I can't let my guard down.
That flicker of malice, fleeting as a joke, passed by, but Harry sensed it immediately. Were it not for his exceptional Charm, intelligence, and extraordinarily keen perception, he would never have detected the mischievous thoughts that Professor McGonagall was carefully concealing behind her poker face.
Was something truly amiss with the Sorting Ceremony?
Professor McGonagall's voice broke through his contemplation.
"The names of the four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin," she announced. "Each house has its own glorious history and has produced outstanding wizards. During your time at Hogwarts, your achievements and behavior will earn points for your house."
Harry already knew about the four houses, named after their founders. He also understood the basic criteria: Gryffindor for the brave, Slytherin for the ambitious, Ravenclaw for the studious, and Hufflepuff for the rest.
However, common records offered only a brief description of the Sorting, presenting it as a simple, routine ceremony. Harry had not paid much attention to it before. Now, observing closely, he realized something far deeper was at play.
How could the Sorting Ceremony truly discern a student's character? Did it possess insight comparable to Harry's astonishing wisdom? Perhaps it was like one of those battle royale games he had encountered while confronting doomsday cults in Westeros. Hufflepuff might be eliminated first, while the bravest, wisest, or most cunning would advance to the other houses.
With Hogwarts' legendary safety measures, it was possible that some dangerous trials were embedded in the process. Minor injuries, after all, were easily treated by magic. Harry had witnessed similar selective trials during his past adventures: cults offering sacrifices categorized according to their supposed gods of bravery, wisdom, joy, and life. Even the Red God, notorious for blood sacrifices and followers' self-immolation, was grandly titled the Lord of Light.
Could Hogwarts' houses operate in a similar fashion, testing character under pressure?
"In a few minutes, the Sorting Ceremony will take place before the entire school," Professor McGonagall continued. "I suggest you take this time to tidy yourselves and look presentable. When you are ready, I will come for you. Please remain quiet while you wait."
She left the room, leaving Harry and the others to prepare. Harry turned to Ron.
"The books I read didn't mention the Sorting Ceremony. You have so many older brothers—do you know what kind of ceremony it is?"
"I think it might be some kind of test," Ron replied. "Fred said it could be harmful, but I think he was joking."
Neville, standing nearby, muttered nervously that he expected to be sorted into Hufflepuff. Hermione, as always, whispered to herself, rapidly reciting spells she had learned, uncertain which to use.
Harry, confident in his own abilities, knew that with his strength he could overpower all the new students. Curiosity aside, he was not particularly nervous—though he would never act cruelly toward children; any such thought was purely hypothetical.
At that moment, shrieks erupted from behind them.
"Has the test already begun?" Harry thought, instantly drawing his wand and preparing for action.
He turned to see about twenty ghosts emerging suddenly from the wall behind them. Pearly-white and translucent, they glided gracefully, whispering to one another.
This was Harry's first encounter with such distinctly rational ghosts, each possessing a trace of magical power. Though his intuition suggested they were weak, he dared not underestimate them.
He recalled McGonagall's instructions to wait, realizing now that these spirits were the test itself. Perhaps the creatures involved changed each year, explaining why previous accounts lacked detail. Earlier trials might have used other magical beings; this year, it was ghosts, testing whether the students would display courage or wisdom under pressure. A clever design—true character is revealed in danger.
Harry's superiority was clear: he had acquired wisdom through experiences across three worlds. Yet, no basic spells he had learned could harm ghosts. Only advanced techniques might succeed. He decided to employ Petrificus Totalus, enhancing it with his Charm and Divine Power. Since these trial ghosts were not malevolent, he would spare their lives.
A plump, monk-like ghost floated forward, speaking urgently: "It should be forgiven, it should be forgotten. Peeves deserves another chance—"
"Petrificus Totalus!" Harry shouted.
The ghost instantly turned black, frozen mid-motion.
Excellent. With Charm, I can twist it into a petrifiable state. This feels even simpler than changing that rat's fur color, Harry thought.
The other ghosts recoiled in shock. First startled, then panicked, they scattered in all directions. The students themselves began to tremble.
"What was that?" one whispered.
"Are those the new students waiting for Sorting?" another asked.
"Who cast Avada Kedavra?"
"I remember what happened before I died!" a ghost exclaimed. "It wasn't the Killing Curse—the Killing Curse can't affect us. It was the Petrification Charm!"
As expected, just a test for children. Even more fragile than I imagined, Harry mused.
"Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus! Petrificus Totalus!" he repeated with precision, each spell landing cleanly. The ghosts scattered, fleeing through the walls into the Great Hall, presumably to report to Dumbledore.
Those who failed to escape—the plump monk included—remained black and motionless. Among them appeared another figure: broad-faced, with a large mouth and bright, round eyes. Unlike the others, this one showed aggression toward the young wizards and could shift freely between solid and ethereal forms. The others shouted "Peeves" at him. Peeves immediately began throwing vases at the students but was soon frozen alongside the plump monk.
Hmm. Most ghosts only frighten people, but a Peeves who can cause actual harm makes for a perfect test for first-years, Harry noted. Too bad I'm too outstanding—others didn't get a chance to act. They can be tested later.
"Everyone, don't be afraid, and remain calm," Harry instructed, exuding his natural Charm.
The students instinctively gravitated toward him, finding comfort in his presence. Muggle-born students, terrified of ghosts, were especially relieved. Wizard-born students, on the other hand, looked uneasy—not from the ghosts, but from Harry. They feared being judged or antagonized by him, aware that appearing weak might brand them as enemies.
As expected of the famous Harry Potter—truly powerful. It was said only the most terrifying dark wizards could harm ghosts already deceased. Yet he had done so with ease.