The first-years stared at the hat in confusion.
Then, near the brim, a wide slit suddenly split open like a mouth—
The hat began to twist and wriggle, singing a nonsensical song.
When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall.
It bowed respectfully to each of the four house tables in turn before becoming completely still.
“Looks like we just have to put the hat on,” a little red-haired boy said to the person beside him.
“I’m going to kill Fred. He made it sound like we were going to fight a troll.”
He was not the only one.
Many people around them wore indignant expressions, including Hannah and Susan.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall stepped forward several paces, holding a roll of parchment.
“When I call your name, you will put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait to be sorted.”
She paused for a moment before announcing the first name without even looking at the list.
“Hannah Abbott!”
Here we go.
The Iron-Cap Prince returns to his rightful place!
Hannah stumbled out of the first-year line and sat on the stool, putting on the hat.
It covered her eyes completely.
She sat there for a moment—
“Hufflepuff!” the hat shouted.
The students at the table on the right applauded and cheered, welcoming Hannah to take a seat among them.
The Fat Friar also happily waved at her.
“Susan Bones!”
“Hufflepuff!” the hat called again.
Susan quickly ran over and sat beside Hannah.
“Terry Boot!”
“Ravenclaw!”
The Sorting proceeded one by one.
Justin Finch-Fletchley was sorted into Hufflepuff, while Hermione Granger—the know-it-all with buck teeth like a beaver—was sorted into Gryffindor.
Not surprising at all.
With that overly familiar personality of hers, no matter how academically gifted she was, she was destined for Gryffindor.
“Draco Malfoy!”
The blond boy swaggered forward.
The hat had barely touched his head when it shouted, “Slytherin!”
Oh, so that’s Draco.
Henry thought of the information compiled by his private adviser, Sir Arnold…
Moen…
Nott…
Parkinson…
then the Patil twins…
followed by Sally-Anne Perks.
And then came the main event of the day.
“Harry Potter!”
Whispers spread throughout the surrounding students.
Henry also sized up the obviously young and inexperienced Boy Who Lived.
The hat remained on his head for quite some time before finally assigning him to Gryffindor.
A thunderous cheer erupted from the long Gryffindor table, louder than any of the cheers that had greeted anyone from the other houses.
Two red-haired boys who looked almost identical shouted loudly, “We’ve got Potter! We’ve got Potter!”
Professor McGonagall called the next name.
“Henry Wales!”
Henry stepped forward and sat down on the stool, allowing Professor McGonagall to place the hat on his head.
Only now did Hermione, seated at the Gryffindor table, show an expression of sudden realization and extreme shock.
But apparently, nobody was paying attention to Hermione.
Everyone’s attention was still focused on Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, Henry sat on the stool and waited for a long time, yet the hat did not say a word.
Just as he began wondering about it, a voice sounded inside his mind.
“Quiet. I’m thinking!”
“What are you thinking about?” Henry asked with interest inside his mind.
“Or rather, as a hat, you actually know what thinking is?”
“Because I think, therefore I am,” said the Sorting Hat.
“An interesting way of putting it.” Henry offered a different opinion.
“But I still believe that matter determines consciousness, so I am, therefore I think.”
“Perhaps you’re right, but that’s not the philosophical question we’re discussing right now. If you have time, you can come to the Headmaster’s office and discuss it with me in detail.” The Sorting Hat sounded somewhat pleased.
“I think you have some Ravenclaw traits. After all, aside from these little eagles, who else would be interested in philosophical questions like these?”
“So you’re going to sort me into Ravenclaw?” Henry asked with interest.
“That’s not a bad choice either.”
“No, no, no. You have courage as well,” said the Sorting Hat.
“And of course, Slytherin could also help you realize your ambitions… Though you’re already brilliant enough, Slytherin can help you become even more brilliant.”
“What about Hufflepuff? Aren’t most Muggle-born wizards from Hufflepuff?”
The Sorting Hat fell silent.
After a long while, it slowly spoke.
“Do you remember what I sang just now?”
“What?” Henry did not understand what the Sorting Hat meant, but his instincts told him that the hat was about to say something unpleasant.
The Sorting Hat’s voice became somewhat dry.
“The people there are honest and loyal. Hufflepuff students are steadfast and sincere, unafraid of hard work.”
“…I’ll take that as a compliment.” Henry’s expression became somewhat complicated.
“What about Ravenclaw? Didn’t you sing that clever-minded people could go there?”
“But your mind is too clever, so…” The Sorting Hat paused for a moment before announcing loudly, “Slytherin!”
A round of applause rose from the Slytherin table.
It was not particularly enthusiastic, but neither was it cold.
Henry walked over and sat in the empty seat beside Draco, then turned around to watch the rest of the Sorting.
At that moment, the Sorting Hat loudly announced Ron’s house and then sorted Blaise Zabini into Slytherin as well.
Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, picked up the Sorting Hat, and left.
Albus Dumbledore stood up.
He smiled broadly at the students and spread his arms toward them, as though nothing could make him happier than seeing all the students gathered together.
“Welcome!” he said.
“Welcome to Hogwarts for another new school year! Before we begin our feast, I’d like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!”
“Thank you!”
He sat back down.
Everyone applauded and cheered.
At the same time, countless dishes of food appeared on the tables, filling them with such a dazzling variety that the eye could hardly take it all in.
Henry was not particularly hungry.
He simply took some healthy food and ate slowly and elegantly.
Just then, Draco spoke.
“Looks like you’re one of us.” His voice carried a hint of arrogance.
“One of you?” Henry asked.
“Yes. Unlike those families who have so many children they can’t afford to support them and don’t know how to raise them properly.” Draco stared maliciously toward the Gryffindor table.
Henry followed his gaze and, sure enough, saw Ron holding a chicken leg in each hand and eating with the overwhelming ferocity of a berserker.
A true hero!
“Draco Malfoy.” Draco extended his hand.
Henry put down his knife and fork and shook Draco’s outstretched hand.
“Henry Wales.”
Hearing Henry’s name, Draco suddenly frowned.