Sorting Ceremony 2026-2027

Mentions - Morgan Faughn	|	Date - 09/01/26, Evening
Location - Great Hall	|	WC - 781/200

It’s amazing! That’s all Rain could think once the First years made it into the castle proper. The castle was beautiful and he could practically feel the magic surrounding him. Filing into the Great Hall Rain had lost sight of his new friend, Morgan, but he was sure he’d see him sometime soon. For now he would just have to wait to see where Morgan would be sorted and then himself.

As Rain continued to look around he heard the headmaster welcome them to the school and begin to explain how the sorting would take place. Headmaster Lear spoke to a talking wixen’s hat. Surely this isn’t what Mama was hiding from me. An intelligent talking hat? Really? I can’t wait to write to Pa about this.

Soon after Headmaster Lear’s speech the hat was placed on a stool and began to sing a song. It was a nice song about the making of Hogwarts and what each House was looking for in their students to be accepted in. Based off the song I’m not sure Gryffindor or Hufflepuff fit me. Maybe I’ll be a Ravenclaw like Ma or a Slytherin. I just hope I fit in wherever I end up.

Some time passed after the headmaster began calling out names. Many students had been sorted when they got to the F last names. A few students were called before they got to Rain’s new friend, Morgan. Rain clapped quietly once he was able to spot Morgan walking up and sit down on the stool and have the Sorting Hat placed on his head. After a few moments the Sorting Hat called out for Morgan to go to Hufflepuff. There were claps coming from the Hufflepuff table as Morgan made his way down and Rain joined them Maybe Hufflepuff wouldn’t be so bad if I could join my new friend.

More names were called before making it to the L’s. I’ll be called soon. I need to get my nerves under control. There’s no way I can trip on my way up there or on my way to my House table. While Rain was thinking he was so lost in his own thoughts that he almost missed his own name being called. It took him a second to process what he heard but by then the most embarrassing thing happened. His name had to be repeated. His time here was now off to a bad start. Hearing his name a second time Rain made to hurry to the stool. Luckily he was able to make it to stool without tripping over anything.

Making his way to the stool and sitting down, the hat was placed upon his head. Ah. Much turmoil within you. A lot of undue stress. An intelligent mind, yes, and a familial history with Ravenclaw. I’m not sure Ravenclaw is right for you, though, you like knowledge but you don’t strive for it the way many in Ravenclaw do. Hufflepuff wouldn’t be right either, though you’d like to stay with your new friend

Are you sure Ravenclaw wouldn’t be right for me? I’ve never thought I’d be good for Hufflepuff but Ravenclaw seems like a good place.

No, Ravenclaw’s not for you. It’s not just smarts that they’re looking for. Your loyal personality would make you a good fit for Hufflepuff but there’s more to you that I’m seeing. Your ambitions aren’t grand enough for Slytherin, you have them but you’re not reaching for them with the strength and temerity a Slytherins would. Hmm. Gryffindor I think would be great for you. You don’t think it but the whole way here you’ve had to put on a brave face, except it’s not a face. You’ve shown a strength of will that will do you very well in Gryffindor. They’ll bring you out of your shell and I think you’ll even surprise yourself.

With that the Sorting Hat yelled out, “Gryffindor”! Rain couldn’t believe it. Out of all the Houses Gryffindor was probably the last one he’d expect to be sorted into. But the bat must know what it’s doing and he’d have to trust that his new House would be good for him. After receiving his sorting the hat was removed from his head and he made his way towards the table where he heard and saw a lot of applause.

This amount of attention on his way to the table was quite harrowing but he just had to breathe through it and make his way there. At least the other students seem nice. I think I’ll be okay here.

"Inner stillness is the key to outer strength."

STATS
Stamina ◦ 6 | Evasion ◦ 5 | Strength ◦ 2 | Wisdom ◦ 5 | Arcane Power ◦ 7 | Accuracy ◦ 5

Code by Lily Young

Dialogue, Thoughts
IC date: September 1st, 2026
Location: Hogwarts Great Hall
Time: During the Sorting Ceremony
Mentioning: @N/A

Atlas had many doubts about this whole "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" thing. When he boarded the bus for London, he had looked back to perhaps wave goodbye to his mother, but all he saw was the empty bus stop. Only after a couple of attempts to awkwardly twist backwards from his seat was the end of the block finally visible. That's when he saw Mrs. Woodrow hastily turning the corner, as if she were late for the bus.

Except she was walking away from the bus, of course. The bus her son was on, soon to be shipped to a magical school located who knows where.

Atlas remembered the never-ending panic he had felt. The existence of a "Wizarding World" seemed sketchy, but Diagon Alley convinced him enough of its legitimacy. Then, his belief in magic had died on the bus ride, before being revived by Platform 9¾ and the Hogwarts Express.

Now he had arrived in the Great Hall, belief strong and surrounded by children his age. They were "first-years", he had been told, and for the next seven years, they'd be students at Hogwarts. Atlas wasn't sure how to feel about that.

It would be a long time until his name was called; having a surname starting with "W" typically meant he was on the bottom of most lists. All eyes were on him as the Sorting Hat was gingerly placed on his head.

"Quite the odd one, aren't ya?" croaked the raspy voice in his head.
"Excuse me?" was Atlas' response to the sudden, potentially offensive comment from a literal hat.
"You've got the loyalty of a Hufflepuff..."
"I don't think..."
"...for yourself. Selfish boy. We can definitely count that one out..."
Atlas was tempted to make a face but mustered enough control to stop the impulse. If only there weren't hundreds of eyes watching him...
The Hat chuckled uncannily. "Thinking before you act now, eh? Can't say the same for a couple other instances... more than a couple..." It seemed to be digging through his memories, much to Atlas' dismay. "With your impulsivity... perhaps Gryffindor? Oh no, no, no... you'd happily shut up if it meant fitting in with everyone else."
"Geez. My bad."
"Quite a coward unless there's something in it for you, hm?" It continued, gloatingly taunting at Atlas' moral failures.
"If you're just going to insult me-"
"These aren't insults, boy, but rather the truth about your character... allow me to continue my analysis..."
Atlas grudgingly shut his brain up, not at the Hat's request but rather so it would hurry. Students were already beginning to whisper amongst themselves. Their stares were piercing.
"Let's see... you possess great ambition and determination... I wouldn't call your paranoia cunning, but rather... comical." The Hat let out another uncanny chuckle. "Studious, I see. You've got a great passion for learning... curious and analytical... wouldn't say your analyses are exact reflections of the truth heh..."
"I wouldn't say yours are either."
"Well I guess that settles it!" The Hat chattered on, ignoring Atlas' retort. "Have fun in the house of RAVENCLAW!"

Word Count: 517

Destiny looked around the enormous and beautiful castle in awe. Her father had spent many nights describing the grandeur, but nothing could have prepared her for the massive towers and glittering Black Lake. When she entered the Great Hall, she was taken aback by the wall of portraits on either side and the charmed ceiling displaying the starry sky. She had paused for a moment, before being pushed on by other students for holding up the crowd. Sheepishly, she followed the herd to the front of the room, where a tall, burly man stood. He introduced himself as Solomon Lear, the headmaster of Hogwarts. After Lear gave his speech, the Sorting Ceremony commenced. As she watched each student walk up to be sorted, she began to feel a bit nervous. Destiny looked around the room and took in all the older students, realizing just how many people were watching. She ran her fingers through her red hair, hoping it wasn't too messy. She then debated on if she should put it up, before deciding midway through tying her ponytail that she'd leave it down. She then began to fiddle with her sleeve as she awaited for her name to be called, just wanting to get it over with. Her father had wanted her to be sorted in Hufflepuff, like him and his parents before him. Growing up, Destiny listened to countless stories from her father about his time at Hogwarts, with most of them revolving around his time as a Hufflepuff. While she enjoyed the sentiment of being apart of the same house as her family, she had really wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor. Almost every personal hero she had was a Gryffindor, and she had aspired to be just like them.
"Destiny Lilyburn!"
She jumped as her name was called, before anxiously shuffling towards the front of the Great Hall. Halfway towards the Sorting Hat, she had regretted leaving her hair down, but accepted she couldn't do much about it now. As she sat down, the hat was lowered onto her hair.
"Lilyburn!" She flinched as it yelled out almost immediately, "I remember sorting your father. Grandparents too! Let us see..." It trailed off, thinking for a moment before speaking again, "I sense great cunning and wit, but ultimately, I can see you are very hardworking. It shall be..." It paused for a moment for dramatic effect, and in that silence all she could think was Gryffindor. Gryffindor. Gryffindor
"Hufflepuff!" It roared out, and she pouted for a moment before seeing the friendly faces of her table. As she approached and they patted her back and shook her hands, she felt all her disappointment dissipate and realized she was going to really enjoy her time at Hogwarts.

The hall was massive, only compounded upon by the enchanted ceiling that appeared as if it soared into the night sky. It was beautiful in a way that her muggle schools hadn't been. Yet, just thinking about it sent a pang of homesickness through her heart. If only Em and Cleo could be here to see this with her. She figured that their presence would calm her down significantly.

Instead, Vic straightened her shoulders and took in the sights of hundreds of students lining the tables, eagerly awaiting the promise of a full feast and a new year ahead. She glanced over all the tables, noticing each house. The students draped in green – Slytherin, Vic remembered from the discussion she had with her father – seemed less intimidating than she had expected, but all she could remember was the look in her father's eye when describing them to her.

Her eyes drifted to Ravenclaw with a small smile. Vic's father had spoken so highly of the house, being a former Ravenclaw himself. It was with a proud grin on his face that he said he could see her fit right in there, her curiosity and eagerness to learn coming from him without a doubt. Besides, her favorite color was blue. She wouldn't complain about having to wear blue for the next seven years of her school career.

Looking to her right, she noticed the students in crimson. Father had said that he could see her as easily in Gryffindor as he could with Ravenclaw, her adventurous nature and eagerness to explore defining her childhood. As she examined them, she couldn't help but admire their confidence. Something there called to her that she couldn't explain.

Finally, Vic's eyes landed on the Hufflepuffs. Her father hadn't had much to say about them, instead saying that they often stayed in the background. He had talked briefly about his one Hufflepuff friend from Hogwarts, saying that he had been the hardest worker he had ever met. She had learned more from her "Hogwarts: A History" quick read-through for preparation of coming to school. There was a part of her that thought she could fit in there – her fierce loyalty and protectiveness – but the way her father had said so sincerely that she would end up in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor had told her all she needed to know.

She watched as the other First Years ahead of her all trudged up to the Sorting Hat at the front of the hall. The names of the houses rang out in the hall to applause each time: "Ravenclaw!" "Gryffindor!" "Slytherin!" "Hufflepuff!"

Then, finally, the moment she both dreaded and anticipated. "Fox, Victoria."

Swallowing down the fear that had made its way into her throat, Victoria made her way towards the hat. It settled on her head as she sat down, immediately speaking to what seemed like only her. "Ah, you are a fascinating creature. You have the thirst for knowledge to rival any Ravenclaw ... but your courage and your fire. You would make a fine Gryffindor."

Vic smiled at the hat's words. Exactly as her father predicted. But the hat didn't stop there.

"But there's even more to you. Your kindness, your loyalty. Hmmm, yes. You would do anything for your friends, wouldn't you? And your care for those around you? Your hard-working nature? I know right where you belong." Victoria recognized those words. They were pulled straight from the song at the beginning of the evening, right from the words of Helena Hufflepuff about what she wanted her house to be. Her smile dropped slightly. She knew she should trust the hat, but her heart couldn't help but sink at the fact that her father had been totally wrong.

"Better be, HUFFLEPUFF!"

So, this is Hogwarts… It was easily the largest place she had ever been, and she had been to quite a few expansive mansions in her young years. This, however, was more than she ever could have anticipated. Even from the outside, it didn’t seem like it would hold as many people as it did, but that was the beauty of magic. Solène couldn’t wait to start devouring every ounce of education this school offered, and more so that of which it did not freely offer. Oh, the things these walls could tell her.

Feeling overwhelmed by both the school and her own desires, she could barely take in any real details as they were all shuffled into the hall. She would take note of the armored headmaster, but not truly be able to retain any specifics until the man took his place at the podium. Solène would then take advantage of the time when he was in full view and mentally note everything she could about him. Being the headmaster of such a school meant he likely had the most interesting things hidden behind closed doors. This man would have an entire notebook dedicated to him, of that she was certain.

However, Solène would be pulled from her thoughts. The hat spoke? Not spoke, but… spoke. Made its voice known. How fascinating. She was no stranger to enchanted objects, but the hat claimed to be intelligent, which was indeed rare. Headmaster Lear would continue to explain how the sorting ceremony worked, and eventually the hat broke into song. This was when Solène would take the time to look over the professors’ table. Looking over each face, Sol attempted to guess what they did there until she got to one she knew for certain. The professor for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Orion Lécuyer, her maternal uncle. A sense of calm immediately washed away all hesitation and sense of uncertainty that came with every new situation. His familiar face also helped calm the obsessive nature threatening to take over. She needed to remember to live in and enjoy the moment, not spectate it.

Solène shuffled forward with the rest of the first years. This reminds me of lambs going to slaughter. Having read some books about best farming and husbandry practices, it was the first thing that popped into her head, and her thoughts cascaded into thirty different branches as she continued forward with her fellow firsties. “Solène d'Estienne.” Her eyes snapped forward just as they had in Flourish and Blotts when her Uncle caught her reading a book she wasn’t supposed to.

In and out. A deep breath to center herself before she squared her little shoulders, held her chin high, and made her way to the seat that would seal one part of her fate. One last glance was given to her uncle before she turned to face the crowd and took a seat, the feeling of the hat being set on her head following shortly after.


The hat had made its decision, and while Solène had wanted Ravenclaw, she was not upset with the decision of Slytherin. When the hat was lifted from her head, she would hop off her seat and make her way to the Slytherin table and take a seat with her new school family.

𝚋𝙰𝚍 𝚛𝙴𝚙𝚞𝚃𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝙽

Scoffing, the youngest Starch child follows the rest of the children into what she assumes is the dining hall. She looks around with a disgusted look on her face. This was just plain stupid. How weird and childish it is for a bunch of children to gather and celebrate what house you got in. And that's all she learned on the damn train ride there. She chews on the mint gum she stole from her older sister. The only thing here in this place that brings her the unwanted memories of Ella. Snapping her gum she thinks of her last interaction with Ella. Her evil sadly not step-sister, came into Willow's room accusing her of taking Ella's favorite shirt.

"I know you have it! I could see it in you disgusting ugly ass face! GIVE ME IT BACK!" Ella continues to scream at Willow's back. From the pitch of her voice she could tell that Turing her back to her with a hint of a smirk, just mad her madder. When she first came in here, Willow found it amusing of how mad she was. Her evil sister thought that she stole it when in fact, the Devil Child made her fire with it. But now? Her neck started to flush with red at the mention of her face. Looking at her reflection in the window, her lips turn down into a snarl. Of course she was ugly, who wouldn't say that? Sucking her bottom lip between her teeth, she turned when she noticed her sister got right behind her. Ella was still somehow shouting. How does someone scream that much and still have their voice?

"Im going to say it on last time. GIVE ME BACK-"

STARCH, WILLOW

Visibly flinching, Willow was dragged out of her head and memory. Holding her head high, she ignores the snickers of the fellow students around her and the heat creeping up her neck. She makes her way to the seat and sits down with fake confidence. Old raggedy thing she thought the moment the hat was placed on her head.
That isn't a polite thing to say
Gasping quietly, she looks around. No one else seemed to be hearing it talk. I don't care about it being polite, it's the truth
A lot of anger in you, child. Perhaps it comes from hurt hmm?
Thats none of your business
Slytherin might be a good match for you
Just hurry up and choose then
Well then if you say so

GRYFFINDOR

Rolling her eyes, she quickly gets up. Walking down, she scoffs at all the people cheering. Idiots

Word Count 435

Ooc notes XXX

Mentions @XXX