Chapter 262: The Sorting Hat's New Song (Edited)

The hat twisted, its brim opened like an open mouth, and it began to sing.

[Long ago, I was a new hat, before Hogwarts was built.

The four founders of Hogwarts, to build the best magic school in the world.

Wizards, back then, were not in a good position. The Church's rope, the King's guillotine!

Hardships were not a shackle, and Hogwarts was soon constructed.

Friendships were true and strong, teaching was pleasant and harmonious.

Goblin wars were quelled, the enemy's tentacles were mercilessly severed.

The songs and dances of the hall couldn't be stopped, and the table was never empty of good food.

The fire of wisdom burns in the classrooms, the songs of courage resonate in the skies.

Pure blood, wise minds, extraordinary courage, equal minds.

Noble qualities are difficult to combine, disagreements bring small disputes.

Disputes grow, schools fall, schools fall.

Endless fights, endless fights,

Former friends turn against each other, old enemies return.

Blood and fire, soldiers and spears.

The strife finally ends, but Slytherin chooses to depart.

Harmony, unity, disagreement, rivalry.

The era of wizards has passed, and a new era is yet to come.

A storm is approaching, can a house with broken pillars take shelter from the storm?

Know the dangers, read the signs, the lessons of history warn us!

The enemy outside the school is watching, the students inside are ignorant.

The great and the powerful will raise the last refuge for us,

We still have time to celebrate, or to sharpen our swords.

I have spoken clearly to you, I have sounded the alarm.

Remember the words left to us by the Four Greats.

Courage! Wisdom! Pride! Inclusion!

The sun sets in the west, the moon rises in the east, the sun and the moon change, the old and the new are constant.

Come, come and put me on! Don't be afraid! Don't panic!

Leave everything to me, for I am a thinking magical hat!]

The hat fell silent again, and after a moment of silence, the Great Hall filled with whispered applause.

In the Great Hall, the students mingled with those around them, and Tom applauded like everyone else, but with much to ponder in his stomach.

"Is there something different about this year's song?" Hermione raised an eyebrow. Usually, the Sorting Hat only described the qualities and styles of the four houses and then made it clear that it was the house that divided the students. It wasn't the Sorting Hat's job to give advice to the school.

There was a hint of unease in Hermione's voice, "There have been so many strange things this year that I wonder if this hat has issued a similar warning before." Hermione looked at the ghost of Ravenclaw house, Lady Grey, who had just floated in and was sitting next to Tom.

"Well, yes. It does so when the Sorting Hat believes it has a duty to warn the school..." she said coldly.

She abruptly stopped when Professor McGonagall took out a parchment and gave a stern look to the students mingling on the stage. They all fell silent. In the absence of Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall was the number one authority in the school.

Tom sat silently on the platform, listening as Professor McGonagall called the new students up one by one, placing the Sorting Hat on their heads and assigning them to the house that suited them best.

His hands became restless, first sliding under the table, then moving up to Hermione's lap. He tried to write on it, but his hand was held back by Hermione's. He had to settle for the next best thing, writing on Hermione's hand: "The army is coming, the army is coming."

Hermione felt a tingling in her hand but understood Tom's actions and replied, "We can always trust Dumbledore."

Lady Grey noticed their small exchange, glanced at Tom, who was enjoying himself, rolled her eyes, and turned her head away.

Once the last of the new students had been sorted into their houses, the Sorting Ceremony came to an end.

Professor McGonagall put away the Sorting Hat, moved the stool aside, and returned to the platform where Headmaster Dumbledore used to speak.

"I would like to say a few words before we all enjoy our sumptuous feast," Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and waited for the noise in the Great Hall to settle before speaking. "I see many of you wondering about the absence of Professor Dumbledore, and I think it's important to address it so that no one suspects anything. Professor Dumbledore has to make many important decisions in the magical world, and today he had a crucial meeting he couldn't leave, so he asked me to officiate the opening ceremony in his place. Tomorrow, you will see Headmaster Dumbledore enjoying breakfast pudding right here."

The young wizards felt relieved to hear that it was an impromptu meeting, but a flicker of doubt struck them. What kind of meeting could it be that Professor Dumbledore would prefer to miss the opening ceremony rather than attend?

After sharing her thoughts with the young wizards, Professor McGonagall continued, "As you are undoubtedly aware, Dementors from Azkaban attacked the Hogwarts Express this afternoon. I regret to inform you that the school will be hosting several Dementors on Ministry business this school year."

At this point, Professor McGonagall's face turned grim for a moment. Both Dumbledore and she, along with the other professors, were truly unhappy about the Dementors patrolling the school, but they couldn't make excuses.

"There will be Dementors stationed at all entrances and exits of the school, and I must clarify in advance that no one will be able to leave the school without permission. No trick or disguise will deceive the Dementors, not even an invisibility cloak." Professor McGonagall said this without looking at either of them, but both Harry and Ron knew it was directed at them.

"Dementors are not like wizards, they don't understand requests or excuses, they have their own way of behaving. So I warn you: don't give them any chance or reason to harm you. It is the responsibility of the Head of House and the newly appointed Prefect to ensure that no student conflicts with a Dementor."

Percy, sitting at the long Gryffindor table, puffed up his chest and looked serious as he surveyed the table. At that moment, no one in the Great Hall made a sound; they all remained silent.

"And now, here are two pieces of good news," Professor McGonagall continued, taking a moment to compose herself. "This year, we have two new members of the faculty. I am delighted to welcome two new colleagues."

"Two?" The young wizards on the platform were astonished. A new professor wasn't a surprise, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts was an annual turnover, but who was the second professor?

Their eyes scanned the professors' table and finally settled on an empty seat.