Chapter 7 : Sorting

Upon hearing screams from the front again, Macka tiptoed forward to see what was happening.

He saw about twenty pearl-white, semi-transparent humanoid apparitions suddenly emerging from the wall on one side. Macka carefully observed them; they were probably a group of ghosts.

They were conversing with each other as they floated lightly above the room. Macka vaguely heard the word "Peeves."

"...Hey, what are you doing here?" a ghost wearing a round, crumpled collar tight suit seemed to have just noticed the first-year students below.

"Oh, newcomers!" another chubby monk smiled at them, "I suppose you're here to take the test?"

Some students nodded silently, and no one spoke.

"I hope you'll be sorted into Hufflepuff!" the monk said, "I used to study in that house."

"Now, move forward," a thin voice beside the monk said, "the sorting ceremony is about to begin."

Professor McGonagall returned, and the ghosts floated gracefully through the opposite wall, disappearing one by one in front of everyone's eyes.

"Now, line up in a single file," Professor McGonagall said to the first-year students, "follow me."

Macka was near the back of the line and followed the other students out of the room after a while—there was no choice; he had been at the back from the beginning.

This was the Hogwarts dining hall. Students from other years were already seated at four long tables, with thousands of candles floating above the tables, illuminating the entire hall.

The four tables were adorned with sparkling golden plates and tall goblets. Seniors watched the newcomers, whispering to each other about who might be sorted into their house and who might not.

At the head of the hall, there was another long table for the teachers. Professor McGonagall led them there, lining them up to face the senior students, while the teachers stood quietly behind them.

The candlelight flickered slightly in the air, casting a pale light on the faces of the senior students. The ghosts seen earlier also shimmered among them with a faint silver light, and everyone's gaze was focused here.

Macka boredly looked up at the magically enchanted ceiling, decorated with countless twinkling stars against a pitch-black background, creating a dreamy illusion in the faint magical mist—he even found a few familiar constellations up there.

"That area has been enchanted to resemble the sky outside. I read about it in 'Hogwarts: A History,'" Macka heard faint voices nearby, likely Hermione.

Professor McGonagall gently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year students, and Macka shifted his gaze from the ceiling to the stool. He saw Professor McGonagall place the Sorting Hat on the stool; the hat was patched up, worn, and dirty. Honestly, just thinking about putting it on his head made him feel uncomfortable.

As soon as the Sorting Hat was placed, the murmurs in the hall immediately fell silent. Everyone knew that the main event was about to begin.

As expected, the hat twitched a few times, and a seam opened and closed like a mouth, and it began to sing.

"You may not find me pretty, but don't judge a book by its cover. If you can find a prettier hat than me, I'll eat myself."

Upon hearing this, Macka's lips twitched.

"You can make your top hats sleek and shiny, your silk hats smooth and crisp, but I'm the magical hat used for testing at Hogwarts, naturally superior to your hats..."

The Sorting Hat continued to sing in an unpleasant tone, but Macka had already turned his gaze back to the ceiling, finding it much more interesting than this.

It wasn't until everyone started applauding that Macka snapped back to reality and joined in the applause. Some overly familiar new students had already started discussing with their classmates.

"Maybe I'll be in Gryffindor," a black-haired boy next to Macka said in a lowered voice, "my dad says I've always been brave. I once swallowed a whole Flobeetle when I was a kid!"

"Are you Bell Greels?" Macka asked with difficulty.

"Who's that? I'm Connor, Michael Connor. You can call me Mike." The boy tilted his head.

They chatted casually, and Macka suddenly heard Professor McGonagall take two steps forward and gently unfold a parchment in her hand.

"I'll call out your names, and you'll put on the hat and sit on the stool, waiting to be sorted," she said, "Hannah Abbot!"

A red-cheeked girl with two golden braids stumbled out of the line and put on the Sorting Hat. The hat was obviously too big for her, covering her eyes in an instant.

Macka watched this impulsive girl and found it quite amusing.

She sat down, and soon, the Sorting Hat elongated its tune and shouted, "Hufflepuff!"

The people at the Hufflepuff table clapped and cheered for Hannah, welcoming her to sit with them. The chubby monk ghost at the end of the table also waved happily at her.

"Susan Bones."

"Hufflepuff!" the hat shouted again. Susan quickly ran to sit next to Hannah.

The sorting continued, and the hat skillfully changed its tune one after another, seemingly pondering these boring matters to pass the time.

Without surprise, the trio of Harry was sorted into Gryffindor, representing bravery and courage; Anthony and Lisa, whom he met on the train, were sorted into Ravenclaw, and Ernie was sorted into Hufflepuff.

The boy Michael, who swallowed the Flobeetle, did not end up in Gryffindor as Macka had thought but was also sorted into Ravenclaw. It was clear that he was a bit reluctant.

"Macka McLain."

Finally, it was his turn. Macka immediately walked forward, hesitated for a moment, and then obediently placed the hat on his head.

"Hmm... you seem quite unwilling?" the Sorting Hat twisted its body, displeased.

"Actually, I'd prefer if you could take a bath," Macka admitted. He guessed that the hat could roughly understand his thoughts, so it was better to be honest.

"Well, I think so too, but I can't go to the bathroom by myself, can I?" the Sorting Hat twisted again and let out a sigh, its tall pointy tip drooping sadly, "But every headmaster never thought of such a thing; they're too busy."

After complaining a bit, it regained its energy and started muttering to itself again.

"Ugh... this is difficult, very difficult," the Sorting Hat said, "logically, you should go to Ravenclaw, where you can absorb the essence of knowledge more fully; but your cleverness and vision would be more thoroughly nurtured in Slytherin..."

"What about Gryffindor and Hufflepuff?" Macka asked curiously.

"Huh? Gryffindor! Do you think that's possible?" the Sorting Hat directly asked in an odd tone.

"Well, actually, that's what I was thinking..." Macka smirked, feeling resigned.

At that moment, the Sorting Hat suddenly turned itself around, rubbed its wide brim with its pointed tip, and then began to consider while speaking, "Hmm, Hufflepuff, yes, that's it, that's right... you should go there, it should be the most correct choice."

With that said, it didn't wait for Macka to respond but shouted loudly, "Hufflepuff!"

Macka, puzzled, placed the hat back on the stool and walked towards the Hufflepuff table, taking his seat amidst the applause of the senior students.

"Welcome! Welcome everyone to another school year at Hogwarts! Before the feast begins, I'd like to say a few words. That is—fools! Crybabies! Scum! Turn!" Macka paused his conversation with a tall senior and looked towards Dumbledore, who was speaking, "Thank you, everyone!"

After Dumbledore sat back down, everyone started clapping.

"What does that mean?" Macka turned to the senior next to him and asked.

"I don't know either; Professor Dumbledore is probably just showing his sense of humor," the senior shrugged, indicating that he also didn't understand, "just go along with it, don't take it too seriously."

At that moment, the empty golden plates on the long table suddenly filled with a plethora of food. Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steaks, boiled potatoes, baked potatoes, potato chips, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, tomato soup, and more filled the tables, making it dizzying to look at.

"What's this again?" Macka reached out and grabbed a plate, "Mint humbugs?"

"Professor Dumbledore has been fond of these lately," the senior explained with a muffled voice as he gnawed on the meat on his plate, "he always shares his favorite sweets and drinks with everyone."

After hearing this, Macka shrugged and pushed the plate of mint humbugs far away.

"Macka, aren't you hungry?" Ernie, not far away, looked at Macka curiously as he slowly put a piece of roast beef into his mouth, unable to help but ask.

"Oh, actually, I haven't eaten much," Macka smiled. Obviously, while ensuring he didn't eat too unattractively, he gambled on speed for efficiency.

"I must say, Ernie, he's maintaining his composure!" another senior, who seemed a bit casual, teased Macka.

"Ah-ha! Busted by the senior! Well, how else could I get the beautiful senior to talk to me! I mean, such a beautiful lady as yourself, senior."

The senior didn't expect to be teased back by Macka, and caught off guard, her cheeks turned red, but she still tried to say, "Oh, that's not bad, you, my little boyfriend, I've booked you, senior!"

"Oh! Charlotte, are you finally ready to get married?" Another girl next to her teased her with a smile, apparently her good friend.

Amidst the cheers of the surrounding students, Charlotte couldn't hold back anymore, quickly lowering her head and picking up a piece of baked potato from her plate, her beautiful face even redder.