Harry Potter: From Muggle Cousin to Conceptual Archmage

The Iron - Capped Queen of Hogwarts took her seat on the throne. Professor McGonagall personally placed the crown on her head.

After a moment of thought, the Sorting Hat shouted, "Hufflepuff!"

Hannah Abbott quickly stepped down from the throne and left. Cheered on by the upper - year Hufflepuff students, she rushed towards the long Hufflepuff table.

Next, Professor McGonagall called the first - years one by one according to the list of first - years sorted by the initial letter of their last names. They ascended the throne, were crowned, sorted into a house, cheered, and then stepped down.

Before long, she called Dudley Dursley, whose last name started with 'D' and was relatively high on the list.

But Dudley didn't obediently step forward to take his place on the throne like the other first - years. He stared directly at the Sorting Hat not far away and used the special privilege that the general consciousness of Hogwarts had bestowed upon him not long ago.

"Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and I will be sorted last. Sort the other first - years first."

As soon as Dudley said this, the entire Great Hall fell silent.

This was an unprecedentedly audacious move. All the teachers and students at Hogwarts were stunned in surprise.

"You... You're... Wow! This is unheard of!"

In the silence, the Sorting Hat spoke in a very surprised, halting manner. "Alright! Since it's... your demand, I'm willing to comply."

The Sorting Hat agreed, but Professor McGonagall was not happy.

This vice - principal, known for her serious demeanor, was very dissatisfied with Dudley's repeated rule - breaking behavior. Although she had to admit that what Dudley had said to her in front of the castle gates just now made some sense.

"Dudley Dursley! Follow the rules! Hogwarts isn't your home! You can't do whatever you want!"

Professor McGonagall scolded him seriously, word by word.

Hearing this, Dudley just smiled and said, "Professor McGonagall, you didn't talk to us first - years like that in the room opposite the Great Hall just now."

Professor McGonagall's face froze. She suddenly remembered that in order to welcome the first - years, she had told them:

Hogwarts is everyone's home. Don't be nervous. Relax and wait for the Sorting.

But now, these words had become a handle for Dudley to use against her.

"You..." Professor McGonagall was at a loss for words.

Sitting on the high - seat, Dumbledore sensed the awkward atmosphere and Professor McGonagall's dilemma. He immediately spoke up to ease the conflict.

"Minerva, do as the Sorting Hat says. We should respect the treasures left by the four founders of Hogwarts."

Dumbledore's words were very clever. He didn't openly take Dudley's side. Instead, he used the status of the Sorting Hat to give Professor McGonagall an excuse to back down.

"Professor Dumbledore, you... Alright!"

Professor McGonagall didn't expect Dumbledore to say this. She understood what Dumbledore meant, that he was siding with Dudley.

At this moment, she even had the crazy idea that Dudley had cast the Imperius Curse on Dumbledore.

But this thought only stayed in her mind for a moment before being dismissed.

Because it was impossible.

It's really hard to tell what charm this unconventional kid, Dudley Dursley, has that can make her old partner, the greatest wizard in the wizarding world, so obedient.

Professor McGonagall sighed helplessly in her heart. She took the opportunity that Dumbledore gave her, picked up the list of first - years again, skipped Dudley's name, and continued with the Sorting.

"Justin Finch - Fletchley!"

In the still - lingering awkward silence, a boy stepped forward and sat on the four - legged stool. The Sorting Hat placed him in Hufflepuff House.

The familiar applause and cheers were sparse. Obviously, many people still couldn't understand how such an unexpected situation could be resolved so easily.

Especially those wizards who were taught a lesson by Dudley's magic whirlwind in front of the brick wall at Platform 9 3/4. They were still hoping that Professor McGonagall would take revenge for them!

But reality didn't develop as they wished.

Professor McGonagall calmed down and continued to call the next first - year's name:

"Hermione Granger!"

"Gryffindor!"

...

After that, as in the original story, after much hesitation, the Sorting Hat still placed Neville in Gryffindor.

However, unlike in the original story, where Malfoy was placed in Slytherin with a calm face before his head even touched the Sorting Hat, this time the Sorting Hat hesitated. Finally, it reluctantly placed Malfoy in Slytherin amidst his mumbling.

The result was the same, but the process had changed.

Then, Professor McGonagall called a few more first - year names. When it was Harry Potter's turn according to the list, Professor McGonagall looked up and glanced at Dudley with a hint of dissatisfaction, as if blaming Dudley for having a bad influence on his cousin.

But Professor McGonagall still skipped Harry Potter's name and continued with the next one.

According to the original list order, there were only three students left after Harry, and Ron was second from the last.

Ron didn't give the Sorting Hat any trouble and was smoothly placed in Gryffindor.

After Ron, the last first - year on the original list was placed in Slytherin. At this time, the double doors at the entrance of the Great Hall in the distance were quietly opened.

Out of the corner of his eye, Dudley noticed it and took a quick look. He noticed that it was Hagrid who had opened the door.

Hagrid had just fed raw meat to his two large pets and now it was his turn to come to the dining hall for a meal.

Hagrid picked the perfect time. The meal in the Great Hall hadn't started yet, and the Sorting of Dudley and Harry hadn't taken place. He slowly walked towards the faculty seats along the aisle on the left - hand side of the hall, deliberately making no sound so as not to disturb others.

"Dudley Dursley, Harry Potter, you two are the only ones left! Who goes first?"

Professor McGonagall lowered the arm with the list of first - years in her hand and impatiently urged.

"Harry, you go first!" Dudley said directly.

Hearing this, Harry didn't hesitate. He nodded to Dudley, stepped forward, and let Professor McGonagall place the Sorting Hat on his head.

At this moment, Hagrid also reached his seat among the faculty members and sat down. He watched Harry's Sorting in surprise. He had thought he would miss the Sorting Ceremony of his two friends!

Unexpectedly, he made it just in time!

"Gryffindor!"

The Sorting Hat hesitated for a moment and conferred with Harry in a low voice. Finally, it called out the name of Gryffindor.

Upon seeing Harry being sorted into Gryffindor, Ron, Hermione, and Neville, his three fellow students, as well as Hagrid, Dumbledore, and even Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor House, couldn't help smiling happily.

Down below, at the Gryffindor table, the Weasley twins, Fred and George, jumped up excitedly, puffing out their chests, encouraging the Gryffindor students to cheer for this moment.

However, less than 30% of them responded.

Harry took off the Sorting Hat and placed it back on the four - legged stool. He silently walked back to his original spot beside his cousin, instead of going directly to the Gryffindor table to find a seat as usual.

Dudley gently patted his cousin on the shoulder to comfort Harry and temporarily handed the Smelting stick he was holding to Harry for safekeeping.

Then, as the Sorting Hat screeched excitedly, Dudley walked towards it empty - handed.