The doors opened, and the first-years filed in behind Professor McGonagall, entering the grand hall—
The Great Hall.
Four long tables stretched across the vast chamber, already filled with students from the upper years.
Banners of different colors hung along the walls—
Green serpent, blue eagle, red lion, yellow badger.
But the most astonishing sight was the ceiling.
It was a deep, velvety black, dotted with countless stars, just like the night sky itself. Ghosts drifted among the students, glowing faintly with a silvery light.
Hermione whispered softly, afraid to disturb something, "I read about this in Hogwarts: A History…"
Lewis nodded.
The enchanted ceiling—designed to look like the sky.
At the far end of the hall stood the staff table, arranged in a curve.
Though he had never met them before, Lewis recognized several figures at a glance.
At the center sat an old wizard in white robes, with a long white beard that flowed down past the table—Albus Dumbledore.
Even seated, he seemed taller than the others. Despite his age, his presence was sharp and lively.
Beside him—
Snape, with greasy hair and a perpetually sour expression.
Flitwick, perched on a raised seat, looking almost like he had goblin heritage.
Quirrell, with a turban wrapped around his head…
Characters from novels and films now stood before him in reality.
Even Lewis, with his adult mind, felt a stir of excitement.
McGonagall held a parchment and announced, "When I call your name, you will come forward, sit on the stool, and place the hat on your head—"
She was interrupted.
The Sorting Hat on the stool twitched.
Its folds shifted into eyes and a mouth—
And it began to sing.
"A thousand years ago, four wizards bold and wise
Founded this school beneath these skies…"
It sang of Gryffindor's bravery, Ravenclaw's wisdom, Hufflepuff's kindness, and Slytherin's cunning.
The first-years stared in stunned silence.
A singing hat.
Lewis gave a half-hearted clap.
Not bad. Please don't do it again.
McGonagall, clearly used to this, waited patiently before continuing.
"Hannah Abbott!"
"Y-Yes!"
Hannah hurried forward, nervously placing the oversized hat on her head. It nearly covered her entire face.
"Hufflepuff!"
The decision came within seconds.
Cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table.
Before sitting down, she waved at Lewis.
Then came Susan Bones, Terry Boot…
Familiar names, one after another.
Some were sorted instantly.
Others took a minute or two.
Lewis felt a faint unease.
The Sorting Hat likely had some form of mind-reading ability.
"Lewis Green!"
Not long after Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor, it was his turn.
He walked calmly to the stool.
McGonagall glanced at him—clearly remembering him. After all, he had the most difficult background among the new students.
Lewis nodded slightly to her before putting on the hat.
The moment it touched his hair, he adjusted it subtly, trying to keep the dirty fabric away from his face.
Then—
A voice echoed in his mind.
"Hmm… I sense great aptitude. Such strong magic is rare in someone your age… but where to place you? Curious… something seems to be interfering with my reading…"
Lewis carefully loosened a small portion of his Conceal Thoughts, revealing only what he chose.
For a brief moment—
The Sorting Hat seemed confused.
"Ah! I see now! Intelligence… a thirst for knowledge… a mind capable of solving anything it encounters…"
"So you belong in—"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The hall erupted in applause.
Polite from most—
But genuinely enthusiastic from the Ravenclaw table.
After all, their already female-heavy House had just gained a handsome boy.
McGonagall looked slightly regretful.
She had hoped to see him in Gryffindor.
Lewis waved to Harry and Ron before heading to the Ravenclaw table.
Along the way, students nodded and welcomed him.
In the crowd, Ron whispered, "Shame—he didn't get Gryffindor."
Harry replied quietly, "That doesn't stop us from being friends, does it?"
As Lewis sat down, he let out a quiet breath.
He had succeeded.
The Sorting Hat hadn't detected his reincarnation.
Conceal Thoughts worked.
As for why Ravenclaw—
It aligned with his philosophy.
Ravenclaw valued intelligence, knowledge, and curiosity.
Its founder, Rowena Ravenclaw, once said:
"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure."
And for a practitioner of Arcane Magic—
Knowledge was power.
Among the four Houses, Ravenclaw was the most suitable.
Though admittedly—
In the original story, Ravenclaw's presence was… underwhelming.
The main trio belonged to Gryffindor.
The most prominent professors—Dumbledore and McGonagall—were Gryffindors.
Voldemort and Snape came from Slytherin.
Cedric Diggory, champion of Hogwarts, was a Hufflepuff.
Ravenclaw's notable figures?
Luna Lovegood… and Cho Chang—better known as Harry's ex.
Truly… style over substance.
Still—
It wasn't bad.
At least—
There were plenty of beautiful girls.
Just as Lewis sank into his thoughts—
A loud cheer erupted.
"Harry Potter!"
Harry stepped forward and sat on the stool.
The hat was placed on his head.
"Hmm… brave… clever… strong potential… you would do well in—"
"Not Slytherin… not Slytherin…" Harry pleaded internally.
"Not Slytherin? You could achieve great things…"
"But if you insist…"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table exploded with cheers.
And just like that—
The legend had begun.