Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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The entire auditorium fell silent.
The older students were waiting to see the show, while the first years were nervously staring at the dirty and torn hat, as if a giant monster would jump out of it at any second.
Then, the hat suddenly began to twist, the tip of the hat swaying from side to side, and the brims on both sides rose and fell, as if dancing.
But the more Kyle watched, the more he felt something was wrong.
How to put it, who knew who designed this set of movements? It was just like some kind of flat fish that likes to eat its colleagues, but the movements were a little stiff, not as smooth as others.
Also, it looked a little ugly.
The Sorting Hat probably knew that dancing was not its strong point, and soon it split open a mouth-like slit and began to hum.
"I am a hat.
But don't underestimate my appearance.
I was made a thousand years ago.
witnessed the world's transformations.
traversed wilderness swamps
and walked along forests and rivers.
Come, wear me.
Find the most suitable house.
If you yearn for power, then go to Gryffindor. They are brave, righteous, and courageous, and they can bring out the courage buried deep within you.
Perhaps you will choose Slytherin. They are strong, calm, and elegant. Here, there is no need to hide your ambitions and desire for power, for everyone here is just like you.
Hufflepuff is upright, loyal, resilient, and honest. Come, you will find the most trustworthy companions here.
And Ravenclaw, if you possess extraordinary wisdom and a shrewd mind, then do not hesitate, for there are companions like you.
Come, wear me.
Do not worry or be afraid.
I will tell you what your heart desires."
The song ended, and the surrounding applause was thunderous. It was clear that the young wizards in the magical world were very polite.
The Sorting Hat bowed to each of the four tables and then went still.
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While the Sorting Hat's song was a bit hard to describe, the first years had basically figured it out. Sorting, it seemed, was all about putting on the hat.
This caused many to breathe a sigh of relief.
Compared to the rumors they'd heard, putting on the hat was surprisingly easy.
It wasn't just a little dirty, a little worn, a little ugly; it didn't matter. It was just for a little while, and you didn't have to wear it all the time.
Professor McGonagall strode forward, a piece of parchment in hand.
"Whoever I call will put on the hat, sit on the bench, and be sorted."
Professor McGonagall glanced at the parchment.
"Thomas Albright," a blond boy held his head high, trotted over, and put on the hat. A moment later...
"Ravenclaw!" the Sorting Hat called out.
The boy looked pleased. After taking off the Sorting Hat, he eagerly walked to the Ravenclaw table, where the applause was currently blaring.
"Marietta Edgecomb!"
a little girl happily ran up, picked up the Sorting Hat, and put it on.
"Ravenclaw!"
"Oh... great!"
The first two first years were both Ravenclaws, which made the young eagles extremely excited. The enthusiastic cheers seemed to lift the ceiling off.
"Katie Bell!"
This time it was also a little girl who ran up in a panic and put the Sorting Hat on her head.
Perhaps out of nervousness, she put a little too much pressure on the hat, pushing her entire head into it, leaving only her neck exposed.
"Hahaha!"
A burst of laughter erupted from the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall sighed and hurried forward to help straighten it.
"Thank you, Little Mag! I almost thought it was going to burst."
The Sorting Hat nodded to Professor McGonagall. "Gryffindor, without a doubt!"
A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table on the far left side of the Great Hall!
Fred and George even stood on their stools, whistling excitedly, clearly impressed by this young woman.
Katie Bell ran down to the Gryffindor table, her face flushed.
The Sorting continued, but to prevent a recurrence of the previous incident, Professor McGonagall felt it best to preside over the proceedings herself. Instead of stepping aside as she had previously, she stood behind the four stools, holding the Sorting Hat in one hand and the parchment in the other.
"Cho Chang!"
An Asian girl slowly walked to the square stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall stood behind her and gently placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Ravenclaw!"
"Oh!"
As the Sorting Hat called out the name of the same House for the third time, the eagles went completely wild. Some stood on their stools and performed a stilted dance in front of the entire school. Others picked up the decorative flowers on the table and excitedly threw them toward the ceiling.
They cast aside their usual pride in their composure and cheered wildly.
"Three! The Sorting has only just begun, and we already have three new students!"
"Ravenclaw, this year will definitely be a rising star!"
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The professors on the stage didn't stop them, just watching with a smile. It wasn't until they started throwing plates that Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a stern face.
The effect was remarkable.
Seeing Professor McGonagall, the eagles felt like they had been poured a bucket of cold water on their heads. They calmed down instantly, turning from eagles into quails and sitting down at the table in a well-behaved manner.
Professor McGonagall's expression brightened considerably, and she returned to the parchment.
"Omid Flower!"
"Slytherin!"
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The ranks of first years dwindled.
Kyle stood in the crowd, patiently waiting for his name to be called, but for some reason, he felt a prickling tingle on his back, as if someone were constantly poking him with needles.
Kyle instinctively turned his head, only to be met with Kanna, her face flushed red, glaring at him fiercely.
But unlike before, this time she was furious.
The normally shy girl seemed a completely different person, her small white teeth grinding loudly, as if she were about to pounce and bite him at any moment.
"Ahem... Oh, what a beautiful day!"
Kyle chuckled, then feigned composure as he turned his head back again.
Then, he quietly inched forward, trying to distance himself as much as possible from Kanna.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The place was so small, and there weren't many people around, so there was nowhere to hide. No matter where he ran, Kanna would always see him.
That feeling of being on edge never left him.
Fortunately, at this moment, a voice suddenly came.
"Kyle Chopper!"
For the first time, Kyle felt that Professor McGonagall's voice was so beautiful, like the sound of nature, like an angel who brought salvation to people.
Honestly, if he could re-elect the headmaster, he would definitely choose Professor McGonagall.
[End of the chapter]