Chapter 18: Sorting Hat
In the grand hall, candlelight flickered, and hundreds of faces staring at them resembled pale lanterns. Ghosts mingled among the students, emitting a faint silvery glow.
Looking up, they could see the velvety black ceiling adorned with twinkling starlight.
Alaric heard Hermione whisper: "The ceiling here has been enchanted and it looks like the sky outside. I read about it in "Hogwarts: A History of the School"."
It was hard to believe that there was a ceiling up there, and it was equally difficult to believe that the dining hall was not open to the sky.
Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year students, placing an old and dirty pointy wizard hat on it.
Alaric knew this legendary hat well; it was the Sorting Hat. He began to look forward to the classic scene—the Sorting Hat singing its annual song that changed every year.
Next, the hat started to move. A wide seam appeared around the brim, forming a mouth-like opening. The hat began to sing:
"Oh,you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your tops hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell brave of heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And you won't get in a flap!
You're safe in my hands(though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!!"
The song lasted for about five minutes, and after the Sorting Hat finished singing, the whole hall erupted into applause.
However, Alaric felt that the applause was somewhat insincere; the strange song didn't seem to resonate well with the audience.
The Sorting Hat bowed to the four tables in turn, and then it stopped moving.
The formal Sorting ceremony began.
Professor McGonagall walked a few steps forward, holding a roll of parchment in her hands.
"I will call out your names, and you will put on the hat, sit on the stool, and await your Sorting," she explained. "Hannah Abbott!"
A rosy-cheeked girl with two golden braids stepped forward. Alaric remembered from the original story that she later married Neville Longbottom.
She stumbled out of the line, put on the hat, which conveniently covered her eyes, and after a brief pause—
"Hufflepuff!" the hat announced.
Applause and cheers erupted from the right table as Hannah Abbott took her seat.
"Susan Bones!"
"Hufflepuff!" the hat declared again. Susan quickly joined Hannah.
"Terry Boot!"
"Ravenclaw!"
The Sorting continued.
"Hermione Granger."
After a few names, it was Hermione's turn. She practically ran to the stool, looking back anxiously.
Alaric smiled, nodded at her, and she felt a bit relieved. She quickly placed the hat on her head.
This time, instead of immediately announcing the house, the Sorting Hat seemed to hesitate for two or three seconds before reluctantly declaring, "Ravenclaw."
Alaric applauded excitedly. Not only was he happy that Hermione was sorted into Ravenclaw, but it also indicated that the "plot" was not unchangeable and might suggest that the "destiny" represented by the plot may not even exist.
The students at the second table on the left cheered and clapped. Cho Chang and Marietta stood up to welcome Hermione into their group.
The Sorting Hat continued to call names, and the crowd gradually diminished.
When it was Neville's turn, the boy ran to Gryffindor with his hat on, completely forgetting to take it off, which caused quite a joke.
Finally—
"Alaric."
This name attracted the attention of the wizard kids. Alaric walked out confidently, drawing the gaze of the students—especially the girls—who marveled at his handsome appearance and the stylish Mage's Association uniform, different from the plain and dark cloaks of other wizard kids.
Among them, it caused countless exclamations and discussions. The boys wanted to know where such a beautiful cloak came from, while the girls wanted to know who such a handsome guy was.
Alaric held the Sorting Hat in his hands, feeling its slimy texture, realizing how dirty it was. Combined with the unpleasant smell emanating from it, he felt as if he were holding a rotting orange, he wanted to throw it out immediately.
Suppressing his disgust, Alaric put on the Sorting Hat.
As soon as it touched his head, the hat exclaimed loudly, startling everyone at Hogwarts.
"This is strange. It's the first time I can't see a newcomer's thoughts." The hat's voice echoed in Alaric's mind. "In your mind, I only see a world of chaos and constant change. What have you done?"
"I don't know either," Alaric replied playfully in his mind.
But he realized that the experiences and training in the time tunnel had not only granted him unlimited progress in his abilities and natural talent for time and space but also a tough and impenetrable soul.
The Sorting Hat seemed to be at a loss for words, hesitating for two or three seconds before reluctantly uttering, "Ravenclaw."
Alaric, feeling excited, clapped his hands.
Not only was he pleased that he had successfully conveyed the idea of Ravenclaw to the Sorting Hat, but he also felt a sense of liberation—a belief that the plot could be altered and that the so-called "fate" might not be absolute.
The wizard kids at the second table on the left applauded as Alaric confidently walked toward them.
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