Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020 Archived

I had been waiting for the sorting ceremony for a long time, and I was at this moment in front of that door that opens on the Great Hall. My stomach was paining, due to the apprehension I felt. We all was just standing, looking forward the instructions.

Then, the door opened and all the first-year students entered the big room. Big alleys formed by the tables laid in front of us. Over our head, many candles were floating in the air. I was so fascinated to walk and I just staid on my feet, looking at that endless ceiling. One of the other students finally pushed me so that I move, my mind then focused again on the ceremony. Everything was so huge, so impressive... I could feel my heart beating in all my body until the tips of my fingers.

We then gathered at the front of the professors' table. A long dining table that was facing all students. The Headmaster started his speech, I was so fascinated by that ceiling that I even didn't listen to him. He then talked about that sorting hat. The one that would tell the house in which I would spend all my school years. That hat was looking very strange. I was sure it would not suit n my head. For sure, it was too big!

While I was worrying about the hat size, it started to speak. Whut! A talking hat! Nobody warned me. It was so unexpected... Actually, my father told me about that hat, but I thought he was jocking. I then understood he wasn't.

So much questions came up in my mind. Was that a living hat? Breathing like all creatures? I hesitated to raise my hand to ask the Headmaster, but the number of people in the room dissuaded me. The old man then took a long parchment and started to read the names on it. Every student called came in front of everyone and wore that living hat. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor... Every houses were named.

My name then resonated in all the big room. It was my turn. I was a bit worried, and shy. I walked wlowly toward the sorting hat, that the Headmaster put on my head. It started to speak.

"Paul, right... "

I interrupted it to ask my questions.

"Are you a living hat?
- Err..."

I didn't let it the time to answer and said :

"What do you eat? My father tell that when a creature is living, it needs to eat to get the energy to move. Then you surely have to eat! Or maybe it's magic. Do you eat magic? Or just magic brings you the energy to move?
- Hey, stop talking! He said. I'm not here to answer your questions, you are going to learn all that information during your schooling.
Sure you are a very curious person, and williing to learn... There' is no better house for you than RAVENCLAW!"

The Headmaster took back the hat and let me reach the Ravenclaw's table. I was a bit upset not having got my answers. But the food cured all my disappointment.

He felt uncomfortable. There was no other way to describe it. His palms were sweaty and his heart beat faster than it did when the police showed up at their sites to tell them to move on. They were so rude sometimes - did they not know that they just need to ask? It wasn't like they ever did anything wrong to make them have to move though.

The ride to Hogwarts was long and yet he struggled to nap like he usually did in the back of the van or his dad's little car. Perhaps it was because he hadn't been on a train before. It was odd thinking of that, considering he'd been in a car or a caravan his entire life as well as lots of buses and boats but..not trains, for some reason. Especially not big pretty ones like the Hogwarts Express.

August tugged at his robes from the moment he put them on to when he walked into the big hall. They were a little bit big because his mum had demanded that he get a larger size to grow into so they don't have to waste money on buying more whenever he had a growth spurt. It was smart, he supposed.

There were so many people in the hall that it put his worries of his clothing to rest and created a whole new concern - which house would he be put in? There'd been talk of it on the train and August knew he didn't really have a choice in the matter but that didn't mean he didn't want to be put in the wrong house.

He had to wait a long time for his surname to be called and by then, there weren't many of them left standing. The tables were getting fuller and he'd had the chance to match the colours to the names being shouted out. Even though it was a short distance between his spot and the stool, it felt like a mile when he had to go sit on it. The hat fell in front of his eyes and August was glad - it meant he didn't have to see people watching him.

Hats couldn't talk. That was why he jumped when a voice was in his head. They had a conversation involving words like 'curious' and 'aurors' that he knew he'd need to question someone on later for one of them. After a few seconds (surely it couldn't have been more than that), the hat spoke to the hall in one word that didn't mean much to Auggie other than: blue.

"RAVENCLAW!"

[font=Segoe Print]A[/font]lison was so excited. She was finally going to pass where her two elders had passed, to cross the cape of the sorting. She wanted to jump everywhere, but was holding back, there were too many people. When she entered in the Great Hall, her look automatically went to the ceiling, where the sky was beautiful. She walked a moment with the head lifted, at the risk of tripping. When she lowered her chin, suddenly she saw her sisters, at the Ravenclaw table. They waved to her, to which she replied discreetly. She already knew where she will be distributed. Everyone in her family, except her mother and her little sisters of course, was in Ravenclaw. Why would it be different with her ?

She listened the Headmaster, then the Sorting hat. Her sisters had told her about it, she was so happy to finally see it with her own eyes. She had imagined this hat so many times in her dreams... She was pretty much in the middle of the list, so she took the time to watch how it went with the students before her. It bothered her a little that the hat could enter her mind and probe her, but she put it into perspective by saying that it wouldn't last long.

When finally her name resonated int the Great Hall, she took a deep breathe before moving. Once the hat on her skull, she instinctively bit her lips. The hat remained silent for a moment, before murmuring :

“ – Hmm, I'm divided...”

Alison frowned. What ? Divided ? What did it mean ? Her heart bolted. She couldn't be anywhere other Ravenclaw, it was impossible. So as not to panic, she began to count the seconds that went by.

“ – I see so much... You're very curious, it's undeniable. But you can also be very impulsive when it comes to protecting someone. Your sisters were simpler. Ravenclaw or Gryffindor ?”

174, 175, 176, 178... Time passed, Alison looked down at the Gryffindor table. No, she needed to be with her sisters. Ravenclaw, Ravenclaw. 206, 207, 208...

“ – Don't worry, I release you. RAVENCLAW !”

She let out a long sigh of relief. A little more, and she finds herself Hatstall. She went to the Ravenclax table, and sat down next to her sisters, a big smile on her lips.

Allegra Mcafee followed the large group of students into the Great Hall. And great it was indeed. She glanced around as they walked, admiring the moving pictures, the long tables, the full plates of food.

She still didn’t entirely understand what was going on. She was muggle-born, after all. It was her neighbor, Mrs. Wilson, who had told her all about Hogwarts and the different houses.

There was Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and... and... Ravenclaw. That’s right. Mrs. Wilson had been Hufflepuff. She loved her time at Hogwarts, and Allegra was pretty excited to get to experience it for herself.

After what seemed like an eternity, the group of first year students came to a halt. She looked ahead of her as Headmaster Solomon Lear started speaking, explaining the history of the sorting ceremony. She listened carefully, absorbing the information like a sponge. She was extremely fascinated.

Finally, the sorting began. She enjoyed watching people’s faces as the sorting hat yelled their house. Some first years looked excited. Some, disappointed.

Finally, she heard her name called loudly. “Allegra McAfee!”

She took a nervous deep breath as she made her way up to the stool where the hat sat. She sat down and felt the sorting hat carefully placed on her head.

Almost instantly, she could hear him talking.

“You are very kind.” The sorting hat spoke. “And quite smart. But where to put you?”

He thought for a moment before speaking again. “Yes, it’s clear. There’s only one place you belong.”

It seemed like an eternity as she waited for him to announce her new home.

”GRYFFINDOR”

She grinned, looking over at the table that had just erupted in cheers, as she hopped down from the stool to join her new family.

Piper's heartbeat was going way to fast. At least, she thought it was. She tried to remember the average heartbeat as she placed her hand on her chest.
This was it, getting one step closer to her Hogwarts year. As a muggle-born, she didn't really have any expectations. Some Pure-bloods had houses they really wanted to be in, since it was their family's house. However, Piper had no trace of wizard blood, therefor, no expectations. Her head raced in circles. She'd live with these people for 7 years, she hoped she'd get in a good house. She thought of the possibilities. She could be Ravenclaw, she was quite smart. Or Gryffindor, she was quite brave too. The thoughts were cut short by the loud mention of her name.
"Hargrove, Piper!"
She gasped, and quickly scurried up the steps. She sat down on the stool as the sorting hat was placed upon her. It felt weird. She'd never worn a wizard hat. The hat was light on her head, and she closed her eyes as it started speaking.
"Let's see," the hat began. "An interesting case. Intelligent, yes, and brave as well! My my, hard choice."
Hard choice? Was that bad? It was probably bad. She had already messed up before even getting sorted.
The sorting hat chuckled. ”That’s quite alright. Now, let’s see. Oh yes, I think I see it now. The obvious choice.”
Piper held her breathe as she waited for the hat to speak.
”Hufflepuff!”
Piper gasped excitedly and hurried off the stool, down the stairs, and to the Hufflepuff table. She was welcomed by kind faces and funny stories. She felt right at home.

Word Count (not counting this): 278 words

Aoife felt like a bit of a lemon stood there, with all those eyes on her. Surely, the older children didn't always look that tall and imposing? Lined up with her fellow first-years, she was feeling pretty small. Unimportant. Cowed. Which was a completely un-Aoife feeling to have. She couldn't elbow one of the other first-years and make a joke. She couldn't pull a face and cut the tension. She barely knew any of them, apart from the girls she'd met on the train. She'd just have to keep it all to herself.

The moment approached and Aoife felt herself getting all nervous. What House was she going to be in? She'd known since she'd heard about Hogwarts. Oh, Hufflepuff. It'll be Hufflepuff. Me Ma was in Hufflepuff and she says I'm just like her, she'd tell anyone that asked.

"Quinn, Aoife!"

Fingers balled up tight, Aoife climbed the steps and sat down on the stool. The hat was placed on her head. She couldn't imagine it looked particularly good. A nervous, pink face framed by two pigtails, underneath a frayed, grey hat? She waited a couple of seconds. Wondering what was meant to happen. Hello? Is this thing on?

Well, what have we here? The voice made Aoife jump a little, shivering on the stool. Hmm yes... I see. Quick to act, quick to speak, quick of mind. Hmm... bold and brave, yes, with loyalty too. A little too much stubbornness in there... but such eagerness too.

Please not in Slytherin, me Ma'll kill me.

Slytherin, hm... no. No perhaps not, the ambition isn't... no, I think I know. It was clear the second you sat here...

Here it comes, she thought, Hufflepuff.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Aoife opened her eyes and looked around, slightly open-mouthed. She was vaguely aware the Ravenclaw benches were cheering. She climbed off the stool and walked down, still in shock. Me? In Ravenclaw? I'm not bleeding clever enough to be there... But the table full of smiles, cheers and laughs pushed the doubts from her mind. As she took her place next to some other excited first years, she smiled and shrugged.

Eh well, could be worse!

Riku was not amused.

He was impressed was impressed by many things so far. The majesty of crossing the lake and seeing Hogwarts for the first time; the grand imposing doors of the entrance hall; the thousands of candles brilliantly lighting the four expansive tables with the varying houses. However it ended there when he saw the hat.

Riku was intrigued, with it. After all, what sorts of magicks allowed for a sentient hat? Was it fully sentient? Were there actual charms like that?

No, Riku wasn't amused by the hats existents because he had believed the sorting process to be more...well,more. Was this why his father decided to not tell him about it at all? Some veiled lesson on assumptions and expectations?... No, the old man was just probably having a go at him.

"Aburame, Riku." he heard his name being announced, followed by the small pockets of whispering here and there. His name and complexion tended to intrigue those around, though it has been a long time since he had to entertain such questions.

With a calming breath to settle his nerves, Riku strided forward to sit on the offered stool, and waited till the hat rested upon his head.

'My, my what a busy mind...' Riku heard a voice within his head. His eyes widen at that. 'Yes... Yes, quite the thirst for knowledge, but it's not for sake of learning is it...'

Riku's heart raced as he heard those words. It was not only in his mind, it was reading it! Even as his hands twitched to remove the offending hat, it spoke, 'Relax did boy, the founders made it so that I couldn't spill the secrets of those under my brim' it finished with what Riku could only assume to be a bitter tone.

Riku relaxed slightly, though he still felt defensive. Thoughts going wild with means and ways to be sure he wasn't found out; that this didn't happen again, causing the hat to laugh.

'Yes, I know where you would do best,' It thought before announcing loudly to the Hall, "Slytherin!"

Adriel could hardly breathe she was left speechless. The Great Hall was beautifully lit by candles that floated high above their heads. They were the twinkling stars filling up the expanse of a...a? Is that a backdrop? Adriel chuckled to herself it made for a lovely night sky either way. It seemed to enhance the glow of candle light and the shining faces of portraits that hung on either side of her. They were chattering away, just like the students gracing the four large tables that seemed to stretch on forever.

Adriels stomach growled as she eyed the food layed about. All her favorites were there and even foods she did not recognize. What really caught her attention however, was the tattered witches hat that sat on a stool at the front of the room. He was going to decide her fate.

"Adriel Greynor!" the headmaster yelled out over the crowd. Adriel bounced with nervous excitement as she descended from the cluster of students and to the stool. The hat was delicately placed on her head.

"Ah, you're hoping to be a Hufflepuff like your father." Adriel jumped slightly how did he know that? Well she knew how he knew but it was still unnerving.

" I'm in your head remember girl and in it i see.. Hmm loyalty, a welcoming heart, a hard worker, Hufflepuff does sound promising... But there is something else.. Your dedication... I see it's for knowledge.. Yes, yes a clever girl, full of creativity. I know which house you need. It should be RAVENCLAW!" The hats voice boomed out.

Adriel let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Ravenclaw?" she wasn't surprised but a bit disappointed. At least she was until she heard the cheers from the Ravenclaw table. Her excitement returned as she walked over to her new home.

Alex felt her head spin as she looked around the majestic and enormous hall, mesmerized by the floating candles. With dancing lights still floating around her head, she looked around the hall, at the hundreds of faces watching her and the other 11-year-olds as they walked down the center. Some walked blissfully carefree, being born into this strange world. Others looked and fiddled nervously, unaffected by the magic in the air but the prospect of the sorting. Others walked down the hall to shocked to be scared, the muggle-born Alex had been told they were called. She fell into this last category.

In the front of the group was an ornate table with, who she could only assume, were professors. In front was an older man standing next to a stool and a comically large hat that rested upon it. Stared as the man casually welcomed the witches and wizards back and introduced himself to the small group standing center. One of the long tables were filled with students wearing red, she knew they were Gryffindor. She had heard they were the brave and courageous ”heroes” of the society. Also where I’ll never be sorted,she thought sadly. The next was filled with students clad in yellow, Hufflepuffs, the kind and loyal. The third wore green, the Slytherins. They had a long history of dreadful wizards, each somehow worse than the last. The final table was of witches and wizards adorned in blue, the Ravenclaw. Although not particularly well versed in the houses, Alex assumed she was going to end up there, the only descriptions of them she’d gotten were daydreamers. The world seemed to blur and her mind faded back to the train.

The train had felt simultaneously like an instant, a blink of an eye, and an eternity. The trees went flying past the window at almost the speed Alex’s mind was racing. Two girls were in the compartment with her, they appeared to be older, 15 or 16 perhaps. They talked of their favorite professors and who they were excited to see and the prospect of Quidditch tryouts. Their voices faded in Alex’s head, their words swirling, the names, the spells, the dreams, the fear...

”Dibenedetto!” Alex quickly snapped back into reality at the booming sound of the Headmaster’s voice. She quickly began walking forward with her head down. She glanced up as the previous girl walked towards cheering Ravenclaws. She tentatively sat down on the chair as the hat was placed on her head.

”Hmm,” a voice echoed in her head. She knew that the Hat would speak both out loud and in her mind, but nonetheless was jarring. ”Quite a fearless girl...”Me? He must have been tossed too hard, she thought offhandedly. ”And forgetful, I can see your mind girl... hmm... quite a creative mind, resilient too... strange.”Alex fiddled with her robes. Was this taking too long? Had she done something wrong? ”You’re quite clever... you have a lot of dreams don't you? Hmm... yes I know where you belong.” Alex let out a a sigh of relief, it was finally over. It had to be Ravenclaw, right?

”SLYTHERIN!”

Her heart dropped into her stomach as an eruption of boos from the Gryffindors and cheers from Slytherins. She sat for a moment, stunned, frozen. The Headmaster cleared his voice and she rose, dazed. The words of the girls and the history books echoed in her mind, how difficult the Slytherins were, how they were pure-bloods. She felt her heart painfully beat as she walked towards her home for the next seven years. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This can’t be worse than public school, she thought and looked down the crowded table and saw the smiles instead of the glares.

Floating candles, talking hats, ghosts, and everything else new to a muggle-born flooded this hall. Donald found his eyes wandering to the enchanted ceiling and all the fine, magical details above. Murmurs from every table combined to form a mighty roar before names were called and announcements made. Focus was impossible among the chaos. Every centimeter of this great hall had something new to offer. The food alone was almost enough to capture attention though. Almost...

As the ceremony began, the chaos calmed into a duller roar to hear the headmaster and sorting hat speak. Cheers came from table after table as students were sorted by this hat. Donald looked from place to place wondering where he'd end up, or even what it meant. No one had really explained what the houses were to him. Hopefully a cool crowd would take him in so he'd enjoy himself. That's all he wanted.

"Donald.... Fish?" came the voice of the headmaster, calling Donnie up to the hat.

How did the others walk up? Is there a step? Is everyone watching? Donald's head swam with concerns and doubts as he carefully approached the stool.

It felt like all eyes were on Donnie as he took a seat and the hat pressed against his head. The chaos that had pulled at his focus seemed silent now. There was just a voice; a strange and intrusive voice. It must have been the hat but who else could hear it? Donald thought back to the others, he didn't recall the hat saying much. It must be private to just him. He hoped.

"Interesting, interesting. You don't even know what you want, do you?" Donnie didn't answer. "I see through your shell, even if you don't want to tell."

"Your confidence is weak and you're actually quite meek. But you care for others enough to make them your brothers. This is not tough, you belong in..."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Clapping and cheering came from the table of yellow as the announcement was made. An open seat was emphasized for Donnie and a smile involuntarily crossed his face. It was off to the badger table for him to begin a new year of adventure.