The words of the Old Hat made Harry's heart skip a beat.
Oh no, has he been found out?
"Really?" Harry asked, pretending to be calm, neither confirming nor denying.
"Yes, the Sorting Hat never makes a mistake," the Sorting Hat said confidently. "I remember you; last time when I sorted you, I advised you to go to Slytherin, but you insisted on Gryffindor."
If nothing unexpected had happened, he really didn't mind going to Slytherin.
Just during the scholarship application, he was alone with Phineas Black for a while.
When he came out, he asked Vice Principal Weasley which house Principal Black was from.
Upon getting the answer "Slytherin," Harry's decision was quickly made.
Even if I have to drop out, I'm not going to Slytherin!
"So this time, are you still going to suggest I go to Slytherin?" Harry asked back.
"I don't think someone who dares to use Polyjuice Potion to become the principal would be in Slytherin. My goodness, you wouldn't believe Phineas's face at the time; he was furious," the Sorting Hat said gleefully. "You even managed to get the Great Hall to always hang the Gryffindor flag, though Phineas quickly rescinded that order."
At this point, the Old Hat suddenly came to a realization.
"Wow, time is truly a magical thing. I never expected you'd be back to eleven years old, but don't you worry, the Old Hat will keep your secret."
"Really?" Harry was a bit skeptical.
"The Old Hat has never leaked a single secret of any young wizard since it was created," the Sorting Hat vowed. "Even that big trouble that gave Albus a headache."
Harry was willing to believe in the Sorting Hat's discretion.
After all, if the Sorting Hat really disclosed young wizards' secrets, Hogwarts wouldn't have ended up with a Dark Wizard like Voldemort.
"So which house are you going to advise me to this time?" Harry asked in his mind.
"No one would betray their own house, would they?" The Sorting Hat let out a laugh, "Without a doubt, you're Gryffindor."
"Then what are we waiting for? Announce the sorting result already. I'm ready," Harry said eagerly, feeling a bit uncomfortable under the attention from all directions.
Although he knew the Sorting Hat communicated mentally, he was still a bit unaccustomed.
"It's really sad, little one," the Sorting Hat lamented. "Old friends meeting should have a good long chat, but you're in such a hurry to be rid of the Old Hat, it makes the hat sad."
"You have feelings too?" Harry asked, surprised.
"I think I've changed my mind; you should be sorted into Azkaban," the Sorting Hat's voice carried a hint of petulance.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean it that way," Harry hastily apologized to the Old Hat, jokingly, he wouldn't want to be sent to Azkaban.
Then he asked, "When did the current Headmaster enroll, and why do I have no impression of him at all?"
"The Headmaster? Let me think," the Sorting Hat said to Harry, "If I remember correctly, he should've enrolled in your seventh year, and Phineas said you disappeared, so it's normal not to know him—how does it feel, seeing your junior become Headmaster?"
"It's a bit complicated," Harry agreed. "But since I never met the Headmaster during his childhood, there's not much sense of disharmony."
"Haha, you should have seen Little Albus when he was young," the Old Hat's voice took on a wily tone.
"Really, which house was he in?" Harry asked.
"Without a doubt, Gryffindor," the Sorting Hat said, very pleased.
Harry nodded in understanding and chatted with the Sorting Hat for quite a while.
Finally, the Sorting Hat said contentedly, "It's a joyful thing to catch up with old friends, and as a token of appreciation, the Old Hat has prepared a one-of-a-kind sorting ceremony for his friend."
"What is it?" Harry asked curiously.
The Old Hat didn't reply. Just when Harry thought the Sorting Hat was going to shout, he suddenly felt something hard hit his head.
He took off the Sorting Hat and saw a sword hilt inside the hat.
Curious, he reached out to grasp the sword hilt, and with a clang, pulled out a magnificent silver long sword.
At the same time, the Sorting Hat in his hand shouted loudly.
"Without a doubt! Gryffindor!"
The Great Hall fell into silence. A moment later, the tables for the three houses, except Slytherin, erupted in warm applause.
"We have Potter! We have Potter!" The Weasley Twins stood on a stool, cheerfully waving their arms.
Harry turned around, looking toward the teachers' table.
Hagrid was clapping wildly, looking thrilled beyond restraint; Dumbledore smiled and nodded at him, applauding him; but the good-natured, greasy-haired professor seemed a bit disdainful.
Beside him, Professor McGonagall folded her hands and seemed very pleased that Harry got sorted into Gryffindor.
"Professor, this?" Harry held the Sorting Hat in one hand and Gryffindor's Sword in the other.
"I'll take care of this, Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall took the hat and sword from his hand and walked to Dumbledore, handing over the sword to him.
"I never thought you'd arrange such a sorting method, Albus," she said quietly.
Dumbledore was clearly taken aback for a moment. "Ah?"
Then he understood what Professor McGonagall meant and responded in a low voice, "No, Minerva, you'll understand in due time, the Headmaster has no power to interfere with the sorting results, nor any way to order the Sorting Hat."
Professor McGonagall gave a doubtful look at Dumbledore but finally chose to believe him.
As Harry walked toward the Gryffindor table, all the Gryffindors stood up, giving him their heartfelt congratulations.
He sat to Hermione's left, and on his other side was a boy wearing glasses, looking very scholarly.
"Percy, Percy Weasley," Percy extended his hand, introducing himself.
Harry reached out to shake his hand; he knew this should be the Class Prefect brother Ron had mentioned.
The Weasley family usually went by nicknames; for example, Bill's formal name is William, and Charlie's formal name is Charles.
"Hello, Percy," Harry replied with a polite smile.
At this moment, Professor McGonagall called Ron's name.
"That's my brother, my youngest brother," Percy whispered to Harry.
"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat shouted loudly.
Ron walked over to Harry and sat down in the place reserved for him between Harry and Hermione, and immediately flopped down.
"Well done, Ron, well done!" Percy said in an exaggerated tone.
"I was so scared, I thought I would be sorted into Slytherin," Ron said with lingering fear.
Harry smiled at Ron and said, "Then Slytherin would have a brilliant wizard."
Ron rolled his eyes, "Oh, shut up, Harry. You talk like my mom."