Ravenclaw!

Who was Professor Josh Augustus? The students present all looked at one another. Not only the students—even many of the staff and professors at the school had never heard of this name.

Of course, it was normal for students not to know him. But if professors did not know him, it could only mean that they had not earned Dumbledore's complete trust—or that Dumbledore simply did not trust them at all. After all, practically everyone who knew Josh had already received a meditation cultivation manual.

Josh shrugged helplessly. He knew it was time to introduce himself. Although he could have had Dumbledore introduce him again, Dumbledore clearly had no such intention, and having someone else introduce him felt rather strange anyway.

Josh stood up, and the entire hall erupted in gasps!

He was too young—far too young! Even though Josh had dressed himself up a little to look more mature, he still looked no older than seventeen or eighteen. In fact, he barely looked any different at all. Every student, including the first-years, as well as the professors, found it unbelievable. Since when had Hogwarts had such a young professor? He looked as though he had not even graduated yet!

"Hello, everyone. I'm the new Head of Ravenclaw, as well as the professor for your new course. You can just call me Josh." Josh smiled and gave a simple introduction. In truth, he was a little nervous and forgot to say many things. In the end, he simply concluded, "It's nice to meet you all. I hope you'll come to know me and not think poorly of me because of my age. In fact, since we're close in age, we may be able to communicate better. And if I weren't capable, I wouldn't be sitting here, would I?"

After saying that, Josh sat down directly. Beside him, Garen watched with a mischievous grin and whispered something about how Josh could get nervous too. Josh simply rolled his eyes and could not be bothered with him.

All the students were deeply shocked, whispering among themselves. The main reason was simply that Josh was far too young. Of course, except for Crouch, who was seated at the Hufflepuff table. He had known all along. Still, Josh was right—their similar ages would indeed make communication easier. And without the strength to prove himself, how could he have earned the trust of Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of modern times, and become a Head of House?

Thinking about it that way, their shock gave way to even greater motivation. This new Head was about the same age as them and had already achieved so much. If they worked hard enough, did that mean they might have a chance too?

Of course, they were thinking too much. Hermione knew perfectly well how unrealistic their discussion was. She knew Josh, and the impression he had left on her was unforgettable. Especially the way he had appeared when she first met him, like a messenger from heaven—Hermione knew she would probably never forget it for the rest of her life.

I never expected him to come to Hogwarts as a teacher, much less become a Head of House?

Hermione thought to herself. From various books, she had learned that besides Dumbledore, the headmaster, the Heads of House held the most authority and could only be selected from among the best professors. Of course, there might also be a subjective factor involved—Professor Dumbledore's preference, or rather, whether someone was trustworthy.

I remember he seems to be an alien!

Hermione racked her brains but could not figure out what was going on. Still, she felt that since Professor Dumbledore trusted him, there probably was not a problem... right? Feeling muddled and at a loss, Hermione kept staring at Josh. Suddenly, she wondered whether she should get close to this new Head who was not from Earth and find out whether he had some scheme and had deceived Professor Dumbledore.

A little girl's thoughts were always so complicated, and mixed in with them was her curiosity. Things seemed to be heading in an unpredictable direction.

"All right, everyone, please be quiet." Professor McGonagall spoke at that moment. She held a roll of parchment in one hand and a very old-looking magical hat in the other. "When I call your name, come forward. I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you'll be assigned to your respective Houses."

"Do you all understand?" McGonagall glanced at the first-years, who had not said a word and some of whom were still immersed in their earlier shock. Then she picked up the list and began reading. "Very well. First: Hermione Granger."

Hermione froze. She had not expected to be first. Instinctively, she looked toward Josh and saw that he did not seem to be looking her way. That seemed to make her breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps this guy had already forgotten her?

Shaking her head, Hermione walked forward and let the hat be placed on her head. All the first-years were curious. They wanted to see how this legendary Sorting Hat decided which House a new student should enter.

"Josh, if I remember correctly, that girl should be the one from whose memories we made a copy, right?"

Garen recognized Hermione at a glance. Although passing through the Void Gate had left him dizzy as though he had spun in place ten thousand times, with his whole body aching, he had still paid close attention to everything around him. Naturally, he had noticed Hermione, the little girl with a magical seed. But since Josh had not needed anything at the time, Garen had focused more on recovering himself.

"Yes. Don't forget, we caught an owl that night. That owl was delivering a letter to her, inviting her to study at Hogwarts. So I'm not surprised to see her here at all."

Josh pursed his lips and replied casually. Of course he was not surprised. Hermione was definitely supposed to enter Hogwarts—otherwise, how would there be the original story of the Golden Trio? Looking through the crowd near Hermione, Josh spotted a bespectacled boy, with a red-haired child beside him.

"That's Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" Josh gave them a casual glance. These two children were not worth his attention. Although their future achievements would be fairly good, they were nothing to Josh.

Naturally, he also noticed the other soul residing within Harry's body. That gave Josh a rather wicked thought: if Voldemort's soul awakened early and was not so arrogant, pretending to be an old grandfather and calling out to Harry Potter, would this series of stories undergo a tremendous reversal?

Thinking of Voldemort's soul, Josh could not help looking at someone else—Professor Quirrell, who wore a turban and looked like an Indian. Speaking of this professor, Josh remembered that he had not seen him earlier in Dumbledore's office. Perhaps Dumbledore had noticed something wrong with him as well.

"Look at this guy." Josh subtly pointed him out to Garen. "There's a very strange power on him. It's weak, yet it has a will of its own. It looks like some kind of symbiote. Very strange."

"I'd say he's a puppet or something," Garen said disdainfully after following Josh's gesture and taking a look. "He doesn't look like he'll live much longer. The soul inside him is constantly draining his life force, and he isn't all that capable either."

"Come to think of it, that thing inside him is the very person Dumbledore is worried about—the one called Voldemort or whatever."

"You even know that?"

"Of course!"

"So which House do you think this girl will go to?"

"Gryffindor."

"Ravenclaw!"

Just as Josh confidently said Gryffindor, that damned Sorting Hat unexpectedly shouted Ravenclaw at the top of its voice. Josh froze, then his face darkened. Garen immediately collapsed onto the table, laughing uproariously. Of course, with the students below enthusiastically applauding to welcome the new girl, no one noticed his rude behavior.

"Looks like your memory isn't so good. This girl is a student in your House."

"How is that possible?" Josh looked utterly dumbfounded. He was even wondering whether he had misunderstood something about this world. In his memory, Hermione was supposed to go to Gryffindor, form the Golden Trio with Harry and Ron, and begin their self-important magical adventure. Yet before it had even begun, the Sorting Hat had cut it off?

As Hermione walked toward the Ravenclaw section, she looked up at Josh and happened to see him staring at her in shock. She thought Josh had recognized her, and instantly lifted her chin proudly, as though telling him that she had come—and that she knew his secret.

That was really close just now.

Hermione soon reached the Ravenclaw table and happily sat down amid the welcoming voices. To be honest, even Hermione herself had not expected to make such a decision. She should have been sorted into Gryffindor, but she had changed everything herself.

"Mr. Hat, may I ask where you're going to sort me?"

"I think you are very suited to two Houses. One is Gryffindor, and the other is Ravenclaw."

"Then which House do you think would be better for me?"

"Hmm, I would choose Gryffindor for you!"

"No! No! I don't want to go there. I don't want to go to Gryffindor!"

"Not Gryffindor? Are you sure? If you go to Gryffindor, although you will encounter many troubles, you will have a wonderful future. You are sensitive and eager to prove yourself—brave, fearless, and willing to throw yourself in without hesitation. Bold and unafraid, fond of adventure—these are all your traits. Though your love of learning, strong curiosity, and fondness for research also make you well suited to Ravenclaw."

"I choose Ravenclaw!"

"Are you sure, child?"

"Of course!"

"Very well, then—Ravenclaw!"

Josh had no idea that, because she had met him in advance and he had casually mentioned that he wasn't from Earth, the little girl had taken it so seriously that she even gave up on Gryffindor and went to the House under his charge, throwing the plot he knew completely out of whack.

"Forget it. I don't remember much anyway. I'll just let it play out."