Chapter 18: Finally Entered the Snake Hospital
"Aaron Gaius." Professor McGonagall read Aaron's full name.
"Haha! It's finally your turn, little one." The Sorting Hat let out a triumphant laugh.
Aaron spread his hands. "To be honest, I didn't really want to be the last one to go. After all, the people before me were too outstanding, and the pressure on those who come after is always immense."
As he spoke, he picked up Abey, who had climbed onto his head at some point, and walked up the steps.
"Professor McGonagall, may I ask you one last question?"
"Yes, ask away!"
"If I use a cleaning spell on this hat, it won't hold a grudge during the Sorting, will it?"
Professor McGonagall looked down at the Sorting Hat in her hand and hesitated, "It shouldn't, right?"
"It definitely won't," the Sorting Hat said proudly. "I was once Godric Gryffindor's Wizard hat, and I have the magicblessings of the other three founders of Hogwarts. I possess the wisdom of the four Hogwarts founders; it's impossible for me to do something so petty."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved." Aaron nodded in satisfaction, then took out a black wand.
The Sorting Hat began to tremble. It suddenly remembered the meaning of Aaron's earlier remark. "What are you trying to do? I warn you, don't mess around!
I am the Sorting Hat; my seniority might be much, much greater than you think."
"No matter how great your seniority, you're still just a hat. That's not something to boast about," Aaron said, then waved his wand, "Cleanse!"
"No!" The Sorting Hat let out a long cry, then a puff of white smoke appeared, and all the dust on it was shaken off. Although its appearance was still quite tattered, it was at least a hundred times cleaner than before.
"How dare you?" The Sorting Hat showed a fierce expression, but it seemed to be putting on a brave front.
"Why wouldn't I dare? You said you wouldn't hold a grudge," Aaron explained as a matter of course, then calmly sat down on the stool.
Aaron's actions left all the students speechless; after all, no one before him had dared to do such a thing.
Some of the Professors at the head table looked at Aaronwith varying expressions: some with admiration, some with frowns, some with wry smiles, but most were simply interested.
"Professor McGonagall, we can begin," Aaron said calmly.
"Oh!" Professor McGonagall was stunned for a moment, then carefully placed the Sorting Hat on Aaron's head.
"Hmm?" After the Sorting Hat was placed on Aaron's head, its expression immediately became incredibly astonished. "How is this possible? I originally thought you were just seeking attention, but I didn't expect you to be even more difficult than the last one.
You don't lack courage, you have unparalleled charisma, a resilient character, a clever mind, and a powerful thirst for knowledge hidden deep within your heart.
Most importantly, you possess extremely high talent and potential. In a thousand years, I have seen countless students, and no more than ten of them were on the same level as you, but even they barely reached that mark. No one at the age of admission has ever possessed such powerful magical energy. Are you really only eleven years old?"
"Isn't that obvious?" Aaron said, exasperated. "Also, don't you think you've said too much?
Just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist; after all, the magic world is far vaster than just Hogwarts.
By the way, have you made a decision yet?"
"No, you have to give me some time to consider!
You are too well-rounded; every house is perfectly suited for you. What... what is your purpose for coming to school, or rather, what do you desire most?"
"Is it necessary to ask so clearly?" Aaron said, annoyed. He could clearly feel this tattered hat constantly prying into his thoughts, but it was destined to find no secrets in the face of his perfect Occlumency.
"Of course it is," the Sorting Hat said. "Some crave knowledge, some crave power, some crave resources, some crave..."
"I don't care about any of those things you mentioned. What I crave is true friendship."
"Friendship? That's truly rare.
If it's friendship... Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat shouted loudly.
After the result was announced, the Slytherin students applauded and cheered loudly, while the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw students all sighed.
They had heard the Sorting Hat's evaluation earlier; Slytherin would gain a very outstanding student.
"Just as I thought," Aaron murmured, then picked up Abeyand walked towards the Slytherin long table, while Professor McGonagall collected the new student list and the Sorting Hat and walked to her seat.
Draco, with his two cronies, greeted him warmly, and the Prefect also welcomed him enthusiastically.
Aaron even saw Professor Snape, the Dean of Slytherin, at the head table, nod slightly to him, which made him feel a bit flattered.
"Aaron, I knew you would definitely be sorted into Slytherin. Only Slytherin is worthy of a genius like you.
You didn't notice how ugly Weasley's face became just now," Draco said happily.
"Ah! You're overstating it," Aaron waved his hand awkwardly. "I never consider myself a genius.
As for Weasley's expression, that has nothing to do with me."
Ding! Ding! Ding!
Professor McGonagall tapped her cup with a golden spoon. "Attention, everyone."
Dumbledore stood up from the main seat. He raised his hands, smiling broadly at the students below. "Now, let the feast begin."
As his words fell, the four long tables were instantly filled with all kinds of food. Just in front of Aaron were beef, lamb chops, pork chops, potatoes, pudding, pea shoots, carrots, corn, and so on, which could be said to fully cater to all picky eaters.
Abey jumped directly in front of Aaron, pointing at the chicken leg on the plate with one tiny paw, while giving Aaron a very eager look with the other.
"Uh... I get it." Aaron smiled wryly and placed the food it wanted in front of it.
Just then, a grayish-white ghost emerged from under the table, stopping right next to Draco, opposite Aaron.
This startled Draco, and the fork in his hand clattered onto the plate.
"Don't worry, he's The Bloody Baron, our Slytherin ghost," an older student said.
That being said, ghosts had no destructive power against the living, and ghosts were floating everywhere in the Great Hall.
But the one next to Draco was really quite frightening, emaciated, with silver bloodstains covering his robes, practically indistinguishable from a psycho killer.
Eating opposite him, Aaron felt a lot of pressure. As for Draco Malfoy, who was sitting next to him, Aaron expressed his deep sympathy.
After more than half an hour of dining, the food on the tables, along with the cutlery, instantly disappeared, and the tables became clean again.
Aaron, full and satisfied, sat in his chair, feeling that the pet in his arms had gained a couple of pounds.
"Alright, now it's time for bed. Before that, let's have our final activity—singing the school song," Dumbledore said excitedly, as if this was the most important part of the entire Sorting ceremony.
"Hogwarts has a school song?" Aaron looked at a new student beside him in surprise, but the student also looked bewildered, clearly knowing nothing.
He then turned his gaze to an older student, who had a look of profound suffering on his face. From this senior's expression, Aaron read torment and embarrassment.
Dumbledore lightly flicked his wand, and a golden ribbon floated out, with lines of text, the lyrics, on it:
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hogwarts,
Please teach us knowledge,
Whether we are bald old men,
Or children with scraped knees..." "Everyone choose your favorite tune," Dumbledore said affably. "Ready, sing..."
The next moment, an incredibly noisy sound erupted in the Great Hall. Disordered tunes and somewhat improper lyrics combined, like demonic music pouring into one's ears.
Aaron had an urge to cover his ears, but doing so in public was clearly inappropriate.
In desperation, Aaron held Abey above his head. Its two front paws openly covered its ears under its hat, while its two hind paws pressed against Aaron's ears.
It was subtle yet natural; if one didn't look closely, they truly wouldn't notice.