The sorting ceremony, proceeding alphabetically by surname, progressed swiftly. Waters was positioned right after Potter and before Weasley.

Hermione was called up soon enough, scurrying to the Gryffindor table much to Ron's visible disappointment.

When Harry Potter's name was announced, the Great Hall erupted into chaos, as if someone had stirred up a giant cauldron.

Just as in the original plot, Orli observed as the Sorting Hat deliberated at length before finally placing Harry in Gryffindor. Her anxiety resurfaced as she silently practiced her Occlumency, causing her head to throb once more.

Only three students remained unsorted now. Hundreds of eyes in the Great Hall seemed fixed upon them. Ron's cheeks had taken on a sickly green hue, while Orli wasn't faring much better - when called to the platform, her calves were seized with uncontrollable cramps.

She couldn't even recall how she'd donned the hat, but when awareness returned, it was already murmuring inside her mind.

#Sorting Hat "Oh, such powerful desires... No, Hufflepuff wouldn't suit you... Ah yes, a Waters, exceptional talent in potions... Slytherin? Don't you fancy the dungeons beneath the lake?... Ravenclaw... Perhaps Ravenclaw is right, wait, there seems to be a little surprise lurking in your mind..."

Orli's fists clenched instantly in tension. She wasn't certain of the hat's mind-reading capabilities, but several scenes from the original movies flashed unbidden through her mind - Harry confronting Voldemort with raised wand, Neville drawing the Sword of Gryffindor...

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##Orli "Stop! Stop!"

Orli desperately employed her Occlumency, feeling a consciousness being expelled from her mind like wet mud. Her headache intensified, as if a steel spoon was violently stirring her brain.

#Sorting Hat "Oh, fear not, child. I mean you no harm. After all, every young girl harbors her little fantasies about heroes, doesn't she?"

The hat chuckled mischievously in Orli's ear, prattling on endlessly.

#Sorting Hat "Was that James Potter and Frank Longbottom? Seems like only yesterday I sorted them... Such a tragedy about those two fine young men... Their sons are among this year's first-years, my, how time flies..."

It took Orli several seconds to realize that the Sorting Hat had mistaken the seventh-year Harry and Neville in her mind for their fathers. This brought her momentary relief.

But swiftly, events spiraled beyond her expectations. The Sorting Hat pronounced with unwavering certainty:

#Sorting Hat "Well then, a stubborn girl who stays true to herself and admires heroes..."

##Orli "Wait, something's not right..."

Orli rushed to interrupt, but too late. The next instant, the Sorting Hat proclaimed to the entire hall:

#Sorting Hat "Orli Waters, GRYFFINDOR!"

The verdict struck her like lightning from a clear sky, leaving her thoroughly stunned and frozen in place.

Only when Professor McGonagall gave her shoulder a gentle nudge did she snap back to reality, rising stiffly from the chair and practically yanking off that treacherous hat.

While enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the Gryffindor table, Orli fought through her pounding headache to make her way down, barely managing to settle into the empty seat between Harry and Hermione. She stared vacantly at the house banner above, with its ketchup-and-chips color scheme.

#Harry "Are you alright?"

Harry turned to check on the dazed Orli, but his attention was quickly drawn to Ron, who had just taken his place on the sorting stool.