Chapter 4: The sword’s reappearance

Professor Mcgonagall had similar thoughts in her heart. She also agreed with Professor Snape that the ceremony was taking too long, but deep down, she was also intrested whether someone would be able to pull out the Sword. She continued reading the scroll.

"Draco Malfoy"

"Hmph," Draco made a nasal sound. "Watch me pull out the Sword of Gryffindor."

He arrogantly brushed past Ron and made his way to the Sorting Hat. As soon as he was within two feet of the sorting hat, he tried to pick up the Hat, but the Sorting Hat yelled,"SLYTHERIN!!!"

Draco paused,"But I didn~"

"SLYTHERIN!"

"But~"

"Mr.Malfoy. Please sit down." said Professor Mcgonagall.

Draco sat down with the Slytherin's comforting him. Professor McGonagall continued,"Mikasa Burkes."

A beautiful girl, looking asian of descent, walked forward. Her almond colored eyes exhibited wisdom beyond her years. Silky Black hair flowed in cascades, halting just a bit short of her back. A pristine white ribbon was knotted in her hair, adding a touch of elegance to her look. In addition to the standard Hogwarts witch robes, she also donned an obi belt on her waist. With her etherial looks, it almost felt like she stepped right out of a painting.

"Woah," Toby couldn't help but mutter softly.

"Woah? Should I tell this to Cassandra, or Alyssa perhaps." said Penelope, teasing Toby.

"Wait! Why are you threathening to tell to Cassanda and Alyssa?" said a panicking Toby.

"It's an unofficial rumor going around in campus," said Penelope,"People think that the three of you are in a love-triangle relationship."

"Really? Thats intresting to know," said Toby, not taking his eyes off the Sorting Ceremony.

Mikasa sat down gracefully on the stool. The Sorting Hat stayed silent for a long time. Almost three minutes later, the Sorting Hat yelled,"SLYTHERIN!"

Applause could be heard from the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw tables, but surprisingly, Slytherin was silent. They just ignored her. Unperturbed by their lack of enthusiasm, she walked over to the Slytherin Table. Contrary to normal expectations, she chose to walk to Cassandra and ask,"Can I sit here?"

Although Cassandra was surprised, she let Mikasa sit next to her. Going down the list, everyone was met with disappointment as they were unable to pull out The Sword of Gryffindor. Some students like Hermione, Terry, and Justin didn't even try to pull out the Sword but those were rare cases. Ron Weasely could not hold back his disappointment when he failed to pull out the sword. Finally, it was Harry's turn.

Professor Mcgonagall read the next name,"Harry Potter!"

A horrible thought struck Harry, as horrible thoughts always do when you're very nervous.Ron said that everyone expected him to pull out the Sword of Gryffindor. What if he couldn't meet their expectations. Or worse, what if he wasn't chosen at all? What if he just sat there with the hat over his eyes for ages, until Professor McGonagall jerked it off his head and said there had obviously been a mistake and he'd better get back on the train?

Doubts plaguing his mind, he walked up to the Sorting Hat. Closing his eyes, he reached into the Sorting Hat, desperately hoping to pull out the Sword.

Everyone stared with bathed breath. Barring the freshmen, people were hoping to see the familiar ruby studded hilt of the Sword of Gryffindor, but after grasping around for a while, Harry felt nothing. A sinking feeling weighed heavily on Harry's chest. He withdrew his hand and looked around at the disappointed stares all around him. Whispers ensued as those present discussed Harry's failure. Unable to meet their eyes, Harry Potter looked down, causing the whispers to turn into loud discussions.

"QUIET!!!" A loud booming voice came as someone banged the table. The entire Great Hall fell into a pindrop silence. Harry turned, expecting to see that it was Principle Dumbledore who silenced everyone, but to his surprise, it turned out to be a gloomy middle-aged man with greasy hair. He met the eyes of Harry, causing him to turn away from the burning gaze. Harry's eyes met Dumbledore's encouraging eyes which led him to sit down onto the stool.

"Hmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, A my goodness, yes -- and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting. . . So where shall I put you?"

Harry gripped the edges of the stool and thought, 'Anywhere but Slytherin and Gryffindor.'

"Well it seems we've reached an impass," said the voice of the Sorting Hat,"Are you afraid since you've failed to pull the sword, that makes you unworthy?"

Harry nodded nervously.

The Sorting Hat, almost as if seeing into his very soul, spoke in a tone as reassuring him "Remember, my purpose isn't just to choose but to counsel. It is not the Sword that defines your worth, Harry. Your actions, your choices — they determine your path. Where you belong isn't dictated by a single act, but the accumulation of your character. Now, let's decide, shall we?"

The Sorting hat thought for a while,"Certainly, Gryffindor could be your haven, where boldness is cherished, and valor thrives, but you have a great burden on your shoulders. Dark forces are brewing, here in Hogwarts itself. These forces may completely drestroy the balance of the world. Slytherin will give you its loyalty as long as you prove yourself. Morals and friendship are only a distraction for the strong Harry."

Harry mind was plagued with the words of the Sorting Hat. He looked at the Gryffindor table to see Ron who was looking at him hopefully. One look was all it took for him to make a decision.

Harry told the Sorting Hat outloud,"Mr. Sorting Hat, I'm just Harry, an ordinary boy. I don't have any strength that everyone expects from me, but I will do my best to help everyone."

The Sorting Hat sighed,"It seems you've made a decision. In that case, Gryffindor!!!!!"

The Gryffindors burst into applause.Percy the Prefect got up and shook his hand vigorously, while the Weasley twins yelled, "We got Potter! We got Potter!" Harry sat down next to Ron who was excitedly shaking Harry from side to side.

After Zabini Blaise, who was sorted into Slytherin, it was finally Neville Longbottom's turn to be sorted. He fell his way over to the stool, causing a ripple of laughter to course through the Great Hall. A flush of embarrassment colored Neville's cheeks as he fumbled with the Sorting Hat, reaching inside hesitantly while keeping his eyes tightly shut in fear.

The Slytherin table, in particular, erupted in jeers and boos, their ridicule washing over the chubby boy. Among the Slytherins, Draco Malfoy found the situation especially amusing. He had already gathered a small group of first-year students around him, including his loyal henchmen Crabbe and Goyle, his childhood friend Theodore Nott, Daphne Greengrass, and Pansy Parkinson, along with a few other purebloods who were familiar with each other due to their families' frequent social gatherings.

Draco couldn't resist a taunt. He laughed heartily and declared, "Even my family's house elf has a chance of pulling out Gryffindor's Sword." His words were met with chuckles and smirks from his Slytherin companions, not realizing how true Draco's words were.

Similarly, even Penelope stifled a laugh. When Toby looked at her, she shrugged,"Although its bad to laugh at others, you have to admit that he doesn't look like a 'true Gryffindor'."

Had it not been for his knowledge of the books, Toby might have been laughing alongside her, but Toby knew about the underestimated bravery of Neville. He stood up against the Golden trio. despite his fear, he managed to pull out Gryffindor's sword and slay a horcrux. Death Eaters had underestimated this boy several times and they always paid the price. It truly affirmed the quote told by a great man before. He repeated the quote,"A true test of a man's character is revealed not when he is in comfort, but when he is in peril."

Penelope looked away, slightly ashamed of herself.

While this was happening, the Sorting Hat was scanning through the heart of Neville. He saw determination and rigid morals deep within the boy's trauma induced heart, qualifying him as a true Gryffindor in his heart. The Sorting Hat sighed inwardly. If it was up to him, he would have given him the Sword of Gryffindor, but the conditions to withdraw the sword was also 'necessity'. This scenario didn't qualify him to hand out the sword of Gryffindor.

Suddenly, Neville's emotions flooded the Sorting Hat's thoughts. He saw the self-doubt, grief, and loneliness swirling in his heart. 'Perhaps, mused the Sorting Hat,'the glory of drawing out the sword of Gryffindor might just give him a boost.' Making his decision, he let the sword materialise into the hat.

Just when Neville was on the verge of giving up, his fingers brushed against a leather grip. Stunned, Neville froze in disbelief.

Professor Mcgonagall reminded the boy gently,"Mr.Longbottom, proceed with the ceremony."

Neville didn't respond. Frowning, Professor Mcgonagall gently nudged the boy awake. Neville quickly withdrew his hand, trying to cover up the fact, but in his panic, he clumsily dropped the Sorting Hat on the ground.

A resounding CLANG filled the hall as the Sorting Hat tumbled, and to everyone's shock, a sword fell out from its depths. The metallic sounds reverberated as the sword skidded down the small steps before coming to a clattering stop on the stone floor. The Great Hall fell into a stunned silence as they witnessed this unexpected turn of events.

'WHAT!!!'