Chapter 31: Fear of the Sorting Hat

In the lounge next to the Great Hall, the first-year students were waiting for Professor McGonagall's return, many of them having already resigned themselves to the upcoming exam.

After all, while an individual might feel anxious before an exam if they hadn't studied, knowing that most people hadn't studied turned "letting it rot" into a collective joy.

"How many times must I tell you to be quiet today?" Professor McGonagall appeared at the doorway at some unknown moment, staring at the students in the lounge like a strict headteacher.

A shadow from the past surfaced in his mind, causing the usually composed and calm Chu Yang to shudder violently.

"Now, everyone line up and prepare to head to the Great Hall to complete your Sorting Ceremony."

Under Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze, the first-years scrambled to their feet.

They quickly formed rows and followed obediently behind her.

Professor McGonagall led the newcomers out through the side door toward the main entrance. As they approached, the doors opened automatically, and the group stepped into the magnificent hall.

The hall contained four long tables, each occupied by one of the four houses, while a slightly smaller long table sat separately at the top—the faculty table.

Thousands of candles floated in mid-air above the Great Hall, illuminating the place as bright as day.

On either side stood statues, with flaming braziers hanging nearby.

The ceiling had been enchanted to resemble the night sky, with stars occasionally appearing, creating the illusion of dining outdoors.

At first glance, Chu Yang found the Great Hall stunning, but the thought was quickly replaced by something else.

"If only they replaced the candles with color-temperature-adjustable LED lights. The candlelight is unstable and quite dazzling to the eyes; it also drags down the quality of the ceiling scenery."

As much as it was magical, Chu Yang, who was becoming increasingly familiar with Hogwarts, felt that this place was drifting away from the development of the Muggle world.

The wizarding world was like a stubborn old man—conservative and afraid of change, treading water with an air of decay—while the Muggle world had already boarded the train of the era and was racing forward.

Chu Yang knew very well how much change technology would bring to the entire world over the next twenty years. If this generation of young wizards failed to make changes, the status between wizards and Muggles might be completely overturned.

Lost in thought, Chu Yang suddenly felt someone watching him. He followed the gaze and saw Dumbledore sitting in the center of the faculty table.

The wise, most powerful, and most prestigious old wizard of the magical world was observing Chu Yang with a curious gaze.

Not far from him, Professor Sprout, the Herbology professor, was also waving at Chu Yang.

She kept repeatedly pointing at herself.

*What does that mean?*

*Is she telling me to choose Hufflepuff?*

Chu Yang stared with wide, bewildered eyes.

This left Sprout so anxious she nearly stood up to shout.

"Ahem." Seeing this, Dumbledore cleared his throat.

He signaled for Sprout to exercise restraint, and she could only subside and sit properly in her seat.

However, this small interlude caught the attention of Professor Snape, who sat beside Dumbledore.

Originally, his attention had been entirely on Harry Potter...

Aside from Snape, Quirinus Quirrell—who was possessed by Voldemort—was also observing Chu Yang.

To be more precise, it was the Voldemort within him that was stirring restlessly.

In front of the teachers' table sat a four-legged stool, upon which rested a tattered, pointed hat covered in patches.

It was hard to believe that this was the Sorting Hat, imbued with the thoughts of the four founders of Hogwarts!

As Professor McGonagall led the first-years to the Sorting Hat, the Great Hall became exceptionally quiet, as everyone knew what was about to happen.

"Before the Sorting Ceremony begins, Headmaster Dumbledore has a few words for you all."

As soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, the elderly Dumbledore stood up to speak. He didn't say much, focusing on two main points: reminding the new students not to enter the Forbidden Forest nearby, and not to enter the corridor on the right side of the third floor.

Chu Yang indeed had little interest in the third-floor corridor; even if Dumbledore hadn't warned him, he had no intention of going there.

But the Forbidden Forest...

That was a goldmine. Forget Dumbledore; not even the heavens themselves could stop Chu Yang.

"When your name is called, please come forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and it will decide which house you belong to." Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat, her eyes fixed on the list in her hand, ready to call a name.

"Is it really that simple to be sorted?"

"What happened to the exam, Hermione?"

"Good heavens, as long as there's no exam, I don't care how I'm sorted."

As the first-years whispered among themselves, Professor McGonagall began the roll call. The first name was the future owner of the Leaky Cauldron—Hannah Abbott.

As the saying goes: the protagonists change, but Hannah remains constant.

When Chu Yang heard her name, he suddenly recalled this long-standing joke.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

While Chu Yang was still reflecting, Professor McGonagall's voice rang in his ear.

"Chu Yang!"

Chu Yang took a deep breath and walked out from the crowd.

As a transmigrator who did not belong to this world, Chu Yang felt significant pressure when facing the Sorting Hat.

He wasn't sure to what extent the Sorting Hat's Legilimency could reach.

Could it only read superficial personality traits?

Or could it directly read memories?

Chu Yang had thought about trying to bypass the Sorting Hat, but when he noticed Dumbledore watching him, he immediately abandoned the idea.

Playing tricks in front of the greatest wizard of the age was not a wise choice.

Feeling a weight on his head, Chu Yang snapped back to reality to find the Sorting Hat had been placed upon him. He could only pray that the hat's power wasn't as strong as he imagined.

On the other side, the moment the Sorting Hat landed on Chu Yang's head, it sensed nothing at all. It felt as if it had been placed upon a mere stone.

This left the Sorting Hat astonished. In a thousand years, this was the first time it had encountered such a situation. Was it simply old and in need of repair? That was impossible; it had a contract with all of Hogwarts. Even the silent duo, the Book of Admission and the Pen of Acceptance, hadn't broken yet—how could it be the first to fail?

Just as the Sorting Hat attempted to rev its engines and increase its strength...

It sensed a nebulous, ethereal palace.

It was an architecture more magnificent, grand, and imposing than Hogwarts itself!

Then, things began to faintly emerge...

Thrones!

Countless thrones!

Just as it tried to make sense of the situation!

Whether they were dilapidated thrones or intact ones, they all erupted with an unstoppable, primordial power!

Upon nearly a hundred thrones, dense, shadowy figures coalesced!

Those figures suddenly snapped their eyes open, staring coldly at the Sorting Hat.

In reality, the Sorting Hat let out a sudden, terrifying scream!