Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020 Archived

Percy entered the Great Hall just as almost any other first year would, his bright eyes were wide with a mixture of excitement and curiosity as he had little to no clue what was about to happen. His eldest sibling had told him that there was going to be four tasks you had to complete to see which house you would get it but Percy never really trusted him anyways. A long line of other kids were in front of him as his name was well down the list but this was considered a benefit in his eyes, more time to prepare for whatever was in store.

As he waited in anticipated, practically vibrating in his new robes, Percy looked around the room once more. It was no wonder this place was called 'Great' it was huge and magnificent with floating candles that held dancing orange flames everywhere, shiny golden plates and goblets and not to mention the countless other students there other than the first years. The four tables were very obviously for each house as there were only four houses but the order of which the tables went for the houses were a bit more difficult to guess. Most students didn't really wear their house colors but if you looked hard enough you could see scarlet at the Gryffindor table, emerald at the Slytherin table, yellow at the Hufflepuff table and deep blue at the Ravenclaw table. The thought of how much Percy wanted to be wearing the emerald and silver was invading the rest of his thoughts to the point where it seemed he was trying to communicate with the ragged hat on the stool as to which house he wanted.

Finally his name was called, "Karanos, Perseus.", so of course he walked up. Percy looked around one last time to both the Slytherin and the Ravenclaw tables where he could see his siblings staring at him, most of them seemed to be telling him that he'd better get in their house or their parents would be furious and to that Percy agreed. Either way, this was the moment. He placed himself firmly on the stool and placed the hat upon his head where at first he heard nothing, only the chatter of the room. Then the hat pretty much screamed in his ear. "Hm. Yet another Karanos, I bet I already know where to put you.", to this Percy held on to the thought of Slytherin where the hat best hear him. "Slytherin, eh? Well I do see potential. Your incredible determination to reach your goals and natural leadership almost overpower your other traits but you seem to fit more in Gryffindor." Percy interrupted the sorting hat with his own thoughts. "What'd'ya mean? My whole family is in Slytherin and Ravenclaw, if I'm a Gryffindor than I'll swallow a fork once I get seated." The hat paused, seemingly considering this before speaking again. "You sure..?" He nodded. "Well you're not the one making decisions here. Have fun in...GRYFFINDOR!" Percy felt like he was being suffocated, he quickly took off the hat and went to the Gryffindor table where he got loud applause and cheering but he didn't care at this point.

Percy knew he said he'd swallow a fork but decided it best not to, but still it was tempting. He could feel the hot glares from his siblings who wore bronze and silver alike while stupid Percy had to wear stupid gold. Great. His family was going to skin him alive and he was going to end up like Griffin, the family disappointment and failure alike. What a perfect day. Everyone made this dumb ceremony out to be so amazing but it wasn't, that hat had to be wrong. There was no way he was a Gryffindor, that hat said it itself, Percy had great potential in Slytherin but then the hat did a full 180 and plopped him right into Gryffindor.

A perfect start to a perfect school year.

Toni stood anxiously among the crowd of new students. The train ride over had been a bit rough, having to switch compartments and all..She hoped her experience with the sorting hat would be much better. She had no doubt whatsoever of where she would be placed. It was the same place everyone else in her family was: Ravenclaw of course.

Toni, even before she had known of her abilities, had always been very studious at the Muggle school she attended. It was a natural Bunch trait. Her parents met after being sorted into Ravenclaw, and both older siblings had been sorted into the house with ease. Toni hadn't expected any different, although anxiety still gripped her. She brushed it off, knowing that the sorting hat would see her for who she was, and she would soon be joining her brother Finlay.

After a few minutes of deep breathing, Toni heard her name called. She slowly stepped forward and students moved to let her through. Her heartbeat quickened as many eyes fell upon her. She sped up her gate, hoping to get this over with so she could just join Finlay. She sat on the designated stool as the sorting hat was placed upon her head.

As soon as this happened, Toni felt a tingling sensation run down her spine. It felt almost as if there was someone else in her mind, running through her thoughts and feelings. "Hmmm, there's intelligence...ooh but also a great sense of compassion..." The sorting hat considered. Toni felt it move on her head as it spoke, analyzing her. "Well, I think I know just what to do with you..." The sorting hat paused, and a hint of fear coursed through Toni. Jus' stay calm, i' knows wha' it's doin' Toni reminded herself.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The sorting hat shouted, and the room erupted into applause. Toni was glued to the stool, as shock overtook her. She couldn't believe it. Everything she had imagined of her life at Hogwarts was crushed by this lumpy old hat. She stood and forced her legs to take her to the Hufflepuff table. She sat down quietly, refusing to look at her brother. How could she? She was now the outsider of her family. The one who couldn't live up to the expectations of her parents. Not that her parents were pressuring her to be in a certain house, but it was just expected. She quickly realized she'd have to do this her own way, and looking up, she locked eyes with Finlay. He looked worried, but when he saw Toni look up at him, he sent her a soft smile.

She quickly looked away, hearing the quiet yet relieved voice of a girl. "I am Teresa. @Teresa Shadowmoon. " Toni smiled at the girl, who seemed just as much in need of a friend as Toni was. "Hi Teresa, I'm Toni Bunch." Toni greeted, holding out a hand towards the girl.

Sylvain’s apprehension grew less and less with each comedic phrase the sorting hat sputtered at the multitudes of apprentice wizards and witches seated alongside him. The crumpled hat appeared genuinely concerned with guiding each student towards the right path. Recognizably, the hat wanted each child to leave with a sense of belonging, and despite its ruthless sense of humor, this had to be a difficult position, especially if one was going to be a living hat. Sylvain ascertained that since the sorting hat’s job was to sit upon the head of unfairly unkempt kids, Sylvain should respect the hat’s time, keep quiet, and patiently await his turn to be categorically placed amongst his peers. The lad could only imagine how hard it must be to think as deeply, as the hat must, with a room full of observers. Each of the other novices looked on in the hopes that they would find a home, but in doing so, affected the hat’s environment.

“SYLVAIN INDARYS”

The moment he heard name called, Sylvain rose as swiftly as his legs allowed. It was finally the impatient youth’s turn to have his scholarly location determined, so that he might continue on to his purpose. The sheepish boy was corralled towards the chair at the center of the room. Thankfully the embarrassment of going first was out of the way, or he might have been unable to sit back down.

The moment the hat came within an inch of his head it shouted:

“RAVENCLAW!”

In amazement Sylvain blinked, and shortly after pausing he thanked the hat with a simple nod and it winked back at him.

“Hurry along now, much sorting to do.”

The hat was right. Sylvain had better things he wanted to do. Especially if there was a house full of students just like him.

"Now, where do I sit?" He said, speaking aloud for his first time since leaving home.

Killian entered Hogwarts with a goal and a mission. It was rather simple, to follow in his parent's foot steps. All he needed to do was do just about that. Being the eldest out of him and his sibling to go to Hogwarts, he didn't quite know what it was like to live in the moment of the Sorting Ceremony. He had read about it, sure but it there was a big difference to live in it. The floating candles lit up the great hall, and there were four long tables filled with students in their uniforms of red, yellow, blue, and green. Killian caught himself looking at the Slytherin table with longing, he had to be there. But for now, he had to wait in the long line of fellow first years, anticipating for their sorting into either of the four houses.

Name after name, house after house, and endless amount of cheers and applause. This was all very nerve- wracking for Killian. It was the moment of truth. His first step into appeasing his parents. All he needed to do was get sorted into Slytherin. After doing so he can happily write to his parents and recieve a pleasant congratulations from their secretaries, which is basically getting a congratulations from them. He can do this.

After hearing the hat shout "RAVENCLAW!" for the last student and the resounding cheers and howls, Killian heard the dreading but anticipating call of the headmaster, "Killian Mordred Rothchild!" his voice boomed, filling the great hall. The pressure on him made him almost consider running off then and there.

"It's going to be quick and simple, just calm down." He quickly reassured himself. He can do this.

Ignoring everything around him, he attempted to compose himself and walk calmly towards the front, sitting down on the seat provided for as the sorting hat was placed onto his head. "Interesting," He didn't like the sound of that. "You're rather intelligent, a sharp mind such as yours could be a good fit for Ravenclaw... Hm.. But you also carry great ambition for yourself... which would be perfect for Slytherin, and a great determination fit for a Gryffindor... Alas, it is not your ambition or determination you seem to strongly carry Mr. Rothchild.. Yes... very different from your other family members indeed... For you carry it regardless for your loyality in your family..." Killian immediately knew where this was going. "For that I'll put you in..."

"Please reconsider-"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

All the color drained from his face, he felt like a dragon chewed him up and spat him out. His parents were going to murder him. He absently walked towards his table, too lost in his own mind to listen anymore or feel the pats on the back he got from his new housemates.

"So much for simple..." He already failed the first step into his goals.

Katherine was sitting nervously with the rest of the new first years as they awaited for their names to be called. She grabbed one of her long brown curls and began to just twirl it between her thumb and index finger. As she unconsciously did one of her anxious little quirks, she began to think, 'Who do I belong too? who do I want to be...wait what if i'm not smart enough...or brave....or cunning.....or even loyal.....WAIT!!! WHAT IF I DON'T GET SORTED AT ALL!!!'. Katherine began to groan lowly underneath her breath now getting more nervous and biting her bottom lip. Of course she was excited 'I mean who wouldn't after finding out their ma and da are both a wizard and a witch?', she thought.

However the doubt of being not good enough began rolling through her mind. 'Enough!' she thought, 'Kathy Jolin you are good enough! Ye belong here lassie! Ma and da are proud and they sent ye here knowin ye were goin to be sorted. So don't ye be a damn dafty now!'. She sighed at her mental conversation but then took in a deep calming breath. She shook her head and let go of both her curl and lip. She then sat up a bit taller amongst her peers felling even better after the mental pep talk.

"Katherine Jolin!" A gasp left her mouth as she sat wide eyed, hearing her name being called out. She slowly got up from the seat trying to not to freak out before her feet lead the way to the front of the hall. She gulped heavily as she sat on the chair and tried to avoid the peering eyes before she remembered her little pep talk. She took a short calming breath this time before she looked up amongst her new peers and smiled brightly. Some in the front of the tables actually smiled back, warmed by her smile while others just looked on, excited for a possible new house mate. As the sorting hat was gently placed on her head her vision went straight ahead and only focused at the end of the hall. 'don't go thinkin of anythin stupid ye dafty' she thought, before the hat chuckled,"Quite the imagination and words i see....". She groans mentally but still manages to keep up her bright smile, now excited for her sorting. "Hmmm such a positive character...bright....a bit of temper you have there...even loyal..but such a thirst for knowledge beyond of what you know...quite courageous too...well this isn't that tough to decide but tell me girl who are you?".

That question struck Katherine to the core. She was positive yes. She knew she wanted to learn and just have fun yes, but to know who she really was in a basic manner she simply put it 'I...I-I......I don't know yet'. "Quite interesting", The hat said aloud "Well there is only one place for you then to learn of what you seek and that is.......RAVENCLAW." Katherine was shocked, she thought she would at least have gotten Gryffindor or Hufflepuff but Ravenclaw? She was far from displeased in actuality she was happy she was sorted at all. Her smile grew as she now had something to search for in a new home, a new place, and with new people. 'I can't wait to know who I am yet....' she thought to herself. 'Maybe even make some new friends and maybe even a new experience overall' she giggled.

For the nth time that day, Maria was awestruck.

Here she was, standing in the Great Hall, a place she had only heard about from her mother’s stories. Now she guessed was the part where they would put her into a house. Her mum had been put into Ravenclaw, the table where the students wore blue scarves and she remembers that the first time she asked about her real father or “The Man” (which they agreed to call him when she got older) her mother mentioned that he was “a Gryffindor who was always looking for trouble”. Whatever that meant.

She wrung her hands as she waited for her turn, the hat’s raspy voice and random comments echoing through the large hall. As she observed her fellow first years and their reactions as the Sorting Hat was placed on their heads - a few of them sat tall and smug almost sure of their houses, some met with disappointment, others looked as though they were about to faint or be sick on the spot.

”This so odd, like it’s something out of dream.” She thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the boisterous cheers of the students at the Gryffindor table, as the last student approached his new maroon-adorned Housemates.

”Maria Dee”.

With a deep breath she approached the stool and the Hat was placed on her head.

“Hmm, lots of sunshine in this one... keen... yes, thinks loudly too.”

“What does that mean?” Maria whispered.

”You’re rather inquisitive aren’t you? Secretive too. Not exactly a shy one either but still very soft. Yes. It must be..

...”Hufflepuff!

The other members of her new house cheered as she cracked a small smile and approached her table. As she took her seat and the feast began, she new her journey too, had just started.

Joey heard his name called out and walked numbly fowards,aware that everybody had their eyes fixed on him. He hadn't really concentrated on the people being sorted before him - he was more worried about it being his turn. He was sat down before he realised it and a small voice piped up in hear ear.
"This is a strange one, not my usual split of house choice. I can see you want to help... But you're a keen learner.... Now, which is stronger? I think we'll put you in...."

Elaine was so excited to reach Hogwarts, the train ride on the Hogwarts Express was a pleasant one but the weather as they crossed the Great Lake was certainly less pleasant. Elaine entered the Great Hall with the other first years and was gobsmacked by what she saw. There were four long tables full of students chatting and laughing away. Suddenly, she felt nervous and apprehensive. How was she going to make any friends? She normally kept her nose in books and with a sudden realisation, she would be here for seven years and would have to talk to people. Sighing Elaine instinctively looked up at towards the ceiling as she often did when she was in unfamiliar territory but instead of a castle ceiling there were a million floating candles and the ceiling had clouds just like the ones that had been in the sky when they crossed the Great Lake.

By this stage, the first years had all gathered around the front of the Great Hall and the professor had placed a hat on a stool and it sang about its purpose. Elaine hadn’t put much thought into what House she would be sorted in. Her mother Jean had been a Ravenclaw and her father Desmond a Slytherin. Elaine hoped she would be in one of those two houses. She didn't want to disappoint her parents if she was in one of the other houses. Elaine was hoping to be a Ravenclaw as the common room had a great view of Hogwarts her mother had said and it was the house of wit and learning.

The sorting hat yelled out Ravenclaw for the student who had just been sorted and Elaine moved her head back down to look at the students been sorted.

The professor said “Elaine Cathail” and Elaine froze for a second. Her mind and heart were racing, what if the hat didn’t select a house? What if she was sorted in a different house? Would her parents be disappointed? Elaine slowly walked up to the sorting hat and placed it on her head.
“Well, Well, Well what do we have here, ‘’A strong mind for learning, but also willing to work hard. You would be suited to Ravenclaw.” Elaine’s heart lept a bit. “But, you also are very kind and willing to help others. You don’t want anyone to be left behind.” Elaine’s heart sank a little bit the hat couldn’t make a decision she thought. “Finally, I see you have a lot of patience, I know where to put you….

“Hufflepuff”

Elaine's heart sank she didn’t know any Hufflepuffs and they seem to have been the “loser house” the one where the leftovers left. Elaine tried hard to remember the lyrics for the Hufflepuff House as she walked over towards the table and wondered how she was going to explain it to her parents. Does this mean she wasn’t as smart as a Ravenclaw? The sorting hat didn’t say anything about Slytherin did she have no ambition?

With these solemn thoughts in her head, she didn’t even notice all the Hufflepuff students who were clapping and welcoming her to their house. Elaine swung her right leg over the chair and sat down next a boy who she recognised had been sorted a little bit before her and an older student.

Lorelei was speechless.

The Great Hall was amazing. Floating candles, long tables, and not to mention that large stage at the front. She had heard so many stories from her family, but with no reference, she never knew what to expect. The stories didn't describe it to be this amazing. Probably because the feeling was really hard to describe.

Kids went by, sorted one by one. Some were happy with their house, others, upset. Lorelei knew what house she was getting in. Ravenclaw. Her aunt was a Ravenclaw. Her Grandfather was a Ravenclaw. It was obvious she would be one. She was lost in thought and almost missed her name being called.

"Dixon, Lorelei."
Excitedly but nervously, she ran up the stage. Kids were all staring at her. The pressure was, well, very pressuring. The hat was placed gently upon her head. The feeling was weird. She had never worn a wizard hat. Her aunt had one in her room, but she was never allowed to touch it. When the hat spoke, Lorelei was spooked.

"Ah," it cooed. "One of those Bridgers, are you?"

That was a good sign. It recognized her. That would give her a greater chance of getting into Ravenclaw. She heard the hat could read your thoughts. Maybe convincing it would work, if it hadn't already decided to put her in Ravenclaw.

Ravenclaw, please? she thought.

"Ah, I see now!" the hat announced. Was she going to be placed in Ravenclaw? She scooted to the edge of her seat, smiling.

"Hufflepuff!" it bellowed.

Hufflepuff? I've never had any family in Hufflepuff. she thought as she walked off the stage shakily. The Hufflepuffs smiled at her from the table. She stared at the Ravenclaw table just to see. She saw a few family friends, frowning, but their frowns turned into smiles in order to support her.

But then she remembered. Her mother. Her mother was a Hufflepuff. She may have not been as close, but it was a start. Feeling a bit better, Lorelei prodded happily to the Hufflepuff table.

Word count: 345 words

She had been waiting for this her entire life. For the hat to be placed upon her head and tell her where she truly belonged. But she was scared, too. She didn't even belong in her own family. How could the hat choose where she belonged in Hogwarts?
"Moon, Rose!" Rose went up to the hat with her head down when her name was called. She could feel her siblings' eyes watch her as she walked to the sorting hat. It was placed lightly upon her head. "Hmm... you're a tricky one," The hat murmured. "Smart, yes. Kind, yes... But you feel... You feel you do not belong anywhere... You feel a need to prove yourself, but do not want to boast. You are different than your family. You will learn some very important things here... You could go in any of them, really. You are not who you seem to be... I think I will place you in..." The hat thought for a moment.
"GRYFFINDOR!" He bellowed, and the hat was taken off head.
"What?!" She said under her breath to herself. She was expecting to be in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. She walked to the table she belonged in now... Gryffindor, apparently.