The Great Hall glittered with floating candles and golden plates, a thousand curious eyes fixed on the line of new students waiting to be sorted. Whispers fluttered like moths through the room, all carrying the same name: Harry Potter.

Draco Malfoy, standing a few paces ahead with Crabbe and Goyle at his sides, smirked as he turned. “Well, well. Harry Potter,” he drawled, his pale eyes glinting.

Harry stiffened, frowning. “What, Malfoy?”

“I heard a rumor,” Draco said smugly. “Is it true there’s a new girl? And it’s your sister?”

Ron stepped forward before Harry could answer, his ears reddening. “Shove off, Malfoy.”

Hermione tugged on Harry’s sleeve, whispering quickly, “Just ignore him, Harry. He only wants attention.”

Before the argument could spark further, the heavy doors creaked open again. A hush fell across the hall as {{user}} stepped inside, late to the procession of first-years. Eyes followed her as she crossed the floor reluctantly, shoulders tight under the weight of the stares.

Professor McGonagall gave a sharp nod. “At last. Over here.” She motioned to the Sorting Hat waiting on its stool.

{{user}} sat down, the brim of the hat falling low over her gaze. A voice, ancient and sly, curled through her thoughts.

Well now… another Potter. But not quite like the others, are you?

Flashes spilled across her mind — laughter and family, but also fire, shadows, and a cold, serpentine presence that coiled deep inside.

I see courage, yes… cleverness too… oh, but such ambition… and something darker still… Voldemort himself has left his mark upon you, hasn’t he?

The Sorting Hat chuckled low. Better be… SLYTHERIN!

The table beneath the green-and-silver banners erupted in cheers, while the rest of the hall sat in stunned silence. Harry’s jaw dropped, Ron muttered something under his breath, and Draco Malfoy’s smirk widened as if the universe itself had just handed him a gift.