CHAPTER 24
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CHAPTER 24
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry rose majestically before Elmi, Harry, and their fellow first-year students. It was a sight to behold, with its massive stone walls and towering turrets that seemed to stretch up into the very sky. Ivy-covered spires twisted around the castle, and the entire structure exuded an air of enchantment that was nearly tangible.
"It's even more incredible than I imagined," Harry whispered to Elmi, who simply nodded in response. The castle's windows sparkled, reflecting the setting sun. The Black Lake, glistening with a fiery orange in the sunlight, added to the grandeur of the scene.
As they made their way inside the castle, their footsteps echoed in the entrance hall, the enchanted ceiling above mirroring the clear, starry night. Elmi's eyes darted in every direction, taking in the rich tapestries, moving staircases, and portraits that seemed to watch their every move. The sheer size and magical aura of the castle were overwhelming, far surpassing anything he had imagined.
The journey to the Great Hall was an experience in itself, guided by Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. They stopped right in front of the giant wooden doors of the Great Hall, and an elderly woman with an emerald robe was standing right in front of them.
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House, stepped forward, her stern expression softened by the warmth in her eyes as she gazed at the assembly of first-year students.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she began, her voice carrying the weight of tradition. "In a few moments, the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head, and you will be sorted into one of our four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin."
Whispers and excited murmurs rippled through the first-years, and Elmi exchanged an enthusiastic glance with Harry. The moment of being sorted into their respective houses was now within reach.
Professor McGonagall continued, "While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will share your triumphs and your failures with your housemates, and as time goes on, you will come to see them as your second family. As for how you are sorted, it is based on your qualities and values, which are most important to you."
Professor McGonagall concluded her speech, "When I call your name, you will come forward, sit on the stool, and I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head. It will then make its decision, and you will join your new house at their table. We will begin in five minutes. Now wait here in silence, and all of you will enter the Great Hall when the doors open."
Elmi felt a mix of anticipation and excitement as the sorting began. His heart raced as each student's name was called, and he couldn't help but wonder which house he would call his own at the end of the ceremony.
As soon as Professor McGonagall left the Great Hall, a slick, blond-haired boy with a smug smile sauntered into the middle of the room. His gray eyes gleamed with mischief as he surveyed the assembly of students. Spotting Ron, who had earlier looked around with a puzzled expression, the blond boy couldn't resist an opportunity for mischief.
He leaned casually against a nearby table, wearing an air of superiority that seemed to match his pristine robes. His tone carried an unmistakable hint of mockery as he addressed Ron.
"Lost something, Weasley? It is like a fish out of water." he laughed at him and continued, "You do not need to show you are a hick that has never seen a great hall before. My father said Weasley was a stain in the name of Sacred Twenty-Eight, and it looks like he is right. Did you never seen anything grand other than the borrow you call home?" Two pudgy boys next to him started to laugh with him.
Ron's face reddened with a mix of embarrassment and irritation, but he couldn't find the words to respond. The other students around them watched, unsure of how to react to the confrontation between the two first-year boys.
Hermione Granger, who had been standing a short distance away, her nose buried in a book, couldn't help but overhear the brewing confrontation. She saw it as her duty to maintain order and ensure that her fellow students followed the rules. With a confident and no-nonsense tone, she interjected herself into the situation.
"Excuse me," Hermione said firmly, closing her book and stepping closer to the two boys. "But I believe it's against the school rules to engage in any fights or disputes in the Great Hall, especially on such an important occasion as the Sorting Ceremony."
Hermione was determined to uphold the standards of behavior at Hogwarts. She continued, "We're here to be sorted into our houses, and we should be the best version of ourselves."
Draco, with an annoyed look, said,
"Who the hell are you, and who asked for your opinion, Miss Now-it-all?"
Hermione talked with an angry voice,
"Name is Hermione Granger and I don't need your permission to talk about the school rules."
"Granger? I have never heard of a wizarding house called Granger. Where do you live in a borrow like this one." He pointed towards Ron,
"No, I live in London."
"Ohh, now I get it. You are a muggle-born."
Elmi could see what was coming and said,
"Do not say it, Malfoy, don't be disgusting!"
"Didn't ask your opinion, Fawley!"
He turned towards Hermione with a smug smile and said,
"So you are a mudbloo..."
This was a perfect chance to put Malfoy in his place, and Elmi was not going to miss it. But what he couldn't guess was the doors to the great hall swung open right at that moment, and Draco flew into the Great Hall, blood springing forth from his nose.
The sudden and dramatic entrance of Draco, accompanied by his bleeding nose, silenced the Great Hall as everyone turned their attention to the unexpected spectacle. Some students gasped in shock, while others exchanged curious glances. Snape's cold and penetrating gaze settled on the unfolding scene, and he didn't seem pleased.
Elmi stood his ground near the fallen Draco, torn between a sense of accomplishment at standing up to the bully and anxiety about the consequences that might follow. He knew it wasn't going to be really serious because Malfoy had given him the best ammunition.
Snape pulled Malfoy from his nape and dragged him into the line as the first years were accepted into the Great Hall. Snape turned towards Elmi and Draco then said,
"I will see both of you after the sorting ceremony." His voice was like ice, and you could see Draco sweating as he stood before him.
...
The Sorting Hat's song echoed through the Great Hall, filling the room with a sense of anticipation. The first-years, including Harry and Elmi, stood in a line, waiting for their turn to be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses. Professor McGonagall stepped forward and unrolled a long parchment with the names of the students. She cleared her throat and began to call out the names one by one.
"Abbott, Hannah," she said, and a nervous-looking girl stepped forward, the Sorting Hat placed on her head.
The Sorting Hat, an old and weathered hat with a fraying brim, came to life. Its wide mouth opened, and it seemed to consider its choice carefully. After a brief moment, it called out, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table erupted into applause as Hannah Abbott hurried over to join her new housemates.
The sorting continued, each student taking their turn. "Bones, Susan," became a Hufflepuff, and "Boot, Terry" joined Ravenclaw. "Corner, Michael" was sorted into Ravenclaw, and "Davis, Tracey" followed suit. As the names were called, the students' expressions ranged from excitement to nervousness.
"Fawley, Fredrick Elminster."
Elmi approached the stool and sat down, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and desires. The Sorting Hat was lowered onto his head, and their silent conversation began.
" Ah, a most interesting case indeed. You possess qualities from various houses, my dear boy. You have a good head and a brave soul and are friendly to those you deem close."
The hat thought about it a bit and said,
"You thirst for knowledge, but it is not for the sake of knowledge alone; you desire knowledge to wield power, to be the best. You aspire to delve into the deepest depths of magic. Hmmm, you have the heart of a Gryffindor, my boy, and the mind of a Ravenclaw. The question is, which house should I place you in?"
Elmi thought about wanting to change the perception of Slytherin.
"I want Slytherin."
"Are you sure?"
Elmi wanted to make a difference in this school and turn this house around and, at the same time, weaken the hold of Voldemort on every possible noble house.
"SLYTHERIN!!"
Slytherin's table erupted into applause and cheers as he joined his new housemates.
"Granger, Hermione!" called Professor McGonagall. Hermione stepped forward confidently, and the Sorting Hat didn't take long to decide. "GRYFFINDOR!" it shouted, and the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers as Hermione joined her new house.
Finally, it was Harry's turn. He approached the stool and sat down, feeling the worn fabric of the Sorting Hat against his head. He could hear the hat's muffled voice as it began to make its decision. After what seemed like an eternity, the Sorting Hat called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Elmi was a bit disappointed; he thought he could maybe change this part a bit, but no matter, he would still be a friend to Harry even if they were in different houses. The Gryffindor table erupted into applause and cheers.