The events that followed—the various precautions Professor McGonagall explained, the commotion and uproar from the teachers and students as they looked toward the stage, and whatever song the Sorting Hat sang—were completely ignored by Annie. She even found it annoying just to watch, so there was no need to elaborate on them here.
Anyway!
She simply stood at the very back of the line, watching as one new student after another—including Hermione and some dopey-looking fellow—were sorted into their respective Houses. Only after the last timid boy had been assigned to a House and had scrambled over to its table did the stage finally hold no one but Professor McGonagall, the Sorting Hat, and Annie.
As expected, once certain students who had seen the Daily Prophet noticed that her build and appearance looked nothing like those of an eleven-year-old student, they began whispering among themselves. Before long, nearly every teacher and student present had turned their attention toward her.
"..."
(▽)
Annie wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She cutely hugged her Little Bear, Tibbers, then prepared to walk over, sit in the chair, and undergo the final Sorting Ceremony.
However!
At that moment, Professor McGonagall didn't immediately place the hat on her head. Instead, she looked toward the professors' table.
Following her gaze, Annie indeed saw Albus Dumbledore stand up. He exchanged a glance with Professor McGonagall, whose expression was stern and complicated, then raised both hands and said:
"Everyone!"
"Please be quiet..."
He looked around the hall. Once he saw that the teachers and students had indeed fallen silent and were all looking at him, he calmly continued:
"Tonight!"
"I won't be saying anything about fools or crying babies..."
"What I want to say is this: some of you may already know, and you should have seen the newspaper