Rock's calm expression made everyone around him settle down a little, though whispers still floated through the group. All the new students were curious about the Sorting Ceremony — it was the perfect topic for speculation.
Draco, who had gone quiet earlier, turned toward where Harry Potter stood. With Crabbe and Goyle flanking him like bodyguards, he pushed through the crowd.
Harry, talking to Ron, suddenly found his view blocked by three figures standing on the steps above him.
"So it's true," Draco said. "The rumors I heard on the train were right. Harry Potter really is here."
He lifted his chin slightly as he introduced himself. "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy."
"And these are my friends, Crabbe and Goyle."
Hearing the introduction, Crabbe and Goyle put on snobbish expressions and fussed unnecessarily with their robes.
Ron, watching this from the side, couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous display — two bulky kids pretending to look important.
That laugh immediately snapped Draco's attention to him. His eyes dropped to Ron's bright red hair.
"What? Something funny about my name?"
"I know who you are. The Weasleys — all red hair, covered in freckles, old hand-me-down wands and secondhand books. And more kids than your parents can afford."
His voice dripped with mockery. Crabbe and Goyle burst out laughing behind him.
Ron's smile disappeared instantly.
Rock, meanwhile, had been casually watching the drama — until a flicker of movement caught his eye.
A ghost. Ah, yes. Another classic Hogwarts first-year moment.
Draco finished his taunt and turned back to Harry. "So, I think it's only fair to warn you — some wizarding families are better than others. You might prefer making friends with the right sort."
He held out his hand again.
Harry had disliked Draco from the moment they met. And after hearing Draco insult Ron — his very first friend — his irritation only spiked.
"Thanks," Harry said coolly. "But I think I can tell who the right sort is for myself."
He ignored Draco's hand completely.
Draco's face flushed red as anger flared. "You must be just as clueless as—"
Before he could finish, a scream tore through the air.
"Ah! A ghost! A ghost!"
A trembling first-year pointed upward at the spirit drifting above them.
Rock, already standing near the wall, was watching a half-visible figure peeking out — and raised an eyebrow.
Here we go.
The short ghost inside the wall suddenly spun around, letting out an obnoxious cackle.
"YEEE-HEEEE! Hello, little newbies!"
He twisted his face into a dramatic spooky expression, clearly hoping to terrify the students.
Rock blinked. Yep — this had to be Peeves. Remembering countless fan theories, he reached out and poked the ghost's rubbery, semi-solid belly.
Cold. Springy.
Peeves' grin froze. He looked down at the finger in his stomach, then back at Rock.
He seemed… confused.
Then, a heartbeat later—
"YOU — DARE — TOUCH — MEEEEE!?"
Peeves turned blood-red with rage, shrieking, "Peeves will make you regret ever being born! I'll hang you upside-down from the Astronomy Tower! I'll—"
"The Bloody Baron is behind you."
Rock cut him off calmly.
The effect was immediate.
Peeves' scream choked mid-howl. He stiffened, turning his head slowly.
Nothing was behind him except a wall.
Still — all his bravado vanished. His color faded back to normal as he whipped around to glare at Rock.
But beneath the glare was unmistakable fear.
"You know," Rock said lightly, "you're transparent. You could just look through yourself."
Peeves froze again, shocked.
This kid… wasn't scared of him? And even had the nerve to tease him?
"Y-you just wait! Peeves will get you for this!"
With a shrill, hollow screech, he deflated like a balloon and zipped into the nearest wall.
Rock stared after him.
Really? That easy?
Then his peripheral vision caught another ghost floating over.
The Bloody Baron.
Ah. That explained everything.
Rock turned — only to find Hermione and Neville standing right behind him, along with a crowd of wide-eyed first-years staring at him like he'd grown a second head.
"How did you know he was afraid of that?" Hermione asked, incredulous. "We all just started school!"
Rock shrugged casually. "Just a guess. Books say Peeves is scared of the Bloody Baron and the headmaster."
"That's absolutely not in any textbook," Hermione said immediately. She was confident — she would know.
Should I tell her I read it in the book called Harry Potter?
Rock snorted internally.
Yeah, no.
CREEEAAAK—
Professor McGonagall pushed open the doors at that exact moment.
"The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin. Everyone, come in — in an orderly manner."
Rock followed her without hesitation. Hermione hurried after him, firing question after question. If there was a book she hadn't read, she needed to know which one it was.
Rock pointed subtly at Professor McGonagall to signal "not now" and slipped into the Great Hall with the others.
The scent of burning candles filled the air. Thousands of floating candles illuminated the hall as upperclassmen from all four houses turned to inspect the incoming first-years.
Rock spotted Dumbledore immediately — the headmaster winked at him.
Rock returned a small smile, then shifted his gaze to the tall stool and the battered Sorting Hat resting atop it.
The dazzling atmosphere left the new students awestruck.
Professor McGonagall strode to the stool, turned toward the crowd, and opened her mouth:
"Quiet!"