Preparing for Sorting

Yulian smiled, but said nothing. His spirit, however, had already quietly infiltrated the "Magic Resonance Library" that belonged solely to him.

Inside the library, the candlelight was bright. The administrator, Murphy, was dozing on a pile of new books, the tip of his tail sweeping the pages with an irregular rhythm.

"Hey, Administrator," Yulian's spirit wandered among the bookshelves. "Tonight is a big day, do you have any special 'Welcome Newcomer Guides'?"

Murphy opened one amber eye and yawned. "Indeed, we do. For example, 'How to Remain Calm in Front of the Sorting Hat' and 'Thirty Awkward Opening Lines for Meeting Dumbledore for the First Time'?"

Yulian shook his head. "I was wondering, what will the Sorting Hat see?"

Murphy opened both eyes, the silvery-gray one flickering with cunning. "Don't worry, the Sorting Hat isn't Legilimency. It can only sense your desires, your fears, the truest echoes from the depths of your soul."

"Isn't that pretty much the same as you?"

"Me? I can not only do all that, I can even... smell those unrealistic fantasies in your head."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Like you fantasizing about being able to join four houses at once, fighting in Gryffindor during the day, plotting in Slytherin at night, reading in Ravenclaw on weekends, and showing up at Hufflepuff's kitchens right on time for meals." Murphy's tone was full of disdain.

Yulian's old face flushed. "How could I be so greedy! I just feel... choices shouldn't be limited by a hat."

"Sanguis non facit, sed eligit." Murphy suddenly recited in Latin. "It is not blood that makes a person, but choice. Your grandfather carved this sentence on the wall of the secret chamber, and now it is carved in your heart. The Sorting Hat only gives you a starting point; how you walk the path is up to you to choose."

Yulian fell silent. The wind from the lake brushed his hair. In the distance, the spires of Hogwarts Castle were clearly visible, ablaze with lights, like a dream.

Countless little wizards let out exclamations of "Wow!"

The small boats docked. The new students, led by Hagrid, walked up the steps to a massive oak door.

As Hagrid knocked like a drum, the door opened, and light flooded out.

A tall, stern-faced elderly witch in a dark green robe stood at the entrance. It was Professor McGonagall, who had guided Yulian during his admission.

Professor McGonagall stood there, unsmiling, her gaze sharp. Behind her were a fireplace burning with magical flames and the grand double doors leading to the Great Hall.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," her voice was clear and strong. "Before the feast begins, you will be sorted into your respective houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. There you will learn, live, and find lifelong friends."

She paused, her gaze lingering on Yulian for a moment before moving away.

"I'll go prepare now. You can use this time to tidy yourselves up."

"Do you know how the sorting works?" Hermione asked everyone while smoothing her robes. "Will there be a test first? I've already memorized all the first-year books."

"Ron and I discussed this on the train. According to Ron's brother, there might be a duel."

"A duel? Who are we dueling?" Harry's words clearly exceeded Hermione's expectations. Neville and the blonde girl shivered at the mention.

At this moment, Yulian recognized the blonde girl as Hannah, whom he had met at The Leaky Cauldron. Since the "Sword Saint" and the "Iron Hat King" were both in place, it indicated that the gears of fate had begun to turn.

"Maybe it's a duel with some magical creature," Ron said uncertainly.

"Indeed, I heard that too," a short boy with curly brown hair squeezed in and interjected. "Hello, my name is Seamus Finnigan." The boy extended his hand. "I heard it's a duel with a fire dragon."

"Fire dragon!" All the little wizards who heard this let out screams, and the atmosphere around them instantly became heated.

Only Yulian calmly stepped forward and shook Seamus's right hand. "Hello, Seamus. My name is Shilem Yulian Black."

"Huh? Judging by your accent and your name, you must be from France. Why didn't you go to Beauxbatons?"

"Oh, the admission requirement there was to fight a troll, and I didn't pass, so I came to Hogwarts to try." Yulian said with a look of helplessness, unconsciously rubbing his nose with his left index finger.

"Don't listen to his nonsense," Hermione recognized Yulian's habitual little gesture when he lied. "Think about it, how could a school possibly let underage wizards fight fire dragons and trolls? Unless they were great wizards like Gilderoy Lockhart."

No one dwelled on who Hermione was referring to as Gilderoy Lockhart, but they felt Hermione's reasoning was sound and collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hmph, really. Poverty and ignorance limit the imagination of people like you." At this moment, an arrogant voice came from nearby. It was Malfoy.

Seeing Ron glaring at him, Malfoy arrogantly tossed his head. "I'm not targeting you, Ron. I'm talking about everyone here." He gestured to Harry and the circle of people around Yulian.

"My father told me that the Hogwarts entrance test is a Quidditch match," Malfoy said, smoothing his platinum-blond hair. "That is the noble sport for wizards."

Upon hearing this, many of the young wizards, including others who overheard, thought it might actually be true. After all, fighting a fire dragon seemed too absurd.

Just then, Professor McGonagall returned. "The sorting ceremony is ready. Line up and follow me."

The hall was very spacious, yet it lacked excessive support columns. This was probably the power of magic, Yulian thought to himself.

Countless candles floating in the air illuminated the hall brightly.

"Look at the night sky above. This isn't a lack of a roof, but the work of magic. I read about it in a book." Unsurprisingly, this was Hermione again.

The foremost row was for the faculty. About twenty faculty members sat in a line, most of them smiling as they watched the young wizards below.

In the center sat an old man with white hair, a beard reaching his waist, piercing eyes, and vigorous spirit. He was undoubtedly Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

Below the faculty seats, four long tables were arranged. Each row of tables had unique color decorations.

The row furthest inside had a primary color scheme of red and gold, clearly the location for Gryffindor House.

Ravenclaw's was bronze and sapphire blue.

Hufflepuff's was yellow and black.

Slytherin's was primarily green and silver.

In a corner of the hall, a worn leather hat was placed on a stool.

According to Professor McGonagall's explanation, this hat was called the Sorting Hat. Each young wizard only needed to place the hat on their head, and the hat would sort them into their respective houses.

Just as all the young wizards were staring at the Sorting Hat in astonishment, the folds in front of the Sorting Hat suddenly parted, opening like a mouth and beginning to sing: