Branch Campus

Professor McGonagall left, and the atmosphere in the small room grew somewhat oppressive.

The young witches and wizards who had just set foot in the Magic World were all nervous about the upcoming Sorting Ceremony, terrified they might fail Hogwarts' test.

How embarrassing would it be to get expelled!

Keke Klein watched the tense little faces with great interest, his mood quite cheerful. Recalling his own foolishness when he first enrolled at Durmstrang in his previous life, he couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a girl's scream rang out from the crowd.

At some point, a group of translucent ghosts had appeared in the room!

"Keke Klein?"

The timid Neville instinctively sought out his newly made friend, only to catch sight of Klein greeting a plump ghost monk, which startled him so much that he choked on his own saliva and burst into violent coughing.

"Your companion seems a bit timid."

The ghost monk chuckled, unfazed by Neville's reaction. Every year, new students were badly frightened; those as calm as Klein were rare.

"He's just shy around strangers."

Klein shrugged and smoothly changed the subject.

"They say this castle hides many secrets. How about it, interested in telling me a few?"

The ghost monk paused briefly, then shook his head with a smile.

"Young man, some things are more interesting to discover on your own."

"Alright~"

Not getting any useful information, Klein wasn't disappointed and continued chatting cheerfully with the ghost monk.

Before long, Professor McGonagall returned, and the ghost monk waved goodbye before vanishing back into the wall like the others.

"The Sorting Ceremony is ready. Now, follow me."

With crisp efficiency, she lined up the stiff-bodied children in a row and led Klein and the others into a grand dining hall.

Candlelight dimmed the sun, resplendent in gold!

Four long tables filled the hall, set with gleaming golden plates and crystal goblets. Students sat crowded around them, the older ones curiously sizing up their new juniors.

Countless candles floated in midair, reflecting an endless starry sky—a highly skilled illusion charm, nearly indistinguishable from the real heavens.

On the High platform sat the Professors' seats. Professor McGonagall led the group to the base of the platform, facing the tables.

Instantly, countless gazes fixed on the new students.

"Mm."

Neville nervously swallowed, the invisible pressure making his stomach cramp. Klein, standing beside him, smiled but said nothing.

Once the line was formed, Professor McGonagall nodded toward the High platform, then placed a four-legged stool before the first-year students. She produced a dirty, worn-out wizard's hat and set it on the stool.

The hat was wrinkled, like it had a face, and more amusingly, when everyone's attention focused on it, it began to sing.

"You may think I'm not much to see, But don't judge by my looks, I plea, If you can find a hat more clever than me, I'll eat myself, you'll see.

You can make your bowlers sleek and black, Your top hats smooth and neat, But I'm the Sorting Hat for Hogwarts' test, So naturally I'm more elite.

Any thought hidden in your mind, Can't escape the Sorting Hat's keen sight, Try me on, and I'll tell you, Which house you'll join tonight.

You might belong in Gryffindor, Where courage lies deep in the heart, Their daring, spirit, and chivalry, Make Gryffindor stand apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Hufflepuff's students are steadfast and true, And unafraid of toil."

"If you have a keen mind, You might enter wise old Ravenclaw, Where those of wit and learning, Will always find their kindred; Or perhaps you'll go to Slytherin, Where you might make true friends, But those cunning and ruthless will stop at nothing, To achieve their ends. Come, put me on! Don't be afraid! Don't panic! In my hands, You are perfectly safe, For I am a thinking magical hat!"

The voice was hoarse and wildly off-key, but Klein still clapped politely—not just him, but everyone applauded.

The Sorting Hat revealed a smiling face, looking thoroughly pleased.

"Now, when I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool."

Once the applause died down, Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, announced the start of the Sorting Ceremony, and called out the first name on the parchment in her hand.

"Hannah Abbott."

At the call, the little girl with two golden braids stumbled out of the crowd, hurried to the stool, and put on the hat.

After a moment, the Sorting Hat gave its answer.

"Hufflepuff!"

As the words fell, the far right side of the Great Hall erupted in applause and cheers, welcoming her to take her seat at the Badger House table.

"Susan Bones."

Professor McGonagall spoke again.

"Hufflepuff."

This time, the Sorting Hat made its decision even faster than before.

The Sorting Ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion.

Neville Longbottom, Draco Malfoy, Andy Thomas, Pansy Parkinson, Hermione Granger—all those who had interacted with Klein to some degree—were sorted and joined their respective house tables.

When Harry Potter sat down on the stool, the atmosphere in the Great Hall reached its peak.

After a brief wait, the Boy Who Lived joined Gryffindor, earning thunderous applause.

More and more people stepped out of the group of new students, but Klein wasn't in a hurry. He waited quietly for his name to be called.

Time passed bit by bit, until at last, only he remained beneath the High Platform.

He was the very last one!

"Klein Grindelwald."

Scanning the list, Professor McGonagall called out the final name and couldn't help but pause slightly.

Grindelwald?

That surname wasn't common.

"Tap, tap, tap."

His khaki leather boots struck the marble floor, each step echoing with a dull thud. Klein walked unhurriedly toward the stool, as composed as if strolling through his own garden.

One step, two steps, three steps.

For some reason, the hall suddenly fell silent, a stark contrast to the lively commotion during Harry Potter's Sorting just moments ago.

Strikingly handsome, outstandingly refined.

The indescribable aura around Klein instantly drew every gaze!

"Heh."

On the High Platform, the old man in the starry robes smiled faintly.

He wasn't surprised.

Because some people were simply born to be the center of attention.

Reaching the front, Klein put on the hat, and a voice rang out in his mind.

"Ah, an interesting young man. Humble and polite, full of vitality, with your own ideas and the courage to put them into practice."

He smiled and asked back with curiosity.

"Thank you for the compliment. I have a question—I've already mastered Occlumency. How did you manage to pry into my thoughts?"

The Sorting Hat's tone faltered, falling into an eerie silence.

Klein blinked, thinking to himself, Is this hat thin-skinned? Can't handle being questioned?

"I've made my choice."

A few minutes later, the Sorting Hat's voice rang out in his mind again.

This time, its mood seemed... subdued?

"Mr. Hat, you still haven't answered my question."

Klein wasn't in a hurry; to him, any house was fine.

"Slytherin!"

Ignoring Klein's quiet murmur, the Sorting Hat bellowed at the top of its "voice," eagerly delivering the final verdict.

He had been sorted into the snake house.