"This is very important," Professor McGonagall continued. "It will determine how your time here at Hogwarts will unfold. You'll make different friends in different houses."
"The houses are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Once the Sorting Hat has placed you into your house, remember this…"
Professor McGonagall's gaze sharpened as she swept over each student.
"You will represent your house's honor. Your every word and action will affect whether your house wins the House Cup by the end of the year."
At this point, her eyes met Dylan's.
Dylan immediately flashed her a harmless, innocent smile.
A slight smile appeared in Professor McGonagall's eyes but was quickly hidden.
"The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly, and it will be held in front of the entire school. You can take a moment to tidy yourselves up."
With that, she turned and left.
Soon after, as the chatter among the little witches and wizards began, a startled scream rang out from the crowd.
"Ah! A ghost!"
The group fell silent.
Dylan looked up and saw a dozen ghosts emerging from the walls.
The ghosts, curious about the new students, floated down and gathered around the ones standing closest to the wall, engaging them in conversation.
But those being spoken to were trembling with fear.
"I wonder if the Reanimation of the Dead has any effect on these ghosts?" Dylan mused.
Just as he was thinking this, a ghost suddenly floated down right beside him.
"Oh~ I feel a strange energy!" the ghost exclaimed, floating up to Dylan's face.
Upon locking eyes with Dylan, the ghost's eyes widened in alarm, and with a startled scream, it quickly flew away.
The other ghosts paused, then hurried after it.
Neville, who had been standing beside Dylan, jumped at the ghost's scream, clutching his toad tightly.
Dylan glanced over and saw that Trevor was now rolling his eyes, its legs flailing wildly.
"...Neville, the ghosts are gone."
"Did they leave? I... I can't look."
Neville squinted, too afraid to open his eyes fully.
Dylan shook his head.
At that moment, Professor McGonagall returned.
"Alright, little wizards, the ceremony is about to begin. Please line up and follow me."
Only when McGonagall's commanding voice rang out did Neville cautiously crack his eyes open.
However, Dylan had already moved to the front of the line.
Neville quickly joined the group.
Led by Professor McGonagall, the first-year students entered the Great Hall.
All the staff and students who had already taken their places turned their eyes toward them, watching with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
Dylan didn't pay much attention to the stares. Instead, he tilted his head slightly upward, eager to look at the ceiling.
"A starry sky, huh? Magic really is fascinating."
The stars on the ceiling moved gently, nothing like the fake projections of modern technology. It was more like staring up at a real night sky.
At that moment, Dumbledore stood up and began explaining Hogwarts' rules to the new students.
For example, students were strictly forbidden from entering the Forbidden Forest, and there were other areas off-limits across the school.
Once Dumbledore finished speaking, Professor McGonagall flipped through a scroll of parchment in her hands.
"Students, when I call your name, please step forward. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and determine which house you will join."
The first name was Hermione.
Dylan immediately turned his gaze toward her, a slight glimmer in his eyes.
He had to admit, Hermione was beautiful.
However, it didn't particularly affect him.
He had three clear goals for coming to this school.
First, to understand magic.
Second, to learn magic.
And third, to make a fortune using magic!
Everything else came second!
Even if Voldemort showed up, Dylan would just cast a Cruciatus Curse and send him flying!
Otherwise, how could he make money if Voldemort kept ruining the market?
And the Death Eaters would have to follow Voldemort, busying themselves with pointless tasks.
"I'm planning to recruit some Death Eaters to work for me in the future," Dylan thought.
As Dylan was lost in thought, Professor McGonagall suddenly called his name.
"Dylan Hawkwood!"
Snapping back to attention, Dylan stepped forward.
He sat on the chair, and Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Oh! My word, such a clever little wizard! You seem to know quite a few spells!"
"Let me think... should you go to Ravenclaw?"
The Sorting Hat's voice echoed in Dylan's mind.
Dylan raised an eyebrow and replied mentally, "If I were to go to Gryffindor, would you let me borrow the Sword of Gryffindor that's embedded in you? I've been studying how to use magic to control weapons."
"What?" The Sorting Hat exclaimed in shock. "Oh! How is it that you're already researching advanced magic?"
"No, what I mean is, how do you know about that sword? This isn't something a young wizard like you should know about!"
"Maybe I've been trying to learn the Legilimency spell."
"My goodness... forgive me for being shocked again. I've never met a wizard quite like you. Are you from a pure-blood family?"
"No, no, no. You seem to be just an ordinary Muggle-born wizard."
"Sorry, young wizard, but no matter how you learned about the Sword of Gryffindor, I can't let you use it unless a Gryffindor pulls it out of me."
"But I really hate that feeling. It's like being forced... Do you know what it feels like to have a stick poking around in your throat?"
"I don't know," Dylan shrugged. "But I know you're really starting to ramble."
"My goodness, do you know? Your mouth is so Slytherin! Do you want to go to Slytherin?"
The Sorting Hat exclaimed.
"You know so many spells; perhaps Slytherin's elite education would suit you."
"I hate elitist education."
"Oh, then how about Ravenclaw?"
"I do sense a great deal of courage within you. You must have a noble ideal. Perhaps you belong in Gryffindor?"
"Don't all four houses have their own heritage?"
"You know about that too!"
"Since that's the case, I'd prefer Ravenclaw."
The heritage of Ravenclaw would likely offer him more magical knowledge.
"Alright, then..."
Suddenly, the Sorting Hat raised its voice and shouted loudly—
"Gryffindor!"
"What?"
"How could you decide on my house so easily?!"
"My goodness, a first-year wizard daring to make plans for all four houses' heritage! You've got guts. You belong in Gryffindor!"