"Hannah Abbott!" Professor McGonagall called out, using her first name.
It was definitely Hannah Abbott, the girl who would eventually marry Neville Longbottom. Her name had appeared first because the sorting was done alphabetically by last name.
Albert watched as a small blonde girl with rosy cheeks stepped forward from the line, and Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat gently on her head.
Hannah sat nervously on the stool, hoping to be sorted into Hufflepuff. Soon, the Sorting Hat's voice rang out in a long tone, "Hufflepuff!"
The people seated at the table to Hannah's right applauded and welcomed her warmly, while the ghost known as the Fat Friar smiled happily and waved.
"Susan Bones!" McGonagall called next.
The Sorting Hat shouted again, "Hufflepuff!" Susan hurried to join Hannah and sat beside her.
The sorting continued, and Albert noticed that the tone of the Sorting Hat's voice changed with each name it announced.
Before his own name was read, Albert began guessing which house he might be placed in.
By lineage, Slytherin was possible—but he doubted he would be sorted there, as he lacked the royal mindset or the cunning cruelty common among many Slytherins, like the Malfoys or the Blacks. As for Ravenclaw, since he wasn't a prodigy in knowledge—having only been reading about this magical world for less than a month—that house seemed unlikely as well. So, the two possible houses left were Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.
Both houses seemed welcoming, but after seeing Hermione and Neville sorted into Gryffindor, Albert started leaning toward Gryffindor. After all, having some familiar academic allies was better than none.
Finally, when Neville Longbottom returned the Sorting Hat to Professor McGonagall, she called out Albert Black's name.
As the name "Black" echoed through the hall, many professors tensed, but none more so than Professor Snape, whose gaze burned with barely concealed anger.
Albert felt a strong hostility emanating from Snape's right side. Turning his head, he met Snape's glare—so fierce it felt as though the professor might devour him at any moment.
Ignoring the hostile look, Albert stepped forward to the stool where McGonagall waited.
He sat down as she placed the ancient, nearly thousand-year-old Sorting Hat on his head—a hat so worn and stained it would never be washed.
Then, Albert heard a small voice whisper inside the hat: "Although I find your idea somewhat bold, I still appreciate your courage and kindness. Life in this old hat is not as dull as you might think. I can sense your bravery and kindness, so I have decided..."
Before Albert could respond, the quiet voice exploded into a loud shout: "Gryffindor!"
Albert took off the hat and placed his hands respectfully on the stool, despite its dirtiness and worn condition. To him, it symbolized Hogwarts more than the magnificent castle itself, because the wisdom of the four founders was what truly gave the school its spirit.
After bowing to the professors, Albert walked to the Gryffindor table and sat beside Neville and Ron.
Shortly after, Harry Potter was also sorted into Gryffindor, just as in the original story. Everyone at the table stood up, cheering and applauding.
When Professor McGonagall returned the Sorting Hat, Professor Dumbledore rose from his large golden chair at the center of the teachers' table. Smiling warmly at the students, he stretched out his arms toward them, clearly delighted to see them gathered together.
"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to Hogwarts for the start of the new school year! Before we begin the feast, I'd like to say a few words: Seoluzona Motsan—Thank you all!"
The students clapped and cheered. Albert looked at Hermione across the table and asked, "What does the headmaster mean by that?"
Hermione, looking a little puzzled, answered, "I haven't seen it in the books. Maybe it's some special greeting in the wizarding world."
Neville interrupted, "Don't think about it now. Let's eat quickly. Aren't you hungry?"
Albert noticed the empty plates were suddenly filled with all kinds of food. He took some boiled potatoes with tomato sauce and chicken, his usual dinner choice from his past life. Not accustomed to heavy meat meals at night, he ate only half the chicken and some potatoes.
When everyone finished eating, the remaining food vanished from the plates as suddenly as it had appeared. The dishes and cutlery gleamed as if brand new. Soon after, new plates arrived, filled with all sorts of ice cream flavors.
With the help of dessert, conversations flowed easily. Albert and Hermione peppered Prefect Percy with academic questions. The lively atmosphere continued until the sweets disappeared.
As the desserts vanished, so did all the cutlery, leaving the table spotless, as if brand new.
The dining hall fell silent again. Professor Dumbledore stood once more and said, "Everyone, I believe you have eaten and drunk your fill. Now, I have some announcements."
"First, a warning for first-years: entering the forest on campus is strictly forbidden. Some of the older students should remember this as well."
Dumbledore's bright eyes glanced at the Weasley twins.
"Second, Mr. Filch asked me to remind everyone not to use magic in the corridors between classrooms."
"Third, the Quidditch tryouts will be held in the second week of term. Students interested in joining their college team should contact Madam Rolanda Hooch."
"Finally, I must warn you all: if you wish to avoid accidents or painful deaths, do not enter the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor."
A few new students laughed nervously, but most remained quiet, knowing well that as headmaster, Dumbledore never lied when it came to safety.
Albert immediately understood that Dumbledore referred to the Chamber of Secrets, where the Philosopher's Stone was once hidden. But none of that concerned him—those matters were meant for Harry and Voldemort.
He looked up to find Dumbledore quietly staring at him. When their eyes met, both quickly looked away, embarrassed.
Dumbledore paused to let everyone absorb the news, then said loudly, "Alright, before everyone heads to bed, let's sing the school song together!"
Almost all the teachers froze at the headmaster's last sentence.
Waving his wand, Dumbledore conjured a long golden ribbon twisting above the high table, forming lines of text.
"Everyone, pick the tune you like," he said. "Get ready to sing!"
Albert felt a bit embarrassed but followed along, recalling the highlights of the movie he had watched. They sang the entire song together.
When Dumbledore announced bedtime, the Hogwarts opening ceremony officially ended.
Led by Prefect Percy, the new students walked through the noisy crowd, exited the Great Hall, and climbed the stairs to their dormitories. The portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed. Twice, Percy led them through hidden doors.
Albert thought about how Hogwarts had been a sanctuary in dark times. Built originally as a military fortress, its odd structures and secret passages were designed to repel invaders.
Everyone was yawning; Albert himself felt heavy eyelids after a truly exhausting day.
After dragging their feet up countless stairs—stairs that felt almost magically endless—the person ahead suddenly stopped.
It was Peeves the Poltergeist, causing mischief on the stairs to scare the students. Percy quickly chased him away.
They continued on, and at the end of the corridor, Percy told everyone they had arrived.
There was a portrait of a very wealthy woman dressed in pink.
"Password?" she asked.
"Dragon wings," Percy replied.
The painting swung forward, revealing a circular hole in the wall. One by one, they crawled through the opening. Albert helped Neville through easily, and soon they found themselves in the Gryffindor common room.
The room was cozy and round, decorated in gold and red, filled with soft chairs. A roaring fireplace banished much of the old castle's chill.
The new students looked sleepy, and the older ones knew it too, so they said nothing. Percy led the girls through one door to their dormitory and took the boys through another. Albert found his bedroom nearby.
His room was not the same one Harry and Ron shared; it was a separate room close by.
Everyone was exhausted from the train journey and dinner, and no one wanted to talk anymore. They collapsed onto the
ir beds and quickly fell asleep.
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