Rebuilding the Glory of Slytherin, It Is Our Undeniable Duty
At this moment, the "poor" Jerry was leaning over the Slytherin table, gazing at the staff table. The "greasy-haired" man in black robes on the far left must definitely be their head of house, Snape. Jerry stared at him for quite a while without Snape noticing, and Snape's gaze never left the Gryffindor table.
The professor beside him, dressed like an Indian man, must certainly be Quirrell, this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts consumable.
Jerry recognized several professors with distinct features: the short-statured Filius Flitwick, who was the Charms Class professor, as well as the stern Professor McGonagall and others. The remaining professors would simply have to wait until class to be known.
"Kid, don't you know that Slytherin is a house belonging to us pure-bloods? How did a lowly Muggle like you, who isn't even a half-blood, manage to get in?"
Before the Sorting Ceremony had even ended, trouble-makers had already arrived. The speaker was an older student, somewhat stout, with an expression on his face identical to the Malfoy Jerry had first seen.
Hah, Jerry swore he really wanted to pick up the table's tableware fork, pull this fellow's tongue out, and pin it to the dining table with a fork, letting you bark like a dog.
Jerry pointed with his finger toward the staff table, where Snape was staring at them with icy eyes. The older student's expression changed, and he sat back in his original position.
As per his old rule, Jerry noted down this person's appearance. Just like those few people on the train who had spoken rudely to him, he prepared to find an opportunity when they were alone and put sacks over their heads.
He hoped these few people weren't members of the Quidditch team, otherwise Jerry would definitely break their legs the night before a match!
Jerry didn't care about any House Cup or Slytherin glory.
He, himself, was the glory!
The Sorting Hat's emotions stabilized a bit, and the Sorting continued, except that the subsequent students were forbidden from talking to the Sorting Hat.
Jerry gave a sigh of emotion: he had treated the Sorting Hat as a kindred spirit, while he himself had treated it like a Japanese invader!
Next time he would have to find a chance to have a good chat with it and apologize. This hat stayed in the Headmaster's Office; what if the Sorting Hat held a grudge and always spoke ill of him in front of Dumbledore? Wouldn't that damage his image in the headmaster's eyes?
Before long, Malfoy arrived at the Slytherin table. Glancing at Jerry on the table, he still greeted him.
Malfoy didn't sit next to Jerry; instead, he sat a bit far away, as he was still somewhat afraid of Jerry.
"Hey, Malfoy, why are you greeting that Muggle, that Mudblood?"
Hearing the word "Mudblood," Malfoy jerked his head up to look at Jerry, only to find him looking at himself with a smile while cold sweat poured profusely down his forehead.
"Prefect Phelly, how can you say such a thing? Everyone belongs to the same house and should support and help one another. I, Malfoy, am not someone with blood prejudice."
The surrounding Slytherin students saw Malfoy's current state and reacted as if they had seen a ghost. Were these really lines you would say?
Malfoy wiped the sweat from his head, ignoring the gazes of the people around him, and thought to himself, You lot will see a ghost later on, too.
The subsequent Sorting Ceremony went very smoothly without any further unexpected situations. The Sorting was quickly completed, and Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment and picked up the Sorting Hat as she left.
Albus Dumbledore stood up.
He looked at the students with a beaming smile, spreading his arms wide toward them as if nothing could make him happier than seeing the students gathered together in large numbers.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to Hogwarts for a new school year! Before the banquet starts, I would like to say a few words. And they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
Most people did not understand Dumbledore's meaning, but everyone applauded and cheered.
Following the cheers, food appeared on the tables. Jerry had never seen so many things to eat laid out on a table all at once: roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steak, boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, pea shoots, carrots, gravy, and ketchup.
Jerry was indeed somewhat hungry. Picking up his knife and fork, he began to eat leisurely. His movements looked noble and elegant, matching his handsome appearance, and the Slytherin female students around him all put down their knives and forks to quietly watch him.
When the meal ended, Professor Dumbledore stood up again.
The Great Hall returned to silence.
"Oh, now that everyone is fed and watered, I must give you a few notices."
"The Forbidden Forest on the grounds is forbidden to any students, and the older students are no different. If discovered by Hagrid, you will certainly be given detention."
"In addition, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you all not to cast magic in the corridors between classes."
"Finally, I must remind all students that if you do not wish to suffer an accidental and painful death, please do not enter the corridor on the fourth floor on the right hand side."
"Let me add one more thing: the Restricted Section of the library is forbidden to any students, whether older or younger. Once you enter and are caught, you will face severe punishment."
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Jerry felt that he wasn't warning the students at all, but rather issuing a Hogwarts first-year walkthrough guide to Harry.
What did that last sentence mean? Was he afraid Harry would run around randomly? Or was he preventing the Weasley twins from going in to cause trouble? Surely it couldn't be to guard against him?
"Now, before we go to sleep, let us sing the school song!" Dumbledore shouted.
Dumbledore gave his wand a light wave, and brilliant light flew from the tip, manifesting lines of lyrics in the air above the dining table.
"Everyone pick their favorite tune, ready, sing!" Dumbledore said.
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
or young with scabby knees..."
Everyone sang using their own tune, and the Weasley twins even sang to the melody of a funeral march. With numerous voices blending together, it was simply torture for the ears.
"Music," said Dumbledore, wiping his eyes, "is a magic beyond all we do here! And now, it's time for bed. Night wandering is not permitted at Hogwarts either, so students should all return to their respective house dormitories."
The Slytherin first-year students all followed the prefect, Gemma Farley, through the noisy crowd, walked out of the Great Hall, and headed toward the common room.
In the corridor, Jerry even ran into Hermione. She wanted to pull Jerry to find a professor to explain the situation and get him reassigned to a different house, preferably Gryffindor.
Jerry refused Hermione, comforted her for a bit, saw her off to the Gryffindor group, and then returned to follow the Slytherin newcomers toward the common room beneath the castle.