Chapter 8: 8: Embarrassment

The vast hall,

All eyes were cast upon him.

Sheen saw wizards at different long tables stretching their necks to look,

Beside the professors' shimmering gold plates and goblets, was Dumbledore’s gaze, tinged with mild interest.

Sheen tried his best to act as if he knew nothing, putting on the Sorting Hat under Professor McGonagall's gentle instruction.

"I want to teach many people, and treat them all equally."

Sheen silently recited the words of Lady Helga Hufflepuff, hoping this would signal his target house to the Sorting Hat.

"A heartwarming little wizard,"

Sheen heard a faint voice say,

"Few people bother to remember the songs old Hat sings. You want Hufflepuff? Of course... no."

Sheen: "..."

It would have been better if it hadn't answered at all.

"Why?"

Sheen asked quietly in his mind.

"Let old Hat sing once more—Beautiful Ravenclaw, from the quiet riverbank..."

The Sorting Hat suddenly began to sing, while simultaneously wriggling atop Sheen's head.

"Mr. Sorting Hat?"

Sheen asked in confusion, clutching his head.

"Those wise and learned, shall enter wise Ravenclaw..."

The Sorting Hat continued to sing while twisting.

"I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Sheen seemed to realize something.

"Ravenclaw says: The students we teach, their intellect must be superior..."

The Sorting Hat sang on and on.

"I want to go to Hufflepuff!"

Sheen attempted one last struggle.

"Stubborn little wizard, why must you go to Hufflepuff?"

"Mr. Sorting Hat, why must I go to Ravenclaw?"

"Hmm, practicing spells for thirteen hours a day, practicing until you cannot move a muscle;

Not even fully recognizing English, memorizing every single book you bought in just two months... Aside from Rowena, old Hat hasn't seen a wizard so hungry for knowledge in a long time.

Slytherin could help you achieve your ambition, Gryffindor would admire your courage, and Hufflepuff would accept your kind heart."

The Sorting Hat's voice carried a sense of emotion,

"But only Ravenclaw can grant a wise wizard the power to walk toward the truth!"

"I want to go to Hufflepuff."

Sheen felt his momentum drop significantly.

"Fine."

To his surprise, the Sorting Hat actually agreed. Sheen's emerald eyes brightened.

"Just kidding,"

The Sorting Hat's voice became booming,

"RAVENCLAW!!!"

A dejected Sheen gave the Sorting Hat a pinch,

"Ow, ow, ow, ow..."

Hearing the Sorting Hat's voice, Sheen felt a little better.

However, he did not hear the latter half.

"...Hey, I tricked Ravenclaw...

It truly runs in the family, Rowena, you were always like this, pinching old Hat without regard for consequences...

Twelve centuries... old Hat has finally fulfilled the promise to Gryffindor and found an heir for Ravenclaw.

Just watch, within that frail little body of his lies a great power; old Hat is never wrong."

Ravenclaw is fine too.

Sheen told himself,

At least it wasn't Slytherin.

Before Sheen could even place the Sorting Hat back into Professor McGonagall's hands, he heard enthusiastic applause erupting from the Ravenclaw table.

There was even clapping from the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff sides. Sheen saw that the most energetic was Justin, who had stood up,

Leading a group of Hufflepuffs in a rhythmic clap.

Seeing this,

Sheen felt even worse,

What wonderful Hufflepuffs!

What a hateful Sorting Hat!

In the center of the hall,

Professor McGonagall looked at Sheen kindly.

His previously pilled robes had been replaced by plain Hogwarts robes;

His ill-fitting shoes had turned into British-style leather boots;

A light of longing flashed in his cautious emerald eyes.

She removed the hat for him

"Are you ready, Mr. Green? To welcome your new life."

Sheen dazed for a moment, then was gently pushed toward the Ravenclaw table by Professor McGonagall.

"Welcome!"

Sheen saw a slightly chubby little wizard waving at him from the seat next to him,

"I can't believe it, you're a Hatstall!"

A curious gaze peered from behind large, copper-rimmed glasses. After a sudden startle, the boy reached out a hand to Sheen,

But unfortunately, his glasses began to slide down, so his outstretched hand went to adjust them instead,

Leaving him fumbling and apologizing profusely to Sheen.

"Hatstall?"

Sheen didn't mind, his large eyes full of confusion.

"Oh! Heavens! You don't know!"

The chubby little wizard's mouth hung open.

"Terry, not everyone studies that tattered old hat."

A voice came from behind him,

It was a wizard with long black hair, who interrupted Terry's next words with a hint of helplessness.

"Don't mind him, Terry always likes to study these strange and peculiar things. When I just sat down, he was still asking me how many windows Hogwarts has.

Merlin's beard, who would care about that?

Unless they all fall down, then Terry Butt would certainly be crushed to death while counting them below."

"N-no, windows are important!"

The wizard named Terry's face flushed red, clearly agitated.

"Alright, alright."

The long-haired boy responded soothingly, then introduced himself to Sheen with considerable interest,

"A Hatstall.

It means a 'Sorting Difficulty Student,'

Referring to those little wizards whose sorting takes longer than five minutes.

They are very rare; it's said only one appears every fifty years or so.

By the way, I am Michael Corner. Welcome to Ravenclaw."

He extended his hand.

Sheen became even more confused. More than five minutes?

But he clearly remembered it only being a moment?

It felt as if something had stolen the time.

Sheen thought to himself.

"Sheen Green."

The two shook hands lightly.

As the last first-year went to Slytherin, Dumbledore stood up.

He looked at the students with a beaming smile, spreading his arms wide, as if nothing made him happier than seeing the students gathered together.

"Welcome!"

He said,

"Welcome, everyone, to the start of a new school year at Hogwarts!

Before the feast begins, I would like to say a few words.

And those words are: Nitwits! Oddballs! Trolls! Knaves!"

As he spoke, Terry was frantically taking notes, while Michael beside him wore an "I knew it would be like this" expression.

Sheen didn't pay it any mind, because the table in front of him was already piled high with food, as if by magic.

Roast beef, roast chicken, pork chops, lamb chops, sausages, steaks, boiled potatoes, roasted potatoes, chips, Yorkshire pudding, peas, carrots, gravy, ketchup, apple pie, treacle tart, chocolate sponge cake, fried jam donuts, jam pudding soaked in brandy, strawberries, jelly, rice pudding...

Sheen cross-referenced the spread with the menu he had listed; it was exactly as he remembered.

The feast has begun.

Sheen told himself.

Immediately, he entered "one-click sweep" mode.

"How does he manage to be so elegant yet eat so fast?"

A stunned Michael asked the boy to his left.

(End of Chapter)