Chapter 175 – Sorting Ceremony
Phineas looked at Daphne and said calmly,
"What I said before still stands. Since the details of this matter are so absurd, I won't pursue your mistake further. Tell your father—if he wants to protect the family, he's welcome to contact me. The Black family doesn't mind gaining another ally."
As stated earlier, once Phineas confirmed that Daphne had acted alone and not under Greengrass family orders, his aim shifted. Rather than punishing her, he now hoped to draw the Greengrass family over to the Black family's side. No matter the origin of the incident, this was the message he intended to deliver.
Daphne's expression darkened further. Phineas's words made it clear that she was being excluded from consideration entirely, which was a deep insult to someone as proud as the eldest daughter of the Greengrass family.
Pansy, on the other hand, looked utterly devastated. Though still on her feet, she appeared as if her soul had left her body. The word "collapse" would not be wrong—her hopelessness was all too clear.
She had never imagined that the person she thought had bullied Draco and Daphne was in fact the heir of the Black family.
As mentioned before, in the eyes of most families sworn to the pureblood council, the Parkinsons held no real status. Many families scorned them—an obviously unattractive bloodline attempting to elevate itself through strategic marriages. If the women in their family had been even a bit better looking, perhaps other families wouldn't be so dismissive. But with Pansy's poodle-like appearance, no one would ever consider marrying into the Parkinsons to support them.
Phineas glanced at the pale-faced Pansy and the rigid Daphne—both now silent and powerless. Shaking his head with disdain, he gave a small nod to Draco and the quietly obedient Astoria, then left the compartment.
Shortly after, an announcement echoed through the train:
"The train will arrive at Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on board. We will escort you to the school."
It was the voice of a Hogwarts house-elf. Besides the regular train crew, the elves also remained aboard year-round. They were responsible for cleaning, serving meals, and assisting adult witches and wizards traveling to Hogsmeade. At least, that was their main role—Phineas had never seen them among the students before.
The train gradually slowed until it came to a complete stop. It was filled with students from all seven years and all four Houses, as well as some returning professors.
The corridors were chaotic as students jostled toward the doors and onto the dark platform outside.
Unlike the crowd, Phineas stayed inside with George, Fred, Lee, and Angelina. Just like in his first year, they waited until the crowd thinned out before stepping off the train.
As they exited, the crisp evening air chilled them immediately.
"Let's hurry up," Angelina suggested, rubbing her arms.
The others agreed, quickening their pace along the muddy path leading to the carriage station. Dozens of carriages stood waiting. These would transport second- through seventh-year students to the castle.
Phineas spotted the Thestrals pulling the carriages. These eerie, skeletal creatures with dragon-like heads had long carried a dark reputation. Only those who had truly come to understand death could see them.
Once everyone was aboard, the carriage lurched into motion.
Though the carriages appeared small from the outside—seemingly built for four—they could easily accommodate more. It was one of many subtle examples of magic at work.
The only unpleasant part was the smell: a mix of must and straw, likely from being stored long-term and only used a few times each year.
Had it not been for Harry's arrival at Hogwarts this year, Phineas likely wouldn't have taken the Hogwarts Express at all. Spending an entire day on the train was far from his preference.
As the carriage rolled through the gates of Hogwarts, Phineas saw them clearly for the first time.
Two tall iron gates stood between massive stone pillars, each topped with a winged wild boar. Feeney had no idea why boars had wings—he'd never heard of such a creature in the magical world.
Beyond the gates, the path sloped upward, giving everyone in the carriage a clear view of Hogwarts Castle drawing near. Its towers and turrets loomed larger with every turn of the wheels.
Eventually, the carriage stopped. The students stepped out and entered the Great Hall to await the start of the Sorting Ceremony.
After a few moments, the ghosts of each House floated in, signaling that the first-years had arrived.
Sure enough, Professor McGonagall entered soon after, leading the new students inside. This year's class was slightly larger than the last two, though still quite small. The number of magical children in Britain was declining year by year, and even with Muggle-born students, the total continued to shrink.
Phineas took his seat at the Slytherin table and scanned the group of first-years. It didn't take long to spot two familiar faces—his little nephew, Draco, and another: Harry.
Draco looked as smug as ever, clearly proud that his father now held the position of Hogwarts director. Harry, by contrast, seemed nervous, as if still unsure whether all of this was real.
As always, Professor McGonagall set a four-legged stool at the front of the hall and placed the Sorting Hat atop it, ready to begin the ceremony.
The Great Hall grew quiet.
Everyone knew the Sorting Hat sang each year. Sure enough, it opened its jagged mouth and launched into its annual song:
---
1991 Sorting Hat Song:
You may think I'm not pretty,
But never judge a book by its cover,
If you find a hat more fair than me,
I'll eat myself, I swear!
You can make your bowler sleek and smart,
Or top hats smooth and crisp,
But I'm Hogwarts' hat, designed to test,
And far beyond all this!
I see what's hidden in your heart,
No secret can you hide.
Just place me on your head a bit,
I'll tell where you reside!
You may belong to Gryffindor,
With daring, nerve, and might,
Their courage burns both day and night,
They're bold and full of fight!
Perhaps you're bound for Hufflepuff,
Where loyalty runs deep,
Their patience and their honest ways
Are values they will keep.
If you are wise and clever too,
Then Ravenclaw awaits.
They seek the sharpest minds of all,
Behind their stately gates.
Or maybe into Slytherin,
You'll go to seek your fate.
Cunning, pride, and ambition strong—
Their power makes them great!
So don't be scared, come try me on!
No need for dread or doubt.
Though I've no hands, I still can judge,
And figure your House out!
Because I am a Thinking Hat!