hotmtlnovel Chapter 86 Why didn't you say so sooner?
Chapter 86 Why didn't you say so sooner?
Ignoring the stares of the new students, Lucas was pondering something.
How does that filthy Sorting Hat detect freshmen's traits? It just slips it over their heads—is it some kind of EEG analyzer? That's too magical.
"Hermione Granger!"
The Sorting Hat hesitated for a moment, then exclaimed, "Gryffindor!"
"Neville Longbottom!"
Neville let out a short, startled cry, his body stiffening as he looked at Lucas, who gave him a thumbs-up. Neville nodded vigorously, then stumbled forward, nearly tripping again.
As he put on the hat, he kept thinking, "I want to be in the same college as Lucas, I want to be as brave as Lucas, I want to have his courage..."
He heard the Sorting Hat's voice beside him: "Oh! You're seeking courage, child?"
A moment later, everyone heard the hat announce loudly.
"Gryffindor!"
Neville was overjoyed; his heart was pounding. Yes, children with courage are sorted into Gryffindor, and Lucas would surely come to Gryffindor too!
Neville dashed to the Gryffindor table, Professor McGonagall chasing after him, yelling, "Longbottom, give the hat back!"
......
Professor McGonagall read the names faster and faster. When she reached the last name starting with "M," Ellie was ready to step forward, but—
"Lu—Lucas McGregor!"
Professor McGonagall called out the name in a stiff voice. The students, who hadn't paid attention to the order, were just waiting for Lucas to come forward for the Sorting, but the professors all looked at Professor McGonagall.
Even Ernie Macmillan and Draco Malfoy were taken aback. They were actually in line before Lucas, but why did Professor McGonagall call out Lucas's name first?
Professor Sprout asked in bewilderment, "What's wrong with Minerva? Why did she skip over McFastie, McMillan, and Malfoy?"
Professor Flitwick clicked his tongue: "Perhaps he's too nervous?"
But even he himself didn't believe it. The meticulous and serious Minerva McGonagall had been presiding over the Sorting Ceremony for decades, and she had never made such a mistake.
Mrs. Pomfrey frowned: "Minerva has been under a lot of pressure lately. I think I need to prescribe some more medication for her."
Dumbledore remained calm and waited quietly.
"Go quickly, go quickly." Ellie was very happy and gently nudged Lucas with her elbow. That way, at least she could find out which academy Lucas went to.
Now that his name had been called and everyone was watching, Lucas didn't hesitate and strode forward.
Not only the first-year students, but even the upperclassmen were watching him.
Newspaper reports, the Minister of Magic's commendation, August's biggest star, the food information exchange that caused a traffic jam on the express train...
Even if they didn't know what had just happened on the Black Lake, this rising young wizard was already a well-known celebrity among the Hogwarts students.
Which college will he be assigned to?
Lucas went up on stage and put the hat on his head.
"Oh... interesting, very interesting." A soft voice whispered in her ear, "Exceptional courage! Full of drive! You'd be a good fit for Gryffindor. You also have a strong thirst for knowledge and a thirst for exploration; extraordinary talent, which would also suit Ravenclaw well. Clear goals, ambitious, and relentless in achieving your objectives—Slytherin is a sure thing. Even if you're Muggle-born, it's worth making an exception...like those very few in history..."
"What about Hufflepuff?" Lucas couldn't help but wonder. "Am I not suited for Hufflepuff?"
The hat's voice immediately rang out: "Oh dear, don't rush, child, I haven't finished yet. It also suits Hufflepuff. Of course, diligence and patience are clearly among your qualities."
So, the Sorting Hat can communicate? Lucas was taken aback, then quickly thought, "I want to go to Hufflepuff!"
"Of course I can communicate, everyone should be reasonable," Hat said. "However, my job is to select children for the four houses, or rather, the four founders, because most young wizards are still a bit confused. You often don't know your true nature, so you can't let your personal likes and dislikes influence my judgment."
"I think I'm pretty clear-headed," Lucas said. "Since you say I have multiple traits, why not just put me in Hufflepuff the way I want?"
"No, we can't be so hasty," the hat said. "Of all your traits, there's naturally one that's dominant and most prominent. Your most prominent trait is your adventurous spirit; you should go to Gryffindor."
Lucas firmly stated, "No, all of my qualities are equally outstanding!"
The hat laughed: "Alright, if all your traits are equally outstanding, then you definitely can't go to Hufflepuff. I'll prioritize the other three houses."
"Why? You're not being fair!"
"Unfair?" the Sorting Hat shrieked. "Listen carefully, because this was the original intention of the four founders of Hogwarts!"
He whispered a distant story in Lucas's ear.
On a desolate Scottish Highlands, four great wizards jointly established a school.
Slytherin said, "My students must be of the purest blood."
Ravenclaw said, "My students must be intellectually superior."
Gryffindor said, "My students must be brave and fearless."
They all looked at Hufflepuff and asked her what she thought.
Hufflepuff was by the campfire, cooking a delicious soup. She stirred it gently with a spoon, smiling tenderly.
"I like honest, loyal, and hardworking children. But—"
"If there is a child who has neither pure blood nor a bright mind, neither enough courage nor enough ambition... he is just an ordinary, average child who longs for magic."
"If he can't be accepted by you, then let him come to me."
"I will teach many people, and I will treat them all the same."
The Sorting Hat concludes by singing: "The children who were left behind were taken in by the kind and gentle Hufflepuff, who taught them all her skills."
It smiled slyly: "So, if all your qualities are equally prominent, then I'll prioritize the other three houses. After all, the other houses have strict requirements, while Hufflepuff doesn't compete. I think you should go to Gryffindor."
"What kind of logic is that?" Lucas's admiration for Hufflepuff's inclusive approach to education grew even stronger. "Just because I have everything makes me even more deserving of Hufflepuff. Only Hufflepuff is inclusive, able to accommodate the best geniuses and the most mediocre children!"
"Well—" the Sorting Hat drawled, "actually, I still think your courage is the most outstanding..."
"I enjoy working and never complain," Lucas continued.
"Gryffindor it is..." said the Sorting Hat.
"I treat people fairly and I am sincere." Lucas is still trying.
"Gryffindor, I said Gryffindor," said the Sorting Hat.
"I love food and I'm good at cooking—"
Before Lucas could finish speaking, the Sorting Hat suddenly shouted at the top of its lungs, shaking the entire hall.
"Hufflepuff!!!"
It snorted in Lucas's ear, "Why didn't you say so sooner?"