Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

Hogwarts seemed unreal.

Evelyn had absolutely no other way to describe it - simply unreal. Everything about her new school filled her with a sense of wonder. Honestly, how many kids could say that they went to school in a castle? Not only that, but a magical castle? In fact, just about everything up until this point seemed like a dream. Coming from a Muggle Family, this was all uncharted territory for her, and she kept being pleasantly surprised.

How could she not be happy? First she learns she's a witch and has magical capabilities. Then she learns there's an amazing far off school for her to hone her abilities. If you want to move past that, Evie could drone on all day about running through a brick wall at Platform 9 3/4, or how every painting in this school seemed alive. That was merely scratching the surface of what excited her - to recite it all would take far too long and she had far too little time to do so. The magical world simply seemed extraordinary, and she wanted to learn all she could about it.

"Evelyn Rowe!"

She heard her name called at last. She was lost in thought for a moment there, but that did bring her attention to one thing she certainly was also incredibly interested in. A hat, a living hat, which would sort her into one of the Houses here at Hogwarts. Evelyn tried to keep a composed demeanor as she approached the Sorting Hat, but she nearly bounced with every step.

As she took her seat, she glanced to the tables set out for each of the houses. They all seemed extraordinary to her, however she'd already decided that she had her mind set on one. Beaming, she placed her hands firmly, glancing up as the hat was set upon her head.

"Oh, aren't you an excitable one?"

She wasn't actually expecting it to, well, talk again. She knows she saw it before... but it was different when it was on your head, okay?

"I'm not sure if I've seen your family here before... this is all new for you! How exciting, but where to put you?" The hat mused. "There's certainly a desire to learn, very eager!"

Evelyn smiled up at the hat, trying to keep herself from bouncing.

"Just full of energy. Sociable, but stubborn. You've a desire to learn about the magical, and pride yourself on being quite clever..."

She giggled. Evelyn glanced at the other students at the ceremony. The hat wasn't exactly wrong - this was all amazing to her. And for that she wanted to learn as much about it as possible - at least on paper. She knows she wont always have the attention to sit down and study relentlessly every night, but she knew that she should be around the smartest witches and wizards in the school. That way she could learn the most about life away from Muggles. So of course she was going to be sent into Ravenclaw, which she heard was full of the most intelligent students at the school.

"Ravenclaw, eh?" The hat interrupted her train of thought. "Yes, you've a desire to learn but... are a bit aloof. And more than a bit naive..."

Evelyn's face quickly changed into a pout. "Hey!" She complains, glancing up.

"But you've got heart. Your desire to learn gives you an adventurous spirit. Maybe a bit reckless. So your house could only be..."

Here it comes.

"Gryffindor!"

Wait, what? Evelyn didn't exactly mind Gryffindor but... were they sure this wasn't a mistake? Clearly perplexed, Evelyn was ushered from the sorting hat over to the Gryffindor Table, full of her newfound housemates cheering for her. She gave a soft smile as she took her seat alongside her fellow Gryffindors. She knew there was no going back to change houses, she just wasn't certain. Could the hat get things wrong? No, of course it couldn't, it was magic. But still... no, she guessed it didn't matter right now. She'd do her best to fit in with her new house.

She'd certainly revisit her doubts later, but for now she was supposed to be happy. She quickly turned to the students closest to her. "Hi, I'm Evelyn," she smiled. "But you can just call me Evie."

It was all Anthea could do to stay still and keep in line with the rest of the students as they made their way down the center aisle of a magnificent hall. The floating candles were unreal, the bewitched sky even more awe-inducing, and even though Anthea had grown up around magic the sight still took her breath away. Finding herself staring up at the sky she almost ran into a student in front of her when the group came to a sudden halt before a stool with a dusty old hat - the hat she knew to be the Sorting Hat that would determine her Hogwarts house for the years to come. She was nervous, and she was fidgeting with the edge of the plain black robes she wore as the hat began it's strange song.

Shortly students waiting to be sorted were called up around her, and she watched as each student went before her, briefly looking up at the professors that were either watching with interest and curiosity or bored and picking at their finger nails. Finally, her name was called.

"Anthea Sinclaire!" She almost winced at her name, not moving straight away as she stared at the hat. Finally after a cough to her left she quickly scrambled to the stool, hoisting herself up onto it. The hat was placed on her head, the brim falling over her eyes obscuring her vision of the faces of the older students looking up at her. It gave her a sense of ease that she would not have to look at those that were staring at her.

The Sorting Hat was quiet, though she thought she could hear a faint humming sound. She felt herself frown and was about to take the thing off when she finally heard a voice. "You certainly care a great deal for the people you love, and there's so much passion behind what you do for them... but there is something else as well." Anthea listened, slightly puzzled, grabbing onto the sides of the stool. Wasn't this supposed to be easy? Anthea was supposed to be in Hufflepuff, just like her mother. It was as simple as that in Anthea's mind.

"Hmm yes, I can see it now. Such a thirst to prove yourself and stand up for what you believe. You will face challenges but you will overcome them with your strength and determination. Need courage for that. Better be - GRYFFINDOR!

The hat was pulled off her head, and Anthea stared out at the tables with her mouth ajar. Gryffindor? Her father's house? That can't be right! She must have heard wrong, but alas the table at the far end of the hall was clapping and cheering, and Anthea stood up with a feeling of numbness. She tried to smile as she walked stiffly over to the table, but upon seeing their open friendliness and acceptance she felt herself relax a little. After taking her seat, Anthea sat patiently while the rest of the students were sorted, thinking over the event that had just happened. Eventually she shrugged the feeling of numbness off; just because she was in her father's house didn't mean she couldn't look up to her mother still.

Over the course of the ceremony and the feast she felt herself acclimatize to the Gryffindors, and soon enough she felt at home with the red and gold colours, finally accepting that this was where she would be for her schooling term.

Rheolin's gaze wandered the Great Hall with a whirlwind of wonder and amazement - sheer awe.

Thousands upon thousands of candles floated through the air, illuminating the faces in the line of over a hundred first years. Four tremendously long tables filled the length of the Great Hall, each with its own banners flowing above it.
Deep red with a lion roaring, there was no mistaking Gryffindor's flag. Rheolin knew of all the houses, she wouldn't do as well in Gryffindor.
Yellow with a badger, Rheolin saw potential in Hufflepuff. It always took her longer to make friends than most, but when she did, they were steadfast. Hufflepuff seemed to suit her best.
Blue with an eagle - now that was odd. But it had to be Ravenclaw nonetheless. Rheolin was always told that it she wouldn't do in Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw would appeal to her quick-learning. Her older sister Rory was in Ravenclaw before she moved, and she thrived in its scholarly environment.
Green with a snake - Slytherin. Rheolin knew better than anyone not to judge, but the stories of Slytherin's infamy gave her chills. She realized that anyone with talent could do well in Slytherin, therefore most witches and wizards would fit, but over the years Slytherin became known as the House of Purebloods, and of cunning and trickery of the worst kind. She didn't want Slytherin.

A loud call shook her from her thoughts. "Rheolin Bane!"

Wanted this to be deleted.

I'd never thought I'd actually be here! Just a few months ago I would've thought I would be getting ready for regular school, buying school supplies and new trendy clothes but I'm actually at the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft! Getting to the train was easy, although my parents were pretty sketchy about the 9 3/4 situation. Since they were muggles I don't think they could get through but they didn't try, thankfully.

The train ride was excellent. Even though I sat by myself I still liked the view out the window of the countryside and especially the trolley that the witch pushed around. I think that everyone could somehow tell that I was a Muggleborn, which is what they call it, but I don't mind. I'm thinking too much about what I'm going to do here. All my books excite me just by looking at the titles. I always wanted to work with dragons and other amazing creatures so I was glad to the see the book about Fantastic Beasts.

Now I'm at the Sorting Hat ceremony, or whatever that is. I think that the school is split up in some type of way, maybe that's why the other students were talking about something like Gryffindor and Slytherin. I had no idea what they were talking about so I just minded my own business and at the treats I got from the trolley. Now I half regret eating so much because my stomach hurts a trifle while I wait with the other new students. It's a little scary seeing so many strange faces! I'm guessing the teachers are the adults who sit all the way in the front. They're very interesting to look at. The students are broken into four tables, each representing a different colour. My favorite color is green so I hope that I go sit over there.

A woman teacher tells us that we have to sit on the chair with a hat on it. The hat will be placed on our heads and it will speak while I think it reads our minds, telling us which House we'll go into. I think I get it now; Hogwarts is split into four Houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, the latter being the green table. I think I saw some people whisper when she said Slytherin but I didn't. I don't think that it's easy for a students to get hurt here, especially when they teachers probably know more magic than any of the pupils.

The Sorting Hat calls people's names out for them to come over. His voice is loud and kind of creepy, but that's only because he's a talking hat of all things. I only call it a him because he has a man voice. It's a long wait until he gets to me.

"AMBER WESTCOTT!!!" he thunders loudly.

I wince and hurry over before he says something unnecessary, which he sounds liked he'd do. When I'm sitting underneath someone places the hat onto my head and it immediately blocks my vision. Now all I see is the fabric of the old hat.

"Why, what do we have here...? Ah, you're born from Muggles. Aren't you special?" I wipe my sweaty palms across my cloak and swallow, but stay silent. "Well, let's not dilly dally...so many touching memories...so many... dull memories, oh, the worst kind. Didn't you do anything significant for the pass eleven years? Of course not, what can you expect from a Muggle." I feel my face heat up.

"That's bloody rude -" I began but I hush up, remembering where I am. I just shrug instead.

"I'm only humoring you, child. Muggles are very...interesting creatures, if I do say so myself. But I do admire that spunk. I'm afraid that rules out Hufflepuff, maybe even Ravenclaw. You're barely average in muggle school, what says you'd do well here? So it's between brave Gryffindor and sly Slytherin, the most glorious rivals of the century, or is it centuries ."

He ponders for a while, contemplating. He asks me a few questions and we talk about some things that happened in my life, mostly minor things. Then he asks me the worst question I could think of at the moment, or any moment.

"And how is your grandmother?"

I gasp but then I quickly retort angrily, but in a hushed voice, "Don't you talk about her, you know what happened! You're probably leeched onto my brain like t-the parasite you a-are! She's dying, that's what." I feel hot tears roll down my cheeks. I go from furious to solemn. "I miss her so much, but I don't think she's going to live for long, " I whisper. The hat stays quiet while I sniffle.

Then I clench my fists. "But I won't let her die. I will learn magic, I will do my best to be good at it and I will save her, I will! She won't die, not if I can do something about it." The Hat chuckled, which tickled my ear. I wasn't very loud but I think the woman heard my crying because she placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Is everything alright?" she asks. I nod. "Well then, Hat, I'd prefer to be on schedule so if you'd hurry...?"

"OH, of course, pardon me, I was just trying to decide which House was right for the young lady." The teacher made a sound and walked away.

"Now, I think it's quite clear, yes. You're brave, vigilant, and you don't let anyone or anything stand in your way. That's something to be admired and proud of, and for that reason, I say - GRYFFINDOR!!!" .

The table with red immediately erupts into loud cheers and whoops. I stand up, taking the hat off, and can't help but grin, even though I'm not in the House I originally wanted. It feels really good for people to appreciate you, even if it's for a small reason. I proudly stride over to the red table, glancing once at the Slytherins. It wasn't just their color but what I've heard about them. I wish I were as clever and resourceful as them but maybe Gryffindor is for the best. And the teacher had said that the Sorting Hat was always right.

Glen was nervous. He knew it was absurd (he definitely had magic) but that didn't stop him from wanting to vibrate out of skin. What if he wouldn't get sorted? Or get sorted wrongly? Both questions were ridiculous as he was a wizard and his family wouldn't care no matter which house he ended up in but still, he couldn't not worry about it. At least he wasn't the only one nervous (scared even) to be sorted. One of the others to be sorted looked decidedly green.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to relax. If all else failed, he could go back to muggle school – not that he wanted to. Muggle school was boring. Shaking his head at himself he wondered what Amy would say if she could see her big brother right now. She'd probably call him an idiot – granted, she did that a lot … she loved that word.
Thinking of Amy he slowly relaxed. He could do this. He was nervous over nothing. Well, not nothing. It was a new school and a whole lot new people but that was something to worry about after.

“Pope, Glen.”

He jumped slightly as his name was called out and stumbled the first steps towards the sorting hat before he caught himself again. The hat was a good deal too big for his head and dropped down to obscure his vision.

“Hmm... let's see. Hmm... I guess you better be SLYTHERIN.”

He returned the hat and practically ran towards the Slytherin Table and sat down next to the other first-years that had already been sorted.

Carmen watched as each student was sorted. Soon it would be her sitting up on that stool at the front of the hall as each silent student watched her as the next seven years were determined for her. Her mother's words rang back in her ear, "Try to get in Slytherin it will look good for the family." Of course, it's like her mother to worry more about her family's reputation more than her actual family. Then there was the second part of what she said, the thing that worried Carmen most. "Your brother Matthew managed to do it you can too." Her mother had a tendency to disown her children for things they can't control. She disowned Robert, Carmen's brother when she thought he might be a squib. Would she love Carmen less if she wasn't sorted into Slytherin or what if Carmen was sorted into Hufflepuff her mother had specifically told her not to get sorted into Hufflepuff? "Just don't get into Hufflepuff. The whole lot of them is Mudbloods and Blood-Traitors."
"Halloway, Carmen" Carmen took a deep breath in hiding any sign of weakness. She will not look scared. Holding her head high, she walked to the front of the Great Hall and took a seat on the stool, with the posture of a queen.
"Hmm," the hat said as it was placed on her head. "Prideful and ambitious but also curious and clever." Please put me into Slytherin; Slytherin is the house where my future has the best possible outcome. If something happens and Pure-Bloods are thrown into power again I will look very good having been from a Pure-Blood family and being sorted into Slytherin. The Slytherin teachers will be prideful too their sure to treat me better because of their pride in the house.
The hat chuckles a bit before calling out to the crowd, "Ravenclaw!"

Elora stood nervously among the other first years. Although her parents explained how she would be sorted, she was still nervous. After all, it isn't every day that the people that you would spend the most time with for seven years were decided.

She fiddled with the hem of her cloak and looked around the small room they were being held in. A few other kids were talking to each other, presumably because they knew each other or met on the train. But most were like her, pasty white faces, slightly scared looks on their face, and fiddling with part of their uniform.

Minutes ticked by, and Elora had still not seen any other adult then the large man who brought them in here, Hagrid. Although it was still early, Elora was starting to get tired. Her dirty blonde hair fell in front of her grey-blue eyes and glasses, covering her freckles as she let her head fall forwards.

However, this wouldn't work as her glasses slipped off the bridge of her nose and fell with a small 'clink' on the floor. Jolted back awake by this Elora reached down and picked her glasses up, her face flushing red from unwanted attention. Quickly, she dusted them off and settled them back on the tip of her nose and proceeded to look down at her feet in embarrassment.

The next few minutes passed in a blur. Suddenly, the large door in the front of the room opened and Elora glanced up. "I am Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House. The start of term banquet will begin shortly. However, before you can join your classmates at your respective table, you will be sorted into a House. The House you are sorted in to will determine who you share a table with, what common room you're in, who you share classes with, and what dormitory you sleep in. Any triumphs will earn you House points, while rule-breaking will cause you to lose points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup. Now, the four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. That is all, you will learn more after the sorting. Now, follow me." Professor McGonagall turned on her heel and beckoned them to follow. The sound of rustling cloaks and echoing footsteps filled the small hall as the first years left the small hall.

The students stood in the space between the tables. A hat was brought up to the stool at the front and began to sing. By this, Elora was not surprised as her parents had explained this all. She zoned out, staring at the enchanted ceiling.

~ a few minutes pass ~


After someone with the last name, Riley has been sorted it's Elora's turn. "Rook, Elora!" But she doesn't hear her name being called being too busy trying to figure out how they enchanted it. "Rook, Elora..?" Elora is shaken out of her chance and hastily moves forward through the throng of students to sit on the stool.

"Ah, a Rook. Yes, I know your parents. Markus Rook, a Slytherin, and Eleanor Deity, a Hufflepuff. An interesting combination of people, but they work together nonetheless. Now, on to your sorting. Hmm..Ah. A difficult one. You have great care in your heart, I do see that. But it is tainted by..bullying? In your younger years? Pity..Clever mind as well, you like to invent things? But Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are not your places. You are quite brave and loyal as well. But your anxiety...But you are ambitious. Difficult...As you know Gryffindor and Slytherin aren't so different. The brave are ambitious, a trait that Slytherin favors. And Gryffindors are strong leaders due to their loyalty, as are Slytherins. Perhaps..No. Slytherin is not the place for you. So it better be..."
"Gryffindor!"

Loud applause erupts from a table second from the left. Elora smiled nervously and took off the hat, placing it on the stool. She walked with slightly shaky legs to the Gryffindor table and sat down next to a random person and watched the rest of the Sorting.

Rowan bounced on the balls of her feet, wishing she was just a little bit taller so that she could see over the obnoxiously tall boy who seemed determine to stand directly in front of her, no matter where she moved. Jerk. But even someone standing in her way couldn't ruin her excitement. She was finally here! She'd been waiting forever to get to Hogwarts, and she was finally here! Someone could have punched her in the stomach, and she probably would have laughed it off.

It seemed to take forever for them to get to her name, and she was supposedly early on in the alphabetical order thing. Her mum had been a Gryffindor, and her dad had been Hufflepuff, and she desperately wanted to know where she belonged. Would she be like one of per parents, or would she be making her own path? If she and her brother ended up in Ravenclaw and Slytherin, then they would have the whole set in their family. But Theo was a total Hufflepuff, and she wasn't overly keen on being in Slytherin. So much for that idea.

Finally, her name was called, and she made her way up to the Sorting Hat, strangely aware of the entire hall's eyes on her. She generally didn't care whether or not people watched her, but this felt weirdly intimate, like it was something she was supposed to be experiencing on her own. The hat was placed on her head, and a voice whispered in her ear, causing her to jump, even though her mother had warned her to anticipate it. Even when you were warned, a hat that talked to you was still super weird. And even more weird when it seemed to read your mind. She was totally going to make a big thing about this for Theo when he got to Hogwarts in four years. Nothing better than terrifying your little brother.

It seemed to take forever for the stupid hat to make a decision, and the longer it went on, the more awkward it seemed to be for her to just be sitting there, waiting, everyone watching her. But finally, the Hat got to the point...

"GRYFFINDOR!"

Her face broke into a grin. Just like her mum! She quickly pulled the hat from her head, not even waiting for anyone else pull it from her, and she raced down to the Gryffindor table, ready to make some new friends and get this whole Hogwarts thing going.

Jeronimo nervously glanced around. He scratched his hair and licked his lips. The boy didn't know what to think. After all, it had only been a few years since he found out about the world of magic. And even then, his mother didn't like interacting with that world. Jeronimo had always imagined some very strange things when he pictured this place, and he was simultaneously taken aback and not surprised.

There were candles floating in an endless ceiling, where ancient stone walls stretched into a warm darkness. Because of course the ceiling was missing. Unnecessarily long tables stretched down the Great Hall, where older students sat, watching the first-years with amusement. Jeronimo found himself smiling sheepishly at them.

He watched people go to the Hat, some whom he recognized from the train, some who were unfamiliar to him. Jeronimo fidgeted, shifting from foot to foot as he watched the herd thin out.

"Jeronimo! Khan!"

Jeronimo cleared his throat and looked left to right before ascending the stairs. He could hear the other students chatting and introducing themselves to their House. He sat on the old stool and felt the Sorting Hat lightly touch his hair.

"Ahh... yes.... Hm..." the Hat croaked, "Not Slytherin, no... You lack ambition... Hm..."

Jeronimo twitched. "I mean, I don't know about-"

"And cowardly," the rude headwear continued, "You not only avoid danger, you avoid the concept of it. Not Gryffindor. But... hm... yes... a fierce loyalty. A Hufflepuff, perhaps?"

Jeronimo shrugged, his eyes cast down.

"Hufflepuff? Is that the badger one?"

"Such inanity," the Sorting Hat continued, ignoring him completely, "a lie. You hide... a thirsty mind. A thirsty and powerful mind. Yes, yes. Took some digging, mind. You hide it well. In fact, you may be fit for Slytherin indeed-"

"Erm, rather not that one, actually," the boy whispered, moving his lips as little as he could.

"Hm... very well," the Sorting Hat said. Jeronimo could feel the withered hat nodding on his head. "Ravenclaw!"