Sorting Ceremony 2021-2022

It was getting increasingly difficult to maintain a calm face as the group of first years was lead into the Great Hall. Her father, while strictly telling her not to gawk ''like some uneducated mudblood'', neglected to tell Liana just how many things there would be to gawk at. The first curious thing to attract her attention was the ''horseless'' carriages that the older students were climbing into at the Hogsmeade station. She would have liked to go check them out and maybe to touch an invisible Thestral that one of her tutors told her about. Instead, she and the other first-years were herded towards the lake and into self-propelling boats that carried them across - also a fascinating means of transportation, albeit less mysterious. Once in the castle, Liana was met with the fact that there were real ghosts here - she saw a couple of them float by before the long row of first-years started flooding into the Great Hall. Even though she had read about ghosts and seen pictures of them, she hadn't seen one before. Sadly, the girl didn't get to gaze at the beings for long, for it was her turn to enter through the massive doors.

The splendor of the Great Hall took Liana unawares. She had expected some impressive magical decorations, not an illusion so proficient as to make the ceiling look like the actual sky. The girl craned her neck, taking in the utterly realistic starry dome above her, wondering how complex it would be to replicate a spell such as this. As the Headmaster began his speech, Liana tore her eyes away from the ceiling and glanced around, taking in the four student tables. In just a few minutes she would be sitting at one of them, but before that she would have to be publicly judged by a sentient hat while everyone at the hall looked at her. This was the part that made her jitter with anxiety. Well, that and the fear of the Hat's decision.

As the students started being summoned, the girl watched them getting sorted with growing nervousness. Her heart nearly exploded in her chest when, much sooner than she expected, the Headmaster called,

''Kerr, Liana!''

Hoping that the long robe hid the trembling of her legs, the girl gingerly stepped out of the crowd and, feeling everyone's eyes on her, sat down on the stool. The ragged hat was placed on her head, so big that it slid over the girl's eyes. A voice spoke in her ear, startling Liana.

''I see you will be one of the difficult ones,'' it said. ''There is plenty of curiosity and wit in you, but also a good heart and willingness to work hard...''

Liana's heart dropped to her stomach. No, not Hufflepuff... Father will be furious, she thought, fear swelling in her chest. According to Marcus Kerr, few Hufflepuffs ever achieved anything in life.

''Not Hufflepuff, then?'' the voice sounded amused. Liana's eyes went wide. She knew the Hat was able to somehow gauge one's personality and access memories, but to read one's mind in real time? The thought was unsettling at the very least. ''Well how else can I put you where you belong, if I don't know how you feel about my suggestions?'' the Hat spoke again, and Liana felt her face flushing despite herself. Just... not Hufflepuff, she thought again.

''That much I've determined already, but that still leaves too many viable options. You have determination enough to be in Gryffindor, I suppose... although I also sense ambition, and pride, yes... On the other hand, your hunger for knowledge makes me think that Ravenclaw could offer you some great companionship,'' the Hat paused, as if considering something. ''Still... Intelligent more than cunning, yes, but resourceful more than creative... Slytherin would indeed help you on your quest to greatness, not just academically. But Ravenclaw would help nurture your wit... Hmmm, a difficult case indeed...''

Liana sat under the Hat, feeling as if minutes were ticking by while its monologue went on. Slytherin or Ravenclaw, she thought. Most wizards Father speaks highly of came from Slytherin... the majority of Kerrs went to Slytherin, too. He would prefer me to be in Slytherin.

''Are you sure about that? Ravenclaw can lead you to greatness as well, and perhaps through a path more suitable to you...'' the Hat teased. I'm sure. I want to be in Slytherin, she thought in response. ''Very well, then. What other choice do I have,'' the Hat sighed, and its next word came out as a booming exclamation. ''SLYTHERIN!''

Liana waited for the Hat to be lifted off her head before sliding off the stool and heading towards the green-bannered table that has just exploded in a welcoming applause for its newest pupil. A surge of relief was flooding Liana's chest, making her previously trembly legs feel weightless. The girl joined her new housemates and did her best to focus on the ongoing sorting ceremony, her heart still pounding from the recent rush of emotions.

The Great Hall. Nothing Marcus had read in books or heard from other people came remotely close to the real thing. He was already used to a magical environment, but Hogwarts was…something else.

It was so much more.

The long tables, the ghosts, the floating candles, the enchanted ceiling, looking exactly like the sky outside... The boy was simply marveled, but also with a tiny bit of nervousness growing inside him as the Headmaster began his speech.

The Sorting Ceremony. Any student's first big moment after receiving the letter. Marcus couldn't hide that he was scared of it. His heart was pounding. There, in front of him and the other new students, was the Sorting Hat. Decades ago, his parents had been there — his mother had been selected for Hufflepuff while his father had become a member of Ravenclaw—and, Marcus was sure, felt the same way he was feeling in that moment. In fact, it was hard for someone in that room for the first time not to be at least a little anxious, he thought.

Millions of thoughts ran through his mind as the other kids were summoned - he didn't have a preference, but hoped to be selected for the House of one of his parents. He felt that if he went to one of the other two, it would be disappointing to them - , and the boy was so worried that it took him a few seconds to realize that his name had been called.

He took a long, deep breath, and then walked slowly towards the stool, his legs more than wobbly under the school robes. Marcus sat down, and after what felt like hours - but were actually a mere couple of seconds, as the hat had barely touched his head - the Sorting Hat declared:

RAVENCLAW!

With a big smile of relief on his face, Marcus headed to the Ravenclaw table, where his new family, the fellow Eagles, celebrated his arrival.

Xena walked slowly though the great hall. It was safe to say she was afraid of what came next. On the train she had heard many tales of the speaking hat and was not at all fond of the idea. Standing in line with the other first years, she watched as they slowly strode off to the hat and then their respected houses.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

These names barely meant anything to Xena. From what she'd overheard, she supposed she'd be sorted into Hufflepuff, or in an off chance maybe Ravenclaw.

As she neared the front of the lengthy line of first years, her name was called. She had expected to be dreading the moment, being placed in solitude on a platform in front of an entire school of educated witches and wizards. But she found herself content. Her legs seemingly floated to the stage, having a mind of their own. She was excited. Scared, yes, but the excitement overruled.

Sitting down on the stool, the magical hat was placed upon her head. A voice slowly filtered into her mind. It was almost as if it was a passing thought; she was unable to pinpoint exactly what it said but at the same time was able to hear what it had said word for word.

Can they hear this too?

As the questions came to a close, she posed her own questions to herself. Had she answered correctly? Was this truly how she felt? While the hat tittered off in her brain, she gave herself peace in the thought that she would fair greatly in whatever the resolve may be. This sparked the hat's curiosity and thusly gave the answer she was least expecting.

"GRYFFINDOR!"

An applause erupted in the hall, mostly from a table clad in red.

Xena opened her eyes. When had she closed them? She couldn't remember. It was like her body was on autopilot as she stood and made her way to her new housemates. Drifting on a feeling of pride, she sat down with her soon to be friends.

Susan got off the train and boarded the boats with the other first years. She allowed her trunk to be taken by the caretaker. As she got into the boat she watched her brother get into a carriage and disappear. Susan knew he had his own life at Hogwarts, but she still wanted to be a part of it. "Whoa!" she says as she sees the castle after crossing the lake on the boat.

As she followed the others up the stairs and into the Great Hall she spotted her brother and smiled at him before giving him a small wave. Jack waved back and nodded his head as he continued his conversation with his friends. She heard names being called and looked forward to see a magical hat talking.

"Hufflepuff!"

"Slytherin!"

"Ravenclaw!"

The hat yelled for the other first years. Finally, her name was called, "Markington, Susan!" Susan walked forward and sat on the stool. The hat was placed on her head and she instantly thought of her brother. "You have a lot of potential to be more than just a Slytherin like your brother...Let's see..." the hat said.



"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted as Susan frowned. She then thought of her mother and remembered that she had come from Gryffindor and her father was a Slytherin. "Well, I guess the family tradition begins. Love ya big brother." she said as the hat was taken off of her head. She then joined the Gryffindor table and sat with her new family as she tried to act happy. Susan looked at Jack and saw that he smiled and clapped for her as she joined her new friends.

(word count - 277)

Finally, Alice really got to begin her journey here at Hogwarts. As she walked into the great hall, she was practically bouncing with excitement, her green eyes darting to and fro, taking in every single little detail she could. She hadn't managed to make as many friends as she had hoped at camp, but it was the beginning of the school year, and of her new life as a young witch at Hogwarts!

She settled in for the sorting ceremony, listening to the sorting hat as best she could, although young Alice was having one heck of a time sitting still through it all. There were just so many new first years, this was going to take forever. She kept fidgeting. With her hair, her uniform, her glasses, and got maybe a few dirty looks from the other first years she was near, since she may have been a bit distracting. It's not her fault that the letter G came way too late in the alphabet!

After the first six letters in the alphabet, it was finally, finally almost Alice's turn. She became even more obnoxiously restless as the sorting hat worked through the few other G last name first years before her. And then, after what felt like hours but was maybe actually thirty minutes tops: "GRIMMSHAW, ALICE". She bounded up to the sorting hat and took her place there, her heart racing. She knew where she wanted to be, where she felt she belonged. Gryffindor. The brave and daring house! The sorting hat was placed on her head, and only took a moment before speaking. "Ah, yes. Quite a brave young lass. I think you're hoping for Gryffindor, perhaps? But you have enough ambition to be a Slytherin..." Alice frowned at that. She didnt want to be a slytherin! They were all so mean! "But I don't think you're quite cunning enough for slytherin. Yes, It's quite clear where you belong. GRYFFINDOR!"

As the sorting hat was taken off her head, young Alice was ecstatic, grinning from ear to ear as she practically sprinted past the other tables over to the Gryffindor table, who were cheering raucously for their new housemate. She was so happy she could scream. She was finally where she belonged.

Lily walked in line with her fellow first year students, down the great hall in between two out of the four long tables filled with students from various years, shapes, and sizes. Looking around, Lily couldn't help but gaze awe! A small smile graced her face, icey blue eyes filled with wonder and light from the floating candles. Is this how her father felt when he first came here? As she observed her surrounding Lily took in the sounds of chatter as the seated students talked among themselves. 'It seems students and schools are the same no matter what they maybe.' she thought to herself.

A few differences she could point out instantly however, aside from floating lights, was the lavish feasts the students seemed to be enjoying. It's not something she'd seen before. At least, not like this. The only thing she could think of that came close to it were the fancy dinners she'd see on TV's in the muggle world. Then there were the ghosts that floated around the Great Hall oh-so casually, she'd heard about them from her father, so she wasn't so surprised, but having only attended muggle school before, it was definitely something new.

"Welcome first year students." Lily heard from a booming voice at the front of the room. Upon averting her gaze towards the front, Lily noticed a tall, dark eyed, grey haired, full beard wizard standing before the students in the Great Hall. He seemed to be wearing armor, but for the life of her, Lily didn't know why. "I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." he stated. "As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony."The sorting ceremony? Lily knew the basics of that, her father told it was how they sorted the students into their houses. Her father didn't really go into details though, he wanted some of it to be a surprise, Lily didn't understand why though.

"Sentient, I am intelligent" Lily heard a voice say but upon looking around, Lily didn't see anyone else standing, yet the professors didn't seem phased by it at all. Lily raised an eyebrow, not even sorted yet and already this place came off as, in a word... weird.

"Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head. It won't hurt one bit. The Sorting Hat will look into your heart and mind and determine the best place for you: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff." The Headmaster explained. "Read our heart and mind"?! how?' Lily thought ...."Caradoc Browne of House Hufflepuff, "Professor Marcus Iwasaki of House Ravenclaw". Lily heard Headmaster Lear say gesturing to each professor as she tuned back in from her thoughts. "And the ladies, Professor Elaine Pendrast of House Gryffindor, Professor Hjørdis Jensen of House Slytherin.

The house that will be chosen for you shall represent qualities that are truly present within each of you. With this comment Lily's mind wander back to the sorting. Just would house would she be in? What if the sorting hat couldn't place her in a house, then what?! would she be sent home?! Her father was in Slytherin during his time, would she be placed there too? So many question began to swim in her mind. Ultimately she shook them off and paid attention to what the Headmaster was saying. "What you need to know is the Sorting Hat is never wrong, once you are sorted your House will not change for the duration of your time in Hogwarts."
'Well at lest that was comforting...I think.' Lily said mentally to herself. She watched as the Headmaster open a quill, but was quickly drawn away by the sound of a voice singing. Lily looked for the source only for her eyes to eventually end up on the sorting hat, "Blimey!" Lily mutter under breathe, she now understood when her father choose to not explain it all. It was a rather interesting song so to speak, made up of brief descriptions of each house and their founders. When it was over it already time for the sorting, Lily watched as students before walked up, sat down and place the hat on their heads only to be sorting not long after. It wasn't long until, "Lapis, Lily!" she heard come for the voice of Professor Lear.
Stepping up to the stool, she sat down and waited as the hat was placed on her head. "Hmm, yes now, what do we have here." the voice of the Sorting hat said as it began to read her. "My, my such determination you have, a good mind too. I see great courage in you and you have a tendency to be a little... perseverant too Lily checks turned red in embarrassment, the idea of being read like this was not something she's ever gone through before. Never the less she sat there, head held high and silently waited for the results. "Ravenclaw would be a fitting place for you, no doubt with that love of learning that you have, however..." Lily looked up at the hat hearing this, however what? "Yes, yes indeed" the hat muttered. "A place even better for you would be....GRYFFINDOR!!" the hat exclaimed. With a relieved sigh, Lily took off the hat and head toward the proudly applauding table, finally having one step in her new journey out of the way.

Lida Addams followed the other first years into the Great Hall. As she saw the hat she wondered what house she would be sorted into. "I hope I get Gryffindor...." she thinks as she listens to the introduction by the Headmaster. As others are sorted and the hat calls out various houses, the nerves begin to get to Lida. She really wanted to be in Gryffindor like her mother, but her father used to be a Slytherin, so she would be happy with either house she was given.

"Hufflepuff!"

"Ravenclaw!"

"Gryffindor!"

"Addams, Lida!" the headmaster called. Lida stepped up to the chair and sat down as the hat was lowered onto her head. "Sneaky, Conniving, Cunning and Sly....Everything a Slytherin is supposed to be...." the sorting hat said. "Gryffindor please give me Gryffindor..." Lida thought as she looked worried and really wanted to be with her friend Susan. They grew up in Scotland together and hung out for a couple of years before coming to Hogwarts.

"Are you sure you want to be a lion? The snake runs deep through your veins. Your father was a Slytherin and so was your grandfather before him....Hmm.....Baking and cooking aren't really my thing since I am just a hat....better put you into....yes.....Slytherin!" the hat yells. Giving a scowl she puts on a smile and joins the other Slytherins.

(word count - 225)

Gaia entered the Great Hall along with all the other new, first-year students at Hogwarts. Moving from a large, open foyer, into a small and narrow walk way between each house table inside the Great Hall forced all the students to pile together and push and shove their way around until they were settled and the doors of the hall closed behind them - as if by magic.

Gaia stood and listened to the Headmaster, Solomon Lear, give his address to the new students that stood before him. Looking around at all the older students and their reactions, you could tell they were tired of hearing the introductions for new students and just wanted their feast to begin. Gaia smiled when the sorting hat spoke and she noticed may of the new students with looks of curiosity and wonder on their faces. Thankfully, Gaia's mother and father over the years had told her stories of their times at Hogwarts so she knew what to expect from the Sorting Ceremony for the most part. That didn't stop her from feeling a sense of anxiety for where the Sorting Hat might place her.

Gaia came to Hogwarts with no expectation of which house to be put in. Her late father was a Gryffindor, while her mother was a Ravenclaw. She had heard good and bad about all houses. "The Sorting Hat is a marvelous thing, Gaia. It will not place you were you won't thrive and prosper." were her mothers words before she departed platform 9 & 3/4.

Her mothers word were able to fight off the sweaty palms and flipping stomach for a time, but as more and more students were called to sit on the stool and be placed in their respective houses, her mind began to panic.

The Sorting Hat bellowed one house after another as students sat beneath him. "Ravenclaw!! Gryffindor!! Gryffindor!! Slytherin!!"

"Tempest, Gaia!", Then, it was her turn.

Gaia could feel all eyes turn to her as she walked through the crowd and up towards the stool that sat beneath the Sorting Hat. She could feel her cheeks turning red and felt the warmth that came along with the blushing sensation. As she lowered herself onto the stool and felt the weight of the Sorting Hat on her head, she began to hear the Sorting Hat in her head.

"Where to put you? Hmmm. A long line of magic in your blood, indeed. Wizards of many different backgrounds and talents, but which have you acquired?"

Gaia's spirits lifted at this comment, thinking of where the Sorting Hat might place her, and what it could see inside her and her past that she could not.

"Yes, hardworking, loyal... to a fault, and a kind heart towards all... Better place you with your kind in...", the Sorting Hat paused for a long moment, making Gaia's heart leap with anticipation.

""Hufflepuff!"

Gaia leapt from the stool and headed toward her new house table as they all stood and cheered for their newest Hufflepuff recruit.

As Grace walked into the Great Hall for the first time, she was overcome with emotion. The room was stunning, with every detail perfectly set. Grace’s face showed her nervousness by turning pale while her body became stiff. This whole experience was nerve-wracking for her, but this is something she would never admit. After all of the first years filed in the doors and huddled in a group, the headmaster began his beginning of year introductory speech.

”Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony. The sorting hat has been a part of our school's tradition since the time of Godric Gryffindor, one of this institution's founding wizards. This hat is very much sentient."

The rest of the speech and commentary went on as Grace zoned out, hoping she would be in Gryffindor. She would be expected of no less. Grace heard shouts of excitement and groans of despair as the sorting hat sorted the students one by one. Her hands were becoming sore from clapping and it seemed like, “Swan, Grace”, would never be called.

Finally, the hat reached the S names.
”Swan, Grace”

Grace slowly walked up to the stool, carefully sitting down. The only thing that she could think of while the hat was being placed on her head was lice. How many [music][/music]students have had this on their head? Is it sanitary? Surely they have a spell against such things on a special hat such as this.

Grace snapped back into reality as the sorting hat began speaking to her.
”Hmm, very wise I see.
But stubborn too.
I also see a very kind heart that could be used in many different ways.”

”This is a tough one.
Very brave for walking up here under all of the gazes. Hmm, Gryffindor blood line.”

“Has to be…
GRYFFINDOR”

Grace jumped up in excitement the second that “Gry-” escaped the sorting hats mouth. Happily skipping to her table, Grace was ready for the year ahead.

The Hawkins magical bloodline was not a long one. In fact, it could be counted upon a single hand. First, Jamie Hawkins, a Ravenclaw woman, and Maggie's mother. Then there was Maggie. Two magical individuals.

Good as muggle-born, or so Maggie had heard.

She liked to believe that she looked quite regal, walking down the Great Hall with her head held high, looking of the purest blood and highest standard. In reality, she probably looked a mess, with heavy footfalls and messy hair from the wind outside. It had blown strands all over her face, looking as if she'd taken a hand and furiously shaken up the soft hair of her head. If she had friends she'd no doubt be whispering harshly about the atmosphere.

Floating candles looked like fire hazards hanging overhead, burning endlessly and relentlessly. Tall caps decorated the heads of the students surrounding her like dunce caps (Maggie couldn't deny that they looked quite silly) and the old-timey silverware and place settings were reminiscent of those classic medieval movies. This was, for sure, the classic Hollywood magic movie.

You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry,
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.

The sorting hat was old and raggedy, worn down from years and years of use. Maggie wondered if it, in all its sentience, remembered her mother.

She doubted it.

As the clock ticked down, down, down, time running out like sand through an hourglass, Maggie felt her heart begin to sink for the first time since she'd gotten the letter. What if it had been a mistake? After all, her mother was the only magical family that went on for decades; what if it was a genuine mistake? Maggie couldn't possibly have magical blood in her. No, no, certainly not. Suddenly Maggie felt very much like maybe she should've just stayed home.

"Hawkins, Margaret!" Uh oh, there it was. Word vomit coming up her throat like clockwork, right on schedule.

"It's Maggie," she mumbled as she climbed the little ladder to the stool. Barbaric, really, to have to sit on such an uncomfortable chair.

As she sat, uncomfortable with the lack of backing and the feeling of the seat digging into her backside. Ouch.

"Touchy, touchy. What to do with you," the Hat mused. "Plenty of loyalty, I see. A want for belonging... maybe Hufflepuff would do you good."

Maggie didn't know what a Hufflepuff was. Not enough to want it. "That just sounds like a drug, sir--er, Hat," was its name really the Sorting Hat? First name Sorting, last name Hat? Bit unfortunate.

The Hat didn't find it all that amusing. "Witty, too," wait, could the Hat hear her thoughts? "But I see a drive. A desire to prove yourself, hmm? To be one of the greats."

That did sound wonderful. Maggie, surrounded by friends and fans and admirers alike, all there to see her. To admire her, fawn over her, and treat her like a muse. Like their god. She couldn't imagine anything better.

”Quite clear to me, Miss Hawkins, I say. Better be... Slytherin!"

The hall erupted into applause and cheers. Slytherin! Slytherin! Slytherin!

Maggie's first taste of the attention, the fame, the admiration that the wizarding world could bring her.

She couldn't wait for more.