This was a special sorting ceremony, unlike anything Hogwarts had ever held before.
Or perhaps the thousand-year-old castle had always been slow to change, like an old woman weathered by life, sitting there with a kindly smile as she watched the children run about so full of energy.
Dumbledore watched the scene in the Great Hall with a quiet smile, his mind drifting. When exactly had Hogwarts begun to change?
His gaze settled on Zhang Xiao, who stood at the entrance with his arms folded, leaning against the doorframe and smiling more brightly than anyone.
Perhaps it had been the moment Zhang entered the school?
As though sensing his gaze, Zhang Xiao lifted his head and looked at Dumbledore.
He paused, then gave the headmaster a great big smile.
How wonderful... Dumbledore thought.
Petunia walked forward, step by step, until she reached the tall stool and the battered hat was placed on her head.
The brim blocked her sight with darkness, yet her heart had never felt so at peace.
Suddenly, she heard a tiny voice beside her ear:
"Oh... an entirely new experience. This is the first time I've been placed on a Muggle's head, but how interesting..."
Petunia suddenly thought of her sister. Had she sat here just as Petunia did now on that night? What had she been feeling?
"Do you mean Lily Evans? I remember her. Of course I remember her-"
Those dormant memories stirred within the Sorting Hat, too. Even after so many years, it still remembered that girl.
"She was excited, and nervous, too. She didn't know where she would go... oh, yes, she thought of you as well."
Petunia's breath seemed to stop for an instant. She thought of me?
"Yes, Lily thought of you. She was so sorry. What Lily wanted