"It seems to be true—Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
A tugging sound caught everyone's attention.
All eyes turned to the boy with slicked-back blond hair: Draco Malfoy. Even his voice carried a certain weight that made the younger students whisper.
Draco strode confidently toward Harry. He introduced the two boys at his side, then spoke his own name: "I'm Draco Malfoy."
Ron, standing nearby, couldn't help but snicker at something that struck him as funny.
Draco shot him a cold glare.
"You think that's amusing, do you? A Weasley! Red hair, tattered robes."
"Only your family would be so poor," he sneered.
Then he turned to Harry. "You'll find that wizards are divided into different circles, Harry. Befriending a family like the Weasleys will only drag you down. I could help you avoid that."
Kevin, one of the students nearby, laughed at Draco's arrogance.
"And who are you? You sound like a Mudblood! Laughing at me?" Draco's face darkened. Twice in a row he had been mocked, and he didn't like it.
Kevin stepped forward. He wasn't about to stand by while his new friends were insulted. With a swift motion, he grabbed Draco by the collar, lifted him effortlessly, and tossed him toward Draco's own companions.
Gasps and screams echoed from the surrounding students.
Harry and Ron exclaimed, "Whoa!" Their eyes sparkled in surprise and delight. Even a few Muggle-born students felt a twinge of jealousy.
Draco, humiliated, was about to retort when Professor McGonagall's voice rang out.
"Quiet!"
She hadn't seen the full scene—only assumed the boy had been unruly.
"Now, follow me," she said, turning to lead the students inside.
Draco didn't protest, too embarrassed to speak.
Kevin approached him once more, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Draco froze, unsure of what to do.
"Draco, you're always welcome to try again," Kevin said lightly, then joined Harry and Ron in the hall.
"You're amazing, Kevin!" Ron whispered, grinning. The three friends laughed quietly, still thrilled by Draco's defeat.
The students entered the Great Hall, where hundreds of candles floated above long tables. The enchanted ceiling mirrored the night sky outside, casting shimmering light across the room.
Four long tables housed the students of each house, with the professors seated at a raised platform at the front. Dumbledore, the elderly headmaster with his long beard and half-moon glasses, sat among them.
He addressed the students briefly, warning them not to enter the Forbidden Forest or the third-floor corridor on the right—both strictly off-limits.
Then the Sorting Ceremony began.
"Those whose names are called, please step forward," Professor McGonagall announced, unrolling her parchment scroll.
"Hannah Abbott."
The nervous young witch stepped forward. McGonagall smiled reassuringly as Hannah placed the Sorting Hat upon her head.
"Hmm… Hufflepuff!" the Hat called, and cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table.
Next came Hermione Granger. She muttered to herself as she stepped forward, and Ron whispered to Harry and Kevin, "She looks strange—something must be off."
Kevin nudged Ron, warning him silently. McGonagall scolded Ron, reminding him not to speak ill of others.
The Sorting Hat deliberated briefly before shouting, "Gryffindor!" Cheers and applause filled the hall. Hermione joined her new housemates, beaming.
Ron was sorted next, joining Gryffindor alongside his family.
Finally, it was Harry's turn. The hall buzzed with whispers at his name. He approached nervously, muttering to himself, and the Sorting Hat eventually called out: "Gryffindor!" Harry ran to join Ron and Hermione, smiling broadly.
Kevin stepped forward next, memories of Draco's earlier humiliation still fresh. McGonagall smiled warmly at him.
The Sorting Hat deliberated. "You seek adventure, yet you have courage, wit, and ambition… You are capable of spontaneity, and all four houses suit you…"
After a tense moment, it called out, "Gryffindor!" Cheers erupted again, and Kevin joined his new housemates, thrilled to be with Harry and Ron.
"Hello, Hermione! I'm glad to be in the same house as you," Kevin said warmly.
"Please, guide me," Hermione replied shyly, happy to make a new friend.
Kevin explained why he had no last name, and Hermione accepted his story with curiosity and understanding.
With the Sorting Ceremony complete, the Great Hall erupted in applause as the students prepared for the start of the feast.