In the Great Hall, a cacophony of voices rose to meet the enchanted ceiling. Thousands of suspended candles flickered overhead, casting a warm, golden glow over the four long tables.
When she first entered, Hermione looked up with a frown of genuine concern. With so many open flames hovering directly above their heads, she worried that hot wax might drip down, scalding the students below. She could almost imagine the collective howl of pain.
But fortunately, the suspended candles were blessed by magic. They burned without melting, defying physics, and not a single drop of wax overflowed.
Hermione let out a small breath, though her worry didn't entirely dissipate.
Because of the appearance of the time-traveling soul within Hermione, the original setting of the "bushy-haired, buck-toothed" heroine had been broken. The Hermione here was undeniably beautiful and cute, possessing a delicate grace that drew the eye.
As she stood in the throng of first years, many boys craned their necks to look at her. Even some of the senior students, weary from the train ride, sat up straighter.
"Look at that one," a fifth-year whispered to his friend. "There is a little beauty among the freshmen this year."
With her fair skin, bright eyes, and pleasant temperament, she stood out against the backdrop of nervous eleven-year-olds. If she were older, fully developed, she would undoubtedly be an alluring witch.
For a time, the hall was filled with a mix of jealousy from the girls and delighted appreciation from the boys. After all, everyone appreciated beauty.
Hermione ignored the stares, her brows knitting together in secret concentration. The System's blue light curtain was still hovering in her peripheral vision.
There were three options. Only the last one followed the Way of the Gou—the philosophy of wretched, shameless survival and low profile.
[Option 3: Don't move, I am the air. Complete the task, reward: 1 Cotton Hat.]
It was just that... she had already given Ron a green hat. Why not get another one for Harry?
The reward for Option 1 was [Basic Attributes +1]. Although there was no obvious improvement she could feel at the moment, the prudent Hermione knew that this was an investment project. Accumulating stats now would benefit her in the future. By the time the finale approached, she would be powerful. So, normally, she wouldn't give up on stats.
However, Option 1 required her to sue Voldemort in public. To tear the turban off Quirrell's head.
Hermione didn't dare!
She was born as a commoner version of Hermione; she didn't possess Harry Potter's protagonist halo or his plot armor. If she offended Voldemort now, she would be marked for death. She refused to live a life of fear every day.
Even if heroes were needed, Harry and Ron should be the ones on the front lines. Hermione belonged behind the scenes, safe and sound.
So, Option 1 was too dangerous. Definitely not acceptable.
Option 2 offered a [Magic Pet]. If it was just an owl, a toad, or a frog, she had no interest. Animals were messy. Unless it was an ancient divine beast like a phoenix or a dragon, it wasn't worth the risk of asking for Slytherin. And even then, raising a dragon sounded troublesome.
After thinking about it, Hermione mentally selected Option 3.
I'll just be the air. And I'll get a nice green hat for Harry.
At this moment, Albus Dumbledore stood up from his golden chair at the High Table.
The audience was instantly silent. The hush was heavy and immediate.
Hermione carefully looked at the professors above. None of them looked easy to provoke. She quickly lowered her gaze, afraid that staring too long might provoke some bad karma.
Dumbledore was known as the greatest headmaster ever at Hogwarts, and the greatest wizard of the age. He was a gifted, benevolent, gentle, and insightful man.
He wore half-moon glasses perched on a crooked nose, and his eyes were bright blue, twinkling with a wisdom that seemed to see through everything—clothes, skin, and secrets. His silver-white beard was the longest in the room, tucking into his belt.
Because today was the most important feast of the year, Dumbledore was wearing a magnificent purple cloak that swept around him, majestic yet modest.
"Welcome!" he said.
As the Headmaster, Dumbledore briefly explained the history of Hogwarts to the students, his voice amplifying without a wand to reach every corner of the hall.
Then, his tone shifted slightly as he mentioned the current restricted areas.
"The first restricted area," he said gravely, "is the Dark Forest located on the grounds. It is home to all kinds of monsters and magical creatures. It is very dangerous, and students are not allowed to enter alone."
"The second restricted area," he continued, pointing a withered hand, "is the corridor on the right-hand side of the third floor. It is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."
For the first time, Hermione realized that this other world was completely different from the real-world schools she knew.
In her previous life, schools were liable for safety. Here, they warned you that you would die, and the school would not be held responsible. There would be no investigation. You would just be gone.
In short, very dangerous.
Hermione looked at where Ron and Harry stood in the crowd. Seeing the spark of interest in Harry's green eyes—curiosity killed the cat, indeed—she knew that these two troublemakers were already tempted.
The more secret a place was, the more interested they became.
Stay far away from them, she told herself.
After Headmaster Dumbledore's explanation, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall stepped forward to preside over the ceremony. She placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years and set the wizard's hat on top of it.
The hat twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth, and it began to sing.
When the song ended, Professor McGonagall unrolled a long scroll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted."
"Hermione Granger!"
As the heroine—or at least a main character—Hermione was called up earlier than Harry and Ron due to the alphabet.
Hermione was a little nervous, her heart thumping against her ribs, but she smoothed her robes and strode up the steps.
On the stage, several professors looked over at the same time. Even the dour Snape glanced up. Because of the time-travel setting, the professors could see that this girl was born with a handsome and refined temperament. She would definitely be stunning when she grew up.
From the audience, a murmur went through the students. Some of the bad boys in the upper years let out low whistles.
"What a beautiful school girl," one whispered. "I'm making a reservation in advance."
"Are you worthy?" his friend scoffed. "The junior girl is mine!"
"Miss Hermione, look here..."
Professor McGonagall's lips thinned into a straight line. She tapped her scroll. "Silence—"
The authority in her voice was absolute. The audience immediately fell silent.
Hermione sat on the stool. Professor McGonagall dropped the Sorting Hat onto her head. It was large, slipping down over her eyes, plunging her into darkness.
It was a strange feeling. The hat smelled of old fabric and centuries of dust, but it felt alive against her scalp. It possessed great wisdom, able to discern talents and qualities to place students where they belonged.
Legend had it that the Sorting Hat belonged to Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders, and was enchanted by all four of them to ensure their legacy continued.
Suddenly, a small voice spoke right in her ear.
"Hmm," said the small voice. "Interesting."
When the Sorting Hat was put on Hermione's head, she had the visceral feeling that all her thoughts were being stripped bare and examined. It was invasive. It felt very bad.
If it weren't for the solemnity of the occasion, Hermione would have ripped the hat off and thrown it across the room.
"I see... I see..." the Hat murmured.
The four branches represented different qualities.
Gryffindor: Fire. The Lion and the Sword. Red and Gold. The King of Beasts, a symbol of bravery and adventure. Slytherin: Water. The Viper. Green and Silver. Ambitious, shrewd, valuing honor, judging the situation, wise self-protection, and victory supreme. Hufflepuff: Earth. The Badger. Yellow and Black. Integrity, loyalty, honesty, unafraid of hardship. Ravenclaw: Air. The Eagle. Blue and Bronze. Extraordinary ingenuity is the greatest wealth of mankind.
There was no doubt that the smart Hermione was more suitable for entering Ravenclaw. Even the Sorting Hat seemed to think so.
"Beautiful and wise," the Hat mused. "Ravenclaw Branch is wise, fair, shrewd, erudite, intelligent, visionary, and curious. You enjoy digging into things. It is for you."
Huh?
Hermione froze under the hat. Didn't I enter the Gryffindor branch in the original play?
Since the Hat was suggesting Ravenclaw, perhaps she should intervene. It might be better to propose entering Slytherin. Although Hermione didn't want to enter the branch of "bad people," if she simply proposed it to the Hat, she could technically complete Task Option 2 and get the magic pet.
Maybe I should ask for Slytherin...
Just as Hermione hesitated, forming the thought, the Sorting Hat seemed to sense the deeper currents of her personality. It sensed the conflict, the hidden depths, and perhaps the strange destiny attached to her soul.
"Gryffindor," the Hat suddenly corrected itself, its voice booming in her mind. "Yes. Brave and adventurous. Gryffindor is also a good fit for Miss Hermione Granger."
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Hat shouted to the hall.
Professor McGonagall pulled the hat off her head.
Hermione sat there for a second, feeling depressed.
Gryffindor?
She was suitable for entering Gryffindor, perhaps... but she was absolutely not suitable for bravery and adventure! She just wanted to live!
PLS SUPPORT ME AND THROW POWERSTONES .