The Sorting Hat had clearly forgotten it was still in the middle of sorting, with professors and students all waiting for the feast to begin.
It continued to chat nonchalantly, "How did Luna know about the Sorting?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Actually, even if you don't say, I can still find out," the Sorting Hat boasted. "Let me take a look."
"Aha! Turns out that little girl knows Legilimency. She saw it from her father's memories."
"Legilimency?" Annie immediately gleaned some information from the Sorting Hat's words. "I thought it was mind-reading. You can do it too?"
"Of course! Ravenclaw is a natural-born Legilimens as well. She cast a spell on me, granting me the same ability."
The Sorting Hat added proudly, "That's why I know so many secrets. I am the most well-informed hat in the world, filled with magical knowledge."
"That might not be true," Annie said slyly, winking at it. "Have you ever met a bicorne hat?"
"Uh, no."
"A green beret?"
"N-no."
"A fez?"
"No!"
"A bowler hat? A top hat? A hard hat?"
"Will you stop?!" The Sorting Hat shouted, exasperated, "How are you even chattier than I am?"
"I've never seen them either, but would you like to?" Annie rested her chin on her hand, smiling sweetly.
"Stuck in the Headmaster's office all the time must be boring. Dumbledore even mentioned it's a bit dull."
"It's not dull at all! I get to compose new lyrics—it's the most meaningful thing!"
"My brother says people can't do just one thing all the time. You need to refresh your mind occasionally, and inspiration will pour out like milk from a cow."
"Oh, that does make sense," the Sorting Hat mused. "No wonder my lyrics have been a bit dry these past few years."
"I overheard my dad and Uncle Iris saying they're planning a trip to Paris next summer. Would you like to come along? It might spark some creativity."
"Paris? Is it beautiful?"
"I don't know, but my brother says there's a kind of white satin there that's the most beautiful in the world. I could take you to see it, help you find new material, and introduce you to some lovely ladies' hats?"
Silence.
A long silence.
"Stay in the Headmaster's office for another thousand years, or... come with me to see the world?"
The Sorting Hat didn't know what to say. For a moment, it missed Godric Gryffindor, the boy who used to take it on adventures.
"I haven't been out in so long... I'm so outdated..."
"Retro is in vogue now!"
"I'm tattered..."
"The more tattered, the more history it shows!"
"What about the Headmaster..."
"It's just one summer. I'll handle Professor Dumbledore."
"O-okay then!" The Sorting Hat's voice trembled slightly, "Don't forget! Next summer, it's a deal! Don't forget, okay?"
Annie snapped her fingers.
Plan to abduct the legendary wizarding hat? Success!
"So, Annie, which house do you want to join?"
"Can I choose?"
"Well, normally no... but there are exceptions."
The Sorting Hat had long forgotten Dumbledore's instructions.
"Whichever house you choose, I can make it happen."
"I'll leave it to you," Annie said, resting her chin on her hand.
"Then... Gryffindor?" The Sorting Hat finally remembered Dumbledore's orders.
"Isn't it supposed to be Ravenclaw?"
"Ravenclaw works too."
"Forget it. Gryffindor will do. My brother said Hermione is isolated in Gryffindor, so I'll reluctantly go keep her company. She's usually quite fierce, and apart from my brother, not many people talk to her."
"Then... Gryffindor it is!"
"Goodbye, Mr. Hat. I'll visit you in Dumbledore's office. By the way, do you have a name?"
"No."
"How about Caramel Macchiato?"
"What's that?"
"My favorite latte."
"Forget it. That name's weird."
"Alright then, Mr. Macchiato."
"..."
"Goodbye, Mr. Macchiato."
Annie took off the hat and handed it back to Professor Flitwick.
By this time, they had been chatting for twenty minutes, breaking the record for the longest Sorting.
Annie walked toward the cheering Gryffindor students but glanced back at her brother, William, with a helpless smile.
It seemed like she was reluctantly sorted into Gryffindor.
Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief and clapped enthusiastically.
The Weasley twins shouted, "We've got a Stark! We've got a Stark!"
William glared at Dumbledore. That sly old man had definitely meddled.
After all, the Stark family had been in Ravenclaw for generations(Two years).
He protested silently.
Hermione shifted on the bench, making room for Annie with a huff.
Annie sat down beside her.
Soon, the Sorting ended.
Professor Dumbledore stood up. Despite his age, he always gave off an impression of boundless energy. His hair and beard were several feet long, and he wore half-moon glasses over a crooked nose.
"Welcome!" Professor Dumbledore said, the candlelight making his beard glisten. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!"
Opening his arms wide, he announced, "Let the feast begin."
Golden plates and goblets in front of the students suddenly filled with food and drinks.
Another sumptuous feast began, with laughter and the clinking of cutlery echoing through the hall.
Dumbledore, however, didn't eat. He left his seat, heading out to deal with Harry and Ron.
Five minutes later, he returned with Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall.
Professor Snape's expression was stormy, clearly displeased.
Seeing everyone gathered, Lockhart tapped his golden goblet and stood up with a radiant smile.
The hall gradually quieted as everyone turned to look at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
When the hall was completely silent, Lockhart cleared his throat and began, "I, Gilderoy Lockhart, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Dark Force Defense League, and five-time winner of Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award—but I don't talk about that. I didn't defeat the Wagga Wagga Werewolf with a smile, after all!"
"As a former student of this school, and at the repeated invitation of Professor Dumbledore and my dear friend—'the youngest Order of Merlin recipient' William Stark—I've returned to this beloved alma mater.
"Everything is simply wonderful."
"And so, I've prepared a few small gifts for the professors."
Ah, starting with gift-giving! Lockhart certainly knew how to make an impression.