"I also considered Ravenclaw, but I still think Gryffindor is better," Hermione insisted. In her mind, the greatest wizards came from Gryffindor, so naturally, it had to be the best.
This was quite similar to how things worked in the Muggle world: if a school produced enough famous people and had a strong reputation, it was considered outstanding.
As they chatted, the boat drifted past steep cliffs and ivy-draped canopies, finally arriving at a small dock. After landing, the group climbed through a tunnel carved into the rocky mountain and emerged into a broad, damp meadow beneath the towering shadow of a majestic castle.
Once Hagrid counted the students, he climbed the stone steps and knocked on the castle's massive doors three times with his large fist.
The door opened immediately. Out stepped Professor McGonagall, whom they had met earlier.
"The first-year students are here, Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid announced solemnly.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take over from here," she replied politely, then turned to lead the young wizards into the ancient castle of Hogwarts.
Chapter 19: The Sorting
Following Professor McGonagall, the students arrived at a small, empty chamber. Shoulder to shoulder, they stood close together, looking around nervously.
The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin. Most of them were far from relaxed.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall addressed them seriously. "The start-of-term feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, each of you must be sorted into a house..."
"In a few moments, the Sorting Ceremony will commence in front of the entire school. I will return for you when everything is ready. Until then, please remain silent."
With that, Professor McGonagall left, and only then did the students dare to breathe a little easier. Her stern expression had put a lot of pressure on them.
"How are they going to sort us accurately?" Ethan recognized Harry's voice.
"It might be some kind of test. My brother said it's physically dangerous," Ron interjected, once again showing off in front of Harry.
But Ron's memory wasn't the best. The twins had tricked him too many times to count, yet he still believed their tales.
With Harry and Ron stirring the atmosphere, anxiety rippled through the crowd.
Some said they'd have to duel a troll. Others thought they'd perform magic on the spot. A few pure-blood supporters believed that noble blood and talent guaranteed entry into Slytherin.
Suddenly, a terrified voice pierced the crowd.
"What's that?!"
The room instantly fell silent. More than twenty pearly-white, translucent ghosts drifted out from the walls.
Ethan watched them intently. Despite having visited Diagon Alley and even Knockturn Alley multiple times, he had never seen a ghost.
Now, faced with the opportunity, he wanted to observe carefully.
He wondered if Voldemort's current state was similar to these ghosts, or if Horcruxes worked based on ghost-like principles.
One thing was certain—these ghosts had no physical bodies. But could they still use magic?
Compared to Dementors, also bodiless magical entities, who was stronger?
Would spells, or even Dark magic, affect these ghosts?
The more Ethan thought about it, the more he wanted to experiment—maybe capture one for study.
"Move forward now!" a sharp voice called.
Professor McGonagall had returned. As soon as she entered, the ghosts disappeared through the wall.
Once the students were in formation, they followed her out of the room, through the entrance hall, and into the magnificent Great Hall.
Four long tables stretched out for the other students, who were seated by house. Thousands of floating candles illuminated the hall from above.
At the front of the room was another long table—the staff table. In the center sat Dumbledore, clad in a deep blue robe. His silver hair flowed under a small wizard's hat, and his long beard was meticulously combed. His famously crooked nose completed the look.
The first-years were led to stand in a line before the house tables. Professor McGonagall brought out a small four-legged stool and placed it at the front. On the stool sat a patched, ancient-looking wizard's hat.
Suddenly, the hat twitched. A wide seam near the brim opened like a mouth, and it began to sing:
"You may think I'm not pretty..."
The Sorting Hat performed its annual self-introduction in a quirky, musical fashion. It went on for seven or eight minutes. The applause that followed wasn't for the quality of the performance, but rather for tradition.
"When I call your name, step forward, put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait for your house to be chosen," Professor McGonagall instructed.
"Hannah Abbott!"
A ruddy-faced girl with two golden braids stumbled forward. Clearly nervous, she placed the hat on her head.
"Hufflepuff!"
Hannah's cheeks relaxed instantly. Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table as she joined her new housemates.
"Susan Bones!"
Also sorted into Hufflepuff without delay.
The Hufflepuffs were thrilled, cheering loudly. With two new additions in quick succession, they were off to a strong start this year.
One after another, the new students stepped up. With each sorting, the four tables cheered and clapped with growing enthusiasm.
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione nearly ran to the stool, practically throwing the hat onto her head.
After a slightly longer deliberation—not quite a Hatstall—the Sorting Hat called:
"Gryffindor!"
She was thrilled.
Just like Ethan remembered: Neville also went to Gryffindor, and Draco was sorted into Slytherin.
The room exploded with excitement when Harry Potter joined Gryffindor. The cheers from the table of little lions nearly blew the roof off the ancient castle.
"Cassandra Vawrey!"
A graceful girl with long, golden curls walked forward confidently.
As soon as the hat touched her head, it shouted:
"Slytherin!"
Now it was the Slytherins' turn to cheer loudly—not polite clapping, but genuine celebration.
Chapter 20: Ravenclaw
"Ethan Adrian!"
He was the last in line.
With calm indifference, Ethan stepped forward, placed the hat on his head, and sat down.
Though he had used Unforgivable Curses and even taken lives, theoretically deserving Azkaban, the Sorting Hat didn't judge based on memory. It sorted based on the ideals of the founders—putting students where they best fit.
It could detect thoughts and strengths, but only to a limited degree.
Ethan had prepared for this moment using Occlumency. The first skill he had learned was thought redirection.
"Power well beyond your peers, exceptional dark magic talent, and ambition—greedy, curious, focused. You'd thrive in Slytherin," the hat noted.
"I'm not pure-blood. Not even half-blood. Would that disqualify me?" Ethan asked.
"Not at all. Slytherin once stood for ambition, cunning, honor, and achieving victory at all costs. Blood status was misunderstood in later centuries."
The hat sighed.
"Many now reject Slytherin because of its reputation for housing only pure-blood elitists, which is far from its original intent."
"Actually, Azkaban would suit you best. Dumbledore once said it's become a cradle of dark magic. You'd do well there—unfortunately, it's not a Hogwarts house."
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Azkaban is a prison."
"So what? I once spoke to a former Azkaban inmate who became a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He said the inmates were talented, intelligent, and delightful conversationalists."
Ethan groaned. "Can we focus? I've been sitting here a while."
"Don't rush me! Sorting is important!" the hat scolded.
"You also show courage and an adventurous spirit. Gryffindor would be a good match too, although you lack the chivalry. But who these days fits perfectly?"
"You value knowledge and wit. Ravenclaw would welcome you."
"Come now, tell this old hat—where would you like to go?"
Ethan hesitated. "What about Hufflepuff? I like that house."
"Just, loyal, hardworking... Do any of those describe you? Let's not ruin the badgers. Absolutely not!"
"Ravenclaw," Ethan finally said.
"Ravenclaw!" the Sorting Hat shouted aloud.
As Ethan stepped down, it added quietly: "Your ambition will flourish in Ravenclaw. Also, if you care, it's the house with the most beautiful girls."
Ravenclaw students cheered wildly. A super long Hatstall—more than ten minutes! Only exceptional students caused such delays, like Professor McGonagall herself.
At the Ravenclaw table, Ethan was welcomed warmly. Indeed, the Sorting Hat hadn't lied—many beautiful girls sat among his new housemates.
With the Sorting Ceremony complete, Professor McGonagall packed away the stool and hat, then took her seat beside Dumbledore.
Now it was time for the Headmaster to speak.
He opened his arms wide and smiled warmly.
"Welcome! Welcome all to Hogwarts for a new school year. Before the feast begins, I have only a few words: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you!"
Applause and laughter followed. Whether it was for Dumbledore or the upcoming meal, no one could say.