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Unlike its dark exterior, the interior of Hogwarts Castle could be described as magnificent and stunningly beautiful.
Interestingly, the ceiling above seemed transparent, allowing a view of the twinkling stars outside.
Noticing Sherlock's actions, Hermione, beside him, whispered an explanation:
"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."
Sherlock nodded.
Indeed, it was hard to believe there was actually a ceiling overhead, and equally hard to believe the Great Hall wasn't open-air.
Initially, seeing the size of Hogwarts Castle, Sherlock had thought his next seven years might be quite cramped.
But now it seemed the space inside was significantly larger than it appeared from the outside.
One could only say it wasn't scientific at all.
When explanation fails, supplement with magic.
When Professor McGonagall returned, the ghosts also drifted away, disappearing through the walls.
By now, the entire school faculty and student body were seated, all eyes fixed on the first years, waiting for them to complete the Sorting Ceremony.
Under everyone's gaze, Professor McGonagall gently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years, and on top of it, she placed a hat.
Sherlock noticed the pointed hat was patched, heavily worn, and even from a distance, visibly filthy.
The next moment, the hat began to twitch. A wide tear opened near its lower middle section, as if forming a mouth.
Then it began to sing.
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty, But don't judge on what you see, I'll eat myself if you can find A smarter hat than me..."
A little ditty, which sounded rather raucous to Sherlock, was thus sung.
The hat's singing voice wasn't great, and the tune paled significantly compared to his own violin skills.
However, it did provide Sherlock with some information.
Mainly, introductions to the four houses.
Its description was also quite objective, and more detailed than McGonagall's. In simple terms:
Gryffindor – Brave, daring, represented by the lion, symbolizing the element of fire.
Hufflepuff – Just, loyal, represented by the badger, symbolizing the element of earth.
Ravenclaw – Wise, learned, represented by the eagle, symbolizing the element of air.
Slytherin – Cunning, ambitious, represented by the serpent, symbolizing the element of water.
By now, the first years understood that all they needed to do was wear this hat.
"I'm going to kill Fred!"
Ron couldn't help but say to Sherlock and Harry. "He made it sound like we'd have to wrestle a troll."
Harry and Hermione both secretly breathed sighs of relief, clearly having been very nervous as well.
Sherlock, naturally, wasn't nervous, merely finding things increasingly interesting.
The Sorting Ceremony had begun. Professor McGonagall, holding a roll of parchment, stepped forward and read out the first name:
"Hannah Abbott!"
A small girl with two golden pigtails stumbled out of the line under the gaze of the entire school, nervously putting on the hat.
It's unclear what happened, but after a moment, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The table on the right burst into applause and cheers, welcoming Hannah to sit with them.
The Fat Friar ghost, who had greeted Sherlock earlier, also waved happily at her.
One by one, more first years were called up by McGonagall, put on the hat, were sorted, and took off the hat.
Mechanical, repetitive actions, lacking novelty.
Soon, someone Sherlock knew was called.
"Hermione Granger!"
Hermione was extremely nervous, even forgetting to acknowledge them, practically jogging to the stool.
She hastily jammed the hat onto her head.
Finally, the hat shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Ron let out a small (hmph) upon hearing this, clearly slightly displeased that the girl might end up in the same house as him.
Sherlock watched this scene with keen interest.
He didn't care about Ron's petty thoughts; what interested him was the time the hat took for sorting.
Sometimes the hat shouted out the house name immediately, but other times it took a while to decide.
Hermione, for instance, took nearly four minutes.
This was the longest time taken among all those sorted so far, giving the impression that the hat itself was hesitating.
So, the question arose.
When it was his turn, how long would it take, and which house would he be sorted into?
Actually, Sherlock had already pondered this question while the hat was singing its little song.
The conclusion was... anything was possible.
Courage, he never lacked. His fundamental reason for coming to Hogwarts was the desire to explore the unknown. When necessary, he could even disregard life and death; such situations only made him more excited.
Integrity, one of his interests was fighting crime. Of course, his methods weren't exactly lawful good, but definitely not aligned with evil, and the outcome was always just.
Wisdom, that went without saying, although due to his family, he had once thought himself an idiot before meeting other children.
Cunning and ambition, he undoubtedly possessed both. And judging by the Sorting Hat's song, his self-assuredness and disregard for rules actually fit quite well with Slytherin.
Therefore, even Sherlock, skilled in deduction and analysis, found it difficult to predict which house he would be sorted into.
If only he could ask Hermione what exactly happens when you put on the hat; Miss Granger would surely be willing to answer.
Unfortunately, it was impossible to ask.
Because each first year, once sorted, left the current line and went to their designated house table, where older students from the same house waited to welcome them.
Just then, McGonagall, seeing Hermione seated amidst the welcoming Gryffindor upper years, looked back down at her parchment.
Her gaze paused slightly before she read out the next first year's name:
"Sherlock Holmes!"
Upon hearing his name, before Sherlock could react, Harry and Ron became instantly nervous:
"Don't go to Slytherin!"
"You have to go to Gryffindor!"
Besides his two friends, others were naturally paying attention to Sherlock as well.
The story of him dealing with Malfoy and his cronies on the train had already spread. Students who knew about it couldn't help but notice him when his name was called.
Not to mention Sherlock already possessed looks and an appearance striking enough to draw attention at first glance.
Furthermore, McGonagall had mentioned this keenly observant young wizard to Dumbledore.
However.
Sherlock walked up to the stool but didn't immediately place the hat on his head like the others.
He picked up the hat, turning it over and examining it carefully.
The entire hall, students and teachers alike, were greatly surprised.
McGonagall, presiding over the ceremony, looked particularly astonished.
You're not here to buy a hat, why are you being so picky?
She couldn't help but glance towards Headmaster Dumbledore, seated at the head table.
(End of Chapter)