Sorting ceremony

The first-year students followed the kind giant, Hagrid, as they looked around in awe, discovering the new place. They eventually reached a big lake and stopped by a small dock. Hagrid turned around and exclaimed, "This is the Black Lake, one of the most popular spots in Hogwarts. Only first-year students get to the castle through here, so make sure to enjoy the trip!"

The students started to board the boats, and Hagrid, who had a boat to himself, shouted, "Everyone in? Right then—FORWARD!" The journey began as the boats glided across the water.

Meanwhile, Felix observed the other students in the boat, trying to discern the differences between muggle-born and non-muggle-born wizards. Suddenly, he noticed two familiar figures—a boy and a girl. Sensing his gaze, the girl turned around, smiled, and started waving her hand. However, the boy beside her shot Felix a death glare, protective like a mother cat guarding her kitten.

"Wow, you've got a girlfriend already? That was fast," Sirius teased sarcastically.

"She's not my girlfriend. She's just a weirdly overfriendly girl named Lily," Felix explained.

"Well, she is beautiful. I think you're the weird one. But why did the boy next to her glare at you like that?" James inquired.

"He's Severus, her childhood friend. I think he's just overprotective," replied Felix.

After a while, they reached the dock and were greeted by Professors McGonagall and Slughorn. McGonagall introduced herself as their professor, while Slughorn, a middle-aged man who seemed interested in finding gold, accompanied her.

"Welcome, students. I'm Professor McGonagall, and this is Professor Slughorn. We will take you to the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony," McGonagall announced, and they began to walk.

Unable to contain himself, Felix walked up to McGonagall and asked, "Professor, I have a question."

"Ask away, Mr. Scarletwound," McGonagall responded.

"Does the house we're sorted into affect our studies? Is there a difference in the way you teach students from different houses?" Felix inquired.

"No, every student is the same. I will help any student who wants to learn," assured McGonagall.

"Don't worry, Mr. Scarletwound. You can ask me if you don't understand anything in my class. Your house doesn't matter," added Slughorn, attempting to establish a good rapport in case Felix turned out to be a genius.

"Professor, what do you teach?" Felix asked.

"Potions," Slughorn proudly announced.

"Ah, I see. Professor, over the past few months, I had some questions about Transfiguration, but I wasn't sure if I could send you a letter, so I wrote them down instead," Felix said, turning back to McGonagall, completely ignoring Slughorn as if he didn't exist.

Observing Felix's interaction with Slughorn, McGonagall gained a better understanding of Felix's love for Transfiguration, making her more willing to help him.

"You can write to me at any time you want. I'm happy to help. But you'll have to wait until tomorrow after the sorting ceremony," McGonagall informed him as they entered a grand dining hall with a starry ceiling and four long tables filled with students.

The headmaster announced the start of the sorting ceremony, and a peculiar-looking hat began to sing, capturing Felix's attention. McGonagall started calling out students' names, placing the hat on their heads, and the hat shouted the name of the house. Watching this, Felix became even more intrigued by the hat. Finally, it was his turn.

"Felix Scarletwound!"

Felix stepped forward, sat on the chair, and as soon as the hat touched his head, he heard a voice inside his head.

"Hmm. Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. A great mind. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes—and a huge thirst for knowledge. Now, that's interesting. So, where shall I put you?"

"Hello, Mr. Hat. I have a question," Felix politely asked in his head.

"What? What do you want? Do you have any preferences?" the hat interrupted.

"No, I don't care about the house. I'm more interested in you. Are you a living being, a magical tool, or a spell?" Felix inquired.

"Well, that's a first. Nobody has ever asked about me. I'll answer your question. I don't know what I am or how I was created. All I know is that I've been around for almost a thousand years," the hat responded.

"Don't worry about it. I don't know my parents either, but I have more questions. Can I ask you?" Felix continued.

"You can ask as much as you want," the hat agreed, feeling a chill as soon as it finished speaking.

After two minutes...

After three minutes...

After five minutes...

The hall grew increasingly quiet as more time passed. At the ten-minute mark, everyone stared at Felix with a mix of confusion and intrigue. Whispers filled the air.

"Is the hat broken?"

"But he still has his eyes closed!"

However, no one noticed the headmaster's gaze, filled with both interest and concern.

McGonagall approached Felix to check on him. "Mr. Scarletwound, are you okay?"

"What? Ah, Professor, just a few more minutes, please," Felix opened his eyes briefly before closing them again.

McGonagall hesitated for a moment and then did something unprecedented in Hogwarts history—she took off the hat before the sorting was complete.

"Finally, I'm saved! Thank you, thank you for saving my life," the hat expressed its gratitude.

Felix opened his eyes once more, feeling annoyed at being interrupted for the second time. He looked at the hat and asked politely, "Mr. Hat, I still have 138 questions. They'll end quickly, don't worry. Come back."

Upon hearing Felix's tone, the hat began to panic. "No! Get away from me, Mr. Endless Questions!" It turned to McGonagall, begging, "Please, help me. Don't let him wear me again."

Suddenly, a voice echoed through the hall, "Mr. Scarletwound, my office now."

Everyone turned to see that the headmaster had already disappeared.

Under the watchful eyes of the students and professors, McGonagall escorted Felix toward the headmaster's office, entrusting the hat to Slughorn to finish the sorting ceremony.

"We just witnessed something that will be written in Hogwarts history," one of the Gryffindor students exclaimed.

"Humph! He's just another troublemaker. He made his house lose points before he even got sorted," a Ravenclaw remarked.

"That's what muggle-born wizards are, just a bunch of losers," a proud Slytherin declared.