Hogwarts: Transmigrated as the Top Student

"Welcome to Hogwarts!"

Unlike Hagrid, when Professor Minerva McGonagall spoke those words, her expression was utterly stern—without the slightest hint of a smile.

The first-year students could immediately sense that this old professor wasn't one to be trifled with. They all fell silent, not daring to whisper.

"The opening feast is about to begin, but before you may take your seats in the Great Hall, you must first be sorted into your houses…" Professor McGonagall briefly introduced the Sorting Ceremony and the House Cup.

"I'll return to get you once everything is ready." She turned to leave, but paused and asked, "Please keep quiet while you wait… Any questions?"

Jon raised his hand high.

"Yes, Mr. Hart?" It was clear Professor McGonagall still remembered the little wizard who had once kicked her.

"Er, Professor!" Jon cleared his throat. He was certain that someone as fair as Professor McGonagall wouldn't hold a month-old accident against him.

"Earlier on the train, I met a second-year Hogwarts student who called me a 'Mudblood'… Honestly, I don't quite know what that means, but judging by her expression, it didn't seem like a friendly word."

Jon's expression remained perfectly calm, as if he genuinely didn't know what "Mudblood" meant.

"Who was it? How dare she—" Professor McGonagall's face changed abruptly. "How dare someone use such a vile slur at Hogwarts? For the past thousand years, this school has been dedicated to eradicating prejudice between pure-bloods and Muggle-born wizards."

"She said her name was… I think… Greengrass."

"Greengrass?" McGonagall's expression quickly returned to its usual composure. "Mr. Hart, that word is a hateful curse, a slanderous insult. Forget what she said. No one is allowed to speak to you that way at Hogwarts."

As she said this, she swept the crowd with a piercing gaze.

Then she left the room.

Jon could faintly hear her angry voice echoing from the entrance hall:

"Daphne Greengrass, go to my office immediately… Wait in the room beside the corridor, on the marble staircase outside the hall!"

"Filius, would you mind fetching Severus for me?"

...

Even so, Jon didn't draw much attention from the rest of the first-years.

All their focus was on the Sorting Ceremony that was about to begin.

After all, the tradition of terrifying first-years with Sorting rumors was a time-honored Hogwarts classic.

Astoria should have been right there among them, eagerly discussing whether they'd have to defeat a troll or cast ten spells for their sorting… But now, she just stood there absentmindedly.

"Why did you do that? My sister… Daphne… she might get expelled…"

"She brought it on herself," Jon replied calmly. "And I don't think Hogwarts would expel someone over a single insult."

"She really didn't mean any harm…"

"Then maybe you should explain that to Professor McGonagall."

"You…"

Astoria turned her back on him, clearly done with the conversation.

Jon had no intention of chasing after her. Just then, about twenty ghosts suddenly floated out from the far wall. Pearly white and semi-transparent, they drifted across the room, whispering to one another.

"Ah—!" a few timid girls screamed in fright.

"Ah, more first-years!" a chubby monk ghost smiled at them. "I suppose you're here for the Sorting?"

Before anyone could answer...

"Now move along," came a high-pitched voice from the walls around them. "The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."

"Single file!" Professor McGonagall had returned.

There was a bit of shuffling and confusion, but under her guidance, the students quickly lined up.

Jon found himself just behind Astoria… though she seemed determined not to look back, keeping a two- to three-yard gap between them.

One by one, the young wizards left the room, passed through a narrow corridor, and stepped into the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

It was a breathtaking sight. At the far end stood a long table where the teachers sat, each in their distinctive robes...

Following McGonagall's instructions, the students turned to face away from the staff table.

In front of them were four long house tables, filled with upper-year students who clapped and cheered enthusiastically.

Above them, the enchanted ceiling shimmered with a realistic night sky… Even with mental preparation, Jon couldn't help but be amazed.

Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool before them… and set a pointed wizard's hat on top.

That must be the same hat that once belonged to Godric Gryffindor—now known as the Sorting Hat.

The Sorting Hat opened its mouth and began to sing in a raspy voice.

Its soulful tune made many students want to cover their ears.

After several minutes of endurance, the hat finally finished.

Professor McGonagall stepped forward, holding a scroll of parchment.

"When I call your name, come forward, put on the hat, sit on the stool, and wait to be sorted," she announced. "Sean Avery!"

A tall boy with freckles stumbled out from the crowd and pulled the hat over his head.

"Slytherin!"

The table farthest to the right erupted in cheers; the one on the far left gave a faint hiss of disapproval.

Relieved, the tall boy dashed toward the Slytherin table.

Avery… the name rang a bell. Wasn't that the name of a Death Eater? Probably another second-generation one.

"Teresa Baker!"

"Ravenclaw!"

This time, the second table from the left clapped. Several Ravenclaw students greeted her with handshakes.

Colin Creevey became the first new Gryffindor. The far-left table erupted in cheers, and Jon spotted the Weasley twins celebrating.

...

"Astoria Greengrass!"

Astoria stepped forward and placed the hat on her head.

"Slytherin!" the hat shouted the moment it brushed her hair.

She didn't look particularly pleased—perhaps because of her sister.

When Jon saw Draco Malfoy pulling out a chair for her, he couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

"Jon Hart!"

The Sorting Hat immediately called his name.

Jon stood up, feeling as though every eye in the Great Hall was suddenly on him.

Lowering his head slightly, he walked forward and placed the hat on his head.