Chapter 170 "Butterfly Effect (Part 2)"

Upon hearing Ron's revelation, Harry was left dumbfounded. Clearly, this was the first time Harry had heard such news.Upon hearing Ron's revelation, Harry was left dumbfounded. Clearly, this was the first time Harry had heard such news.

Even Draco, who had stood up with the intention of mocking Ron, found himself silently retaking his seat as he silently stared and wondered why Ron had just said about such things in the open. Ron's argument was undeniably strong; that would even make any Slytherin loyalist like Draco left speechless.

Sensing the sudden drop in atmosphere on the boat, Hermione intervened to break the silence. She pointed ahead and exclaimed, "Look! We're almost there!"

The trio followed Hermione's pointing finger and witnessed the grandeur of Hogwarts Castle emerging before them in the faint starlight.

While the new Hogwarts students were still on the Black Lake, experiencing the chilly wind, Wentworth and his companions had already arrived at Hogwarts in a night-riding carriage.

Upon entering the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Wentworth immediately turned his gaze toward the Professors' table at the front of the auditorium.

Spotting a man with a purple turban, Wentworth felt a twinge of nervousness and strangeness. However, as the face in the teacher's seat became clear, Wentworth was relieved.

Throughout the journey, Wentworth had been anxious, fearing that Quirrell might be affected by the butterfly effect triggered by his presence or that Voldemort wouldn't appear at Hogwarts.

This could mean that his plan to "raise the others and let them take care of my problems" would come to an abrupt end before even starting.

As Wentworth, Cedric, and their companions settled into their seats, the buzz of conversation filled the air, with everyone sharing stories and anecdotes from their holidays. The anticipation for the annual Hogwarts Sorting Ceremony, a traditional event, was palpable.

Guided by Professor McGonagall, the new first-year students made their entrance into the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat ceremony commenced, unfolding in sequence just as documented in the books.

Perhaps influenced by Harry's subconscious choice, he and others awaiting the sorting found themselves standing close to Wentworth's seat.

Harry and Draco, feeling a bit nervous, exchanged greetings with Wentworth.

As the sorting progressed, Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor and Draco into Slytherin.

Walking to the Slytherin table, Draco even approached Harry, saying, "Harry, I still hope you join Slytherin!" With a friendly pat on Harry's shoulder, Draco's words were met with a sudden cry from Harry.

"Harry, what's the matter?" Ron asked, showing concern as he got closer to Harry.

Observing this from a short distance away, Wentworth's voice tinged with excitement whispered, "Let's see how this thing will unfold!"

"What will unfold?" Green, beside Wentworth, inquired with curiosity.

Wentworth, wearing a smile, turned to Green as they observed the unfolding events, particularly Harry and Snape's expressions, "Senior Green, imagine encountering your first love and the son of your nemesis after a long time. How would you greet him?"

"I'd tell him, 'Come on, call Daddy!'" Green replied.

Feeling lost at his own game, Wentworth stared at Green in disbelief before he took a deep breath and turned his face away. Now, his focus is solely on the Professors' table before them.

As Ron received a Gryffindor assignment from the Sorting Hat, it was finally Harry's turn.

Professor McGonagall's mention of Harry Potter's name briefly hushed the entire Hogwarts auditorium, with whispers circulating among the students.

Even the Hogwarts professors engaged in conversation ceased, shifting their attention to Harry Potter.

Watching Harry approach the Sorting Hat, Green who was standing next to Wentworth, softly uttered a prayer, "Please don't be Slytherin! Don't let himself sorted to Slytherin, never!"

Curious with Green's words, Wentworth inquired, "Why not Slytherin?"

With closed eyes, Green responded, "Because I want to win the House Cup again! If Harry Potter joins Slytherin, he'll undoubtedly boost their chances. Please, everything, as long as it's not Slytherin!"

Observing Green's fervent prayer, Wentworth couldn't resist remarking, "Trust me, if you want to win the House Cup again, pray that Harry Potter ends up in Slytherin!"

Green looked at Wentworth with a confused expression as he scratched his head, "Why? Ain't that boy supposed to be a prodigal?"

Beside Wentworth, Cedric expressed regret, saying, "It's unfortunate; Harry Potter probably won't end up in Hufflepuff. He's so pitiful, having lost his parents at such a young age."

Hearing Cedric's remarks, Wentworth cast a peculiar glance at Cedric, silently pondering, "If only you knew that less than a year after you left, your beloved ended up in Harry Potter's arms. Would you still feel the same way?"

Onstage, as the Sorting Hat descended onto Harry Potter's head, Harry closed his eyes and whispered, "It must not be Slytherin! It must not be Slytherin!" Harry keeps repeating the words inside his heart.

Hearing Harry's inner plea, the Sorting Hat couldn't resist asking, "Why not Slytherin? Slytherin could shape you into a skilled wizard!"

After a moment of silence, Harry finally responded firmly, "Because I don't want to belong to the same house as the murderer of my parents!"

Harry's words took the Sorting Hat by surprise.

Nevertheless, acknowledging the weight of this reason, the Sorting Hat declared loudly: "Harry Potter, Gryffindor!"

Upon hearing the Sorting Hat's proclamation, Gryffindor erupted in cheers, with Ron leading the cheers.

Meanwhile, Draco expressed his discontent at the Slytherin table, clapping his hands with frustration.

As he observed Harry making his way toward Gryffindor, Draco whispered reassuringly, "Don't worry, Harry, I won't let those filthy idiots bring you down!"

As the sorting ceremony continued, two new Slytherin students joined Draco at the table.

One of them, a large Slytherin student named Gregory Goyle, reached out his hand and said to Draco, "Hello, Draco Malfoy. My name is Gregory Goyle, and our fathers, Mr. Lucius and mine, had a connection. A pleasure to meet you. This is Vincent Crabbe by my side."

Following the introduction, Vincent Crabbe extended his hand to Draco.

Their intentions were clear - as heirs of the Malfoy family, they sought to align themselves with Draco, recognizing the potential benefits this connection could bring them.

Surprisingly, Draco's response left both Gregory and Vincent confused.

Instead of acknowledging their connection, Draco asked a rather unexpected question: "Can you two cast spells that repair stuff?"

Perplexed, the duo exchanged confused glances, and Vincent finally responded, "I'm sorry, Draco. Neither of us is adept at spell repair. If something's broken, can't you just buy a replacement? Considering the Malfoy family's wealth, there's hardly anything you can't afford!"

Despite Vincent's attempt to please Draco with a smile, Draco remained unresponsive, leaving Vincent with an awkward smile in the end.

Frowning upon his reply, Draco pressed on by asking, "Then, what spells do you two know?"

The two only looked at each other once again before shrugging, "Aren't we supposed to be freshmen? We haven't learned any spells yet..."

Their continued lack of magical prowess prompted Draco to become impatient. He snapped, "Stay away from me! The two of you don't deserve to sit with me!"

Swerving from the original story, this is the branch that made Draco stand out the most in this part of Wentworth's life at Hogwarts. Besides throwing away his pure-blooded ideology that's been planted ever since he was still young, Draco is already affected by the presence of the Muggle-born wizards who managed to show their magical abilities despite still being a freshman.

Who would have thought the catalyst for Draco's change would be Hermione?