Hagrid turned around, and his massive figure brought a sense of oppression to the students. His voice boomed like thunder: "Right then, kids, wait patiently right here before the feast begins! In a moment, the Sorting Hat will decide which House you belong to."
Then Hagrid's gaze swept over the crowd, finally resting on Allie and Harry. He smiled faintly, then winked at them to show his encouragement: "Good luck to you!"
At that moment, a boy with platinum-blond hair stepped out from the crowd, an arrogant smile on his face: "It turns out what they were saying is true! The famous Harry Potter is on the same train as us."
The boy extended a hand. "I'm Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."
Whispers broke out in the crowd.
Ron let out a snort of derision for reasons unknown.
Draco immediately glared back at him. "Judging by your hair... and those ragged second-hand robes, I can tell you're from that Weasley family with more children than they can afford to feed... Feeling pleased with yourself, are you?"
He caught sight of a girl whose name he had been wanting to ask, though for some reason she was hanging around with the Weasleys.
He knew the Weasleys had a daughter, but she was a year younger than the rest of them and shouldn't be coming to Hogwarts this year.
Draco walked straight up to the girl, leaned over slightly, and asked, "Beautiful young lady, might I ask what your name is?" A hint of eagerness laced his tone.
He had already missed his chance with this girl twice.
Harry instinctively stepped forward to block Malfoy's view. Just as he was about to speak, the heavy doors suddenly swung open, and everyone fell silent, looking toward the entrance with eager anticipation.
Professor McGonagall walked out. She wore an elegant dark green dress under a black cloak, looking thoroughly dignified. She swept her gaze over the students in the room, then said in a calm, firm voice: "I suppose the gentlemen can wait a little while before making the acquaintance of the pretty young ladies. Now, please follow me inside, and the Sorting Hat will choose the proper House for each of you based on your character and talents."
With that, she turned and strode out of the room, leaving behind a group of curious and nervous first-years. Harry glanced at Ron and Hermione beside him, both of whom wore the same expression. Then he looked back at Allie, finding her gazing quietly at him with a tenderness and encouragement shining in her eyes. Harry took a deep breath and, mustering his courage, followed the other students into the Great Hall.
The ceiling of the Great Hall showed a starry night sky, with stars twinkling faintly as if one were standing right out in the cosmos. The sky looked so real that one could not help but marvel at the wonder of magic. Standing nearby, Hermione excitedly explained to everyone: "It's all done by magic! I read about it in *Hogwarts: A History*." Her voice was filled with awe and wonder, clearly captivated by the sight before her.
A little lower down floated countless candles, gently swaying in a breeze. Their flickering light resembled stars in the night sky, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.
Beneath the candles hung the House banners, each featuring a large letter H as the background, followed by:
Gryffindor House, featuring a lion, with red and gold as its representative colors, signifying courage.
Ravenclaw House, featuring an eagle, with blue and bronze as its representative colors, signifying wisdom.
Hufflepuff House, featuring a badger, with yellow and black as its representative colors, signifying loyalty.
Slytherin House, featuring a snake, with green and silver as its representative colors, signifying shrewdness.
Below the banners stood the four long House tables, with the teachers' table occupying the very front row.
Allie had also learned a great deal about school history from Percy's bookshelves.
Dumbledore stood up from his seat. "Welcome to Hogwarts! I have a few words to say before the sorting ceremony begins."
Dumbledore walked a little further forward. "Any student is strictly forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest. In addition, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the corridor on the right-hand side on the fourth floor is out of bounds. If you do not want to die a most painful death, do not set foot there... Your conduct will affect your House points, which will be tallied at the end of the term, and the winning House will be awarded the House Cup!"
Professor McGonagall placed an old, battered wizard's hat upon a three-legged stool. "Now, first-years, when I call your names, step forward, and the Sorting Hat will determine your House, which will become your second home."
The Sorting Hat looked as though it had been around for a very long time; the creases on it formed the shape of a face, and it began to sing, chanting of its own capabilities and of the history and spirit of the four Houses.
To the young witches and wizards, this was entirely novel and fascinating.
Soon, after the slightly raspy song of the Sorting Hat came to an end, Professor McGonagall stepped up to the podium holding a long roll of parchment, which evidently contained the names of the first-years.
"Whosever name I call now shall step up, place this hat upon their head, sit down on the stool, and await the Sorting Hat's decision," Professor McGonagall said severely.
Those who were called up were undoubtedly nervous.
Before climbing the dais, Hermione took a nervous, deep breath, her hands clenched tightly into fists as if she were pumping herself up.
When the hat cried out "Gryffindor!", she dashed joyfully toward the Gryffindor table.
And Ron, usually so carefree, felt an unprecedented wave of pressure at that moment. He sat on the stool, squirming constantly to try and ease his inner tension. When the Sorting Hat shouted "Gryffindor!", Ron finally let out a long breath, a proud look spreading across his face.
Whenever the hat called out the name of a House, the students of that corresponding House would stand up and applaud in welcome.
The most amusing part was Neville. After learning he had been sorted into Gryffindor, he happily scampered down from the stage, taking the Sorting Hat with him, and only turned back with a blushing face to return the hat when he heard everyone laughing.
"Draco Malfoy."
Allie looked toward Draco not far away. Draco glanced back at Allie before going up to the stage, though he didn't look particularly pleased.
The moment the Sorting Hat made contact with Draco's hair, it shouted loudly, "Slytherin!"
"Harry Potter."
When that name was spoken, the entire room fell extraordinarily quiet.
Everyone seemed eager to hear which House this famous boy would be sorted into.
During her two years with the Weasley family, Allie had fully realized just how "magical" her brother was in the wizarding world; he was practically an incredible existence...
Allie patted the nervous Harry reassuringly. "Don't worry, brother, just follow your heart's decision."
"I will, Allie..." Harry walked up with a beating heart.
After the hat deliberated for a moment, her brother was sorted into Gryffindor, and Allie joined the Gryffindor students in celebrating and applauding.
After that, one by one, people were sorted into different Houses.
In the end, only Allie and Theodore remained.