Chris's words caught the attention of the boy sitting beside her. He turned to look at Sean.
Although she was clearly a pretty girl, Sean couldn't shake the feeling that something about her seemed slightly off.
"Hello, my name is Sean Grylls," Sean said to the handsome boy beside her.
"Cedric Diggory," the boy replied with a nod, introducing himself.
Damn, it's actually Cedric. Sean was startled. The most outstanding student of this year… well, aside from me, of course.
While Sean was still processing this, Chris also introduced herself to Cedric.
"Christina crouch. My grandfather is Barty Crouch, the Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation."
No doubt about it. Your uncle is a Death Eater. Who knows whether you've been influenced by him, Sean muttered inwardly.
At that moment, a girl with a black ponytail appeared at the compartment door and looked at the three of them.
"Is there an empty seat here?"
"Yes, that one," Sean said, pointing to the seat beside Chris.
"Thanks. My name is Angelina Johnson."
"Sean Grylls."
"Christina crouch."
"Cedric Diggory."
The three of them introduced themselves one after another.
"Wait… you're that Sean Grylls?" Angelina stared at him in surprise.
Sean nodded helplessly. He had seen this reaction far too many times.
Angelina Johnson… wait, isn't she Fred's future girlfriend?
Looking around the compartment, Sean began guessing their future Houses.
Cedric would almost certainly be in Hufflepuff.
Angelina would definitely go to Gryffindor.
Chris was uncertain, but given her pure-blood background, there was a high chance she would end up in Slytherin.
As for Sean himself… he honestly had no idea where the Sorting Hat would place him.
The train traveled through vast forests and grasslands for more than six hours before finally stopping at Hogsmeade Station in the evening.
The fifth-year prefects stepped off first, standing by the doors to maintain order.
"First-years, over here!"
A booming voice drew the attention of all the new students.
It belonged to a giant nearly three meters tall.
Of course, Sean knew that Hagrid was only a half-giant. True giants were even larger.
"Wow… he's enormous," Angelina exclaimed.
Sean glanced at her, feeling like her tone carried a strange double meaning.
Hagrid held up a lantern, using its light to look over the first-year students.
"Where's Sean Grylls?" Hagrid asked.
"I'm here!" Sean replied, craning his neck to look up at him.
"You're much taller than Harry," Hagrid said quietly.
Among children his age, Sean's height was above average. His fluffy brown curls also made him appear a little taller.
"First-years, follow me!"
Hagrid led the group down a small path along the lake.
Hogsmeade Station was built beside Hogsmeade Village. One path led toward Hogwarts, while the other led into the village itself.
This time, the new students would reach Hogwarts by boat.
Sean had briefly wondered whether they would ride the Thestral-drawn carriages instead.
Four students climbed into each boat.
The boats were enchanted and automatically sailed across the lake toward the castle.
Most of the new students gasped in amazement along the way.
Those born into pure-blood wizarding families remained much calmer.
As Sean looked at the magnificent castle ahead, he couldn't help but feel awed.
He had seen it in movies before, but witnessing it in person was an entirely different experience.
"After you get off the boats, follow the stairs," Hagrid said. "Professor McGonagall has something to tell you before entering the Great Hall."
"Sean, which House do you think you'll be sorted into?" Chris suddenly asked.
"The genius is definitely going to Ravenclaw," the Weasley twins said as they walked up from behind.
"That bright red hair—you must be from the Weasley family," Chris said, recognizing them immediately.
"Hey, Cedric, it'd be great if you got sorted into Gryffindor," the twins added.
Apparently, the Weasley twins already knew Cedric.
Sean thought about it and remembered—they lived near the same mountain, one family on the east side and the other on the west.
"That's not something I get to decide," Cedric replied.
Professor McGonagall was already waiting at the end of the stairs.
Once all the first-years had gathered, she clapped her hands lightly.
Sean closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he activated his strange vision.
A faint white glow surrounded every student.
But Professor McGonagall's glow was the brightest he had ever seen on any wizard.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began.
"In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join the rest of the students. But before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your Houses."
"Hogwarts has four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. At the end of the year, whichever House earns the most points will win the House Cup."
"Now, if you're ready, follow me."
She turned and led them toward the Great Hall.
The grand golden doors opened automatically.
Bright candlelight filled the hall as Hogwarts welcomed its newest students.
Four long tables were arranged neatly inside, each occupied by students from one of the Houses.
Sean estimated there were around four hundred students in total.
Their year had about sixty first-years—fairly good enrollment compared to previous years.
Standing near the front, Sean glanced at the Sorting Hat on the stage and felt a hint of nervousness.
He was so focused on it that he barely heard Dumbledore speaking.
At the professors' table, however, a man with long black hair and a gloomy expression was staring directly at him.
Sean sensed the gaze and looked up.
It was Severus Snape, seated on the left side of the professors' table.
Why could Sean recognize him instantly?
Because no one else in Hogwarts possessed that unmistakable cold, sinister aura.
Even though Sean knew the truth—Snape was actually a good man, a double agent among the Death Eaters.
Why is he staring at me? I'm not Harry. My eyes don't look like Lily's either, Sean thought.
"Now," Professor McGonagall announced, "when I call your name, come forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and it will decide which House you belong to."
"Sean Grylls."
What the hell? I'm first? That's brutal, Sean cursed inwardly, though he walked forward with a polite smile.
Wasn't it supposed to be alphabetical?
How did he end up first?
He sat on the stool as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
The moment it touched him, the hat began to move.
"Hmm… difficult. Very difficult. You are brave, intelligent, hardworking, cunning, and ambitious. You could fit in all four Houses."
"Where should I put you?"
"Anywhere's fine," Sean muttered under his breath. "As long as it's not Azkaban."
With his Magic vision, Sean didn't care which House he entered. He could excel anywhere.
"Azkaban? My, that is a very dangerous thought."
"Alright then… just not Slytherin," Sean whispered, glancing toward Snape at the professors' table.
"Very well. Decision made."
"You belong in… Slytherin!"
The Sorting Hat seemed almost deliberately contrary.
Sean froze for a moment.
When he snapped back to reality, several Slytherin upperclassmen were already looking at him as if welcoming a new member.
Some of their gazes, however, didn't seem particularly friendly.
Sean sighed helplessly.
"I'm starting to think you did that on purpose."
He pulled the Sorting Hat off his head and glared at it fiercely.