Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

Tense. 

Tense the day she'd received her letter, tense her first visit to Diagon Alley in the company of the Ministry Witch that had been assigned to her because she was a Muggle-born and all of this was new to her. Tense on the platform where she had said her farewells to her father and three brothers.  Tense on the train where she'd searched for a compartment to be on her own—because the idea of making friends and being social wasn't something she wanted to even attempt right now. Tense on the magical row boats because honestly? Who thought transporting a bunch of eleven year olds in row boats was sane and practical? 

Really, since the day she'd received her letter nothing could be described as sane and normal, but here she was—still tense obviously—and standing among a group of eleven year olds watching a tattered old hat sing.

A hat singing about the houses. Houses she still knew barely anything about. Her green eyes squinted in confusion as the song came to an end and names began to be called, each new student taking their turn to sit on this stool, have the raggedy old hat put on their head so it could invade their brain, probe their subconscious and sort them. 

"It's a little invasive," Josephine muttered to nobody in particular, voicing her opinion as the list slowly, ever so slowly made it's journey towards her name.

She hoped for an eternity of waiting that didn't come and soon she was stepping forward, willing one foot in front of the other before taking a seat. She was surprised when she could hear the hat as if he (was the hat a he? it was just a hat after all) was inside her mind. 

"Ah, a Muggle-born. An inquisitive one at that, still trying to take this all in are you?" 

Did she respond? Jo blinked, the hat, too big for her head, had fallen over her eyes and she could no longer see the crowd of students before her. "It's...weird," came her mumbled response.  

"You're a closed off individual Miss Tindall, but I can see past all that. You have tenacity that is fitting of a Gryffindor but no, that is not where you belong. Curious, analytical but you're also a dreamer. Yes, I know you'll prosper best in...Ravenclaw!"

She didn't realise it until that moment, but she'd been holding her breath. The moment the hat said Ravenclaw Jo breathed, a tightness in her stomach loosening as she got to her feet and made her way towards the Ravenclaw table. 

Lucette walked along with the huddle of chattering students as the doors of the Great Hall swung open. Her eyes widened, letting out an audible gasp. It was.... beautiful. She never knew what the Great Hall looked like. Her sister had been a Hogwarts student for years, but she never told Lucette how it looked; Liliana always assumed that Lucette would never even make it here. She felt a smirk creep into her face. Here she was, proving her older sister and her mother wrong. Glancing at one of the tables, a pair of dark, cold eyes made contact with hers. It was Liliana. Her glare shook her to her core. Liliana seemed to be quite unhappy with the fact that Lucette was even at Hogwarts. She sister wore green robes, which completely matched her brown hair.  She remembered Liliana saying she dyed it so avoid looking like her sister. Lucette broke eye contact with her sister, walking forward with the group. She couldn't have anything else to worry about.

Some girls beside her were whispering, and Lucette turned her head, hoping to join them. Anxiety told her otherwise, and she faced forwards once more. *Soon, Lucette. Soon you'll have a friend.* She repeated this over and over. A tall, blonde man with green eyes captured everyone's attention, speaking loudly and clearly. Everyone instantly silenced when Head of House Colin Anderson spoke, his presence very commanding in the large room. Lucette was... intimidated. When he asked if there were any questions, the silence lingered, before he continued. Suddenly, the strange, wrinkled brown hat(that she overhead some students calling it the 'Sorting Hat') began to sing.

It's voice was... unique. Lucette didn't mind though, for she was still a bit perplexed on how a hat could even talk, let alone be the one to decide her fate. She heard a boy snickering next to her. "Dude, that hat sounds awful. I wonder why they haven't burned that old, smelly thing yet." Some students around her snickered at his remark. Lucette lowered her voice to whisper. "Isn't that a bit rude? This hat has been around here longer than all of us.... Shouldn't we show it some respect?" The boy turned to face her, glaring daggers into her fearful eyes. "Mind your own business, weirdo." She heard soft laughter rise around her, but that alone made her turn her head to face forward, trying to block it all out. *Why did I even care? I shouldn't have said anything....*

Right after the Sorting Hat stopped it's (quite long) song, Mister Anderson stepped forward, calling out names. Luce felt herself growing more and more nervous as people around her stepped up and were sorted. Lucette looked back at her sister, which was a mistake. Liliana's sharp, icy glare was unwavering, which made her even more nervous. Suddenly, a booming voice brought her attention back to the moment at hand. "Lucette Brielle."

She grimaced before stepping forward. She tugged on the sleeves of her robe before sliding into the stool. She looked terribly fearful. Mister Anderson noticed. He gave her a soft, reassuring smile. That made her only a bit less nervous as he lowered the Sorting Hat onto her head. "Hmm... interesting. Another Brielle, huh? It's been a few years since I've been on the head of a Brielle. Your sister did quite a number on me, you know? It took me some time to figure out where she belonged...." Lucette grimaced. Being compared to her sister was an activity that she went through in her daily life, but that doesn't mean she can't hate it with a passion. The Sorting Hat let out a soft chuckle. "Hmm... this is quite an odd feeling. One of... power and hatred. When I found what house your sister should be in, I had no doubts, and I won't have any now. Slytherin!"


The Slytherin house erupted in cheers, and Lucette felt a smile tug at her lips. She felt so accepted, so loved. She never felt like this before. She quickly slid off the stool, running over to join her fellow first years. She ignored the burning eyes of her sister. This time was hers. She was starting a new chapter in her life, she she would not let her sister get in her way anymore. 

Angelita’s heart sank as her name got called out, with the daunting possibility of the sorting hat choosing Slytherin and that would be a disaster . Ideally, she wanted to be Gryffindor to follow the footsteps of her parents, but she was comfortable with the idea of being Ravenclaw for the fact that they are well known for their wit and creativity. Or Hufflepuff for that matter for their courage and determination. 

Stepping forward whilst straightening out her uniform, the hat was placed on her head and it didn’t take long for the sorting hat to begin rambling on. “Ah… Miss Clark. Ambition and wisdom are gratefully your strong suit. However, a lack of empathy I can sense might just well place you in Slytherin” She shook her head profusely and thought Please don’t. Please not Slytherin . “Hmmm… no that’s not right. Your intentions are pure, and your knowledge could be used to do great things. I’ve got it… RAVENCLAW!”

She released a breath she didn’t realise she was holding in at the decision made. Ravenclaw . The more she thought about it the more she was comfortable with the idea and even more so comfortable with the hat praising her knowledge. Strutting with confidence and a big gleaming smile on her face, she made her way to her assigned table.

"Easily nauseated" was not a word that usually came to mind when River described herself. There were many things- determined, adventurous, witty- but not nauseated. And yet, nauseated was all that came to mind right now. Maybe it had been the train ride. Or maybe the gentle rocking motion of the boats had upset her stomach more than previously thought. But- no. The moment River actually put some thought to it, she realized it was standing here, in the Great Hall, waiting in line for her fate to be chosen.

Okay, maybe it wasn't that dramatic- but it certainly had that feel. Maybe it was the nervous tension you could cut with a knife, or the BO from the boy in front of her, but the longer MacKay waited in line, the more her head started pounding. 

So River distracted herself. She tried counting the number of plates at the Gryffindor table (which quickly became impossible, for every time a first year was sorted the entire table erupted into loud, jarring cheers). She drew little circles into the stone with her feet. River looked up at the ceiling and tried to find some constellations, which also proved tricky. The sky above her was like none she had ever seen before.

But finally- finally- "MacKay, River!" was announced. River made her way to the front of the Hall, and jumped onto the worn stool with an ounce of grace she was grateful for. Imagine the embarrassment if she were to have tripped on her way up, or fallen off the stool! That being said, she felt her cheeks grow warm as the hat was lowered over her head. 

The chatter from the Great Hall came to a halt- or maybe it was the hat, blocking out the noise. It was a moment before a soft, seemingly male voice spoke it her ear. 

"Ah, yes. A MacKay. I remember your father well. Almost tripped on his way up the stairs with how excited he was to put me on. An unusual Slytherin he turned out to be- softer than most." The hat took a pause, long enough to make River squirm just a little in the seat. "And your mother too- first witch of her family, bright and eager to learn- much like yourself, hm?" MacKay glanced up from her lap, inquisitive eyes flickering throughout the hall. Ravenclaw would be nice. She was eager to learn. All of the creatures and potions and charms, why, who wouldn't be?  River was proud to be here, now that she thought about it. She would've given anything to have known about this sooner.

"And that is the mindset I'm looking for!" The hat boomed in her ear, making River visibly jump in her seat. She had almost forgotten the hat was there. It seemed to her eons since it had spoken, but a glance around was enough to know that only a few moments had passed since it was first placed on her head. "You are smart, yes, but it's your ambition and determination that put you in SLYTHERIN!" 

It was only the last part that rang throughout the hall, thank goodness, and the table that was decidedly green jumped up and down. River's mind was a blur as she was ushered off the stool and into the midst of older Slytherins. Someone high-fived her. Another clapped her on the back. Instead of looking down and blushing, as all of her senses were screaming to do, River looked up with large eyes, smiling at her housemates and clapping and cheering with them. 

She took a seat, mind still reeling. To her, Slytherin wasn't bad. Her dad had been in this house after all. And she would still get to learn everything- it just meant she wouldn't back down from the challenges this world was bound to present.

"And what's this? Another pureblood? My, my. We have quite a bunch of you coming this year."

The sorting hat spoke, its rough voice reminding Kira Callaghan of her late grandfather. 

"Now this is an interesting one. A Callaghan. Haven't seen one of you in a while....
30 years to be exact."

One wouldn't think a magical headgear placed atop your head would be uncomfortable, but oh, believe Kira, it was. She lightly squirmed in her seat as the sorting hat moved about, a few 'hmms' escaping its mouth as it thought over her house decision. 

"Bold, witty, ambitious. Sneaky as a fox, curious as a cat. Strong headed, yet very arrogant. And stubborn. "

As the sorting hat continued on with the list describing her personality, Kira zoned out.
A bad habit of hers. 

Kira didn't exactly know what she was expecting when she first stepped foot in the famous school of wizardry, which was literally 10 minutes ago.

From her mother's enchanting tales of her time here 30 years ago, Kira recognised the large entry ways which other great wizards have passed through, the magnificent moving pictures that held someone's story in each of them, the living ghosts, and the vast expanse of the great hall and its magical ceiling. 

Right now, as she sat in the front of the great hall, she realised that this moment here, with the sorting hat deciding her future at Hogwarts and a hundred pairs of eyes staring at her...This is the moment where her journey to becoming a great wizard, known far and wide, would begin.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Great Hall... After seeing the view of the castle across the lake, with a multitude of windows shining out into the night, Aidan thought that he had already seen the most daunting thing he had to offer. But by Merlin's beard, was he wrong. The moment he stepped into the Great Hall, surrounded by the other First Years, the boy froze, eyes wide behind his glasses. The candles floating in the air, the four great tables crowded with students, and the teachers facing the door at the high table... Not to mention the stars glittering high above, amongst the arches of the ceiling... And here and there along the tables he saw the silvery paleness of ghosts... He had no idea how long he would have been stood there, rooted to the spot, if it wasn't for a shove from behind. As he stumbled forward he ducked his head, cheeks burning red, hoping that he hadn't managed to make himself strand out in front of the entire school. When they had finally reached the front of the Hall he found himself near the back of the crowd of First Years.

As the young Irish wizard waited he shot surreptitious glances around him, until he heard his name being called. Muttering apologies to the others he slipped through to the front of the students and, eyes fixed on the floor, walked to the stool that held the Hat. Lifting it with shaking hands he sat on the stool, and placed the Sorting Hat on his head. He was prepared for the Hat's voice whispering in his ear, so was able to avoid embarrassing himself by jumping off the stool. Even still, he clutched at the sides as the voice mussed over what it saw in his head.

"Hmm, yes... Yes... A kind boy, when you get to your center... And driven... Curious... Not so different from your mother..." 

As the Hat spoke Aidan breathed shallowly, fingers tightening on the stool. It felt like it had been hours, sitting there in front of the school, though logically he knew it had been minutes at most. That knowledge didn't really help.

"Well well, this isn't very difficult, no, not at all. There's one place that will help you soar, and that is RAVENCLAW!"

The boy flinched at the sudden shout, and the roar and applause that erupted from one of the long tables. Letting out a breath of relief he slipped from stool, carefully replaced the hat and, going as fast as he could without seeming to run, made for the first empty place he saw at the Ravenclaw table.

When Barney heard his name being called he felt a smirk form on his lips. This was it, this was his moment, the start of his life as a wizard and he was raring to get started.

He approached the stool at the top of the hall, turning his back on the teachers table before lowering himself onto the seat. Barney's eyes moved from the ceiling towards the Slytherin table and he felt himself smile once more, he was certain that within moments he'd be sat with them all, a proud member of their ancient house. The smile on his face couldn't be held back, excited to wear robes emblazoned with the Serpent of Slytherin, he knew he'd wear their colours with pride... Or so he thought.

Suddenly Barney felt something brush the top of his head and his grip tightened on his knees, this was the moment of truth. The hat said nothing to him, why wasn't it speaking? Was he unworthy? Not a wizard after all? A squib, unfit for any of the houses? in mere seconds it bellowed into the hall "GRYFFINDOR!" 

He felt his ears grow hot, his hands becoming increasingly sweaty. If there was any clapping or cheering from the Gryffindor table, he was unaware of it, in a state of shock. This wasn't possible. The pale boy took a deep breath, sliding down from the stool as his mud like eyes moved into the crowd where he spotted his brother. He stared at him for several moments before running a hand through his black curtians, calming himself before turning towards the opposite end of the hall to the Slytherin table, mindlessly trudging towards his fellow Gryffindors. 

Ben sat nervously in the great hall surrounded by so many strangers. He was heavily disadvantaged being a complete muggle-born with no family history in magic, that he knew of at least. Some of the children around him seemed to have known each other for a long time and some seemed as lost as he did. That made him feel slightly better, but only slightly. The very existence of magic was still new to him and the great hall was overwhelmingly full of it.

"Ben Eckenrode"

His name was called out loud and people looked around to see where this person was. Ben wanted to shrink away and become invisible. Up until now he almost thought he got here by accident. Shopping and getting here was quite the adventure itself but now it was becoming more real. He stared at the hat sitting up on the stool and all the teachers looking like aliens up front.

"BEN ECKENRODE! I KNOW YOU'RE HERE!"

The young Scottish lad pushed through the crowd and made his way up front. He was flush red but his hair hid most of that fact, most of it. A few giggles could be heard as he approached and gave the hat an odd look. Luckily he had been paying close attention to what others did so he too sat on the comically small stool to get sorted. Once the hat hit his head he could hear and feel it digging into his head.

Disgusting, get off my head!

Excuse me?

Sorry sir... hat... um....

Well you must clearly be a muggle-born! Are you scared?

NO! ... Yeah.

"RAVENCLAW" The Sorting Hat shouted for all to hear with no further consultation with Ben.

He remembered which group that was, luckily, and walked to them. Ben found a seat and awkwardly sat hoping the worst was over. In truth he had no idea what the houses meant so he would have been obviously no matter which one the hat had chosen.

"I can't believe a hat chooses your house..." He said quietly to himself.

If there was a specific house that Stassie wanted to be sorted in, it would obviously be the Best House. Now the problem was that she didn’t even know which house was the Best House. There were four of them to be exact, one for brave people, one for friendly people, one for smart people, and one for people who were ready to take over the world. "Pretty sure that’s right," Stassie mumbled to herself. She squinted to get a better look at each table before her. "Or something like that."

Now she just needed to figure out which color corresponded to which. Seriously, Momma and Papa Fresco should have prepared her better for Hogwarts. Stassie didn’t even know which house they were in, and that was kind of—no, it was reaaaallly sad. There was no doubt that Papa was in the friendly house, so that was one parent down. Momma was a brave person, but she was pretty smart, BUT she was probably planning to take over the world, so maybe—

Wait, no, Stassie was the one getting sorted. She shouldn’t be thinking about her parents being sorted one hundred years ago!

The moment Stassie’s name was called, she ran up, nearly tripped over, and sat on the stool. "I’m fine!" she announced to the room, just in case people were worried. What friendly people. What a great school.

(Did the hat understand sarcasm? Stassie hoped not.)



AAAAAAH, THE HAT COULD TALK!! HOW DID SHE STOP IT, THERE HAD TO BE A WAY TO STOP—



"Wait!" she whispered harshly, and a murmur ran through the Great Hall. What was wrong with this kid? Okay, I’m sorry. But I thought he and my parents were joking or something? Adults these days, right, Mr. Sorting Hat, sir? Ha ha ha… ha.

Yeah, he didn’t seem as amused as Stassie was.



Which one is that?



"Oh, okay!" In typical Stassie Fresco fashion, the newly-sorted Ravenclaw ran to the Ravenclaw table and was ready to chat up a storm.

Esmeralda had only found herself in Hogwarts for a brief few moments when her name was called from the hat's lop-sided mouth. She took a deep, shaky breath, and approached the stool. It was about time the last daughter of the Kingsdales was sorted. Her sisters, the twins, had been in Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw before they finished up last year. Esmeralda knew her place was nowhere near the sweet, caring students or the witty and clever students. She smiled as the hat was placed atop her head, but began to worry about where it would send her. 
Would it make her parents proud? What if she was the first Hat Stall in centuries? What if she didn't make any friends in her house? 
Her thoughts were interrupted by the deep voice coming from the hat. 
"Hmmmmm. It seems you're very clever and courageous, no doubt... A music lover? Very nice..." She grew even more nervous by the second. "I believe you're a bit nervous about this, Miss Kingsdale..." She could feel the fabric move into a smirk atop her head. She rolled her eyes.
Just hurry along, will you? 
The hat huffed a sigh. "Very well." After humming a few more times and rocking back and forth on her head, the hat boomed over the crowd, "SLYTHERIN!" 
Esmeralda jumped at the sudden arousal of sound, both from the hat's voice and from the applause erupting across the hall. She beamed as she took a seat near the end of the Slytherin's table, noticing a few other new students she had arrived with beaming around her.