Chapter 18: The Sorting Ceremony (2)
The hall fell into a stunned silence as McGonagall announced, "Nero Ravenclaw."
It only lasted a moment before whispers erupted across the Great Hall.
"Three out of four Founders' heirs in one year?"
"Nothing can surprise us anymore."
The buzz of conversation followed Nero as he walked toward the Sorting Hat, his expression calm but focused.
Before sitting, Nero raised his wand, Liss, toward the old Sorting Hat and murmured, "Scourgify." Dust and grime disappeared instantly, leaving the ancient artifact looking unexpectedly pristine. A faint murmur rippled through the hall as students took notice.
"What's he doing?" a student whispered from the Hufflepuff table.
"Cleaning the Sorting Hat?" another replied, baffled.
Nero calmly took his place on the stool, placing the now-clean hat on his head.
"Thank you, young man," the hat said, its voice resonating directly in Nero's mind. "Though I must ask, why?"
Nero responded mentally, "I'd like to have another conversation with you later. I have questions about how you function and a request to make. Consider the cleaning a gesture of goodwill."