Daphne chose calmness amid terror and fear for the future.
The Slytherin table immediately erupted into chaos.
"She's not dead, is she?!"
Some Young Wizards wanted to check Daphne's breathing, while the other professors at the Teachers' table could not help rising to their feet. This conveniently made Snape's loss of composure as he stood up seem less abrupt.
"Let me see, children. Step back a little."
Professor Pomona Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff House, hurried down from the dais and came to the Slytherin table to check on Daphne.
"This child has merely fainted. Her emotions probably fluctuated too violently." She, too, breathed a sigh of relief and looked toward Dumbledore at the Teachers' table.
"The Sorting Ceremony is an unforgettable event in every Young Wizard's life. Perhaps Miss Greengrass was simply too overwhelmed."
Professor McGonagall seemed to have already remembered most of the Young Wizards' names.
"Indeed."
Dumbledore nodded and pondered for a moment. "Professor Sprout, take her to the School infirmary first. Later, Professor Snape and I will go see her together."
The headmaster had made his arrangements.
Naturally, no one present would object.
"Poppy will take good care of her." Professor Sprout immediately carried Daphne toward the doors.
Only after she and Daphne had completely disappeared did the Young Wizards withdraw their gazes. The professors also returned to their seats at the Teachers' table.
Only Snape remained standing.
At that moment, the expression on the Slytherin head's face was utterly unreadable. His sinister eyes were fixed on Ian, who sat on the four-legged stool.
Or rather, more accurately, on the Sorting Hat that Ian had yet to remove from his head.
"Professor Snape, mind your emotions."
Only when Dumbledore spoke softly did Snape sit back down with a dark expression. He stopped staring at the Sorting