Chapter 17 Is this the only hat?
The new students, in pairs, followed Professor McGonagallinto a magnificent Great Hall.
The Great Hall's walls were adorned with small fireplaces, and countless candles hung from the ceiling, illuminating the space brightly.
All the older students sat around four long tables representing their respective Houses; in front of each table was an empty section, presumably reserved for the new students about to join their Houses.
"It's quite beautiful," Aaron said, looking up at the ceiling, which depicted a night sky, much like the one he had seen by the Black Lake.
"This is enchanted; I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione said.
Aaron paused, then gave her a thumbs-up. "You're even more knowledgeable than I thought. I don't think any other new student besides you would notice these details.
Hermione, if I may ask, when you read a book, do you also look into the author's biography?"
"How did you know?" Hermione looked very surprised.
Aaron rolled his eyes. "I guessed. But are you sure you don't want to go to Ravenclaw? I think that's the most suitable place for you. You'd make a lot of like-minded friends, and you'd definitely be the most outstanding student among them."
"This..." Hermione hesitated. "We'll see! Sorting isn't decided by the students, after all."
"That's true," Aaron shrugged, saying no more, but it was clear the girl still wanted to go to Gryffindor.
Professor McGonagall led everyone to a raised platform. In the center of the platform was Albus Dumbledore; his long white beard made him impossible to miss. To his left and right were teachers from various subjects, as well as staff members like Hagrid.
In the center of the steps was a stool, and on the stool sat a tattered, old, pointed hat, covered in numerous patches, with a thick layer of dust obscuring its original color.
"Is this the Sorting Hat? It's not what I imagined!" Aaronsaid, sounding a bit conflicted. The thought of wearing this shabby hat later made him feel particularly disgusted.
The main thing was that their House assignment seemed to be decided by such a hat. Was that reliable?
Although its dilapidated state showed it was an ancient magic item, relying on it to decide the new students' fate for the next seven years felt somewhat absurd.
The Hat on the stool seemed to hear Aaron's murmur, wrinkling into a face and giving him a defiant smile.
It wasn't the first time it had met a new student like Aaron, but those who were meant to wear it still had to wear it; there was no escaping it.
"Hey! My temper is flaring," Aaron retorted, glaring back at it.
The wrinkles on the Sorting Hat's'smiling face' deepened. 'I just love it when you dislike me but can't do anything about it.'
"Please wait here for a moment," Professor McGonagall said. "Before the ceremony begins, Professor Dumbledore has a few words for everyone."
The white-haired old man in the main seat stood up and said, "I have a few opening-of-term announcements. First-year students, please pay attention: all students are strictly forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest.
Additionally, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the corridor on the third floor, the one on the right, is also forbidden. Do not go there unless you wish to die a most painful death."
Aaron looked in the direction of Dumbledore's right hand, where a tall, thin, balding old man with gloomy eyes was staring at them, as if waiting for them to make a mistake.
At his feet was a black and white cat, which also looked somewhat fierce.
After Dumbledore finished speaking, Professor McGonagallpicked up a long piece of parchment. "Next, I will call out names. The student whose name is called will come forward, and I will place the Sorting Hat on your head to determine your House."
"Wait," Aaron took a step forward. "Professor McGonagall, I'd like to ask if Hogwarts only has this one Sorting Hat?
Can't we get a different one? After all, it's quite frighteningly dirty, which isn't very friendly to someone like me who prefers cleanliness."
After Aaron spoke, a burst of laughter erupted in the Great Hall.
Professor McGonagall was momentarily stunned, then said with some regret, "There is only this one Sorting Hat."
"Then can we wash it? I could grudgingly accept it then," Aaron said.
At this, the Sorting Hat couldn't take it anymore. It spoke directly, "I can't accept that, so don't even think about it."
"I'm asking the Professor. Isn't it a bit impolite for you, a hat, to suddenly interrupt?
A prop is always a prop. Don't put yourself in too high a position; it will make you lose self-awareness," Aaron said coldly, then turned his gaze to Professor McGonagall. "Professor, is it possible?"
"Ah, this..." Professor McGonagall couldn't help but look at Dumbledore in the main seat, but found him saying nothing, and for a moment, she didn't know how to answer.
"Alright, Professor, I understand." Aaron didn't press her further, sighing deeply. "Please continue with the Sorting Ceremony!"
"Very well," Professor McGonagall gave Aaron a deep look, then began calling names.
"Hannah Abbott!"
A rosy-cheeked little girl nervously sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Let me see," the Sorting Hat mumbled for a moment, then suddenly declared, "I know, Hufflepuff!"
The older students at the right-hand table applauded, cheering for their new House member. Hannah quickly ran to the empty seat at the Hufflepuff table.
"Susan Bones!" Professor McGonagall called out the second name.
"Hufflepuff!" the Sorting Hat said readily, much faster than the first.
"Terry Boot!"
"Ravenclaw!"
... The Sorting Ceremony continued. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin all recruited a good number of new students, and cheers occasionally erupted from the four long dining tables below.
Ron also lived up to the expectations of his parents and brothers, successfully sorted into Gryffindor, as did Hermione.
It's worth mentioning that when it was Draco Malfoy's turn, the Sorting Hat gave its verdict as soon as it touched his hair, as if he was born for that House.
Another ten minutes or so passed, and only Harry Potterand Aaron Gaius remained standing in front of the platform.
"Harry Potter!"
When Professor McGonagall called out this legendary name, the entire Great Hall fell silent.
Students at the four long tables below began to whisper, and those seated further back craned their necks, hoping to get a clear look at him.
Even Dumbledore, seated at the head table, subtly straightened his posture, looking at the boy with the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead with an expectant gaze.
"Don't be nervous. Just follow your heart's desire," Aaronsaid. "Though it might not be of much use."
"Thank you!" Harry slowly walked forward and sat on the chair.
"Hmm... difficult! This is really too difficult," the Sorting Hatsaid, then began its analysis. "I see you have great courage, and your heart isn't bad. You're talented and extremely eager to prove yourself.
But where to put you?"
The Sorting Hat's pointed top drooped, swaying back and forth, appearing particularly conflicted.
"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin..." Harry closed his eyes, muttering repeatedly, afraid that the Hat would sort him into the House he least wanted.
Aaron watched the scene below with amusement. It was clear that Harry, 'brainwashed' by Hagrid and Ron, instinctively believed he belonged in Gryffindor and was very resistant to Slytherin.
But without his own ideas, the opinions of others would take up a large portion of his future life. However, this was Harry's own choice, and it had little to do with Aaron.
"Not Slytherin, are you sure?" The Sorting Hat naturally heard Harry's murmur. "You could achieve great things there; wisdom is all in your little head.
Slytherin can help you accomplish great deeds, there's no doubt about that."
Harry still hadn't changed his mind, repeatedly muttering 'not Slytherin.'
"Alright! Since you're so determined, then it's... Gryffindor!"
Harry opened his eyes, a look of immense relief on his face as he received the answer he desired.
Because of his great fame, Gryffindor's reaction this time was particularly strong, with applause even louder than before.
Prefect Percy Weasley stood up and shook his hand excitedly, while Fred and George kept clapping and saying, "We've got Potter!"
Most of the teachers and staff at the high table also applauded vigorously, and Dumbledore even raised his goblet to Harry from across the hall.
After a brief moment of thunderous cheers, all eyes fell on Aaron, who was the last one yet to be sorted.