Chapter 135: The Sorting Hat Is Never Wrong

Professor McGonagall took Hermione back to the school hospital, and Ivan went into Dumbledore's office alone.

Like last year, the headmaster's office was very interesting. Fawkes, the phoenix, looked at him kindly. A table not far away was full of magical objects, and Ivan had no idea what they were for. The curious silver instruments hummed and emitted small puffs of smoke.

Before entering, Ivan heard voices in the office. It was a discussion about the night's events. Ivan thought it was Dumbledore and Fudge, but when he arrived, he discovered that no one was in the office.

What was talking were the portraits of wizards and witches hanging on the surrounding walls. They were former headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts.

Unfortunately, Ivan didn't see the portraits of the Four Founders among them, or else he might as well ask Gryffindor about his treasure key, the legendary magical object hidden in the Forbidden Forest and what it was.

The old Headmasters and Headmistresses dozed gently in their frames, but Ivan noticed that some of them occasionally secretly opened their eyes, looked at him, and then immediately closed them, for fear of being discovered.

Ivan did not focus on them. He noticed a tattered wizard's hat on the shelf, the Sorting Hat.

He hesitated for a moment. There was always a question he wanted to ask. Now was a unique opportunity to ask it.

He reached over, lifted the hat from its rack and slowly lowered it onto his head. It was too big and slipped over his eyes, just as it had the last time he had put it on.

"Long time no see, Ivan Mason!" A high-pitched voice whispered. "Looks like you've got something on your mind?"

Ivan nodded and said, "Yes, there are things I don't understand. About the selection ceremony, I was curious as to why Peter Pettigrew had been..."

"...assigned to Gryffindor, is that the question?" the hat said softly. "My duty is to sort young wizards into the correct house according to the wishes of the four founders. For over a thousand years, I have seen so many young wizards. Some of them were kind, some ambitious, some talented and others.... but you have to know that during the selection ceremony, in addition to these inherent qualities, the choice of the young wizards is also a crucial factor."

Ivan said, "So, Peter himself asked to enter Gryffindor?"

"That boy wanted to go to Gryffindor and find the courage he never had." The Sorting Hat said, "But really, he didn't need to look for it. The bravery had been buried deep inside him, waiting for him to look into his heart. When he's able to put his head down, he'll find what he's been looking for."

"But he didn't do that. What he did next was not worthy of a Gryffindor," Ivan said.

"Don't doubt it! I'm never wrong. The magic of the four founders allows me to see through people. My job is to assign people to the right house." Said the hat, "However, it doesn't necessarily guarantee that the House is right for him, nor that he won't stray later."

"What about me?" asked Ivan hurriedly. "You didn't ask my opinion at all. You know, I had planned to be in Ravenclaw, but you sorted me into Gryffindor."

"Is that really true? is that what you really wanted?" The patched hat chuckled. "Yes, like Harry Potter, you two aren't particularly easy to sort, but I still stand by my words, I'm never wrong. Gryffindor can help you achieve your dream."

Ivan was stunned! What is his dream, learning more magic? Defeating Voldemort? Or is it to become a great white wizard like Dumbledore?

He was lost in thought. He still wanted to say a few words with the hat, but he heard someone come in. He hastily took it off and put it back in place.

The office door opened and Dumbledore walked in looking heavy.

Ivan greeted, "Professor!"

"Sit down, Ivan!" said Dumbledore, pointing to the desk chair. "I need to speak with you, but it will have to be brief. I don't have much time. Cornelius is waiting for me in the corridor. We have to go to the Ministry of Magic tonight to deal with the werewolf riot and Remus' charges."

Ivan sat down. He gathered his thoughts to make sure none of what he wanted to say was lost, and stored them away using Occlumency.

"First of all, I must ask you, Ivan, is there something you want to tell me?" Dumbledore looked at him closely and his ten slender fingers touched each other. He said softly, "Anything!"

"I have something to tell you, Professor!" Ivan nodded and said slowly. "But before that, let me ask a question. You just found out that Ron was being controlled, didn't you?"

"In fact, in that office, I don't think I'm the only one who has noticed Mr. Weasley's anomaly." Dumbledore said softly, "What he did tonight was very obvious It was as clear as candlelight in the dark!"

"Well, do you know who is controlling him?" said Ivan.

"Although many people think I know everything, But I'm not omniscient as rumored!" Dumbledore sat down in the high chair behind the table; and looked at Ivan with his piercing, light blue eyes. "I have some possible ideas, but I still want to hear your opinion!"

"I suspect Peter Pettigrew took control of Ron!" Ivan looked away, trying not to look at Dumbledore.

Although he was willing to report some things to the headmaster, he didn't want to reveal all the information he had.

"Peter Pettigrew, that really is a surprising answer," Despite his words, Dumbledore didn't seem to be too surprised, as if everything was within his expectations.

"This afternoon, Hermione and I met Sirius Black in Hogsmeade. He told us that Pettigrew sold Harry's parents to Voldemort and that he didn't die. He was an Animagus. Now he's Ron's rat," Ivan said.

"Animagus?! This is important information!" Dumbledore closed his eyes and muttered. "Ivan, your information verifies my conjecture. To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to Peter Pettigrew. It's my fault; I could have prevented that boy from falling into what he did today."

Ivan waited for him to continue, but Dumbledore seemed to fall into his memories and did not speak.