Later in the evening, the Hogwarts Express arrived at Hogsmeade Station. It was getting dark already. Aurelius and Damon quickly changed their clothes and went down the train. Their robes had no colors identifying themselves as first year students who hadn't been sorted. With a dim candlelight, the Hogsmeade station can barely be seen.
Aurelius pulled Damon towards the towering figure of Hagrid. "First years, don't wander around and follow me. Watch your steps," shouted Hagrid, his voice garnering the attention of first year students. The students obediently got closer to Hagrid staring in amazement at his height and body. He looked quite intimidating. Beard and hair covered most of his face, making Hagrid looked like a giant gorilla. But no one dare to say that out loud. The children were still adjusting with the new world by themselves.
Hagrid showed the way to the lake holding a lantern. Unfortunately for the children, the lantern wasn't bright enough to show the whole way for the children, making many of them stumbled and walked on with difficulty. The school can surely arrange some candlelight at this point of the year. They didn't do it so that younger generation of wizards can experience the night which the founders had found the place for the first ever magical school, later named Hogwarts.
Legends said that Rowena Ravenclaw once dreamt of a warty hog leading her to a cliff by the lake. The founders took it as the destiny and built the school at that place. The first time they go to the cliff, where Hogwarts would be built, they crossed the lake by riding a boat together. And hence as a tradition, all the first-year students must cross the lake using the boats to reach Hogwarts.
It's not because Aurelius was too overwhelmed with emotions that he recalled so much of the legends. The culprit is the bushy brown hair and big front tooth girl, Hermione Granger, who was reciting the books she had read during the summer. He didn't know what is wrong with the girl for her to recite history while walking on a muddy dirt road. Maybe she was nervous?
The arrived at the bank in just a few seconds of walking. There were boats large enough for four children to ride in anchored at the bank. On each boat was a lantern making the place far brighter than the road before. Aurelius looked at his friend who had been keeping his mouth shut which is rare, staring at the boats. His friend who had stayed with him for the past few years to not be homeschooled must be experiencing some kind of overwhelming emotions. He, Damon, Hermione Granger and a nervous boy took a boat.
After everyone was on the boats, they automatically started moving on their own. Hogwarts was trying its best to impress the students. Though most children from pure-blood families were just going along with the flow. They had experienced this kind of things many times, after all. Gradually, the enchanting castle of Hogwarts revealed itself to the new students. The moon was shining brightly in the sky with the star twinkling. The castle and many towers lit by countless magically enchanted candles gracefully welcome the students.
The mesmerized students were snapped out of their thoughts by a sudden shout that startled them. "DUCK!!!!!!" The children quickly lowered their heads only to see a bar so high that only a giant like Hagrid needed to duck. The confused faces of the first-year students went unnoticed by Hagrid, who immediately led them in front of a closed door. A woman with a strict and stoic expression was waiting for them. She wore a green robe and hold a scroll in her hand. Her back was straight, and her face was sharp.
"Here are the students. Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid. If not for the environment and situation, this seemed so much like the kids were being sold.
"Thanks, Hagrid. I will handle from here." said Professor McGonagall, pursing her lips which is supposed to be her version of smile. Hagrid turned and leaved while smiling at Harry's direction.
Professor McGonagall turned her attention towards the first-year students. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress. In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be like your family. You will have classes with your housemates, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room."
Aurelius and Damon looked at each other. They had discussed about this ceremony. Which house they would like to be in, which founder is their favorite and so on. Surprisingly, they have the same taste when it came to magic.
Professor McGonagall continued, "There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule-breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honor."
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few moments in front of the rest of the school," McGonagall said before turning to leave, "I suggest you smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."
"I heard my brothers said that we have to fight trolls to get sorted" said a red hair boy. He was Ronald Weasley. The boy who lived, Harry Potter stood beside him. He looked perfectly normal. Some people were glancing at him curiously, while some were hatefully glaring. Draco Malfoy was glaring at Harry Potter with unmatched hostility. Since the supervisors were away, the students started talking with each other. The crowd was filled with vitality and vigor. A boy with nervous expression started chasing his toad while calling out 'Trevor' all over the place.
When Professor McGonagall returned and saw the scene, her stoic face changed subtly. Although Aurelius wasn't very good at reading women, at least he realized that the strict woman wasn't pleased with the chaos. Nevertheless, she didn't start scolding. Maybe she wasn't that strict? Or maybe she was holding since this is the first time? "Follow me students. The ceremony is ready."
The giant oak door was pushed open as the first years followed Professor McGonagall lead. The great hall was filled with four long tables. Students at each long table wore unique color combinations of its own. They must be the four houses mentioned by Professor. Red for Gryffindor. Green for Slytherin. Blue for Ravenclaw. Yellow for Hufflepuff. Every student and even the professors were watching the first years with interest and curiosity.
When he saw other first years looking up, Aurelius followed their line of sight, and the scene left him awestruck. There were hundreds of candles floating with no support. However, the reason he was mesmerized was the ceiling of the great hall, at least where the ceiling should be, was painted with numerous stars shimmering and glowing.
"The ceiling were enchanted with magic to look like the outside sky. Look, the clouds are moving. See. I read it in the book, Hogwarts A History." For once, the geeky girl's voice didn't sound that unpleasant to ear for Damon. He looked at the girl and thought 'She must be Ravenclaw. No doubt about that'.
After that Professor McGonagall took out an old, frayed wizard's hat which was dirty beyond measure and placed it on the stool. The stool was placed directly at the center of the clearing. The first years looked on in confusion. That's when a mouth like expression appeared on the hat. The mouth started singing on the stool as if it were a famous singer.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
*Clap*
The students and the staff members started clapping to not embarrass the old hat. Professor McGonagall unfolded a scroll that she had been holding the entire evening. She said loud and clear. "When I call out your name, you will step up and put the sorting hat on your head. Understood? Now without further delay."
"Abbot, Hannah", "Hufflepuff"
"Bones, Susan", "Hufflepuff"
.
.
.
One by one the students were called out. Aurelius noticed several students. Hermione Granger went to Gryfinndor surprising Damon. In addition, Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter went to Gryfinndor. Students of upper classes and the professors are more attentive when Harry Potter's name was called out. After all he is the boy who lived. Even Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster, was moved. Gryffindor house cheered the loudest when Harry Potter was sorted into Gryffindor. Redheaded twin from Gryffindor yelled like crazy. "We got Potter. We got Potter". However, the ruckus was solved with just a glare from Professor McGonagall. Draco Malfoy was sorted into Slytherin to no one surprise.
And as they had wished, Damon was sorted into Ravenclaw. After that was a boy with pink hair and cold face. His name is Ryomen Saku. He was sorted into Slytherin. What drew the students' attention was the pink hair and Japanese name. It's not that they were discriminating. For wizards, whether from east, west or south does not matter. What matters is the blood status.
As a struggling entrepreneur who had been trying to enter Political scenes, Aurelius knew about pure-blood families quite well. He was sure that there were no pure-blood families with that surname at the east. The pink-haired boy might be bullied in Slytherin house. As a house boasting their pure-blood status, a no name family boy will have trouble fitting in. But Aurelius smiled wickedly. Who will be bullied is not certain yet? After two more students, it's finally the time for Aurelius to get sorted.
"Voyantil, Aurelius" announced Prof. McGonagall.
At the mention of his surname, Aurelius noticed Dumbledore, Severus and Voldemort + Quirrell looking at him. He figured some of them had drawn some connections and were guessing whether or not he is the prophesized one. But Aurelius wasn't worry. He knew his own talent better than anyone.
Sitting on the stool, Aurelius endured the stench of the smelly old hat and put it on. The hat was too big that it covered his eyes. Aurelius activated Occlumency at full power without reservation. He wanted to see the true capabilities of this hat which had been around ever since the creation of Hogwarts. Soon, he could feel a knock at his mental barrier. Contrary to his expectation, the knock wasn't from Legilimency, mental probe. But it's from something similar to telepathy.
When Aurelius decided to specialize in Mental Magic and Divination Arts, he tried various means, either from official channels or black market, to get more mental spells and mind-related research material. However, the technological level of the wizarding world in Mental Magic was so disappointing that the spells were crude and small in quantity which raised the criteria of talent for mastering these abysmal spells. Telepathic spell, Conexus Mentis, was one of those rare spells.
The problem is that the caster must have already mastered the art of Occlumency and Legilimency. Most mental spells have this requirement to even understand the basics. Aurelius had already mastered it. However, this was the first time he was being the target of this spell.
Aurelius let in the magic of the hat inside his mind barrier. He had already analyzed the function of the spell the old hat used. There was no need to be so on guard. It appeared that the sorting hat communicated with students using this method which is absolutely safe for both the caster and the target.
"You have a well-built Occlumency, young student." an old voice resounded inside his mind. It sounded fascinated. "It's the first time I had seen this kind of Occlumency mastery."
"I know you can't read my memories. So, how are you going to proceed the sorting ceremony? Why don't you let me choose my own house?" said Aurelius smugly.
"Hmm, so this is your plan. You want to take things in your own hand and defy those who tried to control or guide you." the old voice was filled with delight. "A fine talent, I see. Unfortunately for you, young student, suitable houses have been chosen already."
"What do you mean? I don't even sense that intrusion. Is this this the power of the founders?" said Aurelius. He didn't seem scared that his little tricks were not effective.
"Of course not, young student. I never use Legilimency to judge people." said the old hat in a mysterious tone.
Aurelius was now getting impatient playing along with this hat. "Then, how are you so sure that I belong to a specific house. Is it by asking questions?"
"No, no. Since you are a never-before-seen talent, I will tell a secret of mine. Just don't spread these words although they are not that incredible or anything." the sorting hat continued without waiting for his response. "Have you ever heard that every magic is unique? It's proven true by Rowena Ravenclaw. It is said that a person's desire, dream, insecurity, failure, ideal, emotion, and memories were compressed so much, and that unreadable uniqueness became the characteristic of that person. All I have to do is simple. I subtracted some of your magic so little that you will not even notice. And then I stimulated that part of your magic to act on its instinct. I gave it some questions and situations to solve. Depending on the solution you provided, you were sorted accordingly."
Aurelius was speechless for a while. He felt goosebumps all over his body. "Wow that's so magical. then doesn't that mean ...."
"Yes, I have never chosen the houses for any children. The right to choose was always in the student's hand although unknown." said the old hat. It recounted emotionally. "This is all thanks to the founders."
"Yeah, you are right. So, which house am I in?" asked Aurelius curiously. Now that he knew he always had the right to choose, he was ready to let his instinct lead the way. It didn't sound that repulsive anymore.
The telepathic connection was severed. And the sorting hat shouted enthusiastically. "Ravenclaw!!!!"
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