Professor McGonagall returned shortly after the freshmen left. She had them line up in a single file and then led them into the auditorium.
The college auditorium was large, with four long tables filled with students. Hundreds of candles floated overhead, illuminating the entire auditorium.
Candle flames are also a kind of magical fire; otherwise, the image of candles dripping wax from overhead would be simply too beautiful.
As all sorts of strange ideas flooded Albert's mind, the group arrived at a bench with a dirty, tattered hat on it.
It is said that this is a Gryffindor hat.
"I really hope they can clean the Sorting Hat properly." Albert was a little disgusted with the Sorting Hat because it was so dirty. Maybe it had been sitting there for a thousand years, or maybe no one had ever washed it.
I really can't stand it.
By the time Albert came to his senses, the Sorting Hat had already finished its usual opening song amidst applause.
Professor McGonagall, holding a roll of parchment, began taking attendance and sorting the students into their respective houses.
Of course, Albert was the first one called out, since his last name starts with the letter A.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Albert stepped forward, sat down in a chair, and let Professor McGonagall place the hat on his head.
"No Slytherin, no Slytherin."
Although he knew the chances of going to Slytherin were slim, he still whispered a few words to avoid accidentally falling into the trap.
"Hmm, that's difficult. You seem very courageous, kind-hearted, talented, and intelligent," the Sorting Hat asked softly. "Besides Slytherin, where would you like to go?"
Albert was speechless. Did the Sorting Hat mean that he was suitable for any house except Slytherin?
"Oh, I think you've made your choice, so..."
"Gryffindor." When the Sorting Hat called out Gryffindor, Albert knew what its so-called choice was.
If he had encountered students from two other colleges in the train carriage instead of the twins and Lee Jordan, he probably would have gone to another college.
The Sorting Hat ultimately helped him make a choice.
After all, Albert still had seven years to go at the school, and he didn't want to end up like the original Hermione, without a single friend—that would be so tragic.
Of course, there's also nighttime strolling, and twins are undoubtedly the best companions for nighttime strolls.
After the Sorting Hat called out Gryffindor, a cheer erupted from the table furthest to the left.
However, the twins and Lee Jordan in the team couldn't help but gape, never expecting that Albert would be sorted into Gryffindor.
What happened to Ravenclaw?
After Professor McGonagall took the hat, Albert walked toward the sound of cheers. The front row of the long table was empty, clearly reserved for the new students.
When Albert walked over, several people stood up and shook hands with him. They were wearing badges on their chests, presumably prefects or student council presidents.
He shook hands with each of them and responded with a smile and a nod.
The Sorting Ceremony continued. After the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin, Albert turned his attention back to the Sorting Hat. When Professor McGonagall read out Cedric Diggory, he curiously looked at this minor character from the novel.
The other person is quite handsome, no wonder he's called a "pretty boy." I just wonder if he'll end up like this, a tragic figure. After all, I'm the one stirring things up this time.
As expected, the Weasley twins were sorted into Gryffindor. A red-haired man was delighted and waved to the twins. Albert took a closer look and recognized him as the legendary Percy Weasley.
Incidentally, the Weasley twins came in last. After they were sorted into Gryffindor, the Sorting Ceremony ended. Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, took the Sorting Hat, and left, along with the bench.
"Wow! We thought you'd be assigned to Ravenclaw." Both the twins and Lee Jordan stared at Albert with exaggerated expressions, as if they were looking at some rare animal.
This person wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw; is their Sorting Hat broken?
"Is that strange?" Albert said dismissively. "By the way, I just discovered a secret about the Sorting Hat."
"What secret?" Li Qiaodan asked curiously.
"It wouldn't be a secret if it were told," Albert said, not intending to tell them. "That's why I was sorted into Gryffindor."
Albert's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and he couldn't help but shake his head. "I've explained it so clearly, yet no one guessed it. I guess they really are worthy of Gryffindor?"
However, no one paid any more attention to this so-called secret. After the Sorting Ceremony, it was Dumbledore's turn to give a speech, and then everyone ate a big meal.
"Welcome..." Dumbledore smiled broadly at the students, opening his arms to them. "Welcome to Hogwarts, everyone! The new term has begun! Before the feast begins, I'd like to say a few words. They are: 'Idiots, crybabies, trash, screwdrivers.' Thank you!"
It really was just a few words.
That's the difference!
Compared to those guys who spout a bunch of nonsense, Dumbledore understood the minds of the new students, knowing that no one had the patience to listen to nonsense.
"Do you know what those sentences mean?" Albert turned to ask the prefect next to him.
The prefect whose question Albert asked froze, clearly unsure how to answer it.
At that moment, the prefect suddenly realized that what the Weasley had said was right; this guy should go to Ravenclaw instead of staying in Gryffindor.
"It seems no one knows the answer. Perhaps we'll have to ask him directly?" Albert murmured. These few words constitute an unsolved mystery in the Harry Potter stories.
The people next to him twitched at the words, unsure of what to say. Was this guy planning to go directly to Dumbledore?
Even the students at Ravenclaw aren't as inquisitive as you!
This is definitely an eagle that has been hiding in the lion pride as an undercover agent.
Hey, someone come quick and throw this guy onto the table next to us!
Ignoring the strange looks from the others, Albert fell into deep thought.
In a past life, these words have several interpretations online:
The rumor is that the Latin meaning of those words is: May Merlin bless you.
Of course, some people believe that it reflects the different attitudes of the four colleges towards people.
Ravenclaw students think that anyone who doesn't get into Ravenclaw is an idiot.
The Gryffindor students believed that no one else was as brave as they were.
Slytherin students considered mixed-race or Mudbloods to be useless scraps.
Hufflepuff students hope that students from other houses will adjust their behavior.
As for what the truth is, Albert doesn't know either. Perhaps he will have the chance to find out the truth from Dumbledore.
boom!
Suddenly, lightning struck the roof of the castle, and the weather magic that had been cast suddenly stopped working.
This scene really startled everyone.
Dumbledore drew his wand and cast a spell overhead. The lightning and thunder ceased, the torrential rain stopped, and the sky above them was once again adorned with starlight.
"Alright, the feast begins." Dumbledore raised his spoon, tapped his glass lightly, and announced the start of the feast. As if by magic, the plates on the table were instantly filled with food.