Ch 19: Sorting Hat

Everyone followed Professor McGonagall to the Great Hall. There were four extremely long tables placed in the hall with thousands of students sitting around them. There were fire torches hanging around, and weirdly candles floating in the hall. There was even a night sky on the hall's ceiling. Obviously, Lorion knew that the night sky was nothing more than a spell, but it still looked quite beautiful.

Professor McGonagall stood in front of a stool with a hat placed on it. She then welcomed the Headmaster to speak.

Professor Dumbledore, the old man with beard so long that it could almost be tucked in his belt, stood up. He looked like an amiable old man who can easily be found next door.

Dumbledore announced "Children, I have a few announcements. Firstly, the dark forest is strictly forbidden for all first year students. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bound, to everyone who does not wish to die the most painful death. Thank you"

After the announcements, Dumbledore sat down and Professor McGonagall again declared "When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the shorting hat on your head and you will be shorted into your houses… Hermione Granger."

Soon a little girl went up the stage murmuring something. Professor McGonagall placed an old brown hat on her head. This weird hat had the ability of speech. It just said "right there" a few times and then shouted Gryffindor.  A loud cheer and clapping welcomed Hermione to the Gryffindor table. Professor McGonagall didn't pay any attention to it and continued calling "Draco Malfoy"

Draco, who was beside Lorion, walked up to the stool and sat there. The shorting had didn't even take a second to declare "Slytherin"!

It was Slytherin table's turn to cheer then. McGonagall kept calling "Susan Bones" who was selected in Hufflepuff. Then was "Ronald Weasley" who was of course selected in "Gryffindor"

The next was the savior, Harry Potter. All the four houses stared at the podium and no one made a sound. The shorting hat took some time to decide, perhaps because Harry didn't want to go to Slytherin, and so, he was sent to Gryffindor.

After a few more students, Professor McGonagall finally called "Lorion Gaunt". The surname Gaunt soon flooded the table of Slytherin with whispers.

As the shorting hat was kept on Lorion's head, he heard a murmur "Ravenclaw, absolute Ravenclaw, a child with such a strong curiosity. No, wait, hidden ambitions. Knowledge is only the means necessary for your purpose. Your purpose is not the knowledge itself. Difficult, where to put? "

The hat finally shouted in excitement "Yes, I know where to put you! Slytherin!"

Everyone on the Slytherin table cheered happily. Even Dumbledore took a glance at Lorion as he walked away. Lorion sat beside Draco, who was clearly saving a seat for him.