The young wizards, led by Professor McGonagall, filed through the grand doors and walked along a stone-paved corridor. On either side, tall stone walls loomed, each section adorned with a blazing torch. The ceiling above them remained shrouded in darkness, far beyond the reach of the flickering light.
Directly ahead stood an elegant marble staircase ascending to an upper floor, while the hum of voices from hundreds of people came from behind a large door to their right. However, Professor McGonagall did not lead them toward the door. Instead, she guided them to a small, empty chamber at the end of the corridor.
The room was so cramped that the students had to stand shoulder to shoulder. Of course, I say "shoulder to shoulder," but certain individuals seemed to have a bit more breathing space. For example, Harry noticed a blond boy with slicked-back hair standing comfortably in a small area cleared by two tall boys flanking him.
As the group exchanged nervous glances, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out from the front of the crowd.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term feast will begin shortly, but before you join the other students in the Great Hall, you'll need to be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting Ceremony is a significant tradition, as your House will be your home here at Hogwarts for the next five to seven years. You'll attend classes with your Housemates, share a dormitory, and spend free time in your House common room. It's important to remember that your House will be like your family while you're here, so please listen carefully to what I'm about to explain."
Here, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own proud history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. During your time at Hogwarts, your achievements will earn points for your House, while any rule-breaking will result in point deductions. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will be awarded the House Cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will contribute to your House's success, regardless of where you are sorted."
"Now," she continued, "in just a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest you take this moment to prepare yourselves…"
Her gaze lingered on Neville, whose cloak was fastened under his left ear, and Ron, who had a smudge of dirt on his nose. Finally, her eyes settled on Harry, who was glowing faintly. "...and tidy up a bit," she added.
Neville and Harry, oblivious to Professor McGonagall's scrutiny, whispered to each other, while Ron scratched his head in confusion.
Once Professor McGonagall left the room, the students began whispering among themselves.
"Ron, do you know how the Sorting works?" Harry asked.
Ron thought for a moment. "I think it's some sort of test. Fred said it's really painful, but he was probably joking."
"A test?!" Hermione exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.
Harry raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the girl to his left. Why are you so excited about that?
Before anyone could speculate further, a group of ghosts suddenly emerged from the walls behind them.
The ghosts floated above the students, animatedly conversing with each other.
"I think we should give him another chance," said a ghostly, round monk, his expression kind and serene as he floated through the heads of several taller students.
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves enough chances already?" retorted a ghost in a ruffed collar and doublet. "Just look at the names he's called us! And you know he's not even a proper ghost—oh, what's this? What are you all doing here? And why is one of you glowing?"
"Professor McGonagall asked us to wait here," Harry said, stepping forward when no one else spoke. "As for the glowing, that's just a spell I cast earlier."
"Ah, I see," said the round Friar with a smile. "I do hope some of you make it into Hufflepuff. That was my old House, you know."
"What's the Sorting Ceremony like?" Harry asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," the Friar replied, winking. "Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise!"
After a few more pleasantries, the ghosts floated through the walls toward the Great Hall. Moments later, Professor McGonagall returned, briskly entering the room.
"Form a single file line," she instructed the first-years. "Follow me."
The students walked out of the chamber, across the entrance hall, and through a pair of grand double doors into the Great Hall.
The older students were already seated at four long tables, their faces illuminated by the thousands of floating candles hovering above. The tables gleamed with golden plates and goblets. At the head of the Hall, a long table was set for the teachers, who faced the students from their elevated platform.
Professor McGonagall led the first-years to a spot in front of the Hall, where they stood in a line facing the older students, with the teachers behind them.
As the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows, hundreds of eyes focused on the newcomers. Many of those eyes, naturally, were fixed on Harry, who had forgotten to cancel his illumination charm. Ghosts mingled among the students, their faint silver glows adding to the ethereal atmosphere.
Looking up, Harry noticed many students gazing at the ceiling. Following suit, he saw a velvety black sky dotted with stars.
"The ceiling's been enchanted to look like the night sky," Hermione whispered. "I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
Harry nodded in understanding.
Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool before the first-years, then set a patched, frayed, and very dirty pointed hat on top of it.
The room fell silent as everyone stared at the hat. Then, to Harry's astonishment, the hat twitched. A wide slit near its brim opened like a mouth, and the hat began to sing:
"You might think I'm not much to look at,
But don't judge on what you see…"
(320 words omitted)
"Try me on! Don't be afraid!
You're in safe hands—or rather, my safe brim—
For I am the Sorting Hat!"
When the Sorting Hat finished its song, thunderous applause erupted across the Hall. The hat bowed to each of the four tables before falling still.
"So all we have to do is put on the hat?" Ron whispered to Harry. "I'm going to kill Fred; he made it sound like we'd have to wrestle a troll or something."
Harry chuckled lightly. Even a troll would probably be too much for these first-years, let alone a giant. Trolls were, after all, level-10 monsters or higher.
At this moment, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a roll of parchment in her hand.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat, sit on the stool, and await your house assignment," she announced. "Hannah Abbott!"
A rosy-cheeked girl with golden braids stumbled out of the line, placed the hat on her head, and sat down. The hat slipped over her eyes just as she took her seat. After a brief pause—
"Hufflepuff!" the hat shouted.
The table to the right erupted in applause, welcoming Hannah to their group. Harry noticed the ghost of the Fat Friar happily waving to her.
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!" the hat called again. Susan quickly joined Hannah at the table.
"Terry Boot!"
"Ravenclaw!"
This time, the second table on the left clapped enthusiastically. As Terry joined them, a few Ravenclaw students stood up to shake his hand.
Mandy Brocklehurst was also sorted into Ravenclaw, while Lavender Brown became the first new Gryffindor. The far-left table immediately burst into cheers, and Harry noticed Ron's twin brothers booing playfully.
Then, Millicent Bulstrode became the newest member of Slytherin.
"Justin Finch-Fletchley!"
"Hufflepuff!"
Harry observed that sometimes the hat announced the house immediately, while at other times it seemed to deliberate. For instance, the sandy-haired boy Seamus Finnigan sat on the stool for nearly a full minute before the hat finally declared him a Gryffindor.
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione nearly sprinted to the stool, quickly jamming the hat onto her head.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted. Ron groaned, but Harry found it didn't bother him.
"Neville Longbottom!"
The round-faced boy jogged to the stool but tripped halfway there. The hat took an unusually long time to decide on Neville's placement.
When the hat finally shouted, "Gryffindor!" Neville accidentally ran off with the hat still on his head. Amid peals of laughter, a blushing Neville hurried back to return it to Professor McGonagall.
By now, only a few students remained.
After Pansy Parkinson, a pair of twins, and Sally-Anne Perks, it was finally—
"Harry Potter!"
As Harry stepped forward under Ron's astonished gaze, he heard Ron muttering in disbelief, "Harry—you never told me you were the Harry Potter!"
Meanwhile, a buzz of whispers rippled through the Great Hall as Harry approached the stool.
"Potter? Did she say Potter?"
"Is that the Harry Potter?"
Ignoring the students craning their necks to get a better look, Harry grabbed the hat and placed it on his head.
"Ah," a soft voice whispered in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent—oh yes—and a thirst to prove yourself. Fascinating. So, where shall I put you?"
"Anywhere's fine," Harry thought nonchalantly, stifling a yawn.
"Anywhere's fine?" the voice replied, amused. "You could be great, you know—it's all here in your head. And Slytherin would help you on your way to greatness, there's no doubt about that. So, shall it be Slyth—"
But just as the hat was about to declare Slytherin, Harry felt a surge of magical energy from the direction of the staff table.
"Gryffindor!" the hat suddenly shouted.
"??????"
"Wait, weren't you just about to say Slytherin?" Harry asked in his mind. "What made you change your mind?"
The hat remained silent.
Moments later, Harry felt the hat being lifted off his head and found himself ushered off the stool.
"Mr. Potter, please join the Gryffindor table. Don't dawdle here," Professor McGonagall said briskly.
The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers so loud it seemed they might blow the enchanted ceiling off.
As Harry walked over, Percy Weasley stood up to give him a firm handshake. Fred and George yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"
Harry glanced around before settling in a seat near Hermione and Neville.
Turning his attention to the staff table, Harry spotted Hagrid in a corner closest to him. When their eyes met, Hagrid gave him a thumbs-up, and Harry grinned in response.
At the center of the staff table sat Albus Dumbledore on a grand golden chair. Beside him, one seat was empty, while on his other side sat a teacher who looked like a cross between a goblin and a human, as well as Professor Snape, who had once dueled Harry.
Harry also recognized Professor Quirrell, the jittery man he'd met in the Leaky Cauldron, wrapped in an enormous purple turban that looked rather odd.
Thinking about the magical surge he'd felt earlier, Harry's gaze returned to Dumbledore. At that exact moment, Dumbledore also looked at Harry, their eyes meeting briefly.
Dumbledore smiled and gave a small nod, but Harry quickly looked away.
Now, only three students remained. Lisa Turpin was sorted into Ravenclaw.
Next was Ron, whose face had gone pale. He looked unwell as he approached the stool.
The hat barely touched Ron's head before it shouted, "Gryffindor!"
Ron collapsed into the seat next to Harry, looking utterly relieved.
"Well done, Ron! Excellent work!" Percy said in an exaggerated tone, leaning over Harry to pat Ron on the back.
Finally, the last student, Blaise Zabini, was sorted into Slytherin.
With that, Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat, and left the hall.
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