The Sorting Begins

"The Welcome Feast is about to begin, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your Houses."

"Sorting is a very important ceremony, because while you are at Hogwarts, your House will be like your family. You will attend classes with other students in your House, sleep in the dormitory of your House, and spend your free time in the common room of your House."

"The names of the four Houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."

"Each House has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding wizards. During your time at Hogwarts, your excellent performance will earn your House points, and any rule-breaking will result in your House losing points."

"At the end of the year, the House with the most points will be awarded the House Cup, which is a great honor. I hope that no matter which House you are sorted into, you will bring glory to your House."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips and scanned the faces of the first-year students again.

"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place in front of the entire school. I suggest that while you wait, you tidy yourselves up and make yourselves look presentable."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over a few rather disheveled boys, then lingered on Gemini before she nodded with satisfaction.

Then, as if remembering something unpleasant, Professor McGonagall's expression stiffened again.

"I will come to get you when they are ready. Please remain quiet while you wait."

Professor McGonagall finished speaking and left the room.

The first-year students waiting in the room did not remain quiet as Professor McGonagall had instructed. As soon as she left, the room erupted in noise.

"Do you know how the sorting works?" Hermione tugged on Gemini's sleeve and asked quietly.

"If I told you, wouldn't that spoil the surprise?" Gemini chuckled softly.

Hermione's tense face turned pale. "I just hope it's not a fright."

The young wizards around them were panicking, but Gemini remained as calm as ever.

Actually, if he could, Gemini wished he could be a little nervous too, but unfortunately, he knew the plot, which made it completely devoid of any excitement.

If there was any anticipation, it was perhaps the hope that he would be sorted into Slytherin...

There was also a small interlude during the wait. A few ghostly figures, clad in stark white, seemed to have taken a wrong turn and passed through the wall into the first-years' small room, but they left quickly.

Just as they left, Professor McGonagall returned.

"Now, form a line and follow me."

The first-year students lined up and followed Professor McGonagall out of the room, through the entrance hall, and after passing through a double door, they arrived at a truly magnificent Great Hall.

Candles floated in mid-air, illuminating the entire hall, and flocks of bats flew across the ceiling from time to time.

The walls of the hall were adorned with beautiful bas-reliefs carved from marble. The dozens of meters long tables were already filled with students from other years, their tables laden with gleaming golden plates and sparkling goblets.

At the front of the hall, another long table was set for the professors. Professor McGonagall led the first-year students to the front of the teachers' table, making them stand in a line facing the entire student body, which made Gemini feel a little embarrassed.

"The ceiling has been enchanted to look like the sky outside. I read about it in 'Hogwarts: A History'."

Hermione whispered softly in Gemini's ear.

"I'm glad you're still in the mood to think about that," Gemini smiled. "It seems you're not too nervous."

"No," Hermione's face was frighteningly pale. "I just don't know what to say when I'm nervous."

Gemini: "..."

Gemini didn't have to wait long. Soon, Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first-year students and put a pointed wizard's hat on the stool.

The hat looked tattered, patched all over, and worn shiny. Gemini thought the hat hadn't been washed in ages.

The moment the wizard's hat was placed on the stool, the Great Hall fell silent.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the hat began to wiggle provocatively, splitting open a mouth-like gap.

Here it comes, the Sorting Hat's Hogwarts rap!

'Ready? Everybody sing along with me!'

Gemini silently imagined in his mind.

"You might think I'm not much to look at, But don't judge a book by its cover.

If you can find any hat smarter than me, I'll eat myself whole.

You can make your bowler hats shiny and black, And your top hats smooth and crisp.

I am the testing hat of Hogwarts, Naturally, I'm superior to your hats.

Any thought hidden in your minds, Cannot escape the Sorting Hat's keen eyes.

Try it on, and I'll tell you, Which House you should belong to.

You might belong to Gryffindor,"

There's courage buried deep in your heart, The Gryffindor house excels with their bravery, daring, and boldness; You might belong to Hufflepuff, Where people are upright and loyal, Hufflepuff students are tenacious and honest, And not afraid of hard work; If you have a quick mind, Perhaps you'll join the wise old Ravenclaw, Those who are wise and learned, Will always find their kindred spirits there; Perhaps you'll join Slytherin, Perhaps you'll make true friends here, But those cunning and sinister ones will stop at nothing, To achieve their goals. Come, put me on! Don't be afraid! Don't panic! In my hands (though I don't have any hands), You are absolutely safe, Because I am a thinking hat!"

It was exactly the same as Gemini had seen in Philosopher's Stone. The Sorting Hat's song hadn't changed one bit just because Gemini had come to this world. What a guy, just copy-pasted, huh?

When the Sorting Hat finished its song, thunderous applause erupted throughout the hall. The Sorting Hat chuckled, bowed to the four dining tables, and then remained still.

Professor McGonagall took two steps forward, holding a roll of parchment.

"I will now call out the names. Whoever is called will put on the hat, sit on the stool, and await sorting."

As Professor McGonagall spoke, she read out the first name. No one noticed that in a corner at the front, Gemini quietly mumbled a sentence, his lips forming the exact same shape as Professor McGonagall's!

"Hannah Abbott!"

Oh my gosh!

A rosy-cheeked little girl with two blonde braids stumbled out of the line. She put on the hat, and it covered her eyes perfectly.

She sat down, and the Sorting Hat paused for a moment—

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The clear voice rang out. Students at the right-hand long table immediately cheered, applauding and cheering for Hannah, welcoming her to sit at the Hufflepuff table.

"Susan Bones!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Terry Boot!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Actually, I think being sorted into Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad," Gemini said with a light chuckle. "Did you notice? At least sixty percent of the people at the Ravenclaw table are girls. Smart and beautiful girls gathered together, it feels pretty good."

As Gemini said this, Hermione immediately stopped feeling nervous.

Instead, she was filled with indignation, and her small face turned bright red.

Just then—

"Hermione Granger!"

Hermione practically ran to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on her head.

"Aha! A very smart and brave little witch. Let me think, where should I sort you?"

A small voice echoed in Hermione's ears.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Hermione's heart roared.

She wanted to go to Gryffindor, to use her intelligence to completely crush those little brats in Ravenclaw, and to make Gemini realize what kind of girl was truly outstanding!