Harry Potter and the Cataclysm

The first years lined up and followed Professor McGonagall out of the chamber, crossing the entrance hall and passing through a set of double doors into a grand dining hall.

Four long tables stretched across the hall, each representing a different house, while the staff table sat at the far end. Thousands of floating candles illuminated the vast room, casting a warm glow over the students. The ceiling appeared to be an open sky, reflecting the stars above.

"Wow…" The new students gasped in awe.

"It's enchanted to reflect the sky outside," Hermione whispered to Carnie and Neville. "I read about it in Hogwarts: A History."

Professor McGonagall led them to the front of the hall, where she gestured for them to line up. In front of them sat a simple four-legged stool, upon which rested an old, tattered wizard's hat.

The moment the hall fell silent, the hat stirred. Its brim split wide like a mouth, and it began to sing:

🎶

You may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart.

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil.

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning

Will always find their kind.

Or perhaps in Slytherin,

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their noble ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

🎶

As the song ended, the hall erupted into applause. The Sorting Hat bowed to each table before falling still once more.

"So we just have to put the hat on?" Ron muttered, looking relieved. "Fred made it sound like we had to wrestle a troll or something."

Harry chuckled nervously.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a scroll. "When I call your name, sit on the stool, place the hat on your head, and wait for your house to be announced."

She unrolled the parchment and read the first name.

"Erika Lemay!"

A girl with blonde pigtails stumbled forward, placing the Sorting Hat over her eyes. The hat considered for only a moment before calling out, "Hufflepuff!"

The Hufflepuff table erupted into cheers. Carnie noticed the Fat Friar ghost waving enthusiastically.

"Susannah Bones!"

"Hufflepuff!"

"Terry Boot!"

"Ravenclaw!"

One by one, the students were sorted. Mandy Brocklehurst joined Ravenclaw, Lavender Brown became the first Gryffindor, and Millicent Bulstrode was sorted into Slytherin.

Carnie glanced toward the Slytherin table. Their numbers seemed smaller compared to the other houses—probably because not many students wanted to be there.

More names were called.

"Seamus Finnigan!"

"Gryffindor!"

Then—

"Carnie Stran!"

Carnie took a deep breath and stepped forward. Before putting on the hat, he whispered to Neville, "Remember to put the hat back when you're done."

As soon as the Sorting Hat touched his head, he prepared for the voice to appear in his mind.

…

Nothing.

Carnie frowned. "Hat? Say something."

"…Strange," the hat finally muttered. "Very strange…"

Another minute passed. The hall began murmuring as people noticed the unusual delay. Even the professors exchanged glances.

"You taking a nap up there?" Carnie muttered. "If you don't know where to put me, just put me in Gryffindor."

"Gryffindor? Why Gryffindor?" The hat shifted slightly. "It is a house of average talent, relying on bravery alone. Slytherin, on the other hand, offers glory, power, and ambition. It can give you everything you desire—wealth, influence, fame."

"Absolutely not." Carnie nearly rolled his eyes. "You sound like some shady salesman. If Dumbledore heard you say that, he'd use you as a dish rag."

The hat chuckled. "So, do you desire power?"

"I desire you to hurry up," Carnie grumbled, aware of the many eyes on him.

The Sorting Hat let out a sigh.

"Gryffindor!"

Carnie pulled off the hat and practically tossed it back onto the stool before quickly making his way to the Gryffindor table, where students cheered and clapped. He smiled and greeted his new housemates as he sat down.

"Next, Hermione Granger!"

Hermione nearly sprinted to the stool, jamming the hat onto her head.

"Gryffindor!"

She beamed as she rushed to join them.

When it was Neville's turn, he was still thinking about what Carnie had said. He was so distracted that he tripped on the way to the stool. The Sorting Hat took an unusually long time deciding, but when it finally announced, "Gryffindor!", Neville nearly forgot to remove it in his excitement.

"Thanks to you," Neville said as he sat next to Carnie. "Would've been embarrassing if I'd run off with the hat."

"We're friends," Carnie replied, nudging him playfully.

Neville smiled sheepishly.

Across from them, Hermione watched them curiously, deep in thought.

Carnie noticed her gaze and threw an arm around Neville's shoulders. "See, Hermione? We're already best friends."

"Right," Neville agreed. "We're friends."

"Of course," Hermione said, her cheeks tinged pink before she quickly turned back to watch the Sorting.

"Draco Malfoy!"

Malfoy swaggered forward, and before the hat had even fully settled, it declared, "Slytherin!"

He strutted off to join Crabbe and Goyle, looking smug.

More students were sorted—Morag McDougal, Theodore Nott, Pansy Parkinson, and the Patil twins. Then, finally—

"Ronald Weasley!"

Ron was sorted into Gryffindor, greeted warmly by his older brothers.

And then—

"Harry Potter!"

The room fell into hushed whispers.

"Potter? Did she say Potter?"

"The Harry Potter?"

Every eye in the hall locked onto Harry as he stepped forward, looking slightly pale. He placed the hat on his head.

The Sorting Hat took its time. Carnie watched closely, already knowing how this would go.

"Gryffindor!"

As soon as the hat made its decision, the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. The Weasley twins shouted, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

Harry sat beside Percy, looking slightly dazed.

At last, the Sorting concluded. Professor McGonagall rolled up the parchment and carried the hat away.

Carnie watched the old hat disappear, his mind lingering on the strange conversation he'd had. Why did it take so long to read my thoughts? The Sorting Hat was created by the four founders of Hogwarts—it should've been able to easily peer into his mind.

Unless… I naturally block Legilimency?

It wasn't impossible. Occlumency wasn't something people were just born with, but maybe his mind had some resistance. He hadn't even been trying to block it, yet the hat struggled to read him.

Still, it was something to think about later. Right now, there was something far more important in front of him—

A feast.

As golden plates filled with roasted meats, steaming potatoes, and all kinds of delicious dishes, Carnie let his thoughts drift away.

For now, he'd focus on the simple pleasure of a good meal.