Chapter 10: The Sorting Ceremony

As the sorting ceremony was about to begin, Earnest noticed that the mood of the professors' was not particularly good.

"Hannah Abbott" shouted McGonagall.

"Hufflepuff!" The sorting hat announced as the sorting ceremony began. Everything went as mentioned in the movies and the books.

....

"Hermione Granger"

After hearing her name, Hermione became tense. She was nervous about what would happen next.

She nervously walked to the stool and sat on it as Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her. She also hoped this studious little witch would get sorted into her house. She was the one who introduced Hermione to the Wizarding world so she also knew how diligent and hard-working this student was.

"Ah, a curious mind, a thirst for knowledge that not many can have. You are also quite brave, both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw are suitable for you. But the lions can help you move further ahead and surpass yourself."

"But I would be alone there, from what I heard, they are not much into academics and are quite reckless and break many school rules." Said Hermione as she tried to find a way to avoid getting sorted into Gryffindor. Not like she was opposed to it but after getting the enlightenment from Earnest, she doesn't want to disappoint her first friend and her best friend.

"Yes child, you guessed it right, but you also yearn for adventure, Gryffindor can give you that but you are also correct, you might feel left out there. But I feel like you are more inclined towards Ravenclaw, so RAVENCLAW!"

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief as she moved towards the Ravenclaw bench. On the way, she took a glance towards Earnest and saw him smiling towards her, which made her blush as she avoided his gaze and sat there wishing for Earnest to get sorted into Ravenclaw.

The ceremony continued and it went without any deviation for the rest of the students. Harry Potter was sorted into Gryffindor. His 'not Slytherin' was loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear it. Dumbledore looked quite distracted, even during Harry's ceremony which made Earnest doubt if this was some AU world.

But the same scar, Snape's constant staring, shivering Quirell, everything was Earnest had predicted, so only Dumbledore's behaviour was odd. But Earnest ignored it as it was time for his sorting.

"Earnest Tonks."

Everyone at the Hufflepuff's table looked at Dora. She was also quite famous in Hogwartz as one of the Troublemakers. But since the Weasley twins came, her title was snatched by them.

"So this is your little brother. I have to say he is quite handsome, or he has the most perfect face I have ever seen. No wonder you are so obsessed with your brother, always talking about him." There was a sparkle in her eyes as one of Dora's friends at the Hufflepuff table said to her. And she was not the only one, almost every female student in the hall was amazed by the stunning looks of the child. Those shiny silver hair with red ends, sparkling golden pupils and that small smile on his face were enough to make their hearts go doki doki.

Not only students but also professors were amazed, such extraordinary appearance, even made Dumbledore focus on this one, not only Dumbledore but also Snape and the Voldemort Jinchuriki focused on Earnest. Dumbledore and Voldemort also noticed the excessive amounts of magic in Earnest's body. As a semi-legendary wizard, their perception was quite strong and they were able to sense the amount of magic in Earnest. It was almost equal to the Professor's level. But both of them didn't focus much as they had more important things to worry about, both were worried about a dangerous man on the loose.

Yes, even Voldemort was worried about Grindlewald. As for Dumbledore, apart from thinking what Grindlewald will do, he also has to worry about that prophecy. But they did mark Earnest for surveillance.

"Oh, a handsome face, yes I can sense excellent qualities and huge mana from you.

Bravery to face any adversary but cunningness and intelligence to deal with any situation, yes ambition to be the strongest, I have sensed this many times but this ambition is not for power but strength, you don't want control but only strength, Godric was like this, but less cunning. You are like a mixture of Gryffindor and Slytherin.

No, not only Gryffindor but also Ravenclaw, yes a thirst for knowledge, a desire to explore the unknown, just like Ravenclaw, and the love, probably for your family.

You, child, are one of the best students Hogwarts ever had, based on your qualities, you embody each of the founders."

"Umm, Mr Sorting Hat, are you seeing my memory to judge my qualities?" asked Earnest as he was still worried that his plans would be known by the hat.

"No child, I was specially made to place the student based on their qualities, not memories, as they can be faked."

"...Ok, so what house are you going to sort me in?"

"Your desire for strength and love trumps everything, so if I have to make a choice, I will place you in Slytherin, which can help you in your journey. And you also seem to have come to the same conclusion as I can feel your approval of the decision, then SLYTHERIN!"

This time Dora and Hermione were the most shocked. How can Earnest go to Slytherin?

Dumbledore was also alarmed. He just moved Earnest's importance up a few places, but still nowhere close to Harry or Grindlewald.

The witches of the three houses also looked a bit sad as if they lost something precious, which made many wizards furious. But Slytherin witches had a sparkle in their eyes.

Voldemort also had a sly smile on his face ... or Quirell's bald head. For him, appearance matters little. What matters is strength and that child has an extraordinary amount of magic. Maybe he can use this child or bring him to his camp.