Caramel Macchiato

The Sorting Hat had clearly forgotten that they were still in a sorting process, with a group of professors and students waiting for lunch.

It continued its idle chatter, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, "And how did Luna know about the Sorting Houses?"

I won't tell you.

"Actually, I could have known even if you hadn't said anything," the Sorting Hat boasted. "Let me take a look."

"Ah, so that little girl can also Legilimency. She saw it from her father."

"Legilimency? I thought it was mind reading, how come you can do that too?" Anne immediately gleaned some information from the Sorting Hat's words.

"Of course, Ravenclaw is a natural Legilimency, and she used magic to give me the same ability."

The Sorting Hat said smugly, "That's why I know many secrets. I'm the most knowledgeable hat in the world, and I know a lot about magic."

"That's not necessarily true." Anne winked mischievously. "Have you ever seen a bicorn hat?"

"No, no."

"Where's the green beret?"

"No."

"Turkey felt hat?"

"No!"

"Top hat, top hat, safety helmet?"

"Are you ever going to stop?!" the Sorting Hat snapped, exasperated. "Why are you even more talkative than me?"

"I've never seen it either, but would you like to go and take a look?" Anne smiled sweetly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Being stuck in the Headmaster's Office all day must be very boring, right?" Dumbledore said, adding that he was a little bored.

"It's not boring at all. I can come up with new lyrics, which is the most meaningful thing."

"My brother said that people can't always do the same thing; they need to change their mindset occasionally so that their talent can gush out like milking a cow."

"Oh, that makes sense," the Sorting Hat exclaimed, suddenly realizing. "No wonder the lyrics in recent years have been a bit dry."

"I overheard Dad and Uncle Iris talking the other day about going to Paris for vacation next summer. Do you want to go? Maybe you can clear your head and find some inspiration?"

Paris? Is it beautiful?

"I don't know, but my brother told me that there is a very beautiful white silk there, the most beautiful silk in the world."

"I can take you to see some, help you change the materials, and I can also introduce you to some beautiful women's hats."

silence,

A long silence.

"Stay in the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts for another thousand years, or... come with me, and I'll show you the world?"

The Sorting Hat didn't know what to say; it just suddenly missed Godric Gryffindor at this moment.

The boy who loved taking him on adventures everywhere.

"I haven't been out in ages, and this is still the old-fashioned style from a thousand years ago..."

Retro style is all the rage now!

"I'm very worn out..."

"The more dilapidated it is, the more it reveals its history!"

"To the principal..."

"It's just for the summer vacation. I'll take care of Professor Dumbledore's situation."

"Okay, okay!" The Sorting Hat's voice trembled slightly as it reminded, "Don't forget, next summer vacation, it's a promise, don't forget!"

Anne snapped her fingers.

Kidnapping the legendary wizard's hat—plan succeeded!

"By the way, Anne, which college are you going to?"

Can I choose for myself?

"Well, normally it wouldn't work... but there are always exceptions."

The Sorting Hat had long forgotten what Dumbledore had told him.

"I can decide which college you want to go to."

"Let's do it your way," Anne said, resting her chin on her hand.

"Then... Gryffindor?" The Sorting Hat finally remembered Dumbledore's instructions.

"Isn't it Ravenclaw?"

"Ravenclaw isn't out of the question either."

"Fine, Gryffindor it is. I heard from my brother that Hermione is being ostracized by her classmates in Gryffindor, so I'll reluctantly go and keep her company."

She's usually quite fierce, and aside from my brother who likes to talk to her, she doesn't have many friends.

"Then... Gryffindor!"

Goodbye, Mr. Hat. I'll come to see you at Dumbledore's.

By the way, do you have a name?

"No."

"Or how about calling it Caramel Macchiato?"

What is that?

"My favorite milk coffee."

"Never mind, the name's weird."

"Okay, Mr. Macchiato."

"..."

Goodbye, Mr. Macchiato.

Anne took off her hat and returned it to Professor Flitwick.

At this point, the two sides had been talking for twenty minutes, breaking the record for the longest time spent in a single department.

Anne walked toward the cheering Gryffindor classmates, but she glanced back at her William, a helpless smile on her face.

It seems she was forced to go to Gryffindor.

Dumbledore breathed a huge sigh of relief and applauded enthusiastically.

The twin brothers shouted, "We have Stark! We have Stark!"

William glared at Dumbledore; that old geezer was definitely pulling strings behind the scenes.

It's important to know that the Stark family has been Ravenclaw's students for the past two years.

He protested!

Hermione shifted on the bench, humming as she made room for Anne.

Anne sat down next to her.

Soon, the division of labor ended.

Professor Dumbledore stood up. Although he was very old, he always gave the impression of being energetic. His hair and beard were several feet long, he wore semi-circular glasses, and his nose was sharply hooked.

"Welcome!" said Professor Dumbledore, his beard Winky in the candlelight. "Welcome to Hogwarts for the new school year!"

Dumbledore opened his arms and said, "Let's begin our meal."

Suddenly, the golden plates and wine glasses in front of the students were filled with food and drinks.

It was another sumptuous feast, and the Great Hall echoed with laughter and the clinking of knives and forks.

Dumbledore didn't eat; instead, he left his seat and walked outside. He clearly needed to deal with Harry and Ron's situation.

Five minutes later, he returned with Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall.

Professor Snape had a gloomy face and looked very unhappy.

Once everyone was finally present, Lockhart tapped the golden cup in front of him and stood up with a broad smile.

Everyone gradually quieted down and looked at the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.

The entire hall finally fell silent. Lockhart cleared his throat and said, "I, Gilderoy Lockhart, Order of Merlin, Third Class, Honorary Member of the Defence Against Dark Magic League, five-time winner of the Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award —but I don't wear that on my sleeve. I didn't defeat Werewolf with a smile!"

"As a former student of the school, I returned to my alma mater after many years at the repeated invitation of Professor Dumbledore and my dear friend William Stark, the youngest recipient of the Order of Merlin."

Everything was so beautiful.

"Here, I have prepared a few small gifts for all of you professors."

Wow, he starts giving gifts as soon as they meet. Lockhart's got a knack for socializing!

(Oops, I forgot to click publish.)

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