Chapter 403 "The Sorting Hat Song"

At night, in Hogwarts.

In the decorated side hall, the best magic school in England welcomed so many young wizards from different places. Because the enrollment started early in the morning, the students couldn't take the Hogwarts Express to come to Hogwarts and make friends like before.

The new students who came to Hogwarts early had been in the side hall for over ten hours. But these have long been considered by Professor McGonagall and Sean.

The Honeydukes Candy Shop in Hogsmeade sends all kinds of candies to children who are new to the wizarding world. Mr. Flume and his wife from Honeydukes planned to give it away for free after Sean insisted that the cost would be paid.

Hogwarts also ordered a lot of magical jokes and prank materials from Zonko's. Of course, the new students played with big dung eggs, burping candy, and many more.

Fred and George even sneaked into the side hall after their class. When they found that the new students were playing with the simplest and safest prank toys, the twins expressed their dissatisfaction with Sean.

"That's it? That's all you can give to them? Nothing that would cause big trouble? Come on, we didn't have much interest in this when we were five years old. These little kids are going to go to Hogwarts to become wizards. It's time to introduce them to something that adults would play with."

Sean shrugged, "I think it's more important to arouse their curiosity and interest in magic first, and today is their first day. I don't want to lead a group of children to have their noses bitten off or their tongues burned and see Madam Pomfrey. Anyways, it's probably time for you to go."

These two hooked Sean's shoulders with treacherous smiles on their faces, "Sean, jokes, and pranks are the dream! We can screen out a group of like-minded kids on orientation day. We are two away from graduation. There is still more than a year left, and to skip this moment right before we graduate is something that we would regretfully."

"Maybe you can consider halting your graduation, Mr. Weasley?" A voice sounded from behind the twins.

Fred and George immediately stood up straight, "Professor McGonagall, good evening, and nice to see you here."

Professor McGonagall glanced at the two of them, "If I can see your grades in the OWLs exam resulting in a good score at the end of this semester, I might be happy, and you will be happier too."

"Yes, Professor, I think what you say is correct."

"That's right. Fred and I are going to talk to Sean about the OWLs exam."

"Well said, George. I'm so touched by both of us."

"But we can't slack off, Fred. I think we still need to study hard now. How about going to the library or the hall to read some books?"

"Good idea!"

"See you later, Professor McGonagall! See you later, Sean!"

The two sang together and waved goodbye. Before Professor McGonagall could reprimand them both, they quickly fled the scene. Sean shook his head.

Professor McGonagall stared at the backs of the two and turned to Sean, "Mr. Wallup, how is the situation?"

Sean picked up the parchment in his hand and handed it over.

"As we expected, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang didn't take into account the children in their enrollment range in previous years. It happened that they just wanted to rob Hogwarts. The children there are also easier to be persuaded."

"According to the data, the success rate of the people we send out is very high, and I asked them to give up those children from wizarding families and basically choose the wizards from Muggle families or half-blood families. According to the statistics, the enrollment rate has reached more than 80%. The people from Beauxbaton and Durmstrang have not discovered that we have been doing this."

After listening to Sean, Professor McGonagall finally smiled, "Smart decision and good execution, Mr. Wallip. You have been a great help this time."

Sean shook his head, "You are too polite, Professor McGonagall. As a person from Hogwarts, this is what I should do."

The admiration in Professor McGonagall's eyes became firm when she heard the words, "Another thirty points to Ravenclaw, perhaps. In addition, if you need any questions about Transfiguration, feel free to ask me."

She emphasized pronouncing the words "any" and "feel free".

"I'm thankful for that." Sean smiled.

The two chatted for a while. Professor McGonagall glanced at the students in the side hall, "This seems to be the largest number of students since I joined here."

Sean spread his hands, "Frankly speaking, this may be the largest class in Hogwarts history."

He glanced at the list and the time on the watch, "The new students from other countries have basically been recruited, like Belgium and other countries, which are in the enrollment range like Nurmengard. But Nurmengard is not like the other two schools. They didn't purposely come to the UK to rob students."

Professor McGonagall shook her head helplessly, "Nurmengard in previous years has basically swept new students all over Europe, right?"

Sean nodded, "Yes, the students we grab are basically from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang range, and almost all of them are here. There should be another batch later."

"Huh?"

"Professor, have you forgotten? The children of wizarding families in the UK may still be more willing to wait for the letter from Hogwarts. This is our advantage." Sean said.

Professor McGonagall adjusted his glasses, "I almost forgot. I'm so busy today that I'm not focused."

"I'll need you to come to the sorting ceremony later." Sean said with a smile.

Just as he spoke, the side hall ground spun again, and several kids appeared on the spot with the letter and large suitcases. They are as curious as other children but obviously less confused.

"There they are." Sean said and walked up.

When the last batch of new students came to the side hall through the Portkey, Sean also got the note from the last child.

"The goal has been achieved."

"The last one, huh." Sean said silently and then walked to Professor McGonagall.

"Professor, all our officers have completed their tasks, and all the new students this year should have arrived."

Professor McGonagall nodded with satisfaction, "Thank you, Sean."

Just as she was speaking, the air beside him contorted, and Polis reappeared. The new students were shocked and looked at the house elf curiously. Polis bowed to Professor McGonagall and Sean and turned his big head to Sean.

"Mr. Wallup! Everything you have told Polis to do has been done!" said Polis happily.

"What's the matter?" A little girl asked.

"Food! It's food!" Polis proudly puffed out his chest, "Mr. Wallup, considering that the new students come from many different places, so I asked them to prepare more regional dishes! When the other house elves heard that it was Mr. Wallup's request, they all worked harder! The food is all ready!"

Sean smiled and stretched out his hand, "You're so reliable, Polis. Thank you."

Polis screamed, carefully shook hands with Sean, screamed again, and disappeared in place. The new students next to him looked dumbfounded, and they looked at Sean even more in amazement.

Professor McGonagall suddenly realized, "I forgot about that. Fortunately, you prepared it in advance."

"I'm just reminding them. When they came to deliver meals to the new students, the house elves worked hard." Sean took no credit for it.

Professor McGonagall looked at him with increasing satisfaction. When the last students changed their clothes and walked into the side hall, Professor McGonagall put away his smile and took a step forward.

Professor McGonagall could always silence all the students at once. She just stood there and glanced around. All the new students stood upright, not even daring to breathe loudly.

"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This year's situation is special, so you did not receive the letter during the summer vacation. However, this does not affect your way into the wizarding world."

"The Hogwarts tradition will be the same as usual. The opening dinner will begin. Before going to the Great Hall, you must decide which house. The sorting ceremony is important because when you are in school, the house you will be assigned will be your home at Hogwarts. You will attend classes with other students in the same house, live in the house dormitory together, and spend your spare time together in the common room."

"The houses colleges are..."

Looking at the nervous students, Sean smiled and then quietly exited the side hall. Today's work is over. It's time to go to the hall.

After walking a few steps into the hall, the eyes of other students of all grades were cast over. Sean smiled and waved to them, quickly found Hermione and Daisy, and sat down beside them.

"Oh, it's Mr. Wallup, the person in charge of this year's admissions. Thank you for your hard work." Daisy said sweetly with a smile.

"Thank you for your words, Miss Potter." Sean smiled and knocked her on the head.

Turning his gaze, all the professors were already sitting at the teacher's table, including Dumbledore. He was talking to Professor Flitwick next to him, and he seemed to be in good condition.

The Sorting Hat has been placed on a stool at the front of the aisle in the hall. Its mouth is squirming, and he doesn't know what it is muttering, like a person who is about to review the students it was going to sort.

After waiting for a while, Professor McGonagall led the new students inside. Like the other students, Sean looked at the new students. This seemed to be something that all the old students in all schools loved to do.

"There are so many new students this year." He heard someone beside him whispering.

When the new students stood in two rows, everyone turned their attention to the Sorting Hat.

The Sorting Hat grinned and sang loudly.

"A thousand years or more ago

When I was newly sewn,

There lived four wizards of renown,

Whose names are still well known:

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,

They hatched a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now, each of these four founders

Formed their own house, for each

Did value different virtues

In the ones they had to teach.

By Gryffindor, the bravest were

Prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;

And power-hungry Slytherin

Loved those of great ambition.

While still alive, they did divide

Their favourites from the throng,

Yet how to pick the worthy ones

When they were dead and gone?

Twas Gryffindor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

The founders put some brains in me

So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind

And tell where you belong!"

After the Sorting Hat sang its song, there was no sound left in the hall.