Of Course Your First Time at School Calls for Sorting

Loren and Hermione looked at the graduate in some surprise, but they could not help feeling curious about Ilvermorny's Sorting Ceremony. They glanced at the four towering statues and followed Nancy Bute's guidance toward the circular platform.

Directly ahead stood the Horned Serpent statue. Its slightly frightening serpent head had its jaws open and tongue flickering, while the gems set in its forehead and eyes gave off a soft glow that somehow conveyed a calm gentleness.

According to the books, Horned Serpent House was eager to accept students who enjoyed reading and thinking. It was the equivalent of Hogwarts's Ravenclaw and revered wisdom...

Those details flashed through Hermione's mind. As she came to a stop on the circular platform, her feelings were strangely complicated.

"Crackle!"

It was not the Horned Serpent that responded to her, but the Thunderbird statue on the right. Amid the faint sound of electric current, a weak yet distinct crystalline blue glow coursed through it. The wooden Thunderbird trembled its wings, and the distant rumble of a gathering storm seemed to echo through the air.

Standing below the platform, Nancy explained at just the right moment, "Thunderbird House favors students who value adventure and can bravely step into the unknown. The beating of its wings means it likes you very much."

Hermione pursed her lips. In truth, she preferred Horned Serpent House.

Loren was not surprised. Ilvermorny truly deserved to be a school with centuries of heritage; it had something to it. The ideals of Thunderbird House encompassed not only Gryffindor's courage, but also a hint of Slytherin's ambition—or rather, lofty aspirations. It suited the young Witch well.

Hermione then turned and yielded her place. As she stepped down from the platform, she heard Loren mutter under his breath, "Ilvermorny's Sorting Ceremony is pretty accurate."

Hermione: