There were no secrets in the wizarding world—everything left traces.
Even a Horcruxie, shrouded in secrecy, could be uncovered, its clues pieced together by Dengbuliduo himself.
The name "Tangmu Lideer" once shone brightly at Hogwarts sixty years ago, only to become a taboo—spoken in fear—thirty years later.
Back then, Dengbuliduo was the Transfiguration professor. Feiliwei Ke taught Charms. Though Busi Puji and Milawa Maige hadn't joined the staff, their ties to the Order of the Phoenix and Dengbuliduo ensured they knew key details.
Sifu, once the Dark Lord's trusted servant, now his fiercest foe, had investigated every inch of this matter with clarity.
Hagrid trembled, pale as a sheet.
Hagrid had been Tangmu Lideer's classmate. The naive giant had even believed he Lideer was good…
Another unsettled figure was Qu'er, who, upon hearing the name, jerked his head, staring at Tangmu as he approached the Sorting Hat.
Even Sifu, too preoccupied to notice QuQu'er's odd behavior, glared with hatred—not at this Tangmu, but… the other.
"Sifu," Dengbuliduo muttered softly, unheard by others. "There are many with the same name. A name is just a vessel to distinguish individuals. Don't let the past cloud your judgment."
Sifu sneered coldly.
He knew Dengbuliduo had greeted a new pupil student over the summer—not Halili Butei, for whom he'd sent Hagrid.
Besides Besides Halili, who else could alarm the old Headmaster?
Some of smarter pupils students noticed the professors' shift—shifted expressions. The hall fell silent.
When Tangmu reached the stool, every murmur ceased.
"Lideer," he, put on the hat," Maige said, lips tight. She hadn't expected to teach another Tangmu "Lideer"…
Tangmu nodded, nodded and sat, raising the Hat.
The moment it brushed his hair, the Hat screeched, as if throttled: "SLYMERIN! A BORN SLYMERIN!"
Maige froze. Dafuni was stunned. Dengbuli frowned. Sifu and Halili frowned. Tangmu… was dumbfounded.
From the stool, he stared at the shocked hall, his mind blank.
Slymerin?
He wasn't pure-blood or half-blood. He had no ambition for power. Why Slytherin?
Was it fate—an inescapable curse of his name?
In the mental "Learning Space," Andeluosuo—his ancient guide—laughed so hard he could barely breathe. He knew Tangmu's plans—strategies for even Gryffindor, but none for Slytherin.
As Maige prepared to urge him off, Tangmu did the unexpected—he pulled the Hat back down.
"Let's talk, Hat," he said inwardly.
"Hmm?" Sorting done, youngling? What's to discuss?" whispered the Hat.
"You barely touched my head. You shouted because of Butei, right? He's the Boy Who Lived, last of the Potters, pure-blood—suited for Slytherin."
Tangmu was desperate, even throwing Halili under the broomstick broom.
Maybe Dengbuliduo would intervene?
"No chance," the Hat replied, irritated. "Lideer, don't question my skill. I've never misjudged. My eye's old, but not that slow. Slytherin's your home."
"That makes no sense! I don't fit Slytherin!" at all!
The Sorting Hat, basking in Tangmu's disbelief, said cheerily: "You crave greatness, have unyielding resolve, and your magical potential surpasses even Salai or Sisi's bloodline."
"If Salai lived, he'd kneel to take you as his pupil."
Tangmu clenched his teeth. A "born Slymerin"? He wasn't that twisted!?
"You said Sorting considers preferences. I request SLYtherin."
"Denied," the Hat replied. "Don't waste time. More pupils to sort. If you're conflicted, visit me in Dengbuli's office—for a couple Galleons."
"Then Hufflepuff!" Tangmu pleaded. "I'm Muggle-born, kind-hearted, friend-loving—perfect!" for Hufflepuff!
Silence.
Then, softly, the Hat spoke gently: "Child, you may lack much, but you must know yourself. Promise me—recognize who you are."
Damn hat! Tangmu cursed.
One day I'll stitch you shut up.
The Hat caught that thought and, caught that, offended, roared: "SLYMERIN! SLYTERIN! TANGMUI LIDEER BELONGS IN SLYTHERPUP!"
Maige removed the hat before Tangmu could argue.
"Mr. Lideer, the Sorting's done. Discuss concerns later."
Tangmu forced a painful smile, bowed, forced a smile, and walked stiffly to the Slytherin table.
No one clapped at first—stunned by his "hat-stocking" move.
"Maybe he wanted attention?" some murmured.
Only when Dafuni clapped enthusiastically did applause spread.
Tangmu sat beside her.
"I didn't expect you'd be in Slytherin!" she whispered excitedly. "Now we'll share classes!"
"Yeah, me neither," he sighed.
The last few pupils were sorted. Bu "Laisi Zhasini," the last, joined Slytherin—the boy who'd mocked Maige's "school is home" line.
[^1]: In the wizarding world, the Sorting Hat, enchanted by the four founders, assigns students to Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin based on traits. A Horcruxie is a Horcrux, an object containing a fragment of a wizard's soul, created through dark magic.