Snape's hatred for Sirius was no secret—he had been one of Sirius's victims, after all.
And since one of Karmit's goals in coming to Hogwarts was Snape himself, gaining a bit of goodwill wouldn't hurt.
Nothing worked better than standing on the same side as someone who despised your enemies.
Snape was not the type to be swayed easily, but even subtle shifts in impression were worth aiming for.
Karmit knew perfectly well that his starting position wasn't great. As a Black, Snape would naturally hold hostility.
So why not use someone he considered insignificant and turn that into an advantage?
Let everyone have their use.
McGonagall said, "I believe you will enter the house you desire, Mr. Black."
Her tone was neutral, but Karmit could tell she wasn't thrilled with him.
He expected that.
But compared to Snape, McGonagall's favorability would be easier to recover later. Everything he had said so far was calculated—every word rehearsed.
Karmit smiled. "You're right, Professor."
He sat down and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head.
One minute passed.
Two minutes.
Five minutes…
McGonagall frowned. Had the hat broken?
The entire hall fell silent. Students exchanged confused glances.
She looked toward Dumbledore.
He simply smiled and shook his head. "..How interesting."
Inside Karmit's mind, the hat's irritated voice rang out. "Damn it—remove that blasted Occlumency! Let me see inside your head!"
"So you sort students by reading their memories?" Karmit replied calmly.
"You know far too much for an eleven-year-old," the hat grumbled. "Now release it. I must judge your inner self to determine your house."
"Not happening."
"Then I'll put you in Hufflepuff!" The hat cackled. "A Black, thrown into the most ordinary house—oh, the portrait in the Headmaster's office will go mad with rage!"
Karmit chuckled. "You can certainly do that. But you'd better hope Dumbledore stays in his office forever. Otherwise, I will burn you."
"Young fool," the hat scoffed. "You think you can destroy me? Godric Gryffindor made me!"
"I admit, your materials are a bit beyond me. But what if I tampered with the runes embedded in you? I can't erase them—they were enchanted by Gryffindor himself.
But if I added a few strokes…"
The hat suddenly panicked.
"You… you can see the runes? Impossible! The Blacks may have rune knowledge, but a child like you shouldn't—"
Karmit lifted a small portion of his mental barriers, revealing a glimpse of his inscription knowledge.
The hat reeled in disbelief.
"This—Neuro–Runic Theory—this actually exists? What are you?!"
"So," Karmit pressed, "my house?"
The hat hesitated.
"…Where do you want to go?"
"Slytherin."
A weary sigh.
"So be it…"
"Wait," Karmit added. "You're putting someone else in Slytherin too."
The hat snapped, "Don't push your luck."
"I could help repair those runes that drain your magic constantly. Then you wouldn't need to sleep so much."
Silence again.
"…Who?"
...
Finally, in full view of every confused first-year, the hat bellowed:
"Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table exploded into cheers.
"I knew it! The Black family always belongs with us!"
"We're classmates with the Black heir!"
"My father told me to get close to him—I was so worried he'd end up in another house!"
"Impossible. A pure-blood from the Sacred Twenty-Eight? He was destined for Slytherin!"
"Not necessarily—Sirius Black was a Gryffindor."
"Don't mention him! He's a disgrace to the Blacks. If Karmit heard you, he might make you regret it!"
Karmit glanced briefly at Draco, Harry, and Hermione before heading to the Slytherin table. He sat down and looked toward the staff table.
Dumbledore watched him thoughtfully.
Their eyes met.
Karmit's flashed with sharp intent. So—Dumbledore had noticed. Good. That would help verify his theory.
Dumbledore tapped his finger lightly along the armrest, his gaze probing. He could sense the negotiation that had taken place.
He heard the conditions Karmit demanded.
Was it friendship? A desire to stay with someone he cared about? Or something far more strategic?
'Karmit,' Dumbledore wondered silently,
'What are you planning?'
Karmit looked away, greeting a few Slytherins casually, then settled in to watch the ceremony continue.
Two more names were called—
"Harry Potter!"
The hall erupted.
"It's true! Harry Potter really came to Hogwarts!"
"He's the one who defeated the Dark Lord!"
"The Savior—Harry Potter!"
"What house will he join?"
"Gryffindor or Slytherin, surely."
"I say Gryffindor. Slytherin feels too dark!"
Almost every student believed Harry belonged in Gryffindor. The professors shared the same expectations.
All eyes turned to the Boy Who Lived… as he took his next step toward the Sorting Hat.
__________
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