Sorting Ceremony 2025 - 2026

A large group of students was gathered in what was called the Entrance Hall, right in front of closed, giant wood-carved double doors. They just arrived after a beautiful boat ride across a dark, crystal lake, where the moon bathed in its own reflection. The energy was thick, and you could feel the excitement in the air, but still, the silence was deafening. The Entrance Hall was large, and here the famous marble staircase led to the rest of the castle. But just as important is the previously mentioned giant double doors leading to the Great Hall, in which every single student was waiting for the sorting ceremony to begin. This large hall was very faintly lit, only a few touches were alight, and the silver light from the moon was shining through the big stained-glass window.

But in this group of fresh faces, a slender, dark-brown curly-haired boy called Marcus Contarini Crawford was trying to project a sense of confidence and strength. Holding his head high and with his hands gently folded. He looked around, seeing other curious faces; some were curiously looking around, and others were in hushed, small conversations. Marcus could spot some familiar faces, even in this dimness. A boy and a small girl were talking animatedly; it was, of course, Ripley and Elspeth, those two had given him an unforgettable ride on the Hogwarts Express. A little flame of hope burned inside him; maybe it could be the start of a great friendship. Marcus’s thoughts were broken by another student bumping into him. It was a pale-skinned boy with tousled brown hair and warm, curious blue eyes. – ‘Sorry mate’ sprang from his unabashed smile, while he was moving to the front.

The double doors opened, warm, bright light showered the new students, and begged or invited all of them to join the staff and the other students in the festivities. Slowly and nervously the first couple of students stepped toward the opening, and when nothing happened and then before anybody could shout “Figlio di puttana” – the majority of the group followed the first ones, and soon a steady stream walked in neatly row into the Great Hall and walked on between two of the four large tables which was lavishly decorated with golden plates, cutlery and giant candelabras and of course full of all kinds of delicious dishes. While Marcus and the others walked along the tables, the other students, on one side dressed in blue and on the other yellow, were smiling and their eyes were full of eagerness and excitement, and they were guessing who was going to join their house.

The stream of new students stopped right at the first step to a raised platform, at the furthest point, a long table was placed, and almost the entirety of the staff was sitting. Beside a 5 ft 8 tall witch with as white as snow and piercing silvery blue eyes that could penetrate even the thickest armor. She was standing in the middle of the platform, exuding regalness and determination. Beside her was a three-legged stool, and upon it a tattered old wide-rimmed pointy hat lay, and Marcus knew it was the very famous Sorting hat. He thought to himself, “Well, this is it!”.

One by one, the white-haired witch beside the stool started to call out the names from a paper scroll, and one by one would climb the platform to sit on the stool, and the Sorting Hat would be placed on their heads, and the different houses would be shouted out for everyone to hear. The little girl, Elspeth, was called forth; she looked very nervous and uncomfortable with all the attention, but she managed to sit on the stool, and the hat was placed on her head. I was a bit comical because the old hat almost swallowed her entire head. A moment passes by, and the tension is rising, but finally it shouts out, - ‘RAVENCLAW’. Elspeth reappears once again. Her eyes quickly found Marcus, and a light smile appeared on her face. She walked over to the house of the eagle.
Suddenly, the white-haired witch shouted out; - ‘Marcus Contarini Crawford!’. It was like everything was put on silent mode, just as silent as a grave. It was strange because a numb feeling came over his body. But all of a sudden, his legs just started to move and maneuver through the crowd. Marcus looked around and tried to find support from anyone. His eyes quickly found a well-known face in the crowd; it was Ripley. He smiled with that overconfident and cheeky smile that Marcus got to know on the Hogwarts Express. That did it; it broke the spell, and Marcus was once more in charge of his body. He took a deep breath, lifted his head high, and tried to exude self-confidence. The white-haired witch stood with the hat in hand and with a polite and cold smile. Marcus sat on the stool, and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head, and just like the others, it slipped down over his eyes.

Suddenly, a warm and wise voice broke the silence…



A booming voice sprang from the hat; - ‘GRYFFINDOR!’ and an enormous applause and cheering sprang from the left side of the Great Hall. The hat was finally lifted off his head, and Marcus looked towards where the sound came from. The table clad in red was cheering and inviting him to join the table and become one of them. Some were cheering just because another Gryffindor was made, but some, especially the older students, were “over the moon”. They bid him welcome and said something like: -‘YES, we got a Crawford! We got Enzo Crawford’s young brother!’ and other – ‘Wohuuu, a Crawford legacy student!’.
The boy from earlier, the one who bumped into Marcus in the Entrance Hall, was also sorted into the house of valour. Even though he was just sorted, he was so energetic and full of joy. He was jumping up and down on the bench and cheering; he was almost outshining some of the older students. The boy looked down from the bench; his eyes sparkled with eagerness and belonging. He shouted over the crowd - ‘Welcome onboard!’. Marcus could only smile and nod politely, and thought to himself: “Well, even though I’m a Gryffindor, that doesn’t mean I have to be like Enzo… I’m going to forge my own path!!” ……

After reaching upon Hogwarts And met with other students waiting for to be sorted into their house

I was also waiting eagerly to be sorted into my house, and then a professor came to us and said "follow me everyone is waiting in the great hall for you". We got into the Great hall and as i entered there was a huge hall with four tables for four house filled with the students.

We all gathered in front of the staff of the school and there was an unusual hat on an stool, then after a while a professor came and announced "Attention please!.

“Welcome, first-years, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Today marks the beginning of a most extraordinary journey. Within these walls, you will discover magic you never dreamed possible, friendships that may last a lifetime, and challenges that will test your courage, wit, and loyalty.

Before you lies the Sorting Hat, an enchanted piece of magic that knows you better than you know yourselves. It will guide you to the house where you truly belong: whether it is the brave and daring, the clever and cunning, the loyal and just, or the ambitious and bold.


And then the ceremony begins.......

The professor call out many names and then they have to sit on the stool and the hat is placed on their head. And they got sorted into their houses.

After a while a name called out it was Mike Fancourt. wait a minute it's me, i was very nervous and shy at that moment I got to the stool and sat and the professor placed the hat on my head. It begins saying
“Ah, I see you… curious, eager, full of wonder. You have courage, even if you doubt it, and a spark that could light the darkest path. Loyal, quick-minded, and ready for adventure… yes, I know where you’ll shine. Step forward, and let your story begin.” But where should I put you, it's difficult very difficult let me think!. And it's Ravenclaw!



The Ravenclaw students cheered and clapped for me and I was happy too. Now it's time to make friends and meet everyone and start my journey but before this first I should tell my mom about this. So I decided to send an owl to my mom including everything i saw and mentioned everything.

Dear mom,
I am so much excited to tell you about the news which is only meant for you and your happiness which is I have successfully sorted into a house which you wished Ravenclaw! and made some friends. I miss you so much hope you are well and happy by hearing this. Love you, Bye
Mike Fancourt

Harriet felt a wave of anxiety as she walked into the line to get sorted. Her thoughts were bubbling up inside her."What house am I going to get? Would I make any friends? Nevertheless, it was time for her to get sorted, so she left the thoughts at the back of her head. "RAVENSCROFT HARRIET" the sorting hat called. She walked up the steps and towards the chair where she sat down anxiously waiting for it to be over. Harriet could feel the gazes of the students as she took her seat. After what seemed like forever to her, the sorting hat was placed on her head, and it began its lovely but quite long song about the houses. FINALLY the hat was done, and the sorting could finally begin. Harriet had quite a sore bum after sitting on the rusty chair and wanted this to be over and done with, so she patiently waited for the hat to choose her house. While waiting, she thought about the houses and what she thought would suit her.

• Slytherin (Harriet was in the center for Slytherin, as it seemed to be a cool and tough house like her, so she was curious if she would get sorted into Slytherin.)
• Hufflepuff (Hufflepuff was the lowest on her list for her as she didn't think she was much like a Hufflepuff. Her family friend @Ruth Fairchild was in Hufflepuff, which was the only reason she would be happy if she got sorted into Hufflepuff.)
• Ravenclaw (Ravenclaw was known for their wise and smart minds, and Harriet was one of those people, so Ravenclaw was at the top of her list of houses she wanted to get into.)
• Gryffindor (Gryffindor was a famous house for brave students, and Harriet had her heart closest to this house. She desperately wanted to get into Gryffindor as she knew it was the right choice for her.)

Just as she started thinking about her list of houses again, the Sorting Hat was about to make its decision. "RAVENSCROFT HARRIET IS...... GRYFFINDOR! The great hall exploded with applause as Harriet made her way to the table. She was overjoyed knowing that this was the right place to be. Hogwarts watch out as HARRIET RAVENCROFT THE BRAVE AND MIGHTY WILL TAKE OVERRRRR!

Walking through the enchanted ceiling above the Great Hall, casting soft golden candlelight across the four long tables. Gazing at the sorting hat resting on its wooden stool at the front, oddly alive, and its brim twitched every often.

While Skylar stood among the first-years, her hands were slightly curled into fists. She wasn’t afraid, not exactly. She was just used to being alone. But here, surrounded by so many new people and new faces. She felt like the ground beneath might give way at any second. Her gray eyes aimed across the hall, focusing on the banners of the four Houses.

And there, her two older sisters, Azalea and Hailey, stared with high expectation from the Hufflepuff table, along with some folk whispering near their ears and curious expressions.

Skylar isn’t close to any of her sisters much because they are twins. They are always in pairs wherever they go, and she is the one who has been coming late for two years. So, she felt a lot left out of the family dynamic.Azalea and Hailey might not be aware of the last three months' situation yet. But, if she can be sorted into the same house as her sisters, it will definitely reduce some attitudes from her parents for sure.

“Skylar Astor!”

Her last name had already stirred murmurs, even more staring and whispering. The Astors were known as a big Hufflepuff family. Some said her sisters had been sorted quickly and both cheered on by many people. Maybe she will have braced herself for the same fate or something else, but why are they curious about her all of a sudden? She doesn’t know what she did wrong.

The girl behind whispers

“Her eye looks a bit creepy, though. Is she really from THE family?” hand quote.

For a brief moment, she wished she could melt into the stone floor, but her legs carried her committed forward. Her heart hammered like a panicked bird. She sat down, and the Sorting Hat placed upon her head, heavy with a voice only she could hear.

“Ah… another Astor I know, hardworking, loyal, with roots deep in Hufflepuff. Your sisters never gave me much trouble deciding.”

Skylar froze a bit. Of course. They were the delightful twins. It was no surprise for anyone to think of anything else. She spoke in her mind.

“But you, my dear, are different. You have a sharp mind, observant always curious, always searching. Ravenclaw would welcome that hunger for knowledge.”

“Knowledge is good but… ” Skylar thought stubbornly, I don’t care about being clever. I like to explore, and I want freedom.

The Hat chuckled softly.

“Ah, ambition then? There is courage in you, too… more than you realize. You could do well in Gryffindor, you know.”

Skylar’s pulse rose. Her parents would never expect that. On the other hand, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be among the loud, brave heroes everyone admired. She thought in silence.

“…And yet,” the Hat lower its voice like being in a deep thought “there’s that shadow of loneliness in your heart. A need for acceptance. Hufflepuff could give you that, Skylar. You’d find friends who value who you really are.”

Skylar bit her lip a bit. For a second, she pictured herself in the yellow-and-black sitting with her sisters, then remembered the way her parents had looked at her when she spoke to that snake in the garden like she was wrong, like she didn’t belong even among her own blood.

“That is where I should be, but why do I feel so different, sir? Should I want to prove I can be something else?” She asked the Hat calmly.

The Sorting Hat went quiet for a long moment, considering her stubbornness. Finally, it let out a satisfied sigh.

“Ahh… yes. I see it now. Independence. Determination. You want to walk your own path, not the one paved for you. Very well, Skylar Astor. Better be… ”

“SLYTHERIN!”

The word rang out across the hall, and silence fell for half a breath before the Slytherin table burst into applause. Skylar opened her eyes widely. Her legs are shaking. She stood and removed the Hat. Then, She glanced to where she was most scared, and could almost feel the stares of her sisters from the Hufflepuff table. There it is! The shocked and disappointed expressions. She doesn't mind being in another house than Hufflepuff, but in slytherin, she just made more reason for her family to be distant from her.

While she was walking to the Slytherin table, something stirred in her chest, her braids swaying against her shoulders. Maybe she just has to accept the way it is. Maybe she can build a new family here. Maybe she is exactly where she needed to be.

Lapiz stood quietly in the line of first years, taking in the sights and sounds of the great hall around them. Students chattered and laughed as though this wasn’t the most important part of their day. It certainly was for Lapiz. Her mother had been a Ravenclaw, her father a Gryffindor, and she wondered where exactly she would fit in. The hall quieted suddenly as Headmaster Lear called it to order and gave his speech about the ceremony at hand. Lapiz fiddled with the edge of her robes as he spoke. Soon, the crisp snap of parchment unfolding broke her fidgeting, and the first names were called. The sorting hat, it came to her with no surprise since her mother had done well to explain the ceremony, called out the first years’ new houses. Slytherin was the first house to gain a new member. Would that be where she belonged? ‘I’m certainly cunning at times, but it just doesn’t seem like home’ she thought to herself. More names were called as she moved further up in line. Hufflepuff gained a new student. ‘I’m loyal, too, but is that enough to be placed there?’ Her mind whirled, her nerves causing her to daydream. She recalled when her little brother had asked her to read to him from the book she had been reading. He had asked a million questions, and she had patiently answered each of them there under that tree in the yard which now seemed worlds away.
Her name was called, twice, before she snapped out of her thoughts. Blushing, she made her way up to the little chair where the sorting hat rested. She sat in the chair as the hat was lifted and placed atop her head.
“Hmm, a strong sense of loyalty I see. Ah, yes, and quite the brave heart too. Perhaps Gryffindor?” The Sorting Hat said. Brave? Had she ever been brave in her life? Sure those instances where Tilly, one of her best friends, had been being bullied and Lapiz had stood up for her, but was that bravery or just doing what was right?
“No, no, not a Gryffindor. Oh, a sharp mind as well, always questioning, always seeking. A readiness and willingness to learn and to teach when the time calls for it.” Lapiz held her breath.
“Hm…better be…RAVENCLAW!” The Sorting Hat called, Ravenclaw’s table burst into cheers. A weight was lifted from Lapiz’s chest as she made her way to the table. ‘Ravenclaw..’ she thought to herself, ‘maybe this is exactly where I belong.’ She smiled as her new housemates greeted her enthusiastically. And so would begin Lapiz’s first year at Hogwarts.

The sounds of footsteps clattered between the massive walls. The group of first years had been lead into the building and now stood before a set of large doors. Shelowyn did her best to avoid touching those around her. A task proven very difficult as all of the new students were wiggling with various emotions. Like lots of little cauldrons bubbling over on an overcrowded table.
Shelowyn was ready to collapse into a bed. Honestly, the floor looked cozy enough. Now she was packed together in a can of sardines, waiting for what? The whole situation left her rather salty. She thought she might just lose it when a creak silenced the other children. The doors slowly swung open.
The smell of food hit Shelowyn so hard she stumbled into the person behind her before surging forward with the flock of first years. She was stuck in the middle and could barely make out the splendor of food, drink and hundreds, nee, thousands of other students sitting at color coded tables. Red, Blue, Yellow and Green? 'Right, dad said the houses had dedicated colors but all I remember is red for Gryffindor. Red and gold, the colors he wore practically daily.'
She watched as the group shuffled past a man, quite tall. He wore a full set of plated armor, as if he had walked right out of a book. He was greeting first years as they walked past. He didn't look to well though. Shelowyn wondered if he even wanted to be there.
Shelowyn looked up, her mouth gaping at the sight. Candles floated about all on their own. 'Right...magic...wow...magic...' Whatever fears she had about magic was overshadowed by the beauty around her. One day, could she do that kind of stuff? Levitate objects? What's cooking like? 'Dad never talked much about the classes. I'd die just to know what on earth they teach here.'
They stopped at the front of the room. The man in armor moved passed them and up onto an elevated platform. Shelowyn noted he had a slight limp. 'Wait, what about healing magic...? Is that not a thing...?' She pouted, scrunching up her face in confusion. That's the main thing she wanted to learn, but perhaps it's something she would have to leave in her fantasy books. Her lips pursed with a sigh. He mjst be important as the entire room had gone deathly silent. Shelowyn looked at him intently as his voice shattered the silence, she instinctively covered her ears.

"Welcome first years as students. I am Solomon Lear, Nead aster of Hogwarts..."

Her eybrows shot up in surprise. The memory of the ancient letter she read in her father's study appeared. Solomon Lear. A name she would have to remember. She watched with wide eyed fascination as he spoke with a...hat? Magical bears on magical boats. Magical floating candles. Magical talking, thinking, hats. Oh boy this was going to be an interesting year. She hed the hat suspiciously. This is how they pick the houses? 'Dad never mentioned a hat...considering how important he made the houses out to be, you'd think the sorting hat would be an important bit of information.'

"The house that will be chosen for you shall represent qualities that are truly present within each of you. Your future house shall be like a second family..."

Shelowyn felt a rock slowly sink into her gut. She wished she had more information to go on now. These houses she knows nothing of, well except Gryffindor. There was little more Shelowyn hated more than not knowing something about a subject, especially if she had to lesrn about it for the first time in fromt of others. Failure. She swallowed.

"What you need to know is that the sorting hat is never wrong..."

This brought a lightness to Shelowyn. 'Maybe not knowing is better. That way I won't regret the house I'm in...right?' She listened intently to the hat's song, smiling as she learned the first real but of history. Of MAGICAL history.

Gryffindor
Where dwell the brave of heart...

Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal...

Ravenclaw
Where those of wit and learning...

Slytherin
Those cunning folk...

She tried to remember the kyrics as best she could. The smell of food had woken Shelowyn up and she was now desperately hungry. Then Solomon began listing off names. Despite the long list, she knew she wouldn't wait long. A perk lf her last name...well sometimes a perk...Sure enough she heard her name. She paused before squeexing between the first hears to the front. They sat her on the stool, facing the massive crowd. Her undershirt was instantly wet with sweat. She watched all lf the eyes on her. 'Why can't I face the ither way...?' Shelowyn slowly breathed in through the nose, out through the mouth before plop! The hat was placed upon her head.

'Well I have not had a Bloomthorn in many long years. Your history runs strong with Gryffindors. Would you want to followl in your family's footsteps...hmmm no, I think not.' The hat vibrated in her skull. It was an unusually feeling she hoped to never experience again. Shelowyn had a feeling that would not be the case. 'You are more cunning but my do you have a sharp wit. Yet, I believe that Ravenclaw would hold you back...you know you remind me of a certain Bloomthorn...Yes, yes, let it be-'

"Hufflepuff!"

The table bedecked in yellow and black cheered. The hat swooped off her head and she was down the steps to blend into the cheering students. She was guided to a seat by many smiling faces. They spoke at her as she began shuffling food into her face.

Monday, 09.01.2025

~9:00 p.m.

WC: 537

Dialogue:

Theodore: #008245

Solomon: #783f04

Sorting Hat: #351c75

As I filed into the Great Hall as a small part of a vast multitude of first years, I took in the sights and sounds of the expansive room, from the four long tables seating what seemed like thousands upon thousands of older students, some that seemed just barely older than me, and others that were probably grown adults, if you went by the wizarding system that was, to the innumerable number of floating candles hovering above our many heads. At the very front of the room was a fifth table spanning the width of the room, although this one was for the staff of the palace, and preceding it, was the most important object in the room: the Sorting Hat. It had sorted hundreds of thousands of students into their respective houses in the past millennia, and today was the day it would sort me.

I had a mix of emotions inside me as I walked down the hall with the rest of the students. For the most part, I was calm. There was nothing to worry about after all, not even about having to stand around for an hour or two while waiting for my name to be called. No, I was quite lucky in regard to that, and just like the Ashbournes before me, I’d be called up to the sorting within the first few minutes of the beginning of the ceremony. Neither was there any reason to worry about any pain or discomfort throughout the process as it was quite simple: The Sorting Hat would be placed upon you, and you’d generally wait a few seconds to be sorted before it shouted out your new house out at the top of its nonexistent lungs for the whole world to hear.

But I was also a little excited, something that was not at all unexpected given the nature of the moment. Excited, both, by the prospect of being sorted, and simply because I was in such a large, new, place. I had been in big places before, but the interior here caused me to stand in awe nonetheless. Eventually, the headmaster began to speak, and a while after that, the Sorting song broke out into a song about it’s origins, and once it finished, Solomon began to call out names. I waited a few minutes until it was my turn, and eventually I heard the headmaster say “Ashbourne Theodore!”. Whoo! This was my moment, the one I had been waiting ages for. I went up to the stool and took a seat before the sorting hat was placed upon me. “Slytherin, yeah?” I asked in my mind. “Like your parents? Good choice, it certainly suits you. But may I offer an alternative?” “What alternative is there to Slytherin?” I asked. “And I swear, if you say...” “RAVENCLAW!” The hat shouted at the top of its lungs, and before I could react, the hat was swooped off the top of my head. I gave the hat a sharp glare as I stood up to applause from my new house. ‘I’ll tear you to shreds.’ I finished the thought as I turned to head for my new table. Hopefully the hat was right about my house.

Monday
1st of September, 2025

Everything looked much bigger than Eldritch had ever seen. The walls, the tapestries, the paintings and, biggest of all, the rubbed egos of fellow first-years (mostly pure-bloods, presumably) who have been rumbling about seeing it all at the ripe age of eleven. Eldritch didn't have many friends his around age, well, he actually didn't have any. Not counting the ones he made up in his head anyway.
"You need to make new friends! Actual friends. Living ones." He heard his mother's voice booming from the back of his head, almost like as if it was yesterday that he had seen her last and she had said those exact words to him (it was).

Despite all the chaos that occurred during the voyage to the castle, a glimmer of excitement had started to fill Eldritch with great wonder. His stomach felt like it was hosting a moth, fluttering about. His head was fantasising about a great many things. Mostly the idea of feasting on the food that was soon to be served after the ceremony had been completed. There was no food on the table just yet, but alongside the fluttering, his stomach had let out a growling roar that hopefully only Eldritch could have heard.

As shoulders bumped against each other, the urge to shove everyone in front of him was strong, but not stronger than his ability to resist such desires. There were far more important things grabbing hold of his attention. Majestic things. All his life, Eldritch was surrounded by magic. Yet still, the magic of Hogwarts felt too strong, too prominent in comparison to anything else he had ever seen before. All the things he had seen while travelling with his family, and the companionship formed through the circus his grandmother hosted, lacked the sense of stability and comfort that the walls of Hogwarts seemed to provide only within a few minutes upon the boy's arrival. But perhaps that was a sublime issue hidden underneath all of the many other issues that more often than not made living with his family unsatisfying for a child like him.

But that was an issue for another time. Tonight, great things were expecting Eldritch and he was more grateful than ever to not have his grandmother whisper the countless possibilities events could unravel if he did one thing instead of the other. What if he walked sideways instead of straight ahead? What if he sneezed a second late? What if he picked his nose with his left hand instead of his right? Merlin's beard, did his ears welcome the sound of rumbling children more than the dreary, wispy voice of that old crone. Good riddance. Albeit for a short time.

Alas, all the first years stood together in front of the sorting hat. The professors sat behind their long table, and in the centre stood the headmaster, who Eldritch found somewhat intimidating. It was probably just the height difference, and the weight... maybe the fact that he was just as emotionally dull as a bird without wings. But what would Eldritch know about all that? Names were being called, and assuming things at Hogwarts weren't odd for the sake fo fitting the stereotype, Eldritch expected to be called close to last. Wicked. No, seriously, very wicked. It gave him the chance to do what he's best at: Observe. The professors, the students behind him and the ones who were already wearing their House colours with pride. But most exciting of all was seeing the ghosts floating about, reminding everyone that this castle has been their residence for far longer than everyone in the Great Hall combined.

While Eldritch tilted his head around, lost in the many wonders of the hall, which was just a tiny fragment of an even bigger establishment, his name was suddenly called, reeling him back to reality, and for once, he was grateful that this was now his reality. Anxiously, he raised his hand slowly, awkwardly, only halfway through, and he put it back down as he heard a boy snickering behind his back. He shoved himself in between two girls and sat on the stool presented before him. The sorting hat was being held up in the air by the headmaster, and as soon as he sat down, he felt the hat being placed on his curly hair.

"Boy, you're a tricky one
The things you seek are dark indeed,
But it's why I am here to tell you
What exactly do you need.

Slytherin would help you
There's no need to plead,
But I've heard this story before
One I do not intend to read.

So best make this choice
And I'll call it a good deed,
For the past is history,
And the future is yours to knead."

Eldritch froze; rhymes and riddles were never his forte. They reminded him of his grandmother if anything, which by default meant that he hated them.

"I know where to put you, Wicked...

Hufflepuff!"

Roared the sorting hat ever so proudly, announcing aloud Eldritch's new house. A symbol of unity with strangers, but these strangers were a unique lot. Ones he didn't necessarily think he'd end up with. It felt odd, and a part of him naturally liked that. But questions lingered and the boy felt like he wouldn't be able to find the answer for them. Not anytime soon anyway.

But enough with the pondering. There was a feast to partake in, festivities to celebrate and food to gluttonise upon.

I’d dreamt of this day for years and I was currently trying my very best not to throw up. Standing outside the Great Hall looking up at the massive doors, packed in with the other expectant first years, that’s exactly how I felt, nervous stomach, sweaty hands, heart thudding so loud I was sure everyone could hear it.

I’d listened to every story my mum told about the castle, the classes, the weird food, the magic staircases that didn’t always take you where you asked. But the stories I remembered the most, were the ones when she talked about the Great Hall. And the Sorting Ceremony.

She would always say that Hogwarts didn't feel real to her until that moment.

Now I was here. Right outside those massive doors and I finally understood what she meant.

Some of the other kids looked excited, bouncing on their toes, whispering guesses about what house they’d get. Some were pale and quiet. I was somewhere in between, feeling like I wanted to smile and cheer but also at the same time wanting to cry and run away.

My mum was a Ravenclaw and she always said Hogwarts was magical, but also logical like a puzzle waiting to be solved. She’d said I had the Ravenclaw brain too. But she never tried to push it. Not really.

“The Hat always knows,” she told me.

I hoped that was true. I hoped I wasn't a mistake, like the hat would tell me go home.

The doors finally creaked open.

My earlier feelings, my uneasy stomach, my pounding heart all stopped the moment I took in the sight that was the Great Hall.

The Hall was enormous. There were four huge tables packed with students in black robes, and food piled high in the middle of each one, everything from roast chicken to jelly. Everyone was laughing, shouting and passing things across the tables like they’d known each other forever.

And the ceiling, WOW! I couldn’t stop staring at the ceiling.

It looked exactly like the sky outside, full of stars. But we were inside. And above our heads were hundreds of floating candles, like little fires just… hovering. I was transfixed.

I didn’t even notice the Headmaster at first.

He wore armour, actual armour, like a knight or something. He looked kind of tired, but strong, and when he spoke, his voice filled the whole room, even though he didn’t shout. He welcomed us and talked about the Sorting Hat, but honestly I didn’t really hear most of it.

Everything felt too big, too unreal.

The Hat said something funny and people laughed. One of the professors rolled their eyes. From the look of the older students this wasn't the first time this joke had been played out but it was almost expected.

I kept staring up at a single candle drifting over my head, watching it flicker. I felt this weird twist in my chest like I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I don’t even know why.

So when they called my name… I almost didn’t hear it.

"Cane Gordon"

My name, they just called MY name. I froze. I have never enjoyed being the centre of attention. For a second, I didn’t move. Then my feet carried me forward, even though the rest of me wanted to disappear into the floor.

The Sorting Hat was lowered over my head, my eyes disappearing into its rim and everything went dark.

Then a voice, it could have been right inside my mind for how loud the words seemed.

“Hmm…” it said, slowly, thoughtfully.

“You’ve got a good mind,” it said. “Very sharp. Questions upon questions. Hungry to learn, to understand. You’d do well in Ravenclaw, you know. You’d fit right in...just like your mother.”

Something fluttered in my chest. Some part of me wanted that, to be in her House, to make her proud.

But the hat wasn’t quite done.

“And yet…”

It felt like the hat leaned in closer somehow, even though it hadn’t moved at all.

“There’s more to you, isn’t there? A spark. Something more..."

I swallowed. My fingers were curled into fists on my knees.

“You’d do well in Ravenclaw,” the hat repeated. “But I think…”

Another pause. A longer one.

“I think you’re meant for something else. Ah, that's it. I know where to put you!”

My breath caught in my throat.

“GRYFFINDOR!”

The hat lifted from my head and the light came flooding back in. The sounds, the people, the candles overhead, all of it rushed in at once. The Gryffindor table erupted in noise.

I stood up, legs a bit shaky, heart pounding like a drum. I couldn't help it but the biggest smile found itself plastered on my face.

I walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat down, surrounded by people who already felt like teammates. They clapped my back, offered me pumpkin juice, and called me by name.

I was here, at Hogwarts, in Gryffindor no less and I was excited about the year ahead.

Hearing my name being called, I keep my head up high and sit in the wooden chair. I try not to look at the candles hovering over the entire room as all the students stare at me with curious intent.
I listened to the hats song, understanding from what the story entailed, Slytherin or Ravenclaw could be good. Being witty is something I may be good at, but my mother said I had a well-born cunning nature to me. The sorting hat is placed on my head and I hear the sentient object doing a bunch of "hmms" and "hums". This grumpy looking hat was making me a bit nervous, but I try to look tough in front of all these children my age. A lot of them seem to be nervous and jittery, so I want to look like I know what I am doing to seem encouraged. This was stressful though, the four tables looking nice to sit at and not be watched by the others. I don't think I have stage fright, but with everything on me it's like I can't show my true fear. I feel the hat chuckle quietly, which made me freeze and try to think of other things.
Maybe I can think about the time I dumped milk all over the girl who slammed my fingers in my locker that one time. If the hat can see my thoughts, he will know I am not scared to get revenge or maybe even showing him that I could get away with somethings. I do remember the teacher trying to catch me after I spilled that milk, but she couldn't find me in the crowd of elementary students. My mother said I needed to control my anger, but I don't think she understands. I don't want to be a push-over and be seen as weak, I want kids to know that they can't mess with me without getting in trouble or having consequences. It's so frustrating sometimes when that principal just lets kids off the hook.
Before I could think of any other story about me that could seem fearless, the hat finally seemed to have made an answer.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The relief I felt when I finally was able to get off that chair and head towards the green table, I honestly was just glad that hat could get off my head. The Slytherin table cheered with excitement, clapping while I sit closure to the back to watch other students get chosen. Was Slytherin a good choice for me? I observed the green flag with a snake on it that resembled our House and smiled. Well, I do like reptiles, that makes me feel a bit better.