There's a Spy Among Us

Professor McGonagall returned before the new students had waited long. She had them line up in a single file, then led everyone into the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was enormous, with four long tables packed with students. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of candles floated overhead, their light illuminating the entire hall.

The candle flames had to be some kind of magical fire. Otherwise, the sight of all those candles dripping wax from above would have been truly beautiful.

While all sorts of strange thoughts flooded Albert's mind, the line had already reached a stool, upon which sat a filthy, tattered hat.

Apparently, it was Gryffindor's hat.

"I really hope they've washed the Sorting Hat properly." Albert found the Sorting Hat somewhat distasteful. It was simply too dirty. Perhaps it was because it had been sitting around for a thousand years, or perhaps no one had ever cleaned it.

He really couldn't stand it.

By the time Albert snapped back to his senses, the Sorting Hat had already finished its customary opening song amid everyone's applause.

Professor McGonagall held a roll of Parchment and began calling names for the Sorting Ceremony.

Naturally, Albert was called first. After all, his surname began with A.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Albert stepped forward, sat on the stool, and allowed Professor McGonagall to place the hat on his head.

"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin."

Though he knew the odds of being sent to Slytherin were low, he still muttered it twice, just in case he accidentally fell into a pit.

"Hmm, difficult. I can see you have courage, and you're not bad-hearted. You have talent and no lack of wisdom either." The Sorting Hat asked softly, "Aside from Slytherin, where would you like to go?"

Albert was instantly speechless. Did the Sorting Hat mean that he was suited for every House except Slytherin?

"Oh, I think you've already made your choice, then..."

"GRYFFINDOR!" The moment the Sorting Hat shouted Gryffindor, Albert understood what it meant by his choice.

If he had met students from the other two Houses in the compartment instead of the Twins and Lee Jordan, he probably would have gone elsewhere.

In the end, the Sorting Hat had made the choice for him.

After all, Albert would be staying at Hogwarts for seven years. He didn't want to become like the original Hermione, without a single friend. How tragic would that be?

Besides, there was sneaking out at night. The Twins were undoubtedly the best companions for nighttime adventures.

After the Sorting Hat called out Gryffindor, the table farthest to the left erupted in cheers.

However, the Twins and Lee Jordan in the line all gaped in astonishment. They had never imagined that Albert would be sorted into Gryffindor.

Wasn't he supposed to go to Ravenclaw?

After Professor McGonagall removed the hat, Albert headed toward the cheers. Space had been cleared at the front of the long table, obviously for the new students.

When Albert arrived, several people stood up to shake his hand. They wore badges on their chests and were probably Prefects or the Student Council President.

He shook hands with each of them and responded with a smiling nod.

The Sorting Ceremony continued. After the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin, Albert turned his attention back to it. When Professor McGonagall called Cedric Diggory's name, he curiously studied this cannon fodder from the novels.

The boy was quite handsome. No wonder he was called a pretty boy. Albert just wondered whether he would still meet a tragic end. After all, there was now this little butterfly flapping its wings.

Just as expected, the Weasley Twins were also sorted into Gryffindor. A red-haired young man was delighted and waved at them. Albert took a closer look and figured he must be the legendary Percy Weasley.

Incidentally, the Weasley Twins were last. Once they were sorted into Gryffindor, the Sorting Ceremony ended. Professor McGonagall rolled up the Parchment, took the Sorting Hat, and left. The stool vanished as well.

"Wow! We thought you'd be sorted into Ravenclaw." Both the Twins and Lee Jordan stared at Albert with exaggerated expressions, as if they were looking at some rare creature.

Since this guy hadn't been sorted into Ravenclaw, was the Sorting Hat broken?

"Is that so strange?" Albert didn't care. "By the way, I just discovered a secret about the Sorting Hat."

"What secret?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore." Albert had no intention of telling them. "That's also why I was sorted into Gryffindor."

Albert swept his gaze across their faces and couldn't help shaking his head. "I made it so obvious, yet none of you guessed it. Should I say that's just what I'd expect from Gryffindor?"

Still, no one continued dwelling on that so-called secret. Once the Sorting was over, it was Dumbledore's turn to give a speech, followed by the feast.

"Welcome..." Dumbledore beamed at the students and spread his arms. "Welcome to Hogwarts. A new term has begun! Before the feast begins, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!"

That really was only a few words.

Now that was the difference! Compared to those people who spouted endless nonsense, Dumbledore truly understood new students. He knew no one had the patience to listen to meaningless drivel.

"Do you know what those words mean?" Albert turned and asked the Prefect beside him.

The Prefect's expression froze. Clearly, he didn't know how to answer that question either.

At that moment, the Prefect suddenly felt that the Weasley boy had been right. This guy belonged in Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor.

"Looks like nobody knows. Do I have to ask him personally?" Albert murmured. Those words were one of the unresolved mysteries of the Harry Potter novels.

The people beside him twitched at the corners of their mouths, unsure what to say. Was he really planning to ask Dumbledore directly? Even Ravenclaw students weren't this hungry for knowledge!

This was definitely an eagle hiding among lions as an undercover agent.

Hey, someone hurry up and throw this guy onto the table next door!

Ignoring everyone's strange looks, Albert sank into thought.

In his previous life, there had been several explanations for those words online. One rumor claimed that the Latin meanings of those words were: May Merlin bless you.

Of course, some people believed they represented the four Houses' differing attitudes toward others.

Ravenclaw students believed that anyone who didn't enter Ravenclaw was a nitwit.

Gryffindor students believed others weren't as brave as they were.

Slytherin students believed that half-bloods and Mudbloods were useless scraps.

Hufflepuff students hoped students from the other Houses could adjust their conduct a little.

As for the truth, Albert didn't know either. Perhaps he would have a chance to learn it from Dumbledore.

Boom! Lightning suddenly struck down from the castle roof, and the weather magic that had been cast abruptly failed.

The sight truly startled everyone.

Dumbledore drew his wand and cast magic at the ceiling. The lightning and thunder vanished, as did the torrential rain, and the night sky filled with stars returned above their heads.

"All right, let the feast begin." Dumbledore raised his spoon and lightly tapped his goblet. Once he announced the start of the feast, the plates on the tables instantly filled with food as if by magic.