Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

June walked over to the old brown hat. She wondered how old it could be. As old as Hogwarts maybe? She shook her head. Those were foolish things to think about. She should be wondering what her new house would be.

Honestly, she didn't mind which one she got into, even Slytherin was fine. She didn't understand why some people opposed Slytherins. "My my, a Diaz I see. It's been a while, your mother was quite a witch! A good one in fact!" The hat's voice made June jump up to her feet. She awkwardly sat down slowly onto the cold surface of the wooden stool. She looked away from the crowd in embarrassment.

The Sorting Hat began talking again with a thinking voice, "Hmm, your mother was a Ravenclaw, but I see your path travels in a different area. Let's see. Mhm, you are smart and curious like a Ravenclaw, but you're also slightly ambitious. Nice, I see you want to be in the Ministry. Good choice. Ah, you are a difficult one. You are kind, that pushes you toward Hufflepuff, but you are also courageous to talk to your mother like that. That pushes you towards Gryffindor."

June flinched slightly when the shaggy old hat suddenly talked about her conversation with her mother many years ago. It was about her mother's grieving to her dead father. June's mother was convinced into doing suicide but June gave her reasons to not take the horrible action.

"But that also pushes you in Slytherin and Ravenclaw. It was cunning and smart. Ah, but I feel like we are getting closer to where you belong." June's eyes hovered over the crowd. Nobody was reacting to the Sorting Hat's talking. Nobody was smiling in excitement. That's an interesting thing, they can't hear what the Sorting Hat is saying. But I can. I hope I can learn the mechanics of that one day.

"Very good. You are thinking about the future I see, that is very interesting. I think I know where you belong. And it is surprising."June was shaking in excitement. I'm going to my new house soon. Will it be Ravenclaw? Or perhaps Gryffindor? Maybe even Hufflepuff. The chance of getting Slytherin was very slim to June.

June sat silently, waiting for the old hat to speak. And it spoke.

"SLYTHERIN!"

June gasped in surprise. She wasn't upset, but this was totally not what she had expected. June's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What do I have in me that is Slytherin-like? I'm not very cunning. Maybe I am, just I don't know it.

The table filled with green-cloaked students cheered for June and she felt a rush of pride. Mother, I'm sorted into my house! It may not be what you hoped for, but it's my new house. And later, I will find out what my connection to Slytherin is.... later..

Kyle gasped in shock as he entered the Great Hall of his new school. His bright brown and green eyes slid around, taking in the beauty of the room. With his right hand in his pocket and his left in his cinnamon-colored hair, he looked up, eyes, wide, and took in the starry night sky. His eyes found themselves looking at one start that shone just a slight bit brighter than the rest.

'I want that to be me. Standing out just a small bit more than the others.'

A smile graced Kyle's face as he looked up towards the professors, where one of them was standing up, speaking to the older students sitting down and his fellow first years standing up around him, almost all of them listening attentively. His gaze fell from the speaking professor as he heard them call a name, his gaze going to the student who's name had been said.

'So, after this, everyone, in the whole of Hogwarts, will know my name? That could be taken as a good or bad thing, I'm just gonna say-'

"Barbosa, Kyle!"

Kyle was torn out of his mental babble by his name being called by the professor. Slowly, his jean-clad, robe-covered legs made their way up to the stool, with every person in the school staring at him.

'I am so surprised that my body made it up here in one piece! Who would have thought a 4 meter walk could be so nerve-raking and scary? Being so focused in his mind, he hadn't realized the Sorting Hat, which had sung a lovely song earlier, had been set on his head. Kyle's arms lay limp at his side as he sat om the stool, awaiting whatever magick was to come from the hat to sort him.

'So, Sir Barbosa, how are you liking Hogwarts so far? I have noticed you had taken a liking to the ceiling.

Kyle jumped in shock, he knew the hat talked, heck it sang earlier, but he didn't know that it had been able to talk through his mind. He replied in a whisper, hoping only the hat would be able to hear him, "Yes, it is a grand ceiling."

'Just like your father, you are. He was also drawn to the ceiling of this wonderful room. Answer me this, Sir Barbosa, what is your deepest desire?'

Kyle blinked quickly from shock, he wasn't expecting to be asked is deepest desire; he honestly didn't have one. He elegantly folded his hands on his lap and sighed.

'I honestly have no idea,' He let a small smile find itself on his face as he finally relaxed under the Sorting Hat. 'I guess it would have to be, I don't know, knowledge. My mum and dad seem pretty smart and it would be disappointing to let them down.' The smile on Kyle's face widened as he thought of his parents.

'Ah yes, that is understandable. Do you prefer the time of dawn or dusk?'
Although he didn't understand what dawn or dusk had to do with getting sorted into a house, he answered unhesitatingly. I would have to choose dusk. Nighttime is more beautiful than the day and many special species find the night more enjoyable, thus making the dusk my preference because dusk leads to night. A giggle escaped Kyle's now closed lips as he thought of himself as one of the special species of the night, the giggle surprising many of the students sitting in the crowd in front of him. 'Also, the time of dusk and the night are often quieter and more peaceful than the day light times.'

He heard a sound of recognition come from the hat before it once again spoke in his mind. One last question, Sir Barbosa.' Kyle nodded, ready to get out from under everyone's seemingly preying eyes and back into the crowd, 'Do you prefer the forest or the river?'

Kyle had to think hard about this question. His eyes slightly squinted and hi nose crinkled up a little, making his thinking face. His multi-colored eyes looked straight forward as he contemplated his answer.

'I love both the forest and the river. The river provides water to me and my forest friends while also providing us a place to cool off on the hot summer days. Rivers are often pretty and calm, but after a rain they can cause some damage. The forest is quite beautiful, no matter the time of the year or time of the day. Sitting under a tall pine while reading is a wonderful feeling, and that isn't something you can do in a river. Also, in the forest, you can move a measly two feet and sit in the the sunlight to warm up or move into the shade to cool off a little. I have to go with the forest, I'm sorry River. Kyle didn't know exactly why he apologized to the river, but he felt the need to. He had always felt extremely close to nature, never purposely hurting it. His face relaxed and he set his hands on his knees in anticipation as he heard a chuckle come from the Sorting Hat. A smile found itself on Kyle's face as the hat decided at that moment to speak again.

'Do you wish to be in Gryffindor, much like your father? Kyle shakes his head no and as soon as he does, the hat speaks again.

'Trust me, this is the right choice for you Sir Barbosa,' Kyle inwardly cringed as he was called Sir Barbosa again, he had heard it enough to never hear it again. He collected himself quickly as the Sorting Hat shouted out his house and soon to be friends.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Kyle grinned from ear-to-ear as he slowly remove the Sorting Hat from his head and whispered a small thank you in it's direction. He didn't really know what table he was supposed to go to, but based on the cheer that were loudest, he assumed that was the table he was going to. He continued to smile as his right hand once again found it's place in his pocket and his left went to his hair, roughing it up a bit. His jean-clad, robe-covered legs once again found themselves moving, this time away from the stool and towards his new dorm-mates. He walked right past everyone and to the end of the table, where he had seen another first-year Slytherin take their seat. Swinging his legs over the bench, he gracefully sat down and raked his left hand through his hair again. His bi-colored eyes made their way to the stool where he had just been sitting, already seeing another student up there, looking scared out of their wits.

'I hope this goes by quickly, Kyle thought while looking at the crowd of first-years left to be sorted, 'I'm starting to get hungry.'

Gradually approaching the Great Hall, Bellamy is overwhelmed with joy as this surge of happiness courses throughout his body. As he feels this rush, inconspicuously and unintentionally a smile creeps across his face, encompassing and consuming it as he is filled with bliss. Moments in while walking he catches his facial expression he's been making throughout the whole walk and swiftly reverts his expression to his resting face, noting to himself to keep his composure. As he enters the Great Hall with great bewilderment, he gazes upon the floating candles that align all along the dazzling ceiling that appears to look like the night sky. Losing his composure again Bellamy becomes entranced by the uncanny resemblance the ceiling has towards the real night sky. While he stares blankly at the ceiling, he receives a hard tug that draws his attention. When he lowers his head, his little sister is found fixed in place in front of him, exerting an disgruntled expression. Annoyed as she is, she tugs on Bellamy a couple of more times to show him that he is the last one to enter the hall. Furthermore, she moves her lips inaudibly saying “come on” while she nudges her head to the side towards the direction to where the rest of the new students have gathered. Bellamy feeling like an idiot shakes his head rapidly, patting his face and then finally moves towards the group of new students and rejoins them as the ceremony begins.

During the introduction of the ceremony Bellamy fiddles with his wand as he spins, taps, or even grips it tightly within his pocket. Once the sorting began, Bellamy starts to sweat slowly. Every time one of the schools staff announces the students names up to the sorting hat, his anxiety stacks up every second as the hat announces a houses name.

“Ravenclaw”....”HufflePuff”....”Gryffindor”......”Ravenclaw”......”Slytherin”

As the names go by Bellamy still plays with his wand but now it was at a fiercer paste. Suddenly though, he feels a hand reach in his pocket, delicately removing his hand from the clammy wand and slowly wraps itself around his hand. Turning to his side he notices its his little sister. While they call each name by order she holds Bellamy’s hand, smiling right next to him for the remainder of the ceremony and as she stands by him, she whispers to his brother discreetly and utters out with sincerity “it's okay bro”. As those words are said he relaxes and gives a tiny grin towards his little sister to show his gratitude he had for her. Shortly after their moment his sister is called up to the sorting hat. When the sorting hat concluded to a decision it shouts across the hall … “Ravenclaw!!”, The Great Hall once again howls the echoes of students voices.

Bellamy in the front applauds happily to his sister’s acceptance into House Ravenclaw as their mother was once a Ravenclaw whereas their father was a Gryffindor. Being placed into one of these houses was both of their goals when they were welcomed into Hogwarts and to see it now was a dream. Finally when his name was called, “Bellamy Landon!” he took a deep breath as he walked up to the ominous hat that hung over upon the staffs hand. Immediately upon the moment the school staff placed the hat on his head it awoke.

“AAAHHHH another Landon I see, a older brother of the Ravenclaw it appears”

“You know I sorted another Landon before you. A girl in fact but that one was from a different family that also bears this name”

“Another Landon?”

“Yes my boy”

“An Avery Landon as I recall”

(At that moment Bellamy became interested to know who she was)

“Alright, let's see here. strong Determination … a little Vigilant …… awe and pretty astute I see, that will be good for your studies. Oh but I sense quite a bit of you being indignant”

“Keep that in check boy”

(Bellamy nods his head agreeingly)

“Hmmm a little tricky it appears”

“Where … to …. put ……...you?”

“Ah thats it!! I know where you’ll thrive and its with a Landon to!”

(Looking towards his sister. Bellamy and her make eye contact with each other, as they both display to one another a glint of happiness in their eyes)

“SLYTHERIN”

The glint of joy that once was there quickly vanishes as Bellamy turns to the table where house Slytherin sits, his face turns expressionless with his mouth slightly open, awed by the turn of events. As the crowds of students roar there voices into the air once more, Bellamy’s hearing goes silent as he zones out walking steadily to Slytherins table. Leaving the stool emotionless he walks downward off the steps but just as he does, he glances back at her sister one more time, only to see her expression of confusion track Bellamy’s movement. Throughout the entirety of the ceremony Bellamy looks away from his sister until it ends. Walking to the dorms Bellamy asks directions to the Boy’s Lavatory. When he reaches the bathroom, he spends the next hour sitting next to sink until he returns back to the Boy’s Dormitory awaiting his fate for next 7 years at House Slytherin.

Richard had a huge smile on his face when he walked in. It was huge! Much larger then he thought it would be. It was pretty too. He didn’t expect anything like this.

“This is going to be a hell of a good year!”

Most people were nervous, but Richard was just excited. With a big smile, he said a few comments to the people he met at the train. The sorting ceremony was soon.

During the introduction, Richard looked out at the great hall. There were 4 tables, most likely a house per table. One of the tables caught his eyes, the red one. He held interest in that group of people. He smiled once more as he thought of all the things he can do here.

"Slytherin!"

Richard's eyes snapped to the front. The ceremony had started.

" Hufflepuff! .... Slytherin! ..... Ravenclaw! ....... Slytherin! ......"

Zoning the sound out, he looked at the old hat, amazed. He's seen many magical items in his life, he's used to it. But not a talking hat. He wondered how old it was, and where it came from. Peraps he'll learn those things too. He was so amazed he almost missed his name.

Confidenly going to the front, he grins as the hat was put on him.

"Oh? Well here's a special one, what are you grinning for, kid?"
The hat speaks, it sounds like the hat is speaking to him mind.

"Well,"
He starts,
"You, a magic hat is sitting on me. And look at this place!"
The hat seems to chuckle.

"You really do represent your father Richard. Flemming was probably the most determined wizard I had ever seen in my many years."

Rich smirked, that sounded like the younger version of his father.

"Anyways, from what I see, you're probably a Gryffindor....but....I see some mischief, Slytherin perhaps....hmm...well you also have a kind soul, but your courage is the best quality of all!"

Richard smiled, he knew where he belonged.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

The gryffindor table cheered, exited to have a new member. Walking over, he laughed as he huigh-fived some Gryffindors.

"Yeah,"
He thought.
"This is going to be the best time of my life."

William stepped forward when he heard his name called. He wasn't exactly sure what to expect, after all, he had never heard of a talking hat before. A few family friends had told he would be sorted, but he didn't think that this is what they meant by it.

Oh, a Carter, hmm? It's been nearly twenty years since I sat on your father's head you know. If you are anything like him, you are surely a Slytherin at heart. William gulped a little at the mention that his father was a Slytherin.

Although I see that your mother was very kind hearted in your upbringing, especially once it was just the two of you... Perhaps... William waited anxiously to hear what the hat would roar out to the rest of the hall, tiny beads of sweat beginning to for on his hands and the back of his neck.

SLYTHERIN! The hat was quickly taken off of his head as he walked down to the Slytherin table, taking a seat next to a pureblood that the hat had barely touched before screaming Slytherin, and turned to watch the rest of the sorting ceremony, anxious to see who else would join him at the table.

This day was extremely hectic for Faye, as she woke up at the crack of dawn to finish packing her trunk before her mother dropped her off at King's Cross Station. Leaving her to her own devices to find the 9 and 3/4 platform. Then she boarded the train slept most of the ride and woke up being pulled along by a random person to the sorting ceremony. Staring straight ahead she figured she'd be in slytherin just like her parents, eve if she didn't want to be. She was well prepared for hogwarts as her parents told her all about it. Evelyn, Faye! Her name was called. She walks up to the hat and its placed Hearing the crowd silence as they notice that she's a pureblood but they couldn't remember the family name she belongs too only that it was only slytherins. She smiles and sighs in relief no one knows her family and thats just the way it needs to stay unt- RAVENCLAW The hat cried out, Faye's world came crashing down, but only for a moment as she realized it's a new start she could finally change her path and be what she wants to be and not what her parents say. She smiles proudly and heads to the Ravenclaw table ready for this change to take effect in her life.

Riven was greatful. She got to be one of the last students to greet the sorting hat. Then again, it gave her time to worry about what house she would be sorted into. Maybe it'd be Hufflepuff. They seemed open to be friends with anyone. She hoped it wouldn't be Ravenclaw. No offense to them, but they seemed a little too... serious. She needed somewhere lenient. Somewhere where no one would care that she had awful social skills. All too soon, Riven heard her name.

Shakily, she walked up slowly. The hat was placed on her head and she glanced around the room nervously. Everyone was staring at her in anticipation. She could feel the hat wriggling as if it were alive. Then it started talking. "Ah, another Stell? Your mother was quite a troublemaker, I'll have you know." Riven just sat there, trying not to seem too eager to get out from under the hat. "Hmm... Brave, I see. Pure of heart, too. You're a tough choice, indeed. Let's see how you do in... GRYFFINDOR!"

Riven exhaled. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath. She walked over to the applauding table and smiled. Gryffindor. She took a seat next to someone she didn't recognize and thought about what the future would look like for her.

"Smith, Lafayette."

Hearing her name, Lafayette's head lifted up. With a jolt, she walked anxiously to the chair.

Her mind was a mess. The Great Hall was such a magical picturesque view that she had a hard time concentrating. She can't even hear the others' name being called earlier. After only taking a first step, her jaw was once more slacked at the sight of the ceiling littered with stars. It looked real- but Lafayette, as always, were skeptical. It was a magical school after all; perhaps there was some kind of spell used to bewitch the ceiling. Or maybe the ceiling was just pretending to be the sky. She chuckled quietly at the last one.

Then there was the floating candles. It floated in midair, providing light along with the small windows, which provided a natural moonlight into the gigantic hall. At first sight, Lafayette thought it was only a wave of coloured blur until her vision sharpened, revealing thousands of faces staring at the empty chair, occupied by only an old-looking pointed hat. The faces turned to students, sitting on benches, and between them were wooden tables, laid with glittering goblets and plates.

"Fancy," she commented as she strutted past them, a fascinated smile on her face.

Upon closer look, the hat seemed to be much older than what she thought. It reminded her of the time where her mother presented a short play collaboration with her old school; what with the hat's brown colour, size and the accurate pointed-ness. It also had an opening near the front- like a mouth, she noted.

She swiped the hat off gently, and sat on the chair. It let out a light creak under her weight. With trembling hands and a nervous smile, she let the hat fell over the crown of her head......down her bangs....... past her eyelids, until finally, it covered all of her eyesight, leaving only the dank darkness as her vision. Her eyes barely had time to get used to the dark-

A voice snapped her awake.

'My, my. Your name may be familiar, but it appears that you never had any relatives in your bloodline that went to Hogwarts, Miss Smith..... Curious indeed.' the voice resonated in her mind. She flinched in surprise before relaxing again. Where seconds ago, her hands held paralyzed in each others' grip, it was now on her knee, lightly crossed on top the other in a sophisticated demeanor. Her posture eased and she hit her back comfortably on the chair, with slouched shoulders.

'I suppose so, dear Thinking Hat.' She replied inside her head. She remembered the Hat's song a few minutes ago. She can't remember if it was ever mentioned, but she felt as if 'Thinking Hat' was indeed its name. 'Or maybe....was it the Sorting Hat..?' The hat chuckled in amusement at her struggle on remembering its name- if it was ever spoken.'Now then.....Where shall you go to.....?'

'I honestly don't know, sir.....'

For a while now, she had been telling white lies to others- to reply with such truth and honesty caused her voice (despite only being a part of her mind) to crack. The hat hummed thoughtfully. 'I see, I see.' Then it fell silent for a few minutes before speaking again. 'Ah, you are rather complicated-' at his words, Lafayette held her breath and paled in horror- 'But no worries.' She exhaled in relief at his continuation.

'Yes, certainly....A huge deceit, be it for a good cause......And you are aware of the dangers and how to handle it, of course......'

Sweat trickled down her palm. The clock she imagined in her head ticked.

'A huge potential, but lacks courage.....There also seems to be an unfulfilled curiosity, oh yes, there are.....'

Another tick of the clock.

'Mhm... Rather cunning, I'd say..... You have an unpolished talent in becoming a charismatic witch.....And not to mention, your true nature of wanting everything to go as how you planned......But is held back, unfortunately...'

The clock ticked again.

'So it's either Ravenclaw or Slytherin...... Ah, yes, I do know where you have to go to embrace yourself and achieve your ends-'

The clock ticked once more as Lafayette waited patiently for the Hat's verdict. Just as she thought she'd explode from over-adrenaline, the hat shouted with a piercing shout-

'SLYTHERIN!'

She sighed, relieved to be sorted at all. Shaking, she removed the hat from her head and once again, with a gentle touch- put the hat on the chair. She muttered a 'Thank you for your service' before walking in a fast space to the table with green as its theme, a banner with the word 'SLYTHERIN' on top. She heard lots of rumours about the House- bad ones, mostly. But as she gazed up at the faces, a grin on her face, she felt as if they couldn't be as bad as the rumours......

.........Right?

Kient Federer!

Kient could barely hear his name over his headphones, and after taking them off, he noticed how hushed the crowd was. He stood up awkwardly and as he walked up, he could feel all of the eyes on him. It was not something he was used to. Should he walk with his back high, like he had confidence? No, he thought, that would look weird. He continued to move forward and looked at the tables. He hadn't paid much attention to people at the tables before, only to his music that was still playing at his headphones. Luckily, they weren't the cheap kind, so it didn't leak music into the halls. His parents were able to pool a significant amount of money on the day. He remembered his reaction to the headphones at the time. When he got the headphones out the box with his clumsy hands that day, he had no idea what the heck it was. But his mother later showed him how to use it, and Kient almost always had at least one headphone on his ear at all times. Speaking of which, why did he barely hear his name when he was called? Maybe it was because he usually only listened with one ear. Perhaps he should- OOF.

Kient, daydreaming, accidentally bumped into the chair. The chair made a weird noise against the stone under it. He heard some snickers around the room and tried not to think about it. He straightened himself and sat. He placed the hat on his head, and it immediately began speaking.

Kient... Federer. Like the tennis champion Federer? The hat burst into laughter.
No! Kient hated when people said that, but the hat must've known. It sees your thoughts, right?
Yes, yes, of course I see your thoughts. Anyway, down to business.
Kient didn't have any preferences. Although his mother had told him about the houses, and the personalities a kind of person would have to get into a house, he quickly took Slytherin off his mental chart of houses that he would probably be sorted into.
Of course you're not a Slytherin! You don't quite have the... wanting.
Some "ugh"s were tossed around the room.
Wise, and a large imagination, oh my! But you tend to be shy, don't you?
I tend not to talk much, Kient responded with his thoughts.
Hmm, I think I know.
Kient was just able to piece together what the hat was thinking when it shouted:
Ravenclaw!
A huge round of applause erupted from the blue table, and Kient slipped the hat off his head. He muttered a thank you before heading towards what he thought was the Ravenclaw table. He quickly realized that the Ravenclaw table was in the other direction, and awkwardly changed his path. Only after sitting down and putting his headphones back on, was he calm again.

The lights were floating. Floating lights! Fire hazard, perhaps, but freaking cool! It made Lu wonder what else she could learn to do. Could she levitate lights?

Gasp!

Could she levitate herself? Would that count as flying? Lu knew that she could fly around with brooms, she had itched to buy one when school shopping but her mother thought it unnecessary and dangerous. Ah well. She'd fly one way or the other some day.

The other students, her new classmates, shuffled next to her. Some of them seemed nervous to be sorted, but Lu was practically vibrating with excitement. Muggle school had been so dreadfully boooooring. There was no magic at her old school. Just grumpy old teachers and kids who thought it would be funny shove each other in the mud. Here she would definitely make more friends than just her brother.

The thought of Lee drained Lu's buzzing a bit. They hadn't been separated like this in, well, they'd never been this far apart. She'd be lying if the thought of sneaking Lee in her suitcase hadn't crossed her mind. At the time it seemed a good idea, but Lu couldn't even lift her brother from the ground without staining herself. Had Lu not been promised she could often Owl her brother, she wasn't sure if she'd even agree to come to this school.

Someone nudged Lu and she looked up. The Sorting Hat was currently sitting atop the stool, with no student nearby.

'Lu McHugh...' Drawled a voice, in a tone that made Lu think her name had been called more than once. She blinked, and shook off the stares, nearly trampling her peers in her haste.

The wooden stool was hard but Lu couldn't bring herself to care. It was her turn! Finaly! The Sorting Hat slipped past her ears and a strange voice rang around in her head.

'Hmmm....A Muggle born I see. I'd say you were awfully surprised to be told you are a witch Young Lu McHugh?'

Lu lurched forward, nearly falling off the stool. 'Woah!' She shouted loudly. A few laughed at her loud reaction, which she promptly ignored. 'You know my name!'

'Indeed I do.'

Lu leaned back and pursed her lips. An idea popped into her head and she screwed her eyes shut, trying her best to focus on one thought. 'Can....Can you hear my thoughts too?'

The silent from the Hat was smug.

Lu pouted and heard the Hat chuckle. 'What a clever girl you are. Very bold. Perhaps Ravenclaw?'

Lu pictured herself trying to fly like a raven and giggled.

'Ah. Perhaps not. You're certainly not shy, but not as selfless as I'd say a Gryffindor to be.

'Hey!'

'Hush. You're very loyal it seems, but only to the ones you're close to. Like that poor muggle brother of yours. Hufflepuff maybe....maybe not.'

Lu frowned, aching more than ever for her brother. She'd give up any of her classmates for him to be at her side.

'Oh? I believe I have my answer.'

Lu crossed her eyes trying to get a look at the hat. 'Wha-'

'SLYTHERIN!'

She jumped as the Hat was lifted off her head. Slytherin? She had heard bad things about that group, nasty rumors and such.

Someone ushered Lu off the stool and she shuffled to her new classmates. They greeted her with grins and Lu knew then the right choice had been made.

She couldn't wait to write to Lee.