Hogwarts: From Luna's House to Godhood Through Intense Competition

Luna was among them, but her attention was on the ceiling. After looking at it for a while, she turned to look around and smiled when she met Vizette's gaze.

Professor McGonagall arranged the chair, placed the Sorting Hat on it, and the Sorting Hat quickly tore open and began to sing a new song.

“Deep within the ancient Hogwarts, every corner is filled with the aura of magic…”

"Here, courage, wisdom, loyalty, and ambition converge to form the most brilliant stars..."

"I am the ancient and wise Sorting Hat, listen to my song, and find your house..."

"The Gryffindors, as fierce as lions, are indomitable and courageous, with boldness and bravery as their motto..."

"The Ravenclaws, as sharp as eagles, roam the ocean of knowledge; their shrewdness and wisdom are the driving forces behind their exploration..."

"The Hufflepuffs, as diligent as badgers, are steadfast and pure of heart, seeking the answer to creating happiness with sincerity..."

"The nimble Slytherins, like snakes, dream of gaining greater power, striving to grow and write their own legends through challenges..."

"Now, a new journey is about to begin. May the glory of Hogwarts illuminate your future..."

"Courage, wisdom, loyalty, and ambition will be your strongest shield. Children, put me on your shoulders and choose your future path..."

This year's song is a completely new Sorting Hat song. Perhaps because the Sorting Hat knows that the song cannot be changed, it has focused all its energy on creation.

Amidst enthusiastic applause, the Sorting Hat lowered its pointed tip, bowed to the students, and announced the official start of the Sorting Ceremony.

As each student sat on a bench, the Sorting Hat loudly proclaimed their college affiliation.

Colin Crevey's last name begins with the letter C, and this enthusiastic young photographer was sorted into Gryffindor as soon as he put on his hat.

He first ran to the long table where Wizette was, and then, reminded by other students, realized that he should go to Gryffindor, and finally found the right place with a flushed face.

Professor McGonagall glanced at the list and called out Luna's name, "Luna Lovegood!"

Luna walked lightly toward the Sorting Hat, a curious smile on her face, showing not a trace of nervousness.

She greeted the Sorting Hat before gently placing it on her head.

After a long silence, the Sorting Hat called out cheerfully, "Ravenclaw!"

Chapter 69 The Sorting Hat Wants to Sing Death Metal

Anthony said with some regret, "Just a little bit more! We would have witnessed the Sorting Problem Student for two consecutive years!"

Michael immediately said, "The probability of that is too low, but it's been a long time, and I thought it was almost a done deal."

Chris stroked his chin, his tone subtle, and said, "If it were two troublemakers in the sorting house... or even siblings... I don't even want to think about it!"

Applause erupted at the Ravenclaw table, and Luna, amidst the enthusiastic applause, sat down next to Vizet.

She wore a mysterious smile. "Mr. Sorting Hat told me a lot of things, including things about you."

"About me?" Vizette asked, somewhat surprised.

Luna leaned closer and whispered, "The Sorting Hat said you were special. It took a lot of effort to sort you into a house."

"I had just put the Sorting Hat on my head when it wanted me to come to Ravenclaw, but it was too lonely, so it chatted with me a little longer."

"It even asked me if the song I sang tonight was good, saying that it took a whole year of thinking about it in the principal's office to come up with such a new song."

Vizette couldn't help but laugh and said, "The lyrics are very well written, but I just can't stand the tone of the song."

“That’s what I told Mr. Sorting Hat too,” Luna laughed. “He said to try a different style next year, and he also learned about the ‘death metal’ genre from me.”

“Death metal…” Vizette remembered that last year when he and Luna spent their Christmas holidays, they had listened to a tape about this genre in a department store.

"But I remember when we first heard this music, there was a band playing along, right? If it were just dry singing..."

He couldn't imagine how the students and professors would react if that deep-throated, desperate roar echoed through the auditorium.

A hint of anticipation appeared in Luna's eyes. "So Mr. Sorting Hat plans to report it to Headmaster Dumbledore and have a band come over to sing the Sorting Song with him."

……

The sorting ceremony is still ongoing, and Ginny Weasley, the youngest and only daughter of the Weasleys, has also been sorted.

Following the Weasley family tradition, she was sorted into Gryffindor almost the instant she encountered the Sorting Hat.

"Hufflepuff!"

The last freshman took off his Sorting Hat and hurriedly ran to the Hufflepuff table.

Professor McGonagall carefully put away the parchment scroll, put on the Sorting Hat, and left the Great Hall, announcing the start of the next segment of the proceedings.

Dumbledore stood up. Today he was wearing a dark blue brocade robe adorned with many shamrock patterns, and his pointed hat also had a shamrock metal decoration.

He adjusted his crescent-shaped glasses and slowly walked to the front of the stage. The clover patterns seemed to float back and forth in his robe with his movements, which was quite flamboyant.

While the owl statue was spreading its wings, Dumbledore surveyed the entire Great Hall and said with a smile, "Welcome back to Hogwarts, everyone, safe and sound..."

"After a day of travel and waiting, I'm sure everyone is starving. So... I won't say anything more. Everyone, please enjoy tonight's feast!"

As always, the opening remarks were brief, and Harry and Ron nodded in agreement after hearing them.

Harry turned his head, trying to see what Snape was doing, and ended up making eye contact with Snape.

He could only pretend nothing had happened and clap along with Ron to welcome the upcoming opening banquet.

Dumbledore walked back to the teachers' table, where various kinds of delicious food appeared on the plates, their steaming aromas wafting out.

The atmosphere at the dinner was very lively. Compared to the diverse topics last year, the main discussion at this year's dinner focused on Gilderoy Lockhart himself.

Among all the professors, Dumbledore's attire was usually the most flamboyant and extravagant.

Gilderoy Lockhart's arrival changed this situation.

He was wearing a lilac-colored robe, the pale color of which was adorned with many sequins.

Whenever he smiles, the sequins all over his body shimmer and sparkle, like a human-shaped rotating stage light, extremely dazzling.

He also wore two badges on his chest. Ravenclaw in the front row examined the badges closely and found that they were the Order of Merlin, Third Class, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts Honorary Member Badge.

Her blonde hair was also well-groomed, with plenty of hairspray used to hold the waves in place so that it wouldn't be flattened by the sequined pointed hat.

As the last dessert cake disappeared from the plate, Dumbledore stepped forward again and began a new round of speeches.

The various precautions he mentioned were not much different from those last year.

The corridor on the right side of the fourth floor has been unblocked, and anyone can go there without any restrictions or penalties.

“In addition, we would like to welcome a new professor…” Dumbledore waved his hand behind him, “our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—Giddro Lockhart.”

Upon hearing his name called, Gilderoy Lockhart straightened his clothes, ready to speak.

Dumbledore seemed to have anticipated this and did not make Gilderoy Lockhart get up to introduce himself.

"I believe all of you students already know him well, so there's no need for self-introductions... Let's sing a song and then go back to rest!"

A familiar golden ribbon appeared, floating in mid-air in the auditorium, twisting into a string of beautiful cursive characters.

Many fans of Gilderoy Lockhart expressed their regret, letting out sighs and lamentations.

There were also students who weren't fond of Gilderoy Lockhart, but after listening to Dumbledore's advice, they wanted to sing the school song for the first time.

Dumbledore beamed, using his wand as a conductor's baton, "Ready... sing!"

I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but Wizette felt that this year’s school song segment was more lively than in previous years.

……

The banquet officially ended, and amidst a chorus of yawns, the students returned to their respective college lounges.

After Penelope showed Luna around the dorms, Luna returned to the common room and sat down at a desk with Vizet.

They also had an appointment tonight to write a letter to Xenophius, so that it would be easier to mail the letter tomorrow.

Luna thought for a moment, then took out her sketchbook. "I want to send a painting back home."

“What can I do?” Vizette frowned, thinking seriously for a moment. “How about you draw a two-dimensional picture, and I’ll make it three-dimensional?”

Luna understood what Vizet meant. "Become three-dimensional? Like the pop-up books we see in department stores?"

Vizette smiled slightly, "Yes, something like that, but a bit more magical!"

Seeing Vizette's smile, Luna seemed to understand something, as if she could already see what the object looked like. "In that case, Daddy will definitely like it!"

While Luna was drawing, Vizette devised a plan to realize her idea.

He needed to use his skills in making magical items, and he continued to study Grindelwald's Notebook during his spare time over the summer, so presenting it wouldn't be difficult.

However, he wasn't satisfied with that and wanted to refine it further, creating an even more interesting effect...

Chapter 70 Grindelwald's Recording Spell

Luna's painting is fresh off the press: a blonde girl is on a train under the night sky, the train slowly pulls into the station, belching steam, and in the distance is a magnificent castle brightly lit.

There's still some magic powder left over from making the crystal ball bracelet, which can be used in this painting.

The purpose of these magic powders is to fix the magic onto the drawing paper.

Using magical powder to outline the contours of various objects, Vizet murmured incantations and gently waved his wand.

The trains, tracks, platforms, and castles are like fish leaping out of the water, jumping out of the drawing paper and presenting three-dimensional figures, just like miniature model toys.

"We also need to make the train wheels turn...and the steam should feel like it's flowing..."