Chapter Three: The Useless Sorting Hat
“Hermione Granger!” “Gryffindor!”
“Draco Malfoy!” “Slytherin～”
“Susan Bones!” “Huffle…Puff”
“Ron Weasley!” “Damn it! I think you should know what you are! Gryffindor!!!”
The Sorting Hat announced each student's house one by one. Watching the sorting results unfold just like in the video, the Sorting Hat felt an unprecedented sense of defeat.
What the heck! Why are the results exactly the same as what the screen showed? What good am I if that's the case!
“Harry Potter!”
When Harry Potter put on the Sorting Hat, the Sorting Hat said:
“You are brave, kind-hearted, talented, and ambitious to prove yourself. It's difficult, very difficult... crap! Didn't the screen already reveal the results?!”
“So I'm going to Gryffindor?” Harry asked cautiously, afraid the Sorting Hat might get angry and put him in Slytherin.
The Sorting Hat, of course, wouldn't do that. It was a principled Sorting Hat, after all, because one decision could affect a child's entire life.
But the Sorting Hat still grumbled, “Of course, but I'd prefer you to go to Slytherin. Not for my reputation, but because you are incredibly compatible with Slytherin. Are you really not going to consider it?”
“I choose Gryffindor.”
“Damn it! Gryffindor!”
With the Sorting Hat placing Harry Potter in Gryffindor, the young witches and wizards couldn't help but discuss amongst themselves.
“It really happened! Everything in the screen was true!”
“But why did the screen only predict a few people? What about me? What's wrong with me?”
“Maybe your face?”
“I don't think it's a prediction. While theoretically, everyone has a 1/4 chance, the Sorting Hat's sorting still follows patterns. If you have enough information, it's not difficult to guess.”
“That's right. Like Draco, he's basically guaranteed to be in Slytherin, and the Weasleys, they're all Gryffindors.”
“But that's not right. There are other people, even a few Muggle-born.”
“But wouldn't it be easy to investigate?”
“But why would he do that? Just for a prank?”
On the stands, other teachers were also shocked. Dumbledore was looking down, lost in thought.
In Zhang Dong’s mind, a voice rang out:
［Congratulations, Master, for shocking Harry Potter and Ron Weasley with the video, reward: Magic +20%］
［Congratulations, Master, for shocking Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger with the video, reward: Useless Shield (Beginner), Full Recovery (Beginner)］
［Congratulations, Master, for shocking Minerva McGonagall with the video, reward: Transfiguration Charm (Intermediate)］
［Congratulations, Master, for shocking Albus Dumbledore with the video, reward: Silent Spellcasting］
［Congratulations, Master, for shocking the Sorting Hat with the video, reward: Death's Hat of Annihilation］
Hmm!
Listening to the system's voice, Zhang Dong instantly learned several spells, and one of them was even intermediate!
Zhang Dong wasn't a genius. Before starting school, he could barely manage a single Protego. He had only reached the beginner level with this spell.
Beginner level was equivalent to the average level of first-year witches and wizards. If he reached the intermediate level, it would be enough to pass the OWL exams! Plus, he got a piece of equipment!
［Equipment: Death's Hat of Annihilation. When worn by the user, all magic power is increased by 35%］
35%! This increased Zhang Dong’s strength to another level! It was clear how much benefit this short video had brought him!
Zhang Dong was excited, but everyone was excited after experiencing so many magical things, so no one would think there was anything strange about him.
And at this time
“Zhang Dong!”
Professor McGonagall’s voice rang out. Hearing his name called, Zhang Dong calmed down and walked forward.
At this time, all eyes were on Zhang Dong. After all, this Eastern face was quite eye-catching in Hogwarts.
Moreover, with the name Zhang Dong, it was easy to tell he was Zhang Qiu’s brother.
“Good lad, you may sit down.” Professor McGonagall motioned for Zhang Dong to sit down. Then she picked up the Sorting Hat, which was not in a very high spirit, and placed it on Zhang Dong's head.
“Alright, young man, your house is... wait a minute!”
Damn it!
Zhang Dong felt a little nervous. The Sorting Hat could read memories and information. Wouldn't it know about his phone?
“You little fellow, this is difficult. Let me see,
You clearly have the ambition to conquer everything, but you just want to hide;
You already know several spells, but you just want to hide;
You have a kind heart, but you just want to hide;
Young man, you shouldn’t be so cowardly.”
Zhang Dong…
Well, it seems like he was overthinking. It’s true, many time traveler predecessors had experienced the Sorting Hat, and no one had ever been discovered as a time traveler.
Except…
“I just prefer peace.” Zhang Dong explained.
The Sorting Hat………
“Alright, I've figured out where you should go! Gryffindor!!”
Zhang Dong!!!
Damn! It backfired!
While the Sorting Hat usually distributed students based on their individual circumstances, if a student was too “outstanding,” it would also try to adjust them.
For example, the famous Gryffindor sword master, Neville Longbottom, was placed in Gryffindor because the Sorting Hat felt he was too cowardly and needed to be trained. Of course, this also had to do with Neville's own willingness to go to Gryffindor.
Zhang Dong himself had no strong preference for the four houses, so he didn't have any strong resistance to the Sorting Hat's decision.
“Yeah!!!”
The little lions cheered, and even Professor McGonagall took the Sorting Hat off Zhang Dong's head. There was a smile on her face, as if she was happy that Gryffindor had so many students this year.
What could Zhang Dong say to that? He could only show his standard eight-tooth smile.
Gryffindor, hopefully you have enough people.