Chapter 18: The Voice of an Angel

The entire Great Hall was silent.

The other years were waiting to watch the show. The new students nervously stared at the dirty and broken hat, as if a troll was about to jump out of it the next second.

Then, the hat suddenly began to twitch. The tip swayed left and right, while the brims rose and fell as if it were dancing.

But the more Kyle looked, the more something felt off.

How should he put it, the choreography was probably designed by someone, and it looked like a certain flatfish that liked to eat its colleagues. It was just a bit stiff, not as smooth as the fish.

Plus, it was also a bit ugly.

The Sorting Hat, perhaps knowing that dancing wasn't its strong suit, quickly opened a mouth-like slit and began to sing.

"I am a hat.

But don't underestimate my appearance.

I was born thousands of years ago.

I've seen the world change.

I've crossed desolate swamps.

And we walked along forest banks.

Come, wear me.

Find the house that suits you best.

If you crave power, Gryffindor, they are brave, just, and bold. They can help you discover the courage hidden in your heart.

Perhaps you will go to Slytherin, they are strong and calm, elegant and self-possessed. Here, you don't need to hide your ambition or your desire for power, because everyone here is like you.

Hufflepuff is honest and loyal, tenacious and truthful. Come, you will find the most trusted companions here.

And Ravenclaw, if you possess extraordinary wisdom and a sharp mind, then don't hesitate, there are your peers here.

Come, wear me.

Don't worry or be afraid.

I will tell you what your heart desires."

The song ended. A thunderous applause erupted, showing that the young wizards in the wizarding world were very polite.

The Sorting Hat bowed to the four tables one by one and then stood still.

...

Although the Sorting Hat's singing was a bit of a mess, the new students understood that the Sorting was simply wearing the hat.

This made many people sigh with relief.

Compared to the rumors they had heard, wearing a hat was ridiculously easy.

It was just a bit dirty, old, and ugly, but it didn't matter. It was only for a moment anyway, and they didn't have to wear it all the time.

Professor McGonagall walked forward quickly, holding a piece of parchment.

"I will call out your name, and when I do, you put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait to be sorted."

Professor McGonagall glanced at the parchment.

"Thomas Albright."

A blonde boy walked forward, head held high, and put on the hat. After a moment...

"Ravenclaw!" the Sorting Hat shouted.

The boy seemed happy as well. After taking off the hat, he eagerly walked toward the Ravenclaw table, the place in the Great Hall where the applause was loudest.

"Marietta Ackmore!"

A little girl happily ran forward, picked up the hat, and put it on.

"Ravenclaw!"

"Oh... amazing!"

The first two new students were both Ravenclaw. This made the little Eagles extremely excited. Their enthusiastic cheers seemed to be about to lift the ceiling.

"Katie Bell!"

This time it was also a little girl. She ran up nervously and quickly put the hat on her head.

Probably because she was so nervous, she put the hat on a bit too forcefully, which caused her whole head to get stuck in the hat. Only her neck remained outside.

"Hahahaha!"

The Great Hall was filled with laughter.

Professor McGonagall sighed and quickly walked over to help her.

"Thanks, Professor McGonagall. I thought I was going to split in two."

The Sorting Hat nodded to Professor McGonagall, "No doubt, Gryffindor!"

On the far left of the Great Hall, a loud cheer erupted from the Gryffindor table!

Fred and George even stood on their chairs, excitedly whistling. It was clear they liked this little girl.

Katie Bell ran down, her face red.

The Sorting continued, but to prevent the same thing from happening again, Professor McGonagall decided it was better for her to host the ceremony. So, she didn't step back as before, but stood behind the four-legged stool, holding the Sorting Hat in one hand and the parchment in the other.

"Cho Chang."

An Asian girl slowly walked to the four-legged stool and sat down. Professor McGonagall stood behind her and gently placed the hat on her head.

"Ravenclaw!"

"Oh!!"

As the Sorting Hat called out the same house for the third time, the little Eagles went completely crazy. Someone stood on a chair and danced a clumsy dance in front of the whole school. Someone picked up a decorative flower from the table and excitedly threw it at the ceiling.

They abandoned their usual pride in calmness and cheered wildly.

"Three, the Sorting has just begun, and we already have three new students!"

"Ravenclaw, this year we will rise!"

...

The professors on stage didn't stop them. They just watched with smiles. It wasn't until they started throwing plates that Professor McGonagall stood up with a stern face.

It was highly effective.

Seeing Professor McGonagall, the little Eagles were like a bucket of cold water was thrown on them. They immediately calmed down, transforming from eagles into quails. They sat back down at the table obediently.

Professor McGonagall's face finally relaxed a bit. She looked back at the parchment.

"Omid flower"

...

"Slytherin!"

...

The line of new students was getting shorter.

Kyle stood in the crowd, patiently waiting for his name. But for some reason, he felt a prickly sensation on his back, as if someone was constantly poking him with needles.

Kyle subconsciously turned his head and saw Kanna staring at him angrily, her face flushed red.

But this was different from before. This time, she was angry.

The originally shy little girl was like a different person. Her white teeth were gritted together as if she could pounce on him and bite him at any moment.

"Ahem... oh, the weather is so nice."

Kyle dryly laughed a couple of times, pretending to not see anything. He calmly turned his head back.

Then, he quietly moved his feet and inconspicuously pushed forward, trying to stay as far away from Kanna as possible.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. There was only so much space here, and there weren't many people. There was nowhere to hide. No matter where he went, Kanna could see him.

The feeling of a needle in his back never disappeared.

Fortunately, at that moment, a voice suddenly came.

"Kyle Chopper!"

For the first time, Kyle felt that Professor McGonagall's voice was so melodious, like a heavenly sound, like an angel bringing redemption.

Honestly, if he could choose another headmaster, he would choose Professor McGonagall.