Chapter 3 — The Sorting Hat
Well...
Let's see what you have to say to me.
I stood in front of the stool while hundreds of students watched me.
I could feel their eyes on me.
Some were simply curious.
Others were different.
Recognition.
It wasn't difficult to imagine what they were thinking.
Black.
White.
Rosier.
Three surnames that carried considerable weight within the magical world.
And now an eleven-year-old boy carried all three.
I calmly took a breath and sat down.
Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on my head.
The fabric completely covered my eyes.
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then I heard a voice inside my head.
—Sorting Hat: Well...
Well?
—Sorting Hat: This is quite interesting.
Why?
—Sorting Hat: Your mind.
The voice paused.
—Sorting Hat: It doesn't resemble that of an eleven-year-old at all.
I smiled slightly.
Can you see my memories?
—Sorting Hat: Some of them.
My expression changed.
Some?
—Sorting Hat: Your mind is protected.
A small smile appeared on my face.
Natural Occlumency.
—Sorting Hat: That explains the barrier.
The Hat tried to push further.
It couldn't.
—Sorting Hat: Interesting.
What?
—Sorting Hat: You're not even consciously aware of when you're protecting your memories.
It's a talent.
—Sorting Hat: I know.
The voice sounded slightly amused.
—Sorting Hat: I can also sense that not all of your memories belong to this life.
I became completely still.
For a few seconds, I didn't respond.
Finally, I asked:
Do you know that I reincarnated?
—Sorting Hat: Not exactly.
—Sorting Hat: But I can sense that a part of you remembers having lived before.
My expression relaxed.
So you can't see my previous life.
—Sorting Hat: No.
I sighed.
That was a relief.
—Sorting Hat: Although I must admit, I'd like to know how you ended up here.
I died.
The Hat fell silent.
And then I was born again.
—Sorting Hat: Fascinating.
Is that all?
—Sorting Hat: I've lived for centuries. At this point, it's difficult to surprise me.
I couldn't help but smile.
—Sorting Hat: Now let's leave the existential questions aside and focus on something more important.
The house?
—Sorting Hat: Exactly.
I felt a slight pressure inside my head.
The Hat began analyzing me.
—Sorting Hat: Intelligence.
—Sorting Hat: Curiosity.
—Sorting Hat: Ambition.
—Sorting Hat: Determination.
—Sorting Hat: Patience.
—Sorting Hat: And a considerable amount of confidence.
Is that a bad thing?
—Sorting Hat: That depends on how you use it.
The Hat continued.
—Sorting Hat: You could thrive in Ravenclaw.
—Sorting Hat: You have a mind that would fit perfectly there.
But...
—Sorting Hat: But your ambition is too strong.
The voice changed slightly.
—Sorting Hat: Slytherin could give you the tools you need to achieve your goals.
I thought for a moment.
And Gryffindor?
—Sorting Hat: You have courage.
—Sorting Hat: Much more than you show.
—Sorting Hat: But you don't seek glory.
No.
—Sorting Hat: Exactly.
The Hat remained silent for a few seconds.
—Sorting Hat: You also have loyalty.
Hufflepuff?
—Sorting Hat: Yes.
I smiled.
Then I could go to any of them.
—Sorting Hat: Correct.
—Sorting Hat: But there is something that tips the balance.
What?
—Sorting Hat: You.
Me?
—Sorting Hat: You already have an idea of where you want to be.
I remained silent.
It was right.
Ever since I had started studying about Hogwarts, I had felt a certain fascination with Slytherin.
Not because I wanted to become a Dark wizard.
But because its characteristics suited me quite well.
Ambition.
Cunning.
Determination.
And, above all, the ability to achieve whatever one sets their mind to.
Then you already know my answer.
The Hat seemed to smile.
—Sorting Hat: Yes.
A pause.
—Sorting Hat: You don't need me to tell you anything else.
The Hat shouted:
—!!SLYTHERIN!!
For a few seconds, there was silence.
Then the Slytherin table erupted in applause.
I removed the Hat and stood up.
As I walked toward the table, I heard several whispers.
—Is he really a Black?
—He's also a White.
—I heard his mother belongs to one of the most powerful families in America.
—And he's a Rosier?
—He has the strangest eyes I've ever seen.
I ignored the comments.
I was already used to it.
When I reached the Slytherin table, several students began making room for me.
But one of them immediately caught my attention.
Almost white-blond hair.
Pale skin.
Sharp features.
An expression of perfectly controlled superiority.
Draco Malfoy.
I recognized him immediately.
—Draco: Black White.
I stopped.
—Michael: Yes?
—Draco: Come here.
He pointed to the seat beside him.
—Draco: You can sit here.
I looked at him for a few seconds.
In the original story, Draco and Harry quickly became rivals.
But I had no reason to hate him.
Besides, it could be useful to get to know him.
I sat down.
—Michael: Thanks.
—Draco: I'm Draco Malfoy.
—Michael: I know.
Draco raised an eyebrow.
—Draco: You do?
I realized my mistake.
—Michael: Your surname is quite well known.
Draco smiled with satisfaction.
—Draco: That's true.
—Michael: Besides, your father is Lucius Malfoy.
Draco's smile grew even wider.
—Draco: So you know quite a bit about the important families.
—Michael: I've read a lot.
—Draco: My father told me about the Blacks.
—Michael: What did he say?
Draco hesitated.
—Draco: That they're a powerful family.
—Michael: Anything else?
—Draco: That some Blacks have forgotten what it means to belong to a pure-blood family.
I didn't need to ask who he meant.
Sirius.
My uncle.
—Michael: Your father has a pretty clear opinion.
—Draco: And you?
I looked at him.
—Michael: I think everyone should decide for themselves what they want to be.
Draco seemed to think about it.
—Draco: That's quite different from what I expected.
—Michael: What did you expect?
—Draco: That you'd be arrogant.
—Michael: Am I?
Draco smiled.
—Draco: I don't know yet.
—Michael: Then you'll have to find out.
Draco let out a small laugh.
—Draco: I like you.
First friendship in Slytherin.
Not bad.
---
The Sorting continued.
Names continued to be called one after another.
Some went to Hufflepuff.
Others to Ravenclaw.
Then a name I knew far too well was called.
—McGonagall: Granger, Hermione.
Hermione walked toward the stool.
She sat down.
The Hat only took a few seconds.
—!!GRYFFINDOR!!
The Gryffindor table erupted in applause.
Hermione smiled and walked toward them.
Then another name was called.
—McGonagall: Malfoy, Draco.
Draco stood up.
Before leaving, he looked at me.
—Draco: See you.
I nodded.
Draco walked toward the stool.
The Hat barely touched his head.
—!!SLYTHERIN!!
Draco returned to our table.
—Draco: Told you.
—Michael: I never doubted you.
Draco smiled.
After a few more students...
The moment arrived.
—McGonagall: Potter, Harry.
The entire Great Hall fell silent.
Harry slowly walked toward the stool.
I could tell he was nervous.
He sat down.
McGonagall placed the Hat on his head.
A few seconds passed.
The Hat began to speak.
But Harry didn't answer out loud.
They were talking mentally.
I couldn't hear the conversation.
However, I knew exactly what was happening.
Gryffindor.
Finally...
—!!GRYFFINDOR!!
The Gryffindor table erupted in applause.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief.
Ron was called shortly afterward.
—McGonagall: Weasley, Ronald.
The result was exactly as expected.
—!!GRYFFINDOR!!
Ron ran toward the table.
Harry welcomed him with a smile.
I watched them for a few seconds.
Everything seemed to be following the same path.
But then...
A blue screen appeared in front of my eyes.
[Quest Completed!]
[Objective: Establish a positive relationship with three students.]
[Harry Potter — Positive Relationship.]
[Ron Weasley — Positive Relationship.]
[Hermione Granger — Positive Relationship.]
[Reward: 50 experience points.]
[Current Experience: 2,400.]
I smiled.
Quite an easy quest.
However, before I could close the screen, another one appeared.
[New Main Quest!]
[First Year at Hogwarts.]
[Objectives:]
[— Successfully complete the first year.]
[— Learn at least 15 spells.]
[— Reach the maximum level in at least 3 spells.]
[— Establish positive relationships with students from all four houses.]
[— Discover a hidden secret within Hogwarts.]
[Reward: Unknown.]
I frowned.
A hidden secret?
Hogwarts was filled with secrets.
The Chamber of Secrets.
The Room of Requirement.
The secret passageways.
The Forbidden Forest.
The secrets of the founders.
Even the castle itself could be hiding things I didn't know about.
System.
There was no response.
What kind of secret?
Nothing.
—Michael: Great...
Draco looked at me.
—Draco: What's wrong?
—Michael: Nothing.
—Draco: You're talking to yourself.
—Michael: I was thinking.
Draco shrugged.
—Draco: We all do that.
Then the final names were called.
When the Sorting was over, the doors of the Great Hall closed.
Dumbledore stood up.
I watched him carefully.
The headmaster of Hogwarts.
Albus Dumbledore.
In the story I knew, he was considered one of the most powerful wizards of all time.
But he was also one of the most difficult characters to understand.
I had no intention of completely trusting him.
Dumbledore spread his arms.
—Dumbledore: Welcome.
The students fell silent.
—Dumbledore: Before we begin our feast, I would like to remind you of a few things.
Dumbledore began talking about the rules of the castle.
I didn't listen too closely.
I already knew most of them.
Until he mentioned the Forbidden Forest.
—Dumbledore: The forest located on the grounds of Hogwarts is strictly forbidden to all students.
Some students looked at each other.
I raised an eyebrow.
I'm definitely going to end up going in there someday.
Dumbledore continued.
—Dumbledore: And, of course...
He smiled.
—Dumbledore: The words "Scoundrel," "Misery," "Repulsive," and "Fiery Hair" are forbidden during dinner.
The students laughed.
Dumbledore sat down.
—Dumbledore: Let the feast begin!
Food magically appeared on the tables.
Ron, from the Gryffindor table, immediately began serving himself.
Draco looked at the food.
—Draco: What are you going to try?
—Michael: Everything.
—Draco: Good answer.
I began eating.
And I have to admit something.
The food at Hogwarts was incredible.
While we ate, some students came over to talk to me.
Most asked about my family.
Others asked about my eyes.
A few wanted to know if I had really grown up in America.
I answered calmly.
I didn't want to seem arrogant.
But I didn't want to hide who I was either.
After a while, a dark-haired girl sat down across from me.
—Pansy: So you're the famous Michael Black White.
I looked at her.
—Michael: Seems like my reputation got here before I did.
Pansy smiled.
—Pansy: You don't see someone with three important surnames every day.
—Michael: Technically, they're three families.
—Pansy: That doesn't make things any better.
I smiled.
—Michael: And you are?
—Pansy: Pansy Parkinson.
I recognized her.
—Michael: Nice to meet you.
—Pansy: Your eyes are strange.
—Michael: I've been told that.
—Pansy: But they're pretty.
I looked at her for a second.
—Michael: Thank you.
Pansy seemed slightly surprised that I hadn't gotten nervous.
We continued talking.
It wasn't an important conversation.
But it was pleasant.
Until a small window appeared in front of me.
[Potential Bond Detected.]
[Interpersonal Compatibility: 68%.]
I blinked.
The window disappeared.
What the hell?
I looked at Pansy.
She continued talking as if nothing had happened.
Since when does this function exist?
I had no answer.
And that worried me.
I decided not to do anything.
Not yet.
If the system wanted to show me something...
I would wait.
---
When the feast ended, the prefects began gathering the students.
The Slytherin prefect told us to follow him.
We left the Great Hall.
We walked through the corridors of Hogwarts.
The walls were filled with portraits that moved and talked to each other.
One of them began arguing with another.
—Portrait: I'm telling you, that happened a hundred years ago!
—Another Portrait: It was one hundred and two!
Draco ignored them.
I couldn't help but stare.
I'm definitely never going to get used to this.
Eventually, we reached the dungeons.
The prefect opened a door.
—Prefect: This is our common room.
We entered.
The Slytherin common room was located beneath the lake.
The windows showed the dark water slowly moving.
The lighting was dim.
Elegant.
Mysterious.
I immediately liked it.
Draco approached me.
—Draco: What do you think?
I looked around.
—Michael: I like it.
—Draco: I knew you'd say that.
The students began heading toward their dormitories.
Before leaving, I looked through one of the windows again.
Something was moving in the lake.
A huge shadow.
It quickly disappeared.
I frowned.
Then the blue screen appeared.
[Magical anomaly detected.]
[Location: Black Lake.]
[Insufficient information.]
[Recommendation: Investigate later.]
I smiled.
So Hogwarts is already starting to show me its secrets.
I closed the screen.
I entered my dormitory.
I sat on the bed.
For a few seconds, I remained silent.
Finally, I fell back onto the pillow.
Five years.
I had waited five years for this moment.
And now I was here.
At Hogwarts.
With a new family.
New friends.
New enemies.
A system.
And a future I understood less and less.
I looked toward the ceiling.
—Michael: I suppose this is going to be an interesting life.
Then one final screen appeared.
[Hidden Objective Updated.]
[Become one of the most powerful wizards of the era.]
[Progress: 0.01%.]
I let out a small laugh.
—Michael: Only 0.01%?
The screen disappeared.
I closed my eyes.
But before I fell asleep, one final thought crossed my mind.
Voldemort.
The Horcruxes.
My father.
Harry.
Hogwarts.
And now me.
I didn't know exactly how everything would end.
But there was one thing I did know.
This time...
The story wasn't going to follow the same path.
And I was ready to change it.