Sorting Hat: Azkaban!!!

With a jolt, the train began to slow.

Eventually, with a loud clatter, it came to a stop.

Even wrapped in a set of old robes, Ethan stood tall and poised, standing out in the crowd.

What's more.

After word spread of his "feat" on the train, the students parted ways to let him through.

This treatment was even more impressive than what The Chosen One received.

Following behind Ethan, Harry and Ron managed to pass through the crowded corridor without any trouble.

"Lucky," Ron murmured enviously, staring at Ethan's back. "He's got more style than Percy did when he first became a Prefect."

As he spoke, Ron tugged tightly at a patch on his robes.

"You're not so bad yourself, mate," Harry comforted him. "It's just that Ethan's too extraordinary."

Ron gave a bitter smile.

After getting off the train.

Ethan thanked the Prefect who held the door open for them.

His soft-soled cloth shoes stepped onto the damp ground, stirring the thin mist drifting through the night.

The young wizards around him jostled and crowded, but there was always a small empty circle around him.

"Ah—"

Ethan took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air of the outdoors with fascination.

"First-years! Over here!"

A deep, gruff voice boomed over the heads of the young wizards.

A towering figure stood at the end of the path, holding a lantern, like a small mountain.

"I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts! First-years, follow me!"

One by one, the small figures squeezed through the crowd and followed the massive silhouette.

Ethan was among them, half-listening as Harry excitedly introduced Hagrid.

After walking down a narrow path, the view suddenly opened up.

A silver moon hung high, its ivory light spilling across the shimmering surface of the lake.

On the far shore, a massive ancient castle perched on a cliff, casting a pitch-black shadow.

But because every window glowed with a warm, hazy orange light, it didn't feel eerie—instead, it gave a sense of home.

"Wow—"

The young wizards around him gasped in amazement.

Ethan even heard someone say, "So this really isn't a prank!"

For children from Muggle families, this must have felt like a dream too good to be true.

Ethan was no exception.

He stared fixedly at the castle, the same stirring emotion he'd felt at the station rising in his heart again.

Boarding the swaying little boat, Ethan's group included a boy named Michael Corner.

He chattered endlessly about the legends of the Black Lake, and whenever a boat with girls drifted close, his voice would rise a notch.

"Show-off."

Ron whispered to Ethan and Harry, winking playfully.

It seemed Ron had no patience for anyone showing off knowledge.

Or rather, he was simply allergic to "knowledge" itself.

Ethan smiled but didn't reply.

He turned his head, gazing at the towering castle growing ever larger.

After the boat docked.

Climbing the stone steps, they finally stood before Hogwarts' massive oak doors.

Thump, thump.

Hagrid knocked with great ceremony.

The doors swung open, and Professor McGonagall, who had been waiting, stepped out.

Her sharp gaze swept over the smudge on Ron's nose, paused on Harry for two seconds.

Finally, it landed on Ethan.

When their eyes met, Ethan lifted the corners of his mouth and nodded politely to the professor in greeting.

"...Thank you, Hagrid. I'll take it from here."

Professor McGonagall said.

She certainly knew Ethan Vincent.

Back then, his situation had stirred up quite a bit of controversy at both the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts.

He was a tricky child.

Gifted, with a mind of his own.

Professor McGonagall agreed with Headmaster Dumbledore.

Even if those paintings... were a bit unsettling.

For a young wizard of Ethan's age, having a hobby he loved and could stick with was rare and precious.

With proper guidance, Professor McGonagall believed Ethan would grow into an outstanding wizard.

Harry Potter, Ethan Vincent...

This year was truly brimming with talent.

Professor McGonagall sighed, full of hope for Hogwarts' future.

"Hannah Abbott!"

"Hufflepuff!"

The girl quickly pulled off the Sorting Hat, blushing as she ran toward the little badgers clapping and cheering on the side.

"So it's just putting on a hat! Fred and George tricked me again!" Ron muttered angrily. "They said I'd have to fight a troll!"

Ethan mused, "I think fighting a troll sounds more interesting."

Ron: "..."

Ron wisely dropped that topic and asked curiously, "Ethan, which house do you think you'll be in?"

Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor?

Hiss—as long as his buddy didn't end up in Slytherin!

"Hmm..." Ethan thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Probably Hufflepuff."

"Oh, Hufflepuff—Hufflepuff?!"

Ron's eyes bulged, looking like he'd seen a ghost.

Hufflepuff?

Were you planning to go over there and eat those poor, helpless little badgers?

"Buddy, I think you've got it wrong."

Ron assumed Ethan didn't understand the traits of the four houses, so he kindly explained, "Hufflepuff's traits are kindness, loyalty, and warmth."

Ethan tilted his head, confused. "I know that. Am I not kind?"

"Didn't I help Neville find his toad on the train, make a lot of good friends, and get along famously with Malfoy?"

"..."

An awkward silence.

Ron opened his mouth, but found he damn well couldn't argue with that.

True.

Looking at the results, Ethan really did seem like a kind and warm-hearted wizard!!

Finally.

Staring at Ethan's innocent smile, Ron could only pat him on the shoulder and say earnestly, "Ethan, no matter which house you end up in, just talk less."

I'm afraid you'll get beaten up.

Ethan: ?

He genuinely thought he might be sorted into Hufflepuff.

And he really liked Hufflepuff.

He loved making friends with loyal, down-to-earth people like that~

(^▽^)

One by one, the little heads went up.

All four houses got some new members, with Hufflepuff having the most and Ravenclaw the fewest.

Finally.

"Ethan Vincent!"

In the suddenly silent Great Hall, Ethan lifted his head and strode toward the podium with leisurely steps.

The great painter was about to descend upon his loyal Hufflepuff.

"Thank you."

Ethan sat down and flashed a soft, warm smile at Professor McGonagall, who was placing the Sorting Hat on him.

Professor McGonagall paused, her expression softening.

What a polite child.

She became even more convinced that Ethan wasn't bad at heart—he just needed a little guidance.

With that thought, Professor McGonagall set the Sorting Hat onto Ethan's head.

The next second.

"Azkaban! Azkaban—!!!"

The Sorting Hat erupted in a shriek of unprecedented anguish.