Harry felt his stomach twist as the entire hall erupted for him.
Trying to steady himself, he sat down, and the Sorting Hat settled atop his head.
The hat inspected him with curiosity. "Well now… who are you truly? Why would that boy and Dumbledore both take such interest in you?"
Memories flipped past its mind's eye and the hat murmured:
"So that's it. Not easy. Definitely not easy. Aside from Hufflepuff, you could fit anywhere.
Your thirst for knowledge suits Ravenclaw. Your desire for power fits Slytherin perfectly. But there is courage in you too... Gryffindor would welcome that.
Forget Ravenclaw. Gryffindor or Slytherin… how to choose?"
The hat mumbled on endlessly.
Harry tilted his head back, trying to peek at the ceiling. The experience was bizarre enough to completely distract him.
At the staff table, Dumbledore's blue eyes gleamed faintly.
Karmit noticed. "Unbelievable. He's interfering."
The Sorting Hat heard Dumbledore's voice:
"Send him to Gryffindor."
The hat protested. "He is fit for both Gryffindor and Slytherin."
"I'm aware of your deal with that boy," Dumbledore replied "You truly think he can repair Gryffindor's runes?"
"He might," the hat insisted. "You can't—doesn't mean he can't. He's already begun studying rune integration. Give him time."
A moment of silence. Then Dumbledore said:
"Let Harry choose for himself."
"Fine," the hat agreed.
Dumbledore leaned back, confident.
He believed his careful setup—Hagrid, Ron, and all his nudges—would ensure Harry chose Gryffindor.
He had no idea Ron had already ruined that plan on the train.
The Sorting Hat whispered, "So, which do you want? Gryffindor… or Slytherin?"
Harry hesitated only a moment.
"Slytherin. I want Slytherin."
He spoke aloud—since he couldn't communicate mentally like Karmit or Dumbledore.
McGonagall froze. Snape and Dumbledore's expressions twisted in shock. The students stared in disbelief.
"Slytherin?!" "Why not Gryffindor?"
"Wait—he gets to choose?!"
Karmit's lips curled upward. The old bee was stunned. Looks like his gambit paid off.
Beautifully.
The hat cleared its throat loudly.
"Very well then—Slytherin!"
Harry grinned, jumped up, and hurried toward Draco.
McGonagall stared helplessly at the hat.
She knew Dumbledore's plans—to raise Harry as a hero. But Slytherin? This was chaos.
Snape looked at Harry, conflicted. How would he antagonize the son of Lily now that he belonged to his own house? But suddenly Snape's eyes lit up— He'd find a way.
Slytherin students stared as well.
Harry Potter. In their house.
Karmit began clapping first. The rest quickly followed.
.....
At the back of the line, Ron's world collapsed.
He'd been ready to drop out when he thought he'd have to fight a troll—
but after the truth came out, he'd vowed revenge instead.
Then he heard the name: Harry Potter.
His mum told him Harry would attend Hogwarts. He had dreamed of befriending the Savior. What glory that would bring…
Yet he had insulted not only the Savior—
but Karmit Black too. And every child in the wizarding world knew the Black family's power.
But when Harry was sorted into Slytherin, Ron unexpectedly relaxed.
'So he's evil after all. Even if he's Harry Potter, he's not a good person. Otherwise, he wouldn't go to Slytherin.
They bullied me—I'm right!'
This was the nature of the weak—
blame others, justify themselves.
....
Harry reached the Slytherin table and sat beside Karmit. "Mr. Black! We're in the same house!"
"Yes," Karmit replied with a pleasant smile. "Congratulations, Harry. You chose the correct path."
Harry nodded earnestly. "Thank you. If you hadn't told me what you did… I wouldn't have known where to go. I think… this is right."
Karmit simply smiled back.
Too amusing. The Savior of Slytherin—this would become the greatest entertainment.
Even he hadn't expected the plan to work so perfectly.
...
After the commotion settled, the next test subject arrived.
McGonagall called out: "Hermione Granger!"
Hermione took a breath, repeating Harry's advice in her mind— The hat allows you to choose.
She sat down, nerves taut.
Hat on, and immediately she began whispering, "Ravenclaw, please Ravenclaw… Ravenclaw… Ravenclaw…"
She wouldn't stop.
The hat was stunned.
"Young lady—pause! Before you chant your wish, I need to determine whether you fit Ravenclaw first!"
Hermione had been lost in her own determination— the sudden voice startled her.
"Oh! Sorry—yes, please go ahead!"
__________
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