27 Oct 2024, 08:00
Sorting Ceremony
A Little Sorting Mishap
Date: October 27, 2024
Word count: 432 (not including quotes)
Legends:| Deputy Headmistress | Dpeone | The Sorting Hat | Student |
As Dpeone stepped into the Great Hall for the first time, she was awestruck. The ceiling was enchanted to mirror the night sky outside, flickering with stars and the gentle glow of the moonlight. Floating candles cast a warm light over the long tables filled with students dressed in robes, their faces full of excitement and curiosity as they watched the first-years enter. Dpeone's heart raced as she joined the line of new students, her gaze wandering over the enchanted space, taking in every magical detail. She tried to calm her nerves, but the sheer grandeur of the place left her feeling tiny — and very nervous.
When it was finally her turn, the deputy headmistress looked down at the parchment list and called out, "Um, Dee-pee-own?" Her voice echoed in the hall. Dpeone felt her cheeks turn scarlet, mortified as a few snickers rippled through the students.
"It's... it's Deh-nee," she whispered, shuffling forward, her face hot as she caught a few students trying to stifle laughter.
"Oh, my apologies, dear. Dpeone it is," the Headmistress corrected herself, giving Dpeone her warm smile as she gestured toward the stool.
Dpeone took her seat, squeezing her eyes shut as the Sorting Hat was placed over her head, its brim dipping down to cover her eyes. To her surprise, a voice, both ancient and cheerful, echoed through the Great Hall.
"Ah, Dpeone, is it?" the Sorting Hat chuckled softly. "A bit of a mishap there, hm?"
"Um... yes," Dpeone replied, feeling flustered. "People mispronounce my name all the time, but I'm used to it... kind of."
"Not to worry, my dear," the Hat said kindly. "You'll be remembered for much more than a mispronounced name. Now, let's see... you're clever, but not one to boast, hmm? And a loyal heart, filled with kindness. Yes, there's something in you that values friendship above all."
Dpeone bit her lip, thinking about her sisters and friends back home. "I just... I just want to belong somewhere, really."
The Hat hummed thoughtfully. "Then I think you'll be quite at home in... HUFFLEPUFF!" it shouted aloud, and the hall filled with applause from the Hufflepuff table, who were cheering and clapping wildly.
Dpeone beamed, hopping off the stool and practically running to her new housemates. As she joined the Hufflepuff table, one of the older students leaned over with a friendly grin.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff, Dpeone! And don't worry about the name mix-up — by the end of the year, they'll all know it," he promised, and Dpeone felt her embarrassment fade, replaced by a feeling of warmth and belonging.
When it was finally her turn, the deputy headmistress looked down at the parchment list and called out, "Um, Dee-pee-own?" Her voice echoed in the hall. Dpeone felt her cheeks turn scarlet, mortified as a few snickers rippled through the students.
"It's... it's Deh-nee," she whispered, shuffling forward, her face hot as she caught a few students trying to stifle laughter.
"Oh, my apologies, dear. Dpeone it is," the Headmistress corrected herself, giving Dpeone her warm smile as she gestured toward the stool.
Dpeone took her seat, squeezing her eyes shut as the Sorting Hat was placed over her head, its brim dipping down to cover her eyes. To her surprise, a voice, both ancient and cheerful, echoed through the Great Hall.
"Ah, Dpeone, is it?" the Sorting Hat chuckled softly. "A bit of a mishap there, hm?"
"Um... yes," Dpeone replied, feeling flustered. "People mispronounce my name all the time, but I'm used to it... kind of."
"Not to worry, my dear," the Hat said kindly. "You'll be remembered for much more than a mispronounced name. Now, let's see... you're clever, but not one to boast, hmm? And a loyal heart, filled with kindness. Yes, there's something in you that values friendship above all."
Dpeone bit her lip, thinking about her sisters and friends back home. "I just... I just want to belong somewhere, really."
The Hat hummed thoughtfully. "Then I think you'll be quite at home in... HUFFLEPUFF!" it shouted aloud, and the hall filled with applause from the Hufflepuff table, who were cheering and clapping wildly.
Dpeone beamed, hopping off the stool and practically running to her new housemates. As she joined the Hufflepuff table, one of the older students leaned over with a friendly grin.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff, Dpeone! And don't worry about the name mix-up — by the end of the year, they'll all know it," he promised, and Dpeone felt her embarrassment fade, replaced by a feeling of warmth and belonging.
"The gate has opened."
31 Oct 2024, 22:13
Sorting Ceremony
Great Hall, September 1 2024.
𓆩♡𓆪
By the time the Hogwarts Express finally pulled into the station, evening had settled like a heavy shawl upon the valley’s shoulders. Odette was ushered out of the train, along the station, and into the long boats with the other first-year students, surrounded by a flurry of excitement. The air was alight with the buzz of nervous, eager voices – eleven-year-olds all brimming with anticipation.
In stark contrast, Odette sat perfectly still, hands folded in her lap, spine ramrod straight, and knees pressed tightly together. Silent as they glided across the lake’s glassy surface, guided only by the amber lanterns at the helm and the warm glow of the castle looming ahead. A lump formed in her throat.
The appearance of the castle, perched among the cliffs, felt almost reverent, like a great, hulking creature of stone and mortar – lying in wait, alive.
A shiver traced its way down Odette’s spine as they passed beneath the castle’s towering walls and arrived at the small port at its base. The first years were ushered out, and Odette, feeling a tightness building in her chest, stumbled on numb legs as she stepped from the boat.
Around her, the first years twittered amongst themselves, their faces blurring in a flurry of movement. Odette felt like an outsider, hovering just beyond the pull of their gravity. Unable to catch any one face for long enough to make sense of their expressions or character.
True to her nature, Odette had found herself alone, even in the crowd.
Caroling eleven-year-olds was not unlike caroling a herd of cats. Soon enough, however, the bustling procession was shepherded through towering, stone corridors and up flights of seemingly endless – and were some of those… moving? – stairs. Then, finally, through hulking, opulent doors and past an imposing armored figure that Odette flashed a shy smile.
The Great Hall was aptly named, for it was a cathedral of magic within a sea of faces. Rows of long, polished tables stretched from end to end, packed with students of varying ages, awaiting the feast to come, while a soft, golden light illuminated their faces. Cavernous walls reached skywards, disappearing into a haze of the night sky. The ceiling seemingly stretched into the heavens, a vast tapestry of night – as if the very atmosphere had been captured and set within the hall itself. Candles drifted amongst the constellations, like fireflies caught in the breeze.
Odette breathed in deeply; the air itself heavy with the scent of beeswax polish, cedar, and something else – a spiced, sweet scent that reminded her of Rosie’s homecooked apple turnovers. Everything here seemed so carefully curated, meticulously drawn down to the last detail, that she almost stumbled over the robes of the child ahead of her, her gaze still locked on the grandeur of the hall, her mind still dizzy with wonder.
Gradually, the first-years pooled together at the head of the hall as massive doors boomed shut behind them, sealing them in with a sense of finality. The next time they left this hall, they would be official Hogwarts students with house colors adorning their currently bland uniforms.
The same imposing, armored figure stepped forward, his presence alone enough to silence the room. In a voice that required no amplification – seriously, was he wearing a mic? – he addressed the hall at large with an almost theatrical façade. His words echoed off the stone and filled the space with an authority that demanded their attention.
Odette crossed her arms tight across her chest and adopted, what she hoped, was a posture of polite composure. First impressions were crucial, after all, and while she doubted this man – Solomon Lear, their Headmaster – would even notice her, she wasn’t about to let her manners slip.
After a lengthy speech — complete with an introduction, an explanation, and even a song — the moment had finally arrived. One by one, the first-years were called forward to take their seat beneath the weighty Sorting Hat and discover the house that would not only shape their years at Hogwarts, but perhaps the rest of their lives.
“Odette Robbins!”
This was it.
Odette stepped forward, her head held high, her cheeks flushed with anticipation. She was acutely aware of every step that she took, her gaze fixed dead ahead. She’d never seen such a large crowd in her life, let alone stood in front of one. When she finally reached the stool, heart pounding in her chest, she sat, unseeing before the sea of faces blurred by her excitement. This was it.
She had no preference for any of the houses — truthfully, she probably should have read up on them more, but they were vague, mysterious things that she’d rather have left to fate. No use worrying about something she could not control. What she looked forward to most was learning about herself: hearing the Sorting Hat’s wise analysis, the deep insights it would give into her character, and the inevitable affirmation of how exceptional she must be, how similar she was to her mother—
“Gryffindor!”
The Sorting Hat had barely touched her head before it bellowed out the decision for all to bear witness. Odette blinked, her expression miraculously calm as she stood from the stool and was led by a faceless teacher toward the table now draped in red and gold, scattered with polite cheers.
Wait — what?
Where was the probing psychoanalysis of her innermost self? The torment of a hat struggling with where to place her, torn between so many possibilities because she was so complex, so balanced, so awesome?
Odette supposed, now seated amongst her peers, and with an inward sigh that spoke volumes of her resignation... that maybe she wasn’t quite as complicated as she'd thought she'd be.
In stark contrast, Odette sat perfectly still, hands folded in her lap, spine ramrod straight, and knees pressed tightly together. Silent as they glided across the lake’s glassy surface, guided only by the amber lanterns at the helm and the warm glow of the castle looming ahead. A lump formed in her throat.
The appearance of the castle, perched among the cliffs, felt almost reverent, like a great, hulking creature of stone and mortar – lying in wait, alive.
A shiver traced its way down Odette’s spine as they passed beneath the castle’s towering walls and arrived at the small port at its base. The first years were ushered out, and Odette, feeling a tightness building in her chest, stumbled on numb legs as she stepped from the boat.
Around her, the first years twittered amongst themselves, their faces blurring in a flurry of movement. Odette felt like an outsider, hovering just beyond the pull of their gravity. Unable to catch any one face for long enough to make sense of their expressions or character.
True to her nature, Odette had found herself alone, even in the crowd.
Caroling eleven-year-olds was not unlike caroling a herd of cats. Soon enough, however, the bustling procession was shepherded through towering, stone corridors and up flights of seemingly endless – and were some of those… moving? – stairs. Then, finally, through hulking, opulent doors and past an imposing armored figure that Odette flashed a shy smile.
The Great Hall was aptly named, for it was a cathedral of magic within a sea of faces. Rows of long, polished tables stretched from end to end, packed with students of varying ages, awaiting the feast to come, while a soft, golden light illuminated their faces. Cavernous walls reached skywards, disappearing into a haze of the night sky. The ceiling seemingly stretched into the heavens, a vast tapestry of night – as if the very atmosphere had been captured and set within the hall itself. Candles drifted amongst the constellations, like fireflies caught in the breeze.
Odette breathed in deeply; the air itself heavy with the scent of beeswax polish, cedar, and something else – a spiced, sweet scent that reminded her of Rosie’s homecooked apple turnovers. Everything here seemed so carefully curated, meticulously drawn down to the last detail, that she almost stumbled over the robes of the child ahead of her, her gaze still locked on the grandeur of the hall, her mind still dizzy with wonder.
Gradually, the first-years pooled together at the head of the hall as massive doors boomed shut behind them, sealing them in with a sense of finality. The next time they left this hall, they would be official Hogwarts students with house colors adorning their currently bland uniforms.
The same imposing, armored figure stepped forward, his presence alone enough to silence the room. In a voice that required no amplification – seriously, was he wearing a mic? – he addressed the hall at large with an almost theatrical façade. His words echoed off the stone and filled the space with an authority that demanded their attention.
Odette crossed her arms tight across her chest and adopted, what she hoped, was a posture of polite composure. First impressions were crucial, after all, and while she doubted this man – Solomon Lear, their Headmaster – would even notice her, she wasn’t about to let her manners slip.
After a lengthy speech — complete with an introduction, an explanation, and even a song — the moment had finally arrived. One by one, the first-years were called forward to take their seat beneath the weighty Sorting Hat and discover the house that would not only shape their years at Hogwarts, but perhaps the rest of their lives.
“Odette Robbins!”
This was it.
Odette stepped forward, her head held high, her cheeks flushed with anticipation. She was acutely aware of every step that she took, her gaze fixed dead ahead. She’d never seen such a large crowd in her life, let alone stood in front of one. When she finally reached the stool, heart pounding in her chest, she sat, unseeing before the sea of faces blurred by her excitement. This was it.
She had no preference for any of the houses — truthfully, she probably should have read up on them more, but they were vague, mysterious things that she’d rather have left to fate. No use worrying about something she could not control. What she looked forward to most was learning about herself: hearing the Sorting Hat’s wise analysis, the deep insights it would give into her character, and the inevitable affirmation of how exceptional she must be, how similar she was to her mother—
“Gryffindor!”
The Sorting Hat had barely touched her head before it bellowed out the decision for all to bear witness. Odette blinked, her expression miraculously calm as she stood from the stool and was led by a faceless teacher toward the table now draped in red and gold, scattered with polite cheers.
Wait — what?
Where was the probing psychoanalysis of her innermost self? The torment of a hat struggling with where to place her, torn between so many possibilities because she was so complex, so balanced, so awesome?
Odette supposed, now seated amongst her peers, and with an inward sigh that spoke volumes of her resignation... that maybe she wasn’t quite as complicated as she'd thought she'd be.
#729bc1
2 Nov 2024, 14:06
Sorting Ceremony
Feet forward, one by one. Breathe calmly.
Elise entered the Great Hall with a messily full head of thoughts. Organizing them would be a struggle. It shouldn’t be too much of a pain, if she just was able to do what she was telling herself and actually breathe in deep breaths, instead of quiet, hiccuping gasps.
Being nervous was logical, she had to tell herself, it’s a new environment, no one you know is here, and it’s not going to be easy.
Magic is complex, magic is astounding, magic is mildly intimidating, magic is just - woah, there were literally candles suspended in the air, probably hundreds of them filling the grand room.
So maybe staying calm will be a bit more difficult, but it’s probably fine, being anxious lets you blend in, if you get too anxious and cry, you immediately garner the sympathy of others, which can be used to your advantage.
Elise had to snap herself out of her thoughts as the speech introducing the sorting ceremony began. Okay, so there was a talking hat, weird but still pretty cool. Oh, so it was a singing, sorting, talking hat, interesting.
As it sang its song, she pondered the words, trying to imagine where she would belong. Certainly not in Gryffindor, that seemed a bit too boisterous. Hufflepuff seemed too demure for her. Maybe Slytherin or Ravenclaw? Either could probably fit.
She listened as the students were called up, one by one, and the Sorting Hat started to place them.
It felt like almost a surprise that Elise ended up being called, as the number of first years around her seemed to drop with no sign of her being called, but eventually she heard it “Law, Elise”. She nearly jumped out of her seat as she tried to elegantly stand up and make her way down.
It wasn’t like she had anxiety presenting in front of a class, but the number of people staring at her was almost overwhelming, for someone who liked attention, she was almost wishing that she would just disappear.
As the hat was placed upon her head, she silently waited, trying not to fidget or think too much, failing at both.
“A thinker, but not one who uses her knowledge of the world to further herself, but one who uses the knowledge of people to get her way. A lazy mind, and a strong will. I see where you belong”
“SLYTHERIN” It shouted out, and she was relieved when it was removed from her head. As the applause started, she scrambled off from her seat and to the table of green uniforms, who quickly offered her a seat, congratulating her.
Elise entered the Great Hall with a messily full head of thoughts. Organizing them would be a struggle. It shouldn’t be too much of a pain, if she just was able to do what she was telling herself and actually breathe in deep breaths, instead of quiet, hiccuping gasps.
Being nervous was logical, she had to tell herself, it’s a new environment, no one you know is here, and it’s not going to be easy.
Magic is complex, magic is astounding, magic is mildly intimidating, magic is just - woah, there were literally candles suspended in the air, probably hundreds of them filling the grand room.
So maybe staying calm will be a bit more difficult, but it’s probably fine, being anxious lets you blend in, if you get too anxious and cry, you immediately garner the sympathy of others, which can be used to your advantage.
Elise had to snap herself out of her thoughts as the speech introducing the sorting ceremony began. Okay, so there was a talking hat, weird but still pretty cool. Oh, so it was a singing, sorting, talking hat, interesting.
As it sang its song, she pondered the words, trying to imagine where she would belong. Certainly not in Gryffindor, that seemed a bit too boisterous. Hufflepuff seemed too demure for her. Maybe Slytherin or Ravenclaw? Either could probably fit.
She listened as the students were called up, one by one, and the Sorting Hat started to place them.
It felt like almost a surprise that Elise ended up being called, as the number of first years around her seemed to drop with no sign of her being called, but eventually she heard it “Law, Elise”. She nearly jumped out of her seat as she tried to elegantly stand up and make her way down.
It wasn’t like she had anxiety presenting in front of a class, but the number of people staring at her was almost overwhelming, for someone who liked attention, she was almost wishing that she would just disappear.
As the hat was placed upon her head, she silently waited, trying not to fidget or think too much, failing at both.
“A thinker, but not one who uses her knowledge of the world to further herself, but one who uses the knowledge of people to get her way. A lazy mind, and a strong will. I see where you belong”
“SLYTHERIN” It shouted out, and she was relieved when it was removed from her head. As the applause started, she scrambled off from her seat and to the table of green uniforms, who quickly offered her a seat, congratulating her.
7 Nov 2024, 01:08
Sorting Ceremony
TIME | Night
DATE | September 1st, 2024
INTERACTING | @Sorting Hat
00:00⠀─── ◉ ───────⠀00:00
#8c6d08 | DIALOGUE
@Hufflepuff | MENTIONINGCirrus felt as if he was in an alternate dimension everything was nothing like he had ever seen before. Not only had he made his departure from home earlier today, after passing through a faux wall, but he rode on the Hogwarts express. It was like something out of a fairytale, Cirrus had not many other wizards or witches yet. Because he was too timid to speak up, and he was to busy enjoying the experience and surrealism of it all. It was only when they had arrived and he saw the towering vastness that was Hogwarts that he realized he wasn't dreaming but this was his reality. There were students from all nationalities, hundreds if not thousands of new and even older students. All the new years fathered within the middle and a intimidating tall man in a large armor chest-plate stood up silencing the crowd. Although the man was friendly and welcoming as he spoke his cold blue eyes remained piercing, and dead. He noticed as he walked up to podium, he walked with a subtle limp, the man then spoke in a powerful voice:
"Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony. The sorting hat has been a part of our school's tradition since the time of Godric Gryffindor, one of this institution's founding wizards. This hat is very much sentient."
"Sentient? I am intelligent," an old rusty voice drifted across the room, Cirrus's mouth hung agape when he watch an old worn-out hat with wrinkles and folds that resembled a face waddled it's way to everyone's view. Hats can talk? The hat and the man shared a hardy laugh as others rolled their eyes, Cirrus couldn't help but smile. It was a heart-warming exchange in his eyes, a joke between old friends. The man, who Cirrus now knew as Headmaster Solomon Lear, begun to explain all the events that would follow and a brief summary of the history of Hogwarts and it's four houses. The hat was placed on a stool and begun to sing.
" A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
For were their such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When were they dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've got a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends. "
Everyone applauded and Cirrus didn't hesitate to clap along with a grin. Then began the long grueling hours of every individual student being called up to be sorted by the house, some were immediate whilst others took a couple extra minutes. As the minutes ticked away, Cirrus became more and more anxious, I have to go up in front of all the people? He clapped along at every applaud, Cirrus practically jumped when he heard his name called out.
"CIRRUS NAM!"
Cirrus straightened his back and feigned confidence as he walked up to the hat, he walked with dignity and grace most would never know his palms were sweating from nerves. He knew that no one would probably even remember him as he was just another face in the crowd.
"Ello,"1 Cirrus said greeting the hat quickly before sitting, the hat had only hovered over his head when it yelled loud and clear.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Cirrus let a sheepish smile crawl across his porcelain face as the table adorned with yellow and badgers abrupted in cheers.
coded by charisse
Reducio
1. Hello
—cirrus nam
—Watermelon sugar high—
melor baskakova—
8 Nov 2024, 01:11
Sorting Ceremony
As she was swept into the Great Hall by the seemingly unending stream of hundreds of first-year students, Cassandra's eyes widened, trying to take it all in. Ostensibly, the place seemed warm and welcoming, but she still had to fight the urge to turn straight back around and run away to somewhere, anywhere more quiet.September 1st, 2024 | Great Hall
As if the hustle and bustle around her wasn't overwhelming enough on its own, things that she would have considered to be physically impossible only a few short weeks before were happening all around her. The candles, whose golden light might otherwise have been a source of comfort, were inexplicably floating in mid-air; a small number of transparent, apparently immaterial figures - ghosts?! - were moving around in between the four dining tables; and Cassandra could have sworn that she had seen several of the portraits on the walls move of their own accord.
This whole wizarding thing was going to take some time getting used to.
Focus, she told herself sternly, directing her attention towards the front of the room. By this point, all of the students had gathered inside the Great Hall; most of them were listening intently to the man who had just introduced himself as the Headmaster, an imposing figure who was dressed in heavy armor for some reason, as Cassandra noted with some trepidation. Is this such a dangerous place that even the most powerful person in here has to wear protective armor?
However, further contemplation revealed that none of the other students - or professors, for that matter - were dressed in anything that looked like it was designed to protect the wearer, which made the Headmaster's attire seem even stranger by comparison.
Cassandra was so lost in thought trying to make sense of this oddity that she missed roughly half of the man's speech, only realizing her mistake when she heard the final words: "...need to know is the Sorting Hat is never wrong, once you are sorted your House will not change for the duration of your time in Hogwarts."
Great. So this ceremony, which no one had thought to adequately prepare her for, would determine the course of her entire academic career over the next seven years, and maybe even beyond that? And the being in charge of such a life-changing decision was... a sentient hat?
Chewing on her lower lip and trying to come to terms with the fact that the people making decisions in the Wizarding World seemed to be certifiably insane, Cassandra watched the first batch of first-year students go through their respective Sortings. In some cases, the hat called out a house almost immediately upon touching the child's head, leaving her to wonder how much time there really was to negotiate. She hoped that she would have at least some choice in the matter.
The professor who had come to their house to explain things had briefly mentioned the Sorting, but beyond that, it had been difficult to get her hands on reliable information, since the only known wizard in the family was her father, who had disappeared without a trace before Cassandra's mother had even realized she was pregnant. He might not have been of use either way; being Romanian, he would probably have attended a different school of wizardry.
Cassandra had briefly contemplated asking random people on the school train for information, but once she had boarded the Hogwarts Express, her throat had closed up at the mere idea of approaching older students and bothering them with questions that would reveal how utterly clueless she was. Instead, she had spent most of the train ride going through her textbooks trying to find out more about the four Houses.
The one she could best see herself in was Ravenclaw, by a fair margin. She loved learning, trying to figure out the laws that governed the universe; more often than not, Cassandra could be found poring over books for hours on end, especially about science. (She wondered if there were any books on science that included a magical perspective, since the laws governing wizardry seemed to completely run counter to most of the things Muggles believed about the world.) Ravenclaws were her people - she was sure of it.
She would have been fine with Hufflepuff as well. The descriptions of a typical Hufflepuff sounded a little too social for her liking, but other than that, she thought of herself as reasonably kind and didn't shy away from hard work.
Slytherin, on the other hand... eh. Their reputation as villains was maybe a little stereotypical, but dangerous things did always seem to happen around Slytherins, which Cassandra certainly didn't want any part in... and she didn't see herself as ambitious, either. Gryffindor, well, that was completely out of the question. She wasn't brave, much less reckless, and definitely couldn't imagine herself involved in any dangerous heroics.
Much too soon for her liking, the Headmaster called out her name - "Barrett, Cassandra!" - and she made her way to the front of the room, uncomfortably aware of everyone staring at her. The hat was placed on her head. For a moment, the world went dark as its overly large brim slipped over Cassandra's eyes.
She almost jumped at the sound of the voice, as though it were speaking directly into her ear. "Hmm... what do we have here?"
"I'm Cassandra", she whispered nervously, not quite sure whether she had to answer out loud or whether the hat was able to read her thoughts. The disembodied voice responded with a soft chuckle.
"I know. I can, in fact, hear what you're thinking. Let's see... an interesting case indeed... it's almost like there are two sides to you..." She remained silent, unsure what to make of this remark. "Ravenclaw wouldn't be the wrong choice for you, per se. Putting you there would mean letting you stay exactly as you are - living life according to your predictable little routine, growing older but never fundamentally changing, stagnant inside your comfort zone... would you be happy with that? Perhaps... but part of you would always wonder what could have been, wouldn't it?"
"I - predictable seems fine, to be honest. More than fine. Could - could you please just sort me into Ravenclaw?" Cassandra felt like her Sorting was taking an unusually long time, and she could feel heat rising in her cheeks as she imagined being the center of attention for such a long time. Everyone wondering what was wrong with her. Maybe she didn't even belong here. Maybe-
The hat's voice had a pensive note to it as it spoke up again. "I'm not meant to make the choice that makes you the most comfortable, I have to do what's best for you. And I see great potential in you, Cassandra... great potential once you get over your fears and start considering your true ambitions..."
With a sinking feeling in her stomach, she could feel it coming a split second before it happened, knew that something had gone terribly wrong, could feel the hat shifting as its brim split open to reveal some sort of mouth, as it had with the others. She didn't even have the time to think anything else before the Sorting Hat yelled out: "SLYTHERIN!"
People were cheering and clapping, but she could barely hear them over the ringing in her ears. Every part of her seemed to have gone numb; she felt almost too wobbly to stand up even after the hat was gently removed from her head. Slytherin, Slytherin, Slytherin was repeating on a loop inside her mind.
The hat had to have made a mistake. All she wanted was for the world to be in order, and right now it felt as though someone had shoved the world off its axis and sent it spinning around in chaotic circles. She would be completely out of place in Slytherin. She didn't have that ruthless ambition, she wasn't cunning or anything - they would eat her alive.
The next few years are going to be hell, she thought as she made her way to her house's table on shaking legs.
9 Nov 2024, 06:53
Sorting Ceremony
Sao hadn't realized how terrible of an experience the Sorting Ceremony was going to be. With her last name starting with W, and teachers having an unexplainable liking for alphabetization, Sao was almost always at the bottom of the list, if not the very last. And now, with over 100 students waiting to be called on to be sorted? An absolute nightmare.
If it was simply just getting called on, too, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But it seemed that every five kids, there would be someone who the Sorting Hat would ponder over for minutes, wrinkling and furrowing its folds in an uncanny, human-like manner. Sao found that she really appreciated her peers that fit the stereotypes of the Hogwarts Houses. For example, the pompous girl two places ahead of her, whose robes had a velvety sheen that no one else's had. Definitely Slytherin. Or the boy right behind her who was picking his nose and boldly flicking it another boy. Gryffindor for sure.
When she wasn't trying to guess which student would be sorted where, Sao spent her time ogling the architecture of the Great Hall and taking note of the professors seated at their table. Headmaster Lear, she had already mentally labeled him as impressive and frightening - aka not to talk to unless necessary. Her mother's nitpicky voice suddenly came to mind. "Don't judge people based on their looks," she would always scold. "If looks could tell us everything about a person, this world be for the worse. People would never try to change or get to know each other." Sao would never argue with her over that, despite knowing well that her mother had a penchant for criticizing anybody who implied having an IQ of an ant. (But in her defense, these people somehow always had a nasty personality to pair with it.)
"SAO WEIDE," Headmaster Lear called suddenly. She jumped skittishly, almost tripping over her feet in the process. She hadn't realized that it was her turn now. Her palms felt clammy, her legs quivering as she got closer and closer to the stool. She settled down, stomach churning with anticipation, as the Sorting Hat was delicately placed on her head.
"Hmm..."
Sao scrunched her eyes shut. She couldn't bear to look at the sea of students all staring at her, awaiting the hat's verdict.
"I see a potential for the academics and its exploration... traits that would be cultivated under Ravenclaw. I also see a resourcefulness and strategizing that has gotten you quite far already. Yes, you would fare well with the Slytherins, too. "
"But I sense a deep, unwavering loyalty to those you hold dear. Yes, I think I know..."
"HUFFLEPUFF," the Sorting Hat roared, and a thundering clapping sounded through the hall at its announcement. Sao opened her eyes wide with excitement, turning to look at the long Hufflepuff table where her new housemates were sitting. Although the older Hogwarts students all clapped with each first-year's sorting, the smiles and warmth that the Hufflepuff students sent her way as she walked over giddily made her feel even more thrilled and welcomed. She settled into an open spot between two students who seemed to be only a year or two older and exchanged greetings and names with them quickly. It was already the next student's sorting, although Sao imagined that the ceremony would end soon.
She let out a content sigh and looked down at her newly magically-transformed tie, fingering the black stripes that now emboldened the yellow fabric. The tie of a true Hufflepuff.
If it was simply just getting called on, too, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. But it seemed that every five kids, there would be someone who the Sorting Hat would ponder over for minutes, wrinkling and furrowing its folds in an uncanny, human-like manner. Sao found that she really appreciated her peers that fit the stereotypes of the Hogwarts Houses. For example, the pompous girl two places ahead of her, whose robes had a velvety sheen that no one else's had. Definitely Slytherin. Or the boy right behind her who was picking his nose and boldly flicking it another boy. Gryffindor for sure.
When she wasn't trying to guess which student would be sorted where, Sao spent her time ogling the architecture of the Great Hall and taking note of the professors seated at their table. Headmaster Lear, she had already mentally labeled him as impressive and frightening - aka not to talk to unless necessary. Her mother's nitpicky voice suddenly came to mind. "Don't judge people based on their looks," she would always scold. "If looks could tell us everything about a person, this world be for the worse. People would never try to change or get to know each other." Sao would never argue with her over that, despite knowing well that her mother had a penchant for criticizing anybody who implied having an IQ of an ant. (But in her defense, these people somehow always had a nasty personality to pair with it.)
"SAO WEIDE," Headmaster Lear called suddenly. She jumped skittishly, almost tripping over her feet in the process. She hadn't realized that it was her turn now. Her palms felt clammy, her legs quivering as she got closer and closer to the stool. She settled down, stomach churning with anticipation, as the Sorting Hat was delicately placed on her head.
"Hmm..."
Sao scrunched her eyes shut. She couldn't bear to look at the sea of students all staring at her, awaiting the hat's verdict.
"I see a potential for the academics and its exploration... traits that would be cultivated under Ravenclaw. I also see a resourcefulness and strategizing that has gotten you quite far already. Yes, you would fare well with the Slytherins, too. "
"But I sense a deep, unwavering loyalty to those you hold dear. Yes, I think I know..."
"HUFFLEPUFF," the Sorting Hat roared, and a thundering clapping sounded through the hall at its announcement. Sao opened her eyes wide with excitement, turning to look at the long Hufflepuff table where her new housemates were sitting. Although the older Hogwarts students all clapped with each first-year's sorting, the smiles and warmth that the Hufflepuff students sent her way as she walked over giddily made her feel even more thrilled and welcomed. She settled into an open spot between two students who seemed to be only a year or two older and exchanged greetings and names with them quickly. It was already the next student's sorting, although Sao imagined that the ceremony would end soon.
She let out a content sigh and looked down at her newly magically-transformed tie, fingering the black stripes that now emboldened the yellow fabric. The tie of a true Hufflepuff.
9 Nov 2024, 21:50
Sorting Ceremony
The castle was just as impressive on the inside as it was on the outside. Portraits lined the walls with each subject trying to get a glance at the first years entering the castle, "Welcome to Hogwarts!" One shouted, "Hope you love it here," another chimed in from somewhere above. A small marble staircase wide enough to fit nearly a third of the group on a single step laid out in front of them leading to a large oak door much like the one they just walked through. Behind the door, the chatter of a hundred voices could be heard. Steven anxiously looked around and found comfort that many of the first years appeared just as nervous as he was.
The drawn-out chatter from behind the door flooded over the group as the oak door swung open. Steven's jaw dropped at the sight of an endless sea of floating candles floated above head. Four tables laid out filled with students wearing robes with different color lining. Right, the houses. He thought to himself as also made note of four hour glasses towering in the corner. The group of first years took turns being greeted by a giant of a man wearing- armor?
"Hi, pleasure to meet you." Steven said with a polite smile and a head nod towards this man. Moments later that man was revealed to be the Headmaster. What an odd old man, Steven thought amusingly. As the sorting ceremony was explained Steven continued to pear over each of the four tables wondering which house he would call his home. A thought process that was distracted by song.
Somehow the boy was so stuck in his mind that he missed the worn-down looking hat being pulled out, and was bewildered to hear it sing. In what started out as unison, the students at the tables erupted into a sing-along. Some of the students took a little bit longer singing, but once they got that out of the way the ceremony officially begun. Steven felt relief to see the parchment that the Headmaster was reading off rolled down to the floor.
Please don't let me be first...
A boy of about the same stature as Steven had that pleasure. He didn't catch the name, but he heard the result of Gryffindor followed by a thunderous applause from their table. He watched as the boy walked past with the expression of relief and joy painted all over his face. A feeling Steven hoped he would feel too. Although to be fair he hadn't really known much about the houses. One by one the first years jumped up and darted off to their new houses for the next several years. It wasn't until about the tenth name called that finally all four of the houses had been named. It seemed Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were gaining the most.
"Steven John."
The boy gulped; it was finally his moment. Steven mistakenly looked around first before heading up and noticed all eyes were eager to see which first year stepped forward. "You can do this." He encouraged himself as he took a nervous step forward. Making his way to the front, Steven took a seat in the chair and gave one last look over the crowd. The sorting hat placed on his head nearly swallowed him as the brim dropped down to his lips. Hmmm I see I see... A voice spoke softly still startling to boy. A reaction which caused his cheeks to turn the color of the Gryffindor table.
"You have courage, oh yes...boosted by friends which you are fiercely loyal too. A good amount of thirst to make a name for yourself too..ohhh but your curiosity. Intriguing, yes very..." The voice just continued on. Steven was sure he heard other student muttering up here, surely giving their inputs, but he kept quiet. Truth be told he didn't know enough about the houses to give any sort of opinion, and something told him he should just let the sorting hat work its magic.
"Very well, yes you will do well in....RAVENCLAW" The hat bellowed out. Steven found relief in the claps and cheers now coming from the Ravenclaw side of the room as he scurried off to find a open seat.
The drawn-out chatter from behind the door flooded over the group as the oak door swung open. Steven's jaw dropped at the sight of an endless sea of floating candles floated above head. Four tables laid out filled with students wearing robes with different color lining. Right, the houses. He thought to himself as also made note of four hour glasses towering in the corner. The group of first years took turns being greeted by a giant of a man wearing- armor?
"Hi, pleasure to meet you." Steven said with a polite smile and a head nod towards this man. Moments later that man was revealed to be the Headmaster. What an odd old man, Steven thought amusingly. As the sorting ceremony was explained Steven continued to pear over each of the four tables wondering which house he would call his home. A thought process that was distracted by song.
Somehow the boy was so stuck in his mind that he missed the worn-down looking hat being pulled out, and was bewildered to hear it sing. In what started out as unison, the students at the tables erupted into a sing-along. Some of the students took a little bit longer singing, but once they got that out of the way the ceremony officially begun. Steven felt relief to see the parchment that the Headmaster was reading off rolled down to the floor.
Please don't let me be first...
A boy of about the same stature as Steven had that pleasure. He didn't catch the name, but he heard the result of Gryffindor followed by a thunderous applause from their table. He watched as the boy walked past with the expression of relief and joy painted all over his face. A feeling Steven hoped he would feel too. Although to be fair he hadn't really known much about the houses. One by one the first years jumped up and darted off to their new houses for the next several years. It wasn't until about the tenth name called that finally all four of the houses had been named. It seemed Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were gaining the most.
"Steven John."
The boy gulped; it was finally his moment. Steven mistakenly looked around first before heading up and noticed all eyes were eager to see which first year stepped forward. "You can do this." He encouraged himself as he took a nervous step forward. Making his way to the front, Steven took a seat in the chair and gave one last look over the crowd. The sorting hat placed on his head nearly swallowed him as the brim dropped down to his lips. Hmmm I see I see... A voice spoke softly still startling to boy. A reaction which caused his cheeks to turn the color of the Gryffindor table.
"You have courage, oh yes...boosted by friends which you are fiercely loyal too. A good amount of thirst to make a name for yourself too..ohhh but your curiosity. Intriguing, yes very..." The voice just continued on. Steven was sure he heard other student muttering up here, surely giving their inputs, but he kept quiet. Truth be told he didn't know enough about the houses to give any sort of opinion, and something told him he should just let the sorting hat work its magic.
"Very well, yes you will do well in....RAVENCLAW" The hat bellowed out. Steven found relief in the claps and cheers now coming from the Ravenclaw side of the room as he scurried off to find a open seat.
10 Nov 2024, 17:06
Sorting Ceremony
The day has finally arrived, Hacue reminds himself. The sorting ceremony, this is where I start the long journey of becoming a powerful wizard. He sits among the new students entering Hogwarts for the first time taking in the sights and the extravagances of the great hall. While other students are amazed by the floating candles and the abundance of food he focuses on the members of each house, searching through the rows and rows of returning students trying the grasp who house he would fit into.
As a pure-blood he think Slytherin would be a good fit, they are cunning, thirsty for power, and have many well-known wizards in their ranks. That would give me a good advantage when it comes to learning powerful spells.
He then looks over at Gryffindor. They are strong, brave, and loyal. He thinks of wizards who have overcame great odds like Harry potter and defeated dark lords. Thinking to himself “I could see me also being placed in Gryffindor”.
He then looks at Ravenclaw. They are intelligent, resourceful, and hard working. I would be able to learn a lot form them. Yet, he’s not sure if that would be the best fit for his personality.
Then finally, he glares over to Hufflepuff. He thinks please no, not them. He snaps out of his own train of thought to his name being called. As he hesitantly makes his way to the chair to be placed into his future house he takes one final glance around the room before being sat down. As the hat is placed on his head to thinks back to his goals, his motivations, and his ambitions. He feels his heart beating and his blood boil red, instantly the sorting hat shouts Gryffindor. He eases his breath and searches for an open seat at the table.
As a pure-blood he think Slytherin would be a good fit, they are cunning, thirsty for power, and have many well-known wizards in their ranks. That would give me a good advantage when it comes to learning powerful spells.
He then looks over at Gryffindor. They are strong, brave, and loyal. He thinks of wizards who have overcame great odds like Harry potter and defeated dark lords. Thinking to himself “I could see me also being placed in Gryffindor”.
He then looks at Ravenclaw. They are intelligent, resourceful, and hard working. I would be able to learn a lot form them. Yet, he’s not sure if that would be the best fit for his personality.
Then finally, he glares over to Hufflepuff. He thinks please no, not them. He snaps out of his own train of thought to his name being called. As he hesitantly makes his way to the chair to be placed into his future house he takes one final glance around the room before being sat down. As the hat is placed on his head to thinks back to his goals, his motivations, and his ambitions. He feels his heart beating and his blood boil red, instantly the sorting hat shouts Gryffindor. He eases his breath and searches for an open seat at the table.
Stamina: 5 | Evasion: 5 | Strength: 5 | Wisdom: 7 | ArcPower: 6 | Accuracy: 7 my Ency
11 Nov 2024, 09:19
Sorting Ceremony
The Great Hall would probably look more amazing if Geraldine was able to see it. She had six years to adapt to her blindness, one of the most obvious ones being echolocation, but it would never be a full substitute for the sight she remembered. But still, she could appreciate the parts she could recognise. Four long tables, each one corresponding to one of the houses. They were most likely colour-coded, but she would have to remember the order. As long as that doesn't change, it would be fine.
As for the houses themself, she did not have too much time to learn about them, but she got the basic gist. She didn't know what house her mother was in, she probably could have asked her father, he might have known, but if her mother went to such lengths to hide her magical history, than Geraldine believed 'house lineage' should not be so important. In fact, Geraldine was not sure how much she cared about the specific houses at all. She only knew for sure that she didn't want to be in Slytherin. The other three, she could make do with any of them.
It shouldn't be too surprising when the hat called out "Ravenclaw!" It was the house more stereotypically associated with curiosity, academic study and eccentricity. The first two were obvious, she wanted to become a researcher of healing, so that her condition would never have to happen again. For the third one, the aforementioned condition could be considered eccentric, though that also felt quite rude to say. With her house announced, the cheers practically guided her down to the table.
As for the houses themself, she did not have too much time to learn about them, but she got the basic gist. She didn't know what house her mother was in, she probably could have asked her father, he might have known, but if her mother went to such lengths to hide her magical history, than Geraldine believed 'house lineage' should not be so important. In fact, Geraldine was not sure how much she cared about the specific houses at all. She only knew for sure that she didn't want to be in Slytherin. The other three, she could make do with any of them.
It shouldn't be too surprising when the hat called out "Ravenclaw!" It was the house more stereotypically associated with curiosity, academic study and eccentricity. The first two were obvious, she wanted to become a researcher of healing, so that her condition would never have to happen again. For the third one, the aforementioned condition could be considered eccentric, though that also felt quite rude to say. With her house announced, the cheers practically guided her down to the table.
Object Permanence persists darkness.
11 Nov 2024, 14:39
Sorting Ceremony
Reducio
Time: 1st of September 2024
Interacting with: N/A
Interacting with: N/A
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"Would you look at this place?! It's so unusually terrrrrrrific! The candles, how are they floating? Karina had tons of questions on her mind. She looked around, she saw a lot of students, they were all cramming into the Great Hall. There were tables, they had different symbols on them. 1 with a lion, 1 with a badger, 1 with a snake, and 1 with a raven. Karina then noticed a weird looking hat sitting on a little chair. It was soon accompanied by some professor. All of the 1st-years then gathered in front of the hat.
"Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony. The sorting hat has been a part of our school's tradition since the time of Godric Gryffindor, one of this institution's founding wizards. This hat is very much sentient."
The hat is sentient? What does a hat have to do with Hogwarts? Does whoever fails their classes, have to wear it? Karina wondered. Suddenly she thought she was going to feel sick. The hat had spoken!
"Sentient, I am intelligent"
A voice chimed in from... It did not come from the Headmaster nor did it come from any of the other Professors. Yes, the voice came from the hat itself. All of the students gasped. That was truly magical.
After some long rules, Karina had learned that there are 4 houses, and that the hat determines which house you will go in. That was odd.
One by one, each student was called up. First was Sabrina Lyons, she was announced as a Ravenclaw. Then, a boy, Asher Lundell, was called up, he was announced a Hufflepuff. Finally, Karina was called up, she was called right after a boy named Joseph Sims was called up. Karina was shaking, what if she didn't get a house? What if the people in her house disliked her? She slowly went up there, held her head low, and sat on the stool. She usually was very brave, but not when it comes to standing up in front of the whole school. Karina soon felt a moving object being placed on her head.
"Ahhh, another Eaglewood, ey? Your mother was a Slytherin, I see you took after her ambition. Your father was a Hufflepuff, I see you took after his loyalty... I see bravery, but not enough for Gryffindor. I see a good mind, but not enough for Ravenclaw. I see you are hardworking. How about Hufflepuff?" Karina shrugged. "Why not Slytherin? You like making friends, you are cunning, ambitious... SLYTHERIN!"
There was a loud applause, Karina felt a grin grow on her face. She had a house, after all!
After everyone was called the feast was going to begin. Karina sat by 2 girls. One had beautiful, long, blonde hair. The other had gorgeous, brown hair that was tightly brought back onto a bun. Both of them were 1st-years.
Karina took a turkey leg, some gravy with mashes potatoes, and for dessert, pudding cups. "Mmm, this pudding is the best!!" Karina already knew what she was going to do next;
1. Go to her dorm, find a roommate
2. Write a letter to her parents
3. Go to her classes
Karina knew she was going to enjoy this school, hoping to meet new friends, studying hard, and moving on to the 2nd-year!!