The little wizards in the hall became noisy, with everyone’s attention focused on Aurora, so much so that no one went to support the now weak-legged Daphne.
Grindelwald.
For Daphne, this could be the entire family’s register.
And to all the pure-blood wizards and even half-blood wizards present, this surname definitely counts as a legend, one that once made the whole of Europe tremble.
Perhaps some, due to deliberate concealment by their families, do not know of Voldemort, this terrifying Mysterious Man, but no one would not know Dumbledore’s rival, Grindelwald.
After all.
Various documents.
And on the famous cards of Chocolate Frogs, besides all sorts of achievements and inventions, the most striking introduction about Dumbledore is the one where he defeated the Dark Wizard Grindelwald.
Being able to record this achievement in Dumbledore’s accomplishments, even someone who knows very little should understand its significance. Almost all pure-blood families know what this surname once brought to the entirety of Europe.
Perhaps.
Grindelwald’s influence did not reach England.
However.
It’s hard to say that no pure-blood families secretly responded to his ideas.
Even now.
In some stories of wizarding history and some "new fables," this surname is not lacking in presence — the feat of setting Paris ablaze cannot be buried in the dust of history.
No one at Hogwarts ever thought Hogwarts would welcome a Grindelwald.
Many people looked towards Dumbledore.
However.
The Headmaster was merely smiling.
"What is Dumbledore thinking?"
"Oh my, look at her eyes, it’s said the Grindelwald family has a pair of magical eyes that can mesmerize people. Will we be enslaved by her?"
"She’s so beautiful, I am willing to..."
"Snap out of it! You’re a girl too!"
...
The voices of these people weren’t too loud.
But inevitably, some whispers would reach Aurora’s ears. She seemed completely unconcerned, sitting expressionlessly on the four-legged stool quietly waiting for the sorting ceremony.
"Child, don’t mind them, they mean no harm."
Professor McGonagall placed a hand on Aurora’s shoulder and whispered softly.
Soon after.
She placed the Sorting Hat on Aurora’s head. No one knew what exchange was happening between the Sorting Hat and Aurora, and the entire hall fell into an incomparably strange silence.
Time passed by.
A full few minutes went by.
"Slytherin!"
When the Sorting Hat finally called out Aurora’s house, after a moment of dead silence, unprecedented cheers erupted from the Slytherin long table, with some senior students even standing to applaud in welcome.
Descendant of the first heir?
Some people might have this opinion.
But there are also those who wouldn’t think so.
Such people are not in short supply in Slytherin. The students in this house are not lacking in wisdom, and they have already figured out some things that other houses haven’t yet thought through.
"Slytherin welcomes you! It’s our honor to have you here!"
Some senior wizards were the most enthusiastic.
Aurora simply nodded politely and chose an empty seat to sit. Facing the enthusiasm of those around her, she frowned slightly, thinking of an excuse.
"Sorry, I have autism and don’t like talking."
Hearing this.
Many Slytherin students looked somewhat bewildered. Even though there were still those attempting to chat her up, it was significantly better than before.
"What should I do!"
Most in Slytherin were happy, with a small portion a bit uneasy, but the one with the most complex emotions was undoubtedly Daphne Greengrass.
Coincidentally.
At this moment, Professor McGonagall called out her name.
"Daphne Greengrass!"
Since the little wizard before was Aurora, there were considerably fewer people paying attention to Daphne, but this was no longer something Daphne Greengrass cared about.
This rebellious girl’s face was now pale as paper; she didn’t even know how she walked up to the stage, nor did she have the mind to complain about how dirty the Sorting Hat might be.
A family all stemming from Slytherin, she truly wanted to be sorted into another house now. Who would have thought, she might find Ravenclaw to be a good choice?
"Slytherin!"
Unfortunately.
The Sorting Hat did not respect Daphne’s wish.
When the house’s name was called out, Daphne could not feel any joy at all. Full of fear, she walked towards the cheering table, hesitating for a moment before mustering the courage to sit beside Aurora.
"I’m sorry, I..."
Growing up almost entirely in a honey pot, the extremely proud Daphne really wanted to rescue her family’s genealogy, but she did not know how to make amends for the grave mistake she had made.
After all, she was just a ten-year-old child, her mind a complete blank as she panicked, her short words even sounding as if choked with tears.
It was due to the pride of pure-bloods.
Which made her understand even more the terror of the surname Grindelwald.
"Greengrass, the one you should worry about is not me."
Aurora motioned for Daphne to sit beside her, which could block off many others trying to chat her up; besides the surname, Aurora’s outstanding appearance was also a source of trouble.
"Ah?"
Daphne sat down uneasily, puzzled by Aurora’s reminder.
"I won’t be your trouble because you’ve already attracted a bigger one." Aurora’s tone was calm, continuing to watch the yet-to-be-completed sorting like everyone else.
"Peter Papakro!"
Another little wizard was named by the Cat Lady.
His final house was the brave and fearless Gryffindor.
Immediately after.
With great anticipation, Ian finally heard his own name, leaving Daphne, puzzled by Aurora’s words, once again in surprise and doubt.
That surname... no way!
"Ian Prince!"
Once Professor McGonagall finished speaking, Ian rushed to the Sorting Hat without hesitation and placed it on his head from the four-legged stool.
His initiative even made Professor McGonagall pause in surprise.
However, she did not scold him.
After all, it was not a rule-breaking disturbance.
"Oh?"
As soon as the Sorting Hat was on, Ian heard its voice of amazement.
"Is it difficult?"
Ian took the initiative to ask.
"No, no, no, I can see that you are not lacking in courage and talent, and you also possess loyalty and ambition, all four houses are actually quite suitable for you, but..."
The Sorting Hat’s voice was gentle and light.
"You also have rarer virtues, yes, yes, I can sense them, how familiar..."
It was as if the hat was reminiscing.
"Actually, someone secretly threatened me, telling me to sort you into Slytherin, and I originally intended to do so, after all, I don’t want to be thrown into the dung pile of little wizards."
The Sorting Hat first revealed a little secret, then seemed to make a decision.
"Who would have thought it would come to this, I must forfeit my safety, hmm, I must fulfill the mission I was entrusted with, you should be where you truly belong, and must be there!
Little one, you are so very much like her in certain ways, so very like, she was so lonely when she lived, now, I have finally found her most similar... successor!"
The Sorting Hat’s voice suddenly sounded a bit worn.
As if it had changed tone.
In the next moment.
"Ravenclaw!"
A booming voice bellowed from the hat.
Welcoming voices immediately rose from the long table belonging to Eagle House.
At the same time.
"Bang!"
At the teacher’s table.
The furious bat slapped the table and stood.
"Someone just fainted!"
In the Slytherin long table.
There were also little snakes with troubled fates who, seeing this situation, reacted quickly and directly fainted backwards with a roll of their eyes.