Chapter 11: The Sorting

After receiving a positive response from Silen, Hagrid descended the stone steps and left.

【1】 After receiving Silven's affirmative answer, Hagrid finally walked down the stone steps and left.

Inside the castle on the other side, Harry Potter had been watching this side... or rather, he had been glancing toward Hagrid intermittently throughout the journey, just catching the two whispering at the back of the line.

【2】 In the castle on the other side, Harry Potter had been watching this way the whole time… or rather, he had been glancing toward Hagrid more or less deliberately along the way, and happened to see the two of them whispering at the very back of the line.

For some reason, after Silen entered the castle, Harry instinctively walked over to him.

【3】 He didn't know what came over him, but once Silven walked into the castle, he instinctively went over.

"Excuse me, what were you just talking about?"

【4】 "Excuse me, what were you two just talking about?"

Silen paused, surprised that the Boy Who Lived was so... familiar?

【5】 Silven was taken aback for a moment — he hadn't expected the Boy Who Lived to be so… forward with strangers?

Logically, after Malfoy's provocation, he should have had little goodwill toward pure-blood wizards by now, shouldn't he?

【6】 Logically speaking, after Malfoy's provocation, he shouldn't have much goodwill toward pure-blood wizards right now, right?

"Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it," Harry realized his behavior had been impulsive and stammered, gesturing wildly: "I know Hagrid too—I mean, if you need any help..."

【7】 "Sorry, I didn't mean anything by it." Harry probably realized by now that his behavior was a bit rash; flustered, he gestured wildly as he explained, "I know Hagrid too, I mean, if you need any help…"

"Thanks for the offer, but no help is needed," Silen replied casually. "He just had something broken, and I happen to be able to fix it."

【8】 "Thanks for the offer, but no need." Silven said casually, "It's just that something of his broke, and I happen to be able to fix it."

"Oh, I see. By the way, I'm Harry Potter."

【9】 "I see. By the way, my name's Harry Potter."

"Silen Ollivander. We met in Diagon Alley, but you were focused entirely on your wand back then."

【10】 "Silven Ollivander. We met in Diagon Alley, but your attention was all on the wand back then."

"Really? I'm sorry—I don't remember at all."

【11】 "Was it? Sorry, I really don't remember."

"It's fine. Very few wizards stay calm when they get their first wand."

【12】 "It's fine. Very few wizards can stay calm when they're getting their first wand."

……

【13】 ……

The two chatted casually, drawing attention from others.

【14】 The two chatted idly, but it drew the attention of others.

Malfoy kept glancing over here, his expression changing with every look—fascinating to watch.

【15】 Malfoy glanced over this way every now and then, and every time his expression was different — quite a show.

Why is this fair?

【16】 How is that fair?

We're all pure-blood wizards—why does Potter get to chat with Silen? That's not fair!

【17】 They're all pure-blood wizards, so why is Potter willing to chat with Silven? It's not fair!

Ron felt the same way, though his face showed more wariness than anger.

【18】 Ron felt the same way, except what showed on Ron's face was more wariness.

After what happened earlier, he'd automatically categorized Silen as one of Malfoy's kind—everyone knows the Weasleys and Malfoys have always been at odds.

【19】 After what happened earlier, he instinctively lumped Silven in with Malfoy's sort in his mind — as everyone knew, the Weasleys and Malfoys had never gotten along.

So the more Harry talked to Silen, the more annoyed Ron became.

【20】 So the more Harry talked with Silven, the more unhappy he became.

Fortunately, Professor McGonagall arrived soon after, leading everyone into the Great Hall.

【21】 Fortunately, it wasn't long before Professor McGonagall arrived and led everyone into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was already full, but when McGonagall led the long line of new students in, every eye turned to the newcomers.

【22】 The Great Hall was already full, but when Professor McGonagall led a long line of students in, everyone's gaze still fell on the first-years.

Were they nervous? Most of the new students seemed tense, yet they were also awestruck by the magical sight before them.

【23】 Nervous? Most of the first-years seemed pretty nervous, but at the same time they were amazed by the magical sight before them.

The ceiling was a starry sky.

【24】 The ceiling was actually a starry sky.

A thousand floating candles burned beneath the enchanted ceiling, appearing like another heavens above.

【25】 A thousand burning candles floated beneath the Cast a spell ceiling, looking like another sky of stars.

Around them floated a dozen or so milky-white, human-like figures.

【26】 Around them were a dozen or so milky-white, human-shaped things.

Were those ghosts?

【27】 Were those ghosts?

Several timid students, including Neville, went weak-kneed, stumbling and shuffling awkwardly to the front.

【28】 Including Neville, several of the more timid children went weak in the knees, stumbling and barely managing to shuffle to the front.

Hermione, though better off, was pale, clutching the hem of her robe tightly in both hands.

【29】 Hermione beside them was a little better off, but she too was pale, both hands tightly gripping a corner of her robe.

Ghosts, a singing hat—these things were utterly shattering her eleven years of conventional understanding...

【30】 Ghosts, a singing hat — these things were practically grinding her eleven years of knowledge and beliefs into the dirt over and over…

After what felt like an eternity, the Sorting Hat finished its song, and everyone sat up straight.

【31】 After who knew how long, the Sorting Hat finally finished its song, and the people below sat up straight one after another.

"Now we begin the Sorting. When I call your name, come forward, put on the hat, and sit on the stool."

【32】 "Now we begin the Sorting. When I call your name, put on the hat and sit on the stool."

Professor McGonagall scanned the line of new students.

【33】 Professor McGonagall swept her gaze across the first-years.

"Hannah Abbott!"

【34】 "Hannah Abbott!"

……

【35】 ……

As the line of new students dwindled, Silen suddenly realized—he was still holding Tom.

【36】 As the first-years around him dwindled one by one, Silven suddenly realized something — he was still holding Tom.

Normally, pets are sent to school with luggage, but Tom had chased after a colleague and jumped off the train, forcing Silen to carry him to the castle.

【37】 Normally, pets were supposed to be sent to the school along with the luggage, but Tom had chased a colleague off the train for the sake of food, so Silven had no choice but to carry him into the castle.

But he couldn't possibly bring a cat to the Sorting Ceremony—it would be too conspicuous and look absurd.

【38】 But he couldn't exactly go through the Sorting ceremony holding a cat — it would draw too much attention and look terribly affected.

"Silen Ollivander!"

【39】 "Silven Ollivander!"

McGonagall's voice rang out; with no time to think, Silen let go and dropped Tom onto the floor.

【40】 Professor McGonagall's voice came; there was no time to think of a better plan, so Silven could only let go and drop Tom onto the floor.

"Don't run off," he muttered hastily before walking forward.

【41】 "Don't run off," he reminded hastily, then walked toward the front.

"Look, it's Silen," Hermione said, turning from her seat at the Gryffindor table, where she'd just been sorted.

【42】 "Look, it's Silven." At the Gryffindor table, Hermione, who had only just been sorted over here, turned her head and said.

Sitting beside her was Neville.

【43】 Sitting beside her was Neville.

"I really hope he gets sorted into Gryffindor," Hermione whispered.

【44】 "I really hope he gets sorted into Gryffindor too," Hermione said quietly.

A passing ghost overheard and shook his head. "That's impossible."

【45】 A passing ghost happened to overhear her words and immediately shook his head. "That's not possible."

"Why?" Hermione didn't understand—there were four houses; shouldn't the odds be at least one in four?

【46】 "Why?" Hermione didn't understand — there were four houses, so it should be a one-in-four chance, right? How could it not be possible?

"Because he's an Ollivander," Nearly Headless Nick chuckled. "Ollivanders almost always go to Ravenclaw—they can't possibly be sorted into..."

【47】 "Because he's an Ollivander." Nearly Headless Nick said with a smile. "Most Ollivanders go to Ravenclaw — there's no way he'd be sorted into…"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

【48】 "Gryffindor!"

The Hat's loud declaration cut him off.

【49】 The ghost's words were cut off by the Hat's ringing voice.

The next moment, the Great Hall fell into an odd, suspended silence.

【50】 The next second, the entire Great Hall fell into a very peculiar state.

Some students instinctively clapped, but a small group simply sat frozen, staring in shock.

【51】 Some students instinctively applauded, but a small portion simply sat there, staring at the front in surprise.

Even the professors at the staff table remained motionless, their gazes fixed on the Sorting Hat.

【52】 The professors seated at the front on the teachers' table didn't applaud either, all turning their gazes toward the Sorting Hat.

Gradually, the clapping faded, leaving the hall in an eerie quiet.

【53】 Gradually, the applause faded, and the Hall fell into an eerie silence.

Snape narrowed his eyes; Professor Flitwick rubbed his ears vigorously; even Dumbledore leaned forward unconsciously.

【54】 Snape narrowed his eyes; Professor Flitwick rubbed his ears vigorously; even Dumbledore unconsciously leaned forward.

"Albus..." McGonagall turned to him, as if seeking confirmation.

【55】 "Albus…" Professor McGonagall turned her head, as if wanting to confirm something.

"The Sorting Hat never makes mistakes," Dumbledore said firmly.

【56】 "The Sorting Hat doesn't make mistakes," Dumbledore said, his tone firm.

"It seems the Hat has given us another surprise," Snape drawled, lips curling coldly.

【57】 "It seems the Hat has given us another big surprise." Snape tugged at the corner of his mouth, his tone ice-cold.

"Indeed," Flitwick agreed. "Just like decades ago, when that Black was sorted into Gryffindor."

【58】 "Indeed," Professor Flitwick chimed in. "Just like decades ago, when that Black was sorted into Gryffindor."

"But this is even more extraordinary."

【59】 "Though this time it's even more extreme."

At the center of all eyes, Silen calmly removed the hat and returned it to Professor McGonagall.

【60】 And at the center of everyone's gaze, Silven unhurriedly took off the Hat and handed it back to Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Ollivander, you…"

"I respect the school's Sorting rules, Professor," Silven said, his tone calm. "But may I ask the Sorting Hat one more question? It was so rushed earlier, I forgot."

"…No problem." Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment, then placed the hat back on Silven's head.

"Hm? Why is it you again." That faint voice sounded in his ear once more. "No matter what you say, I won't change my view. You're very suited for Gryffindor."

"No, you misunderstand. I just want to ask you one question." Silven spoke up, not deliberately lowering his voice; many people could hear.

"What question? Go ahead and ask."

"Do you have any wood you particularly like?"

……

Wood?

Everyone who heard this was completely baffled, not understanding what meaning this question held.

Only Dumbledore seemed to have guessed something; the color of his face changed slightly.

He had long heard that the Ollivander family had produced an extraordinary genius wandmaker, one who could twist all manner of unimaginable materials into cores.

It couldn't be… Oh, impossible, what was he thinking — how could a hat possibly be made into a core?

Dumbledore shook his head, thinking Silven must simply be trying to scare the Sorting Hat.

This temperament is not at all Ollivander-like.

By this time, Silven had also calmly walked over to the Gryffindor long table and sat down.

The Sorting continued, as if nothing had happened.

"Next, Harry Potter!"

(End of chapter)