By the ti Professor McGonagall returned, most of the first-years had already burst into tears, calling out for their parents in a chorus of wails.
Professor McGonagall was utterly bewildered. Her first thought was that Peeves had been up to his usual mischief again. She was about to lose her temper when Audrey stepped forward hesitantly.
"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall…I…I just wanted to joke around with them so I could fit in better. I didn't expect..."
"Did you hit them?"
"No, I just..."
Audrey had never felt this embarrassed in her life. If she were still in Backlund, and word of this got out—Count Hall's daughter, the brightest jewel of Backlund, had bullied a group of children until they cried their eyes out—she wouldn't be able to show her face in high society again!
After hearing her explanation, even Professor McGonagall was at a loss for words. She clapped her hands sharply and said,
"Alright, ladies and gentlen, Miss Hall was rely joking with you all just now. The real Sorting Ceremony is very simple. Now, form a single line and follow ."
The doors of the Great Hall opened as she led the first-years down the centre aisle. Cheers and whistles erupted from both sides as they walked past the older students. When they reached the front, she pulled out a small wooden stool and placed the ancient, ragged Sorting Hat on top.
The Sorting Hat twitched slightly before opening its mouth to sing. Though its song described the values of the four Hogwarts houses and the criteria for Sorting, there was no denying one simple fact—
It was terribly off-key.
After a few minutes of this rather painful performance, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and announced,
"When I call your na, co forward, put on the hat, and sit on the stool to receive your house placent."
She glanced down at the list.
"Hannah Abbott!"
The first to step forward was the little blonde girl with twin braids—the one who had been the most frightened earlier. Her eyes were still red, and she walked hesitantly to the stool, anxiety written all over her face.
The Sorting Hat barely took a mont before shouting,
"Hufflepuff!"
"Susan Bones!"
…
The Sorting Ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion. Each newly sorted student was warmly welcod by their respective housemates as they joined their tables.
Finally,
"Harry Potter."
"Gryffindor!!"
"Woohoo! We got Harry!"
As Harry walked toward the Gryffindor table under the watchful eyes of the entire hall, the last na on the list was called.
"Audrey Hall."
Professor McGonagall led the applause. "Miss Hall is a transfer student this year—let's give her a warm welco!"
Clap! Clap! Clap!
The upper-year boys imdiately went wild, clapping enthusiastically. They hadn't shown much interest in the first-years before, but now they were all eager to know who this beautiful lady was.
Audrey felt slightly awkward. In Backlund, aristocrats were much more reserved. Even when complinting soone, they would never be this direct. But these boys were different—so whistled, while others called out loudly.
Cedric nudged Edward and whispered, "Edward, is that her? rlin's beard, she's stunning! Even more gorgeous than Veela!"
Edward was taken aback. "You've seen Veela before?"
So, you're not as innocent as you look, huh?
Cedric hurriedly waved his hands. "I saw them at the Quidditch World Cup!"
"Hahaha, why are you getting all flustered~?"
Audrey stepped forward, picked up the Sorting Hat, and resisted the urge to cast a Scouring Charm on it before placing it on her head.
"Oho~ Interesting!"
The Sorting Hat spoke in an amused tone after a brief pause.
"Perhaps it's because you're older…Oh, my apologies—I forgot that ladies don't like being reminded of their age."
"You are far more complex than those children. You possess the kindness and righteousness of Hufflepuff, the intelligence and wisdom of Ravenclaw, the bravery and curiosity of Gryffindor, and the lineage—and just a touch of ambition—prized by Slytherin."
"Hmm…let think. Or perhaps…do you have a preference?"
Audrey intertwined her fingers, hesitating before whispering,
"To be honest, although I've read about the history of the four houses, I'm not sure where I belong. Hat—err, Mr. Hat, I'll leave it to your judgnt."
"Oho~ I like that title—Mr. Hat!" The Sorting Hat wriggled, letting out a few odd chuckles.
"Truth be told, this is quite difficult…really quite difficult. How about this—I'll give you two choices."
"If you choose Gryffindor, I'll grant you a gift on behalf of Godric. If you choose Slytherin, I'll reveal a secret to you on behalf of Salazar. As for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw…hmm, they left nothing at all."
"Of course, from my perspective, Gryffindor would be the best fit for you!"
"The choice is yours—do you wish to beco braver, or do you wish to nurture that little spark of ambition within you?"
Audrey nodded, considering for a mont before replying, "I understand. I do like Gryffindor's atmosphere. I want to beco braver, and I've made a few friends there. But—"
Before she could finish her sentence, the Sorting Hat suddenly bellowed,
"SLYTHERIN!!!"
For a brief mont, the Great Hall fell into stunned silence.
Then, the Slytherin table erupted with cheers.
"We have the most beautiful junior now!"
"Woohoo!"
"Savior of the wizarding world? Who cares?"
At the Gryffindor table, Hermione and her friends looked visibly disappointed.
Audrey opened her mouth but ultimately swallowed the words she had been about to say:
"But I want to grow stronger as quickly as possible…to prepare for the impending apocalypse."
At that mont, the Sorting Hat spoke to her in a voice that only she could hear, whispering an obscure and cryptic ssage before adding,
"In due ti, you'll understand what to do."
Edward was genuinely surprised by Audrey's Sorting. He had considered the possibility of her going to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or even Hufflepuff—but Slytherin? That had never crossed his mind.
When Audrey's Sorting took so long—complete with inquiries about her opinion and even special offers—Edward couldn't help but recall his own experience. Even though both of them were 'transmigrators', his Sorting had lasted less than three seconds from the mont he put on the hat to when he took it off:
"Oh~ How rare, you've managed to stay kind. Hufflepuff!!"
It was official. He was not the protagonist.
At that mont, Dumbledore stood up, spreading his arms wide with a beaming smile.
"Welco!"
"Welco to Hogwarts for another school year! Before we begin the feast, I have a few words to say. And they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddnt! Tweak! Thank you all!"
As soon as he sat down, the once-empty plates filled up with a variety of delicious dishes. Having gone hungry for most of the day, the students eagerly dug in, enjoying the feast amidst laughter and chatter.
Cedric grabbed a drumstick, taking a bite as he asked, "Edward, how was your sumr? I went with my dad to France for the Quidditch World Cup—it was incredible!"
Edward paused briefly in peeling an orange, then chuckled.
"My sumr was exciting too…almost too exciting."
"You have to join Hufflepuff's Quidditch team this year. I know you've always been a great flyer."
Edward quickly waved his hand. "I'd love to, but…starting this term, I probably won't be in school that often. I have so very important matters to take care of."
Cedric sighed in disappointnt. "Ugh, I knew it. You don't act like a sixteen-year-old at all."
"Hahaha." Edward laughed. "Well, we Hufflepuffs are like that, aren't we? You're the odd one out."
Cedric stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, you might be right."
———
anwhile, after entering the Slytherin section, Audrey noticed that none of the pureblood students recognized her. Yet, her noble deanour was far more refined than that of the so-called Sacred Twenty-Eight families. So students started speculating—was she from a foreign pureblood family? But due to her looks, others even whispered that she might be from the Founding Four Families, a descendent of Slytherin himself!
As a result, a strange vacuum ford around Audrey—no one dared to approach her.
She took in their reactions without comnt, continuing her al with perfect table manners. Instead, she quietly observed and analyzed the Slytherins around her.
"Hey!"
Malfoy sat down beside her, still wearing his usual arrogant expression. "Everyone's saying you co from an old pureblood family. Is that true?"
Audrey put down her knife and fork, dabbed at her lips with a napkin, then smiled. "What do you think?"
A flicker of unease crossed Malfoy's eyes, but he still pressed on. "If that's the case, then you definitely shouldn't be associating with the Weasleys. Especially since I just saw you talking to a filthy Mudb—"
"Mmmph!"
Malfoy's mouth suddenly vanished. His eyes widened in horror as he clutched at his now-smooth face, frantically feeling around for his missing lips. He stumbled and fell backwards onto the floor.
Audrey, holding her dragonbone wand, spoke softly, "I read that term in a book once. It's quite an awful word. Best not to say it." She flicked her wand, lifting the spell.
Malfoy scrambled to his feet, pointing at her in outrage. "I—I'll have my father get you expelled!"
For a mont, the surrounding Slytherins were stunned. Then, suddenly, a wave of cheers and whistles erupted.
Audrey's lips curled slightly. From an outsider's perspective, it was easy to see through these students—Slytherin had always been this way. The more aggressive (and powerful) you were, the more respect you commanded.
That was how Voldemort had swiftly gathered his first group of followers.
—
Clang, clang, clang.
Dumbledore tapped his golden goblet with a spoon, his voice ringing through the Great Hall. "Settle down, everyone."
A sickly-looking man in a tattered wizard's robe walked up to the staff table. Dumbledore smiled as he introduced him.
"This is your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, R. J. Lupin. Let's give him a warm welco."
Applause thundered through the hall, though Snape—who resembled a great, scowling bat—glared daggers at Lupin as if he wanted to devour him whole.
"The story really has gone completely off track," Edward thought. Quirrell's death brought Lupin into the picture two years earlier than in the original tiline.
Of course, that was partly thanks to the Wolfsbane Potion being invented a few years ahead of schedule.
Edward's gaze swept across the staff table.
"If Quirrell is dead…then where is Voldemort now?"
Dumbledore continued with the usual warnings—no venturing into the Forbidden Forest, no wandering the right side of the fourth-floor corridor—before leading the students in a bizarre school song to conclude the feast.
Afterwards, Audrey bid Edward a brief farewell before following the Slytherin prefect toward the dormitories.
"Hope she gets used to living at the bottom of the lake."
Edward patted Cedric's shoulder. "You head back first. I need to speak with Professor Dumbledore."
"Alright. When you get back, I have a gift for you—I got it at the World Cup marketplace."
"Thanks!"
Edward weaved through the dispersing crowd, making his way toward the staff table. Snape was standing before Dumbledore, his expression thunderous as he argued about sothing, while Lupin looked uncomfortable—trapped between staying and fleeing.
Dumbledore noticed Edward's approach and took the opportunity to change the subject.
"Ah, Edward! Do you need sothing?"
Edward's gaze was sharp as he said,
"Headmaster, I'd like to make a report!"
———
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