NOVEL NEXT Chapter 29: Sacrificial Protection
Silence
No one could imagine that so much happens at the same time.
Rubeus Hagrid: "I didn't understand a thing, but I'm still shocked!"
Filius Flitwick: "Haha! It seems my eyes didn't deceive me. Look at that, Harry Black even got attracted to my house?"
Lucius Malfoy: "This boy is very hateful, but how come he didn't give a good face to Dumbledore, I don't really care. Haha!"
Cho Chang: "I had never thought about the Houses of Hogwarts from Harry Black's perspective, but now that I think about it... What are the real benefits that the four Houses offer to their students?"
Fred Weasley: "Really! You must say that, despite Slytherin winning the House Cup for seven consecutive years, I've never seen them receive a single banned magic... I mean, a Galleon! Yes, a Galleon."
Molly Weasley: "..."
You think I don't know what you really meant? You're lucky to be at Hogwarts now, because if you weren't...
Fred, who was sitting at the Gryffindor table, felt a sudden chill down his neck and couldn't help but sneeze.
"Strange... Is someone talking about me?"
Gellert Grindelwald: "Albus, do I have this strange feeling that even if Harry couldn't resist the idea of going to Slytherin, he would still somehow be sorted into Gryffindor?"
Barty Crouch Jr.: "Seems I'm not the only intelligent person in this room. I can even imagine what the Sorting Hat would say."
Barty Crouch Jr.: "Sorting Hat: Hmm~ Despite having a strong desire to prove himself to others, I still sense a great courage within you. So... Gryffindor!"
Sorting Hat: "..."
Friends, who knows? As someone accustomed to reading people's minds, today my words were completely predictable!
Indeed, as Barty Crouch mentioned, even if Harry didn't fear joining Slytherin, the Sorting Hat would still find a reason to send him to Gryffindor.
Normally, both Dumbledore and the Sorting Hat wouldn't do something like influence students' choice of the house that suits them best. But who made Harry the son of the prophecy and Dumbledore's favorite...
Dumbledore believed that instead of sending Harry to a "nest of snakes" that could turn him to the dark side, it was safer to keep him under his watchful eyes.
Just as the Sorting Hat had pondered, some did not miss the chance to make indirect criticisms of Dumbledore.
Igor Karkaroff: "I didn't expect the great Albus Dumbledore to use methods like this on such a small boy."
Olympe Maxime: "Despite not liking Karkaroff much, I still agree with him on this point. Albus, you're getting old~"
Severus Snape: "I'm speechless! Shouldn't I, as the head of Slytherin, say something at this moment?"
Snape already had a dark expression.
Had he not seen the situation through Harry Black's eyes, how would he know that the reason Harry Potter didn't enter Slytherin wasn't just his repulsion? But mainly because Dumbledore had already decided he would belong to Gryffindor. Harry never had a choice.
Snape shot a resentful look at Dumbledore, akin to how a suspicious woman looks at her friend interested in someone she likes...
Even Harry couldn't help but shudder slightly.
Who would have imagined that the reason I was in Gryffindor was simply because someone wanted it that way?
He looked at his mother, who was beside him, and wanted to ask if Hogwarts was really safe for him. However, before he could open his mouth, he saw a mixture of surprise, pain, and hesitation on Lily's face.
Noticing this, Harry wisely kept silent, like a good obedient boy.
Lily was lost in conflicting thoughts. When Dumbledore sent Harry to the Dursleys, she clearly understood why.
Before succumbing to Voldemort's Killing Curse, Lily's unconditional love led her to use a forbidden Potter family magic: the Sacrificial Protection.
This magic, at the cost of her life, etched a magical barrier in Harry's blood, making him immune to the deadly curse and creating a bond Voldemort could not break.
Dumbledore reinforced this protection by leaving Harry with the Dursleys, keeping him safe while he was with his blood family.
Lily firmly accepted this. With the Dursleys, Harry would be protected from dark wizards for some time.
Still, Lily hesitated regarding Dumbledore's decision to place Harry in Gryffindor, to the point of influencing the Sorting Hat.
However, knowing Dumbledore, she concluded that he did everything to protect Harry and dismissed any further doubts.
Recovering from her thoughts, Lily noticed her son's trembling eyes. With a loving smile, she ruffled his hair.
"Don't worry, little Harry. I'm sure Dumbledore has his reasons. He's a great defender of the magical world and would never do you harm."
Although still doubtful, Harry nodded and swallowed his grievances.
Dumbledore has been questioned before and this time he wisely remained silent.
Compared to using Legimency on a child, the matter of influencing the choice of a Hogwarts house was no big deal.
As everyone was lost in their thoughts, the golden light curtain began to announce the rewards of the Comparison Room winners, and everyone's eyes sparkled with envy.