Hogwarts Raven

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"Because Ravenclaw is the most suitable house for him!" The Sorting Hat quickly screamed, "No one is more suited to Ravenclaw than him. I've waited a thousand years to find Ravenclaw's heir, a mission entrusted to me by Godric Gryffindor!"

His words did not satisfy Snape.

"Ravenclaw got the most students this year."

Unexpectedly, Snape had even been keeping count of this.

"Those are just students! Just students! You don't understand Ravenclaw! You haven't seen her grace in her time! In a thousand years, no one has been worthy of becoming her true Apprentice!"

The Sorting Hat's words caused both Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall's expressions to change slightly.

Professor McGonagall's eyes narrowed slightly.

Dumbledore's eyes behind his glasses flickered with a few more thoughts. They both understood the true meaning of an Apprentice.

It was the inheritance of a legacy.

An ancient wizard's relationship is like that of father and son— as the Sorting Hat said, there could be many students, but an Apprentice was different. 

Wizards would only take in those children who, in their exploration and pursuit of magic, they felt could go further than themselves, so that after their passing, the Apprentice could carry their knowledge to see even farther horizons.

"Are you saying that the boy named Ian has the talent to become Lady Ravenclaw's Apprentice?" Professor McGonagall's expression showed a hint of incredulous shock.

"Of course!" The Sorting Hat responded loudly.

"He and Rowena Ravenclaw share the same qualities, qualities none of you possess! Even you, Dumbledore, are lacking in this aspect!"

The Sorting Hat's loud proclamation made Snape frown tightly.

"Shut up!"

He didn't want the Sorting Hat to continue speaking.

"How can you say that about Dumbledore..." Professor McGonagall also stepped forward to refute the Sorting Hat. It wasn't that she wanted to defend Dumbledore's unshakable authority.

But given the current situation.

Only Dumbledore could likely save the Sorting Hat.

If the Sorting Hat were really taken to the young wizards' dung heap and smeared with a potion that made the smell linger forever, it wouldn't just be the Sorting Hat suffering.

She, McGonagall, was the one who presided over the Sorting of new students every year!

"Professor Snape, Professor McGonagall, let it continue... Do you really think I'm so petty as to compare anything with a young wizard?"

Dumbledore stopped Snape's actions and also helplessly shook his head at Professor McGonagall. Then, with a hint of curiosity, he looked at the Sorting Hat in Snape's hand.

"I still maintain that the Sorting Hat's judgment is never wrong. In fact, I agree with its words. At Ian's age, I couldn't yet improve and create magic."

Dumbledore's words caused Professor McGonagall's pupils to slightly contract.

"An unenrolled new student? Creating magic?" McGonagall looked incredulous.

"..."

Snape's expression also abruptly stiffened.

Damn it!

'Didn't Ian say that it was Dumbledore's bird that played around with him, almost plucking out his eyes? How did creating and improving magic come into this?'

"That child..." Professor McGonagall's voice trembled slightly as she spoke. She certainly understood the implications of Dumbledore's words. At the same time, she recalled who Ian had been standing next to during the Sorting.

A young wizard of extraordinary talent.

Standing next to a young Grindelwald.

Professor McGonagall didn't want to speculate about Hogwarts' young wizards with malice, but the unavoidable worry welling up in her heart made her nervously look at Dumbledore.

And this was exactly what Snape didn't want to see.

His lips were tightly bitten.

Perhaps he was regretting his decision to question the Sorting Hat.

"There's no need to worry, they are all good children, Professor McGonagall. We should have a bit more confidence in our students." Dumbledore's tone was gentle as he spoke.

However, some subtle emotions within were imperceptible to others, "If we treat them as villains to guard against from the start, how can we help them stay away from the mire of evil?"

This was a very reasonable statement.

"Apologies, it seems that my mindset was the problem." Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement.

Snape secretly let out a breath.

He already wanted to throw away the Sorting Hat in his hand.

However, "Dumbledore, I'm not saying your magical talent is lacking! Of course, that little one's magical talent is also amazing, but that's not the reason he should be in Ravenclaw."

The Sorting Hat continued to prattle on, seemingly trying to persuade everyone.

"Stop going around in circles with me!" Snape sternly reprimanded.

"It's you who went on and on, how can you blame me?" The Sorting Hat said aggrievedly.

Seeing that everyone present was growing impatient, this always chattering, chatterbox-like hat also dared not continue to challenge human patience.

"It's the attitude towards knowledge!" The Sorting Hat shouted succinctly.

"Every Ravenclaw young wizard possesses a thirst and attitude for knowledge." Professor McGonagall looked puzzled, feeling this wasn't a very convincing reason.

Snape and Dumbledore clearly also thought similarly.

However, compared to Snape's growing impatience, Dumbledore continued to listen attentively.

"I'm not talking about that mediocre pursuit and desire. Look at you all, that's why I said you don't understand her. That's why she lived her entire life in unrecognized loneliness."

The Sorting Hat's voice carried a hint of sadness as if its tone had changed slightly at this moment.

"For a thousand years, all Ravenclaw students, though intelligent and sharp, Ravenclaw's most unique trait was never her desire and pursuit of knowledge."

The Sorting Hat seemed to be reminiscing, also sighing and lamenting.

"Standing at the peak of wisdom, what one needs is never diligence, pride, intelligence, or effort, but... that naked arrogance towards knowledge."

Its words caused everyone to pause slightly.

But it did not stop.

"Yes, Ian possesses this quality. He makes me feel as if I'm seeing the Rowena of old. They both have a single characteristic towards knowledge... their sufficient arrogance!"

"It is knowledge that chases them, becoming the path beneath their feet."

"Do not question my judgment. My decision is absolutely correct!"

The Sorting Hat's wrinkled face turned towards Snape.

Its words rang out resoundingly.

"Ian Prince, he is the most correct Ravenclaw. I admit, Slytherin might lead him to glory, but only Ravenclaw can help him achieve greatness!" 

(End of chapter)