Ivan stepped cautiously through the immense, intricately carved wooden doors into the Great Hall, immediately awestruck by the grandeur before him. The high vaulted ceiling, enchanted to mimic the night sky, was a breathtaking expanse of twinkling stars and soft moonlight, its realism utterly mesmerizing. Hundreds of candles floated gently above, casting a warm, golden glow that illuminated every corner of the grand chamber. The sight filled him with awe and wonder, momentarily pushing aside his anxiety.
As his eyes drifted lower, Ivan was again reminded of the bizarre reality he now inhabited—each student had a softly glowing, translucent box floating above their heads, neatly displaying their names and levels. It was a surreal and almost overwhelming sight, a shimmering sea of names and numbers, ranging widely from three to ten. His heart pounded steadily faster, and he felt increasingly nervous.
The Sorting Hat rested upon a small, weathered stool at the front of the hall, presently singing the same song about the virtues and qualities that each Hogwarts house cherishes. Familiar phrases from stories he adored in his previous life echoed clearly, stirring memories of evenings spent lost in books and stories. Yet his growing familiarity quickly sparked fresh anxiety. He vividly recalled that the hat had possessed the ability to peer directly into Harry Potter's mind in the novels, or did it? Did that mean it would also see into his own thoughts and memories?
Ivan's breath caught sharply, his anxiety rapidly spiraling into panic. If the Sorting Hat could read his memories, would it reveal his knowledge of future events? Would it dramatically declare his unusual origins to the entire hall? Worse yet, what if it summoned him directly to Headmaster Dumbledore? His imagination raced wildly, conjuring images of Dumbledore's keen gaze, probing his memories, stripping away his secrets "for the Greater Good." He shivered at the thought. Which Dumbledore even waited for him at the staff table—the wise yet subtly manipulative mentor from the books or the dark, ruthless wizard depicted in countless fanfiction stories?
"You okay, Ivan?" Susan's gentle voice interrupted his frantic thoughts, pulling him abruptly back into the present. Her blue eyes were filled with genuine concern.
Ivan forced a weak smile, nodding slightly. "Yeah, just a bit nervous," he murmured softly, trying to steady his breathing.
She gave him a reassuring nod, her gentle smile calming his nerves slightly. Still, the paranoia lingered, accentuated by the backdrop of the Sorting Hat's final verses echoing dramatically throughout the Great Hall. The ceremony soon began, with Professor McGonagall stepping forward, an air of authority and warmth radiating from her as she unrolled a long parchment.
"Abbott, Hannah!" she called clearly.
Ivan watched as Hannah nervously stepped forward, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her gentle, shy demeanor was apparent as she gingerly took her seat upon the stool, the hat barely resting on her head before loudly declaring, "Hufflepuff!" The table adorned in black and yellow erupted warmly with cheers.
"Bones, Susan!" McGonagall continued, and Susan moved confidently forward, smiling warmly as she settled comfortably onto the stool. Moments later, the hat announced without hesitation, "Hufflepuff!" Another round of applause filled the hall as Susan happily joined Hannah.
Ivan was briefly distracted as more students got sorted, each different from their movie counterparts. And before he knew it, Lavender Brown was sorted into Gryffindor. His nervousness gave way slightly, noting absently how each witch carried their own unique, charming presence. His attention, however, was suddenly yanked back to reality as Professor McGonagall's authoritative voice rang clearly: "Carter, Ivan!"
His heart jolted, his body freezing momentarily. Professor McGonagall raised one slender eyebrow, an elegant expression of expectation. Ivan dimly noted how strikingly youthful and vibrant she appeared compared to the portrayal from films, with sharp, commanding features devoid of wrinkles or frown lines.
Summoning every ounce of courage, Ivan forced his legs forward, each step toward the stool feeling heavier and slower than the last. His stomach twisted in knots as countless eyes watched his every move, the scattered whispers and suppressed laughter from the Slytherin table intensifying his discomfort. Gritting his teeth slightly, he tried desperately to maintain composure as he finally sank onto the small, wooden stool.
The Sorting Hat was gently placed upon his head, and Ivan immediately stiffened, waiting with apprehension. Then, a deep, resonant voice echoed inside his mind, surprisingly gentle and thoughtful. "Hmm, very intriguing indeed. You've got a great deal of potential, Ivan Carter. Yet, interestingly, I find no preconceived biases toward any particular house."
Ivan's heart fluttered anxiously at the revelation. The hat continued thoughtfully, "Students raised in wizard households often possess strong biases, making sorting straightforward. But muggle-borns like you, lacking those biases, require deeper contemplation."
Anxious to hasten the process, Ivan quickly thought, "Hufflepuff."
The hat seemed momentarily puzzled, responding curiously, "Hufflepuff? Interesting choice, Ivan. Your mind suggests Ravenclaw would suit you far better—your intellect and curiosity shine brightly."
Determined, Ivan thought firmly, "Please, Hufflepuff."
"Very well," the hat acquiesced, its tone now assured. Then aloud, it declared confidently, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Scattered claps and gentle cheers echoed around the hall as Ivan gingerly rose from the stool. His legs felt weak, and he moved slowly, careful not to stumble as he descended the steps. As he took his seat next to Susan at the Hufflepuff table, relief washed over him, the tension finally dissipating somewhat.
"That was terrifying," Ivan admitted aloud, voice slightly shaky.
Susan giggled softly, her smile warm and reassuring. "You did great."
Beside her, Hannah offered an encouraging nod, her brown eyes bright with amusement. "It really is nerve-wracking, isn't it?"
Ivan chuckled weakly, feeling genuinely comforted by their friendliness. He was suddenly aware of a presence beside them—one of the older students, a prefect with a cheerful, welcoming demeanor.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff, Ivan!" the prefect, a friendly and cheerful witch named Amelia Whitmore - Level 27, exclaimed warmly. "You're one of us now—a badger through and through. There's no need to worry, we always stick together here."
The sincerity of her words and the genuine warmth emanating from those around him filled Ivan with gratitude and relief. He took a calming breath, allowing himself to fully embrace this new beginning. The Great Hall's jubilant atmosphere, the laughter and camaraderie of his fellow students, and the undeniable magic saturating the air all combined to ease his anxiety and reignite his excitement. The sorting followed uninterrupted as soon as Harry, Malfoy, Ron, and Hermione were quickly sorted into their respective houses.
Ivan's gaze drifted slowly around the grand room, the floating candles flickering gently above. He marveled once more at the enchanted ceiling, the soft shimmer of stars reflected in his curious eyes. At this moment, sitting among new friends in a house known for loyalty and kindness, Ivan felt like a fraud, but he knew the easiest way to survive was to blend in, and considering his stats were a cool 1, Hupplepuff was the best choice. Anyway, who would ever be suspicious of a Hufflepuff, right?
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AN: Sorry for the delay, had to deal with several IRL issues. Anyway, onwards with the story, I chose Hufflepuff because it is the least explored path... plus Susan and Hannah.