We speak now of Colin, who, by imitating Harry and throwing the Hat, had exposed its flaw. It could only advise; it had no power over one whose mind was made up.
The new students, seeing this, all had a glint in their eyes.
In the past, students were timid, terrified of being sent to the wrong house. Now, seeing this bold act, they knew they could choose.
Even the older students began to whisper, regretting their own cowardice.
"Merlin's beard! We could choose?"
"Damn it! I should have paid attention when Potter went to Gryffindor last year!"
"No wonder my parents were both Ravenclaws, but I ended up in Hufflepuff. My dad always suspected my mum cheated."
This drew a laugh, and the story spread. The hall became noisy, like a festival, all solemnity gone.
Dumbledore's head began to throb. He took off his glasses and rubbed his temples, his good mood ruined.
Snape smirked at Dumbledore. "On this day last year, I believe I told you, Mr. Potter is obnoxiously arrogant."
"Remember what you said, Dumbledore?"
"Oh, my dear Severus, this is actually a good thing." The old headmaster sighed. "I just didn't expect Harry to gain followers so quickly."
"Hah! A brainless first-year, not worth a Death Eater's fingernail, and you call him a follower?"
"The children will eventually grow up, Severus. While you and I... will march toward death with Voldemort."
With that, Dumbledore stood and cast a Sonorus charm. "Quiet!"
The hall fell silent. Dumbledore waved his wand, returning the Hat to the stool.
"Please continue, Minerva."
McGonagall nodded and read, "Lovegood, Luna."
A girl with platinum-blond hair drifted up and put on the hat.
The Hat was about to speak, but Luna took it off. "I'd like to go to Ravenclaw, please, Mr. Hat."
"Hey! Little girl, at least listen to my suggestion!"
"I think I'm rather smart, so Ravenclaw seems appropriate. Besides, it felt like you were about to stick something in my brain..."
Flitwick, seeing Luna's calm demeanor—though she moved like an invalid, she had the air of a general—was intrigued.
He had coveted Harry for his house, but fate had denied him.
Now, seeing this female Harry, how could he miss his chance?
He gave his prefect, Penelope, a look. The prefect stood up. "Welcome, Miss Lovegood! Ravenclaw is your eternal home!"
The other Ravenclaws began to cheer.
The Hat, disgruntled but helpless, shouted, "Very well, Luna Lovegood! RAVENCLAW!"
Luna stood, placed the hat back on the stool, and walked to her new table.
Halfway there, she turned back and picked up the hat.
The Hat was delighted. "Oh~ little girl, have you decided to listen to an old hat's—wait, what are you doing?"
Before it could finish, Luna raised the hat high and, with great effort, threw it on the ground.
Luna sighed in relief. "Phew... almost forgot the ceremony." With that, she tiptoed, glanced over at Harry, and then went to her table.
McGonagall just stared, her lips moving, before she finally said, "Weasley, Ginny."
Ginny, ever since Harry had saved her at the bookstore, had cast off her self-consciousness.
She stormed up the stage, grabbed the hat, didn't put it on, swung it in an arc, and threw it to the ground. "I'm going to Gryffindor!"
"Hey! You little lunatics! Why do you keep throwing me!"
As the saying goes: Follow the example, ask no questions. Ginny had seen Colin and Luna throw the hat before shouting their choice, and she dared not omit this step.
She was about to leave, but then she paused.
Wait, did that Luna girl also... look to the west?
Without thinking, she also tiptoed and peered to the west for a moment before heading to her table.
McGonagall was numb.
If this continued, the balance of the houses would be destroyed.
What judgment does an eleven-year-old have?
As the verse says:
A kind lie hidden in the felt hat,
Fearing a child's random choice.
But Colin broke the golden rule,
And the four-house balance is now lost.
McGonagall hesitated. Dumbledore said, "Let them, Minerva."
"If it's only for one year, I think it will be fine."
She nodded and continued. One by one, the students threw the hat and chose their house.
"I'm going to Gryffindor!"
"Hey! That's enough!"
"Slytherin!"
"Stop throwing me!"
"Thank you, Mr. Hat, I'm going to Hufflepuff."
"Yes, yes, I could tell you were a Badger without even touching your head."
The students, one after another, followed the new "ritual," afraid to miss a step.
By the time the last student, a boy named Justin, was called, he was thoroughly confused.
He threw the hat, paused, tiptoed to look west, spun in a circle, meowed twice, and then, pulling out his wand, pointed at the ceiling and walked to the Hufflepuff table.
"If that were me, I'd rather drop out," Ron said, watching the blushing Justin. "Harry, you've completely played this year's new students for fools."
"Eh, Brother, you are mistaken. What does this sorting business have to do with me?"
"No, Harry, everything these first-years did was, essentially, a poor imitation of your actions last year," Hermione said. "Look, the professors are all staring at you."
The feast ended, and Dumbledore introduced Lockhart.
After the announcements, he said, "However, Mr. Harry Potter, please come to my office."
Harry stood and clasped his hands. "That is no bother. This one also has urgent matters to discuss with the Headmaster!"
Hearing this, Dumbledore felt his headache return.
What does this child want to ask me now?
I don't think I did anything this summer, did I?
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