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"Looks like all we have to do is put on that hat," Harry mumbled as he glanced at Augustus.
"I swear, I'm going to kill Fred. He made it sound like we were going to wrestle a giant or something," Ron grumbled, waving his hands angrily.
Augustus gave a faint smile. That hat was definitely something—who knew who made it, but it seemed to have a life of its own.
Just then, Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a long roll of parchment in her hands.
"When I call your name, come up here, put on the hat, and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.
"Hannah Abbott!"
A rosy-cheeked girl with two golden braids stumbled out of the line, plopped the hat on her head—barely able to see past it—and sat down. After a brief pause, the hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!" the hat yelled again. Susan quickly ran to sit beside Hannah.
"Terry Boot!" — "Ravenclaw!"
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione nearly ran to the stool, hastily shoved the hat on her head.
"Gryffindor!" the hat shouted. Ron let out a weird little grunt.
Watching all these young faces, Augustus couldn't help but think back to his own youth in his original world. It had been a magical academy too, with similar tests and selections—but definitely no talking hat. Their selection involved actual tests of magic power and skill. Those were the days… Augustus sighed.
Malfoy strutted up confidently, and the moment the hat touched his head, it bellowed, "Slytherin!" as expected.
Moon… Nott… Parkinson… then came a pair of Patil twins… followed by Sally-Anne Perks… and finally—
"Harry Potter!"
As Harry stepped forward, a quiet buzz swept through the hall like the hissing of sparks.
Harry wore the hat longer than most. Then, at last, the hat shouted, "Gryffindor!"
Augustus heard a loud cheer erupt from the Gryffindor table, while the other three houses stayed mostly silent.
Then McGonagall read out another name: "Augustus Julius!"
The hall fell silent. Then a few noble-looking students at the Slytherin table began whispering.
Malfoy spun around dramatically and said loudly, "Watch this—Potter's nothing special for a so-called pure-blood. As long as Master Augustus joins Slytherin, we'll be the best house for sure!"
Harry rolled his eyes. He was sure Augustus would end up in Gryffindor. He just hoped his gut feeling was right this time.
As Augustus walked toward the Sorting Hat, it felt like an invisible force was spreading out around him, silencing the entire hall. The only sound left was his footsteps.
The hat dropped onto Augustus's head, and a tiny whispering voice echoed inside: "Goodness me? Occlumency? You've already mastered spells even adult wizards struggle with. Calling you a genius doesn't even cut it. And I see... a strong heart, cautious thoughts, and a sharp mind. You'd do well in either Ravenclaw or Slytherin… But yes, I think Slytherin will help you grow fastest. Shall we? Alright then—"
"SLYTHERIN!"
As the Sorting Hat cried out, the hall froze for a second. Then the nobles at the Slytherin table burst into loud cheers. Malfoy shouted, "Ha! Told you Master Augustus would be one of us! Get ready, Gryffindor losers—your worst nightmare just arrived!"
Back at the Gryffindor table, Harry stared in disbelief as Augustus headed over to sit with the Slytherins. Hermione angrily tapped the table—she couldn't believe someone so calm and refined could end up in "evil" Slytherin.
Augustus took a seat beside Malfoy, a flawless smile on his lips as he gracefully acknowledged the many congratulations coming from the Slytherin students. Malfoy was practically bouncing as he said, "Master Augustus! I look forward to learning from you!"
Augustus gave a light nod. "Just call me Augustus—it's fine. We've known each other for generations, after all."
Malfoy lit up at that. He knew this was a sign Augustus was starting to accept him as part of the inner circle.
Now only three students were left. Lisa Turpin was sorted into Ravenclaw. Then it was Ron's turn—he looked pale as a ghost. Harry clenched his hands under the table.
In just a flash, the hat called out, "Gryffindor!"
Ron collapsed into the seat next to Harry, and the Gryffindor table burst into applause. Harry clapped along, then sneaked another glance at Augustus sitting beside Malfoy. If only Augustus had come to Gryffindor too… that would've been perfect, he thought to himself.
At that moment, Albus Dumbledore stood up, smiling warmly at all the students with his arms spread wide. Nothing seemed to make him happier than seeing the students gathered here.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Before we begin the feast, I'd like to say a few words. And those words are: Nonsense! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"
He sat back down. The hall erupted into laughter and applause.
Suddenly, food appeared on the tables—roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, sprouts, carrots, gravy, ketchup—and for some odd reason, mint humbugs.
It was mealtime. The Gryffindors dove in without holding back, while the Slytherins maintained their usual noble table manners—well, except for Crabbe and Goyle, of course.
When the desserts were finally demolished, the food vanished, and Professor Dumbledore rose once more. The hall quieted down again.
"Now, before you all head off to bed, let's sing the school song!" Dumbledore said loudly.
Augustus noticed the other teachers' smiles suddenly freeze. He frowned slightly. A school song? Are you kidding me?
Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, and a long golden ribbon floated out, twisting in the air above the staff table and forming lines of lyrics.
"Pick any tune you like," said Dumbledore. "Ready—sing!"
And the entire hall broke into song. Augustus just opened his mouth and moved it silently—he wasn't singing. Honestly, he'd rather duel Voldemort ten times than sing a cheesy school anthem here.
The song wrapped up in a chaotic mess, with only the Weasley twins still going, slowly singing to the tune of a funeral march. Dumbledore even waved his wand to conduct them through the final bars. When they finished, he clapped the loudest.
"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic greater than anything we do here! Now off to bed, everyone."
The hall roared with noise as students stood up and began heading to their dormitories, following their prefects.
"....."