There was a buzz of voices coming from a door on the right side of the hall, but Professor McGonagall did not lead them in.
Instead, she stopped, turned around, and swept her stern gaze over the crowd.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said.
"You'll soon enter the Great Hall and take part in the Sorting Ceremony, which will determine the house you'll be placed into. This is an important moment. For the next seven years, your house—and Hogwarts—will be your home. You'll attend classes, live, and eat with your housemates. I hope you'll treat one another as family."
"The school has four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each has a long and glorious history and has produced many outstanding witches and wizards."
Her eyes paused on Malfoy. The spell had worn off by now, but his condition was far from good—his eyes were red and swollen, and his robe hung crookedly, like he'd been dragged through a troll den.
Professor McGonagall paused and shot Vaughn a sharp glare.
"I've heard something unpleasant happened on the train today. I sincerely hope it will be the last such incident. Once sorted, good behavior will earn points for your house, while rule-breaking will cost them.
At the end of the school year, the house with the most points will win the House Cup—a great honor. I hope you will all abide by the rules and strive to bring glory to your house!"
Vaughn wore an innocent expression under McGonagall's stare, as if he hadn't the faintest idea what she was referring to.
The diligent Deputy Headmistress's eye twitched slightly before she turned back to the group. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. I suggest you tidy yourselves up—everyone in the school will be watching."
With that, she turned and walked into the Great Hall.
A collective gasp escaped the crowd.
Draco Malfoy frantically tried to smooth his hair and straighten his robes.
Harry and Ron were nervously messing with each other's hair, and Hermione, lips tightly pursed, neatened her now-smooth hair with stiff fingers.
The other students followed suit, adjusting their appearances as best they could. But just then, someone let out a shriek.
Vaughn looked up and saw more than twenty ghosts floating out through a wall.
These translucent figures whispered among themselves. Some looked kindly, others stern, and a few tried to make conversation with the students.
The first years held their breath again, stunned into silence.
Vaughn watched them with mild curiosity. He had always wanted to understand how these spiritual entities formed, but now was hardly the time for research.
After a moment, the ghosts drifted away, and Professor McGonagall returned.
She scanned the students again and said crisply, "Everything is ready. Line up in a single row and follow me."
The first-years hurried to obey and followed her through the open double doors of the hall. On either side were four long tables filled with older students who were either watching them with interest or suspicion.
Vaughn spotted Percy, Fred, and George waving at him and Ron. He smiled in response, though Ron was too nervous to notice.
Above them, the enchanted ceiling sparkled like the night sky, casting a soft, calming light down from above, just as Vaughn remembered.
At the front of the hall, a ragged hat sat on a stool, and then it began to sing.
Vaughn expressionlessly cast a spell to seal his ears, waiting for the song to end. When the hat finally stilled and Professor McGonagall stepped forward with a parchment scroll, he lifted the spell.
"Hannah Abbott!"
Ah, a familiar name...
One by one, the students came forward, placed the Sorting Hat on their heads, and were sorted into houses.
Among the familiar names, Hermione went first. She jogged to the stool and placed the hat on her head. After a brief pause, it shouted, just as expected: "Gryffindor!"
Next was Harry. He, too, went to Gryffindor, and the Gryffindor table erupted in applause.
Vaughn's eyes drifted toward the staff table. Professor Snape's stern face had turned icier than usual. Dumbledore, wearing his half-moon spectacles, smiled warmly, his aged features creased with delight.
Everything, so far, was going according to plan.
Vaughn smiled too.
The savior's story had officially begun. Soon, the most powerful factions in the magical world would fight for influence over him, and Vaughn looked forward to observing, even meddling, in the shadows.
After what seemed like an age, they reached the R's.
Ron, whose name began with "R," was called before Vaughn. He stumbled forward awkwardly, not knowing what to do with his hands.
The moment the Sorting Hat touched his head, it cried, "Gryffindor!"
Clap, clap, clap— Thunderous applause erupted from the Gryffindor table.
"That's my brother!" Percy shouted proudly.
Fred and George whooped and whistled from their seats.
Then, "Vaughn Weasley!"
The twins slammed the table with excitement.
"Vaughn! Vaughn!"
"Gryffindor! Gryffindor!"
The entire table burst into laughter and cheer, caught up in the twins' energy.
In the midst of all this, Vaughn walked steadily toward the Sorting Hat, his mind sealed shut, and sighed inwardly:
Sorry, Fred and George...
He had long known himself. His hunger for knowledge, thirst for strength, and ambition for power... he was never meant for Gryffindor.
As the Sorting Hat touched his head, he heard its voice in his ear:
"Hmm... impeccable Occlumency. But you can't fool me. I carry the wisdom of the Founders themselves! A mind like yours hides deep secrets…"
"You're cunning, ambitious... clearly, two houses are not fit for you. I shall place you in—"
"Slytherin!"
With that loud declaration, the Gryffindor table fell silent.
Percy, halfway to his feet, froze.
Fred and George, caught mid-jump, tumbled back into their seats.
Hermione clapped a hand to her mouth while Harry and Ron stared in disbelief.
Even Professor McGonagall turned instinctively toward Dumbledore.
And the greatest wizard of the age fixed his eyes on Vaughn's back with a look of solemn interest.
A hush fell over the hall.
After a few seconds, Dumbledore cleared his throat and gave Professor McGonagall a small nod.
She hurriedly removed the hat from Vaughn's head.
Murmurs began spreading among the students. All eyes were drawn to Vaughn's unmistakable Weasley-red hair, and curious whispers surged like a tide.
Vaughn paid them no mind. His eyes focused only on the system panel flashing before him:
[Main Quest 1: Join Hogwarts (Completed)]
[Reward: 1 Talent Point, 50 Magic Scale Points]
[Would you like to claim your reward?]
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AN: For exclusive content, early access to advanced chapters(Till Chapter 40), and other novels, check out my P@treon page: [email protected]/Arvinstorm
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