"No! You can't do that! Dumbledore, say something!"
The Sorting Hat's expression became even more terrified. It possessed intelligence not inferior to humans, and some even said Gryffindor once left a piece of his soul within it.
Of course, these are all rumors without evidence, but one thing is certain: the Sorting Hat truly understands the weight of a Master of Magic Potions.
"Dumbledore can't save you. It seems you really intend to fool me like this."
Snape looked grim.
Compared to the little wizards of each house, as a professor he naturally understood some of the sorting rules. In fact, the little wizards themselves also have some say in choosing their future house.
As long as they have certain corresponding qualities, the Sorting Hat will consider their requests, and in his opinion, every drop of blood in Ian should bear the mark of Slytherin.
Even if Ian truly possesses Ravenclaw's qualities, sorting him into Slytherin is entirely reasonable.
"Of course not! Absolutely not like that! If it were just so unremarkable, how could I not give you this face? I would definitely toss that little wizard into your Slytherin!"
The Sorting Hat, capable even of simple flattery, showed its intelligence. Of course, this might have been some quick wit forced out by Snape's aggressive demeanor.
"But he went to Ravenclaw."
Snape's cold smile carried a certain cruelty.
"That's because Ravenclaw is the most suitable house for him!"
The Sorting Hat quickly shouted, "No one is more suitable for Ravenclaw than him. I've waited a thousand years; finding Ravenclaw's heir was a mission entrusted to me by Gryffindor!"
Its words did not satisfy Snape.
"Ravenclaw has taken the most students this year."
Unexpectedly, Snape even kept track of this.
"They're just students! Just students! You don't understand Ravenclaw! You've never seen her splendor in those days! For a thousand years, no one has qualified to be her true apprentice!"
The Sorting Hat's words changed the expressions of Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall a bit.
Professor McGonagall's gaze slightly sharpened.
Dumbledore's eyes behind his glasses flickered a bit more.
They all understood the true meaning of an apprentice.
It meant the passing of the mantle.
It was a father-son-like relationship with an ancient wizard—as the Sorting Hat said, there could be many students, but apprentices were different. Wizards only took those children as apprentices who they believed could surpass them in the exploration and pursuit of magic, so that after their death, the apprentices could carry their knowledge to see further horizons.
"Are you saying that within that child named Ian, there's the talent to become Lady Ravenclaw's apprentice?" Professor McGonagall's expression held a trace of incredulous shock.
"Absolutely!"
The Sorting Hat responded loudly.
"He and Ravenclaw share the same quality, one that none of you possess! Even you, Dumbledore, lack in this aspect!"
The Sorting Hat's shout caused Snape to frown tightly.
"Shut up!"
He didn't want the Sorting Hat to continue speaking.
"How can you say that about Dumbledore..." Professor McGonagall stood up to refute the Sorting Hat, not because she wanted to defend Dumbledore's unshakeable authority.
But given the current situation.
It seemed only Dumbledore could save the Sorting Hat.
If the Sorting Hat were really thrown into the midden with the little wizards and then smeared with a scent never to fade by Snape's magic potions, the one to suffer would not just be the Sorting Hat.
She, McGonagall, was the head of the sorting for new students every year!
"Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, please let it continue... surely you don't think I'm so petty as to compete with a little wizard over something?"
Dumbledore stopped Snape's actions and shook his head helplessly at Professor McGonagall, then looked with some curiosity towards the Sorting Hat in Snape's hand.
"I still maintain my stance; the Sorting Hat's judgment won't be wrong. In fact, I very much agree with it. At Ian's age, I wasn't capable of improving and creating magic."
Dumbledore's words made Professor McGonagall's pupils contract slightly.
"A freshman yet to enroll? Creating magic?"
McGonagall looked incredulous.
"..."
Snape's expression suddenly froze.
Damn it!
Didn't that guy say Dumbledore just let him play with a bird!
How did it come to creating and improving magic!
"That child..."
Professor McGonagall's voice trembled a little. Of course, she heard the implication in Dumbledore's words, and she remembered who Ian was standing with during sorting.
An extraordinarily gifted little wizard.
Standing next to a Little Grindelwald.
Professor McGonagall didn't want to maliciously speculate about Hogwarts' little wizards, but she couldn't help the worry that welled up inside, causing her to look tensely at Dumbledore.
This.
Was the scene Snape didn't want to see.
His lips were clenched tightly.
Perhaps regretting questioning the Sorting Hat.
"No need to worry, they're all good children, Professor McGonagall. We need to have more faith in our students," Dumbledore spoke in a gentle tone.
Yet.
Some of his subtle emotions remained undetectable by others. "If we initially regard them as evildoers and guard against them, how can we help them stay away from the mire of evil?"
A very reasonable statement.
"It is my mindset that was flawed."
Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement.
Snape secretly sighed in relief.
He was already contemplating throwing away the Sorting Hat.
Yet.
"Dumbledore, I'm not saying your magical talents are lacking! Indeed, that little one's magical talent is astounding, but that's not the reason he should go to Ravenclaw."
The Sorting Hat continued on tirelessly, as if trying to persuade everyone.
"Stop beating around the bush with me!"
Snape shouted severely.
"You all were the ones yammering on and on, how can you blame me?" The Sorting Hat said with grievance.
Seeing that everyone present was getting somewhat impatient, the hat, known for its constant chattering, didn't dare to further challenge human patience.
"It's about the attitude towards knowledge!"
The Sorting Hat shouted concisely.
"Every Ravenclaw little wizard lacks neither the desire nor attitude for knowledge," Professor McGonagall said puzzled, thinking it wasn't a very persuasive reason.
Snape and Dumbledore seemed to share similar thoughts.
Yet.
Compared to Snape growing more impatient, Dumbledore continued to listen attentively.
"I'm not talking about that mundane pursuit and desire. Look at yourselves. That's why I said you cannot understand her, and why she lived in a lifelong solitude, uncomprehended."
The Sorting Hat's voice bore traces of sadness, as if its tone had changed somewhat at that moment.
"Throughout the millennium, though all Ravenclaw students were bright and quick-witted, Ravenclaw's most unique feature was never her thirst and pursuit for knowledge."
The Sorting Hat seemed to reminisce, sounding both lamenting and regretful.
"Standing on the peak of wisdom requires none of the diligence, pride, intellect, effort, but rather... that sheer audacity towards knowledge."
Its words rendered everyone slightly stunned.
Yet it did not stop.
"Yes, Ian possesses this quality. He makes me see the once great Rowena, both of them have a sufficient arrogance towards knowledge!"
"They are pursued by knowledge, which becomes the path beneath their feet."
"Do not doubt my judgment; my decision is absolutely correct!"
The shriveled face of the Sorting Hat faced Snape.
Voicing words forcefully said aloud.
Echoing throughout the entire hall.
"Ian Prince, he is the truest Ravenclaw. I admit, Slytherin might lead him to glory, but only Ravenclaw can help him ascend to greatness!"