The Sorting Hat's Surprise

Passing through a long corridor, a group of new students, led by Professor McGonagall, arrived at the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Floating candles illuminated the dining hall, and the glimmering golden plates and tall goblets mingled with the ghosts among the students. Above the ceiling dome, thousands of stars slowly rotated in the darkness, emitting a mysterious glow.

Everything was just like in the novels!

Amidst the crowd, Jon looked towards the teacher's platform. In the center of the platform sat a white-bearded old man whose unclear gaze carried a powerful aura. Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts. But if one didn't know his character, it would be difficult to see his kind-hearted nature from his expression. It was also hard to imagine that this stern old man had a lifelong connection with the infamous dark wizard, Gellert Grindelwald.

Next was the tattered hat that was currently singing. It stood on a tall four-legged stool, bellowing in a hoarse voice, tormenting the new students. The dirt stains on its body made Jon feel uncomfortable.

Oh well, endure it and it will pass.

Jon pinched his nose and took two steps back, nearly bumping into the black-haired girl next to him.

Huh? Why does this little girl look so familiar?

Before Jon could remember who the girl was, Professor McGonagall's voice came from the platform.

"Marietta Edgecombe."

A petite girl hurriedly stepped forward from the crowd, almost tripping, and put on the hat amidst the laughter of others.

"Ravenclaw!"

Cheers erupted from the second table on the left. Marietta Edgecombe nervously ran over to join the Ravenclaw students, happily shaking hands with them.

So, this is the girl who betrayed Dumbledore's Army? She probably has no idea of the "achievements" she'll have in the future.

Half of Jon's thoughts were focused on searching for familiar faces, leaving only one ear to listen for names.

Katie Bell was sorted into Gryffindor, and standing up to welcome her were the Weasley twins - their red hair was truly eye-catching. The serious young man with red hair beside them should be Charlie Weasley.

As for Hufflepuff, Jon only saw one familiar face, Cedric Diggory. He sat among the Hufflepuff students and didn't seem out of place, completely different from how he was on the train. Bella was sitting in the Ravenclaw position, smiling at Jon, probably curious to see if he would end up in Gryffindor or Slytherin. Jon couldn't figure out any conflicts between Ravenclaw and Slytherin on this matter.

During the brief eye contact with Bella, Ravenclaw gained another new student - Eddie Carmichael, another familiar name.

Slytherin appeared solemn, with the group of noble-born students maintaining proper table etiquette, sitting up straight. So far, only three new students had joined Slytherin, which wasn't a good sign considering Gryffindor already had seven new students.

Just as he was preparing to enjoy the show, Professor McGonagall called out his name.

"Jon Smith."

There was nothing special about the name. Smith was the most common surname in the British Isles, and Jon was a very ordinary name. Absolutely no feeling of being the center of attention like Harry Potter. It was great.

He walked up to the platform and allowed Professor McGonagall to place the Sorting Hat on his head.

"Wow, it's difficult, very difficult!"

A sharp and thin voice echoed in Jon's ear:

"Strong in magic,

Courageous and not of bad heart,

And with decent talent..." "I want to go to Hufflepuff!"

Jon silently recited in his mind.

"What? Are you sure?" The Sorting Hat's voice sounded incredulous.

"I want to go to Hufflepuff!"

"There's no doubt that you meet all the requirements to be a Hufflepuff student, but I don't think it's a very good choice..."

"I want to go to Hufflepuff!"

"Don't you have any other thoughts?" The Sorting Hat grew impatient. "Gryffindor and Slytherin can help you become a powerful wizard..."

"Enough talking. I want to go to Hufflepuff. If you keep blabbering, I'll give you a bath!"

The Sorting Hat hesitated for a moment and finally said, "Very well then, Hufflepuff!"

Jon smiled as he took off the hat and returned it to Professor McGonagall. He walked towards the Hufflepuff table, where cheers erupted. No one found this strange. Like Jon's name, it was only fitting for him to be in the unremarkable and ordinary Hufflepuff house. The only one who seemed slightly surprised was Bella. But she sighed softly without saying anything else.

Jon sat among the Hufflepuff students, shaking hands with a few students around him. Cedric was the only person he knew, so they exchanged a few words. As a genuinely nice person, Cedric knew many people, and every Hufflepuff student was willing to talk to Jon, even without Cedric's presence.

Jon smiled and greeted everyone who greeted him, but there were no further conversations. He acted like he was very hungry, as everyone else was, so nobody found it strange.

One noteworthy thing was that when Professor McGonagall called out the last name, Jon finally remembered who the girl he almost bumped into was. Autumn Zhang, Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory's future girlfriend. Hogwarts was really small.

The flame that Jon had just extinguished in his heart reignited. He decided to quickly eliminate the possibility between Bella and Cedric, and then make Cedric fall in love with Autumn Zhang as soon as possible. He firmly believed that as long as he worked hard as this little butterfly, he could prevent several deaths without any problem.

After Autumn Zhang was sorted into Ravenclaw, Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat and left, while Albus Dumbledore stood up. He looked at the students with a smile, opening his arms towards them. Nothing made him happier than seeing all the students gathered together.

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome, everyone, to a new year at Hogwarts! Before the feast begins, I would like to say a few words. Those words are: Fool! Crybaby! Reject! Squib! Thank you, everyone!"

After he finished speaking, the empty plates on the tables suddenly filled with food, and the hall was filled with laughter and cheers. Perhaps this was a good start?

Jon sliced a piece of pumpkin pie and started enjoying the food in front of him. The Hogwarts house-elves were quite skilled. In the year before Harry Potter enrolled, Jon could have a pleasant learning experience.

It was great.

Jon smiled, raising his glass of watermelon juice and clinking it with Cedric. "Happy new school year!"