Entering the foyer, the freshmen could already hear the noise coming from the main door on the right. The seniors were already in their seats, looking forward to the start-of-term dinner.
"I'm Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Head of Gryffindor."
Professor McGonagall first introduced herself and listed a long list of titles to make the young wizards more in awe of her, then continued:
"Let me explain what we are going to do next.
Before the opening dinner, your sorting ceremony will be held to decide which house you will be assigned to: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin.
This is a very important ceremony.
In the next seven years, you will attend classes and live together with other students in the house."
"At the same time, your performance will affect the college's grades. Those who violate school rules will have their college points deducted."
Professor McGonagall's eyes suddenly became sharp. "I can declare here that although I am the headmaster of Gryffindor, if I catch someone breaking the school rules, not only will I not cover it up, but I will double the punishment!"
The young wizards were silent, and some who had originally wanted to go to Gryffindor had already begun to back off.
This dean... is so fierce!
And more people are worried about the so-called sorting ceremony.
Because of tradition, the new students from wizarding families always describe the Sorting Ceremony as terrifying, while the little wizards born in Muggles are completely in the dark about it, and the unknown becomes their biggest fear.
Some people felt a lump in their throat and almost cried when they thought about the situation that if they failed the test, none of the four colleges would be willing to accept them.
Tom saw Daphne beside him muttering to herself, but her voice was too low and he couldn't hear what she was saying.
When Professor McGonagall saw these children with sad faces, the corners of his serious and old-fashioned mouth curled up slightly and a smile flashed in his eyes.
However, Professor McGonagall is, after all, a qualified professor who is conscientious and loves every student equally. Seeing the little wizard so frightened, he still comforted him:
"Don't think too much. From the moment you received your acceptance letter, you are already a student of the school. The sorting ceremony is just to help you choose the most suitable college. Don't feel any psychological burden."
"Just treat the school as your home. How could your home abandon you?"
Professor McGonagall's comforting words worked, and the little wizards gradually calmed down.
But there are also some very wise people who have awakened.
A blond boy standing not far from Tom was shocked: "Professor McGonagall, you said that school is our home?"
"Of course, sir," Professor McGonagall said affirmatively.
The boy's expression suddenly changed, and he said arrogantly, "What are you waiting for? I'm starving. Can't we eat first and then go to the separate houses?"
Professor McGonagall's expression changed as well.
"Do you think this school is your home? How can the rules be changed just because of you? After the division, I will deduct five points from your school!"
"Wow! Professor, you lied to me!
Tom: "…."
.....
"Hannah Abbott!"
The sorting ceremony began, and a ruddy-faced little girl with two golden braids walked out of the line and put on a hat.
After a brief pause, the Sorting Hat announced loudly—"Hufflepuff!"
The people at the table on the right applauded and cheered for Hannah, some pointed to the empty seats next to them, and even the fat monk ghost happily took off his hat to greet them.
Tom gave his blessing, and smiled as he watched Hannah Abbott stumble back to the table.
Great, he's the Iron Hat King.
With the Iron-Hat King around, the world would not deviate too much, and his prophetic advantage would be effective most of the time.
"Good girl..." Tom's sigh was very light, but it was heard by the little witch who had been paying attention to her.
Daphne: "???"
Does Tom have such strange taste?
That girl from the Aibo family looks like a country girl no matter how you look at her!
Daphne looked at Hannah, then at Tom, who had been watching the Sorting Ceremony, and fell into a trance.
In fact, Tom was also distracted. He was also curious about which college he would be assigned to.
Except for Slytherin, who was a pure Muggle-born, so Tom didn't even consider it.
With three houses left, his biggest wish was not to go to Gryffindor.
Once he got closer to Harry, it would be like walking right under Dumbledore's nose. Plus with the buff of his name... he would definitely get more attention.
Although Tom is not planning to become a villain, he doesn't like being watched all the time.
And just like Daphne said, Gryffindor really is synonymous with trouble and trouble. He wants to be a quiet top student, and this kind of environment is not suitable for him.
Of the remaining two houses, there was no doubt that Ravenclaw was the one he wanted to go to the most, but Hufflepuff was also good.
No one can resist the temptation of having a kitchen right outside your door and someone preparing delicious food for you 24 hours a day.
"Daphne Greenglass!"
The Sorting Hat finally called Daphne. The little witch was extremely nervous. She trotted to Professor McGonagall and put on the hat.
About a minute later, the Sorting Hat announced the result - "Slytherin!"
There was warm applause from the Slytherin table. The freshmen before had never received such treatment. The applause from the students in front was sparse.
There is no other reason. The Greengrass family is one of the twenty-eight pure-blood families, and only those pure-blood families will give this face.
Several more students followed, and when it was Harry Potter's turn, almost all the students held their breath, waiting for his result.
When the Sorting Hat announced that Potter was sorted into Gryffindor, the second table on the right cheered the loudest, and two identical twins almost jumped onto the table.
On the Slytherin side, there was deathly silence. Some people looked at Potter with ambiguous eyes, while others opened and closed their mouths, but no one knew what they were saying.
It was in this atmosphere that Professor McGonagall solemnly read out the name of the next little wizard.
"Tom Riddle!"
Perhaps for the students, only Hermione and Daphne were paying attention to Tom, and the other students were indifferent to this ordinary name.
But for most of the teachers in the classroom, it was no less than a thunderclap!