Chapter 18

The Great Hall fell into a deep silence, with students from other years watching eagerly for entertainment and the first-years staring nervously at the grimy, patched hat, half-expecting a monstrous creature to leap out at any moment.

Suddenly, the hat began to twitch. Its point wiggled back and forth, and the brim undulated as though dancing. Kain couldn't help but feel there was something off about it.

Whoever choreographed this must have a fondness for the flatfish—a creature known for its smooth, flowing movements, though the hat's performance was somewhat more rigid and undeniably less graceful.

Realizing perhaps that dancing was not its forte, the hat soon split open along a seam that resembled a mouth and began to sing:

"I am just an old hat,

But don't judge by what you see.

I've been here since ages past,

Witness to history.

Through wilderness and muddy mires,

By riverbanks and forest fires,

Place me on, don't wait or stall,

I'll find the house where you belong.

If it's power you desire, join brave Gryffindor,

Where daring and nerve can uncover courage at your core.

Maybe Slytherin will be where you thrive,

Where ambitious minds and cunning strive.

Here you need not hide your ambition deep,

For those like you, the secrets it will keep.

Hufflepuff is where the loyal and true,

Find their place, steadfast through and through.

Come and you will find,

The most trustworthy friends aligned.

And Ravenclaw, if wisdom is your quest,

For the clever and the learned, it's the best.

Do not hesitate if intelligence is what you seek,

Amongst these minds, your answers won't be meek.

Come and don this cap,

Fear not, there's no mishap.

I'll tell you where you ought to be,

Just sit down and listen to me."

As the song ended, applause filled the hall. It was clear that young witches and wizards of the magical community were nothing if not polite. The Sorting Hat bowed to each of the four long tables and then fell still.

Despite the somewhat dubious vocal performance of the Sorting Hat, the students quickly understood that their "sorting" involved simply wearing the hat. This realization eased many of their nerves.

Wearing a slightly dirty, old, and admittedly ugly hat was hardly a challenge compared to the wild speculations some had entertained earlier. After all, it was just for a moment, not something they'd have to endure long-term.

Professor McGonagall briskly approached, holding a parchment in her hand. "When I call your name, you will come forward, put on the hat, and sit on the stool to be sorted."

She glanced at her parchment.

"Thomas Ollivander."

A blonde boy confidently strode forward, placed the hat upon his head, and within moments, the hat shouted, "Ravenclaw!"

Pleased, the boy made his way to the Ravenclaw table, which erupted in the loudest cheers.

"Marietta Edgecombe!"

A girl bounded happily to the stool and donned the hat.

"Ravenclaw!"

"Oh... fantastic!"

With two students sorted into Ravenclaw back-to-back, the Ravenclaws were visibly thrilled, their cheers nearly lifting the roof.

"Katie Bell!"

Another girl ran up, her excitement palpable. In her haste, she shoved the hat down too hard, burying her entire head in it, leaving only her neck visible.

The hall burst into laughter.

Professor McGonagall sighed and stepped forward to adjust the hat.

"Thank you, Minerva, I thought I was splitting at the seams," the hat quipped before declaring, "Without a doubt, Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table on the far left exploded into cheers. Fred and George were particularly ecstatic, whistling and applauding vigorously. Katie blushed furiously as she made her way down.

The Sorting continued. To prevent further incidents like Katie's, McGonagall decided to handle the hat herself, standing beside the stool with the hat in one hand and the parchment in the other.

"Cho Chang!"

A girl of Asian descent walked slowly to the stool and sat down. McGonagall, standing behind her, gently placed the hat above her head.

"Ravenclaw!"

"Oh!!"

As the hat announced Ravenclaw for the third time, the Ravenclaws went wild, some standing on benches, others throwing decorative flowers from the tables toward the enchanted ceiling in celebration.

They momentarily forgot their typical calm demeanor, cheering wildly.

"Three new Ravens, and we've barely started!"

"Ravenclaw will rise this year!"

The professors on stage didn't stop them, watching the jubilation with smiles, until plates began to fly. That was when McGonagall sternly stepped forward.

The effect was immediate. The Ravenclaws cooled down as quickly as they had heated up, quietly resuming their seats like chastened quails.

McGonagall's expression softened, and she returned to calling names.

"Amelia Bones!"

…

"Slytherin!"

…

The queue of new students thinned. Kain, patiently waiting for his turn, felt an odd itching on his back as if someone was repeatedly poking him with a needle.

Turning around, he saw Conner staring at him furiously. Unlike her usual shy demeanor, she looked ready to explode in rage, her little teeth grinding audibly.

"Cough, cough... Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?" Kain chuckled nervously, pretending nothing was amiss, and quickly turned back around. He subtly shuffled forward, trying to put some distance between himself and Conner.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much space, and no matter where he moved, Conner's eyes followed.

That uncomfortable feeling didn't dissipate until a familiar voice called out, "Kain Jobber!"

For the first time, Kain thought Professor McGonagall's voice sounded as sweet as an angel's, a saving grace in a tense moment. If he could, he'd vote for her as headmistress.

(End of Chapter)