Chapter 14: Slytherin and the Mystery of Their Origins
"Are you disgusted by me? I'm so sad," a soft voice whispered in his ear.
"Can you hear what I'm thinking?" he asked, surprised.
"Yes, the founders gave me this special ability, but it seems less effective with you. I can sense your stronger emotions, yet I cannot sort you into a House based on those alone."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you're a natural Occlumens, just not a perfect one yet. You should keep studying to master the skill. I think it will benefit your development."
"Occlumens?" He vaguely remembered that Snape had taught Harry in the movies about a technique to prevent Voldemort from spying on him, and the name sounded familiar.
The voice continued, "Yes, you can ask the professors later. Now, listen to my instructions, relax your mind, and I will try to read some of your thoughts to complete the sorting."
Following the Sorting Hat's instructions, Ethan took a deep breath, cleared his mind, and felt a faint tingling sensation in his brain.
"Are you done yet? It hurts," he whispered when the pain became too much to bear.
"Are you in pain? Then let's stop for now."
The pain stopped. "It's hard to say where you should go."
"But it's clear you don't belong in Hufflepuff. You possess courage, ambition, and a thirst for knowledge. I believe you would do well in Slytherin."
Ethan was puzzled. "Slytherin? Doesn't Slytherin value bloodlines and refuse Muggle-borns like me?"
"Muggle-born? Heh heh heh. It seems you don't know your own origins. You're not a Muggle-born wizard," the Sorting Hat chuckled.
"So, have you decided yet? Do you want to go to Slytherin?"
Ethan knew little about Slytherin. The movies hadn't shown him much; he only knew they were a house of snakes with dark reputations, many of whom became Death Eaters. Still, he never imagined he would be sorted into Slytherin.
"All right, then. Slytherin it is." Since things were already so different from the films, he didn't mind experiencing Slytherin firsthand.
"Very well, then."
"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat announced.
The Slytherins, unaware of his family background, cheered and welcomed their new companion.
But Professor McGonagall, who had personally visited his home, was horrified.
She immediately turned to Dumbledore.
The white-haired old man looked back at her, puzzled and clearly troubled.
Three students remained to be sorted. Though she was desperate for answers, she called the next name.
"Lisa Turpin!"
As Ethan removed the hat and walked toward the Slytherin table, he smiled a strange, knowing smile.
He glanced at Hermione, who was covering her mouth, waved to her, and sat down next to Draco Malfoy.
His sorting had taken more than four minutes, while the next three combined did not take as long.
Slytherin had gained another student, Blaise Zabini, the last first-year to be sorted.
Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment again, picked up the Sorting Hat, and left.
Dumbledore stood and smiled at the gathered students.
"Welcome to Hogwarts for the start of a new school year, but before the banquet begins, I'd like to say a few words."
"Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"
"Thank you, everyone."
After he finished speaking, he sat down, and the Great Hall erupted in applause. Everyone liked leaders who gave concise speeches; if they had rambled on, everyone would have cursed them.
The banquet officially began, and the empty plates suddenly filled with food.
The food was plentiful, but Ethan had little appetite. He only took some roast meat, cutting it slowly and chewing mechanically.
His mind was still on the Sorting Hat's words, and he didn't even hear Blaise and Draco greeting him.
Ethan! Ethan! Draco liked the blond boy who reminded him of himself. He wanted to chat with this well-mannered first-year and see if he could recruit him for his little group.
Ethan swallowed the tasteless beef he'd been chewing and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Oh, what is it, Draco?"
"Nothing much. Everyone's just sharing their thoughts. Aren't you going to join us?"
"Sure, I was just thinking about something. Sorry."
As soon as he sat down, he heard Draco bragging to the other first-years about Malfoy Manor and his family, but he was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to join in.
"Draco, I have a question for you. Is it true that Slytherin has never had a single Muggle-born student sorted into it since its founding?"
"Why would you ask that?" Draco looked at him strangely.
"Slytherin was originally a pure-blood house. In the beginning, neither half-blood wizards nor Muggle-born wizards could enter Slytherin. Later, half-bloods were allowed in, but Muggle-borns have never been admitted to Slytherin."
Draco looked somewhat displeased. "Besides, the addition of half-blood wizards is already a desecration of Slytherin. Only pure-blood wizards are the true heirs of Slytherin!"
"Is that so?" Ethan didn't comment. He wanted to find Professor McGonagall, whom he knew well, and ask her directly whether the Sorting Hat had made a mistake or whether there was indeed a problem with his background.
Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall, after returning the admission list and the Sorting Hat to the Headmaster's office, was also reporting the matter to Dumbledore in the Great Hall.
"It's very important, isn't it? Minerva, you know, today is the start-of-term feast, so I think it would be better if we simply enjoyed the moment." Dumbledore picked up his goblet, took a sip, and smiled broadly.
"Let me give you a brief overview. We can discuss it in more detail after the feast." Professor McGonagall thought for a moment. This matter couldn't be rushed.
"Regarding this student, Ethan, when I took him shopping in Diagon Alley, I discovered that his parents were both Muggles without magical ability, but now he has been sorted into Slytherin, which confuses me."
"Muggle? Are you sure, not a Squib, but a real Muggle?"
"Yes, I'm sure. They know nothing about the magical world, and they're not like Squibs who were banished from their families by a Memory Charm."
This is indeed a serious matter. Go and find Severus after the banquet. We need to discuss this together.
Dumbledore gestured to Professor McGonagall, indicating she should locate Snape. He noted that Severus was engaged in conversation with Quirrell as he glanced thoughtfully toward the Slytherin table and took another sip of his drink.
Professor McGonagall nodded and went to find Severus Snape, who was indeed talking to Quirrell. Meanwhile, Dumbledore turned his attention to the Slytherin table, his expression thoughtful, and took another sip.
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