Chapter 31: The Sorting Hat

In the lounge beside the Great Hall, the first-years waited for Professor McGonagall’s return, many having already accepted their fate regarding the exam.

After all, one might panic before an exam if unprepared, but knowing most others were unprepared made giving up a collective joy.

“How many times do I have to tell Itachi to be quiet?” Professor McGonagall stood at the doorway, staring at the students in the lounge like a homeroom teacher.

Shadows from the past rose in his mind, making Chu Yang, usually calm and composed, shudder violently.

“Line up now, all of Itachi. We’re heading to the Great Hall for your Sorting Ceremony.”

Under Professor McGonagall’s sharp gaze, the first-years sprang to their feet.

They quickly formed a line and followed her obediently.

Professor McGonagall led the first-years out the side door and toward the main entrance; as they approached, the doors opened automatically, and they stepped into the magnificent hall.

Inside the hall were four long tables, each occupied by one of the four houses, and at the very front stood a smaller table alone—the faculty’s seat.

Thousands of candles floated in midair above the Great Hall, illuminating it as bright as day.

On either side stood statues, flanked by blazing firepots.

The ceiling was enchanted to resemble the night sky, with occasional stars appearing, creating the illusion of dining under the open heavens.

The first sight of the Great Hall left Chu Yang awestruck, but it was quickly replaced by other thoughts.

“If only they’d replace the candles with adjustable-color-temperature LED lights—candlelight is unstable, blindingly flickering, and drags down the ceiling’s ambiance.”

Magical as it was, Chu Yang, growing increasingly familiar with Hogwarts, felt it was falling behind the Muggle world.

The magical world was like a stubborn old man, clinging to tradition, terrified of change, stagnating with the stench of decay, while the Muggle world had already boarded the train of progress.

Chu Yang knew clearly that within the next twenty years, technology would transform the entire world; if these young wizards made no changes, the balance of power between wizards and Muggles might be utterly reversed.

While lost in thought, Chu Yang suddenly felt someone watching him—he turned to see Albus Dumbledore, seated at the center of the faculty table.

The wisest, most powerful, and most revered wizard in the magical world was studying Chu Yang with curiosity.

Nearby, Herbology Professor Sprout was waving at Chu Yang.

And she kept pointing at herself with her finger.

What did that mean?

Was she telling me to choose Hufflepuff?

Chu Yang stared, utterly baffled.

This panicked Sprout so badly she nearly stood up to shout.

“Ahem.” Dumbledore cleared his throat immediately.

He signaled Sprout to rein herself in; she could only fall silent and sit properly.

But this small incident caught the attention of Professor Snape, seated beside Dumbledore.

His focus had been on Harry Potter…

Besides Snape, Quirinus Quirrell, possessed by Voldemort, was also observing Chu Yang.

More precisely, it was Voldemort within him stirring restlessly.

Before the faculty table sat a four-legged stool, atop which rested a tattered, pointy hat, patched haphazardly.

It was hard to believe this was the Sorting Hat, infused with the thoughts of Hogwarts’ four founders!

As Professor McGonagall led the first-years to the Sorting Hat, the Great Hall fell utterly silent—everyone knew what was coming next.

“Before the Sorting Ceremony begins, Headmaster Dumbledore has a few words for Itachi.”

No sooner had McGonagall finished than the elderly Dumbledore rose to speak; his words were brief, focusing on two points: warning the first-years not to enter the Forbidden Forest or the third-floor corridor on the right.

Chu Yang had no interest in the third-floor corridor on the right—even without Dumbledore’s warning, he had no intention of going there.

But the Forbidden Forest…

That was a prime place to make money; even if Dumbledore himself warned him, even heaven’s king came, he wouldn’t stop Chu Yang.

“When I call your name, step forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and it will decide your house.” Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat, eyes fixed on her list, ready to call names.

“Is it really this simple to get sorted?”

“Where’s the exam, Hermione?”

“Thank heaven, as long as there’s no exam, any sorting’s fine.”

As the first-years whispered among themselves, McGonagall began calling names—the first was Hannah Abbott, future owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

As the old saying goes: the protagonist changes, but Hannah remains constant.

When Chu Yang heard her name, he suddenly recalled this time-honored phrase.

“Hufflepuff!”

Chu Yang was still marveling when he heard Professor McGonagall’s voice.

“Chu Yang!”

Chu Yang took a deep breath and stepped forward from the crowd.

As a transmigrator from another world, Chu Yang felt immense pressure facing the Sorting Hat.

He didn’t know how deeply the Sorting Hat’s Legilimency could reach.

Could it only read surface-level personality traits?

Or could it directly access memories?

Chu Yang had considered avoiding the Sorting Hat altogether—but when he noticed Dumbledore watching him, he abandoned the idea.

Trying to trick the greatest wizard alive was not a wise choice.

A weight settled on his head—he snapped back to awareness—the Sorting Hat was already on him. He could only pray it wasn’t as powerful as he feared.

Meanwhile, the moment the Sorting Hat touched Chu Yang’s head, it sensed nothing—like resting atop a stone.

This startled the hat; in a thousand years, it had never encountered such a thing. Was it malfunctioning from age? Impossible—it had a contract with Hogwarts itself; the Book of Admission and the Pen of Acceptance, those two silent entities, were still intact—how could it break first?

Just as the Sorting Hat prepared to intensify its probe…

It sensed a phantom palace, ethereal and boundless.

A structure grander, more magnificent, more awe-inspiring than Hogwarts itself!

Then, faint shapes began to emerge…

Thrones!

Countless thrones!

When it tried to discern their nature—

Whether broken or intact, each throne erupted with an unstoppable, overwhelming power!

From nearly a hundred thrones, dense silhouettes coalesced!

Those figures suddenly opened their eyes and stared coldly at the Sorting Hat.

In reality, the Sorting Hat let out a horrifying scream!

(End of Chapter)