Harry’s emerald-green eyes flashed behind his glasses.
Watching quietly from behind, Snape unconsciously revealed a trace of tenderness in his eyes, along with an overwhelming sorrow.
The high-backed stool completely concealed Harry’s small, thin frame, yet it was as though Snape’s gaze pierced right through it, searching Harry’s face for the shadow of someone else.
The Sorting Hat settled onto Harry’s head and immediately became even more troubled.
“What’s going on today?
Another impossible case…”
Just like in the original story, the Hat began whispering privately with Harry.
Its dilemma remained the same:
Gryffindor…
or Slytherin?
Unlike in the original timeline, however, Harry had not been influenced by Ron’s prejudice.
He didn’t harbor any particular dislike toward Slytherin.
In fact…
His first friend of his own age— Adrian—was there.
Deep down, Harry actually found himself leaning toward Slytherin.
The reason Slytherin found Harry so appealing, however, wasn’t entirely because of Harry himself.
It was the fragment of Voldemort’s soul residing within him.
That fragment amplified traits associated with pure-blood wizards and enhanced talents hidden within Harry—qualities that weren’t truly his own.
The Sorting Hat could see Harry’s heart, pure as gold.
But it could also sense the extraordinary talent flowing through his blood.
After a moment, it whispered softly,
“Then let me ask you one question.”
“Are you willing to go to Slytherin?”
“Slytherin…”
Countless thoughts flashed through Harry’s mind.
The terrifying legends surrounding Voldemort.
Everything Ron had said.
And Adrian’s calm, objective assessment.
“Am I…
really suited for Slytherin?”
The Sorting Hat replied,
“You are highly gifted.”
“You also possess a strong desire to prove yourself.”
“There, you would earn respect—and the support of your friends.”
“But you’re equally suited for Gryffindor.”
“You love adventure.”
“You possess true courage.”
“I want to hear your choice.”
Although, in Harry’s understanding, Voldemort was already dead…
Harry had never been someone content with mediocrity.
He longed for the day when people would truly notice him because of who he was—
Not because of some mysterious event that had saddled him with a famous title.
“I…”
“I want to go to Slytherin!”
“Excellent!”
The Sorting Hat finally reached its decision.
“In that case…”
“You belong in—”
Harry had already begun rising from the stool.
He could practically hear the opening ‘S’ of Slytherin forming.
But in a moment so brief that no one noticed…
Dumbledore’s ever-kind expression suddenly turned cold.
His snowy eyebrows drew together.
His lips moved ever so slightly.
An invisible, exquisitely controlled burst of magic instantly seized control of the Sorting Hat.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Then the Hat announced the House.
Its voice sounded oddly stiff this time, stripped of the lively personality it had displayed moments before.
The Great Hall erupted.
Now it was the lions’ turn to celebrate.
Harry, however, sat frozen in confusion.
“Why Gryffindor?”
“Wasn’t I supposed to go to Slyther—”
Before he could finish his thought, the Sorting Hat remained silent.
Professor McGonagall gave him no opportunity to ask further questions.
She gently guided him to his feet.
“Mr.
Potter.”
“Do not doubt the Sorting Hat’s judgment.”
“It is fair and accurate.”
“Now, please join your House.”
Harry barely knew how he had arrived at the Gryffindor table.
The young lions cheered enthusiastically at his arrival.
Many older students and prefects came over to shake his hand.
Yet everything felt strangely unreal.
This…
wasn’t the choice he had wanted.
He had already decided.
He wanted to enter Slytherin.
He wanted to learn from Adrian.
To become genuinely strong.
To earn true respect.
So…
Just as Professor McGonagall had said…
Had the Sorting Hat, through its fair and impartial judgment, truly decided Gryffindor suited him better?
The more Harry thought about it, the more exhausted he became.
His head began to ache.
From across the hall, Adrian sighed inwardly with some regret.
He had worked hard to instill a healthier, more independent outlook in Harry…
Yet the original storyline still hadn’t changed.
The Sorting continued as normal afterward.
Following family tradition, Ron Weasley was sorted into Gryffindor.
When Hermione’s turn came, the Sorting Hat once again announced its decision in that slightly rigid voice.
She, too, joined Gryffindor.
The original Golden Trio was reunited once more.
Yet each of them now carried very different thoughts in their hearts.
At long last, the lengthy Sorting Ceremony came to an end.
There was the school song…
And Dumbledore’s customary opening speech—
Mostly a collection of rather useless warnings intended to protect the Philosopher’s Stone.
Finally, Dumbledore clapped his hands.
An abundant feast instantly appeared upon the long tables.
The Welcoming Feast had officially begun.
The culture of socializing over meals existed everywhere.
Especially now that both Slytherin and Gryffindor had gained famous newcomers.
Students constantly approached them to strike up conversations.
As a result…
Adrian found the entire meal thoroughly unenjoyable.
“If you’re going to eat, then eat.”
“Why is everyone talking so much?”
“Can’t you see this young master is starving?!”
After the feast, the prefects of Slytherin led their House back toward the Slytherin common room.
“My name is Lian Logie, your acting prefect.”
“First of all, welcome to Slytherin House.”
Lian patiently introduced the House and its surroundings.
The Slytherin common room was hidden deep beneath the castle in the dungeons.
It was a semi-transparent chamber located beneath the Black Lake.
Its walls were constructed from black Gothic marble, while its domed crystal ceiling allowed students to look up into the shimmering waters above.
Green lanterns hung from chains across the ceiling.
A beautifully carved fireplace occupied one side of the room, surrounded by ornate chairs.
Through the windows, students could often glimpse enormous squid-like creatures and other strange aquatic beings swimming past.
Spending time in the common room almost felt like living inside an aquarium.
You could even exchange a friendly stare with the giant underwater creatures.
After finishing the introduction, Lian stopped before the entrance.
“You must remember the password.”
“If you get it wrong, you’ll have quite a bit of trouble.”
“‘Bloodline Eternal.'”
Adrian’s face darkened.
“Can we not be this embarrassingly edgy?”
“Bloodline Eternal?”
“Couldn’t you learn something from Gryffindor?”
“Use the name of a food or something.”
“At least it’d make people hungry.”
As soon as Lian spoke the password, the damp stone wall shimmered with eerie green light.
A concealed stone doorway slowly emerged before opening on its own.
“All right.”
“Go on inside.”
“The boys’ dormitories are on the left.”
“The girls’ are on the right.”
“Your luggage has already been delivered.”
“Don’t stay up too late tonight.”
“Classes officially begin tomorrow.”
Then Lian turned toward Adrian apologetically.
“Young Master Adrian…”
“Unfortunately, there are no private rooms available at the moment.”
“Only double rooms remain.”
“So…”
Adrian waved his hand dismissively.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“As long as the room is spacious enough.”
“Understood.”
Lian pointed toward Draco.
“Then, Young Master Adrian, you’ll temporarily share a room with Young Master Malfoy.”
“I’ll submit a request for a private room as soon as possible.”
“Oh?”
“Malfoy?”
“Now that’s interesting.”
“Looks like the next few days are going to be entertaining.”
Adrian smiled inwardly.
“And don’t think I can’t tell.”
“This business about there being no private rooms…”
“You’re just brushing me off.”
“I’ve seen this kind of thing plenty of times in my previous life.”
“Besides…”
“If I really wanted a single room, I’d simply throw ten thousand Galleons at whoever was occupying one.”
“Problem solved.”
That was Adrian’s thought.
Meanwhile…
Draco Malfoy wore a thoroughly miserable expression, clearly wondering what fate had just befallen him.