Opening Banquet

The Sorting continued.

"Susan Bones!"

"Hufflepuff!"

When it was Hermione's turn, Yulian saw her practically run up to the stool. She sat down, stiff with nervousness. The Sorting Hat dithered on her head for a long time before shouting:

"Gryffindor!"

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, a brilliant smile blooming on her face. She ran towards the Gryffindor table, not forgetting to glance back for Yulian. When their eyes met, Yulian gave her a thumbs-up.

"Lyria!"

Still wearing a worn burlap cloak over her school robes, Lyria's unique attire immediately set her apart from the other students in the hall.

The moment the Sorting Hat touched Lyria's hair, it shouted loudly.

"Hufflepuff!"

Yulian thought to himself, Fortunately, she went to friendly Hufflepuff. If she'd ended up in another house, she might have had trouble getting along with others.

Lyria walked towards the Hufflepuff table, her posture still proud, but her steps seemed a little lighter.

"Elizabeth Rosier!"

As expected, the name Rosier once again caused whispers among the young witches and wizards and the teachers. Forty or fifty years ago, the surname Rosier was quite famous in Europe; they were loyal followers of the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald.

How did this Rosier end up at Hogwarts? Aren't they on bad terms with Dumbledore?

Rosier ignored the surrounding chatter and walked forward slowly, her demeanor elegant, her gaze calm.

The Sorting Hat was silent on her head for a long time, so long that the Slytherin table began to whisper. Finally, it announced: "Slytherin!"

Rosier nodded slightly and walked towards the Slytherin table, her back straight, without a hint of hesitation, as if it were only natural. Slytherin, in turn, gave the most enthusiastic applause so far.

Yulian also watched Elizabeth's figure until their eyes briefly met as she sat down. A complex emotion flickered in the latter's eyes before she lowered her gaze.

The rest of the Sorting proceeded without incident. Harry, Ron, and Neville all went to Gryffindor. Malfoy and his cronies went to Slytherin.

Among them, Harry Potter's Sorting indeed received the most enthusiastic applause and cheers.

With the Sorting concluded, Dumbledore seemed pleased with the results. He stood up, spreading his arms wide. "Let the feast begin!"

As soon as he spoke, the empty plates instantly filled with food. Even though he had been exposed to the culinary delights of the great Eastern nation in his past life, Yulian had to admit that Hogwarts' opening feast was a pretty good buffet.

Of course, the opening feast was not just about eating; it was also an important occasion for the young witches and wizards to get to know and interact with each other. Especially for pure-blood young witches and wizards, it was a place to exchange intelligence and information.

Just as Ron was switching between his "Berserk" talent with a chicken leg in each hand, basic information about several key unfamiliar young witches and wizards had already spread across the school's various house tables.

"Tch, I thought it was someone important. Turns out it's a Mud... related to the Evans family." Malfoy sneered, glancing at Yulian at the next table.

"Malfoy!" Malfoy's last word was interrupted by Gemma Farley. "Watch your words in public. You can't say that word aloud, even if you think it, especially not where the Head of House can hear!"

Malfoy nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. "Alright, I'll be careful."

Rosier looked thoughtfully at Gemma. New to Hogwarts, she was also testing the school's limits and boundaries.

Marcus, clearly already acquainted with Malfoy, swapped seats with Goyle to sit beside Malfoy. He patted Malfoy's shoulder. "It's okay, Draco! Gemma meant well. By the way, how is Uncle Malfoy doing? Last time he mentioned you liked Quidditch..."

"Naturally, I'll practice with you. Let's see your flying skills."

"Really? That's great! In that case, our school's Quidditch equipment isn't as good as yours, and it might hinder your performance."

"Of course, first-year students can't bring flying broomsticks to school. School rules must be followed! But you're right, Slytherin's equipment really does need an update."

"You're right about everything, but the Head of House has his own difficulties."

"That would be best. I'll also try to get the Head of House's approval. Thank you in advance, Uncle Malfoy."

No wonder this seemingly crude gorilla was able to become Slytherin's prefect. Compared to him, Draco is still just a child who only knows how to argue. - Elizabeth Rosier

"Hi! Eliza, can I call you Eliza?" Just as Rosier was observing the situation at the table, a friendly greeting reached her ears.

Rosier turned her head. Without her realizing it, Gemma had sat down to her left.

Rosier stopped eating, put down her cutlery, and gracefully nodded in return. "Of course, all my friends call me that." Rosier emphasized the word "friends."

"Hello, Lyria! Is your name Lyria?"

A tall, handsome boy appeared before Lyria. It was the same handsome boy she had seen on the platform when she was on the train.

"My name is Cedric Diggory. Welcome to Hufflepuff. I'm sure you won't regret your choice."

"Hello, I'm from the far north of Norway. My official name is Liria Sigurddóttir. But we usually just use our first names. Sigurd is my father's name, and 'dóttir' means daughter."

"Okay, Lyria. Welcome again. Let me tell you a secret: if you see anything on this table you like, just say the word and I'll go to the kitchens to get it for you. This is one of the advantages of Hufflepuff. Haha."

"Thank you." Lyria took a great liking to the enthusiastic prefect. Of course, if he had looked like Marcus, it might have only provoked disgust.

"Right, aren't you guys closer to Durmstrang?" Cedric seemed to say it casually.

"Hmph, I wouldn't go to that dark wizard's lair." Lyria's reaction seemed a bit strong, exceeding Cedric's imagination. "Our tribe has an agreement with Headmaster Dumbledore."

"Indeed, Hogwarts is the best magic school in all of Europe. Let me introduce you to some other students..." Cedric seemed to understand something and nodded secretly.

This year, quite a few young wizards arrived in Gryffindor, no less than the populous Hufflepuff.

Ron: "Lucky!"

Just as Ron picked up the last chicken drumstick, all the food on the table suddenly disappeared. It was then replaced by desserts.

Hermione glanced disdainfully at Ron's eating habits, then looked in the direction of Ravenclaw. She saw Yulian animatedly saying something, making the flaxen-haired senior and several girls around him laugh uncontrollably. She couldn't help but spit inwardly.

Just now, during the Sorting, she had hesitated for a long time between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. When she decided to go to Ravenclaw, the Sorting Hat had shouted Gryffindor.

"Percy, who is that sitting next to Professor Quirrell?" Harry felt as if he had been stared at maliciously, and the scar on his forehead throbbed with pain.

"Oh, that's the Head of Slytherin House, Professor Snape."

"He looks like a bat to me," Ron interjected.

Hermione shook her head helplessly again and turned her gaze back to a certain spot.

At the staff table, Dumbledore, seated in the center, added another spoonful of sugar to his Honeyduke's lemon sherbet, murmuring, "A triangle is the most stable. I hope this choice is the right one."