The Sorting Hat fell silent, and after a long moment asked:

"Hufflepuff? Do you really think so? ”

"Yes."

Connor replied calmly.

"Don't think about it anymore? I'm sure you'll be able to achieve great things in Slytherin, and it's definitely the perfect place for you. ”

"What do I get by joining Slytherin? Is it a Slytherin-exclusive course? ”

Nor did he continue to refute anything, Connor just casually shifted the conversation elsewhere.

"Do the four academies now have their own unique courses and cheats?"

“…… No, there are no such things anymore, the children are all in the same class, the teachers are all the same. ”

"Am I able to get a gift from Slytherin, then?"

"No, at least not just for you."

The Sorting Hat chattered, and he inadvertently seemed to reveal some secrets:

"Godric: They did leave a legacy at Hogwarts, but they would have preferred those gifts to fall into the hands of their heirs in more traditional ways."

It's just that Connor doesn't particularly care about this kind of thing, and it's all something outside of my body anyway.

"Let's just assume they don't exist...... Anyway, back to the original question, why should I go to Slytherin when there is nothing special about it? ”

"But don't you think your state of thinking about profit and loss is very suitable for Slytherin?"

"Hmph...... A gathering place for a bunch of careerists, fools, pedigrees? ”

Remembering the attitude Malfoy had shown, Connor just sighed.

"It's not necessary, I don't like to be around those people, it's really tiring."

"What about Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?"

In the end, the Sorting Hat didn't force anything, and he clearly respected the students' opinions:

"I think you're a good fit for these two houses, and the logic of your words will be welcomed by Rowena, and I can guarantee with the consciousness and thoughts in my head that she and Gryffindor appreciate you very much."

"But times have changed, Mr. Sorting Hat, the so-called Sorting System is itself an extension of the ancient system of apprenticeship and discipleship, isn't it? Now that the curriculum is completely merged, I don't think the branch itself is very meaningful. ”

“……”

Once again, the Sorting Hat was silenced.

"You really are the toughest young wizard I've ever met, and I've never seen anyone question the Sorting tradition in a thousand years, even the magic schools in the Americas carry on our tradition."

As it spoke, Connor felt himself faintly hear a sigh.

It was supposed to reveal pride, but all Connor heard was loneliness.

"It's just that you do remind me of something, kid."

"What?"

"Indeed, as you say, the Sorting House itself is just a helpless act - my birth and existence is more like Godric's efforts and compromises because they did not want the whole school to collapse and collapse."

"Is it a divergence in educational philosophies?"

"Ah, yes, you're smart, Salazar is suspicious of all Muggle-born children, Rowena doesn't like to be around stupid children, and even Godric himself is sometimes impatient with those cowardly children, and they can't change some of their preferences after all."

The Sorting Hat talks about secrets that ordinary people may not know.

Only Helga was the only one who treated all the children with a gentler and more patient attitude. And all she asks of her students is that they take good care of themselves and become honest and loyal wizards. ”

At last, the Sorting Hat's slightly magnetic, hoarse voice stopped.

"Ah, you seem to have had a crush on Hufflepuff from the beginning, is that why?"

"So to speak."

"Ah, I see, haha, I've had arguments with countless little wizards, but only your reason really convinces me, kid."

Gradually, the sound of the Sorting Hat became pleasant again.

"So it's decided, and I hope you can have a good seven years, kid...... Hufflepuff! ”

Finally, the Sorting Hat shouted out his choice.

"Thank you, Mr. Sorting Hat."

When Connor took off his hat, he was greeted with the stunned expressions of others, including Professor McGonagall.

Most of the students were relieved, as if lamenting the end of some kind of torture.

"What's wrong? Oh...... Did it take me too long? ”

"No, it's nothing, the Sorting Hat's hesitation mostly means excellent, Mr. McMeb."

Professor McGonagall's expression was visibly complicated, and Connor seemed to find a hint of regret in it.

"It's been a long time since there has been a real embarrassment in the sense of the word, and it's a shame that such a student doesn't belong to Gryffindor."

The old lady had always been proud of her college.

"I think Hufflepuff is pretty good...... What's more, the difference between the houses doesn't matter that much now, does it? ”

"That's just as well."

A gentle smile appeared on Professor McGonagall's face as she looked at Connor's face.

"Go find your classmates."

"Good teacher."

When Connor looked up, he happened to see an old man in the teacher's chair looking at him.

His hair was white, his beard was long, but there was nothing but kindness in his countenance.

Connor raised his glass as he looked at him.

With the same smile, Connor made his way to the Hufflepuff table, but as he made his way through the freshman crowd, Ernie grabbed his arm.

"Huh?"

"Good brother, Hufflepuff is waiting for me!"

"Hmm...... Good. ”

As for Neville at the Gryffindor table, he just grew his mouth.

"Are you all going to Hufflepuff? So what do I do? ”

Unable to help but hug his toad, Neville's expression looked a little hurt.

"I thought you would be a Gryffindor too, Connor ......"

Seeing his fragmented look, Connor just smiled.

"It's okay, we'll be in class together anyway, won't we?"

Immediately after, his gaze subconsciously moved to the little witch on the side.

Hermione Granger.

Connor noticed that she was looking at him with the same complicated expression, and her expression of wanting to speak was clearly revealing a hint of loss.

The people around her didn't seem to be willing to talk to her, she was just bored with her hands on her cheeks, her eyes wandering in the auditorium.

Seeing this, Connor felt as if he had realized something.

Does she have no friends?

However, at this time, there was no way to point out anything directly, and Connor just came to the Hufflepuff chair with thoughts.

"What a surprise, Connor."

Standing up to greet him was the same prefect he had seen on the train before: Gabriel Truman.

"I thought that someone like you who dared to confront Malfoy head-on would be assigned to Gryffindor for anything."

Someone next to Gabriel interjected and added:

"I didn't expect a once-in-a-lifetime embarrassment in fifty years to come to our Hufflepuff."

"Hey, what's wrong with Hufflepuff?"

Gabriel raised a frown in displeasure.

"Hufflepuff has never been worse than any other house, whether it's Slytherin or Ravenclaw......"

Glancing at the Slytherin table next to him and Ravenclaw further away, Gabriel only raised his brow.

"These two colleges always like to put some historical figures in their own houses as a way to put gold on their faces...... Either way, welcome to Hufflepuff and introduce you new students to some of our Hufflepuff 'privileges'. ”

Something seems to have happened before, which has led to Gabriel probably not having a lot of liking the other two colleges all along.

But just as Connor was subconsciously trying to ask something, there seemed to be a small accident on the Sorting Hat's side.

"Wait, Mr. McMillan, it's not you next."

It was as if Ernie had walked up to himself, but Professor McGonagall stopped him.

"Huh? Really? Connor and I have similar surnames. ”

"It's a pity, Mr. McMillan, the surnames of the three of you...... There is indeed a similarity. ”

After a brief remark, Professor McGonagall called out the real name of the next freshman:

"Isobel McDoug!"

It's the white-haired girl from before.

"She'......"