ivan's thoughts. When it tried to probe deeper, it encountered a shadowy force that made it pull back, almost jumping off his head in alarm.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Hat," Ivan said calmly with a slight smile. "I am just a young wizard, after all."
The Hat settled down, though still clearly uneasy. "Quite an unusual young wizard, I must say," it replied. "But I sense greatness in you. You're bound to become a remarkable wizard one day."
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