Sorting

After Kyle was seated, Professor McGonagall walked over to the triangular stool.

The cheers in the Great Hall gradually subsided.

Professor McGonagall picked up the hat.

"Whoever's name I call now, put on your hat and sit on the stool to await sorting."

"Hannah Abbott!"

A little girl with rosy cheeks and two golden braids stumbled out of the line and put on her hat.

After a brief pause--

Hufflepuff!

The people at the table to her right applauded Hannah, welcoming her to the Hufflepuff.

The second person to be sorted, Susan Bones, was also sorted into Hufflepuff. Amid applause, she quickly ran to Hannah's side and sat down.

The sorting process proceeded smoothly afterward, with Hermione and Neville both going to Gryffindor.

Malfoy also got his wish and went to Slytherin.

And then there's Harry and Ron; unsurprisingly, they're also Gryffindor.

Kyle noticed that Dumbledore, High Table, looked particularly pleased. He clapped his hands and even openly gestured with the House Cup towards Harry.

"That old bee."

Kyle pursed his lips. He knew Dumbledore would give Harry a power boost, but to be so blatant about it was a bit too much.

Professor Snape was not as happy as Dumbledore.

However, he didn't look at Harry. Instead, he squinted and stared intently at the Sorting Hat, as if he were about to pull out a Potions and pour it on the tattered hat at any moment.

After the last freshman was sorted into Slytherin, Snape immediately got up, wanting to help Professor McGonagall return the Sorting Hat.

But she was rejected.

"Thank you, Severus, but the freshman list needs to be placed in a designated location; you might not be able to find it." Professor McGonagall gave him a somewhat puzzled look, then rolled up the parchment, put on the Sorting Hat, and left.

Dumbledore stood up, smiled broadly at the crowd, and opened his arms to them.

Welcome!

He smiled and said, "Welcome everyone to Hogwarts for the start of a new school year! Before the banquet begins, I'd like to say a few words."

That is: Idiot! Crybaby! Trash! Twist!

Thank you everyone!

As Dumbledore sat down again, his previously empty plate was now filled with food.

"Oh, I hate carrots..."

Mikel looked at the vegetable soup in front of him and said to Ryan next to him, "Can we switch seats?"

Ryan, who was munching on a corncob, shrugged indifferently and got up to switch places with Mikel.

He's not a picky eater; he eats everything.

"Kyle, do you know what the principal just meant?" Cedric asked, puzzled.

For some reason, he felt that Dumbledore had seemed a bit crazy just now, like some kind of old wizard who wasn't thinking straight.

His words were also obscure and difficult to understand.

"I'm not entirely sure either," Kyle thought for a moment and said, "Probably referring to our opinion of the other three houses. Like Ravenclaw, don't they always think the people from the other houses are idiots?"

"Is that so..."

Reminded by Kyle, Cedric quickly connected the dots and nodded thoughtfully, saying, "That makes sense."

There are many speculations about Dumbledore's words, but no matter how reasonable they may seem, they are ultimately just speculation.

No one knows what he really thinks.

The only person who might know was still imprisoned in Nurmengard at that time.

Everyone enjoyed the meal immensely, until finally, the last few Pumpkin Pasties pieces disappeared from the golden plate.

After a delicious feast, Dumbledore stood up again.

"Now that everyone has eaten and drunk their fill, I'd like to say a few more words."

"First, there's Professor Quirrell, whom we know well. He volunteered to fill the vacancy for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

And Professor Burbage Charity Bubbaggie, she will be our new Muggle Studies professor."

Two wizards, a man and a woman, stood up from the High Table; one was timid and hesitant, the other was radiant and spirited.

The Great Hall erupted in fairly enthusiastic applause.

However, almost all of the applause was for Professor Burbage Charity Boubagi.

As for Professor Quirrell, he only benefited from her fame... He's just a professor whose job is only done once a year, what's so special about welcoming him?

Not far from Kyle, an older student clicked his tongue in amazement. "He actually volunteered to be the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts... How come I never realized Professor Quirrell was so brave?"

After the applause subsided, the two sat back down.

Dumbledore continued, "Attention first-year students, no student is permitted to enter the wooded area on the school grounds."

You must remember this: if anyone invites you there, even your most familiar professor, please do not accept. This is very important.

When he said that, Kyle felt countless eyes suddenly turn to him.

This left him speechless.

Good heavens, is this considered a public execution?

Fortunately, Dumbledore didn't waste too much time on this and continued, "Also, Mr. Filch, the warden, asked me to remind everyone not to cast spells in the hallways during breaks."

Don't bring any magical plants from the greenhouse back to the castle, especially the dangerous ones.

Dumbledore's bright eyes swept over Kyle.

Kyle's lips twitched slightly, but he quickly calmed down.

Although he didn't know how Dumbledore knew, it didn't matter. He gave the headmaster face and agreed not to touch the plants brought from the greenhouse this semester.

"The selection process for Quidditch players will take place in the second week of this semester. Students interested in joining the student representative team should contact Madam Hooch."

"Finally, I must tell everyone that anyone who does not wish to encounter an accident and die a painful death should not enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor."

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle. The bait in those words couldn't be clearer, especially since he was using a straight hook, but he never expected Voldemort to actually believe it.

He didn't even think about it: if Dumbledore didn't have a backup plan, would he have simply told everyone the location?

No, Voldemort is just a wandering spirit now, using Professor Quirrell's shared brain, so it's normal for him to occasionally malfunction.

"He's not serious, is he?" Mikel's face turned pale.

"Unlikely," Cedric shook his head. "It's certainly not as serious as he makes it out to be. If Hogwarts were really that dangerous, it would probably have been completely sealed off long ago."

After everyone finished singing the school song, Dumbledore announced that everyone could go back and rest.

Kyle didn't move, but turned to look at the Gryffindor table.

It's time for someone to honor their bet.

"Oh... damn it!"

"I thought he had forgotten."

Fred and George sighed, and under the puzzled gazes of Harry and Ron, they reluctantly popped a toffee into their mouths.

"Wow..."

"Oh~~"

Amidst shock and laughter, Fred and George, with their tongues hanging out for miles, started tap dancing around the table.

This clause wasn't in the bet; they added it themselves.

Because they have to be careful not to step on their tongues, Fred and George always twitch when they tap dance, which looks quite mesmerizing.

"Oh~~"

Laughter and cheers erupted again from the surrounding area.

Even Dumbledore was captivated by their unique appearance and distinctive dance moves, watching them with great interest.

Professor McGonagall stood there, her face ashen, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Wasn't one performance last year enough? Are you doing it again this year?