Sorting Ceremony 2021-2022

The Great hall's magnificent decorations and grand opening to the new first-year students was truly a magical moment. Unfortunately, Hunter was still fixated upon the floor and incapable of looking around as the ceremony was about to begin. He was capable of reaching it this far by following the steps of the students surrounding him, but overall he had yet to look up at the Great Hall's scenery nor make eye contact with the students that were right beside him.

A feeling of nausea overwashed his body. A feeling he wasn't used to, but recognized as the same feeling he had during his experience to Platform 9^3/4; unfortunately, he doesn't have his mother to help cause the feeling to go away. Hunter was unsure if it was a fear of crowds, if it was because he was unuse to the sounds of hundreds of people talking at once, or if it was just 1st-day nerves upon entering his new home. Nonetheless, his overall anxiety was choking him in place as he was tempted to grasp for air. Eventually, the movement of the other students stopped in place, and once he had a chance to stay put he placed his hands over his ears, closed his eyes, and attempted to control his breathing. His heart was out of rhythm, he focused greatly on his own thoughts attempting to block out the sounds of his environment.

A few seconds, which felt like several minutres, passed and Hunter eventually removed his hands from his ears and for once began to lift his head. Silence filled the room, a few whispers in the back of the hall, but overall a grand silence filled the room. The silence wasn't eerie, but a feeling of tension and respect filled the air with it. A pair of footsteps echoed throughout the room as a rather tall man in odd armor walked at the front of the room. The man spoke in a rather booming tone and introduced himself as the headmaster and gave a rather welcoming opening of Hogwarts and its recipients. As the man spoke, Hunter began to finally be amazed as he witnessed the very room he was now in. His mind was fascinated by the lit candles that floated along, and the grand amount of students that lined up around 4 incredibly long tables. The feeling of nausea was gone and forgotten, now replaced by curiosity and excitement from the young boy. Hunter eventually heard a new voice speak, an odd hat that was located in the hands of another individual. The hat spoke! A truly astonishing site for Hunter. The headmaster, and the hat, eventually gave their speeches and explanations on the sorting of each child, a predicament for Hunter as he had forgotten to give much thought to the houses of Hogwarts and which he would fall under.

With each Professor being named and gestured towards, Hunter felt he would never be capable of being able to live up to any of their expectations, if they had any. He knew nothing special of himself, nor did he know what house he would fall under. He was only certain, "Not gryffindor" was the only answer in his head. He thought it through, and figured if he lacks skills in certain houses, then perhaps he could devise which house he would end up in through choice elimination. The ride to Hogwarts, and even now, were more anxiety filling than Hunter had expected so h-

Hunter Argentum

Hunter's thoughts froze...

He understood the protocol, to walk up, and allow the hat to decide for him. Nonetheless, as he approached the front of the Great Hall he could only think of the negatives, "Not brave, not cunning, not just, not wise... perhaps, I don't belong here." Before Hunter could utter another thought or word, he hadn't realized he was already in a seat with a feeling of something atop his head. Again he avoided eye contact with those around him, the students, the Professors, even the headmaster. "Eyes down, breathe, and be calm..." Hunter told himself. The hat began to speak atop of his head:

"Well know, your mind is full of something, isn't it young wizard?... Yes... I see now... you know very much and yet claim to know so very little, so much is here, so much potential ready to be accepted. There it is... I see the path now... a path of sky and air... a path of...



Hunter felt relief as the hat was then removed from his head, but as the cheers towards him grew he began to have a slight sickening feeling begin to rise in his stomach again. He swiftly walked towards the welcoming ranks of Ravenclaw, he made eye contact with a few, smiled, but overall tried his best to not stand out too much.

Scarlett heard her name that was called and jumped right up out of her seat and ran to the sorting hat. Scarlett was beyond nervous, she was one of those people who they called perfect, but just because she was pretty, did not mean she was full of courage. She knew she was going to be a Hufflepuff just because she would never be a Gryffindor. That made Scarlett mad. On Elaine her older sister's first day she became a Hufflepuff too, but just because she was nervous.

Scarlett's heart was racing. She felt like she was going to be humiliated and all the pupils would laugh at her because of this. Thoughts ran through her mind like they never had before. She felt like her powers were going to go berserk as soon as she heard what house she was in. But the thought of whatever house she was in would be family helped her. She took one last look at all the pupils, and they put the hat on her. Scarlett's head was a bit small for her age so when they put it on her it fell over her eyes and nose. A few of the Slytherins chuckled. Some of the Hufflepuffs looked hopefully at Scarlett, they were hoping to get her because she was pretty. The hat started thinking.

"Hmmm this is very interesting one, Ravenclaw? No, this one has far to much Loyalty. I have got it! HUFFLEPUFF!!! the hat said at the top of their lungs. Scarlett couldn't have been more ashamed of herself, although her sister was a Hufflepuff too, she wanted to be a Gryffindor, or at least a Ravenclaw. She ran to the Hufflepuff table where her sister was sitting, she sat next to her.

After the train fiasco, Orla was sure that the Sorting Ceremony would be another disaster waiting to happen. With hands pressed together, she could feel nervous butterflies in her stomach. Perhaps she had idealized this entire thing... She'd dreamt of Hogwarts since she could remember and now, finally, she was entering into a world she'd fantasied about and heard tales from her brother.

The gaggle of unsorted freshmen stood clustered together, wide-eyed and ready for their future to be revealed. Would she be a brave Gryffindor? Or perhaps a cunning Slytherin? More like her father, intelligent like a Ravenclaw? Orla, similarly to her father, loved overthinking things like this. Especially things that mattered. And she knew for certain that this mattered, obviously. This determined her entire life at Hogwarts. Not that she would be unhappy with any house-- But it would be far easier in Gryffindor where Caspian, her brother, could have an eye out for her.

Across the room at the table of Gryffindor's, Caspian looked on as he impatiently waited for his sister's name to be called. "You look almost... worried." One of Caspian's friends whispered at him with a sly smile. Caspian looked almost offended. "I-I am most certainly not worried! I-- I don't even care."

"Orla Finch!" Called the Headmaster.

Caspian and Orla were called to attention, with the older of the two being kicked by his dear friend. "You so are worried!" She hissed out at him with bemusement in her voice. "Whatever... Pay attention..."

Orla quickly and politely pushed her way through the crowd of people and her fellow first years, eyes wide as she stopped in front of the headmaster. Sit down Orla, silly girl. She thought to herself, flashing the Headmaster an awkward smile that resembled her father's. After a small moment, she settled in, feeling the weight of the hat on her head. She wondered why it was so heavy... Perhaps it was the weight of decision the Sorting Hat had to make every year. She wondered also how many students the Sorting Hat had seen in its days. Hundreds? Thousands?

"Ahh..." Grumbled the hat, plummeting Orla into a strange sort of eager impatience. This was real. This was real. She was in Hogwarts. Being sorted. At Hogwarts. "Quite excited, are we? Mmm... Hmmm..." The Sorting Hat hummed again. Would he just get on with it? Orla could hardly keep herself in the seat from her excitement. "Same sort of determination as your brother, I see... But hmm... What's this... No, no, no... There is only one place for you... Hufflepuff!"

Hufflepuff?!

Hufflepuff!?!

She heard the eruption of applause first, as had been for every student sorted, and a wide grin blossomed on her face. She was a Hufflepuff! She eagerly found herself slipping from the chair and nearly tripping to make her way over to the Hufflepuff's. "Welcome home!" A student said, welcoming her into the center of the table with the others.

She really was home and she couldn't have been more grateful for it...

It was her first moment in the magical world, the beginning of her fabulous story. Stepping into Hogwarts after hours cooped up inside that train. She smells like pumpkin pasties, 'Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean', or literally any sweets from that trolley lady, combined. She looked a little nauseated by it but otherwise, fine. She didn't eat any of the sweets though, she prefers a more refined taste rather than something called 'Fizzing Whizzbees.'

First impression of the castle? Old.. the building looks ancient and rugged, not luxurious at all. Figured a magical castle would have a more genteel taste than this. Even so, she still could not stop looking at every inch of the castle, the room she was in, every carving, every painting- the paintings... it was moving... She just saw one waving at her. Growing up in the muggle world, regardless of her constant judgment of the castle, she was still blown away by the magic of everything. It was like her eyes are finally opened, she was not scared by any of it, it was like this is the place that she finally belongs. It feels like home. But her judgment did stop when they open the door to the great hall. Suddenly everything was bright. Candles were floating in the air, and the ceiling.. it was enchanted to look like the night sky. Even Pea could admit that it was beautiful. But then she looked down, and the view was ruined by the number of people that crowd the place. She sighed, but follow the other first-years to the front of the great hall. Everyone was looking at them, or perhaps at her? she did not surprised if they were looking at her, her beauty would not match perhaps even most of the students here. There were some though that maybe looked quite decent, she thought.

After several seconds of more gazing around the room, a man comes quietly in front of the room. He looked regal and quite intimidating at first with his armor, but when he opened his mouth, he sounds friendlier and more welcoming than Pea's imagined, but still with an edge of sternness in it. He was the Headmaster of Hogwarts. After a small speech, he explains the sorting ceremony. Yes, it was something that was talked about amongst the kids on the train. If she was being honest, she did not know much about it, and she also didn't care very much about it either. Then the headmaster placed a hat on a stool in front of them. Only then Pea start to look more intrigued. The fold on the bottom half of the hat started moving, not only that, it started singing.

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 got 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 folks use any means
To achieve their ends.

That was a harrowing several seconds, she thought. But otherwise quite informative. There were four houses that the hat going to choose for her to be in for the rest of her Hogwarts years. Now she was definitely more fascinated, and dare she say also a little nervous. Brave and daring.. that can be her house. Or maybe loyal and patient? nope, not that one. Someone with a ready mind and wit perhaps?, maybe.. maybe she can belong to that one. Cunning folks.. that does sound like her. Any of those houses can easily fit Pea. But maybe one leaning a little more towards her than she realized.



Her name is called. She straightened her head and walked towards the small stool in front of the room. Everyone was looking at her, her beauty is probably the reason for that. She looked at the hat, looked a little appalled at how old and shabby it looked, but she still let it sit on her beautiful white hair. Just the first moment the hat touches her head, it laughed! laughed she dare say. "Confident and bold! i like it!" it beamed. "You certainly have the courage." Pea narrowed her brow, "And what so funny about that?" She answered under her breath with a little hiss. "Hmm... a little tempered as well it seemed. Very determined too." Pea went silent, a little embarrassed by her mini outrage. "But also compassionate..." Pea blushed, she never heard someone describe her as compassionate before. "and no doubt, very clever, very clever indeed... Tricky.. tricky.." The hat continued. "But.. yes.. yes.. I know! you must belong to.." It took a while, but with a booming voice,



She looked surprised, but otherwise quite pleased with it. Of course, the Slytherin tables were rising with excitement when it was announced. Smirking and with more confidence than before, she struts to the Slytherin table. She sat next to a girl who was also sorted into the Slytherin house before her. She couldn't remember her name, of course, all of them honestly did not look interesting enough to have a space in her brain. But... she might need to be a little nicer to gain some friends here. A lot nicer.

Penelope walked into the great hall, cautiously. The wood creaked under her shoes, a soft hum of conversation carried across the room. it was warmly lit by the variety of candles. She had pondered over what house she would be in since, as long as she could remember! Now that the day finally came, she was nervous, to say the least. Her mom was a Ravenclaw, swore that Penelope was a shoe-in. Her other mom was a Hufflepuff, said that it was all up to the hat "Wishing for a specific house is a moot point, Penny. Wherever you end up is where you were meant to be" despite this being true, a part of the young girl wanted to be in ravenclaw. Maybe it would cement in her mind that she was truly smart. Her mother would often tell her that Ravenclaw was about more than intelligence, but something deep in her still wanted it to be her house. She had the vaguest memories of her birth mother talking about how her father was in Ravenclaw. She'd never even met the man, but being in the same house as him... just gave her the slightest bit of a connection to him. She'd be fine with Hufflepuff, her mothers were both wonderful women. Even Gryffindor wouldnt be half bad, and it wasnt like she'd end up in Slytherin. She laughed at the thought, as far as she was concerned. Slytherin was for the ruthless, the devious, the dubious, the downright rotten. She glanced over at the slytherin table, to all the kids laughing and boasting to their new housemates, they looked happy. She looked away, afixing her eyes ahead of her. Over a dozen names had been called while she was entranced in her thoughts, it was going in alphabetical order, she had a while to wait. People got sorted into all of the houses, scattered about. each person being met with cheers from their selective tables. Penelope felt relieved for one thing, everyone seemed just as nervous as she was. Before she knew it, many names had passed and they were getting down to the W's.

"Walters, Penelope!", the wrinkled hat bellowed out. The crowd parted for the girl to walk through, she approached slowly, walking up the steps. As she turned to face all the people and look at all the tables, a million thoughts raced through her head. She sat down, mind running a mile a minute. The hat settled onto her head.

"-and what if im not sorted at all", she was suddenly hyper aware of her own thoughts, as if speaking aloud
"i may be an old hat, but i never make mistakes", a gruff voice spoke to her. They were conversing entirely in her own head. "youre ambitious, you want to impress", it trailed off wistfully. "you have clear goals in mind", he piped up. Penelope sat in a stunned mix of worried and afraid.

"Slytherin!"
the slytherin table broke into claps and cheers. Penelope grimaced "slytherin! youre joking" The hat lifted off her head without an answer, and she walked to that ornate green table. The people around congratulated her, patted her on the back. She only smiled politely, still echoing that name in her mind. Slytherin

Backdated September 1st

Habib was astounded by the great hall. He had seen pictures of it but nothing compared to the real deal. It was huge, with candles in the air and the roof charmed to look like a starry night. For long dining table each at their end bearing the Sigil of their house. At the head sat the Headmaster of Hogwarts Solomon Lear. A man of which little was known about. The headmaster whipped out his wand, muttered a spell and said in a voice that seemed to be magnified by the amplifying charm. "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."

Sentient, I am intelligent

A new voice chimed in Habib turned as saw a dusty old hat sitting on a stool. Habib was confused why was there a hat he wasn't given much time to dwell on it as the Headmaster continued
"Ah yes, the intelligent" "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. As most of you must know, each of those houses possesses their own characteristics, values and their own Head of House." "Professor Caradoc Browne of House Hufflepuff," he gestured towards a thirty-something-year-old man. "Professor Marcus Iwasaki of House Ravenclaw," he gestured towards a rather handsome young man. "And the ladies," he motioned towards two young women "Professor Elaine Pendrast of House Gryffindor," a woman with dark hair and usually a serious expression "Professor Hjørdis Jensen of House Slytherin" a woman with a neutral expression and shocking white hair. "The house that will be chosen for you shall represent qualities that are truly present within each of you. Your future house shall be like a second family. You will also be able to gather points and once we reach the end of the year, the house with the most house points shall win the House Championship Cup. 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."
Habib was shocked this was how they were going to sort them a hat. However upon thinking it made sense anyone else would have at least a bit of bias however wasn't the hat from Godric Gryffindork sorry Gryffindor. His thoughts were interrupted by the hat speaking once more

" A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of
Whose names are still well known:

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

For were their such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.

Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.

While still alive they did divide
Their favourites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When were they dead and gone?

Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!

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 got 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 folks use any means
To achieve their ends. "

The hat's voice left much to be desired however as his father taught him he politely clapped along with the rest of the hall.

When Habib hear his name being called he took a deep breath and confidently walked up the stairs and to the hat. Once it was placed on his head he heard that same voice.
"Ah, an Acropolis I remember sorting your father he was a rather prideful Slytherin however your mother was an ideal Ravenclaw. "So how does this work do you look into my personality or my mind" "Your mind of course" the hat replied how else would I understand you" "You seem to have a soft spot for magical creatures dragons especially" "Seems like you would enjoy care for magical creatures." "Of course it's my favourite subject." "You are intelligent and seek knowledge you would do well in Ravenclaw " the hat paused seemingly contemplating somethings "However there is one quality that rings through your ambition you strive to be at the top and you won't let anyone stand in your way" The hat bellowed for the great hall to hear Slytherin. Habib couldn't believe it. He wanted to pinch himself he made it into the house he had been hoping for Slytherin he walked across the hall grinning broadly to the table with the snake sigil on it with a row of smirking faces he sat down in an empty seat.
"And so it begins".

Michael Phillips looked around, listening to the speech the Headmaster was making, when his eyes caught upon the candles. They were floating! Well, probably floating, he supposed there could be strings holding them up. But if there was fire, the strings would burn. So, are they actually candles? If they were candles, where was the dripping wax? He thought of other things they could be. Wood, with magic to make them glow. Electric candles, he thought, might work. How would they power them? Probably batteries, so how would they change them? This is a magic school, so the obvious answer is magic. Though it could be a giant ladder. Wait, why shouldn’t it be normal candles. Magic, they could use magic to keep them up, magic to light them, and magic so they don’t drip. Michael would have to find out, hopefully the teachers wouldn’t mind if he blew one out. Maybe they have a ladder somewhere.

His ears registered someone singing, and he looked around until he saw the hat. He listened to the song, and studied the hat. How would someone put magic in it, do all wizard hats do that? At least eventually? Do the hats soak up magic from the person it sits on?

The Headmaster started calling people’s names from a list, they put on the hat, and the hat yelled out a word. He waited for his turn, “Phillips, Michael!” Then walked up and put on the hat.

“Hello,” said the hat. Hi thought Michael, So, how do we do this? Do you actually talk? I read the bit in the book that has the house traits. I don’t have a preference, but I tried applying the different ones to myself and I think that it’s probably Ravenclaw or Slytherin. I mean it could be Hufflepuff, though probably not Gryffindor. Michael paused in his thoughts, then hurriedly added, I’m sorry, it’s your choice, I should stop thinking now. and shut up. The hat chuckled, then said, “You’re clever and ambitious, though not very selfish. You’re intelligent and creative. You’re determined and brave, especially when it comes to your friends.” The hat paused, and said,“You’ll find out why my decision is what it is” then shouted,

“Hufflepuff! The hat was taken off Michael’s head, and he blinked in confusion as applause came from the Hufflepuff table. They’re probably just being nice, Michael thought, as he went to the table and sat down.

Despite having grown up seeing images of it, the Great Hall in person was a spectacle to behold for Atlas, and like many other first years took a second to take it all in. They were herded inside as the door slammed shut behind them, and Atlas felt a bit embarrassed for gawking like that. Maybe it would be expected of a muggleborn, but he’d grew up in the wizarding world for crying out loud. They anxiously awaited their houses, and some chatted with others they’d met on the train. Atlas listened to the crackling of the floating candles, and all of the upperclassmen talking with their housemates at their own tables. He watched the portraits move. It was all a common novelty to him, but Hogwarts itself was still impressive. The smell of the food quickly made Atlas hungrier than he had been before he came in. He wished he’d eaten more on the train.

The hat certainly seemed… interesting, Atlas thought, watching it banter with the headmaster. He listened intently as the professors were introduced, as he knew he needed to get into their good graces and impress them to succeed here. Then the hat sang a song, introducing all of the houses. Hearing the verse about Gryffindor, he longingly gazed over to the table that he hoped he’d soon be sitting at. He clapped as the speech finished and the sorting began in earnest.

He then realized that Rogan and Nacita were just in front of him, but didn’t say anything to them. He hoped that no matter which house he got, it wouldn't be the same as theirs. Now that he was at Hogwarts, it was time for him to have his own life, and not stand in their shadow. With some luck, no one would even know he had anything to do with them, and he’d outshine them in every way here.

The sorting of other students went by uneventfully for Atlas, but finally it was his turn. He jumped, hearing “Nallum, Atlas”, but quickly collected himself and walked up to the podium. He took a deep breath before he put the old hat on his head, and heard its voice again, though he knew this time, only he could hear it.

“Hmm… so you’ve already decided what you want, right?” it asked.

Atlas nodded.

“But what about where your potential would be taken advantage of?”

Atlas was a bit conflicted. He’d known what house he wanted the whole time, but he also wanted to do the best that he could and maybe he should trust the hat’s judgement on that. Okay, he thought back.

“I wouldn’t dream of discounting your bravery, but there’s so much more to you. And ambition is definitely something you possess, but it’s not your best quality. Yes, there’s only one house here you belong in, and that’s…”

Atlas didn’t know what he was expecting.

“RAVENCLAW!”

The Ravenclaw table erupted into clapping and cheering, as he looked around, removed the hat from his head, and slowly headed over. Ravenclaw? Ambition and bravery not being among his best qualities? He had no clue what was going on, but settled at the table with his new house and finally began to eat.

My eyes widen in horror as the Sorting Hat declares Gryffindor. I will be getting a talking to when I get home for the holidays. My whole family has until now... been placed as Slytherin. Not Gryffindor. I get up from the stool slowly and make my way over to the Gryffindor table. This feels wrong. But then again, my grandma had always told me that I was different... That I was bound for Gryffindor. My mother would always just glare at her until she stopped talking. I sit down and force a smile and clap as the last first years are sorted. Then I hear "Let the feast begin" and food appears. My face lights up, food has always made me feel better... just not today. I take a few bites and the food is delicious but I'm not hungry and I push my plate away, shaking my head. Gryffindor that can't be right. Or is it? Trying to process thing internally has never been a strong point of mine so I'll be sure to write in my diary later... Are we allowed to have diaries? If not, I guess that's a rule I'll break... I want to listen to music. That always makes me feel better but so did food. Am I falling apart?