The new students were not kept waiting long. Professor McGonagall returned and had the new students stand in a single file and led them into the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was large and contained four long tables, all of which were occupied by students. Above the heads of the students, hundreds of candles floated, illuminating the entire Great Hall.
The flame of the candles was also some kind of magic fire, otherwise the sight of the candles above their heads dripping wax together would be spectacular.
As Albert's mind was filled with strange thoughts, the procession reached a stool with a dirty, tattered hat on it.
It was said to be Gryffindor's hat.
"I hope they wash the sorting hat properly," Albert thought, a little disgusted by the sorting hat, which was so dirty, perhaps because it had been there for 1000 years, or perhaps because no one had ever cleaned it.
It was unbearable.
When Albert came to his senses, the sorting hat had already finished its customary opening song to the applause of the crowd.
Professor McGonagall took a scroll of parchment and began to call out the names of the students.
Of course, Albert was the first to be called, because his surname starts with A.
In front of everyone, Albert walked forward, sat down in the chair, and let Professor McGonagall place the hat on his head.
"Not Slytherin, not Slytherin."
Although he knew that the chances of going to Slytherin were slim, he still whispered the words to avoid accidentally falling into a pit.
"Hmm, difficult. I can see you have courage, a good heart, talent and intelligence." The sorting hat asked softly, "Where would you like to go besides Slytherin?"
Albert was speechless. Did the sorting hat mean that he was suitable for any House except Slytherin?
"Oh, I think you've already made your choice, so..."
"Gryffindor." When the sorting hat called out Gryffindor, Albert knew what it meant.
If he had met students from other Houses in the carriage instead of the twins and Lee Jordan, he would have gone to another House.
The sorting hat had finally helped him make a choice.
After all, Albert would still be at the school for seven more years, and he didn't want to be the first Hermione, without any friends.
Of course, there was also the night patrol, and the twins were undoubtedly the best night patrol partners.
When the sorting hat announced Gryffindor, there was a burst of cheering from the far left table.
However, the twins and Lee Jordan in the group could not help but open their mouths wide, not expecting Albert to be sorted into Gryffindor at all.
What happened to Ravenclaw?
After Professor McGonagall took the hat, Albert walked towards the direction of the cheering. The front row of the long table was vacated, apparently for freshmen.
As Albert walked by, several people stood up to shake his hand. They were wearing badges on their chests, presumably prefects or Head Students.
He shook their hands one by one and nodded in response with a smile.
The Sorting Ceremony continued. After the Sorting Hat called out Slytherin, Albert turned his attention back to the Sorting Hat. When Professor McGonagall read out Cedric Diggory, he looked curiously at the extra in the story.
He was actually quite cute, no wonder he was called a pretty boy. It was just a matter of time before he became a tragic figure. After all, this time, there was a little butterfly stirring things up.
As expected, the Weasley Twins were also sorted into Gryffindor. A red-haired man was very happy about this and waved at the twins. Albert took a closer look and realised that it must be the infamous Percy Weasley.
Incidentally, the Weasley Twins were the last to be sorted. After they were sorted into Gryffindor, the Sorting Ceremony was over. Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment, took the Sorting Hat and left, and the bench disappeared with it.
"Wow! We thought you would be sorted into Ravenclaw." Both the twins and Lee Jordan stared at Albert with exaggerated expressions, as if they were looking at some rare animal.
He wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw, so the sorting hat must be broken.
"Is that so strange?" Albert didn't think so. "By the way, I just discovered a secret about the sorting hat."
"What secret?" Lee Jordan asked curiously.
"It wouldn't be a secret if I told you," Albert said, not planning to tell them. "That's why I was sorted into Gryffindor."
Albert looked at the group and shook his head. "I've made it so clear, but no one has guessed. Is this really worthy of Gryffindor?"
However, no one was paying attention to this so-called secret. After the sorting, it was Dumbledore's turn to speak, and then it was time to dig in.
"Welcome..." Dumbledore looked at the students with a smile and opened his arms to them. "Welcome to Hogwarts. The new term has begun! Before the feast begins, I would like to say a few words. That is: Idiots! Cowards! Losers! Jerks! Thank you all!"
It was really just a few words.
What a difference!
Compared to those who talk a lot of nonsense, Dumbledore understands the minds of the new students and knows that everyone is impatient to listen to nonsense.
"Do you know what those few words mean?" Albert asked the prefect next to him.
The prefect Albert asked was stunned and obviously didn't know how to answer the question.
At this moment, the prefect suddenly felt that the Weasley boy was right. This guy should have gone to Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor.
"It seems that no one knows, so I'll have to ask him myself," Albert muttered. These words are a mystery in the Harry Potter novels.
The people around him frowned and didn't know what to say. Is he going to ask Dumbledore directly?
Ravenclaw students don't have such a strong desire to learn!
This is definitely an eagle hiding in a lion's den.
Hey, someone, quickly throw this guy over to the next table!
Ignoring the strange looks of the others, Albert fell into deep thought.
In his last life, there were several explanations for these words on the internet:
It was rumoured that the Latin meaning of the words was: May Merlin protect you.
Of course, some people thought that it was the different attitudes of the four Houses towards people.
Ravenclaw's students think that anyone who doesn't get into Ravenclaw is stupid.
Gryffindor's students think that others aren't as brave as they are.
Slytherin's students think that half-bloods and mudbloods are useless.
Hufflepuff's students hope that students from other Houses will change their ways.
As for the truth, Albert didn't know either. Maybe he would have a chance to find out from Dumbledore.
Boom!
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck the castle roof, and the weather magic cast by the students suddenly stopped working.
This scene really scared everyone.
Dumbledore took out his wand and used magic on the roof, and the thunder and lightning disappeared, as did the heavy rain. The sky above everyone's heads once again became a starry night sky.
"Alright, the feast begins." Dumbledore lifted his spoon, tapped his glass, and announced the start of the feast. Instantly, the plates on the table were magically filled with food.