The little wizard named Mulciber was a boy covered in freckles.
He forced himself to put on a calm and composed look, but his slightly trembling legs betrayed his restless heart.
Sitting on the high-legged stool, he let the Sorting Hat fall onto his head.
After barely touching him for a second, the Sorting Hat suddenly opened its wide mouth, its loud voice instantly spreading clearly to every corner of the Great Hall!
"SLYTHERIN—"
Cheers erupted.
However, what made Snape frown imperceptibly was that only Slytherin House showed any welcome. The students of the other three houses merely looked on coldly from the side, not even offering polite applause for show!
Obviously, the intensity of the conflict between Slytherin and the other houses was far beyond Snape's expectations!
"Stebbins Aramburu!"
A girl walked up timidly.
She was quickly sorted into Ravenclaw by the Sorting Hat.
And as if the tables had turned, this time, apart from Slytherin, the remaining three houses all immediately showed enthusiastic welcome. Among them, some Gryffindor students even whistled provocatively at the Slytherin table from afar!
One by one, students were assigned to their houses, happily going to sit at their respective long tables, receiving concerned greetings from their seniors.
"James Potter!"
A sturdy boy strode forward.
Looking confident, he took the initiative to take the Sorting Hat and put it on his head.
Just like the first sorted student, the moment it touched James's hair, the Sorting Hat immediately shouted loudly.
"GRYFFINDOR—"
Enthusiastic cheers rang out.
Especially when James raised his arms with a flamboyant smile, bowing in all directions as if facing his subjects, the uproar and laughter from Gryffindor became even more intense.
They had a premonition that this confident, spirited lad was born to be a Gryffindor!
A smug gaze pierced towards Snape.
However, Snape turned a deaf ear, disdainful of giving James even the slightest glance.
"Sirius Black!"
When this name was heard, a slight commotion arose in Slytherin House.
Obviously, many people recognized this long-standing and prominent family. Smiles could not wait to appear on their faces, thinking this little fellow would undisputedly become a part of the Snake House.
But it didn't surprise Snape.
When this handsome boy with slightly curly hair and elegant temperament went on stage, it didn't take long for his belonging to Gryffindor to be finalized.
Many Slytherin students showed expressions of disbelief, but Sirius clearly didn't care about the opinions of these relatives connected to him. Amidst James's cheers, he quickly walked to the Gryffindor table and sat down.
After a few more students, Lupin's name was also quickly called by Professor McGonagall.
His words and deeds carried nervous emotions.
His cautious gaze couldn't help but turn towards Dumbledore, sitting at the center of the staff table not far away. Only after receiving a clear look of affirmation and encouragement did he take a deep breath, letting the Sorting Hat fall on his head as if facing a formidable enemy.
This time lasted exceptionally long. Vaguely, the Sorting Hat's mouth opened and closed, as if communicating something with Lupin.
Finally, after two or three minutes, the Sorting Hat's loud voice officially concluded this brief exchange.
"GRYFFINDOR—"
A smile suddenly bloomed on Lupin's face.
He sat down amidst the applause and welcome of a group of little lions at a nearby table, and soon was talking and laughing with James and Sirius.
One familiar name after another passed by Snape's ears.
Including the last member of the Marauders, Peter Pettigrew; the parents of the future famous Sword Saint of Gryffindor, Frank Longbottom and Alice Mitchell; as well as the talented girl Dorcas Meadowes, who would even be judged as a threat by Voldemort and killed by his own hand...
Matching their faces with their names, a small hand quietly tugged at the corner of Snape's robe.
His gaze shifted slightly.
When the name 'Lily Evans' rang out, the red-haired girl's breathing finally couldn't help but pause for a moment, panic suddenly surging deep in her eyes.
But the courage in her bones made her recover quickly. She took a deep breath, ready to step forward.
"Don't be afraid."
An inaudible whisper, like a spider thread drifting with the wind, came lightly from behind.
Yet it cut away the last trace of anxiety in Lily's heart. As if containing magic, it miraculously calmed her mood, and the corners of her mouth even couldn't help but raise into a happy smile!
Striding forward, there was no more hesitation in Lily's eyes.
Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat.
While placing it on Lily's head, she spoke softly and gently:
"It seems you have a very good friend, Miss Lily."
Surprised for a moment, Lily then showed a proud and happy smile.
"Of course. That is my honor."
"GRYFFINDOR—"
The Sorting Hat shouted loudly.
Enthusiastic cheers appeared again, and this time Snape also clapped gently to show his blessing.
When Lily sat in her seat, the next name called immediately attracted all her attention!
"Severus Snape!"
Under the expectant gazes of Lily and Lupin.
Snape walked up the steps one by one, no trace of emotional fluctuation visible in his pitch-black pupils.
The moment the Sorting Hat landed on his head, a voice that only they could hear rang out immediately.
"Ah, an ambitious and ruthless person. Except for very few people, there is nothing you cannot sacrifice. You are simply a natural Slytherin!
But your heart also hides an infinite desire for wisdom.
Perhaps compared to the indifferent and exclusionary Slytherin, Ravenclaw would also be a good destination for you."
"Go to Slytherin. I don't like breaking my plans."
"Really, child? Really not reconsidering?
You may not be clear, but in recent years, a dangerous ideology has gradually emerged within Slytherin. If a half-blood wizard like you performs too outstandingly, it might not necessarily be a good thing."
"Then let them come! Let me see what's so praiseworthy about the so-called pure-bloods!"
If the conversation between Snape and the Sorting Hat were spread, it would surely cause an uproar in all houses.
For example, there had never been a student who, before attending a single class, made the Sorting Hat so certain that he would have outstanding performance enough to arouse the jealousy of other students in the same house!
For example, Snape himself was not surprised at all, and from the bottom of his heart, he had never doubted this either!
Actually, seeing the first student complete the sorting, and the four major houses showing such distinctly hostile attitudes.
Snape gave up all naive fantasies in his heart.
Dark Arts must be learned.
After all, only in this way could he create many novel and interesting jinxes, realizing his idea of harvesting experience on a large scale throughout the school.
Since joining the Snake House meant conflict was unavoidable and would eventually erupt one day, he would never tie his hands and give up the opportunity to become stronger because of this!
He would stick to his original intention and stop all bullying behaviors that disgusted him.
And facing the crusade of the "army of justice," Snape in the Snake House would never sit and wait for death.
Retaliating with equal or even crueler means was the only way to satisfy Snape!
This would make him unpopular on both sides.
But Snape didn't care.
If he couldn't even deal with a group of wet-behind-the-ears students, how could he talk about ending Voldemort's dark rule in the future and creating a wizarding world that satisfied him?
Never had the arrogance of looking down on the world, hidden deep in Snape's heart from beginning to end, been felt so clearly.
Like the tip of an iceberg.
Even if only a fraction of the secret was leaked, that desire to establish an immortal great cause already distinguished him from the muddled sparrows, soaring above the firmament!
Thus, the Sorting Hat hesitated no more, its powerful voice drawing a significant period to this historic scene!
"SLYTHERIN—!!"
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