"I'm preparing for the upcoming trial!"
His words instantly captured everyone's attention.
The young witches and wizards were already nervous about the impending Sorting Ceremony, their fear of the unknown gnawing at them.
Judging by Wayne's behaviour, did he know more about the Sorting process?
"Oi, do you know what the Sorting Ceremony involves?"
The arrogant voice belonged to a platinum-blond boy flanked by two hulking brutes who looked twice the size of an average first-year.
The boy was decent-looking, but his expression was downright punchable, exuding an unlikable aura.
Wayne's fists clenched slightly. Having been the 'school tyrant' for four years in primary school, he hadn't been spoken to like this in a long time.
But remembering his plan, he kept his composure and explained calmly, "Yeah, Cedric and a pair of twins just told me all about the Sorting process."
Ron, standing beside Harry, gasped. "Twins? You don't mean George and Fred!"
Wayne heard him and nodded. "You're Ron Weasley, right? Your brothers mentioned you."
At that, all the first-years swarmed around him, bombarding him with questions:
"What exactly is the Sorting Ceremony?"
"Is it dangerous?"
"I haven't mastered a single spell—can I get in?"
Perfect, they're all hooked. Wayne inwardly rejoiced.
Did they think he'd gone along with the twins and Cedric on the train just for fun?
On one hand, Wayne was indeed bored and saw it as amusing himself at others' expense. On the other hand, he was setting up something far bigger. The hunt had begun!
Seizing the moment before Professor McGonagall returned, Wayne quickly recounted everything the twins had told him about the Sorting Ceremony, even helpfully embellishing the less plausible parts.
As Wayne spoke, the surrounding first-years grew paler and paler, their legs trembling. Even the young wizards from pure-blood families were no exception; Malfoy's face had turned deathly pale.
Though parents often used the Sorting Ceremony to frighten their children, indulging in their twisted amusement.
But it wasn't this detailed!
After listening to Wayne, the little ones could almost feel the horror of the Sorting Ceremony.
Ron muttered to himself, "Oh no, oh no, I remember now—Fred and George were both limping when they came back after the first-year summer holidays."
"They must have still been injured from the Sorting Ceremony."
In reality, the twins had just tried to sneak into the Forbidden Forest one last time and were chased by Hagrid's dog, Fang, and hid their injuries.
No one responded to Ron at the moment—Harry had sunk deep into self-doubt. What should he do?
If he failed the test, would he have to go back to the Dursleys' cupboard?
Having witnessed the wonders of the magical world, he didn't want to return.
Wayne sighed casually at the end, "If it's too dangerous, I'll just give up the test and go back to Harrow School."
This gave the little witches and wizards from Muggle families an idea. If things got really bad... could they just quit?
"Y-you're telling the truth, right?" Hermione was also terrified, desperately hoping Wayne was lying to her.
"It's not me who said it—it's Cedric, and Ron's two older brothers," Wayne corrected.
"You might not know who Cedric is, but he's been top of the year for two years running—the model student parents always talk about."
Hermione was on the verge of tears, completely losing hope.
Creak!
The door to the room swung open, and Professor McGonagall froze the moment she stepped in. What was going on?
First-years were usually nervous, but never like this! This wasn't just the Sorting Ceremony—it looked more like they were heading for the guillotine!
Before she could speak, a young witch ran up to her, sobbing, "Professor McGonagall, can I choose to drop out?"
"What did you say?" McGonagall could hardly believe her ears. What had she just heard?
A student wanting to leave Hogwarts?
"And me!"
"Waaah—Mum, where are you? I want to go home!"
Four more little witches and wizards burst into tears. McGonagall felt dizzy, panic rising in her chest.
Since its founding, Hogwarts had seen students expelled, transferred in mid-term, and even those who had died—but never one who wanted to drop out.
Yet today, she was facing five at once! If this got out, what would other magical schools think of Hogwarts?
They'd be laughing about it for a hundred years!
"Why do you want to leave? Did someone bully you on the train? The professors will handle it."
McGonagall forced herself to sound gentle, trying to soothe the young students.
As the Deputy Headmistress, she couldn't let such a disgrace happen—she had to calm them down.
The children spoke over each other, their explanations chaotic. It took McGonagall a while to piece together their meaning.
"So... you're planning to drop out because the Sorting Ceremony might be dangerous, and you don't know any spells yet?"
The little witches and wizards nodded vigorously in unison.
Instantly, McGonagall's face flushed red. "Who's spreading these ridiculous rumours about the Sorting Ceremony being dangerous? Absolute nonsense!"
Swish, swish!
Instantly, all eyes turned to Wayne, standing in the centre.
Professor McGonagall naturally noticed this and said angrily, "Mr Lawrence, was it you frightening the other students?"
"Professor McGonagall, I wasn't frightening them," Wayne feigned innocence, even putting on a slightly wronged expression as he continued:
"I just wanted to tell everyone what to expect during the Sorting Ceremony so they could prepare in advance. What's wrong with that?"
"But you can't go spreading nonsense about Trolls and Ghouls!" she retorted. "If the Sorting hadn't begun yet, I'd deduct twenty points from your house!"
Wayne grew even more indignant: "It's not like I made those up. The older students told me."
"Which older students?" Professor McGonagall pressed.
Wayne answered without hesitation: "George Weasley, Fred Weasley, and Cedric Diggory."
At this, Professor McGonagall was utterly exasperated.
Those twins—they truly deserved to be damned!