"Before the Sorting Ceremony commences, Headmaster Dumbledore has an announcement," Professor Minerva McGonagall finished crisply, stepping aside near the Sorting Hat, allowing Dumbledore to speak first.
Dumbledore rose to his feet. Putting aside any personal feelings, the old man certainly has presence. Though, I suspect his magical repertoire consists primarily of Lumos.
"I must first bring a few items to your attention regarding conduct this term…" Dumbledore began, his voice echoing through the Great Hall. "First-year students are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, strictly off-limits. Furthermore, Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you all that those who do not wish to meet a particularly unpleasant end should avoid the corridor on the right-hand side of the Third Floor."
Dumbledore gestured towards the faculty table with a flourish. "We also extend a warm welcome to two new professors this year: Professor Quirinus Quirrell, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor, and his teaching assistant, Professor Tom Riddle."
Quirrell practically leaped to his feet, stammering a brief, nervous introduction. Tom, however, remained seated.
A palpable silence descended after Quirrell's hurried words. Every eye in the hall was now fixed on Tom.
With deliberate calm, Tom raised a hand, gesturing for Quirrell to sit back down. Quirrell, as if controlled by an invisible force, immediately obeyed.
Then, slowly, Tom rose to his feet. He clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the assembled students.
A ripple of excitement passed through the younger students – particularly the witches – at the sight of the strikingly handsome professor. Harry even caught snippets of whispered conversations about "love letters" and "love potions." Hermione Granger frowned, while Cassandra Vole's eyes narrowed, a chilling glint appearing in their depths.
Tom remained motionless, simply observing the students.
Severus Snape's brow furrowed at the strange display, while Dumbledore seemed vaguely disquieted, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Cassandra Vole, sensing that her teacher was about to speak, subtly urged Harry and the others to quiet the surrounding students.
Realizing that this was perhaps not the most appropriate time to gush over the "new handsome professor," the students gradually quieted down.
A hush fell over the Great Hall.
But instead of speaking, Tom simply stood there, his emerald-green eyes – so reminiscent of a serpent's – fixed on the crowd. An indescribable tension filled the air.
That mustachioed buffoon who loves to bellow "Hey!" once said that the power of silence is unimaginable. How right he was.
As the restless energy of the crowd dissipated, the atmosphere shifted, drawing every last ounce of attention to him.
"I do not believe things should be this way…"
Tom's calm pronouncement sent a ripple of unease through the hall.
Good heavens! No wonder this feels so familiar!
Dumbledore, finally grasping Tom's intent, started to rise, desperate to interrupt.
But he was too late.
"Do you know the price of a loaf of bread these days?... Fifty Sickles! A staggering fifty Sickles!"
"..."
"Have you ever stopped to consider why this is?"
Tom had struck a nerve. A palpable energy began to build in the hall as he casually withdrew the Elder Wand, as though preparing for a passionate oration.
Bang, bang, bang…
"Alright, that's quite enough! Tom, please, sit down. The Sorting is about to begin." Dumbledore rapped his knuckles sharply on the table, gesturing urgently for Tom to be seated.
Tom ignored him, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, surveying the crowd. Only after Dumbledore called him a third time did he slowly reply, "The wizarding world should not be this way," before finally taking his seat.
The seed has been planted. The goal has been achieved. Whether they wrote to their elders or pondered it independently, the idea had, to some degree, taken root in the minds of some.
Soon, Harry and his friends will seize the opportunity, and then… hehehe… In a few years, Hogwarts will be singing a different tune. And when Dumbledore finally realizes what's happening, it will be too late. "Headmaster, why are you rebelling?"
"The Sorting Ceremony will now begin." Professor Minerva McGonagall, following Dumbledore's lead, addressed the students. "When I call your name, please approach. I shall place the Sorting Hat upon your head, and you will be assigned to a house."
She picked up the battered, brown hat from the stool beside her. It was covered in dust.
"Hannah Abbott!"
A blonde girl with pigtails practically bounded forward, her face flushed with either excitement or nervousness.
Tom observed the legendary Sorting Hat with mild curiosity.
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat declared after a moment.
A roar of cheers erupted from the Hufflepuff table, along with enthusiastic applause. Professor Minerva McGonagall removed the Hat. Hannah Abbott practically leaped off the stool and hurried towards the Hufflepuff Table.
Seeing Hannah Abbott seated, Professor Minerva McGonagall consulted the list. "Susan Bones!"
A slightly plump girl with brown hair walked timidly towards Professor Minerva McGonagall.
Harry suddenly noticed Severus Snape staring intently at him from the professors' table, his black hair slicked back. The intensity of his gaze was unnerving.
Remembering some rumors he had overheard, a chill ran down Harry's spine.
"Let me see..."
The Sorting Hat made its decision. "Hufflepuff!"
Another round of cheers echoed from the Hufflepuff table. Susan Bones removed the Sorting Hat herself and scurried towards her new house.
...
"Hermione Granger!"
After a moment of deliberation, the Sorting Hat announced, "Ravenclaw!"
A pretty upperclassman, presumably a Ravenclaw prefect, led the applause.
...
"Cassandra Vole!"
Before the Hat had even settled on her head, it bellowed, "Slytherin!"
The pure-blood wizards of Slytherin house didn't hold back their applause.
Cassandra Vole, however, ignored them, turning to look at Tom with an almost pleading expression.
Tom smiled gently.
...
"Draco Malfoy!"
The Sorting Hat practically screamed before it even touched his head. "Slytherin!"
Having witnessed Cassandra Vole's silent exchange with Tom, Malfoy then declared, "Professor, I want one too!"
Malfoy spun around, his pale face alight with hope.
Tom gave him an indifferent glance.
[•_•]
This… seems rather inappropriate, doesn't it?
Tom's expression hinted at his growing impatience.
Fine, fine… I'm done here!
[＞~＜]
…
"Harry Potter!"
The announcement of the name caused a stir. Many people sat up straight, including Dumbledore.
As Harry had anticipated, his name was met with a wave of whispers.
"Wow, is that really Harry Potter?"
"I heard he's a notorious villain. He even stole two sows the day he stole his wand."
"…"
Harry walked forward, his face darkening.
---