315 Don't hat-e yourself...

The hall watches with anticipating as Mcgonagall stares at the last two students needing to be sorted. Albus Dumbledore stands up and decides to introduce them...

"As you all must have noticed we have two guests joining us today. For the first time in centuries Hogwarts will be gaining two new transfer students, they hail from the colonies in Greenland I am told and were highly praised by the Minister of magic himself. Most of you already know of Ciri Rivia, a woman with an exceedingly rare talent of solving trouble where it finds her, along with her companion Reima Ludvig. As this goes along with the theme of international cooperation this year, would you all give a hand to our guests." he says with his eyes glittering.

Most people starts clapping, some more enthusiastically than others while a few didn't clap at all, after the applause gives way Mcgonagall clears her throat.

"Ahem! Ciri Rivia, would you please take a seat?" she asks while gesturing towards the stool. Ciri glances at Reima before stepping forwards, as she isn't too tall she manages to make herself look atleast semi-presentable. Her eyes close as the sorting hat is placed over her head.

"Hmm, girl. You've been practising the mind arts, but it seems it wasn't enough." a voice says in her head, causing her eyes to snap open to look for the person speaking to her.

"No you silly girl, I'm on your head." it says, making he realise it's the hat...

"If you know my thoughts, then you know your fate should you reveal my secrets." she thinks to herself, hoping the hat can hear her thoughts.

The hat chuckles not only inside her mind, "Do not worry, there are protections in place to prevent breeches of privacy. But I have to say, you are the most unique person I've ever been atop." he says while chuckling further.

"Sort me then." she prods, hoping to get this over with before the hat finds out about her more "intimate" moments .

"Oh, you mean with this Mistle girl? Hehehe, it seems you've got quite a mouth on you."

"Stop and LEAVE." she mentally shouts at the hat, unconsciously utilising Occlumency to push him out.

"Fine, I've already seen enough." he says reluctantly, still wishing to revel in the memories of another world. "GRYFFINDOR!" it shouts, causing the table to erupt into cheers while a worried Hermione looks at a livid Harry. Ciri takes the hat off and lays it back on the stool, glancing at Reima before taking seat at the end of the Gryffindor table, the people around her already asking many questions, a few even trying to flirt with her.

Dumbledore scratches his bearded chin, surprised at her placement. With all that had happened he had assumed she'd be in Slytherin, maybe this is for the better however...

Mcgonagall clears her throat yet again, "Reima Ludvig." The hall quietens as he approaches the stool, unlike Ciri, he was much taller and found it difficult to sit on the stool, the almost comedic scene of an almost adult man sitting in a stool many sizes too small for him caused some to laugh and sneer at him. Ignoring this he allows Mcgonagall to place the hat over his head while waiting for the voice to appear. And so he waits... And waits... And waits.

A minute passes and he continues to hear nothing, maybe the hats broken. He suddenly hears a voice and thanks whatever god is watching over him for the assistance.

"Boy, lower your shields or I can't sort you." the sorting hat says aloud, causing many to raise an eyebrow at it...

Reima's hope of semi-anonymity quickly washes away as he realises the hat had revealed his skill in Occlumency, an obscure art that took decades to master...

Inwardly panicking he creates a space without any protects in his mind while delving inside to talk in private with it.

Inside his mentally created space he sees some sort of glowing orb hovering nearby him, it moves from here to there looking for something before eventually stopping in-front of him.

A familiar voice comes out of it, "Good one, lock all your memories elsewhere and continue to prevent me to sort you. How on earth do you expect for me to do my job if you continue to belligerently block my attempts."

Reima "I'd rather you not go prying, I suspect you won't find what you're looking for."

Hat "And what do you suppose I'm looking for, boy?"

Reima "Secrets for you to relay to that old man." he states.

The glowing orb laughs in his face... Or shines? It's hard to tell with it looking like the god who had sent him here. "You think Albus would attempt to modify my functions?!? Don't make me laugh! The man is the most principled headmaster we've ever had, even making the likes of Godric Gryffindor look like a schoolyard bully in comparison."

...

Reima "Er, what?" this wasn't how the fanfictions he had read in the past described Dumbledore... Wasn't he supposed to be, you know, evil? Maybe this is just a ploy to gain his trust...

His confusion apparently allowing the hat to read his surface thoughts, it simply replies "Regardless of your views on Dumbledore, I need access to your memories to sort you. If not then you better find another school!"

...

Reima grumbles at the limited options he has... Youknow what, fine! But if it's going to force him to show his memories, he might as well have fun with it...

Reima gives a toothy grin, causing the orb to visible shudder. He delves into he memories and pulls out his fight against the Demon army of Izalith.