The face on the Sorting Hat suddenly curled into a smile, and it began to sing at the top of its voice:
You may not think I’m beautiful,
But do not judge by what you see.
If you can find a fairer hat,
Then you may come and swallow me...
Bang!
A dull thud interrupted the Sorting Hat’s song.
At the staff table, Professor Sybill Trelawney, the Divination professor, suddenly rose to her feet. She wore thick spectacles, a shawl draped around her shoulders, and numerous strands of beads around her neck.
She raised her head in a daze and stared at the ceiling, her eyes bloodshot.
"What a great and mysterious existence...
He... He shall gradually reclaim His authority and return to that supreme position.
When the stars align, the world shall fall silent beneath His gaze.
All living beings shall temper their pride and submit to His will, just as all rivers must eventually flow into the sea and all stars must return to the cosmos."
Trelawney’s body began to convulse violently.
With great difficulty, she raised her right hand and pointed toward the students below. Two trails of blood ran from the corners of her eyes.
"He... the Fool... is at Hogwarts.
He is... here."
Clatter!
The moment she finished speaking, Trelawney’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed rigidly into her chair.
The entire Great Hall fell silent, as though all the air had been sucked from the room.
The first years stared around in confusion, unable to understand what had just happened.
The older students and members of staff exchanged uneasy looks.
They all knew who Trelawney was.
She was the Divination professor, a descendant of a genuine Seer, and someone capable of making true prophecies.
If what she had just spoken was a prophecy, then...
Realising this, whispers began spreading along the four House tables and across the staff table.
More and more people joined the discussion.
The first years instantly became the centre of attention, watched by nearly every older student and professor in the hall.
The person mentioned in the prophecy was far more likely to be among the new arrivals. Otherwise, why would Trelawney have delivered the prophecy during this year’s Sorting Ceremony?
What the fuck? How did this happen?
Vade cursed inwardly.
At this point, everything had completely slipped beyond his control.
He had only wanted to keep his head down and quietly build his strength. Who could have expected his identity to be exposed so suddenly?
The prophecy was far too accurate.
It had even mentioned the Fool by name.
She might as well have announced Vade Moria directly.
This was only his first day at school.
Did fate really have to be this unreasonable?
Was it too late to withdraw from Hogwarts?
No.
He could not do that.
Leaving now would be the same as confessing.
At present, there was only a one-in-several-dozen chance, perhaps even a one-in-a-hundred chance, that anyone would suspect him.
The moment he took a step back, that probability would become one hundred percent.
What should he do?
What could he possibly do?
Vade’s mind raced.
After 0.01 seconds, he made his decision.
He turned and looked at the famous saviour of the wizarding world, Harry Potter, with an expression of astonishment.
There was only one convenient shield available to him.
He had no other choice.
He certainly could not expose himself.
He had to remain calm.
Reacting the same way as everyone else was what a normal person would do.
Please, Mr. Harry Potter.
Do not fail me at the critical moment.
At that instant, Vade felt the Clown potion’s digestion progress surge forward.
The increase today was greater than everything he had achieved over the past month combined.
He did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Still, it made sense.
The Clown’s acting principles had two main points.
First, a Clown could vaguely foresee fate, yet remained helpless before it.
Second, a Clown concealed all sorrow, pain, confusion, and despair behind a smiling face.
From Platform Nine and Three-Quarters to the Great Hall at Hogwarts, Vade had been actively or unwillingly acting as a Clown the entire time.
However, he was not the only one staring at Harry.
Many people who recognised Harry Potter reacted similarly, including Ron, Hermione, and Hagrid.
Was it not only natural for the saviour of the wizarding world to accomplish great things in the future?
Dumbledore tapped a spoon against his golden goblet.
The clear ringing sound cut through the noise in the Great Hall.
"Professor Trelawney has been under considerable strain recently. From time to time, she says things that are difficult to understand, so there is no need for anyone to be concerned.
Hagrid, Madam Pomfrey, would you please take her to the hospital wing?
And, if possible, try not to miss the feast."
"No problem, Professor."
Hagrid lifted Trelawney into his arms and followed Madam Pomfrey out of the hall.
"It would also be best if no one spread rumours about what happened just now," Dumbledore continued. "Doing so may cause unnecessary panic and could endanger everyone’s safety."
Everyone understood perfectly well what had happened, but for the moment, they tacitly agreed to respect Dumbledore’s request.
There was no question that the news would eventually spread.
Hundreds of students and staff were gathered inside the Great Hall. If even one person spoke about it, the entire wizarding world would soon know.
Dumbledore clearly understood this as well, but he was not worried.
A single Memory Charm would be enough to solve the problem.
However, that would make it more difficult for him to identify the Fool.
Instead, he decided to establish a magical contract that would prevent everyone present from revealing Trelawney’s prophecy.
They would still remember it, but the information would not leave Hogwarts.
As time passed, the memory would naturally fade.
"Where were we, Professor McGonagall?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"Me. You were listening to me. I hadn’t finished my song yet," the Sorting Hat replied cheerfully.
"Then please continue."
The Sorting Hat cleared its throat.
"You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where courage lies within the heart.
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart.
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal.
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil.
If you possess a keen mind,
You may enter wise Ravenclaw,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find others like themselves.
Or perhaps you will enter Slytherin,
Where you will make true friends,
But those who are cunning and ruthless
Will use any means to achieve their ends..."
After finishing its song, the Sorting Hat fell silent on the stool.
Professor McGonagall unrolled a sheet of parchment.
"When I call your name, please come forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and assign you to your House."
"Hannah Abbott."
The young witch with two golden braids was the first to be called. She nervously stepped forward and sat on the four-legged stool.
Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat and placed it on her head. A moment later, the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"
The table on the right erupted into cheers and applause, welcoming Hannah into the Hufflepuff family.
"Susan Bones."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Terry Boot."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Hermione Granger."
Hermione took a deep breath and quickly sat on the stool.
"This one requires some thought. Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.
Hmm... Gryffindor!"
"What a shame." Vade watched Hermione happily run toward the Gryffindor table and shook his head regretfully. "Ravenclaw has lost an outstanding student. This will be the House’s greatest loss."
The Sorting continued. Neville Longbottom was placed in Gryffindor, Draco Malfoy was placed in Slytherin, and Ron Weasley was placed in Gryffindor...
"Vade Moria," Professor McGonagall called.
Vade swallowed.
With the Card of Blasphemy protecting him, he was not worried that the Sorting Hat would be able to read his memories. However, he still had no confidence that he would be placed in Hufflepuff.
The moment the Sorting Hat was placed on his head, a faint thread of magic entered his mind.
At the same time, the Card of Blasphemy trembled slightly, and the probing power was inexplicably distorted.
(To be continued.)