Sorting Ceremony 2024-2025

Hana stood in the massive grand hall, her dream came true, she went to Hogwarts. As she gazed at the sorting hat, she mumbled, ‘What house will I be? Will I be in Slytherin, the same house as my father?’ Suddenly, she heard her name - ‘Hana Suzuki.’ Hana froze, then she walked to the sorting hat trembling, taking a few deep breath.

‘Um… She got wisdom like a Ravenclaw, loyalty like a hufflepuff, a cunning mind like a Slytherin and bravery like a Gryffindor. Difficult, indeed, this is difficult.’ The sorting hat spoke, this few sentences made Hana more scared. Hana sat there, her half covered eyes looked at the Hogwarts students in front of them, they were all looking at her anxiously, Hana had never seen that many people watching her at the same time.

After a few moments, the sorting hat shouted, ‘GRYFFINDOR!’ The gryffindor students clapped passionately and cheered loudly. Hana, surprised with the result, walked towards the Gryffindor table as the older Gryffindor students welcomed her.

Hana’s first day went by quickly, she went to her dormitory with her new friends. By the time she went back, Hana was really tired. She laid on her bed, look at the ceiling. ‘Gryffindor? Do I really belong here? Am I that brave? I should be a Slytherin like my dad?’ Hana thought but after a few minutes she said to herself, ‘Well..The Sorting hat is always right, maybe I really is a Gryffindor and maybe I really belong here.’

Belle couldn't keep herself from staring at everything. It seemed like the wizards were trying to make her feel as confused as possible. For example, floating candles? Really? Ever since she had gotten on that train earlier, her entire world had been flipped upside down. Now, as she walked with the other new students into the Great Hall, she felt more nervous than she had felt all day. She knew didn't know anything about being a witch, and she assumed there were people here that had known they were wizards from the moment they were born.

From what she could gather from snippets of conservation, there were four houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Gryffindors were brave, Ravenclaws smart, Hufflepuffs kind, Slytherins mean. Belle supposed she wanted to be a Gryffindor, although she didn't think she was brave enough. As Belle was lost in thought, completely tuned out, when she heard her name. "Hawthorne, Belle!"

Belle swallowed, pushing her way to...the hat. Wizards were weird sometimes, but Belle wasn't complaining. She pulled the hat over her head, and a voice spoke in her ear, "Ah, yes...very loyal, I see ambition too, hm, better be...GRYFFINDOR!"

Belle felt a sense of relief as she walked to the Gryffindor table. Everyone seemed nice enough, so Belle felt more at ease than she had all day. She would prove herself worthy to be here, worthy to be a Gryffindor.

Ivy follows the other first-years and professors into the great hall, nervously awaiting to be sorted. She is quite nervous, as the other first-years placed such great emphasis on this little gathering, as if it would determine the rest of your life, who you'd marry, how many kids you'd have and the age and manner of death you would receive when the time came. There was such a great importance placed on this ceremony, culminating in a magical personality assessment.

As she enters the great hall, she receives a curt nod from a man in a suit of well-worn, yet well-maintained armor, likely to be the headmaster given that's what others whispered about the strange man, looking ready to charge in on horseback to protect the king. His eyes seemed hollow, almost as if glazed over, much like one would imagine a zombie's eyes. It kind of creeped Ivy out, yet his gaze remained friendly. There were even a few professors that seemed to take turns guarding him, leaving Ivy with a deep-seated feeling of unease.

Once everyone was inside the great hall, the headmaster introduced himself in turn, having a bit of banter with the sorting hat. Ivy was completely taken aback that the hat was talking, as were a couple other students, but most already seemed to know what was about to happen; The sorting. The list was very long, and the headmaster, with a warm, yet somewhat absent tone, called upon us one by one

Ivy watches as students are sorted... some cheering, others terrified, and some upset at their houses. Again and again the hat is placed on students' heads, not even needing to touch some people to declare their house and where they would reside during their time at Hogwarts.

As the list wound down and they neared the end, Ivy found herself growing unfocused, taking in everything from the candles and bewitched sky of the great hall to the intricacies of the headmaster's armor. She just couldn't seem to remain present until...

"Ivy Warren" the man's voice called out.

Ivy noticed only a few people left to be sorted, leaving her to approach the stool with an anxious energy. They were almost done with the sorting... and then what? Then there was no way to return to her muggle way of life; no way to be normal again. Ivy dreaded this, yet was exhilarated by the opportunities before her. Yes, she could no longer be normal, but she could be anything or anyone she wanted to from this point forward.

And she wanted to be a genuinely good person. Someone deserving of love and someone who would help and love others freely.

"HufflePuff!" announced the sorting hat, causing the Hufflepuff table, black and gold, to erupt into cheers and welcoming applause.Ivy hadn't heard anything the sorting hat had said aside from those words, though there was chatter about where she would best be suited.

'So, I'm in the Badger house' Ivy mused in her head, 'Patient, Loyal, Kind... sounds like me." she thinks, though there was an inkling of curiosity if she could possibly fit in another house well.

Either way, what was done, was done, so she rose from the stool and joined the table of gentle and hard-working souls, still feeling a bit out of place, yet desperate to fit in, no matter the cost.

WC: 563

Cecily can’t help but gape as she walks into the Hogwarts Great Hall: she’s heard dozens of descriptions of it from Mia and her mum, but those didn’t fully prepare her for the magnificence and sheer scale of it in person, as well as the masses and masses of people there; has she ever seen so many in one room? It’s utterly huge, and utterly beautiful. She listens as the headmaster speaks, only half-hearing in excitement and nervousness, gazing at the hat: it’s not quite so grand as she imagined it, but one really can’t blame a talking hat for its appearance.

She stands in line nervously waiting her turn, hopping from foot to foot and chewing on a blonde plait. There’s nothing to be worried about, really — it’s be lovely to be in Ravenclaw with Mia, but she expects her mum will be pleased if she gets chosen as a Gryffindor, although that hardly seems likely — and the people in Hufflepuff are probably a very nice bunch — and even Slytherin couldn’t be that bad. Still, it was nerve-racking; especially the thought of the sorting-hat being able to see everything going on inside her head. She closes her eyes and tries to think the types of nice thoughts she imagines would appeal to a hat.

“Cecily Fairfax!”

She breathes in sharply as her name is called, then forces herself to take another, slower breath, before walking forwards with trembling legs. Cecily scans the Ravenclaw table to try and spot Mia, who gives her a thumbs up and a warm smile. She sits down on the stool to have the hat crammed down on her fair head, and the hat hardly hesitates before crying out “HUFFLEPUFF!”. Cecily rises as the Hufflepuff table erupts into cheers and darts into an empty place.

Everyone was smiling and chattering, all seeming very friendly; Cecily’s glad. Hufflepuff… thinking about it, it does make the most sense, and all the people do seem lovely. She looks over to the Ravenclaw table at Mia again, who beams at her; Cecily reciprocates, then turns her smile back to her fellow Hufflepuffs. For once, she’s quite certain that she’ll be able to make a friend.

Amira's first day at Hogwarts was living up to exactly what her mother had said it would be like. Getting to meet students on the train, her first view of the school as they were taken by boat across the lake, and now stepping inside the great hall, things were certainly even more amazing than she had even imagined. Now though, as all the first years gathered at the front of the hall to be sorted, Amira felt another wave of nervousness wash over her.

Her mother had told her briefly about the sorting ceremony and of the four houses that she could possibly be put into. There was the brave Gryffindor, the cunning Slytherin, the intelligent Ravenclaw, and her mother's own house, the kind Hufflepuff. Of course her mother was a little biased in saying she hoped she would be in her house but Amira was honestly open to any of them. She had many qualities about her that could fit in each of the houses, but now it was time to finally see what qualities were going to be more prominent.

She watched as fellow first years were called up one by one to get sorted by the sorting hat. Amira was still awestruck that this magical hat was going to be, basically, forming her future here at Hogwarts.

"Amira Wilkins!" She heard her name finally called, taking a deep breath in before stepping up and sitting as they placed the hat on her head. The hat hummed as it began thinking, pondering over where to put her. Amira's thoughts once again wandered as she herself was curious to see where she would be.

"Curious, this one. Many great qualities but," it paused for a moment before continuing, "there is a strong sense of hard work, dedication, a truly caring soul.. best be... Hufflepuff!"

As the sorting hat made it's final decision, Amira smiled brightly, her mother will be very pleased to hear about this when she writes to her. The Hufflepuff table let out loud cheers and clapped for her as she descended down to join them at the table, sitting beside some other first years. It was then that she noticed her robe had changed to have a yellow lining and the Hufflepuff house symbol on it. Now it was official, she was a badger, one of the kind Hufflepuffs.

Rike's eyes widened as she walked through the doors of the Great Hall with the other First Years, in between the long tables of older students already seated and awaiting their arrival. She was overwhelmed by how big Hogwarts was - she knew it was a huge, ancient castle, but didn't realize just how big it actually was. Now that she was here, it seemed surreal. Her parents all prepared her for the sorting ceremony. She wasn't nervous, but more just a bit anxious to see where she was supposed to be placed.

Most of her family were housed in Slytherin over the years, so she wondered if that was her destiny to follow in their footsteps or if she'd be placed somewhere else. Looking at the different tables of students in their colors of their house - gold and black for Hufflepuff, red and gold for Gryffindor, blue and bronze for Ravenclaw and green and silver for Slytherin - she wondered which table she'd eventually join. The Great Hall itself was aglow with hundreds of candles floating high above and under what looks like the night sky. "Wow, that's so beautiful", she thought. "I wonder how the headmaster or whoever else might've done that." Portraits lined the walls on either side of the hall depicting portraits of professors and famous witches and wizards of the past, landscapes, interiors of houses and so much more.

Finally, the first years arrived at the front of the hall. There was an old, dusty hat sitting upon a stool. A quiet fell upon the hall as the hat opened a portion of the middle that Rike assumed to be its mouth and began to sing! She was beyond stunned - her family never said anything about the hat singing before! She just stared in awe. After a couple minutes of a well-rehearsed song, the students and staff politely applauded and fell silent again. The sorting was to begin.

She watched as a couple students were called one by one to sit on the stool and put on the hat. After a minute or two with each student, the hat then exclaimed for all to hear the placement of each student. With each announcement, a particular table roared with applause and cheers louder than the others, alerting the students which table to join. After the last student, moved their way to their table, she heard her name: "Rike Bauer".

Now, completely overcome with anxiety, she swallowed and stepped forward and made her way to the stool. The hat was placed on her head and a voice spoke to her. "Ah, a Bauer, yes. I know who you are. Lots of greatness, determination and ambition swimming through your head. A need to be the best, and a ruthlessness that is just barely scratching the surface. Very resourceful and lots of pride. Interesting, interesting," the hat mused as it pondered on Rike's head. She didn't know if the hat could hear her thoughts as she was wondering how it could know so much about her and it answered "This is what I do - I can see your thoughts, your wants, desires, needs here in your head. While I do believe you'd be great no matter where I put you, I think you'd be best in...SLYTHERIN!" the hat bellowed for the Great Hall to hear.

Rike smiled as the table on the far right erupted into applause and cheers, as she walked over, almost a bit pleased with herself? She knows her family will be pleased and proud, she'll have to send an owl home to let them know the sorting results. She found an empty seat and looked at her fellow students. Confidence began to creep in, washing all anxiety and worry away. "This is where I belong," she thought and watched as the rest of the sorting ceremony from her new home.

Iris entered the Great Hall with the other students. A small ball was forming in his stomach. She thought of her mother who was once again in the hospital, and of her father who had gone on the move again. She had been able to see him during the holidays, and he had accompanied her to the red train which brought her here. But he had to return to Paris, France, their native country, to his family. Iris also spoke French fluently, she used it every day to talk to her mother on the phone. Which made her bilingual. She closed her eyes. She didn't know the houses at all, she had had information about Hogwarts of course, but she had forgotten everything. She was quickly called, her name being at the top of the list. She sat down on a sort of stool and a hat was put on her head. Uh... Suddenly she jumped. The hat was mumbling! Well, he didn't mutter much because he made the French girl jump again, by shouting "GRYFFINDOR!" This is where the older ones applauded. Iris stood up unsteadily and walked towards the table of those who were saying hello to her. She looked down. It was more than embarrassing, plus she didn't know anyone... She turned her glass on the table and looked at her reflection inside.

As Nina steps into the great hall with the other first years she feels the magical air all around her.
The tall ceilings covered with flickering candles, all different intricate tapestries and picture frames on the walls.
All around she can hear the other student whispering exciting about the new first years entering. What we look like, where we will be sorted.
My heart races as we approach the front. There a big long table from the left to right wall.
'Now we wait, it will be ok', you keep saying to yourself. ' You will have a place in this world.'
The hat begins to sing, recounting tales of bravery, loyalty, and ambition. One by one, students are called forward.
" Meier, Seraphina!" you hear. Again you feel a mix of anticipation and nerves al creeping up in your belly. Nina steps forward. The hat is placed upon your head, and you hear its voice in your mind, asking you questions, probing your heart and mind.
"Miss Meier. It's been some time I had a Meier coming to school. Now lets sort you, shall we."
"Where do your true strengths lie?" he asks. We think about patience, love. Kindness, love for potions and herbs. We think about Jasper, who is still at home with grandmother. As the hat contemplates, you feel warmth washes over you, and you can feel the excitement of your future awaiting you.

Finally, the hat shouts "RAVENCLAW". Cheers erupt all around you. You feel a sense of belonging wash over you when you take place at the Ravenclaw table next the other first years.

Cassandra hadn't been exactly sure what to expect when she first entered the Great Hall with the other first-years. Her mother had tried her best to explain what she should expect but nothing compared to actually being there. Her eyes widened slightly in awe at the grand scene in front of her and any nerves she once felt were replaced with excitement and wonder with everything she saw around her. The long tables filled with other students, the floating candles, and the huge ceiling that glittered like the night sky would leave anyone in awe. Her eyes were drawn towards the students who lined the tables, curious about the thoughts that were running through their minds, curious if they had felt the same way she was feeling when they first arrived.

Eventually, the other first-years stopped and she followed. Glancing forward, she saw who she assumed to be the Headmaster who began speaking. She felt her eyes and mind begin to wander as she looked towards the front to see an old, worn looking pointed hat. She remembered that her mother had mentioned something called a sorting hat that would supposedly sort her and the other first-years into their houses. It was about now that the hat would be set upon a stool and start singing to which Cassandra wasn't exactly sure how to feel about. It wasn't exactly everyday that one saw a hat sing, or maybe it was? Maybe this was a common occurrence in this world of magic which only made her start thinking about other objects that might randomly burst into song. She wasn't exactly a fan of the idea.

Eventually the song ended and applause erupted throughout the Great Hall, she clapped politely, eyes wandering over all the faces and people around her. The Headmaster soon began to call out names of the first-years and one by one they went up. She took note of what happened, someone would go up, some time would pass, and then the hat would shout a name of a house and the student would go off to their respective table. She took note that the time it took for sorting for each student was different. It was curious how sometimes it would seem like a minute or two would pass before anything happened while other times it was almost immediate. Time seemed to go by quickly however as soon her own name echoed through the hall. "Cassandra Hartwin!"

Suddenly, all her nerves raised back up to the surface as she became incredibly aware of the situation she was in. She took a deep breath and carefully made her way towards the hat and the stool. She sat down and immediately looked down at her hands, very aware of all the people looking towards her. "Hmm," a voice range through her head, making her jump slightly but quickly realizing that this must be the Sorting Hat. "A member of the Sterling family, different name though, I'm sure that upset some people." Her heart sank slightly at the name Sterling. She knew only a little bit about her mother's family but knew there was reason they didn't exactly try to reach out to them much. "Yes, a long line of Slytherins within the Sterlings. But you, yes, you aren't a Sterling. No you are very different to them. There is a wise and creative mind there, eager to learn more about the world. Yes I think it's going to have to be...RAVENCLAW!"

She felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders as the hat left her head and she heard cheers erupt from the Ravenclaw table. She quickly made her way to the table to which she was met with warm smiles and cheers. A small smile appeared on her face as her nerves settled, maybe things wouldn't be so bad here.