The whistle of the train echoed through the compartments.
A moment later, the slowing rhythm of the wheels confirmed that they were nearing Hogwarts.
Alexander stretched slightly in his seat before standing.
"Well," Alexander said casually, brushing imaginary dust from his robes, "I'm off. See you guys at dinner."
Fred smirked. "Oh, we will."
George grinned. "And we'll be watching very closely."
Cho shook her head with a soft laugh.
Alexander smiled and stepped out of the compartment.
The train finally came to a halt.
Doors slid open, and students poured onto the platform.
First years gathered nervously as the massive form of Hagrid called out loudly.
"Firrrst years! Over here!"
The small group followed him toward the boats, wide-eyed and whispering.
Meanwhile, the older students moved toward the waiting carriages.
Fred leaned back in his seat as the carriage began to move.
"This will be fun."
George nodded eagerly.
"This will be epic."
Cho chuckled beside Alexander.
"You two are impossible."
Alexander simply nodded.
The doors of the Great Hall opened.
Torches flickered against the towering stone walls while the enchanted ceiling reflected the evening sky.
Students usually took their seats beneath the watchful eyes of the professors.
But tonight, everyone was staring at Alexander.
At the front stood Professor McGonagall, alert beside the wooden stool.
Resting upon it was the infamous Sorting Hat.
Students whispered among themselves.
"I wonder what Chen will do this year."
"I heard they enchanted the Sorting Hat so Accio won't work this time."
"I can't wait for the show."
More whispers rippled through the hall.
"When will he strike?"
"What's the plan this time?"
Alexander simply sat calmly at the Ravenclaw table, fingers lightly folded, watching.
Minutes passed.
Nothing happened.
Then something strange occurred.
The Sorting Hat…
Didn't sing.
Didn't speak.
It remained completely silent.
Professor McGonagall glanced once toward Alexander before beginning the ceremony.
"Ernie Macmillan."
Ernie Macmillan nervously stepped forward and placed the hat on his head.
The hat seemed to shift slightly, almost as if looking around.
Then it muttered quietly.
"Hmm… yes…"
Suddenly, it shouted.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
But no one clapped.
No cheers.
Only silence.
Every single student slowly turned their head toward Alexander.
He was simply watching.
After a moment, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Hufflepuff… welcome your new classmate."
The Hufflepuff table awkwardly began cheering.
Ernie hurried over while students congratulated him.
Name after name followed.
Each time the same pattern repeated.
Silence.
A glance toward Alexander.
Then applause.
Eventually, the tension began to fade.
Older students looked disappointed.
The professors slowly relaxed and thought.
Perhaps Alexander truly had no plan this year.
Then came a familiar name.
"Ginny Weasley."
Ginny Weasley walked forward confidently.
The hat barely touched her head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Fred and George erupted into enthusiastic cheers as she joined them.
The hall went silent again.
Professor McGonagall frowned.
Two students remained.
She looked down at her list.
"…Why are there two people left?"
Murmurs spread instantly.
"There should only be one."
"Well… perhaps there was a mistake," she said slowly. "We will sort it out shortly."
She called the next name.
"Colin Creevey."
Colin Creevey stepped forward and sat on the stool.
The Sorting Hat dropped over his head.
The hat twitched slightly.
"Interesting… perhaps… WAIT ITS—"
Before the hat could finish—
The boy's wand snapped out instantly.
"PROTEGO MAXIMA!"
A massive translucent blue barrier exploded outward.
Professor McGonagall was shoved backward several steps by the sudden magical surge.
Gasps erupted throughout the Great Hall.
Students stared at the shimmering barrier surrounding the chair.
Then another spell echoed.
"Fianto Duri."
"Fianto Duri."
"Fianto Duri."
But it didn't come from just one place.
One voice came from the boy beneath the hat.
Two more came from the Gryffindor table.
Fred and George.
The barrier hardened into reinforced magical glass.
Students froze.
Whispers erupted.
"How can a first-year cast Protego Maxima?"
"That's an advanced defensive charm!"
"A prodigy…"
"First years are going to be terrifying this year…"
Meanwhile, the professors had already drawn their wands.
Even Snape stood up slowly, eyes narrowed.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward, wand raised.
"Who are you?" she demanded sharply.
"What is your purpose?"
The boy laughed lightly.
"Professor… relax."
"I'm merely educating a magical artifact."
Then he reached into his robes and pulled out a small bottle.
Before anyone could react—
He poured the liquid over himself.
Gasps erupted across the hall.
The boy's appearance began to melt and shift like liquid wax.
His hair darkened.
His face changed.
His height stretched.
Within seconds—
The disguise vanished.
Standing beneath the Sorting Hat—
Was Alexander Chen.
Silence swallowed the entire Great Hall.