27 Nov 2019, 20:50
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Stephan looked upon the Great Hall as the first years were herded into the room, filing into the aisles between the tables. His breath was taken from him as his eyes were directed up, focusing on the floating candles that hovered gently above the feasting students. The students. There were so many of them, not even including the newly-arrived first years! The tired boy merely stood in awe as he took in the sight of the massive room. His hand shot up and rubbed his eyes. The train ride there had been long, but he was determined to stay as awake as possible. He had waited a long while to experience a wizarding school, so he was certainly staying awake to do so.
He scarcely grasped what the headmaster had announced and completely zoned out during the grimy hat's song, instead favoring the activity of searching for his brother among the crowd. He couldn't seem to find the proper, brown-haired Ravenclaw despite searching as hard as he could. Balancing on his toes, he craned his head up over the other kids. Is that him? No... wait-, the boy fell back onto his heels as a name was loudly called out. Certainly not his, as a much taller first year stepped up to the stool. The hat was placed upon their head, then the name of a house was called out. Stephan assumed there were four based on the number of tables, but he only knew of Ravenclaw, the one both his brother and previously his mother was in.
Then the following name was called out. The name contained another last name starting with "A," which was usually the case in most situations. Which meant he would be waiting for quite a while to hear the sound of a W. Craning his head up in a mix of boredom and exhaustion, he noticed a starry night sky greeting him. Woah, cool, he thought as the names were rattled off the list. One by one, venturing further and further through the alphabet. Through L's, M's, T's, U's... then-
"Wisniewski, Stephan!"
The short, sandy-haired youth sauntered up to the stood with a broad goofy grin. He had witnessed the other students' sortings and gathered what was going to happen. He would wear the pointed hat for a couple of dozen seconds, then it would call out a house. That house would become the place he would call home, alike to sports team alliances or renowned universities. He knew what was going to happen and he was prepared. He had it all planned out. The hat would call out a house, one of the tables would cheer, then he would sit down and be one of their own. He thought it was quite simple as he sat down on the stool and the hat was placed atop his head.
"Many little siblings today, eh? Another Wisniewski. Your brother had to wait a while too, in case you were wondering."
Stephan nearly jumped when the voice billowed inside his head. That was the odd part, it felt like the voice was inside his head, not just speaking to him from afar. "That's... cool," he mumbled, slightly bashful from all of the eyes and the sheer silence of the place. Not to mention having a conversation with someone no one else in the room can hear. The boy tilted his head up and looked at the crowd, and what would you know! His brother was sitting right at the front of the blue spangled table, pumping his fist and mouthing "Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw!" Stephan regarded him with a hearty nod and a wide, mischievous grin.
"Mmm, but I'm picking up something different from your brother. A similar sense of a troublesome clever is still present, but there's something more... something that's clouding it."
He chuckled, raising his eyebrows. The hat was talking to him. The hat was talking to him.
"Ahh... yes. It's much clearer now. It seems you belong in..."
Stephan tensed up, still wearing a smile on his face. In his head, he chanted Ravenclaw.
"Gryffindor!" the hat boomed to the entire hall, while the table clad in red and gold started to clap. Gryffindor, he thought, might nice name that one has. He jumped off the stool with the hat still on his head, before quickly realizing and laid it down on the stool. The boy made his way over to the Gryffindor table as many of his other fellow first years had done earlier and prepared himself for a year filled with magic and wizardry.
He scarcely grasped what the headmaster had announced and completely zoned out during the grimy hat's song, instead favoring the activity of searching for his brother among the crowd. He couldn't seem to find the proper, brown-haired Ravenclaw despite searching as hard as he could. Balancing on his toes, he craned his head up over the other kids. Is that him? No... wait-, the boy fell back onto his heels as a name was loudly called out. Certainly not his, as a much taller first year stepped up to the stool. The hat was placed upon their head, then the name of a house was called out. Stephan assumed there were four based on the number of tables, but he only knew of Ravenclaw, the one both his brother and previously his mother was in.
Then the following name was called out. The name contained another last name starting with "A," which was usually the case in most situations. Which meant he would be waiting for quite a while to hear the sound of a W. Craning his head up in a mix of boredom and exhaustion, he noticed a starry night sky greeting him. Woah, cool, he thought as the names were rattled off the list. One by one, venturing further and further through the alphabet. Through L's, M's, T's, U's... then-
"Wisniewski, Stephan!"
The short, sandy-haired youth sauntered up to the stood with a broad goofy grin. He had witnessed the other students' sortings and gathered what was going to happen. He would wear the pointed hat for a couple of dozen seconds, then it would call out a house. That house would become the place he would call home, alike to sports team alliances or renowned universities. He knew what was going to happen and he was prepared. He had it all planned out. The hat would call out a house, one of the tables would cheer, then he would sit down and be one of their own. He thought it was quite simple as he sat down on the stool and the hat was placed atop his head.
"Many little siblings today, eh? Another Wisniewski. Your brother had to wait a while too, in case you were wondering."
Stephan nearly jumped when the voice billowed inside his head. That was the odd part, it felt like the voice was inside his head, not just speaking to him from afar. "That's... cool," he mumbled, slightly bashful from all of the eyes and the sheer silence of the place. Not to mention having a conversation with someone no one else in the room can hear. The boy tilted his head up and looked at the crowd, and what would you know! His brother was sitting right at the front of the blue spangled table, pumping his fist and mouthing "Ravenclaw! Ravenclaw!" Stephan regarded him with a hearty nod and a wide, mischievous grin.
"Mmm, but I'm picking up something different from your brother. A similar sense of a troublesome clever is still present, but there's something more... something that's clouding it."
He chuckled, raising his eyebrows. The hat was talking to him. The hat was talking to him.
"Ahh... yes. It's much clearer now. It seems you belong in..."
Stephan tensed up, still wearing a smile on his face. In his head, he chanted Ravenclaw.
"Gryffindor!" the hat boomed to the entire hall, while the table clad in red and gold started to clap. Gryffindor, he thought, might nice name that one has. He jumped off the stool with the hat still on his head, before quickly realizing and laid it down on the stool. The boy made his way over to the Gryffindor table as many of his other fellow first years had done earlier and prepared himself for a year filled with magic and wizardry.
30 Nov 2019, 04:10
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Although Jasline went to boarding school before, it hadn't been in a castle. The building had been small, just big enough for the few students who attended, but now she was in a huge castle full of hundreds of other children. And to add to that they were all wizards and witches, a species of humans that she had only recently discovered.
The endless rooms, the secret passageways, and the mysterious students, it was so much to take in, which is why Jasline stuck to herself most of the time. She was a new witch and had learned quickly that being clueless about the norms of the wizarding world wouldn't bode well for her; it was better to stay silent.
Now she was walking into the Great Hall. Like the rest of the castle it was a spectacular sight, combining the colors of the houses, the portraits hung all around the room, the floating candles, and the starry ceiling high above. If was a great view but she felt discomforted by the watching eyes and the soft murmurs echoing around her, whispering secrets she didn't know about.
Jasline and the other first years went down the middle of the room towards the front, where the Sorting Hat sat on a stool. She gazed curiously ahead, standing on her tip-toes to get a better view. She didn't understand much more about the ceremony other than she was going to be sorted into her dorm house, one out of four. Her old school was small enough to just have two dorms, one for boys and one for girls. Although she had been explained briefly about the houses, she had done her own research.
She waited in line until her name was called, which took a while because her last name was in the middle of the alphabet.
“Orme, Jasline.”
It felt weird for her name to be called in the silence but Jasline still walked up to the stool and sat down. A second later the Sorting Hat was placed into her head. A brief moment later a voice spoke into her head, making her flinch, despite knowing what was going to happen.
“Orme, Orme...haven't heard that name in a while, I should say.” She sat there waiting, with the strangest sensation like her mind was being gone through, like fingers combing through files. “Hm, brave to point of being reckless, I suppose...but only when threatened. And...I sense a great...patch of sympathy, so to speak.” Jasline grimaced at that, which made the Sorting Hat chuckle. “Oh, no, nothing to be ashamed of. Compassion for others is praised here, above everything else, I'd like to believe.”
Jasline's eyes flicked up at the other students, some of who were looking back with a sense of hurry
She wondered if the process would take longer than others because she wasn't born from magic parents, and that made her a uneasy; she felt like a sheep hiding amongst a pack of wolves, the clocking ticking before they'd see through her disguise.
But she wasn't hiding, or at least not trying to. The wizards had found her, not the opposite, so they had seen some potential in her. That lifted Jasline's spirits, making her sit up a little straighter.
“I see a creative mind has joined our castle, topped with great temerity and great pride, one that outshines most...Gryffindor!”
The endless rooms, the secret passageways, and the mysterious students, it was so much to take in, which is why Jasline stuck to herself most of the time. She was a new witch and had learned quickly that being clueless about the norms of the wizarding world wouldn't bode well for her; it was better to stay silent.
Now she was walking into the Great Hall. Like the rest of the castle it was a spectacular sight, combining the colors of the houses, the portraits hung all around the room, the floating candles, and the starry ceiling high above. If was a great view but she felt discomforted by the watching eyes and the soft murmurs echoing around her, whispering secrets she didn't know about.
Jasline and the other first years went down the middle of the room towards the front, where the Sorting Hat sat on a stool. She gazed curiously ahead, standing on her tip-toes to get a better view. She didn't understand much more about the ceremony other than she was going to be sorted into her dorm house, one out of four. Her old school was small enough to just have two dorms, one for boys and one for girls. Although she had been explained briefly about the houses, she had done her own research.
She waited in line until her name was called, which took a while because her last name was in the middle of the alphabet.
“Orme, Jasline.”
It felt weird for her name to be called in the silence but Jasline still walked up to the stool and sat down. A second later the Sorting Hat was placed into her head. A brief moment later a voice spoke into her head, making her flinch, despite knowing what was going to happen.
“Orme, Orme...haven't heard that name in a while, I should say.” She sat there waiting, with the strangest sensation like her mind was being gone through, like fingers combing through files. “Hm, brave to point of being reckless, I suppose...but only when threatened. And...I sense a great...patch of sympathy, so to speak.” Jasline grimaced at that, which made the Sorting Hat chuckle. “Oh, no, nothing to be ashamed of. Compassion for others is praised here, above everything else, I'd like to believe.”
Jasline's eyes flicked up at the other students, some of who were looking back with a sense of hurry
She wondered if the process would take longer than others because she wasn't born from magic parents, and that made her a uneasy; she felt like a sheep hiding amongst a pack of wolves, the clocking ticking before they'd see through her disguise.
But she wasn't hiding, or at least not trying to. The wizards had found her, not the opposite, so they had seen some potential in her. That lifted Jasline's spirits, making her sit up a little straighter.
“I see a creative mind has joined our castle, topped with great temerity and great pride, one that outshines most...Gryffindor!”
30 Nov 2019, 18:39
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Hidden in a group of children, Lyn's only hope was to see at least two or three first-years Sorted before she gets called. Her brother refused to describe the ceremony to her, because "it would take the fun out of it" and now she needed to gather some second-hand experience to know what to do. She wasn't too nervous about the Sorting, but she didn't spend much time around other children and really hoped to give a good first impression.
Luckily, a little blonde girl was on the list before her. Lyn watched her and one more child go up to the severe-looking proffessor who held a parchment and a big old hat, sat on a stool, got the hat placed on their head and it then screamed their house. How was beside the point. She was probably going to find out during her own Sorting anyway. The important thing was to get to it as gracefully as she possibly could.
"Downey, Elinor!"
Lyn patiently waited for the kids in front of her to make way, then approached the stool. When she sat on the flat surface and waited for the Hat to be placed, there was just a brief uncomfortable moment, when she could see everybody's eyes pinned on her. Luckily, the Hat soon obstructed her view and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Oh, hello there," said the Hat's voice inside her head. She was used to having voices there, she imagined a whole bunch of friends back in her day - which was yesterday.
"Heya, Hat," she thought politely. "How you doin'?"
"You're a strange child, you know that?" said the Hat, but there was affectionate warmth in his tone.
"Yeah, I kinda do," shrugged Lyn. "My brother's friends always say that when they come visit."
"Well that's not nice of them. But perhaps they say it because they like it. I don't mind your strangeness at all. Would you believe that people seldom ask me how I am? Or even greet me?"
"Maybe they think they don't have to, because you're a hat?" thought Lyn.
"Maybe," sighed Hat, "maybe. Sometimes you can't escape prejudice. Anyway, it's pleasant to hear it once in a while. So... where were we? Ah... Sorting.
You... are... I'm sorry, I will have to go with 'strange' again. It's very clear where you belong, but I'm afraid you might not feel the same way at first. People tend to mistake a lot of your House's qualities for faults and so do you. But you will find your strength eventually.
What you think of yourself belongs to Hufflepuff or perhaps Gryffindor. But what you truly are... is
Luckily, a little blonde girl was on the list before her. Lyn watched her and one more child go up to the severe-looking proffessor who held a parchment and a big old hat, sat on a stool, got the hat placed on their head and it then screamed their house. How was beside the point. She was probably going to find out during her own Sorting anyway. The important thing was to get to it as gracefully as she possibly could.
"Downey, Elinor!"
Lyn patiently waited for the kids in front of her to make way, then approached the stool. When she sat on the flat surface and waited for the Hat to be placed, there was just a brief uncomfortable moment, when she could see everybody's eyes pinned on her. Luckily, the Hat soon obstructed her view and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Oh, hello there," said the Hat's voice inside her head. She was used to having voices there, she imagined a whole bunch of friends back in her day - which was yesterday.
"Heya, Hat," she thought politely. "How you doin'?"
"You're a strange child, you know that?" said the Hat, but there was affectionate warmth in his tone.
"Yeah, I kinda do," shrugged Lyn. "My brother's friends always say that when they come visit."
"Well that's not nice of them. But perhaps they say it because they like it. I don't mind your strangeness at all. Would you believe that people seldom ask me how I am? Or even greet me?"
"Maybe they think they don't have to, because you're a hat?" thought Lyn.
"Maybe," sighed Hat, "maybe. Sometimes you can't escape prejudice. Anyway, it's pleasant to hear it once in a while. So... where were we? Ah... Sorting.
You... are... I'm sorry, I will have to go with 'strange' again. It's very clear where you belong, but I'm afraid you might not feel the same way at first. People tend to mistake a lot of your House's qualities for faults and so do you. But you will find your strength eventually.
What you think of yourself belongs to Hufflepuff or perhaps Gryffindor. But what you truly are... is
SLYTHERIN!"
Lyn was so relieved to be able to escape this public display, she didn't give a second thought to her House. Yet. She ran to the table decorated in green and gratefully sad down where the students made room for her. So here she was, in Hogwarts, Sorted... The first big step was behind her and she didn't even embarrass herself yet!
Then the realization started sinking it. Slytherin. Slytherin... Oh Merlin, Slytherin!
Figures. You fight all your life against your family and judge their shortcomings, only to find yourself in the same House they all came out of. The Hat said she belonged here... but she couldn't see it. Her father will be so glad... but all Lyn did was picture her mother's sad face framed with Gryffindor colors.
Someone poked her shoulder.
"Hey lil' sis!" Cathaír beamed at her happily and sat next to her. "You don't look too cheerful."
"I just... I think the Hat's made a mistake, that's all," shrugged Lyn. "But I'm really glad I get to spend at least this year with you. Then I'm here on my own, in the House of Death-Eaters, Dark Lords and other shifty characters." She lowered her voice for the last sentence. No need to get lynched on her first evening here.
"Don't worry," he hugged her. "I always knew you'd end up here. You're just like our father, even though you hate me for saying that," he added, because Lyn pierced him with a look. "But better. You're just not broken yet."
"Thanks a bunch, bro," muttered Lyn. "Way to lift a girl's spirit."
"You're overthinking it. Just keep far away from him, him, her, him, her and her," he pointed as he spoke, "and you'll be fine. All Slytherins aren't bad. Quite the other way around, the bad ones just hog all the attention."
"Why them?" asked Lyn. The people he mentioned didn't look familiar. As she watched them, though, some of them looked their way and she could almost feel the judgemental thoughts behind their eyes.
"They're from the families who took it personally when we didn't join any side. They're mostly younger than me now, but when I was in my first, second and third year, some older ones gave me a hard time."
"They children of Voldy's yes-men?"
"Not all of them, but quite a few, yeah." Cathaír was almost whispering now. "Just stay away from them, don't seek out confrontation. They might do it for you, but I've learned some nasty jinxes in my spare time and they know not to mess with us. This year you're covered. For the next I strongly recommend finding some skillful older friends. I'll introduce you to those I know."
"That's smart," Lyn nodded. "And teach me some of those jinxes. Might come in handy."
Cathaír gave her a warm smile. "See? You are a Slytherin. No doubt there."
Lyn sighed and didn't bother arguing. Perhaps he had a point. She'll have to discover who she truly is. Maybe the Sorting was just the first step to a profound realization. If not, maybe she'll convince father to send her to a different school next year...
Lyn Downey
stamina 6 • evasion 6 • strength 5 • wisdom 6 • arcpower 6 • accuracy 6
3 Dec 2019, 07:16
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Excitement and pure fear coursed through the small girl as she stood, her leg shaking nervously and her amber eyes staring around. She'd never seen anything so grand and couldn't wait to explore. She kept her eyes looking around and looked towards the head of house's table. She examined them all before the man with the yelllow badge smiled warmly and reassuringly as if he could see the nervousness. Ramona smiled back gently just as her name was called.
"Rodriguez!"
The strange hat called as Ramona jumped, startled. The students parted as she stepped forward, still outstandingly nervous and slightly shaking. You've got this Ramona!
She whispered to herself before gulping and sitting on the stool. The hat was placed on her bouncy curls as it began to boom.
My my! A trouble make hm? Well...Oh! What's this...An ambition to please your mother hm? Perhaps Slytherin? No... There's something stronger..a sort of kindness..and a sefless heart..Well..I know exactly where to put you"
Ramona could almost hear the smirk in his voice as she sat nervously, wondering where she was going.
"Better be... HUFFLEPUFF!"
Ramona smiled with relief and let out a huge sigh as she giggled and hopped off, the thundering claps of her new family drowning out everyone elses as she raced to the table. She smiled at everyone and everyone seemed to smiled back. She could already tell she'd have a great time here. Even though she was going to cause a lot of trouble with her pranking.
"Rodriguez!"
The strange hat called as Ramona jumped, startled. The students parted as she stepped forward, still outstandingly nervous and slightly shaking. You've got this Ramona!
She whispered to herself before gulping and sitting on the stool. The hat was placed on her bouncy curls as it began to boom.
My my! A trouble make hm? Well...Oh! What's this...An ambition to please your mother hm? Perhaps Slytherin? No... There's something stronger..a sort of kindness..and a sefless heart..Well..I know exactly where to put you"
Ramona could almost hear the smirk in his voice as she sat nervously, wondering where she was going.
"Better be... HUFFLEPUFF!"
Ramona smiled with relief and let out a huge sigh as she giggled and hopped off, the thundering claps of her new family drowning out everyone elses as she raced to the table. She smiled at everyone and everyone seemed to smiled back. She could already tell she'd have a great time here. Even though she was going to cause a lot of trouble with her pranking.
6 Dec 2019, 00:52
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Reducio
Antonia sucked in her breath as she entered the Great Hall. The sound was small in comparison to how she was feeling inside, which was full blown excitement; she was finally at the party. Well, it was more of a ceremony than a party, but still, if it had food, people, and decorations, it was a party. Or she'd make it one.
She made her way through the Great Hall amidst the other first years, gazing around the room. The only thing eye-catching was the starry night sky mimicked by the ceiling. Antonia heard about it from her sister's letters but nothing compared to seeing it in person. She would've stared at if for hours, being the night owl she was, but her attention was brought back the "party", which was about to commence.
The first years, along with everyone else in the room, quieted down in respect for the speech given by the Headmaster. Antonia looked in turn at each Head of House as he introduced them, wondering which would be her own after her own sorting.
“What you need to know is the Sorting Hat is never wrong,” warned Headmaster Lear. “Once you are sorted your House will not change for the duration of your time in Hogwarts."
Some students gulped hearing that but Antonia only raised her eyebrows; she didn't care about which House she was sorted into, as long as they had the potential to win the House Cup. Antonia wouldn't hesitate to send letters to her friends and family, bragging about her and her House's achievements.
The Headmaster then unleashed a scroll, so long it hit the floor and still rolled afterwards. She smirked at the less than pleasant expression on his face as he glanced over the names. I'd hate to do that every year.
The Sorting Hat began singing, as if on queue, right after being placed on the stool. Antonia attempted to pay attention but was distracted by a couple of boys nearby whispering. They were talking about which House they felt like they'd get sorted into. That wasn't new, considering the fact that every other first-year nearby was doing the same, but there was something about the urgency in one of their voices that made Antonia consider her own predicament.
Her parents were Hufflepuff, which she'd known even if they hadn't told her. They were kind, loyal, and incredibly enthusiastic about their work, which was their passion. So enthusiastic, actually, that they rarely had time to spend with their children. Antonia's uncle, her legal guardian, was sorted into Ravenclaw, unlike his twin brother, her father. This had always made sense to Antonia, who was good at reading people. If his huge personal library sectioned away from the house wasn't a dead giveaway, his uncanny ability to always give the right answer was.
Her older sisters, Marcella and Galillea, currently attended Hogwarts, one as a Ravenclaw and the other as a Gryffindor. That went to show that Houses didn't run in the family.
Antonia wondered which House she'd get into. She remembered briefly discussing this with her brother, in which he'd said that she was clever enough to be a Ravenclaw. She didn't take this seriously since he wasn't knowledgeable enough about Hogwarts to understand, but she now reflected on it. Was she, clever enough to be in Ravenclaw?
By now the Headmaster was well enough into the Sorting, already in the K's. Antonia readied herself, noting the way people approached and departed the Hat so her way wouldn't be awkward.
“Monkleigh, Antonia.”
Antonia stepped forward, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. She walked over to the stool, footsteps unpleasantly loud in the silence, and sat down. Soon the Sorting Hat was lowered on to her head. She closed her eyes.
“Yet another Monkleigh,” mused the Hat, not remorsefully.
Antonia grinned but didn't say anything, leaving the sentient head adornment to the talking.
“Sentient head adornment? Well, how degrading.” She showed teeth this time, but still refused to speak. “Quiet, eh? Very much unlike your sisters...hm, maybe Hufflepuff will suit you?”
Is that a threat...? she thought, raising a brow.
“Finally, a word!” Antonia only frowned, slightly amused. “Carry on—indeed, I know which will be most agreeable to you. Many qualities you take, but only House will suffice...Sʟʏᴛʜᴇʀɪɴ!”
She froze in place, eyes wide with surprise. Antonia was sure that he was going to say Gryffindor, but no, he had said Slytherin...she could already see her family's face, even her sisters', who were lost in the crowd of students, gaping at her, scrambling for words as they took in how the youngest girl in the family was now a Slytherin. The only one.
Antonia stood up and thanked the person who took the Hat off her head, then making her way towards the green and silver table. Her eyes darted around, taking in the students who would now be her Housemates, forever and always. Unlike she'd heard, they didn't all look venomous, but she knew to be weary.
She quickly fixed her face; she wasn't here to be weary, she wanted to have a good time on her first day of school. Antonia fashioned her face with a huge, heartfelt grin. She took a scarf that someone offered her as she passed by. This definitely didn't seem so bad. She was going to make the most of her years at this magical school, even if her grades didn't show it.
She made her way through the Great Hall amidst the other first years, gazing around the room. The only thing eye-catching was the starry night sky mimicked by the ceiling. Antonia heard about it from her sister's letters but nothing compared to seeing it in person. She would've stared at if for hours, being the night owl she was, but her attention was brought back the "party", which was about to commence.
The first years, along with everyone else in the room, quieted down in respect for the speech given by the Headmaster. Antonia looked in turn at each Head of House as he introduced them, wondering which would be her own after her own sorting.
“What you need to know is the Sorting Hat is never wrong,” warned Headmaster Lear. “Once you are sorted your House will not change for the duration of your time in Hogwarts."
Some students gulped hearing that but Antonia only raised her eyebrows; she didn't care about which House she was sorted into, as long as they had the potential to win the House Cup. Antonia wouldn't hesitate to send letters to her friends and family, bragging about her and her House's achievements.
The Headmaster then unleashed a scroll, so long it hit the floor and still rolled afterwards. She smirked at the less than pleasant expression on his face as he glanced over the names. I'd hate to do that every year.
The Sorting Hat began singing, as if on queue, right after being placed on the stool. Antonia attempted to pay attention but was distracted by a couple of boys nearby whispering. They were talking about which House they felt like they'd get sorted into. That wasn't new, considering the fact that every other first-year nearby was doing the same, but there was something about the urgency in one of their voices that made Antonia consider her own predicament.
Her parents were Hufflepuff, which she'd known even if they hadn't told her. They were kind, loyal, and incredibly enthusiastic about their work, which was their passion. So enthusiastic, actually, that they rarely had time to spend with their children. Antonia's uncle, her legal guardian, was sorted into Ravenclaw, unlike his twin brother, her father. This had always made sense to Antonia, who was good at reading people. If his huge personal library sectioned away from the house wasn't a dead giveaway, his uncanny ability to always give the right answer was.
Her older sisters, Marcella and Galillea, currently attended Hogwarts, one as a Ravenclaw and the other as a Gryffindor. That went to show that Houses didn't run in the family.
Antonia wondered which House she'd get into. She remembered briefly discussing this with her brother, in which he'd said that she was clever enough to be a Ravenclaw. She didn't take this seriously since he wasn't knowledgeable enough about Hogwarts to understand, but she now reflected on it. Was she, clever enough to be in Ravenclaw?
By now the Headmaster was well enough into the Sorting, already in the K's. Antonia readied herself, noting the way people approached and departed the Hat so her way wouldn't be awkward.
“Monkleigh, Antonia.”
Antonia stepped forward, a hint of a smirk playing on her lips. She walked over to the stool, footsteps unpleasantly loud in the silence, and sat down. Soon the Sorting Hat was lowered on to her head. She closed her eyes.
“Yet another Monkleigh,” mused the Hat, not remorsefully.
Antonia grinned but didn't say anything, leaving the sentient head adornment to the talking.
“Sentient head adornment? Well, how degrading.” She showed teeth this time, but still refused to speak. “Quiet, eh? Very much unlike your sisters...hm, maybe Hufflepuff will suit you?”
Is that a threat...? she thought, raising a brow.
“Finally, a word!” Antonia only frowned, slightly amused. “Carry on—indeed, I know which will be most agreeable to you. Many qualities you take, but only House will suffice...Sʟʏᴛʜᴇʀɪɴ!”
She froze in place, eyes wide with surprise. Antonia was sure that he was going to say Gryffindor, but no, he had said Slytherin...she could already see her family's face, even her sisters', who were lost in the crowd of students, gaping at her, scrambling for words as they took in how the youngest girl in the family was now a Slytherin. The only one.
Antonia stood up and thanked the person who took the Hat off her head, then making her way towards the green and silver table. Her eyes darted around, taking in the students who would now be her Housemates, forever and always. Unlike she'd heard, they didn't all look venomous, but she knew to be weary.
She quickly fixed her face; she wasn't here to be weary, she wanted to have a good time on her first day of school. Antonia fashioned her face with a huge, heartfelt grin. She took a scarf that someone offered her as she passed by. This definitely didn't seem so bad. She was going to make the most of her years at this magical school, even if her grades didn't show it.
8 Dec 2019, 03:44
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Wren was as nervous as she could be.
She had only been introduced to the wizarding world 2 months before, the day she had turned eleven. Now here she was getting sorted into the house that was to be her house for the next seven years. She had been reading a lot about all the houses and really hoped she would be put into Slytherin. Obviously the Sorting Hat might think otherwise but Wren didn't think so. He parents had said that they would be okay with whichever house, but she knew they wanted her to get into Ravenclaw which would ultimately signify in stone that she was smart. They wanted her to do anything that they could brag about to their rich friends.
If she was being totally honest she was glad that Hogwarts was a boarding school. Her parents were supportive in most aspects of life but when it came to school they could be pretty strict. Now that they knew about Hogwarts they thought that her being magical and all it was the ultimate schooling test.
The depart from Platform 9 3/4 was not a very emotional event. It was a hug for each of her parents and a "Goodbye" from each and for each. When she boarded the train she met a couple people, made some friends. Once she got off the train she immediately lost them in the crowd.
Wren was aimlessly wandering around the station after having got off the train. She was wondering where to go when she heard someone shouting "First Years come over here! Follow me! Over here!"
Wren immediately started to walk toward the voice as she did not want to be caught up in the crowd that took her away from the voice. When she arrived, she got into the boats provided for the first years and started to help her partner row towards the shore. As it was dark she had a bit of trouble seeing where she was rowing but they got there all right.
As she entered the great hall she was astonished at all the beautiful decorations, the candles that floated in the ceiling but as she looked there seemed to be no ceiling. It wasn't chilly in there at all, but it was quite a comfortable temperature. She stood where they told her to stand while she waited to get sorted into a house. She was praying hard it was Slytherin or Gryffindor. She thought those were the two best houses in her personal opinion, but she had nothing against the other houses at all.
Caster, Wren
The voice rang out and she realized her name had just been called. She slowly made her way up to where she was to sit to be sorted into the house she would be in for the rest of her seven years at Hogwarts and whose legacy she would take with her when she graduated.
She sat down in the chair and the hat was placed on her head.
"Hmm, I think you would do quite well as a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, as you are very brave and yet very compassionate. That is an admirable quality in one so young."
Wren thought, not Hufflepuff not Hufflepuff.
"Ah, not Hufflepuff I see. Has a mind of her own. Ok then, I have the perfect place for you."
As the house name rang out (Gryffindor) Wren was elated at the cheers of her new housemates. She went to go sit down at the Gyffindor with the widest smile on her face. She sat down beside a Mexican looking boy, that looked friendly enough.
"Hi, I'm Wren Caster!! What's your name"
Reducio
TO be continued in thread 'Little Lions'
STAMINA: 6 EVASION: 5 STRENGTH: 6 WISDOM: 7 ARCANE POWER: 5
ACCURACY: 6
Wren Caster
"The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave."
11 Dec 2019, 18:52
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Selim Faust. A name, his name, but not exactly.
His family's true surname was hidden from the world, for what reason he did not know. Sometimes he wondered if his family was hiding, but if so, who were they hiding from? The Muggles, or the Wizards?
The clan elders never told him this, he had asked, tried to use his authority of being the heir of the Clan Head, but still, their lips were closed tight and they only shot him disapproving glares.
So he dropped it, and simply followed their lead. He never told any outsider what his Clan's true surname was, never revealed his heritage of having purely Japanese ancestors, and never left the clan Compound at the edge of London, hidden by trees.
So when his father told him that he was going to be the third of their Clan to join the famous wizarding school of Hogwarts, he was quite shocked.
It was something recent, his clan was conservative, they hid from the world, got supplies such as food, clothing, and household items delivered tot he compound's door by delivery trucks. His family, all pureblood, had a rather large amount of money in the bank. The clan was big enough to teach the younger generations by themselves. Kindergarten, Elementary, Highschool, Collage-level Education, it was all taught within the walls of the hidden compound.
Selim had thought he would be like his older brother, learn all he needed in the Compound walls. Then his father told him he was going to Hogwarts.
It was his first time in his whole life being outside of the Clan compound. His father, nor his mother, brought him to platform 93/4. He was driven there by a limo. He didn't get to say goodbye to his parents for they were very busy people (they always were), the only one that bid him farewell was his older brother.
The train ride was fascinating, he didn't even bother reading his muggle Science textbook, he was too busy looking outside the train car windows to his first sight of the outside world beyond the pages of textbooks.
When they arrived at the famous school, he was looking around in mild awe, absently following the crowd. When he saw the headmaster decked out in armour, of all things, he may have blatantly stared at him for a bit too long.
Then, the sorting hat caught his attention, and he started going over every possible theory about how it could reach into one's head, and sort them into a house. He wondered if he could give a human that sort of ability through a combination of magic and biology.
Absently, he listened to the names be called and then sorted into their Hogwarts house, mostly staring intently at the hat and trying to figure out its workings simply by examining it through his eyes. Ideas, possibilities of what he could glean from it's vast knowledge ran through his chaotic brain as his snake-like eyes examined the folds of fabric. He had already missed the speech the headmaster had gave, too preoccupied by his ambitions.
His mind shifted its focus from the hat to what he would learn at this school, and how he could apply it to his own knowledge of non-magical sciences and technologies. How powerful humanity could become if only-
"Selim, Faust!"
He snapped out of his thoughts, amber eyes wide as he looked up at the headmaster in mild confusion. Why had his name been called again? He wasn't listening.
The headmaster simply called his name again, and he looked around. A student behind him shoved him forward, telling him that he had to walk up to the hat to be sorted. He made an 'oh' shape with his mouth, before calmly striding forward towards the chair, face sent in a slightly blank-looking smile.
Sitting down on the chair, he felt the old hat settle onto his small head, and he absently noted that the Great Hall looked quite magical that night, candles in the magically-projected sky, tables lining the room, adorned in food, and the silence of students staring up at him in anticipation.
"Well, well, your quite the interesting one, aren't you? Selim Faust hmmm? That isn't your real surname is it? It's ******** isn't it?"
Selim frowned a bit, he hadn't realized that the hat would learn his family's true last name. This could be problematic. "I request you do not tell anyone that. I may not know why my clan hides it, but I do know it's important that it stays secret."
"Polite too," the old witch's hat commented, "Do not worry, young one, I've kept it secret this long, have I not? I still remember sorting a few of your relitives, one six years ago, and one four years ago. Quite erratic, the spacing between when your clan sends one of themselves here." It reassured.
I simply internally nodded in agreement.
"But that's not what your here for. Now where to sort you? The ambitions you have are quite grandeur, and you intelligence is quite high, but you're lack of empathy is a bit worrying, so are some of your darker plans," there was genuine worry inside the witch hat's tone, which made Selim smirk ever so slightly. "Be careful, young one, there are many choices you may have to take, and many temptations you may face. Tread not in the shadows, or else loose your own sense of humanity."
He thought for a bit, wondering if he should take the wise old hat's words to heart, before deciding to store away what it said for later examination.
"Your cunning is not something left to be unsaid, sly as a snake, I see you take that saying to heart, if going by your slitted contact lenses means anything. Yes. I see where to sort you, the choice is very clear. You'll reach your largest ambitions is you settle in here, but beware, for a history of darkness lingers there. the hat rhymed, shifting on his head, before speaking out its final choice.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Selim let out a wide smirk, eyes twinkling with mirth. Bowing shallowly to the hat in thanks, and nodding politely to the headmaster, he walked away to the green-laden table, ignoring as his robe's highlights changed to a rich jade color.
He was welcomed with a few devious smirks, and a few true beaming smiles, and before he sat down, he thought one last thing.
"This is where my ambitions will begin. This is the starting point, and I am quite curious to see where the path ends."
His family's true surname was hidden from the world, for what reason he did not know. Sometimes he wondered if his family was hiding, but if so, who were they hiding from? The Muggles, or the Wizards?
The clan elders never told him this, he had asked, tried to use his authority of being the heir of the Clan Head, but still, their lips were closed tight and they only shot him disapproving glares.
So he dropped it, and simply followed their lead. He never told any outsider what his Clan's true surname was, never revealed his heritage of having purely Japanese ancestors, and never left the clan Compound at the edge of London, hidden by trees.
So when his father told him that he was going to be the third of their Clan to join the famous wizarding school of Hogwarts, he was quite shocked.
It was something recent, his clan was conservative, they hid from the world, got supplies such as food, clothing, and household items delivered tot he compound's door by delivery trucks. His family, all pureblood, had a rather large amount of money in the bank. The clan was big enough to teach the younger generations by themselves. Kindergarten, Elementary, Highschool, Collage-level Education, it was all taught within the walls of the hidden compound.
Selim had thought he would be like his older brother, learn all he needed in the Compound walls. Then his father told him he was going to Hogwarts.
It was his first time in his whole life being outside of the Clan compound. His father, nor his mother, brought him to platform 93/4. He was driven there by a limo. He didn't get to say goodbye to his parents for they were very busy people (they always were), the only one that bid him farewell was his older brother.
The train ride was fascinating, he didn't even bother reading his muggle Science textbook, he was too busy looking outside the train car windows to his first sight of the outside world beyond the pages of textbooks.
When they arrived at the famous school, he was looking around in mild awe, absently following the crowd. When he saw the headmaster decked out in armour, of all things, he may have blatantly stared at him for a bit too long.
Then, the sorting hat caught his attention, and he started going over every possible theory about how it could reach into one's head, and sort them into a house. He wondered if he could give a human that sort of ability through a combination of magic and biology.
Absently, he listened to the names be called and then sorted into their Hogwarts house, mostly staring intently at the hat and trying to figure out its workings simply by examining it through his eyes. Ideas, possibilities of what he could glean from it's vast knowledge ran through his chaotic brain as his snake-like eyes examined the folds of fabric. He had already missed the speech the headmaster had gave, too preoccupied by his ambitions.
His mind shifted its focus from the hat to what he would learn at this school, and how he could apply it to his own knowledge of non-magical sciences and technologies. How powerful humanity could become if only-
"Selim, Faust!"
He snapped out of his thoughts, amber eyes wide as he looked up at the headmaster in mild confusion. Why had his name been called again? He wasn't listening.
The headmaster simply called his name again, and he looked around. A student behind him shoved him forward, telling him that he had to walk up to the hat to be sorted. He made an 'oh' shape with his mouth, before calmly striding forward towards the chair, face sent in a slightly blank-looking smile.
Sitting down on the chair, he felt the old hat settle onto his small head, and he absently noted that the Great Hall looked quite magical that night, candles in the magically-projected sky, tables lining the room, adorned in food, and the silence of students staring up at him in anticipation.
"Well, well, your quite the interesting one, aren't you? Selim Faust hmmm? That isn't your real surname is it? It's ******** isn't it?"
Selim frowned a bit, he hadn't realized that the hat would learn his family's true last name. This could be problematic. "I request you do not tell anyone that. I may not know why my clan hides it, but I do know it's important that it stays secret."
"Polite too," the old witch's hat commented, "Do not worry, young one, I've kept it secret this long, have I not? I still remember sorting a few of your relitives, one six years ago, and one four years ago. Quite erratic, the spacing between when your clan sends one of themselves here." It reassured.
I simply internally nodded in agreement.
"But that's not what your here for. Now where to sort you? The ambitions you have are quite grandeur, and you intelligence is quite high, but you're lack of empathy is a bit worrying, so are some of your darker plans," there was genuine worry inside the witch hat's tone, which made Selim smirk ever so slightly. "Be careful, young one, there are many choices you may have to take, and many temptations you may face. Tread not in the shadows, or else loose your own sense of humanity."
He thought for a bit, wondering if he should take the wise old hat's words to heart, before deciding to store away what it said for later examination.
"Your cunning is not something left to be unsaid, sly as a snake, I see you take that saying to heart, if going by your slitted contact lenses means anything. Yes. I see where to sort you, the choice is very clear. You'll reach your largest ambitions is you settle in here, but beware, for a history of darkness lingers there. the hat rhymed, shifting on his head, before speaking out its final choice.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Selim let out a wide smirk, eyes twinkling with mirth. Bowing shallowly to the hat in thanks, and nodding politely to the headmaster, he walked away to the green-laden table, ignoring as his robe's highlights changed to a rich jade color.
He was welcomed with a few devious smirks, and a few true beaming smiles, and before he sat down, he thought one last thing.
"This is where my ambitions will begin. This is the starting point, and I am quite curious to see where the path ends."
"False Face must Hide what the Heart Doth Know." -Macbeth
S.F
16 Dec 2019, 03:49
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Aisling perked up at the mention of Caradoc, as though she expected to find the legendary knight-king of Gwent himself standing right there all casual, but no. Just another teacher, and of Hufflepuff, no less. Her dad had always spoken well of the House, naming more than a few close friends & co-workers as being true Hufflepuffs - steadfast workers and loyal to a fault. Aisling didn't get how that made them so special. Hard work was good and all, but surely that came with being brave, wise or ambitious?
At least they're rocking that yellow...
All of a sudden, the Sorting Hat burst into song, and Aisling's thoughts on the topic were all but drowned out.
It seemed to last minutes, and then it was over, but no sooner had the song finished when the ceremony began in full swing, naming names left and right, normal so well as strange, familiar and utterly foreign. It quickly became a buzzing noise that she swatted away in her mind. There would be plenty of time to get to know everyone's name later. For now, she contented herself with simply learning their faces and postures, their gaits as they strode towards the surprisingly mundane stool upon which their lives for the next seven years would be decided.
Some required no more than a passing glance to satisfy her curiousity, but others had her attention like a fish caught by a hook. Reluctantly, she tore blue eyes away from an almost ethereally pretty girl to examine a boy that walked with a hunch. Maybe he was just shy, or maybe he was cool and just didn't like the crowds.
On and on it went, name after name was called up, until Aisling fell into a comfortable rhythm of craning her neck and eyes almost casually. At least, until...
"Stillons, Aisling!"
Her heart practically burst out of her chest in startlement. Aisling blinked, surprised, half-expecting her ears to have played a trick on her mind. Maybe there was another Aisling Stillons, or maybe they had called out Ashley Stibbons? No, no, that was just silly, and besides, her name had to come eventually, right? Unless her mum somehow managed to convince the headmaster to let her go to Koldovstoretz.
Aisling shivered at the mere thought of it. She'd rather eat dirt than go somewhere that far away from her friends. Not to mention her shoddy Russian...
"Miss Stillons?"
Oh bugger. She was painfully aware of the crowd's searching eyes as they looked for the culprit responsible for the hold-up in the ancient ceremony, and a few, it seemed, knew who to blame.
With flushed cheeks, Aisling departed the now-thinned gathering of new students, walking towards the stool with a dignified stride, keeping her head up like she were some princess out of the stories. She felt more like she was made out of air, though, nervous excitement adding the tiniest bit of bounce to her gait.
Carefully lifting the mangy old piece of sentient leather over her head, she could pretend that this was her coronation ceremony as she sat down and lowered the Sorting Hat onto her scalp.
Here goes noth-...
"Ah, perceptive, are we? Yes, yes, I can see that clearly, and proud, too, much like your father and brother, yet also very different... You do not shy away from adventure, do you? A fine Slytherin you would make, and a finer Gryffindor still, but it is not glory nor wealth that you seek, is it? The adventure itself is all the reward that you need, the experience...
Wait, what is he-...
"RAVENCLAW!"
What!? But- how?
This time, Aisling made no attempt to hide her surprise. Shocked, she rose up to leave, and got two steps before remembering that she still wore the Sorting Hat that had resigned her to a life with the- the nerds? How did that even make any sense? She liked to read, but- she could've sworn she'd be sorted into Gryffindor like the rest of her family, or in the very least Slytherin, which the old hat even pointed out.
But Ravenclaw?
Stiffly, she walked towards the longtable that had erupted into cheering and clapping upon gaining another member. She managed a faint smile when the older students patted her on her back and welcomed her to take a seat alongside her new classmates, but her mind was some place else.
It wasn't terribly disappointing, she supposed, there were worse compliments than being called wise, but... oof.
At least they're rocking that yellow...
All of a sudden, the Sorting Hat burst into song, and Aisling's thoughts on the topic were all but drowned out.
It seemed to last minutes, and then it was over, but no sooner had the song finished when the ceremony began in full swing, naming names left and right, normal so well as strange, familiar and utterly foreign. It quickly became a buzzing noise that she swatted away in her mind. There would be plenty of time to get to know everyone's name later. For now, she contented herself with simply learning their faces and postures, their gaits as they strode towards the surprisingly mundane stool upon which their lives for the next seven years would be decided.
Some required no more than a passing glance to satisfy her curiousity, but others had her attention like a fish caught by a hook. Reluctantly, she tore blue eyes away from an almost ethereally pretty girl to examine a boy that walked with a hunch. Maybe he was just shy, or maybe he was cool and just didn't like the crowds.
On and on it went, name after name was called up, until Aisling fell into a comfortable rhythm of craning her neck and eyes almost casually. At least, until...
"Stillons, Aisling!"
Her heart practically burst out of her chest in startlement. Aisling blinked, surprised, half-expecting her ears to have played a trick on her mind. Maybe there was another Aisling Stillons, or maybe they had called out Ashley Stibbons? No, no, that was just silly, and besides, her name had to come eventually, right? Unless her mum somehow managed to convince the headmaster to let her go to Koldovstoretz.
Aisling shivered at the mere thought of it. She'd rather eat dirt than go somewhere that far away from her friends. Not to mention her shoddy Russian...
"Miss Stillons?"
Oh bugger. She was painfully aware of the crowd's searching eyes as they looked for the culprit responsible for the hold-up in the ancient ceremony, and a few, it seemed, knew who to blame.
With flushed cheeks, Aisling departed the now-thinned gathering of new students, walking towards the stool with a dignified stride, keeping her head up like she were some princess out of the stories. She felt more like she was made out of air, though, nervous excitement adding the tiniest bit of bounce to her gait.
Carefully lifting the mangy old piece of sentient leather over her head, she could pretend that this was her coronation ceremony as she sat down and lowered the Sorting Hat onto her scalp.
Here goes noth-...
"Ah, perceptive, are we? Yes, yes, I can see that clearly, and proud, too, much like your father and brother, yet also very different... You do not shy away from adventure, do you? A fine Slytherin you would make, and a finer Gryffindor still, but it is not glory nor wealth that you seek, is it? The adventure itself is all the reward that you need, the experience...
Wait, what is he-...
"RAVENCLAW!"
What!? But- how?
This time, Aisling made no attempt to hide her surprise. Shocked, she rose up to leave, and got two steps before remembering that she still wore the Sorting Hat that had resigned her to a life with the- the nerds? How did that even make any sense? She liked to read, but- she could've sworn she'd be sorted into Gryffindor like the rest of her family, or in the very least Slytherin, which the old hat even pointed out.
But Ravenclaw?
Stiffly, she walked towards the longtable that had erupted into cheering and clapping upon gaining another member. She managed a faint smile when the older students patted her on her back and welcomed her to take a seat alongside her new classmates, but her mind was some place else.
It wasn't terribly disappointing, she supposed, there were worse compliments than being called wise, but... oof.
16 Dec 2019, 04:34
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
She didn’t realize she was breathing until she was seated before the hall, green eyes glossed with fear rising within her. No, it wasn’t fear. It couldn’t have been fear. This was supposed to be a proud moment - a moment of certainty, but when she searched deep, all she could find was the opposite of that. The moments leading up to this had been a blur. Hoffman, Alexandria, only a moment after that Stillons girl, and yet it felt like an eternity.
The sorting hat had an odd fit on her. She supposed it must’ve been - it was purposefully fitted for eleven-year-olds. It was of little help to her, and still less reassurance as she glanced around the hall. It was magnificent. All of her father’s descriptions couldn’t put a candle to the grandness of this place, the beauty of it all. To be so modern one moment, and then living in the ancient world the next.
Her fingers shook as she clasped her hands in her lap, silent.
“AHA!” The magic hat announced at once.
It startled her. The cords of her neck tightened as she exhaled sharply, gathering her composure once more, never realizing she had composure in the first place. She must’ve been beet-red; she must’ve looked half the fool in front of them. Well, let them look! She thought with indignation, I’m not the first person to be embarrassed here.
It wasn’t embarrassing. Not necessarily. Especially when the hat spoke once again. “Is that a sliver of doubt I feel within? No, no, not doubt. Resolve… ah yes, at the briefest flicker of hesitation, you force it down. No surprises there. Your bloodline is… known for its tenacity, isn’t it, Miss Hoffman?”
She remained silent, biding her time. She didn’t want to seem too proud. No. That would make for great weakness. Pride cometh before the fall, one person had once said. Well, that person was dead. Or, at the very least, they most likely were - which made for a whole conundrum in and of itself. Whoever had said that… well, it didn’t apply to her. At least, not in the very real sense. She was not tall, therefore she would not fall far. Unless it was meant to be interpreted another way?
“... And knowledge,” the hat concluded, “but this one is not the sum of their parts, no… she will be her own woman, I think. Dangerous, extravagant. They will see you for what you are, and not what you could be. Your determination, your lack of hesitation; you seek no defeat, only the knowledge that others shall praise you for your works, and indeed, many you shall create…
“... GRYFFINDOR!”
If Alexandria’s eyes had been half-lidded then, they were open now. She almost threw up right there on the spot. She gasped and watched as the Gryffindor cheered. Truthfully, she felt a shiver race down her core. There was no way this was happening. There was-!
She wanted to cry, but that could come later. Her expectations were simultaneously dashed and heightened. One, two steps. Three steps, four. The smile she wore was fake, and she couldn’t help but feel cheated by the hat. His observations were clearly wrong, weren’t they?
Weren’t they?
She wanted to be like her mother, like her father. Both had come from Slytherin, their ambition equal only to each others. Alexandria was proud, but she wasn’t that proud, was she? Well, either way, she would face the coming storm like a lioness watching over her pride.
Seated at the Gryffindor table, she couldn’t help but feel… not right. But she would be here, and she would not let this house define her.
The sorting hat had an odd fit on her. She supposed it must’ve been - it was purposefully fitted for eleven-year-olds. It was of little help to her, and still less reassurance as she glanced around the hall. It was magnificent. All of her father’s descriptions couldn’t put a candle to the grandness of this place, the beauty of it all. To be so modern one moment, and then living in the ancient world the next.
Her fingers shook as she clasped her hands in her lap, silent.
“AHA!” The magic hat announced at once.
It startled her. The cords of her neck tightened as she exhaled sharply, gathering her composure once more, never realizing she had composure in the first place. She must’ve been beet-red; she must’ve looked half the fool in front of them. Well, let them look! She thought with indignation, I’m not the first person to be embarrassed here.
It wasn’t embarrassing. Not necessarily. Especially when the hat spoke once again. “Is that a sliver of doubt I feel within? No, no, not doubt. Resolve… ah yes, at the briefest flicker of hesitation, you force it down. No surprises there. Your bloodline is… known for its tenacity, isn’t it, Miss Hoffman?”
She remained silent, biding her time. She didn’t want to seem too proud. No. That would make for great weakness. Pride cometh before the fall, one person had once said. Well, that person was dead. Or, at the very least, they most likely were - which made for a whole conundrum in and of itself. Whoever had said that… well, it didn’t apply to her. At least, not in the very real sense. She was not tall, therefore she would not fall far. Unless it was meant to be interpreted another way?
“... And knowledge,” the hat concluded, “but this one is not the sum of their parts, no… she will be her own woman, I think. Dangerous, extravagant. They will see you for what you are, and not what you could be. Your determination, your lack of hesitation; you seek no defeat, only the knowledge that others shall praise you for your works, and indeed, many you shall create…
“... GRYFFINDOR!”
If Alexandria’s eyes had been half-lidded then, they were open now. She almost threw up right there on the spot. She gasped and watched as the Gryffindor cheered. Truthfully, she felt a shiver race down her core. There was no way this was happening. There was-!
She wanted to cry, but that could come later. Her expectations were simultaneously dashed and heightened. One, two steps. Three steps, four. The smile she wore was fake, and she couldn’t help but feel cheated by the hat. His observations were clearly wrong, weren’t they?
Weren’t they?
She wanted to be like her mother, like her father. Both had come from Slytherin, their ambition equal only to each others. Alexandria was proud, but she wasn’t that proud, was she? Well, either way, she would face the coming storm like a lioness watching over her pride.
Seated at the Gryffindor table, she couldn’t help but feel… not right. But she would be here, and she would not let this house define her.
22 Dec 2019, 18:43
Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020
Arcadia entered the Great Hall alongside the other excited first years. It truly was a grand design. She had seen plenty of extravigance from the Wizards and Witches back home, but even then, this was unlike anything she had ever seen before.
Four long dining tables stretched the length of the hall, each dressed with the colour of the houses and were all adorned with golden plates and chalices in preparation of a feast. Above, as her mother had previously explained, danced thousands of candles in a beautiful star lit sky. The commotion and roar of conversation among the tables as the new students moved forward put a knot in her stomach that had not been there before. Soon she would be sorted, and she could only pray Ravenclaw had a place for her - afterall, she was smart so it only made sense.
Pulling at her robes, she shuffled forward - She had told her mother she wanted the next size up as she didn't like clothes too close fitting, but she hadn't listened. She never listened.
Cady's eyes found the headmaster, a tall man in armour with a beard who closed the door once the last student entered then moved to the front of the hall. A silence quickly befell the hall as if on cue, and he began his speech, welcoming students back for another term.
The sorting was finally about to begin. As they bought the hat on to stage - which was now cutting in on the headmaster's speech, Cady could only think about her family and how they might react if she didn't get into Ravenclaw. Gryffindor wasnt a bad second option, neither was Hufflepuff to be honest, but there was one house that could bring more disappointment to her parents than she already had - and that was in the snakes den where her Uncle Dagmar had belonged.
Ducain children sorted there had a habit of going bad.
Ducain. Arcadia, Ducain.
Her pale hands trembled beneath her sleeve as she moved forward and placed the shaggy hat atop of her head. A usual unimpressed look, passive and cold rested on Arcadia's features (despite the nerves). Her blue eyes searched the crowds stopping on some familiar faces from families her parents knew.
"Ahh... Another Ducain at Hogwarts." The hat began..."The first female firstborn of a generation... How interesting."
Arcadia had heard it called many things, but interesting certainly was not one of them.
"You are smart - wise too, and you love a good book but, Miss Ducain, you are destined for things far greater than Ravenclaw. You are more than just brains. Just remember that; with great power comes great responsibility, and you will be just fine."
Ice blue eyes slowly closed as she awaited the hats final ruling.
"I'm certain of it. You belong in... Slyyytherin!"
Her eyes slowly opened again, moving to meet the table of green and silver as they erupted in cheer. She reluctantly removed herself from the stool to join them and sighed heavily.
Mum and Dad were going to hate this.
Last edited by Arcadia Ducain on 27 Dec 2019, 16:14, edited 1 time in total.