The Sorting Hat's Sorting Song

Penelope glanced out the car window. It was already dark, the mountains and forests shrouded in twilight, appearing as if dyed a deep purple. The train gradually slowed its speed.

"I'm going back to my compartment to change into my robes. See you at the Sorting, Mr. Moriarty." Lilith waved goodbye to Moriarty and got up to leave.

Penelope took out her wizarding robe at this moment. Moriarty pulled Percy out, letting Penelope change first.

Five minutes later, the train stopped. The young wizards pushed and shoved, flocking towards the doors and disembarking onto a dark, small platform.

Led by Hagrid, the young wizards boarded the small boats in groups of four. Moriarty, Penelope, and Percy were the last group.

Just as they were about to board a boat, Lilith walked over.

She winked conspiratorially at Moriarty, "When I went back to my compartment to change robes, I heard some news. Most pure-bloods are delighted by your arrival, but you know, wherever you go, there's always a small group that doesn't fit in, people who are awkward and annoying. So? Mr. Moriarty, you need to..."

"I need to be cautious at all times, is that it? I don't think I need to." As if the matter Lilith mentioned didn't exist, Moriarty merely glanced at her before looking away.

Moriarty's plans already included dealing with the Pure-blood families, whether it was patriarchs like Lucius Malfoy or pure-blood young wizards at Hogwarts.

As the small boat glided across the lake, a massive castle, soaring into the clouds, came into Moriarty's sight.

A warm sensation flowed through the Slytherin staff. Moriarty was certain he hadn't channeled any magic, so it must be the special connection between Hogwarts and the Slytherin staff. For the staff, it was like coming home.

Moriarty immediately thought of some of the little secrets hidden within Hogwarts. With the staff, perhaps it wouldn't take much time to find those secret passages, perhaps the Chamber of Secrets could be opened without Serpent Tongue.

Seeing Moriarty lost in thought, Percy, to avoid an awkward silence, proactively started a conversation, "Legend has it that the way new students enter Hogwarts by boat across the lake in groups of four is to commemorate the Four Founders of Hogwarts..."

However, Percy's effort was in vain. Lilith crossed her arms, staring at Moriarty's profile with great interest. Penelope, like Moriarty, gazed at the castle, her eyes full of longing.

The boat wasn't moving very fast, but the young wizards' winged aspirations and fantasies made time slip by unnoticed.

Crossing the lake, passing through a tunnel, arriving on the grass, and climbing the stone steps, the young wizards finally reached a giant oak door.

Hagrid's task was now complete. There might be quite a few pure-bloods this year. Moriarty heard several young wizards let out dismissive snorts as Hagrid left.

But before these young wizards could start boasting, Professor McGonagall opened the large door and led the new students inside.

They walked all the way to a small, empty room at the front. Professor McGonagall scanned the new students with a stern gaze, her eyes lingering on Moriarty for a moment longer. Moriarty was quite sure she recognized him.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said. "The Welcome Feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will first be sorted into your respective Houses."

Professor McGonagall paused, her glasses reflecting the torchlight, making her appear both sacred and imposing.

"The names of the four Houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding wizards."

Penelope now understood why Moriarty was receiving so much attention, but she wasn't happy. She felt further away from Moriarty.

Next, Professor McGonagall explained about points and the House Cup, giving the new students some time to tidy their appearance.

At this moment, Hogwarts ghosts – the Bloody Baron, Lady Grey, Nearly Headless Nick, the Fat Friar, and over twenty other ghosts – floated out from the walls of the room.

Led by the Bloody Baron, the ghosts drifted past the new students as if searching for something. Nearly Headless Nick saw Moriarty and let out a scream, "Look, Baron, look! He looks exactly like Headmaster Salazar."

"Shut up, Nick. I can see for myself," the Bloody Baron roared gruffly. But as he floated in front of Moriarty, his vacant eyes filled with light.

"Although it may be of no use, I still want to apologize to my teacher, your ancestor. This is my considered answer. I've thought a lot over the centuries, and I can't die with a clear conscience... I have too many regrets."

As the Baron spoke, he glanced at Lady Grey behind him and the students seated in the Great Hall. His gaze was filled with pain and sadness, and then he floated away, utterly dejected.

"Baron means no harm; he's just very guilt-ridden. He's always wanted to apologize to the Four Founders, feeling he let them down." A ethereal voice sounded in Moriarty's ear. Lady Grey said to him, "Ever since we learned you were coming, Baron has become sorrowful. We often see him blaming himself, but it's all his own doing; no one forced him. I must go too. If possible, please send my regards to Professor Salazar."

Moriarty watched Lady Grey leave. There were many reasons for the Bloody Baron's tragedy, and Lady Grey was one of them. However, he couldn't judge matters of the heart. He could, however, be a quiet listener when the Baron chose to confide. The ghosts and Hogwarts had long been inseparable; they deserved Moriarty's attention.

After the Bloody Baron left, the ghosts began to chat freely, their topics invariably related to Moriarty. It was evident they were all very happy.

The Fat Friar from Hufflepuff came over and said to Moriarty, "Perhaps you find Baron a bit strange, but our feelings for Hogwarts are no less than Headmaster Dumbledore's. In fact, not just Baron and Lady Grey, but when they learned you were returning, they all showed varying degrees of unusual behavior: Nick no longer cared about his unsevered head, Lady Grey became more talkative, and even Peeves – he locked himself in an empty classroom for three days and three nights before coming out."

Moriarty gave the kind ghost a brilliant smile, "I don't mind at all. You know, Hogwarts is more than just a school to me."

"Ah, ah, yes, I knew we hadn't misjudged you," the Fat Friar said. "The Sorting Hat is coming, we must go. Lastly, although you will definitely be sorted into Slytherin, I welcome you on behalf of Hufflepuff."

The ghosts began to leave. Nick shouted at the top of his lungs, "Gryffindor welcomes you too! Gryffindor welcomes Slytherin, haha, how wonderful!"

Professor McGonagall returned with a four-legged stool and the Sorting Hat. She placed the Sorting Hat on the stool.

"Hey! Hey! Look this way, won't you? I want to see the descendant of Slytherin," the Sorting Hat stared at Moriarty, wriggling with excitement. "I was imbued with a part of Salazar Slytherin's thoughts, so I want you to let me wear you on your head, alright? Little Mr. Slytherin."

"I understand your feelings, Hat. But this is not tradition," Professor McGonagall stopped the Sorting Hat, which was trying to jump onto Moriarty's head.

"Alright, alright, it's time for my song," the Sorting Hat grumbled, then it resumed its excitement, "You must listen, I've spent all year creating this new song." Moriarty understood its meaning; this song was written for him.

"Cold wind, fireplace, snow-covered rooftops, winter in the East."

The boy passed through one long night and one imagined day after another.

September sunlight, filtering through the wings of a Golden Snitch.

On Monday, the boy carried glory in his heart.

On Tuesday, the boy was a sleeping dragon, best left undisturbed.

On Wednesday, the boy was the star of the banquet.

On Thursday, the boy taught the baby who had survived death.

On Friday, the boy was entwined with a giant serpent.

On Saturday, the boy broke chains, racked his brain, dealt with goblins, and endured mockery!

On Sunday, the boy didn't need to be at school; he crossed oceans, stirring up waves.

If time made the years endless, I wish for an eighth day, a ninth day...

So that I could continue to witness the boy's adventures.

The same goal connected the boy and magic, just as it did my master and his three friends when I was still a brand-new hat, long ago.

What better friends could there be in this world than Gryffindor and Slytherin?

Even their weapons—the Sword of Gryffindor and the Slytherin staff—showed mutual admiration in countless duels.

The sword told me that a pen and ink had written down a name, and then I saw many old friends.

Stone Golems, Sprites.

Armored Knights, Portrait Ladies, Peeves.

Stairs, secret passages, the Forbidden Forest, Flying Brooms...

I cannot stop their steps in pursuit of dreams, because every dream carries unwavering faith!

For over nine hundred years, they have hoped more than once for the departed Slytherin to return...

Even though I was destined to divide the new students, I am not worried at all now.

The elder Slytherin departed, and the young Slytherin returned.

I know we will fight side by side.

I know we can do better.

I know the adventures of the boys and girls are still ongoing.

"Now, let us begin the Sorting!"