Chapter 780: Side Story — He's So Cute!!
I fell into deep thought.
Was it because he wanted to fit in?
Or was he trying to make himself look simple and harmless?
I kept thinking about it.
Although I couldn't figure anything out, I did notice one thing.
Up at the staff table, a man who didn't look very friendly was secretly glancing in Darren Potter's direction.
Could that be Snape?
The very Snape who had made me cry so many times?
My brain was already screaming:
Snape! Snape! I love Snape!
But on the surface, I buried my head so low it nearly touched the table.
No matter what happened, staying alive was more important.
Passerby A must survive.
"Poly Flynn!"
Professor McGonagall finally called my name.
I gathered my thoughts and walked toward the Sorting Hat while thinking about what I would eat for dinner.
If there was one thing I had mastered over the years, it was deliberately emptying my mind.
Especially when I wanted to.
Various recipes and food combinations instantly filled my head.
Mr. Sorting Hat was quite an interesting fellow.
He even complimented my appreciation for food.
Then he suggested that I join Gryffindor.
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Fortunately, I had already considered countless possibilities over the years and had prepared for situations like this.
Immediately, I started thinking about how terrible I was at magic and how much I loved Hufflepuff.
The Sorting Hat laughed loudly atop my head.
"Well, child, it seems you truly love Hufflepuff. And Hufflepuff would certainly like a lovable student like you."
"So... Hufflepuff!"
"Thank you! Thank you!"
I was so emotional I almost cried.
At last!
I had made it into the safest House!
I would definitely stick to my ten-year survival plan.
I would definitely live quietly and honestly!
I thought excitedly.
Of course, on the surface, I stumbled while getting off the stool and nearly tripped over my own feet.
I wasn't pretending.
I was genuinely excited, nervous, relieved, and thrilled all at once.
The weight that had pressed down on my chest for days finally disappeared.
I felt alive again.
Hannah was such a good girl.
She pulled me over to sit beside her, acting like a caring older sister, even wiping away my tears.
That almost made me cry again.
Well...
I was just too happy.
Even now, I couldn't calm down.
Thankfully, plenty of other first-years were just as emotional.
My reaction wasn't particularly noticeable.
I remained excited for quite a while.
Only when Professor McGonagall called Harry Potter's name did I finally settle down.
Harry Potter was still quite a cute child.
But honestly?
I'd seen cuter.
The appearance of the transmigrator next door had completely raised my standards.
Even Draco Malfoy, that little white-haired puffball, barely caught my attention anymore.
So Harry Potter looked... fine.
I watched Harry nervously place the Sorting Hat on his head.
I knew he'd spend quite a while talking with it.
I also knew he would end up in Gryffindor and begin his protagonist journey.
Sure enough.
After a long pause, the Sorting Hat finally shouted:
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The Gryffindor table erupted into cheers.
Beside me, Hannah sighed.
"Why couldn't Harry Potter come to Hufflepuff?"
I laughed awkwardly.
Sorry.
If Harry Potter came to Hufflepuff, I'd withdraw from school immediately.
Thank you very much.
Fortunately, he didn't.
"Darren Potter!"
Professor McGonagall finally called the transmigrator's name.
I immediately looked over.
This was my first chance to openly observe him.
Besides, everyone else was looking too.
If I didn't look, I'd be the suspicious one.
The moment I saw him, I was struck once again.
This kid was ridiculously adorable.
How could a child possibly look like that?
My maternal instincts immediately exploded.
I wanted to shout:
Baby! Let Mommy hug you!
Clearly, I wasn't the only one thinking that.
Hannah's eyes were practically sparkling.
"I don't care if Harry Potter didn't come to Hufflepuff. If Darren comes here, I'll give him all the candy my mum bought me!"
Hannah said dreamily.
I wanted to mock her.
Instead, I blurted out:
"He's so cute. If he'd let me hug him once, I'd die happy. Baby Darren, Mommy loves you!"
"Ah! Polly!"
Hannah looked at me in horror.
"Why are you calling him baby? Do you actually want to be his mother?"
I nodded seriously.
"Don't you think he awakens everyone's maternal instincts?"
"But you're a child too!"
"I don't care. I want to be his mother."
Hannah stared at me blankly.
Unable to help myself, I pinched her chubby little face.
This was actually what I wanted to do to Darren Potter.
Unfortunately, I couldn't.
So Hannah became the victim.
Rounding up...
That meant I'd already pinched the transmigrator's face.
Perfect.
Honestly, I had simply lost control for a moment.
I'd been suppressing myself for far too long.
And I was still excited from surviving the Sorting.
Hannah ended up bearing the full force of that excitement.
By the time I calmed down, she looked ready to cry.
Fortunately, she had a good temper and didn't hold it against me.
Or maybe she was too busy watching Darren Potter to care.
I looked over as well.
Darren sat obediently on the stool.
The Sorting Hat covered most of his face, leaving only a small rosy mouth visible.
I figured he'd end up in Gryffindor.
After all, he was a transmigrator.
Surely he wanted to stick close to the protagonist and hug Harry Potter's thigh.
There was no way he wouldn't choose Gryffindor.
Then I was proven completely wrong.
"SLYTHERIN!"
The Sorting Hat shouted.
I nearly froze.
Darren looked stunned as well.
His pale little face turned toward Harry Potter.
His green eyes instantly reddened, filling with tears.
It was devastatingly cute.
If I had a child like that, I would immediately scoop him into my arms and hug him to death.
Then I snapped back to reality.
No.
He wasn't a child.
He was a transmigrator.
Didn't he know the Sorting Hat usually respected the student's wishes?
Or had he asked for Gryffindor and still been rejected?
I carefully observed Darren's expression.
He looked perfectly frightened.
Worried.
Hopeful.
Like a little brother desperately waiting for his older brother to comfort him.
His reaction was exactly what an innocent child would display after being separated from family.
But it wasn't how a transmigrator should react.
If a transmigrator wanted to cling to the protagonist and suddenly got sorted into the rival House, there should be fear.
Worry.
Strategizing.
Planning.
At the very least, some contemplation.
Instead, Darren perfectly portrayed a simple, innocent younger brother.
He was acting.
I was certain.
Whether he had intentionally entered Slytherin or had immediately adjusted his plans after being sorted there, I didn't know.
But one thing was obvious.
This transmigrator's brain worked far better than mine.
I finally relaxed.
At least I didn't need to worry that he was another ordinary person like me...