Chapter 19 Inherited Physical Characteristics
Having grown up in the wizarding world, he knew there were no nobles.
The term "pure-blood noble" was the same as the "people of Youzhou with the Heavenly Mark" he'd heard about in his previous life.
But, it couldn't be that bad, could it?
Although his twin sister had told him that Slytherins were often compared to trolls in the novels—
especially in Harry Potter, primarily written for children, where the characters were quite stereotypical.
Even the villainous Slytherins, though pale, were depicted as pale.
The female students who appeared were described as either resembling poodles or being burly and robust.
Male Slytherin students with significant roles, aside from a minority like Malfoy, were mostly described as having imposing physiques and being compared to trolls.
But before, Basil had never believed any of this.
In his mind, Slytherins were the epitome of nobility and elegance.
However, if that's the case, could the inclusion of pure-bloods like Malfoy and Black in the Twenty-Eight Pure-Blood Saints also be related to their superior physical traits?
After all, among the pure-blood Slytherin, Crabbe and Goyle are the majority.
Basil guessed that this was related to their pure-blood ancestors.
It seems to be the influence of magic; the physical characteristics of wizards, including but not limited to hair color, eye color, facial features, and physique, are more easily inherited by their offspring than those of Muggles.
In medieval Europe, before the protection laws were fully implemented and wizards had disappeared,
wizards who aspired to power, especially those from Slytherin, often held upper-class status in the Muggle world.
Their identities were mostly limited to merchants, priests, and knights.
Only a few, like the Malfoys, could interact with royalty and nobility, becoming like court nobles.
The former were often either physically strong or had the luxury of being overweight.
The latter were often pampered and sheltered, resulting in pale complexions and thin bodies.
Therefore, the Slytherin pure-bloods, through their long history, have gained more than just magical family traits such as proficiency in dark magic.
Their ancestors' affluent lifestyle shaped their physical characteristics, which they passed down through generations.
"Basil Granger!" The Sorting Hat's voice snapped him out of his reverie.
Oh no!
He'd missed the Sorting Hall for Hannah Abbott, the Queen of the Iron Throne!
If his life were a fan fiction, wouldn't his bloodline be impure, a total disaster!
He casually slipped on the hat, which practically shoved his entire head in, without a word. Immediately ,
a voice reached his ears.
However, the first sentence was almost a whisper, the second suddenly rising, deafening.
"Child, Gryffindors do have big heads."
"Gryffindor!"
[Identity Correction: Hogwarts, Gryffindor, First Year Student (20 Gems Daily)]
[Fire Spell Blessing +1%]
He ignored the whispers of the students below.
The Gryffindors, especially Percy, cheered, "I knew it! Which other house could it be!"
Behind them, Harry and the others, along with the ghosts who had also witnessed the whole drama, looked on with admiration.
Basil took off his hat and walked somewhat dejectedly to Hermione, who was waiting for him to sit down.
"Just 1%, who wants it?"
"Still 20!!!"
"Am I not the main character?"
"Why did you immediately go for Gryffindor!"
"I haven't even had a chance to be reserved yet!"
At that moment, a semi-transparent, pearly white ghost wearing a ruffled collar, a knee-length corset, and tight pants approached.
His attire was almost identical to the [Midnight Phantom] outfit in the game,
only the game version was a deeper blue.
"Child, you seem a little disappointed."
"But your choice was undoubtedly correct."
Hermione, standing beside him, couldn't help but put her arm around Basil's left arm again.
Basil subtly withdrew his hand, sighing, "I thought Slytherin was excellent."
The ghost rolled his eyes: "Although Slytherin won the House Cup for six consecutive years! Even Quidditch, we haven't won since Charlie Weasley left! But that's not excellence, it's cunning! Insidious!"
Hermione was drawn in: "But 'Hogwarts, A History' says Gryffindor is the best house!"
The ghost was quite pleased with himself, wanting to raise his chin, but for some reason stopped.
"The book is completely accurate!"
"How so?" "How so?" Harry and Ron, who had already been sorted and were sitting around him, also asked curiously.
Neville didn't speak, but like the other first-year students, they all pricked up their ears.
The older students all glanced at the two red-haired twins and Snape in the VIP seat.
The Ghost straightened his collar smugly. "While it's partly because some of our students like to break the rules, Slytherin's continued dominance is entirely due to their Head of House and Potions Professor, Severus Snape. He always finds excuses to boost his own house and deduct from Gryffindor's. There's never been a head of house as biased as him."
"I dare say that if Phineas Nigellus Black, the most unpopular headmaster in Hogwarts history, were resurrected, he'd be more popular than him."
"But that's not surprising, after all, his name is Snape (as a verb, it means to treat harshly), haha."
"And what about our Head of House, Professor McGonagall?" Ron asked hastily.
He didn't understand the Ghost's lame joke.
Basil, however, thought of something more. "Snape? It's derived from the Old Norse word 'sneypa,' meaning 'humiliated, disgraced, defiled.' If I hadn't transmigrated, and I hadn't even passed the CET-4 (College English Test Band 4), I probably wouldn't have known that the surname foreshadows the character's fate and personality."
"Like Professor Cat, Minerva is the Roman name for Athena, who is also known as the goddess of justice."
On the other side, Ghost just happened to voice his assessment, "Her? She's an excellent Transfiguration teacher and the Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts."
"Oh? She's not a good Headmistress?" Simon Fineghan, with his light brown hair, interjected.
Ghost shook his head. "She's just impartial. Well, not including the Quidditch area."
Hermione nodded confidently. "That's what a good Headmistress is! With me and Basil here, this year's House Cup is definitely ours!"
The students around looked over in surprise, but not the first-year students.
In fact, Hermione had already searched almost the entire train by helping Neville find Ralph.
Whenever she saw a student who looked like a new student, she would casually assess their level.
Incidentally, she mentioned with an air of superiority that she had successfully cast every spell in the textbooks.
Basil had no idea that Hermione had attracted so much hatred.
She had even managed to intimidate some Slytherin scoundrels with the Granger name and her haughty demeanor.
He assumed Hermione had grasped the value of his Wandless, Silent Stunning Charm.
So, he went straight to the ghost and asked, "Is there some story behind this? I mean, Quidditch."
The ghost glanced somewhat awkwardly at Professor McGonagall in the main seat, but the curious yet admiring gazes of the surrounding students made his mouth automatically open.
"I know. Actually, I witnessed it myself."
But his voice was muffled.
Because the Sorting Ceremony was over, Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat and left.
Dumbledore stood up, uttered a few curt phrases, and his signature "Idiot! Crybaby! Trash! Twist!",
before sitting down.
Thunderous applause immediately erupted throughout the Great Hall.
In the blink of an eye, the empty golden platter on the table was filled with food.
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(End of Chapter)