At Hogwarts with Academic Master System

[Note: Read up to Chapter - 92 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]

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"Aris, which house d'you reckon you'll end up in?"

Now that the young wizards understood how the Sorting worked, they all seemed a bit more relaxed — though curiosity quickly replaced their nerves.

Hermione turned to Aris straight away, eager to hear his answer.

"I'm definitely hoping for Gryffindor," Ron blurted out before Aris could even speak. "Pretty much my whole family's been in that house!"

"Hufflepuff wouldn't be too bad either — their common room's right next to the kitchens, so at least you'll never go hungry!"

He paused, then pulled a bit of a face.

"Ravenclaw though... I've heard the lot in there is a bit odd. Some are full of themselves, others just spout nonsense all day."

"And don't even get me started on Slytherin," he added with a scowl, shooting a glance at Harry.

"I've heard most dark wizards come from that lot. Even You-Know-Who was a Slytherin too."

Harry's hand instinctively brushed over the lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. He knew exactly who Ron meant — the same dark wizard who had killed his parents. His breathing hitched slightly.

Spotting the shift in mood, Aris quickly stepped in to change the subject. Now wasn't the time to be dragging Voldemort into the conversation — what a way to kill the buzz.

"What about you, Hermione?" he asked casually.

"I… I'm not really sure," she admitted, looking a bit flustered.

"Wait — don't tell me there's nothing in Hogwarts: A History about the houses or the Sorting Hat?" Aris teased with a smirk.

Hermione huffed, clearly annoyed. "There actually isn't! Can you believe that?" she said, completely missing the cheek in Aris' voice.

Seeing the uncertain look on the girl's face, Aris gave a helpless smile, though truth be told, he felt a bit reluctant too.

"Truth is, there's no such thing as a 'good' or 'bad' house," he said patiently. "Each of the four represents a different set of values, just traits that reflect who we are, really."

"Gryffindors are brave, stand-up sorts who never shy away from a challenge."

"Hufflepuffs are loyal and honest, they're the kind who'd stick by your side no matter what."

"Ravenclaws are clever, thoughtful, and always see things from their own unique angle."

"And Slytherins, well, they might be ambitious and a bit cunning, but they're sharp, know how to read the room, and they're not ones to ditch their mates lightly either."

"So when the Sorting Hat picks a house, it's not judging whether you're good or bad," he added with a kind smile. "It's just following what your heart's telling it."

The other kids gave small nods, looking thoughtful. Hermione's anxious expression softened a bit, and she raised her chin with new resolve.

"Then, if you could choose," she asked, "which house would you pick?"

"Ravenclaw," Aris answered without much hesitation.

"Why?" the three of them asked at once, their voices overlapping.

He chuckled. "Because Ravenclaw Tower's got the best view in all of Hogwarts."

A dreamy expression crossed his face, as if picturing something, or someone, that wasn't quite there.

"Just imagine it, waking up every morning to a view that looks like something out of a painting. Still half-asleep, you open your dormitory window to the mountains bathed in morning mist. And in the evenings, you watch the sun set over the Black Lake, golden light dancing on the waves…"

"Sometimes, you might even spot a magical beast flying low over the water, or the clouds hugging the distant hills like they're keeping secrets…"

His voice trailed off a little.

"Sounds magical, doesn't it?"

Harry and the others exchanged glances before falling into thoughtful silence.

After a bit, Ron lifted his head, speaking hesitantly, "I still reckon I'd like to be in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw's got a bit of a strange vibe, if you ask me…"

"Maybe that's just 'cause you've never bothered to read a book properly or tried learning anything beyond chess and snacks," Hermione said pointedly from the side.

"What about you, Harry?" Both of them turned to look at him.

"I… I'm not sure," Harry admitted, giving his head a small shake. "Maybe the Sorting Hat'll have some advice when the time comes."

"Alright, enough chit-chat," Aris interrupted with a small smile. "It's nearly Hermione's turn."

As if on cue, Professor McGonagall's voice rang out clearly across the hall.

"Granger, Hermione!"

"Here we go…" Hermione whispered, taking a deep breath.

"Go on, don't be nervous," Aris said reassuringly.

"Right," she nodded and strode forward with surprising confidence, though her eyes gave away her nerves.

As she approached the Sorting Hat, everyone's gaze followed her. Professor McGonagall offered a gentle smile before lowering the worn hat over her head.

"Don't be nervous," she whispered kindly as the brim slipped past Hermione's eyes.

Inside her mind, a voice stirred almost immediately.

"Hmmm? What do we have here?"

The Sorting Hat's voice echoed curiously within her thoughts.

"Bright as a star, aren't you? Thirst for knowledge, clear as day. Ravenclaw would suit you well…"

"But wait… there's courage in here too. Honesty, a strong will. Gryffindor's not off the mark either."

"Hmmm… quite the dilemma. Where to put you…"

A pause.

"Ah! I see now. Best be…"

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The word rang out across the hall, and before Hermione had fully grasped what had happened, the hat was lifted off her head.

The Gryffindor table burst into applause.

"Congratulations!" Aris called out with a grin, clapping along with the others.

Professor McGonagall lifted the Sorting Hat from Hermione's head and gestured toward the Gryffindor table with a warm smile.

"Off you go, dear — they're all waiting for you!"

Even as she walked over, Hermione Granger still looked a bit dazed. Her mind lingered on the voice she'd just heard inside the hat.

Bright, clever, kind — perfect for Ravenclaw, it had said.

So why had she ended up in Gryffindor?

Her gaze wandered to Aris. She remembered what he'd said earlier.

"He did mention wanting to go to Ravenclaw…"

The Sorting Ceremony continued on.

Harry had his turns not long after he was placed in Gryffindor as well. Just like in the books, the Sorting Hat took its sweet time with Harry — longer than anyone else so far — before finally settling on Gryffindor.

Eventually, with only a few names left, Professor McGonagall read aloud in her crisp voice:

"Shafiq, Aris!"

At once, murmurs swept through the room and a noticeable shift in attention followed.

Many students, even those who had been more focused on the food waiting at the tables, turned their eyes to the Sorting Hat once again.

For the past month, the name "Shafiq" had been cropping up in headlines across the Daily Prophet and other wizarding papers. The news of the Shafiq heir's return had spread like wildfire.

And now here he was, walking calmly up to the Sorting Hat.

It wasn't just his fellow first-years and a few upperclassmen who watched with interest — even several professors turned their attention his way.

Apart from Harry Potter, of course.

Tonight, if anyone had stolen the spotlight from the Boy Who Lived… it was Aris Shafiq.

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Drop power Powerstonessssssssss!

[Note: Read up to Chapter - 92 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]