The Sorting Ceremony proceeded in a blur of nerves, whispers, and flickering candlelight. Students shuffled toward the stool one by one, faces stiff with anxiety as the ancient hat dove into their minds.
But I? I felt nothing except satisfaction. Everything was proceeding exactly as I wished.
The moment the Sorting Hat touched my head, I unleashed the subtle influence of the One Ring. Its whispering power slid like silk into the hat's consciousness, bending its will without resistance. A quiet decision was made — not just for me, but for others as well.
✨ Control the pieces. Shape the board.
"Slytherin!" the hat declared.
I walked with measured grace toward the Slytherin table, ignoring the stares, chin high in the knowledge that I belonged here far more than any of them ever would.
The next part of my plan unfolded neatly:
Hermione Granger — brilliant, talented, woefully misled in the original timeline — hesitated as the Hat deliberated. I nudged it gently. Knowledge is power. Talent is power. She belongs with us.
"Slytherin!"
She blinked, startled, before moving toward her new seat — toward me. Good. A future asset secured.
Then the hall fell silent.
"Harry Potter!"
The famous boy climbed onto the stool, every eye burning into him. The Hat lowered, brow creasing. Destiny trembled. I pressed again. Stronger.
A gasp rippled through the hall.
"Slytherin!"
Whispers erupted instantly:
"The next Dark Lord—""He'll follow in You-Know-Who's footsteps—""I knew it!"
If only they understood how hilariously wrong they were. Harry Potter would indeed walk beside darkness — but not Voldemort's. He would follow me.
Dumbledore made his usual warnings — Forbidden Forest, forbidden corridor, painful deaths, etcetera — words I filed away with amusement.
The Philosopher's Stone. An alchemical masterpiece. With Sauron's knowledge flowing through my mind, I could eventually craft my own. But why reinvent perfection? I would claim it first… and study it later.
The feast was pleasant enough. I ate, all while assessing future pawns — bloodlines, influence, magical potential. Power would not be inherited here. It would be claimed.
Afterward, we descended into the cool green glow of the Slytherin common room. Snape delivered his traditional lecture on unity, respect, and ambition. I listened only to confirm what I already knew:
This house would become my stronghold.
The night ended with students drifting to their dorms. I remained awake long after, planning in the quiet dark.
Harry Potter.Draco Malfoy.Hermione Granger.
My inner circle.
The foundations of a new empire had been laid.
And unlike Voldemort, my reign would not end in a single country.
It would begin here.But it would spread… everywhere.