Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

Siena was.. terrified, to say the least. She stood shoulder to shoulder with her young peers, glancing up to the wooden stage of which seated the professors, though perhaps more importantly, the sorting hat. She knew what house she wanted, though she didn't know if she was to get it. She couldn't have doubts though, doubts are bad luck, that being something her mother had taught her when she were young.


She looked down the aisle of young children, adorned in midnight robes with pointed hats, she swore this had to be something out of a movie. Being raised as a muggle, this was truly bizarre. Though, she had little time to take it all in.

"Siena Price?"

Her heart beat out of her chest, her eyes flurrying open as she heard her name be called. 'Okay.. okay.. you'll do fine. Show everyone as you get chosen as a Ravenclaw, just as you wanted. You'll be fine.' She thought to herself, it helping her nerves, though she was still yet to move. When the professors looked around curiously, unsure as to why she hadn't approached the hat yet, she realised what she had to do. She took a step forth, taking it one step at a time.

"Yes.."

She heard the sorting hat speak as it was placed on her head, only just managing to take a seat by the stage. Her eyes were wide open, looking around the hall wildly to each table. She saw the Gryffindor table, smiling and looking to each other, a general aura of warmth around them. Then her eyes looked to the Hufflepuff table, an general aroma of summer about them. She didn't know why, but just seeing them gave her the scent of honey. Her eyes then darted off to the Ravenclaw table, a small smiling foiling up her face as her excitement grow. She saw rows of boys and girls, men and women, glasses lining their eyes with books placed flat along the table, not exactly welcoming, though not really warding anyone off. Introverted, just there to get their work done- the exact house she wanted.

Then, she spotted the Slytherin table.. numerous students were laughing to each other, glancing up to her occasionally and speaking of, presumably, her. She remembered what she was told about the Slytherin house, how they were and how they acted. They scared her, in honesty, not wanting to end up as one of them, little did she know, that was exactly what was going to happen.

"A muggle-born, I see.. Curiosity, though a want to stay secluded.. yes, very interesting. A thirst to achieve great things, though little want to take the spotlight.. Ravenclaw sounds like the right option."

Her heart pounded more and more. She was getting what she wanted, the exact house she knew she would thrive in, grow up in and eventually graduate from. Though, that all came to a screeching halt.

"Though.. Your ideals surpass your personality. I will have to deem... SLYTHERIN."

Her heart sank. She sat there, paralysed, confused and heartbroken. Once she regained herself, she stood and walked to the table, slowly, trying her best not to break down and cry.

Ravenna had a plan to get her way. She intended to resolutely hold all that she wished for in her mind. To be in Slytherin. To defy her parents' wishes. This was her moment. If she is a Slytherin she is her own person. She can get out from her parents' umbrella of unwanted protection. She didn't need them to succeed.

She heard her name called. The preamble in her mind was over. This was the first moment of her entire life that was really and wholly her own. She can deviate from the path. She knew all the stories of witches and wizards becoming who their house made them. But Ravenna needed to show that she could defy that. 

"You can't fool me, girl." The hat said in her mind immediately as it was placed. Her instincts kicked in, all her mind games falling to oblivion. She was frozen. Mind and body. Nothing. She didn't even hear the hat continue its monologue into her mind. She didn't hear the hat cry to the room that she was to follow her mother's idol Rowena Ravenclaw. 

The Ravenclaw table cheered loud. Ravenna stayed still. The cheering died down. Ravenna finally awoke, only moving her deep green eyes toward the Ravenclaw table.

She stood from her stool, placed the hat on the vacated spot, walked unemotionally to find a seat. 

When she would recall this scene in her memory in the future she would supply from her imagination how the hall reacted. She did not hear the crowd if it cheered for her. She didn't know if they were awkwardly silent staring at her like they stared at all the weirdos. She didn't know. She was simply thinking to herself, planning in her mind, that she will NOT be Rowena Ravenclaw. She may be a Ravenclaw... but she will not be a Ravenclaw.

Katina Silverfall was waiting for her turn to be sorted with her head down. She really wanted to be in any house but slytherin. Her dad had told her many bad things about them. She didn’t think she could deal with anyone being mean. She knew that they actually aren’t that mean but she trusted her dad enough to not want to be in them. She wanted to be in Ravenclaw like her dad.
Then her name was called, Katina Silverfall! Katina took a second before she realized that was her name and she needed to go up.  She quickly walked up to the sorting hat.
When she got up there she realized everyone would be looking at her. She sat as quickly as she could and hoped this would be fast. Hmm I think a quiet, smart girl like you could do well in ravenclaw. But you also care deeply about others, Even if you don’t show it. This is an easy thing to choose. I place you in…
Katina was really nervous but at the same time she knew she wouldn’t be placed into slytherin so she wasn’t as nervous as at the start.
Suddenly the hat shouted Hufflepuff! She went to the table as quickly as she could and watched the rest of the sorting.

The young brunette hummed as she stood with the other unsorted first years. Why did her last name have to start with an O? She would have to wait forever for her name to be called! Even before she got off the Hogwarts Express, Ciara was already eager to find out her house, so waiting even more was killing her. Which of the four great houses would she be placed in? Why? Would it help her achieve her goals or hinder her? 

Of course, it would be likely for her to be placed in Gryffindor, for that was the house her father was in. However, there was a nagging thought in the back of her mind that said the so called house of brave heroes and heroines just didn't suit her tastes. There was always Ravenclaw, that would most likely suit her thirst for knowledge, but she wasn't always the most logical person. Ciara was sure that Hufflepuff didn't really suit her other than the fact she had good morals and was nice to others.

'Or perhaps in Slytherin. You'll make your real friends, those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends,' the Sorting Hat's lyrics repeated in her head. Was it bad that she thought it suited her, just a tiny bit? Probably not. Though everyone seemed to always be weary of that house, it's not like being in Slytherin made someone evil. Ambitions seemed to be key in the house, and the eleven year old had a good bit of ambition in her.

"O'Conner, Ciara," a voice stated, knocking the girl out of her thoughts. 'Wow! I spent that much time debating what house I might be in. That's cool!' she thought as a bright smile etched its way onto her features as she started to walk towards the stool that the hat would be decide her fate for her school life. Speaking of the Sorting Hat, sapphire orbs examined it as Ciara got closer. It was an old, brown hat that resembled the one she bought on her school supplies. 

'It looks so... plain,' the girl noted, a bit unimpressed with its appearance, 'I guess I was expecting a bit more fancy, but that just goes to show, never judge a book, in this case hat, by its cover. I mean look at the oleander plant. It's so pretty, especially when its flowers have light pink petals! And let's not forget its sweet aroma! But it could kill you with one leaf, if I remember correctly.' Ciara sat down on the stool when she reached it. Then the hat was lowered onto her head.

'Ah an O'Conner. It's nice to see someone from your family once more. You have a good bit of bravado in you, which would make you very likely to be put in Gryffindor, like your father's side. However, you have a desire to prove yourself. Your determination to fulfill your dreams is strong Miss O'Conner. I bet no one would be able to turn you away from that desire to make them all come true. It's only right that I put you in a house with other students that share this trait...' 

"SLYTHERIN!" the Sorting Hat exclaimed before a teacher removed it from the top of her head. Ciara hopped off the stool quickly, grinning as her blue eyes looked in the direction of the table that was decorated with green and silver. The ash brown haired girl could just feel that the Sorting Hat made the right choice with her house. Anticipation soared in her once more to begin her life at Hogwarts. Why? She was going to feel right at home as a Slytherin.

Siege was definitely an odd ball, keeping to himself as they walked in the hall, and keeping his same dastardly carefree look with him. The other students of Crimson, Azul, Verdant, and Mustard, all were at respective long tables, all looking quite strange to Siege, even though he was wearing the same dang thing. He, along with others, were lined up for the "Sorting Hat" who had performed a God-awful song, or so he thought. 
Students-to-be were called up, one by one, and the Sorting Hat thought out loud. Some Crimsons, some Azuls, some Verdants, and some Mustards, all seemed pretty excited and confident of their future in Hogwarts.
"Siege Aramastus Bal!" His name echoed across the room, prompting him to look up. What came forth was not what people would have expected, bearing the name of Bal. What came forth was a messy haired, messy clothed boy, who seemed couldn't be bothered of anything at all. He came forth and put on the hat, then it beginning its process of choosing.
"A Bal Eh? I haven't seen one attend here in all these years! Now let's see, quite the unstable force, you are!" Declared the Sorting Hat, everyone waiting for the verdict. "I see coldness, yet warmness of a fire in you. You'd do well in Slytherin and Gryffindor..." Said the hat, still contemplating. "Your fiery heart, and soul has garnered your position in...GRYFFINDOR!" Declared the Sorting Hat.
Siege looked up, and saw that the table of Griyffindor, readily accepted him, clapping and standing.
-(Muttered)- I might be able to bear this.
Siege would smile, and head to the respective table of Gryffindor.

The reading glasses are tucked away in his robe as he shuffled on with the other unsorted wizards. He was supposed to feel excited, but this just made his stomach turn. Reid still didn't truly understand the concept of Houses in Hogwarts, maybe he should have paid attention. His hands a little clammy and cold, he's got an affinity to get closer and closer to the exit of the Great Hall. But the elation or disappointment of his peers made him stay, maybe he'll be happy - or the latter. A short huff of a shaky breath left him as he stepped on with the others. To relax himself, he peered up to watch the moving candles, ghosts, and images.

He didn't say anything though, what was he to even say? He was still trying to absorb all of this. The concept of magic was still pretty new, a few months new. Maybe he'll gain more gusto day by day, but he missed his small neighborhood of Derby and this was a new adjustment. Reid tried not to think about it too much, otherwise he might just end up bursting into tears. That was what he was trying to avoid too, embarrassment. Gosh, why did he have to care so much? 

So the list went on, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw - Hufflepuff. What house was his mother's again? If he could guess, Ravenclaw. What did the houses say about him? What if he was sorted into a house he didn't like? What if people in his house didn't like him? The young boy was yanked out of his thoughts as he heard another name boom through the hall. Name after name, house after house, it felt like eternity. 

"Reid Kovacs!"

His forest green eyes go wide like saucers and with the little effort he had, he timidly carried himself up the stone steps. He sits on the chair, avoiding the eyes of the others by rolling his eyes up at the hat on his head. " ... Timid, but not a coward. Let's see ..." Reid twiddles his thumbs at the pause. "Sound heart, not the most quiet mind, but you have potential - that's all up to you though. Let's see - Hufflepuff!"

His body relaxes as he lets the air escape his lungs, slipping off the chair. He hurries over to the Hufflepuff table, thinking about the house in particular. There was a newfound sense of pride and happiness after remembering the House's mantra.

Just as her nerves had started to get better, Serena set eyes on the Great Hall.  It was huge - certainly living up to the name.  Everything was so beautiful.  Her large brown eyes scanned the room, trying to take as much of in as possible.  They suddenly found the sorting hat.  And that's when all of those nerves rushed back in.  What if she was sorted into the wrong house?  What if she didn't like the people in her house?  What if she was a Slytherin and her best friend was a Hufflepuff?  Would that be frowned upon?  Would she get bullied by the other Slytherins? Countless thoughts rushed through her brain.  Each one was probably ridiculous but it didn't stop them from making her nervous. 

In all honesty, she probably had nothing to fear.  Her older brother didn't go to Hogwarts but thinking about it, if he did then he probably would have ended up in Slytherin.  So her family wouldn't have minded if she was sorted into Slytherin.  So whilst her worry wasn't about the house itself, it was more about what if she didn't like it, she didn't make friends in that house, she was bullied in that house...  They were all irrational thoughts of the scared.  However, logic was not something that worked well with nerves.

"Serena Towers!"
  
Jumping slightly as she snapped out of her thoughts, she turned her head to the voice that called out her name.  She was being summoned to the hat.  Taking a deep breathe, she started walking up to the stage.  Her legs sort of worked on autopilot.  She wasn't thinking about what she was doing but somehow, her body made its way to the chair, sat down and found that the hat had been placed on top of her head.

Serena instantly bit her bottom lip as she heard the "urms" and "ahhs" coming out of the hat.  She tried to look up to see it as she sat nervously, her fingers gripping the seat underneath her.  What house would she be placed into?  She knew it couldn't have been Ravenclaw.  She was an idiot, after all.  Ok, that's not true.  She was reasonably smart but she didn't think of herself as smart.  She certainly wasn't a bookworm and hated studying too.  Slytherin worked with the family connections...  But she wasn't sure if she would be suited to it.  Her brother and her were rather different, after all.

"Ahh perhaps Gryffindor?  For the brave and courageous..."

Serena's eyebrow propped up in confusion.  Brave?  Me?  I'm scared of everything - how can I be brave or courageous?? She wondered if the Sorting Hat had gone mad...

"Ah but it takes a great deal of bravery and courage to do things you're afraid of doing.  It takes strength to do them anyway. Hmmm you're ambitious too, rather like a Slytherin... Smart?  Worthy enough to be a Ravenclaw? Or perhaps you're cunning..."

Serena just sat on the chair, blinking, in utter shock.  The Sorting hat was listing out traits that she didn't think she had.  Bravery, ambition, intelligence... None of the things she thought she had.  In fact, she had incredibly low self-esteem and quite high self-doubt.  So none of these things were making any sense to her.  

"Hmm... Honest... Kind and fair.  You're certainly more patient and forgiving than you think you are...  Ah, and that loyalty.  Yes, yes, I think it's decided.  With that fearless loyalty, there's only really one house for you-  HUFFLEPUFF!"

The girl sat there, her eyes turned down slightly.  A smile had crept onto her face at some point, her cheeks had started to turn a rosy shade of pink...  She was blushing!  The Sorting Hat had made her blush?!?  She didn't even know it was possible for her to blush - let alone from the compliments of a Sorting Hat!  However, if there's anything you should trust, it's the hat.  If the hat tells you that you're kind or loyal, you believe it.  You believe whatever the hat tells you because it knows your qualities far better than you.  

Giggling to herself a little, Serena smile and nodded as she took off the hat and looked up to find her new house table.  She was a proud Hufflepuff.  In fact, she would have been happy with anything.  Just hearing the hat tell her she had these amazing qualities that she didn't think she had was enough to put her heart at ease and boost her mood.  Gently placing the Sorting Hat onto the chair, she smiled and whispered a word of thanks before turning around and rushing off to find a seat at the Hufflepuff table.

Rosalie looked around with wide eyes at the impressive scene that was laid out before her. Rows upon rows of other children in long, black robes adorned the four tables of the Great Hall, and things that she had known not to be able to move by themselves were floating and shuffling around with animation. Her right hand fiddled with the stitching on her robe as she glared at the battered hat that rested on a wooden stool. Nervousness seeped through her; she knew practically no one here. While she saw how most here at least showed some familiarity at the hearing of some names or glared at certain objects or paintings with a glimmer of recognition in their eyes while she herself was just admiring how the candles floated above everyone in a way that they managed to illuminate the hall.

While she was usually one to talk, she felt like she should be silent. What was she to say? Either way, it seemed everyone's attention was focused on the battered hat on the stool, so she followed suit and stared at the ragged hat. As names were called, Rosalie watched as the other children around her walked over to the hat, had said hat placed on their head, and the battered hat yelled out one of four words: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Even though she hadn't really listened when they were explaining the process, one thing was clear, and that was that this hat, no matter how bland and battered it appeared, was sorting these kids into their houses. Rosalie watched as some students were sorted almost immediately, and some took up to a few minutes to be placed into their houses. She silently wished her's would be quick, and yet, she felt it wasn't going to be. After seeing the kids who were sorted almost immediately, she really didn't think she would be one of those kids who was sorted quickly.

"Rosalie Weaver!"

She almost jumped when she heard her name called, but luckily restrained herself. She hoped dearly the people in her house would be nice, if she even got a house. Perhaps it would just decide someone like her would be better back in the Muggle world, or maybe that she just couldn't fit into any houses? Either way, she walked up to the hat and sat down on the stool. She felt the hat snug around her head, the rim just sliding above her eyes.

"Ahh, Weaver, that's a new name. Hmm, I see quite a lot of determination in this one... and quite the ambitious heart. But..."

Her heart felt like it's own little drum inside her chest as the hat mumbled through different traits she supposedly had, and she couldn't help but sigh as the hat continued to mumble.

"Impatient, eh? Well, that says enough on its own. Witty, creative, you must be... Ravenclaw!"

Rosalie felt a small, childish smile creep onto her face, as her fears that she wouldn't even get a house at all were proven false by the fact that this talking hat told her that she belonged in Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw. The name slipped easily through her mind, and she felt a sense of completion when she looked towards the table that seemed to have an overlooking theme of blue and bronze. 

The newly sorted first year took off the hat, stood up, and placed it back down on the chair in a manner that could almost be considered rough. She was just feeling so many emotions at once, nervousness mixed with excitement combined with a contagious feeling of doubt. But, no matter how she was feeling, she was rather ready to start learning magic. Something she once considered impossible and something that was only possible in her imagination and in fairy tales. Woohoo.

"James Lachoneus!"
James came back to Earth, hearing his name called from ahead. He had been admiring all the lights and floating candles while marveling at the ceiling which looked remarkably like the night sky, but even more vivid and beautiful than he had ever seen it before.
James looked ahead at the simple wooden stool which was beckoning him, almost mocking him, because James hadn't realized he was nervous until his name had suddenly been called. The adult calling out the names stood waiting, holding the famous Sorting Hat above the stool where it would be placed on James' head and he would be sorted into his house.
James knew little of the houses, but he had been told the main characteristics of each.
Gryffindors were supposed to be brave and daring.
Ravenclaws were supposed to be intelligent and wise.
Slytherins were supposed to be cunning and determined.
And Hufflepuffs were supposed to be hard-working and loyal?
When the houses had been explained to James, he had to ask a second time about Hufflepuff. He didn't really know why he had asked for a reiteration, but he supposed it had just caught his attention.
"What do you mean by loyal?" he asked.
"Well, Hufflepuffs are known to be kind and friendly and... well, loyal!"
James hadn't thought about it too much, but as he stepped forward to sit on the stool he suddenly had a strong desire to be in Hufflepuff.
James took his seat on the stool and in a quick second, the hat was placed on his head and the Great Hall disappeared from view.
Hmm... a voice sounded in his head.
James was about to ask who was there, but then realized that would be very stupid.
Well, well, what do we have here? Quite a mind, quite a mind...
Part of James was annoyed but the majority of him was extremely nervous.
You do have quite a bit of Ravenclaw in you... your mind is so open to new possibilities and you can see things in a way most others can't... often through your art and your music...
James understood this, but also didn't quite want to be in Ravenclaw... he wasn't the best at math... but he didn't know if that mattered.
And it takes great courage to get up on a stage and pour your soul out to who knows how many people, no matter what you are doing... Gryffindor maybe?
James mentally shrugged. Was he brave? He guessed he kinda was, because there had been many times he was scared of going up on stage, but he did it every time anyway... but James still wasn't satisfied with the thought of him being in Gryffindor...
But oh, the determination! The art of persuasion is in you too, I can see it! Perhaps Slytherin would be good for you... perhaps...
James shook his head ever so slightly. He didn't have anything against Slytherin, but the way the Sorting Hat praised him for those qualities made James feel a little chilled.
Buuut... you do have something that shows brighter than all those characteristics combined...
You care for others... not just your loved ones, but people you don't even know...
A memory of James giving a Muggle 20-dollar bill to a complete stranger who was homeless passed by, but James shoved it away... he wasn't sure he liked all these comments, even if they were meant to be compliments...
James was crossing his fingers and holding them tight, so much that it hurt. His elbows were locked and stiff, his hands gripping the stool hard so that his knuckles were white. His heart was beating a million miles an hour, and he was finding it hard to breath. He could feel immense pressure coming from somewhere in his chest.
Hufflepuff, please, Hufflepuff! He thought desperately.
The Sorting Hat was slightly uncomfortable on his head, being kinda scratchy and old. It kept shifting around, irritating Jame's ears and brow, which it was hanging over. James was barely registering what the Sorting Hat was saying, he was so nervous.
Ah, yes... it mused.
Hufflepuff. Hufflepuff.
Here in Hogwarts, I know the right place for you...
Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff, Hufflepuff!
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hat shouted the last word to the whole hall.
James inhaled sharply as the hat was lifted off his head and the Great Hall came back into view..
YES!... he thought. Yes, yes, yes!
James had to take several deep breaths to calm himself down as he took his seat at the Hufflepuff table. His heart was still racing, trying to recover from the mass anxiety he had just experienced, but nonetheless, he was smiling amidst the cheers that filled the Great Hall.

     Stephen followed the group into the Great Hall. He was one of many first year students entering Hogwarts. Some of the students already seemed to know each other, however there were many that looked just like he did, quiet and nervous. 
     Stephen marveled at the sight of the Great Hall. It was like nothing he had ever seen before. The older students were already at their seats and chatting amongst themselves. Stephen noticed the candles floating in the air. He still got excited whenever he saw magic. Then he looked up to the ceiling and noticed that there actually was no ceiling. Instead, Stephen saw what looked to be like the nights sky. Stars blazing with a few clouds here and there, a peaceful scene. The yellowish glow coming from the candles gave the hall a warming and comforting feeling. 
     The instructions for the sorting began to be said to the students. Stephen then started feeling nervous again. Coming from a muggle family, this was all so new to Stephen. His stomach began to feel sick and he tried to listen to the instructor. He was explaining the different houses. "I wonder which one I will get, is there one just for students with muggle families?", he thought to himself. 
     Suddenly, someone began singing from the front of the hall. Stephen, startled because he was deep in thought about the different houses, noticed that, at the front of the hall, there was  an old-looking hat sitting atop an old wooden stool. The hat seemed to be singing a song about the founders of Hogwarts. "A hat...singing...", Stephen thought to himself. 
     After a few minutes, the song ended and the instructor began reading out names. When called, the student went up the the hat, put it on, and, after a few moments, the hat shouted which house they were to be put in. Stephen, now extremely nervous, began to think crazy thoughts. "What if there is no right house for me and it just tells me to go home?", Stephen thought, "What if nothing happens and I just sit there while everyone just stares at me!". Then, those thoughts abruptly stopped as he heard the instructor yell, "Flux, Stephen!". 
     "This is it", Stephen thought, "well, here goes nothing." Stephen slowly walked up to the stool, placed the hat on his head and sat down on the stool. 
     "Ah", said the hat, "A young boy who is new to magic. Hmm.. yes... You seem to have a very strong will to do well and.. yes.. you seem to value loyalty."
     Stephen had no idea what that meant in terms of which house he would be sorted into. He sat there staring out into the crowd of first years and other students, who stared back at him. 
     There was a long pause and Stephen thought, "oh no.. it doesn't know where to put..." 
     "HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat shouted.
     There were some claps coming from a table to the side that, Stephen noticed, had yellow and black banners around it. Stephen hopped off the stool and started towards the table but quickly remembered he still had the hat on. He quickly took it off and put it on the stool, hoping no one noticed. He sat down and was soon chatting with the other students of his house. 
     "Maybe this won't be so bad after all." Stephen thought.