Chapter 145: Sorting
Once Kyle had settled into his seat, Professor McGonagall walked over to the triangular stool, and the cheers in the Great Hall gradually quieted down. She held up the Sorting Hat.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted into your house," she announced.
"Hannah Abbott!"
A young girl with rosy cheeks and two golden braids stepped out of the line, stumbling a bit as she approached the stool. She put on the hat, and after a moment's pause—
"Hufflepuff!"
The Hufflepuff table erupted in applause, welcoming Hannah enthusiastically. Susan Bones, who had just been sorted into Hufflepuff as well, hurried over to sit beside her amid the cheers.
The sorting continued in an orderly fashion. Hermione and Neville were both placed in Gryffindor, Malfoy was sorted into Slytherin just as he'd hoped, and Harry and Ron, unsurprisingly, joined Gryffindor as well.
Kyle noticed Dumbledore seated at the head table, looking particularly pleased. Dumbledore clapped energetically and even picked up a cup, giving it a celebratory wave in Harry's direction.
"This old bee," Kyle muttered to himself, feeling a mixture of amusement and irritation. He'd long suspected that Dumbledore would do whatever it took to support Harry, but such a blatant display was a bit much, wasn't it?
In stark contrast, Professor Snape looked anything but pleased. Rather than glaring at Harry, however, he was eyeing the Sorting Hat intently, as though he might pull out a potion bottle and douse the tattered old hat at any moment.
As soon as the last new student was sorted into Slytherin, Snape rose swiftly, ready to assist Professor McGonagall with returning the Sorting Hat. But she waved him off.