Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

Hestia fidgeted with her robes as she watched all the other first years get sorted. She wasn't listening to their names, only their houses. Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff. Oh how she longed to be in Slytherin, just like her dad. She stared at the green and silver table, her nerves twisting her stomach, her heart pounding in her chest. She almost missed her name, taking a full second to realize she'd been called up there. She rushed up to the stool the hat was placed on and sat down, slowly placing the sorting hat atop her head. Slytherin, please be Slytherin... She thought to herself. "No no no," the Sorting Hat said. "Slytherin is all wrong for you." Her face fell and she stole another glance at the table she had so wished to sit at. "Hufflepuff maybe, you're loyal and value hard work but..." The sorting hat paused in it's decision making and Hestia's heart sunk. She couldn't be in Hufflepuff, not if she wanted to be like her dad. She bit her lip and waited in silence for the Sorting hat to make it's decision. "RAVENCLAW" it finally called, and the blue and silver table erupted into cheers. She stared at the table in awe, slowly leaving the stage after putting the hat back onto the stool. She couldn't be a Ravenclaw, could she? She wasn't bookish in the slightest. Surely there had been a mistake somewhere. Heart pounding, Hestia made her way to the table and found a spot to sit down.

It was the sheer amount of people all gathered in the Great Hall that threw Adalacia off, growing up on a farm in the middle of nowhere put her at a bit of a disadvantage she supposed; considering she didn't have the slightest clue on how to start making friends. As a heavily shy first year she stood at the back of the crowd, huddled in between two chatting girls that didn't seem to give her a second glance and listening to the Headmaster of Hogwarts talk about the differing houses and realizing that she'd soon be sorted into one of them - her home for the next seven years. Her parents hadn't talked much about Hogwarts, opting instead to teach her as much about magic as possible without bringing the magical school into the picture; she didn't know why, but she figured it might have something to do with her grandparents, Mr and Mrs. Podmore, Slytherins until the day they die. 

She didn't know what her mum had been when she attended Hogwarts many years ago, but her father on occasion would pull out his Gryffindor robes and a few of his Quidditch trophies, just to show off for her and her little brother. 

The sorting hat (it was strange to see an animated hat, but her mother's charm spells out trumped anything she'd ever experience so it wasn't as surprising to her as it was to some of the half-bloods and muggle born children milling around her.) sang of Gryffindor as daring and brave, Hufflepuffs loyalty and patience, Ravenclaws with their wisdom and wit... lastly was Slytherin, the cunning and determined of the lot. Adalacia was only sure of one thing... she truly didn't feel like she fit any of those houses. She wasn't brave, or patient, smart or even cunning; she was just Adalacia Valerie-Skye Podmore. Daughter of Gertrude and Charles Podmore, older sister to Judd Podmore. Lover of magical creatures and books. 

Then it was time for the hat to call her name.

"Adalacia Podmore!" 

It even pronounced her name right.

She figured the most terrifying thing she'd ever been through was when she was nine and a Hippogriff decided she wasn't worth it's time; if it wasn't for her father she would've been trampled. But this, walking up to the sorting hat in front of all these people really took the cake, there could have been a hundred or a thousand... it really didn't matter to her, the fear was slightly paralyzing. Nonetheless she made it up to the chair, hoisting herself up in it and feeling the old leather hat being placed on her head gently, it's weathered straps falling past her shoulders. 

"Hmmmm...." It whispered to her, pondering. "Very interesting, a heart and a brain that don't quite get along I see..." Adalacia really didn't know what it meant by that, but she assumed it couldn't be all too good. "You're quite the smart little thing, likes to get her way no matter what. But you're true at heart, and never give in when you believe in what's right.... so..."

"Gryffindor!" The cheering and hollering was instantaneous from the Gryffindor table, and despite her initial fear, and doubt in the house the hat had placed her in Adalacia couldn't help but smile gently as she hopped off the chair, joining the people she'd be calling family for the next seven years of her life. 

Ryan knew exactly which house she wanted to be in. Slytherin house had a bad reputation, and she didn't want people thinking she was going to turn into a dark witch, besides, she had heard most Slytherins were bullies and full of themselves, and that wasn't company she wanted to keep. Griffindor had a reputation for being brave, strong, and resilient, traits that Ryan simply did not possess. She was a bit of a coward, and avoided conflict whenever possible. Hufflepuff... maybe it wasn't a bad second choice, but it also had a reputation for being a left over house, filled with people who simply were not brave,clever, or cunning. So when her name is called, shes hoping beyond hope that the hat will place her where she wants to go. She sits on the stool, and the hat is placed on her head. She nearly gasps when she hears a voice in her head, still new to magic and never having heard a hat speak before. 

"Well... you're quite sure where you want to go aren't you? Heh... you certainly have the brains for it, and you'd fit in quite well there. I see no reason not to put you there, so off you go to RAVENCLAW."

She smiles and sighs, relieved to be in the house she wanted to enter. She takes the hat off her head and sets it on the stool before walking over and taking a seat at the ravenclaw table. She'd honestly never been happier.

Ash couldn't believe that he was at Hogwarts. He'd seen the school for afar many times; he'd seen new students arrive at the Hogsmeade station, full of joy and drive. Now it was his turn. When the doors to the Great Hall opened, he made his way to the front. Everyone was watching him walk to the dais... Ash was never one to want the attention on him. He'd prefer to do the watching. Taking a seat in the Hall could only happen, though, after being sorted. 

"Mr. Cole." His named had been announced. It was time.

"Mr. Cole. I remember when your parents were here. They were a bit distracted I might say... I was right with them. And, I'll be right with you."

"Ugh..." Ash thought to himself. "Why did the hat have to bring up my parents? They left me four years ago... When will I ever escape them?" 

The hat was lowered onto him...

"Ravenclaw." The Sorting Hat was exciting and definitive in its choice. The Hat had barely touched his head.

"What? No explanation?!?" Ash pondered as he walked towards the Ravenclaw table. Excited to say the least! He now had a home, a family... He was starting his adventure! 

Nevertheless, he was disappointed. He had heard others tell of poetic musings the Hat made as it sorted new students. He'd hoped for his own. He'd hoped for a message, a calling, a purpose, an insight, a something... He'd hoped for more...

Lucas was convinced that he had gone crazy. He thought that maybe he was in a coma or something and that all of this was just some sort of strange yet awesome dream but even he couldn’t have made the whole thing up. A couple of months ago, any mention of magic or wizardry would have been considered a myth but now, he was a wizard himself. He had no idea how he was one; from what he knew, his father was not a wizard and his mum certainly wasn’t either. The whole situation unnerved him. He had never been away from his mum for long and now he was to live in a strange place with a bunch of strangers with the occasional spell here and there.

Wandering through the giant wooden doors of the great hall, Lucas had to take a moment to comprehend the wondrous sights. Four long tables seating countless students; a row of what seemed like professors at the front; floating candles bobbing overhead; and the ceiling… He was awestricken. Shimmering lights in the shape of people drifted by. Were they…. ghosts?

A man stood at the front, greeting them and explaining about the school before a hat was placed on a stool. A hat that began to sing. Lucas tried his best to hold in a laugh; a singing hat just seemed so strange to him. Once the hat finished its serenade, people’s names were being called one by and being sorted into houses. Lucas had no idea which house was the best one to be in. What if he got put in a bad one?

“Lucas Robinson!” the professor shouted.

Gulping, Luke slowly emerged from the crowd and allowed the hat to be placed on his head. Looking at all of the people in front of him made him feel even worse, wondering which would become his ‘second family’. The hat wriggled and mumbled though Lucas was too preoccupied to fully understand what it was saying until “GRYFFINDOR!” was announced.

Was that good? He wasn’t entirely sure. The hat was removed from his head as he made his way towards the table of his new house, shyly smiling at the people he sat beside.

Kreszentia stood amongst the other first years, not exactly being able to see past most of them to watch student after student being sorted by the magically sentient hat. She could hear well enough, but wasn't familiar enough with the process to care about it all too much to begin with. She kept her head low, but scanned the other children around her with her eyes as she idly mulled over the events of the past few months in her head.
She hadn't asked to come here. It wasn't an interest of hers in the beginning, and her parents thrill when she received her letter was what really made the decision to attend. At first, she tried to give it a chance. After all, a school of magic with other kids in her position could be good for her, maybe. But, as she progressed through her journey to become a student of wizardry, the entirety of the world she once barely knew became...a lot.
From the purchase of her wand, to the very notion of phasing through a solid wall to get on the train here was what she could only describe as ridiculous. Surely, she thought, wizards and witches didn't really go through all this fantastical nonsense just to go to school, right? How wrong she was...

"Kreszentia M-"

Her surname was barely started before she hurriedly slipped past her peers to march over to the stool. She plopped firmly into place and looked to her boots as the hat was gingerly set atop her little head. She felt them adjust, and tensed immediately.

"Ah. Ms. Moss, there's no need to be nervous. It is but a sorting, after all! There are friends to be made and learning abound!'" The Hat chimed, earning no outward response from the young witch. For a few seconds they were both quiet, until the Sorting Hat flinched somewhat to something she had not spoken out loud. "...Ms. Moss, there's no need to assume such things. I intend to put you somewhere you will benefit the most! Do understand there is method to this madness." They explained. Kreszentia's hands balled into extremely tight fists, her gloves preventing her nails from digging into her skin, and her eyes closed. She huffed, from nerves or frustration was anyone's guess.
The Sorting Hat pondered a moment, imitating a sigh as they muttered traits and options to themselves. Krez could only remain perfectly still while they considered.
"I think I've got it, and I'm sure you'll agree with my decision once you settle in." The Hat finally announced.



Her eyes shot open as the verdict startled her back into reality. She looked back at the hat questioningly when they removed them from her head, but she was only ushered off the seat and to her respective table with no explanation to satisfy her.
Not knowing what to really expect from any of the other gryffindors, Krez just picked a random place at the table without a word and sat there. Head down and hands in her lap, she made no moves to interact with other students first and instead found herself lost in her anxious thoughts.

This was going to be a long year.

Aliea shifted in silence, nervous but excited. Her mother has told her about the Sorting Ceremony before. Aliea had no idea what house she wanted to be sorted into. Her family wasn't the strong type to have a tradition to have the same house as their predecessors, so she didn't have to worry about that. There were still several students before her turn. 
Aliea, being the curious girl she is, looks around the Great Hall. It is so crowded. There are four, amazingly long tables set, two by two on each side. Aliea knew which table was which, thanks to all the previous results students had gotten. The hall is quiet, waiting for the next student's placement. Gryffindor! The hat shouts out, and the hall bursts out in claps and cheers. Especially loud cheering from the Gryffindor table. Aliea smiles. Gryffindor seems like a nice house... I wonder if mom will be happy if she hears this. 
Aliea moved her gaze up to the ceiling. It was a starry sky, with the moon luminously shining down onto the hall. There were no hints of a cloud, and it was all clear. Her mom had told her about the beautiful enchanted sky, many times ever since she was a child. Her mind drifted back to her mom. It was pretty new and fresh, being out in the open like this with no one she really knew. 
Aliea was lost in thought when the professor called out, Aliea Fleur Frost! Aliea jumped. "Huh? Oh. Ohh, yeah. Coming!" She called, surprised. She could feel the heat rushing towards her face. None of the other first years did that! She thought, embarrassed. What will the professors think! That I probably won't concentrate during class! Oh, what will the other students think? Aliea slapped a hand to her forehead, while walking to the hat. Oh. Oh no. She stopped. She could hear several students giggling. She could hear chuckles hear and there. Now she was blushing for sure. 
She hurried to the hat. She quickly put in on her head. Oh, kid. Be careful! I'm old and fragile, as you know. She murmured an apology, "I'm sorry..." The hat fell silent, and Aliea waited for what it would say. Oh yes, curious and adventurous. I could tell that from all the way here! Aliea blushed again. Huh, you like to read books, too. And play the violin! How talented you are. Aliea smiled timidly. "Thank you. But I'm not that good. Need way more practice." And I didn't bring it to Hogwarts... I should've. The hat went on about herself. You are willing to support and stand up for yourself and friends. You are courageous, only when things need to be. Sure signs for a Gryffindor. Aliea smiled. Now she knew what house she'd be in. 

The Gryffindor table cheered. She looked in their direction. She could see several of the students waving her over. She smiled, and walked confidently over to the new table. This, would be her new family. 

    I hear my name being called to go sit on that stool. With that hat on it. A talking hat. Why is there a talking hat? I slowly make my way up to the stool, my feet dragging and boots screeching with every step I take. I look at the stool, and to my surprise, it's a regular ol' stool. No words coming out of it, it hasn't moved on it's own, from what I've seen anyway, it seems like a normal stool. I flatten my skirt and sit, just like a proper lady would. My head spins with the words spoken by the hat about each house.