The rumors about the entrance exam had been quite damaging to everyone, especially when swarms of ghosts passed through the walls into the small room, and no one noticed them at first.
Even the young wizards who did see the ghosts simply thought it was a trick caused by the stress of the entrance exams, casting a glance before losing interest.
"Hey! I say, what are you doing here?"
It wasn't until the ghosts noticed the young wizards on the floor that anyone paid attention.
"Oh—" The first-year students shifted in their seats, and a low murmur of surprise spread through the crowd.
A chubby, monk-like ghost smiled and said, "First-years, huh? Waiting here for the test, I suppose?"
Some students nodded silently, and the ones who had remained silent and motionless seemed even more pessimistic. The monk ghost's words confirmed the existence of the entrance exam. Harry, Ron, and Malfoy all belonged to this group.
No one paid much attention to what the ghosts said next because Professor McGonagall had returned.
"Line up in a single file, follow me!" Professor McGonagall gave her command.
The young wizards reluctantly obeyed, feeling like their legs were weighed down with lead. Despite this, they followed in an orderly fashion.
Harry stood behind Ron, with Neville behind him, and Malfoy with his two bodyguards further back.
As for Ivy, he casually inserted himself into the line, knowing full well that the order of the queue would not affect the Sorting ceremony in any way.
The line of young wizards passed through the grand double doors and entered a spacious, magnificent hall.
Inside, four long tables laden with various golden and silver cutlery were placed, with students from each house sitting at them. They were eyeing the new students with curiosity. At the far end of the hall was a raised platform where the staff sat, facing the first-years.
The hall was lit by hundreds of floating candles. Thanks to magic, the candle wax never dripped onto the expensive floor, and the smoke never stained the ceiling.
Speaking of the ceiling, the Great Hall's ceiling at Hogwarts might be one of the most magical ceilings of all. The enchanted ceiling appeared to mirror the sky outside.
"This is enchanted to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione's voice reached Harry, who immediately regretted not listening to Ivy's advice about reading that hefty book, which was far from casual reading material.
However, Harry's regret was interrupted by Professor McGonagall's actions. She gently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-years, then set a very old, tattered hat atop it, dust and pudding threatening to fall from it.
Usually, such worn items only appeared in places where they either had immense sentimental value or were essential. And for this hat, which carried part of the thoughts of the four Hogwarts founders, it was both.
"It looks like there's no written exam..." Harry wondered aloud. "Even worse, it seems like we'll be sorted by our magical abilities… What should I do? Pull a rabbit out from under the hat? But what rabbit would want to jump into this old hat?"
Just as Harry's thoughts wandered, the hat on the stool moved. It opened a wide seam as if it were opening its mouth.
And then it began to sing:
You may make your top hats glossy and sleek,
Or make your high hats smooth and neat,
(Except in winter, Ivy never wears hats, but now with magic, he doesn't wear them even in winter.)
I'm the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts, far superior to your hats.
(Do hats have class? I haven't heard of that.)
…
Come wear me! Don't be scared!
Don't panic, I'll take care of you!
In my hands (though I don't have any), you're safe!
(Yeah, aside from getting a bit dirtier, you're no different than a hundred years ago.)
The Sorting Hat finished its song, and Ivy's wandering thoughts came to an end.
He heard Ron in front of him saying, "So, we just have to wear that hat? I thought we'd have to take a test! You don't think Ivy's been lying, do you? He's not a wizard from over a hundred years ago, and he doesn't know any ancient magic, he's not even as tall as me!"
Harry turned and gave Ron a surprised look before whispering, "Professor McGonagall's watching you, Ron."
Ron quickly pretended nothing happened, stiffly turning his head.
"Now, I'll call out your names. When I do, you'll put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait to be sorted," Professor McGonagall returned her gaze from Ron and began reading from the list in front of her.
"Hannah Abbott!"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!"
Starting with Susan Bones, Professor McGonagall began calling out first-year students whose last names started with "B", until the last one, Millicent Bulstrode, was sorted into Slytherin.
Then it was time for the "Ds, as there were no students with a last name starting with "C" this year.
"Ivy Doom!" Professor McGonagall called.
Ivy stepped out of the line and walked to the Sorting Hat, as if a king going to meet his crown.
"Here we go again…" Ivy heard the Sorting Hat whisper. "The same choice? Not surprisingly, you've stayed true to your nature."
"Of course… but now I have a much broader vision!" Ivy silently responded in his mind.
"Ambitious as ever... a typical..."
"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat cried out loudly.
Ivy took off the hat and placed it properly on the stool, nodding to Professor McGonagall before turning to join the Slytherin table.
The Sorting Ceremony moved quickly, and Hermione and Harry were also sorted into Gryffindor.
There weren't many students left. After Ron, the last one was a girl with a last name starting with "V."
"Cassandra Worrell!" Professor McGonagall called.
The blonde girl sat down without looking away, placing the tattered Sorting Hat firmly on her head.
"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat declared almost without hesitation.