The Hogwarts sorting ceremony began just like in the novels. Students from other years arrived first.
The new students waited at the entrance until the teachers were seated and the upperclassmen were all present before the ceremony officially began.
McGonagall was once again the one leading the new students at the entrance, much like Hannah Abbott's constant presence amidst the ever changing world of Hogwarts.
This year's new students were having a tough time.
Heavy rain accompanied by a biting Northern Hemisphere wind had brought them by boat across the lake, a vast expanse of water whipped by a fierce gale.
The moonless, dark lake stretched as far as the eye could see, making them feel as if their little boat was adrift on an endless expanse.
Young Voldemort, who had always feared death, was now even more terrified by this situation.
Thankfully, the prefects had cast waterproof and moisture proof spells on them after they disembarked, keeping them dry despite the wind.
Inside the Great Hall, the students, unaware of the situation, only knew that a new term had begun.
They mistook Garfield, perched on the new teacher's desk, for a pet cat. "Look, it's an orange cat."
"So cute. I want to hug it." "Looks like the teacher is a cat lover too. We could have a deeper conversation."
"Girl, it's good that you want a deeper conversation, but only if the teacher approves of you."
The girl who wanted to have a deeper conversation with Garfield first held her head high. "Absolutely. I have the right to."
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As the time for the sorting ceremony arrived, McGonagall, after confirming that all the new students were present, pushed open the door of the dining hall.
"New students, line up and follow me."
From one end of the dining hall to the other, the new students formed a circle, waiting for their house assignments.
Most wizarding families knew how the houses were assigned, but some, like the Weasleys, intended to keep it a secret for their children.
Other families would tell their children in advance to prevent them from embarrassing themselves.
This was mostly done by pure blood wizarding families.
The Hogwarts sorting ceremony was conducted alphabetically according to the first letter of the surname.
Abbott's name naturally placed first with the letters A and B, which is why Hannah Abbott is always first in line.
The sorting ceremony continued. Tom Riddle, whose name began with R, was placed near the middle.
When McGonagall called his name, the young Voldemort nervously walked to the Sorting Hat.
After he sat down, McGonagall placed the hat on his head. Tom Riddle's eyes were covered by the Sorting Hat.
Then a voice whispered in his ear.
"Hmm, hmm, very difficult. You seem very courageous. You have done quite a few bad things, but you are not inherently bad."
"You have talent. Oh my goodness, not bad. You have a strong desire to prove yourself. A thirst for power."
"And you are a descendant of Slytherin. Logically, you should be sorted into Slytherin, where you will get what you want most. But you also have the courage to face everything. So where should I sort you?"
"Mr. Riddle, how about trying Gryffindor? Perhaps you will find something unexpected there."
It was only then that young Voldemort realized the Sorting Hat was whispering in his ear.
Tom knew he was a descendant of Slytherin, but he was curious about the Sorting Hat's words.
He asked the Sorting Hat, "What can I gain in Gryffindor? More power and strength?"
The Sorting Hat replied, "Happiness, friends, and friendship."
Happiness, friends, and friendship were not what he wanted. Tom Riddle directly refused. "Not Gryffindor."
"Not Gryffindor, right?" the subtle voice asked. "Have you made up your mind? You know, in a split second, Slytherin can help you achieve glory, without a doubt. But Gryffindor is good too."
"No. I am not going to Gryffindor." Seeing Tom Riddle's insistence, the Sorting Hat stopped trying to persuade him.
It had already fulfilled Garfield's suggestion.
"Not happy? Fine. Since you have made up your mind, then you had better go to Slytherin. Slytherin."
The Sorting Hat loudly announced the young Voldemort's affiliation. Tom Riddle went to the Slytherin table, greeted the group of snakes, and sat down.
When he looked back at the teachers' table, he saw disappointment in Dumbledore's and Garfield's eyes. His heart skipped a beat.
The precocious boy instantly understood that he had successfully missed a test. He had chosen the wrong path and lost the opportunity to learn from a master.
Damn it. Why didn't the test give him any hints?
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The sorting ceremony continued, but Garfield and Dumbledore's attention had shifted. They began to whisper among themselves.
"Old bee, you are in for a lot of work in the future." "How so?"
"A Slytherin heir with a strong thirst for power and strength has entered Hogwarts. He has entered Slytherin."
"Given the atmosphere there and his boundless ambition, he is destined to make the wizarding world anything but peaceful."
Garfield's mystical narration made the wizarding world seem even more turbulent than it was now.
Dumbledore naturally found this hard to believe. "Could he possibly cause more trouble than Grindelwald?"
"That's impossible. One is a venomous snake in a small pond. The other is a sea dragon. They are fundamentally different."
"But even a venomous snake can kill a sea dragon with its fangs while it sleeps. An old, weak, sleeping dragon."
Dumbledore's face darkened. He knew Garfield's relationship with Grindelwald. He knew Garfield's mystique and abilities.
Garfield possessed the ability to travel through time and space. Could it be that he had seen something?
Dumbledore's hand clenched involuntarily under the table. He glanced up at the young Voldemort.
A flash of murderous intent crossed his eyes before quickly subsiding.
Sensing Dumbledore's sudden change, Garfield could not help but smile. The seeds of future change had been sown.
All that was left was for them to take root and sprout.
As for Tom Riddle, the future Voldemort, he was destined to undergo an unforgettable period of study.
Here, there was not only the strict Dumbledore but also the even stricter Garfield.
As for how to teach these unruly children of the wizarding world, especially the Slytherin snakes, as a powerful cat, Garfield naturally had his ways of dealing with them.
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The sorting hat ceremony ended. Headmaster Armando Dippet gestured for everyone to be quiet.
"Now, I have an announcement. Hogwarts welcomes new members to the Board of Governors this year."
"The underprivileged students of Hogwarts will receive more funds to complete their studies." The students applauded enthusiastically.
"Secondly, we are delighted to announce that His Majesty King Garfield Pando Godzilla Pendragon, a member of the Hogwarts Board of Trustees, has joined the Hogwarts family."
"He will be the professor of morality and moral education, a new course at Hogwarts." The dining hall erupted in cheers.