Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020 Archived

AJ stood toward the middle of the crowd of first years. She wanted to hide in the back, but then the entire rest of the school would be able to stare at her and judge her. She figured that the least visible place would be the middle of the group.

When they had walked in, AJ had been in awe of the grandeur surrounding the room. Never before had she seen so many people, so much food, or floating candles before. The aroma of delicious food filled the air and she felt her stomach growl. She had not realized how hungry she was.

The headmaster stood at the front of the room and began speaking. AJ tried her hardest to listen, but her nervousness made it difficult to focus, especially when al eyes in the room, even those in the moving paintings, seemed to be staring right at her. At one point the sorting hat began to sing. She recalled the lyrics from her book about Hogwarts. Gryffindor was for brave students, Hufflepuff for fair and loyal ones, Ravenclaw for clever and bookish types, and Slytherin for those with cunning. Standing here, she did not feel that she belonged in any house.

When the sorting hat finished its song, the ceremony began. AJ watched as those around her stepped up and were given their house assignments. All too soon it was her name being called. The students near her parted to provide her with a path up the steps. As she ascended, so did her heart rate. Never before had she felt so small, like the eyes of the whole world were upon her. When she sat down, she flinched as the hat was placed upon her head, and she kept her gaze on her folded hands in her lap.

"Nervous are we? There is no reason for that."

Jade tried to take a deep breath and believe the hat. She decided that if she could just get through this, then it would be the strangest thing to happen all week and she could eat some dinner and go hide in her bunk and read more about what the coming year would bring.

"Studious? You've done your research on us, I see. One who loves to learn, but also one who cares deeply for others. Yes, all of those animals you have raised and looked after. Hufflepuff could give you a nice home."

Hufflepuff... But her mother had been in Ravenclaw, and she was so much like her mother in every way.

"Yes, I remember your mother. Charming, studious, and quick. She has passed that on to you. I see now that you would do well following in her footsteps, learning and building upon what skills and knowledge she has already provided you."

So does that mean-

"RAVENCLAW!"

Thunderous applause erupted from one of the tables, signifying her new group of classmates. Her legs shook as she descended the steps and made her way to the table. When she took a seat, she kept her gaze on the table in front of her, too afraid to look up and see those around her welcoming her into their house. She hoped that her parents would be proud.

1ST OF SEPTEMBER 2019

The Great Hall seemed to Elodie as something out of a book; a scene from long ago with too much grandeur and beauty to ever be real. The dark wood which paneled the floor and walls was lit by the flickering candlelight, the shadows shifting as the lights gently bobbed up and down, as if in water. This must be the same beauty that Mount Olympus and Valhalla had held; surely there could be nothing that possessed such magnificence, such splendor. Elodie found that she lost focus on her immediate surroundings - the long tables teeming with students, the crowd of apprehensive First Years of which she was a part of - and instead was seduced by the huge, magical portraits and the night-like ceiling dotted with glowing stars.

Inevitably, Elodie was brought back to the present when the First Year crowd reached the very back of the Hall, where the teachers sat on their table. The Headmaster, Solomon Lear, spoke, and Elodie listened attentively and diligently. The Sorting Hat's song was a much more enjoyable affair, and Elodie liked the slightly cryptic, but the overall joyful tone of it. As the Sorting began, Elodie assiduously observed each student's time with the hat. She was slightly disappointed that she could not hear the conversations, as that would allow her to prepare, but Elodie tried not to worry herself too much on the matter, as she wasn't intent on being selected for any particular house. When her name was called, she stepped calmly up to the chair, and allowed the hat to be placed on her head.

"Elodie Nyangui... a half-blood, yet raised with no knowledge at all; quite unusual," spoke the Sorting Hat, its tone quiet and small. "Don't like to use your voice, huh? Well, it won't be Gryffindor or Slytherin for you. Clever, aren't you? And quite social. It's a close one, but I suppose it will be... HUFFLEPUFF!"

Ellis walked into the great hall with all the other students. She was very nervous, and had never seen anything like this. She was wondering what was about to happen, and what the phrase 'sorting' meant. Yes, she had read the letter, but was still very confused. How was a hat supposed to tell her what house she's in?

She was in a line and watched other students go before her. She had stated in her mind that she did not want to be sorted into Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor. She wanted Slytherin. She wasn't sure if she was going to get Slytherin, because all of them seemed very intimidating. If she would be sorted into Slytherin, she didn't know how she would keep up with everything. She just needed to keep her head up, and hope for the best.

Alas, is it her time to shine. She was hoping for the best, and wanted Slytherin so badly.. "Here goes nothing", she said with a sigh. The whole school was looking at her, and she didn't know how to react. Then.. The sorting hat started to speak, "I see.. I see.. Oh! What do we have here? A Slytherin hopeful? Hmm... GRYFFINDOR" The Gryffindor house started cheering, and Ellis was shocked. She thought that she would 100% get into Slytherin.. Guess not then. She was very excited because she had a long road ahead of her, and she wanted it to be useful. She wanted to make friends, and sneak around, because that is what she likes doing best.

Let her journey at Hogwarts... Begin!

Caitlyn found herself at the front of the crowd, staring directly at the Sorting Hat. When she had first heard the concept, Caitlyn had thought that it was silly, but looking at the Hat now, she began to wonder about the Wizarding World she was just about to join. Suddenly, the hat boomed. She jumped up slightly, completely stunned. For a hat, it definitely had a bold voice.

She watched the others go forth and listened to the Hat speak its mind. She paid extra attention to the names of the Houses and what traits they had. Gryffindor for the brave, Ravenclaw for the wise, Hufflepuff for the loyal and Slytherin for the cunning. She thought about which House she could be in. Not Gryffindor, she was far to cowardly at times. Not Ravenclaw either as she found her grades worsening each year. Certainly not Slytherin, she decided, as most of them seemed to stuck-up for their own good. No, she thought, I think I shall be a Hufflepuff, and a proud one at that!

"Caitlyn Boyne!", the hat called out. Caitlyn walked forward and sat on the chair provided. The Sorting Hat was carefully placed onto her head and, in an instance, a booming voice called out. "Muggle-born, very creative and quite witty. Not an ounce of courage,", Caitlyn blushed at this, "And not too cunning either. While you may be loyal, I have to say...Ravenclaw!" Caitlyn smiled. At least it wasn't Slytherin.

Clustered together with the other First Years, robes still slightly damp from her recent crossing on the lake, Alexa huddled with the crowd, glancing at Clay and Clifton and the others nervously. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and she looked around quickly, almost wildly, as though trying to take in everything at once.

The entrance hall was massive. And beautiful. There was an incredible staircase going up from here, with many paintings on the wall beside it. And the paintings were moving! And talking with one another! She watched in amazement as a character in one painting, went to the edge of her frame, disappeared for a moment, and reappeared in the adjacent painting, whispering to a man there, and pointing at the crowd of First Years.

Along one wall were four massive hourglasses, with unknown emblems and colorful stones sitting inside. Some were more full on the top than the others; some had more stones on the bottom. She wondered what kept them all from falling to the bottom immediately. Magic, no doubt!

With a loud boom and creaking sound, the double doors off to her side swung open of their own accord, and the entrance hall was suddenly bathed in the sound of many voices. Alexa’s eyebrows shot up. There were so many people here!

As the First Years were shuttled into the Great Hall, Alexa could only follow along and gape in amazement. Aside from the massive number of students sitting at four long tables, tables covered with food of every kind imaginable, there were more paintings on the walls, with people moving within them. The walls went up, and up… And up, and then disappeared! Above the Hall was a grand vista of stars, with small clouds scudding across the moon, just as it looked outside. Below that numerous candles floated in place to light the hall.

There was a booming voice from the end of the hall, and Alexa jumped as what had to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry spoke from the front of the hall, standing in front of a table full of adults. Were they the staff?

He went into a long spiel, his burnished armor shining in the candlelight, and Alexa listen closely to what he said. Then he placed a battered, patched up, old wizard hat on a stool. She stared at her in confusion as all the voices in the crowd grew silent, waiting for something. Then the hat split in a wide rip at the brim, and began to sing!

Once she got over another shock (a talking hat!), she listened carefully to its song, learning about the Houses as she did so. Finally, with all of the First Years clustered around the hat on the stool, Headmaster Solomon Lear began to call out names. Alexa watched in fascination as those before were sorted, the hat calling out the names of the various Houses once it was placed on the students heads. There was a multitude of cheering from each table as a new member joined them.

“Mackenzie, Alexa!” The Headmaster called out, and Alexa jerked, and with a glance at Clay and Cliff, she slowly made her way up to the stool and sat down. The hat was placed on her head, and fell over her eyes, so she was unable to see the Hall around her.

“Interesting,” said a voice inside her mind, and Alexa sat up very straight in surprise. This evening was full of surprises. “There is bravery in you, though you don’t seem to know it yet. But perhaps your greatest qualities are your loyalty and love for others. I know just where to put you.” Then out loud, the Sorting Hat shouted, “Hufflepuff!”

The hat was removed from Alexa’s head, and as the table of fellow Hufflepuffs roared their approval, she couldn’t help a small smile as she nervously went to sit down at the table, and begin her term at Hogwarts. And begin her life as a witch.

Leonard was scared, had he been honest.

Of course, he was not honest with most people. But that was besides the point.

The point was, he was scared. Not of the levitating tapers; he’d been expecting that. And, living in a bakery, he’d grown accustomed to the scent of the flames. It was the fact there were millions of things that could go wrong now. One of the floating candles could fall, starting a fire that would turn the school into but a mountain of ashes. He could trip on his nonexistent shoelace, causing every person seated to snigger and laugh, getting him crowned the King of the Floor before he could start his Hogwarts Experience. He could miss his name being called, or forget to return the hat, or not get sorted at all, even. It was a possibility, and with possibility came probability, and with probability came the sneaky little gremlins in his mind that made him sweat cold.

Many things could go wrong.

But as long as he stuck to the plan, nothing would go wrong. He hoped. He wasn’t really sure.

“Oaksworth, Leonard!”

This was it. His moment, the moment that would define his Hogwarts Experience. He strutted forward, carefully placing each step. His back was straight, and a smirk seemed to form on his lips. All exuding confidence, all actions taken to make sure the plan would work.

He sat, trying not to think of what would happen should the plan not work.

He hadn’t made a plan for that.

“My, oh my. What a plan you have made, Leonard. Every detail, every little thing planned out. It would be a shame to have it all be wasted...”

Hat, I swear to god, if you mess this up for me, I will actually die.

“A flair for the dramatic as well, apparently. You would be a right fit for Ravenclaw, indeed. Smarts and wit, an obsession with following plans, thinking birthdays are a waste of time? Ticks all my boxes.”

Leonard let the ghost (not an actual ghost, of course. Those scared him ever so slightly) of a grin pass his face. The plan would work. He would don the royal blue and bronze with pride, and everything else would come, smooth sailing guaranteed.

“But what’s this? A backup plan? For when I really dig into that brain of yours, and find all the ambition, all the shrewdness, the determination, and the cunning? Looks like you’ll have to follow that one, for we both know where you belong.”

Oh, for Merlin’s sake—

“SLYTHERIN!”

At least he made a backup plan.

Adam was absolutely thrilled! On the train he had already made a couple of new acquaintances that he'd like to get to know more. They stood together as the doors to the great hall opened. It was magnificent! It truly felt magical now. Sure the castle and the surroundings brought some old stories to mind but seeing the roof looking like a night sky, the floating lights surrounding everyone and the masses all dressed like typical mages. Adam smirked at his new possible friends.

One of them seemed to cower up when he saw the masses but Adam placed a hand on his shoulder "Eh, just imagine we're back on the train. The four of us are still around you after all. And once we get sorted, what's the worst that can happen?" The boy tried to answer Adam but he was interrupted "Absolutely nothing can happen. I'm sure everything will sort itself out" Adam looked at the young boy called Jack with a confident grin. Situations like these didn't really phase Adam after all, he always considered new experiences thrilling, not scary.

Soon they reached the front and a hat started singing about the houses. Adam knew about the different houses already, and wouldn't be surprised no matter where he was placed. Except maybe Ravenclaw, he wasn't dumb but knowledge for knowledge's sake wasn't Adam's thing.

Confusingly Jack was called up before Adam, he didn't catch his last name but was surprised he was before Au. The boy needed a small kick and so Adam pushed him forward. "Go on!" As Jack looked back he saw Adam look right into his eyes without wavering. Jack seemed to calm down and walked to the front. After just a couple of seconds the hat yelled out Hufflepuff! and Jack walked over to the puff table at the sounds of applause. 'Seems like a nice guy, might have to get to know him better.' Adam thought and suddenly his own name was called out.

"Aurelius, Adam!"

Adam put on his widest grin and used his best strut to exude confidence. No matter what house he got, he knew what he'd do. Adam sat down and the hat was placed on his head.

"Ahh, you don't care huh? I find that hard to believe but the proof is right here after all. You seem to be a cunning young boy, possibly a mighty leader in the future if fate wills it. But there's a great amount of loyalty here and an open mind, ready for whatever comes in your path."

Adam knew what was coming. It seemed like the hat was considering its options but it clearly leaned one way.

"You have a truly honest, trusting and confident nature. There is only one house which could turn develop those traits into something great. Also seems your life will be a daring one. It better be.."

Gryffindor!

A large grin appeared on Adam's face once again. He stood up and bowed down to an applauding crowd. Truly taking the moment in. 'It would be a while before these people would applaud me again' he thought. He better make the most of it. He tipped his hat at the surrounding tables and then chose his seat at the Gryffindor table next to the most interesting looking first or second years.

'I think this house might suit me just fine.'

“Starkey, Wyatt.”

Wyatt looked up as he heard his name. He’d been looking down at his shoes since they’d entered the hall. He swallowed, worried. He had to be a Slytherin, it had been his family’s house for generations and there was no better house. Besides, he was sure his mother would disown him if he got into any other house, definitely Gryffindor and especially Hufflepuff. He walked quickly to the rickety stool and sat. He felt something enter his mind as the hat was put on his head. Then he began hearing a voice that wasn’t his own.

Is this normal?
Yes.

The voice startled him, and he looked up.

Are you the hat?

Yes, now let me work! You’re a quiet one, but your mind is very loud… so much going on at once that you won’t share… You’re clever, witty. You don’t trust many people, and it takes you quite a while to get there and forgive me for saying this, but you aren’t very kind either. I don’t see you in Hufflepuff.

Wyatt rolled his eyes, make your decision, hat!

The sentient accessory just kept on talking.
There’s ambition, desire to prove something… a cunning boy like you deserves to be in…

“SLYTHERIN.”

Wyatt smirked to wild applause and took his seat at the Slytherin table. He knew he was in the right place. The hat did its job very well.

Lucille was definitely not nervous, she was definitely not worried,and she was definitely not scared that this all some kind of dream she was having in a coma.As she stood in the long line of first years in Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry,Lucille heard the whispers of older students watching the sorting take place.From what she heard,there were four houses that represented the four founders of the school.The only problem was that Lucille had no idea what house she belonged in.
The Headmaster of the school had begun calling the names of different students,then,they would sit down as an old hat was placed on their heads.
"Oh please,hat, don't make this worse for me."Lucille pleaded.No one had even called her name yet,but still,she had already begun to talk to the hat.
"Williams, Lucille." Called the Headmaster.
Suddenly she was pushed into the front of the line of first years.Now,it was her actual turn to put on this hat and be sorted into a house.
As she walked passed the teachers table Lucille tried her best to look confident.Walking with careful steps,as she took a deep breath with each sound of her feet on the floor.It seemed like now everything was going in slow-motion as the most important moment of her life at Hogwarts was coming in mere seconds. Finally,she sat, and as the hat was placed on her head, Lucille took one last deep inhale and exhale to try to calm her nerves.

"Ah,yes,Miss.Williams..you seem quite nervous today."The hat began."Even then..I can see that you are quite clever in your attempts to calm yourself."

"You t-talk?"Lucille asked the hat nervously.Why couldn't anyone tell her before that the hat could talk?

Instead of a response the hat simply continued its deep-dive into her brain.

"I can also see your creative spirit..you know all of this does sound like a..Ravenclaw..."

"Ravenclaw?"[/color] Lucille thought."Are you sure hat?"She asked nervously once again.

"Would you dout me if you knew I've done this for more than One Thousand years?"The hat asked in an annoyed tone.

"er..I'm just not sure..."Lucille said shyly once more.

"Hmm...you seem quite eager to be like your grandmother in Slytherin...but is that really what you want?"

"Y-you remember my grandmother?"Lucille asked the hat bewildered.

"Of course I do child, I remember everyone who has placed me on their heads."The hat said quite confidently.

"I just want her to be proud.."Lucille said holding back tears.

"Ah,but you already have.."the hat said comfortingly.Can a hat comfort?

As Lucille tried to clear her mind she began to calm down.

Without saying a word Lucille knew that the hat would choose the best house for her,just as he was made to do.

"I suppose it better be..."


Suddenly she heard a lot cheer from the Ravenclaw table as she began to walk over to her new house table much more confidently than before,Lucille felt like her new life at Hogwarts might not start off as bad as she thought.But then, of course the worst thing that could've happened, happened.Just as Lucille was walking off the last step of the platform the Teachers Table was on.She tripped,and as the Great Hall erupted into giggles,Lucille hid her face as she ran out of the Great Hall to anywhere but there.