Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has four houses:
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.
Each house represents the ideals of one of the school's four founders.
A person's ideology is closely tied to their background, upbringing, and abilities.
By now, the division of houses has essentially become a division of social groups.
While there are always exceptions, most people end up working in fields associated with their house after graduation.
Of course, this isn't just because of the house's atmosphere. The connections and resources they gain in school make it easier for them to develop in related areas—just like how someone who studies filmmaking for years is unlikely to suddenly switch to scientific research.
Hogwarts houses aren't like those university majors with no job prospects. As long as one graduates, following the system ensures a stable future.
As for Roger, he had only one thought about his house placement—anywhere but Slytherin.
With his identity, if he were placed in Slytherin, things would get way too interesting.
He'd probably have a hard time settling down and studying for quite a while.
Based on his past life memories, the Sorting Hat's placement considered not only a young wizard's traits but also their personal wishes.
But... just in case, he decided to ask.
Roger didn't fully trust the information from his past life for two reasons.
First, Harry Potter had novels, movies, radio dramas, stage plays... Who knew which timeline this world followed? And different timelines had different details. Roger had only seen part of the movies.
Second, just from the magical books Professor McGonagall gave him and the two history books in his bag, it was clear this wizarding world was far more complex than what little was shown in the films.
It was like how a single state or province in a big country couldn't represent the entire nation, let alone the world.
So when facing key issues, even with past life memories, Roger analyzed things case by case.
"I'd like to go to Hufflepuff, if possible," Hannah answered seriously.
After that small incident earlier, she suddenly realized that Roger might not be who she initially thought he was.
… Could the tavern rumors have some truth to them?
In daily life, Roger never showed the charisma of a faction leader, so she always dismissed the absurd rumors, thinking he was just a regular bookworm. But now, she was confused.
"I-I haven't decided yet," Neville said nervously.
But Roger could tell—he said he hadn't decided, but in reality, he already had a preference. He just wasn't ready to face that choice yet.
Checking test scores, calling parents after getting into trouble, confessing feelings—hesitating over major decisions was normal.
After considering their backgrounds and other information he knew, Roger nodded. He had a rough idea of what was going on.
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The train arrived. First-years changed into their school robes in the train's changing rooms before pouring out of the compartments like a stream.
Roger and the others had boarded in the daytime, but by the time they reached Hogwarts, night had fully fallen.
Even though their robes had temperature-regulating magic to keep them cool in summer and warm in winter, the night wind still felt chilly against their skin.
After disembarking, the students split into two groups.
The older students headed straight to Hogwarts' main entrance.
First-years had a separate arrangement.
"First-years! First-years, over here! Harry, come over here—how are you?"
A towering figure called out with a smile above the sea of people.
Beside him, a bespectacled boy stepped forward.
It was their first meeting, but Roger immediately recognized him—Dumbledore's trusted half-giant, Hagrid.
"Come on, follow me! Any more first-years? Watch your step! Alright! First-years, this way!"
According to tradition, all first-years had to retrace the path the four founders once took to enter Hogwarts.
They followed a steep, narrow path through a pitch-black forest. At the end of the road stood a massive, imposing castle on a hillside, with a vast lake stretching before it.
Floating on the lake were small boats. The four founders had once crossed these waters to establish Hogwarts on the mountain.
"No more than four to a boat!" Hagrid called, pointing to the line of boats docked at the shore.
Crossing the lake, climbing through a rocky tunnel, stepping onto the damp grass, and ascending a flight of stone steps—
The first-years arrived safely, gathering before a massive oak door.
After ensuring everyone was present, Hagrid knocked three times.
The door opened, revealing a familiar figure—Professor McGonagall, a tall witch in emerald-green robes.
After handing the students over to her, Hagrid left.
McGonagall scanned the group, pausing for a second when her gaze met Roger's, before looking away and leading them into the castle. As they walked, she explained the house selection process.
"Hmm?" Roger was surprised.
Some of his memories were blurry, but he clearly remembered this iconic scene from the movies.
Shouldn't Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter have their first confrontation here?
Had fate already shifted?
But as soon as he saw the Sorting Hat, Roger pushed aside his thoughts.
He knew his real test was coming.
The Sorting Hat could read thoughts and peer into the depths of one's mind. He had to be careful—any mistakes at this stage could be worse than landing in Azkaban!
For Roger, revealing his future knowledge didn't matter. He was already known as a prophet.
Even coming back from the dead wouldn't be an issue—magic had plenty of strange phenomena, and in the wizarding world, physical death wasn't necessarily the end.
But the fact that he was from another world? That absolutely could not be exposed. Who knew what kind of chaos that would bring?
As for how to handle it, Roger had a plan.
Occlumency? That was an option, but using it now would be too suspicious. Besides, he had no way to learn that spell yet.
His method was simple—the Sorting Hat couldn't possibly scan all of his memories. Many wizards had secrets they didn't want revealed. If the hat were truly omniscient, someone would've destroyed it long ago.
It likely only read a person's current thoughts and judged their character based on their magical aura and thought patterns.
And that... was easy to deal with.
As Roger finished his preparations, the entire Hogwarts—students and professors alike—focused their attention on the Sorting Ceremony.
The process began, following the alphabetical order of surnames from A to Z.
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