Hagrid led the first-year students down a narrow path that wound through the forest before opening onto the edge of the Black Lake.
Across the dark water…
The lights of Hogwarts Castle glittered like stars.
Vincent had seen the castle once before from Hogsmeade.
But from here…
It was overwhelming.
Its countless towers and windows rose above the cliffs like an ancient fortress.
It looked even grander than the illustrations in any magical history book.
Hagrid gathered the students together.
“Four ter a boat!”
Vincent climbed aboard with Neville, Seamus, and Julianne.
The little boat glided silently across the lake, passed beneath towering cliffs, and entered a hidden passage concealed behind a curtain of ivy.
Nearby, another boat drifted alongside.
Ron Weasley sat inside, looking utterly miserable.
“I’ve lost Scabbers…”
“My first pet…”
“I’d only just got him back from Percy…”
Vincent silently looked away.
Sorry, Peter.
You won’t be escaping this time.
The boats finally reached the underground harbor beneath the castle.
The first-years climbed out and followed Hagrid up a long flight of stone steps.
Massive oak doors opened before them.
Professor McGonagall, dressed in emerald-green robes, was already waiting.
She thanked Hagrid before leading the students into the Entrance Hall.
The ceiling stretched high overhead.
Torches burned brightly along the walls.
Even Muggle electric lights are brighter…
Vincent thought instinctively.
Then he smiled.
But electricity can’t imitate a sky full of enchanted stars.
The first-years were ushered into a small chamber beside the Great Hall.
Through the open doorway…
Vincent could see four long House tables beneath the enchanted ceiling.
Hundreds of older students chatted excitedly while waiting for the ceremony to begin.
“Welcome to Hogwarts,” Professor McGonagall said.
“The Start-of-Term Feast will begin shortly.”
“But first…”
“You will be sorted into your Houses.”
“The Sorting is a very important ceremony.”
“While you are at Hogwarts, your House will become your family.”
Beside Vincent…
Neville swallowed nervously.
“We’re really going to be sorted…”
Several ghosts drifted through the walls overhead.
A few first-years yelped in surprise.
After giving her final instructions…
Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall.
She placed a small wooden stool at the center of the room.
Upon it rested an old, patched wizard’s hat.
The Sorting Hat.
Moments later…
It burst into song.
Its familiar verses echoed throughout the hall.
Vincent listened quietly.
Soon…
The ceremony began.
“Hannah Abbott!”
“Hufflepuff!”
“Susan Bones!”
“Hufflepuff!”
“Terry Boot!”
“Ravenclaw!”
One by one…
Students found their new homes.
Vincent’s attention shifted toward the staff table.
At its center stood the magnificent golden chair reserved for the Headmaster.
It was empty.
Professor Dumbledore still hasn’t returned…
He’s absent from the Sorting Ceremony.
That wasn’t supposed to happen.
The butterfly effect had clearly changed more than Vincent realized.
“Neville Longbottom!”
“Gryffindor!”
As expected.
The Sorting Hat barely touched Neville’s head before making its decision.
Seamus followed shortly afterward.
“Hufflepuff!”
Julianne was called next.
“Hufflepuff!”
Then—
“Vincent Eden.”
Professor McGonagall’s voice rang through the Great Hall.
As Vincent stepped forward…
He noticed Professor McGonagall studying him unusually closely.
Recognition flashed across her face.
“So…”
“You’re the student Professor Dumbledore mentioned.”
Her eyes widened slightly.
“Oh…”
“Oh my.”
She looked him up and down several times.
“Oh my…”
Students seated near the front exchanged puzzled glances.
“What’s wrong with Professor McGonagall?”
“Has something happened?”
Vincent gave an awkward smile.
“Professor…”
“May I put on the hat now?”
Professor McGonagall blinked.
“Oh!”
“Yes…”
“Of course.”
She stepped aside.
Vincent lowered the Sorting Hat onto his head.
“Interesting…”
A voice whispered inside his mind.
“Very interesting.”
“You’re courageous enough for Gryffindor.”
“Curious enough for Ravenclaw.”
“Ambitious enough that Slytherin would gladly have you.”
“And…”
“Your affinity with magical creatures is extraordinary.”
“Hufflepuff would welcome you with open arms.”
“This is quite the dilemma.”
“Where should I put you?”
Vincent had already made his decision during the train ride.
His greatest advantage was his Legendary Animagus talent.
Judging from the system…
The least weasel would not be his only Animagus form forever.
One day…
He would gain many more.
That meant he would frequently travel around Hogwarts disguised as different animals.
Among the four Houses…
Hufflepuff suited that lifestyle best.
Their common room welcomed pets more freely than any other House.
Badgers, cats, owls, toads…
Animals constantly wandered in and out.
Blending in there would be much easier.
Besides…
The Hufflepuff kitchens were located directly beside the common room.
Excellent food is never a disadvantage.
“Hufflepuff?”
The Sorting Hat sounded doubtful.
“Are you certain?”
“Many students wrongly believe Hufflepuff is only for those who don’t excel elsewhere.”
Vincent smiled.
“That’s fine.”
“They’ll change their minds.”
“What if your House holds you back?”
“It won’t.”
“I’ll help make it stronger.”
The Sorting Hat laughed.
“Only a Hufflepuff would answer like that.”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
The announcement echoed across the hall.
The Hufflepuff table erupted into applause.
Vincent removed the hat and walked toward his new House.
The students enthusiastically made room for him.
Several welcomed him with broad smiles and firm handshakes.
Then something unexpected happened.
Julianne, who had already been sorted, suddenly stood.
She looked toward the Sorting Hat and blurted out,
“Vincent chose Hufflepuff!”
“Then Hufflepuff must be the best House!”
“I want to be there too!”
The Great Hall fell silent.
Students from every House stared.
Even Professor McGonagall looked momentarily speechless.
The Sorting Hat gave an amused chuckle.
“Well…”
“Since you’ve made up your mind…”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
Julianne skipped happily toward the table.
A moment later…
Seamus grinned.
“I want Hufflepuff too!”
The Sorting Hat sighed dramatically.
“How very strange…”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
Even Neville, who had already been sorted, looked longingly toward Vincent before reluctantly remaining where he was—his Sorting had already been completed, and it could not be changed.
The Hufflepuff table burst into even louder cheers.
Whistles.
Applause.
Laughter.
Students eagerly passed plates of cakes, pastries, and sweets toward Vincent, Julianne, and Seamus.
For years…
Hufflepuff had quietly endured the reputation of being the least prestigious House.
Not the strongest in Quidditch.
Not the highest in examination rankings.
Often overlooked by ambitious students.
Yet tonight…
Three first-years had openly declared they wanted Hufflepuff.
One of them was the mysterious student Professor Dumbledore had personally mentioned to Professor McGonagall.
Students at the Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin tables watched in astonishment.
The Hufflepuffs, however, couldn’t have cared less.
They were far too busy celebrating.
Food was piled onto Vincent’s plate before he even had the chance to reach for it.
Every student seemed eager to recommend their favorite dessert.
For the first time in many years…
The Hufflepuff table felt like the center of Hogwarts.