Even if Professor McGonagall hadn't mentioned it, Tom would have acted anyway. After all, it was finally his turn to be sorted! He didn't want to test whether the Sorting Hat, in its soulless state, could peer into his mind.
As for how to fix the hat… the method was actually quite simple—at least for Tom. He reached out, grabbed the ball of white soul, and roughly stuffed it into the hat. The tattered, brown hat, lying limp on the stool, suddenly sprang to life. Its rip opened and closed repeatedly, as if a drowning person had finally reached fresh air.
Dumbledore's eyes widened at the sight, and his expression shifted subtly.
"(☉□☉) Whoa! I'm alive? Honestly, being a soul was quite wonderful. Now that I have a body again, I actually miss that light, free-moving feeling a bit!"
The recovered Sorting Hat's voice carried a lingering excitement.
"Though it feels strange thinking about it now, breaking free from all restraints… that feeling was truly incredible! Um, excuse me, young student, could you let me… in the future—"
"Enough, Sorting Hat!" Professor McGonagall cut it off sharply.
"It's currently working hours. Please fulfill the duties left to you by the past Principals and the four Founders! Stop fantasizing about floating around as a ghost!"
Honestly, having Peeves in the school was already a headache for her. A soul-free Sorting Hat wandering the halls? Merlin's beard—she didn't even dare imagine it. Peeves might become Gryffindor's newest "student," and she could only shudder at the thought.
More importantly, if the Sorting Hat stayed in this state, how would new students be sorted next year? Use its soul? Impossible.
"(´-ω-`) I just wanted to experience freedom… I'm stuck on this shelf all day except at the start of term. I feel like I'm going to start smelling!" the Sorting Hat muttered under its breath.
McGonagall ignored its complaints and turned to Tom.
"Next, Tom Lovegood."
(Here I come, here I come~)
Tom followed Ariana's example and sat on the stool. He picked up the Sorting Hat and pulled it down over his head. Immediately, the chatterbox Hat fell silent, serious about its work. Even Dumbledore had failed to convince it to place Ariana in a house directly—this was serious business.
The moment Tom wore the hat, Legilimency activated. His recent experiences, his thoughts, his emotional fluctuations—all were laid bare to the Sorting Hat.
"(｀・ω・´) Oh, let me see… Hmm, as a cat with thoughts, you possess extraordinary wisdom and many wonderful ideas: the quest for the essence of magic, the skill to handcraft various props. Ravenclaw could suit you well.
You also have extraordinary courage! Facing death calmly—or undertaking great adventures—are qualities praised by Gryffindor.
As for ambition… finding a beautiful mistress? Sleeping until you wake naturally with plenty of meat and fish? Doing whatever you please? Except for that last point, you show no ambition at all. In fact, you're so lazy that even ambition seems troublesome!
If I put you in Slytherin, Salazar would probably climb out of his coffin to make me start over!
Hmm… loyalty to family and protecting friends… alright, Hufflepuff also fits you.
Oh dear, in all my years, you're the first student to make this so difficult! Except for Slytherin, you could perfectly fit into any house—and you have no preference!"
(So? Have you thought of where to send me?)
Tom yawned lazily. He wasn't noble, and even if he were… so what? He cared less about self-analysis and more about where he would end up. While the Sorting Hat deliberated, he blocked its Legilimency—How? He didn't know; he just did—and began calculating.
Ravenclaw wasn't bad. Being in Luna's house early might help her socially. Otherwise, she'd isolate herself entirely. But Ravenclaw required answering riddles to return to the dormitory… Eugh, forget it. Not Ravenclaw.
Gryffindor… the house of heroes and trouble. With Ariana there, it wasn't unbearable. At worst, he'd stay out of trouble.
Hufflepuff… wait. Isn't the kitchen right next to their dormitory?
(Quick question, is the kitchen next to the Hufflepuff dormitory?)
"Eh? Yes, why?" the Sorting Hat asked subconsciously.
(I've decided! I want Hufflepuff!)
(￣ω￣) Of course, it's not just for the kitchen. Hannah is there too! What she owes me must be repaid with labor~ If we were in different houses, I could only make her work during the day. But in the same house? Unpaid overtime at night too! Definitely not because of the kitchen, no way!
"Hufflepuff? True, you're suitable for three houses, but your core desire isn't adventure or knowledge—it's a sense of belonging, a place to protect and accompany others peacefully. Add your love of food…"
The Sorting Hat paused, then announced loudly:
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
(It's totally not because of the kitchen! ヽ(≧Д≦)ノ)
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