NOVEL NEXT Chapter 28: I Just Want to Flirt With Girls
[Hermione avoided continuing the subject, but took the opportunity to ask Harry Black a question.
"Harry, which house would you like to be sorted into? Could it be Gryffindor, the same house as Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure, but I'll probably end up in Ravenclaw."
Harry Black replied calmly.
Hermione was visibly surprised by his response and immediately asked why he had chosen that house.
Harry Black simply shook his head, avoiding a clear explanation.
However, in his mind, he was deeply reflecting on his own reasons.
For Hogwarts students, the houses meant many things.
To some, they were a second home, a place to build friendships or explore unique values.
To Harry Black, however, the houses were merely university dormitories where he would reside until completing his studies.
In Harry Black's vision, the Hogwarts houses were not political parties or factions.
There was no rule stating that, to hold a prominent position in the magical world, one had to belong to Slytherin or Gryffindor.
He also understood that there was no concrete inheritance from the founders or exclusive magical specialization tied to any house.
Even the famous House Cup was, to him, nothing more than a symbolic prize, designed to inflate the egos of children without offering any significant reward.
With these thoughts, Harry Black decided he would choose the house that provided him the most comfort and convenience until graduation, without forming deep bonds with what he saw as nothing more than a "dormitory."
As his thoughts flowed, Harry Black looked at the four tables in the Great Hall.
Slytherin, the house with the greatest magical power, likely due to the early magical practice encouraged by many pure-blood families.
However, much of its members displayed arrogance that rivaled or even surpassed Malfoy, the boy he had met on the train.
What most attracted Harry Black to Slytherin was the possibility of ancient magical secrets held by these noble families.
Still, with Hogwarts' millennia-old history, he wasn't worried about having nothing to learn.
Hufflepuff, on the other hand, was the house with the least magical power among the students.
Harry Black saw no need to speculate much about its members.
According to the books he had read, Hufflepuffs valued friendship and feasts above magical learning.
While forming friendships was acceptable, he did not consider them ideal for debates about advanced knowledge.
Gryffindor, though below Slytherin in magical power, still stood out.
However, Harry Black believed that courage should be differentiated from recklessness.
Despite Dumbledore hailing from that house, Harry Black knew that this did not mean that there was a "special inheritance" from Godric Gryffindor.
Furthermore, Harry Black recalled how Dumbledore dared to use Legilimency during their first eye contact.
This act deeply displeased him, leading him to ruthlessly strike Gryffindor off his list of options.
Ravenclaw, despite ranking third in magical power, had its merits.
They valued knowledge above all else, and the phrase "knowledge is the greatest wealth of humanity" seemed to describe them perfectly.
The Ravenclaw table exuded a quiet atmosphere, with well-mannered students.
Additionally, Harry Black noticed a predominance of females among the house members.
He thought to himself.
Well, if I'm going to spend seven years in a house, they might as well be beautiful girls, not annoying kids.
As Harry Black thought deeply, he suddenly realized that he had already approached the Sorting Hat and the teachers' table.
After the Sorting Hat song, which Harry Black mentally rated "three stars, reluctantly", Dumbledore repeated the same warning he had given in the original world.
Harry Black made a complex expression.
Wait a moment! Don't you think telling a child not to go to a particular place is the same as enticing them to go?
He couldn't help but notice the excitement of the Gryffindor students.
Many seemed barely able to contain their eagerness to form groups and explore the third floor, determined to discover what was so dangerous...
Once again, Harry Black reinforced his determination to go to Ravenclaw.
All he wanted was to be a good boy and learn more magic.
The selection proceeded without issues.
No significant changes occurred so far: Hannah Abbott was sorted into Hufflepuff as in the original world, and the other students followed the usual pattern.
When it was Hermione's turn, something caught attention.
She seemed to be arguing with the Sorting Hat, her hands gripping the edge of her robe.
From time to time, she glanced at Harry Black.
After two minutes of deliberation, the Hat seemed to sigh before announcing loudly:
"Ravenclaw!"
The Ravenclaw table erupted in applause as Hermione walked over, waving with a smile at Harry Black.
Her gaze seemed to say: I'm waiting for you.
"This girl..."
Harry Black murmured with an ironic smile, returning the wave to show he understood.
Shortly after Ron was sorted into Gryffindor, it was Harry Black's turn.
"Next, Harry Potter!"
Harry Black walked slowly to the Sorting Hat as silence filled the hall.
The name echoed everywhere, followed by a growing murmur.
"Harry Potter! Could he be the Savior?"
"What a handsome boy! He looks nobler than many from pure-blood families."
"Is it just me, or does anyone else think he looks too tall and strong for an 11-year-old?"
"Who cares about that? Looks are justice, and Harry is so handsome!!"
As Harry Black appeared, some girls from all Hogwarts houses practically transformed into a group of nymphomaniacs.
Their faces turned red as incoherent thoughts flooded their minds.
Harry Black, however, completely ignored the commotion behind him.
As he approached the Sorting Hat, he immediately noticed the deplorable state of the object.
The hat was filthy, likely not cleaned for years.
As someone who valued hygiene, Harry Black casually waved his hand.
A silent cleaning spell transformed the Sorting Hat from a grimy black to a much lighter tone, revealing an antique brown that appeared to be its original color.
When Harry Black sat on the stool and prepared to put on the Sorting Hat, another wave of exclamations swept through the Great Hall.
What had everyone just witnessed? A wizard, not even officially a Hogwarts student, had just performed a spell without uttering a word or using a wand.
Wasn't that something only highly experienced wizards could do?
Even among seventh-year students, such a skill was rare.
"What incredible control over magic! It seems the stories about him aren't just rumors."
"How far have his abilities reached? Could he already be at the level of Second-Year spells?"
"I suspect he's even surpassed the limits of the Third-Year section of the Diagon Alley bookstore. That's the only explanation for his perfect mastery of a simple spell like cleaning."
The prefects of the four houses exchanged incredulous looks, as if observing a rare and powerful creature.
Even the professors, startled, fixed their eyes on Harry Black.
The magical control he displayed was astonishing, especially for someone not yet an official student.
Meanwhile, the four Heads of Houses had their eyes gleaming, each silently hoping Harry Black would be sorted into their house.
It seemed that if the Sorting Hat chose another, They would seriously consider calling the Sorting Hat over for some tea...
"Well done, my boy, thank you for that."
The Sorting Hat murmured cheerfully in Harry Black's mind.
"I always tell Dumbledore to clean me, but that old man uses the excuse of being busy… while stuffing his face with sweets!"
"Come on, put me on your head so I can make my selection."
Harry Black nodded, but as soon as he placed the hat on his head, he felt something familiar.
Damn it! Legilimency again? Was this Hogwarts' primary magic? Even a smart hat can use it.
Without wasting time, Harry Black completely blocked the hat's attempt to invade his mind.
Could a mere hat possibly penetrate Harry Black's Auror-level magical power? Impossible!
Time began to pass.
Two minutes, Four, Five, Six... When ten minutes had elapsed, the Great Hall was engulfed in shock.
Finally, the Sorting Hat initiated a mental conversation with Harry Black in a pleading tone:
"Lad, how about you let me take a peek into your mind? That way, I can assign you to the most suitable house."
"There's no need for that. Just send me to Ravenclaw."
"May I know why?"
"Nothing special, I just want to flirt with girls."
"..."
What a moving reason!
Unable to access Harry Black's thoughts and with him already declaring his choice, the Sorting Hat had no choice but to comply.
However, before announcing, the Sorting Hat hesitated.
Feeling Dumbledore's gaze upon it, the hat decided not to act rashly.
It was about to declare "Gryffindor" when a cold voice echoed in its mind:
"If you place me in Gryffindor, I'll burn you to ashes and bury you at the bottom of the ocean."
The Sorting Hat felt as if it had plunged into an icy cavern. How did this boy know?! He also knows Legilimency?!
In fact, Harry Black did not know Legilimency, but his senses were incredibly sharp.
He clearly noticed the Sorting Hat's focus shifting to Dumbledore and, connecting it to his history as the "savior" of the wizarding world, a hunch formed in his mind.
The Sorting Hat, now intimidated, decided not to take any risks.
Without further delay, it announced loudly:
"Ravenclaw!"
The Great Hall fell silent for a moment, processing the hat's prolonged decision.
When they finally understood, the Ravenclaw students were the first to snap out of their daze.
They stood up in unison, applauding fervently.
Anyone who couldn't see that Harry Black was like a dragon might as well consider donating their eyes.
With a genius like him, what kind of difficulties could they face in their studies? In short, the Ravenclaw students were elated.
The other students, now composed, also began applauding.
After all, even if Harry Black hadn't joined their houses, it was wise to leave a good impression.
As Harry Black walked towards the Ravenclaw table, Dumbledore looked at him with some confusion.
Harry Black sat next to Hermione Granger, who looked at him with undisguised joy.
Harry Black seemed to sense Dumbledore's gaze.
He smiled brightly, as if utterly pleased with his new house.]