The sorting ceremony

The four house tables stretched across the hall. They were filled with older students as they watched the new arrivals with a sense of curiosity. At the far end of the staff table sat Professor Flitwick, Snape and Quirrell. This time however, Quirrell looked different. There was an air of confidence unlike the original Quirrell Adrian remembered from the plot. 

Soon, the sorting hat begins to speak.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see..."

The song to Adrian was quite cringe. It was exactly like described in the books boring and uneventful

The Sorting finally began

"Abbott, Hannah." The blonde, nervous looking girl sat under the hat for only a moment before it shouted, "Hufflepuff!"

"Bones, Susan" also went to Hufflepuff as she received cheers from the yellow clad table."Boot Terry" was sorted into Ravenclaw, and "Bulstrode Millicent" joined Slytherin .

As the names were called, there were a few students who were not in the original plot.

Luciano Varella, a confident boy with dark features and a charming smile, was sorted into Slytherin. Adrian saw Evanna who was sitting with a similar looking girl clapping enthusiastically. Anya Petrov, a petite girl with icy blond hair and sharp blue eyes joined Slytherin. She moved with a regal air that reminded Adrian of certain pureblood families.Hugo Fontaine a boy with dark curls and a French accent went to Hufflepuff and Karl Weiss, a tall German boy with a stoic expression joined the Gryffindors 

Finally, Professor McGonagall called, "Potter, Harry."

The room fell silent as everybody awaited for the saviours sorting.

"Did she say Potter?"

"Harry Potter?"

Adrian watched with curiosity as this scene also played out exactly like it did in the book. Harry sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat barely touching his head before it began speaking.

"Ah, difficult. Very difficult," the hat murmured with a sound loud enough for those closest to hear. "Plenty of courage, I can see. Not a bad mind either and there's talent… oh my goodness! Yes And a thirst to prove yourself. But where to put you?"

Harry sat rigid, as a sense of nervousness tingled within him.

"Not Slytherin, eh?" the hat said, its voice almost teasing. "Are you sure? You could be great, you know. It's all here in your head and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, there's no doubt about that."

"Not Slytherin," Harry whispered.

"Well, if you're sure… better be Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers as Harry made his way to join them, his face showing a mixture of relief and determination.

When Professor McGonagall called, "Blackthorn, Adrian," a murmur spread through the hall.

Adrian approached the stool with calm confidence, though his mind raced. The Blackthorn family name carried weight and his worries regarding his memories being exposed were not unfounded

As the hat settled over his head, it spoke immediately. "Ah, a Blackthorn. You look ambitious, clever, and… complicated. You have the potential to be one of the greatest. Where should I place you ?

"I also see a thirst for understanding and a desire to shape your own destiny," the hat continued. "Ravenclaw would also be a good choice for your however, I do feel like Slytherin fits you more. Your drive is stronger than your knowledge knowledge. You want influence, control and freedom."

Soon, the hat declared, "Slytherin!"

Adrian was glad that the sorting hat could not see his previous memories.

The Slytherin table clapped politely with a few nods of approval. Adrian made his way over and was greeted by his sister and her friend Rebecca Vallera.

The final names were called as every first year was sorted into a house. Adrian noticed a high amount of diversity amongst the students

Yasmin El Amin, an Egyptian girl with striking features and a quiet intensity, joined Ravenclaw.Felix Navarro, a cheerful boy from Spain joined Gryffindor quickly making friends with Weasly Ivana Dragovich, a reserved Serbian girl was sorted into Slytherin and sat next to Adrian at the table.

This made him feel that the plot would not be exactly like the original. He definitely needed to look out for changes

Dumbledore stood up from his seat as he gave his usual welcome speech.

"Welcome! to another year at Hogwarts. Before we begin, a few words: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

The hall erupted into applause and laughter as food appeared on the tables. Platters of roast chicken, potatoes, and vegetables filled every inch of space as the smell made every student's mouth water. 

The feast ended as Dumbledore mentioned the forbidden fourth corridor and quidditch selections before the prefects guided Adrian to the Slytherin common room.

As Adrian entered the dormitory, the prefect started explaining the rules of Slytherin according to which, the prefect of Slytherin was decided based on duels. Snape was the supervisor as Adrian decided to showcase his strength, hoping to get some recognition for his prowess. If he were to ever make an impact, he needed influence and this was the first step to achieve it.

For the Head of the first years, four students decided to participate. Luciano Vallera, Draco Malfoy, Daphne Greengrass and Adrian himself.

The duel was completely random as four of them challenged each other. Luciano challenged Draco and Daphne challenged Adrian. Within a few minutes, both of them won their respective duels as the time for the deciding duel had emerged. 

The Slytherin common room buzzed with anticipation as Adrian Blackthorn and Luciano Varella squared off in the dueling circle.

Luciano moved first as he chanted. "Flipendo!" The jinx shot toward Adrian, who countered it effortlessly with a subtle twist of his wand.

"Rictusempra!" Luciano followed up as the tickling charm zipped through the air. Adrian stepped aside gracefully and mocked Luciano "Is that all you've got?" 

Luciano gritted his teeth. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted as a powerful disarming spell shot towards Adrian. This was Luciano's best spell and his only hope to win the duel. He had so much confidence in this spell that he thought he had won the duel until Adrian countered it mid-flight with "Protego". The shield charm was a spell taught in the fifth grade and it was really impressive that somebody who had just enrolled into Hogwarts knew it.

Adrian's eyes narrowed, his wand whipping forward. "Levicorpus!" Luciano yelped as he was lifted into the air by his ankle, his wand dangling before falling off his hand.

Luciano had lost the duel and he could not believe it.

"You're skilled but you have a long way to go before you catch up," said Adrian before offering a helping hand to Luciano.

Luciano took the offered hand, his expression showcasing a mix of frustration and annoyance. 

"Come on Luciano. Cheer up and don't be a crybaby." Rebecca teased her brother before walking away with Evanna who gave Adrian a thumbs up.

Snape stood there watching the duel in silence. He was shocked, he was shocked beyond belief. He had never seen a student who was so talented and he had to report this to Dumbledore immediately.

"From now on Adrian will be the head for all Slytherin year one's." Snape announced with a sense of authority.

The crowd nodded before they started dispersing. The same dueling process had also occurred for all the other years. Evanna won the duel for the third year and Adrian Pucey won it for the seventh years officially, becoming Slytherin prefect. The day had ended as Adrian had established himself at Hogwarts as the number one amongst his grade.