The Sorting Ceremony

A low hum of conversation drifted from a door on the right side of the hall, but Professor McGonagall did not lead them inside.

Instead, she stopped and turned around, her stern gaze sweeping over the crowd:

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said.

"In a moment, you will enter the Great Hall and undergo the Sorting Ceremony, which will determine which House you join. This is very important. For the next seven years of your education, your House and the school will be your home. You will attend classes, live, and eat with your Housemates. I hope you will regard one another as family living together."

"The school has four Houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has a glorious history and has produced outstanding Wizards."

Professor McGonagall's gaze lingered briefly on Malfoy. The spell had already worn off, but Mr. Malfoy's condition could hardly be called good.

His eyes were red and swollen, his clothes disheveled, as though he had been mauled by a Troll.

Professor McGonagall paused, then fixed Vaughn with a stern glare.

"I know some things happened on the train today—very bad things... but I hope this will be the last time! Once you enter your Houses, good performance will earn points for your House, while rule-breaking will cost it points. At the end of each school year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup. That is a great honor. I hope everyone follows the School Rules and brings glory to their House!"

Vaughn looked utterly innocent beneath Professor McGonagall's glare, as if nothing had happened at all.

The diligent deputy headmistress's eye twitched a few times before she continued addressing the other terrified first-years. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. I suggest you tidy yourselves up. The entire school will be watching you shortly."

With that, she turned and walked into the Great Hall.

The silent crowd immediately let out a collective breath.

Draco Malfoy hurriedly smoothed his hair and tugged at his robes, trying to straighten them.

Harry and Ron also ruffled each other's hair. Hermione pressed her lips tightly together and slightly adjusted her now-silky long hair.

The others hurriedly tried to straighten themselves up as well.

But before long, someone cried out. Vaughn looked up and saw more than twenty Ghosts Emerging from the walls.

The translucent spirits whispered among themselves. Some looked kind, some furious, and some tried to speak to the first-years.

The new students below held their breath again. No one dared make a sound.

Vaughn, however, was rather interested in them.

When he had read the novels before, he had always wanted to understand how these Ghosts came to be, but this was clearly not the time.

After Professor McGonagall returned, the Ghosts drifted away. She swept her gaze over the first-years again and said:

"Everything is ready. Form a single line and follow me!"

The first-years hurried after her, passing through the open doors of the Great Hall. The four long Tables lining either side were already filled with older students, who watched them with curiosity or scrutiny.

Vaughn spotted Percy, Fred, and George. They were waving at him and Ron.

Vaughn smiled back. As for Ron, he was so nervous that he did not notice them at all.

Just as Vaughn knew it would, the ceiling of the Great Hall displayed a starry sky, casting soft, tranquil light down below.

At the front of the line, a battered old hat sat on a stool. It began to sing.

Expressionless, Vaughn cast a spell to seal his ears. He waited until it finally stopped wriggling and Professor McGonagall stepped to the front of the line and unfolded the Parchment in her hand before undoing it.

"Hannah Abbott!"

Hmm, a familiar name...

One by one, the first-years stepped forward, put on the Sorting Hat, and heard it announce their House.

Of the people Vaughn knew, Hermione was the first to go up. The girl jogged over to the stool, and the Sorting Hat covered her head. After pondering for a moment, it shouted, just as expected:

"Gryffindor!"

Then came Harry, also Gryffindor. The instant the Sorting Hat spoke, the entire Gryffindor House erupted. Everyone slapped the Table vigorously.

Vaughn narrowed his eyes at the teachers' table. Professor Snape, his face already rigid, looked even colder. Dumbledore, wearing half-moon spectacles, had a sincere and cheerful smile on his deeply lined old face—so far, everything remained under his control.

Vaughn smiled as well.

The Savior's story began at this very moment. The Wizarding world's greatest powers would soon begin openly and secretly vying around the Savior. Vaughn was delighted to observe and explore from their side!

Who knew how much time passed before they finally reached the letter W.

Because of the first letter of his name, Ron went ahead of him. Under everyone's gaze, the boy seemed not to know where to put his hands and feet. He nearly walked with the same arm and leg forward as he approached the Sorting Hat.

The battered old hat shouted the instant it touched Ron's scalp: "Gryffindor!"

Clap, clap, clap, clap—

Applause rang out from the Gryffindor Table. Percy loudly told the people around him, "That's my brother!"

Fred and George whistled, jumping up and down.

When Professor McGonagall called, "Vaughn Weasley," they slapped the Table even harder.

"Vaughn! Vaughn!"

"Gryffindor! Gryffindor!"

The other Little Lions were infected by the Twins' enthusiasm and joined in with laughing cheers.

Amid the cheers, Vaughn maintained his Occlumency as he walked toward the Sorting Hat, sighing inwardly.

Sorry, Fred, George!

Over the years, he had long understood himself clearly. His thirst for knowledge, pursuit of power, and ambition for authority... there was no way he could be Sorted into Gryffindor.

The moment the Sorting Hat lightly settled over his head, Vaughn heard a tiny voice by his ear.

"Hmm—very, very perfect Occlumency. You cannot deceive me. I contain the most advanced knowledge and wisdom of the Four Founders! Hmm, those who master Occlumency usually have hidden sides and enormous secrets."

"A cunning child. Clearly, two Houses do not suit you. I shall place you in—"

"Slytherin!"

At the Sorting Hat's loud cry, Gryffindor's joyful atmosphere came to an abrupt halt. Percy, who had just begun to rise, froze in place. Fred and George, who had been bouncing in their seats, fell headfirst over. Hermione covered her mouth in shock, while Harry and Ron stared wide-eyed.

Even Professor McGonagall, who had heard Vaughn's name before, could not help turning to look at Dumbledore.

And the greatest Wizard of the century watched Vaughn's retreating figure with a grave expression.

For a moment, the entire Great Hall fell silent.

Only after a while did Dumbledore clear his throat, signaling Professor McGonagall to continue.

Somewhat flustered, Professor McGonagall helped Vaughn remove the Sorting Hat.

The other students gradually came back to their senses. Looking at Vaughn's distinctive Weasley Red Hair, they whispered among themselves, their murmurs gathering into a noisy hum.

Vaughn ignored it all. He saw only the System Panel appear before his eyes:

[Main Quest ①: Join Hogwarts (Completed)]

[Reward: 1 Talent Point, 50 Magic Power Level]

[Claim reward?]