Newcomers The Sorting ceremony 2017-2018 Closed

Divya swallowed and looked around the room. It was huge. Her entire house, and every house she's ever lived in could probably fit in here combined.
The walls were gigantic with big banners naming all the houses, that Divya only knew the tiny amount that her dad had told her about.
Everything in here was so new to her, and even though she had been so excited to come here, she wished she was back at her old muggle school with her friends.
It was intimidating, really. Everyone around her also seemed nervous, which calmed her nerves a bit.
She suddenly snapped out of her thoughts.
"This is ridiculous. You're nervous over an old talking hat, this is stuff of fairytales." She thought to herself. She took a deep breath and straightened her back.
It was like everything her dad had told her completely left her mind, and before she knew it she was called up.

"Divya Chadna" Her heart started beating faster than ever, from what she had gathered this would dictate her future at Hogwarts. What if she got placed in the bad house? Does such a thing even exist?
She took careful steps forward and tried to clear her mind like she did before. She sat down on the wooden chair and placed the raggedy old hat on her head.

"Raggedy? Who are you calling raggedy?" It muttered. Oh god. She got a bad first impression, oh how could you be so dumb.
"I-I'm sorry." She whimpered quietly.
"Chadna. It's been a long time since I last saw one of your kind. I could place you in Gryffindor like your father, but... That's not quite right for you." Divya held her breath, afraid to even think.


Everyone started clapping, and she timidly removed the hat from her head. She got up and headed for the Ravenclaw table, not knowing what it would have in store for her.

People.

People everywhere.

The Great Hall held many wondrous elements, from the sheer size and extravagance of the space, to the mottled colors and floating candles and long tables. Several glanced up at the billowing night sky above, where a ceiling should have been. But for Sebastian Leeds, the first jarring sensation on entering the room beyond was the sheer number of people - students and professors, all.

With a scowl, the young wizard crossed his arms, trying to make himself smaller. Having grown up in a lonely manor, with only his parents and tutors for company, had led to a very isolated childhood. Other children of his hometown of Waterford had never really been introduced, and playtime had been little more than less formal lessons from strict teachers.

And now, after a lifetime of solitude and knowing less than a dozen individuals, Sebastian was face-to-face with what could probably be considered his worst nightmare - a very large, noisy and boisterous crowd, taking part in a ceremony that brought focus and attention to each individual presented.

Keep breathing, just follow the other kids, Sebastian thought to himself, grimacing as another mighty cheer sounded following a successful sorting. You knew this was coming, just stay calm...

The minutes felt like hours, as the procession of new arrivals each took turns approaching the raised platform at the far end of the hall. A single wooden chair with an old brown wide-brimmed hat was being used, as each sat, had the hat placed, murmurs occurred and then a proclamation of a House.

"Sebastian Leeds," A call sounded, one of the Professors, causing the boy to blink as eyes turned toward him.

Walking forward with a contained gulp, Sebastian tried to put a brave face on, jutting his chin forward as he approached the chair. He turned, saw the crowd lining the tables, and clenched his jaw as he sat. The large hat landed, engulfing the top of the boy's head, before suddenly coming to life and speaking in a raspy voice.

"A Leeds, hm?" The sorting hat muttered, more a statement. "Just like all the others, I'd wager. A bright mind, calculated, finely honed despite your age and yearning for even more knowledge," Sebastian felt his heart stop, wondering if he was going to be sorted into Ravenclaw, to break the cycle. "But you've some guile to you, a somber demeanor, and a desire more appropriate to... Slytherin!"

Sebastian let out the breath he had been holding. It seemed he was destined to follow in his father's footsteps, and his father's footsteps, and to follow the Leeds tradition of House allocation. And while the boy had no real problem, he couldn't deny that being put into Ravenclaw might have given a small gratification, if only because it would have annoyed his father to no end.

The hat was removed, Slytherin students clapped, and the quiet boy walked over to sit silently with his fellows. At least being part of Slytherin would, hopefully, afford Sebastian some opportunities not so readily available to other Houses...

Time would tell.

It was finally her turn. For years she had joined her parents in dropping off her siblings at the station. Then awaiting the letter that informed them which house each sibling was sorted to. Devin, Marion, and Eric were all Gryffindors; while Samuel and Jocelyn were both Ravenclaws. It had all seemed terribly exciting, and Robyn had long wondered what house would she be in? She loved random facts and trivia, so perhaps Ravenclaw? She was also a natural explorer, so perhaps her home had been with Gryffindor. There was also a little part of her who wanted to branch off on her own, make her own way without people comparing her to her siblings... Thought it might happen anyway. It tended to when you were the youngest of six. Nothing had prepared her for arriving at Hogwarts.

She had heard all her siblings' stories of the ancient place when they came home for holiday and the what not, but standing at the front gate and looking up at the castle took her breath away. Walking in these hallowed halls seemed so unreal to her. This was going to be her home away from home for seven whole years.

As her name was called, Robyn stepped up and the great old hat was put on her head. What if it said she wasn't a witch and it was all a mistake? Her father had said that could never happen, that squibs wouldn't get a letter in the first place... but Robyn still wondered. She could feel the sorting hat shift on her head. It was an odd feeling, and that's when she heard a gravelly voice,

“Hmm, another Hightower, I see. Your brothers and sisters not long passed under my brim. Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, if I remember. Which house shall you be?” The hat pondered slowly, taking it's time.

She wondered what the hat could read in her mind- if every thought was visible to it's gaze? Three siblings in Gryffindor, like her mother, and two in Ravenclaw. Was that her only choice? They were both great houses, from the family stories. She would be honored to be in either of the houses, but she didn't want to be limited.

“Or is it Slytherin or Hufflepuff for you? You are brave, but not reckless. You are smart, warm and kind. You tend to put others before you. You have a strong vein of loyalty running through you, exactly like your father, who was a noble Hufflepuff during his time here.”

For some reason, she had forgotten her father's house. But Hufflepuff seemed to click as she rolled the thought through her mind. She could already see herself decked out in the house colors. And it was a little thrilling to be in a house none of her brothers and sisters were in.

“HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat proclaimed, and the table of gold and sable erupted into applause. A bolt of excitement ran through her as the had was removed and she hopped down to take a seat among her new house.

New students packed together in a crowd, the tension high, understandably. The Sorting Ceremony had gone on for quite some time now, and it was nearing towards the final bunch of children, for tonight particularly, left to be assigned to their tables. Seth was of average height for his age, but there were taller students, and he found himself engulfed by the group and unable to make it to the front.

"Excuse me," He tries to pardon himself but to no avail, no one takes pity on his display of impatience.

Name after name had been called. Periodically, roars of applause burst from their respective tables as the Sorting Hat shrieks their fate. Students come to the hat, and leave, sometimes quite quickly and other times it seemed to take eons. Seth just wanted to witness it himself.

At long last, he hears the Professor announce his name, "Seth Creed,"

It takes a moment of Seth abruptly manages to slip past the other students with a huff, and a puff. His robe a little disjointed. Upon realizing that every eye was upon him, now, his eagerness suddenly fell like a stone down a cliff into quite an uncomfortable fear. He looked at them too. When realizing his name was called, he eases his way up the steps and to the lonely chair with the hat. Oddly, as if he felt it necessary, he extended his hand to the first staff member he saw and shook it. But, finally, he sits down.

The hat lays, inch by inch, otop Seth's head. The brim covers his eyes and he grimaces for a second, his hands gripping the seat of the chair itself. For a long moment, it felt, there was only quiet.

"I am going to put you in a place most suiting for you." A voice says in his ears and he twitches a bit in surprise because he really, really was not expecting it. In all honesty, he wasn't even expecting a hat until a few minutes ago. "Yes. " The hat ensues. "But have you any idea yet of what it means? You come off as a dull lad, maybe, but you do not fool me. Slytherin would be interesting. They will definitely harness your ability. Ravenclaw, maybe, would hone you into a very sharp lad. But what about Gryffindor? That fire I see in your soul most certainly would be of use there, as well. But what gets me the most..." The hat continues. Seth felt bizzare. Ice blossomed in his stomach.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" Immediate cheering and applause reaches the very ceiling of the Great Hall as the hat is taken off right away, leaving him disoriented at the sudden light, but his heart took off when he realized he'd been chosen a place to belong. He grinned and it showed with his eyes, quickly becoming full to the brim with joy. Then, leaping off the chair, he runs to the Hufflepuff table.

The Ceremony continues in the same fashion, and he's welcomed by students of all ages. He cast a glance over his shoulder at the hat descending on its next "victim", and he grins again,

Almost as if to say "Thank you".

Constance trailed behind as not to get touched by anyone, her eyes darted nervously around the room, there where way too many people here for her liking, the schools shed been to Previously had been small privet muggle schools and this multitude of people was causing her to panic, but knowing better than to let herself panic she started trying to calm down, she didn't want to end up having a panic attack in the middle of the hall.

Constance's mind drifted to when she first got her letter, she had thought it was just a prank from her aunt, who was actually just the best friend of her fathers, her aunt had been staying over so Constance had gone into the guest room holding the letter. upon seeing the letter her aunt had squealed and ran downstairs. Constance had followed confused. after she calmed down her aunt had explained about Hogwarts and the wizarding community. up until she walked into the leaky cauldron she had thought it was a massive joke.

her attention was snapped back to the hall as her name was called, she flinched slightly as she tried to walk up to the stall without touching anyone. she made her way up to the hat and carefully picking up the hat and placing it upon her head. the sudden voice of the hat almost whispering in her ear made her flinch again

"hm.... such an interesting mind. where to place you... Constance stayed completely silent freezing up at all the eyes of the students "a hard working kind mind no doubt..." she waited half expecting him to have already made up a decision but there was about a thirty-second pause "..so willing to stand up for others and so adventures..." she shifted on the seat as there was another pause "however... you also seem to be creative and highly value your knowledge... she found herself wishing that the hat would make its mind up. it seemed to be contradicting its-self naming multiple house traits "I also see someone determined, cunning and resourceful..." she waited for her house to be called out but as a minute passed she shifted again feeling uncomfortable, after another minute she began to wonder what the hold up was, she began to hear whispering as the hat spoke again "...what house do you wish to be in?" the question confused her, wasn't the hat supposed to choose what house she went in? her mind flickered back to when her aunt told her of the houses. she remembered her aunt saying she had been Slytherin and how she had talked about it.. and decided she wanted to be in the same house, "Slytherin....?" she heard it question, by now she had heard the whispers grow and caught one word in particular hatstall. she didn't know what it meant but it was unnerving her she nodded her head slightly "hm.. yes, you shall do well there" she smiled as the hat shouted "SLYTHERIN"

Constance got down and walked over to the Slytherin table again making sure not to brush up against anyone, she sat down and took a seat next to a boy that was sorted before her Sebastian Leeds she beleved his name was? she sat silently watching the others

Rosie filed into the Great Hall along with her new classmates. She was apprehensive to say the least. In her mind, all she could hear was her mother. Was she really giving up her soul just because she happened to be born a witch? She shook her head to shake away her doubt. She was here now and that was that.

Rosie knew what was about to happen- the Sorting Ceremony. After she had found out she was a witch, she had researched everything she could get her hands on about the wizarding community of the UK specifically. From what she read she knew a few things.

• She was a "muggle-born" and would be discriminated against by some wizards and witches.

• Hogwarts was a prestigious school for wizards and witches.

• Each student was sorted into one of four houses at the beginning of the year.

• Hufflepuff was the least respected house. But to her, the traits that went along with Hufflepuff were the most genuine.

When Rosie's name was called, she stepped up and took her seat, closing her eyes as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. She wasn't sure what made her more nervous. Yes, she was nervous about which house she would be sorted into, but up until a few months ago, she idea of a talking witch's hat reading her very essence would have been insane. And yet, here she was.
Apparently, you could ask the hat to place you someplace, but she really wasn't sure where she belonged, or if she really belonged here at Hogwarts at all.
"Awfully unsure of yourself, Rosie Turner.
Rosie stayed quiet, her eyes still closed.
"Loyal... compassionate... brave to be here. You could go to Gryffindor. However, you would be right at home in Hufflepuff."
She still said nothing, though her heart skipped a beat at the mention of Hufflepuff.
"Nothing to say?"
Rosie took a deep breath and let it go. "I trust your judgement."
"Very well, Rosie Turner, Hufflepuff!"
Rosie breathed a sigh of relief as the hat was lifted from her head. She hopped down from her seat and went to join the smiling faces at the Hufflepuff table

Edric knew about Hogwarts. With two older brothers, a fourth and a fifth year, in the school he'd been told hundreds of stories about the castle, it's wonders and inhabitants. King's Cross, the Hogwarts Express, the trip across the lake...while new it had all held a certain familiarity. Nothing about his arrival at Hogwarts that been a real surprise to him, not like it had been to many of the other students at least.

Walking into the Great Hall was the first time of the whole day where he felt his breathing stop. In awe he stared at the enchanted ceiling that showed the clear starlight sky from outside and at the thousands of candles that floated just beneath it and seemed to illuminate the night, make the stars shine even brighter. It truly was a marvel to look at, even to him who had seen many a night's sky when he'd stayed up way later than he should have to watch the stars take form above him.

His eyes remained on the ceiling when they were herded onto the podium. Only when the Deputy Headmaster bid the first of the first years to come up and don the Sorting Hat did he look at the student body of Hogwarts for the first time.

There were hundreds of them, one of the largest gatherings of people had ever seen. Even from his place at the back of the group Edric had a good view on the four house tables and cheering students sitting on them. The sheer number was astonishing and admittedly frightening when he made the connection that he'd have to sit there on the tiny stool with all of them watching.

"Banes, Edric."

He didn't have enough time to go into full-blown panic mode. His feet just moved kind of on their own, and then Edric was sitting on the creaking stool with the rim of the Sorting Hat blocking his vision when it was placed on his head. The last thing he saw were his cheering brothers at the Gryffindor table.

"Ah, Mr. Banes," the hat greeted him. "I remember sorting your brothers not too long ago, very fine boys indeed. Great fits for Gryffindor the both of them."

"Hello," Edric whispered back, unsure about what to say to the Sorting Hat. It was...well, a hat, but it would also decide about his future in Hogwarts. He bit his lip.

"Don't fret, I mean no harm to you. Sorting is my business, placing you where you fit." That was reassuring to hear. He tried to relax a bit. "A nice, calm head on you. Curious as your brothers, but not as confident. You avoid trouble, even if it seeks you."

Good. Edric didn't want to go to Gryffindor. He loved his brothers, but not that much. They'd already annoyed him enough at home. Maybe Hufflepuff? His dad had been a Hufflepuff. They were nice people: loyal, friendly, open. He'd not have to fight with anyone in Hufflepuff.

"Hufflepuff, yes," the hat replied. "It could suit you, indeed. Loyal you will be, supportive of your friends and open in your thinking...but there is the ambition of course. You have your dreams, dreams that you want to pursue even in the face of adversity. Yes, I think you belong to..."

"Slytherin!"

The Slytherin table started to cheer. Dazed, Edric got up from his seat and slowly made his way towards them. He'd expected a lot, but certainly not this.

 𝓐rriving to Hogwarts was magical - this experience was magical. Though magic was never something foreign to Katya, having been around it for her entire life. Her mother raised her with cleaning the house with magic, her father teaching her everything she could comprehend at such a young age about potion-making, and her uncle had taught her about each and every planet and star in the sky. She grew up as a pure-blood, she liked to think that she knew what she was doing. Upon entering the Scottish castle after riding in boats across the lake and then a small trek up to the structure, the Russian girl was amazed.

𝓚aterina followed the other first-year students through the hallways, a mass of black robes and hats. She stuck out though, because even if she was wearing the same black robe over top, she hadn't worn a uniform underneath. Instead, she had a sequined, long-sleeve dress that stuck to the sides of her legs until just above the knees, where the dress ended. It was a courtesy of her mother, one of the many 'exclusive' outfits she had designed for her daughter. She was used to this kind of treatment, but to be honest, she felt a little out of place. She wished she could go home.

 𝓑ut there was no time for turning back now. She was here for at least until winter break, and then perhaps she can stay back at the Petrov Chateau back in Russia and spend her time with her father, making each and every potion imaginable. For now, she was here, at Hogwarts. Upon entering the Great Hall, Katya's gaze went straight to the blue table, then the green table, looking for her brothers. They were older, in fifth and seventh years, but they had really motivated Katerina to join them here. They boasted about the school as though it were the best place on Earth. So far, she couldn't see what they meant.

 𝓦ithout noticing, she had fallen slightly behind. Not rushing, she picked up her pace back to that of the rest of the group. She still lagged behind with a few others, but at least it looked like she was somewhat keeping up. Eventually, she did catch up once the group halted in the front of the room, right by the adults' table. With her best guess, the raven-haired girl would say these were the professors.

 𝓣hey begun with introductions to the school, and then the sorting initiated. This was an event that both of her brothers have been speaking of since their first year. Notable names sorted into each house were sent in owls back home every year, as though it were a hot commodity to know who was in what house. Katya personally preferred to be in Ravenclaw, the house of blue, where her brother Mikael was sorted. But it wouldn't be all too bad if she were sorted into Slytherin, the green house, where Alexandre was sorted. She just hoped she wouldn't get blue or red, because then she wouldn't know anyone.

 𝓢oon enough, it was her own turn to sit on the stool in front of the entire school. Now she was a little more self-conscious about her overly-dressed appearance, but hopefully they would end up leaving her alone about it, or end up complimenting her on it. She pushed down her insecurities, bringing out her confidence once more as she lifted her chin and pushed through the smaller crowd from the back, heading up to the stool and sitting down on it gracefully. Each of her movements were fluid, making her seem as though she were in some dreamland where everything was perfect - even if it weren't.

 𝓣he large Sorting Hat was placed on her head, on top of her black locks of hair. She scrunched her nose up at the fact that she was wearing that had touched thousands of peoples' before her's. She didn't like the idea of sharing with strangers very much, especially when things like head lice exist. She resisted commenting on it though, letting out a sigh and closing her eyes, listening for the Hat's mumbling.

 "𝓞h-ho! Another Petrov!" It exclaimed, causing Katya to frown a little bit. She didn't like that already she was expected to be like her brothers, but whatever. "You have lots of wisdom within you.. but also a large amount of ambition, and cunning.." It trailed off, and Katerina opened her amber eyes and lifted her gaze to look up to the Sorting Hat, furrowing her eyebrows together. She didn't want to make a comment on anything, afraid to slip up on something, or wreck the process and get stuck in that overly-happy yellow house. Or that rambunctious red one. It seemed like the Hat had read her thoughts though.

 "𝓝ot a fan of Hufflepuff or Gryffindor, are you?" The Sorting Hat chuckled, and Katya could picture the smirk on it's weird, magical face. "Though you are dedicated to your studies, it ought to be.. SLYTHERIN!" The Great Hall erupted in cheers from the Slytherin table, and claps from the rest. With a grin, Katya waited for the Hat to be taken off her head before standing up, smoothing out her hair, and walking to her new table.

Benjamin Hicks felt a lump in his throat. He somehow didn't consider this part of the ceremony until now. He was about to have a hat tell him where he was going to have to stay for the next seven years of his life. Before now, he had hardly thought about which house he wanted to be placed in. His father graduated as a Hufflepuff and his mother as a Ravenclaw. He'd had a sit-down conversation with them before heading to the Hogwarts. They told him that they would be proud of any house he got sorted into, and that wherever the hats decision, they would love him all the same. He was not worried about their approval as much anymore as he stood in the huge hall surrounded by so many eyes.

He picked at the nail on his thumb with his index finger. It felt like hours had gone by since the ceremony had begone. Student after student had gone by him. He had watched all of them place the hat on their head, then the hat would send them to their new friends. He wondered if you would be accepted in his new home? would they like him? What if he stood out of the crowd? The last thing Benjamin wanted to be was the center of attention in any setting.

Benjamin Hicks

He almost jumped backwards. He was so lost in his own thought that he forgot the proceeding where still happening. Once he realized his name was called, he promptly shuffled his way to the front of the crowd. As he passed he heard whispers, though couldn't quite understand what they were saying. He didn't care at this moment. He stepped up onto the small stage and turned to face the crowd. At this point the crowd of first years had thinned out but there were still too many eyes for comfort for Benjamin. He then placed the sorting hat on his head.

Ahh... Another one of you Hicks. I assume you are the little brother? Your older sister and brother were very easy to sort with such distinctive personalities and goals, but you, very difficult. Your quiet and cunning allure pushes me towards Slytherin but I don't see you fitting in well there. I see a great courage in you that you conceal from others, though you can't hid it from me boy.

The hat paused for a moment, only making the odd grunting noise...

GRYFFINDOR!

The hat was removed from Benjamin's head and he was quickly prompted toward the table adorned in red. While walking towards open arms and clapping hands, a brief smile ran across Benjamin's face. He was welcomed to the table surrounded by smiles and laughter. Though he couldn't see the courage in himself yet, the sorting hat hadn't been wrong yet. He felt great about himself for the first time in a long time.

Karley stood to the side with the rest of the newcomers. She felt like she stood out too much but she didn't know why. Her palms sweaty so she hid them by folding her arms, her head held high. Was she nervous? Hundreds of eyes seemed to watch her from all directions. Usually she didn't care about this but... it was wizards and witches watching her, not everyday citizens of London who did everyday things like go to office jobs, go grocery shopping, and go home. These people around her knew magic, something she didn't thing was real until the letter from Hogwarts came to her. At first she thought it was a silly joke from some unknown person or maybe even a friend, who knew these days, but the fact that an owl had flown into Karley's house with a clear goal and the fact she was even here made it clear that the hidden world of magic was quite real.

She was now at the front of the line. When had that happened? She wiped her hands on her robe and chewed on the inside of her cheek. The Sorting Hat looked like a decayed scrap of leather shaped into headgear by a half-life janitor, but that didn't stop everyone who placed it on their head from having a worried look on their face. There were four Houses you could be put in. To be honest, Karley didn't care which she would be put in, she'd just make sure that she did her best to represent whichever she was affiliated with as best as she could.

Suddenly it was her turn to go underneath. She sucked in her breath softly and smiled to herself, eyebrows scrunched together to clear her thoughts so the Hat could see her mind more clearly, or whatever it did. 

"Hm," it croaked, scratching her ear with it's fabric. She held back a sneeze, which made her eyes water a little. The Hat chuckled. "Nothing I haven't seen before in a Muggle-Born...clueless, curious, worry..." It rambled on about things it noticed about her, mostly making fun of her naivety. She gripped the sides of her chair, but just out of growing impatience. "Oh, are you in a hurry to go somewhere? Well then, I guess that I should get on with it, young First-Year... Let's see...oh no, not Hufflepuff, of course. I fear that you're not the most patient person...or loyal... Maybe Gryffindor? You are daring and brave...what's this I see?"

Karley grabbed a fistful of robe. "Can you hurry up?" she hissed through clenched teeth. She felt like she'd been up forever. She was starting to lose feeling in her bottom. The Sorting Hat made a haughty sound and then went back to thinking. "It seems like you're clever... maybe Slytherin? That'd actually be very good for you. And resourceful as well! But no, I think I'll just place you in Ravenclaw. Maybe you'll learn something about patience over there from your comrades."

The Sorting Hat took a deep breath, or whatever hats took, and cried out in a shrill voice:

RAVENCLAW!!!

Karley grinned with the roar of polite cheers from her new House table. She couldn't help but grin as she waddled over there, her head held high. She was welcomed by the smiling faces but she was weary of the deceiving ones coming from the Slytherin table. Did she see a grimacing Gryffindor? Suddenly she remembered that she was a Muggle-Born. But how would they know? She hadn't told anyone. Did she have some Muggle stench or something? That made her think about what it would look like showering. Would it be stall-less?

She quickly sat down, avoiding eye contact. Some people greeted her but she made sure not to carry a conversation with anyone. Karley didn't think discrimination for background would be here but it sure felt like it. She lay her hands in her lap listened to the rest of the Sortings. She made sure to look at the professors as well. She didn't even know her schedule but the books she had bought before she attended the school gave her a clue. These magical-folk sure had strange names, but she let that thought go. She just hoped that her time here would be great and full of adventures.