Penalized

The anticipation in the Hogwarts auditorium was palpable as the sorting ceremony approached.

Dumbledore, with his ageless wisdom and warm smile, presided over the proceedings from his seat at the head of the room. His keen eyes, brimming with knowledge, surveyed the eager young wizards gathered before him, while the flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows against the backdrop of the half-moon.

Luke found himself seated among familiar faces at the table, surrounded by Neville, Lee Jordan, and the mischievous Weasley twins. However, Harry and Ron were notably absent, likely off causing mischief and earning the ire of Snape, much to their own detriment.

Harry's reluctance to indulge in any more mischief stemmed from Draco Malfoy's recent revelation, leaving him wary of drawing any unwanted attention. The idea of his own allure sometimes crossed Harry's mind, as evidenced by the unexpected interest shown by Malfoy, Ron, and even Neville.

As Professor McGonagall concluded her introductory remarks, the doors of the auditorium swung open, injecting a burst of energy into the room. Luke's eyes lit up as he spotted Luna among the crowd, her presence bringing a smile to his lips.

"Ginny!" Hermione exclaimed, noticing the troubled expression on the young red-haired witch's face.

George and Fred, the mischievous Weasley twins, couldn't help but tease their sister's obvious concern for Harry. It seemed Ron's silence spoke volumes about his own feelings, a fact that didn't escape their notice.

"Ronald will be devastated," Luke chuckled softly, acknowledging Ron's penchant for getting himself into trouble.

Amidst the playful banter, the sorting ceremony commenced, heralded by the traditional songs of the Sorting Hat. Though some found the tunes unpleasant, they signaled the beginning of another year at Hogwarts, filled with magic, mystery, and the promise of new adventures.

Luke, not one to express appreciation openly, sat in Gryffindor, his heart secretly aligned with Slytherin.

As the Sorting Hat ceremony commenced, each new student received applause from their respective house. Luke, seated in Gryffindor, offered a perfunctory clap as a young wizard was sorted into Slytherin.

"Luna Lovegood to Ravenclaw!" Professor McGonagall's voice echoed throughout the auditorium, reaching Luke's ears with a hint of strain, likely due to an amplifying spell cast to ensure audibility.

Observing Luna approach the stage, Hermione sidled up to Luke, her voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "I've always found Luna's personality rather peculiar."

"She seems to have a fervent belief in nonexistent magical creatures, like those nargles she goes on about," Hermione continued, her tone tinged with doubt.

Luke gently pinched her rosy cheeks in response. "Just because you haven't encountered them doesn't mean they're not real. Remember the name of our group?"

"Fairy Tail!" George chimed in before Hermione could respond, emphasizing the significance of curiosity even in the face of the unknown.

"...!" Hermione sighed in resignation, recognizing the stark contrast between her and Luna's perspectives—one grounded in books, the other in whimsical fantasy.

As Luna approached the Sorting Hat, hesitating before placing it atop her head, it unexpectedly protested. "Hey, not so rough, young witch! Don't try to tear me apart again!"

With Luna sorted into Ravenclaw, attention turned to Ginny Weasley. Fred confidently predicted Gryffindor for his sister, citing family tradition.

With Ginny poised to don the hat, anticipation hung in the air, but before it could touch her head, the Sorting Hat emitted a sharp sound, signaling an unexpected turn of events.

"Gryffindor!" the Sorting Hat declared.

Not surprisingly, George and Fred erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the Great Hall. Ginny, too, wore a radiant smile as she hurried over to Fred's side.

"Has Harry not returned yet?" she asked suspiciously, her brow furrowing with concern.

Fred was momentarily at a loss for words, but he replied helplessly, "Snape hasn't brought him and Ronald back."

Ginny's eyes widened with realization, suddenly remembering that her brother had also disappeared. "Ronald..." she murmured, her heart sinking at the thought of her brother's predicament.

Sipping on his black tea infused with honey, Luke couldn't help but ponder the situation. The sorting ceremony would soon come to an end.

At that moment, Snape, resembling a large bat in his black robe, pushed open the door and entered the hall. His expression remained impassive, devoid of any emotion.

Following behind him were two visibly embarrassed young wizards, one male and one female. It took a moment for Luke to register that the boy was Ronald and the girl... Halle?!

Blinking in disbelief, Luke rubbed his eyes to ensure he wasn't imagining things. Equally astonished was Malfoy, who shot up from the Slytherin table in excitement. However, a cold glare from Snape quickly reminded him to sit back down, albeit reluctantly. Still, Malfoy couldn't resist waving to Harry, his expression filled with surprise.

"Ronald and... Harry?" Professor McGonagall stepped forward, her gaze wavering with uncertainty.

She had encountered this situation before with Halle, where something had evidently gone awry during a transformation spell practice with Ronald, resulting in a day-long reversal. But why was it happening again today?

Dumbledore, seated in the center, observed the scene with a knowing twinkle in his eyes. The resemblance to Lily was uncanny.

As Dumbledore's gaze fell upon him, Snape couldn't help but feel a prickling sense of irritation. He despised that scrutinizing look.

"I know what happened to you two tonight!" Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the tension, her tone stern as she addressed the two young wizards before her. "You both will face consequences for your actions. Fifty points from Gryffindor!"

Despite being Gryffindor's head, Professor McGonagall showed no leniency.

Hermione was taken aback by the severity of the punishment. Losing fifty points at the start of the school year was a heavy blow. "I don't think Halle should be penalized!" a cold voice interjected.

.....

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