Closed The Sorting ceremony 2018-2019

And the great day had finally come! The little redheaded girl had big and dreamy eyes. Her older brother, Julian, was already in the great hall on Hufflepuff table. He was in his fifth year and was much compared to their father who was also a Hufflepuff. Marianne somehow wanted to do something to be proud of her father, but her personality was much more closer to her mother than she wanted to admit.

The clusters of new students whispered among themselves and this made her more and more anxious - and nervous - about the sorting cerimony. It was very cold outside and she adjusted her gloves better in her hands while a very nice man greeted them all at the entrance to the castle. She stared at him and wondered what house he would have been. She looked around and tried to guess which house they would all go to as well. Where was she going to be selected? Does Hufflepuff as her father and old brother?

She found the great hall incredible with its four huge tables, the "sky" bewitched with floating candles, the beautiful decor, and all those curious veteran wizards and witches whose looks made her a little shy. She tucked the huge hat over her head and lowered her face, leaving that position only when her surname was clearly pronounced. She stepped to the small stool and sat down with difficulty for being too short for a child of her age. When the sorting hat was placed over her head, she was grateful to be big enough to cover her eyes or she would end up dying with shame.

"Hmm... Another Brito. Where would you fit, where would you fit best... I see a huge desire to prove worthy of pride tied to a huge ambition. You could do that on Slytherin, my young child. Oh? Do not you like being compared to your mother? Why, Miss Brito, why not? She's a great witch! A professional Quidditch player! It's your dream, is not it? But... You would not go that far for that. Your ambition has limits. Very clear boundaries. Not even that would fit into Hufflepuff, either. "

The little redhead clasped her hands in her lap and bit her lower lip, nodding. "I want to be a great Quidditch player one day! Slytherin does not look bad..." Even if it was not expected, from the beginning she knew deep down she did not have all the qualities of someone from Hufflepuff. Your personality was too genius to be a badger, so...

"Right, my final choice is SLYTHERIN!"

... It would be a snake. The most misunderstood animal in nature and judged by appearance. As she stepped down from the stool, the Slytherin's table applauded and her brother, to her surprise, was also applauding. With a beautiful smile on her lips, Marianne ran to join her new home, where everyone there would also be her family.

The black-haired boy stood somewhat behind everyone else, seemingly watching the proceedings with a level of disinterest. Truth be told, Xander did not have this much experience being in such a... rambunctious setting, preferring the quiet halls of his family's estate back in Wales. Still, there was a certain charm here (pardon the pun), and like those powerful and impressive wizards and witches from the past, he waited to be sorted according to the desires of his heart. Apparently.

He clapped the last two individuals - a red haired girl and a blonde boy - both sorted into Slytherin. His mother would be proud of those two, after all 'Slytherin was the house of champions' she used to intone. It was rather annoying really... Slytherin tended to have all the 'bad' wizards and witches as could be seen from the last war, and his mothers name, LeStrange, now carried a certain connotation that automatically put him into the 'not to be trusted' category.

No - Xander hoped to be in Ravenclaw, just like his uncle. The smart ones.

He almost missed the fact that his name had been called. Blinking as if coming out of a trance he dutifully walked up to the stool, sitting down and looking over the rest of the school with an impassive look. He felt the sorting hat rest on his head, his immediate thought turning to whether someone had nits and that they would spread.

"Ah a Wallowson. And some LeStrange in there." the hat intoned throughout the hall, causing a measure of tittering at the mention of the disgraced house.

Gee thanks. Just let everyone know, Xander thought, his normally blank face showing a hint of annoyance. His mother was a LeStrange, but had nothing to do with her great Aunt's actions during the war so long ago - in fact she was a doctor at St. Mungo's, but that didn't seem to matter to the mob.

Ashamed are we of the past? Well, the past stays there to remind us of the fact that we can change the future. The strange hat had a point, but did it have to be so public...

A series of questions followed, the answers seemingly drawn out of the deeper parts of Xander's consciousness. He tried to answer the way a Ravenclaw would have, but the answers came out differently...

He had courage, he had brains, he was ambitious, he was... well, lets say he wasn't a Hufflepuff. The hat seemed to stall for a while, mulling over the answers, before the moment of truth arrived.

'SLYTHERIN!'

Part of Xander flipped in his stomach. His mother would be proud, but he now knew that a more difficult world had just been opened to him, one where expectations were high, and competition was higher. He stood, looking over at the table of green-lined robes who now clapped his arrival, less enthusiastically as they had the previous two who seemed excited at the hat's choice.

The boy would wordlessly join those at the table, his thoughts his own.

The doors to the great hall opened, revealing hundreds of other students sitting at their House tables, waiting to see how would join their ranks and be a part of their family. Aylee looked around nervously and tried to avoid any eye contact with the older students while she and the rest of the first years skimmed across the hall to the sorting hat that was waiting for them. Aylee stared at the worn down hat that was sat on a stool and knew that her entire future would be determined in which house the Hat put her into. Aylee knew her parents wanted her to be sorted into Ravenclaw like their entire family. The Silverstorms went back generations and each and every one of them had been in Ravenclaw house. Her family was pretty succesfull and wealthy as they all birthed Lawyers and high ranking Ministry officers. Aylee however did not care for wealth. She cared for knowledge and the chance to learn as much as she could in the next 7 years.

Names were called and the other newcomers stepped up to the hat one by one, being sorted into either Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. By the time it was het turn, the row of newcomers had reduced to a mere 5 of them and Aylee's fiery red hair was the center of attention as her name was called. She swallowed and walked up to the Hat that didn't leave her sight. Sitting down when the Headmaster picked the hat up so she could sit down on the stool, and holding her breath when he put the hat on her head.

"Another young Silverstorm. I remember when your brother was sorted here. He wanted to be chosen for Ravenclaw so badly..." the hat said in her ear and she shivered "But you don't really care which house you get sorted into as long as you can learn and gain knowledge..interesting. Aylee kept holding her breath, she felt all eyes in the Great Hall on her as everyone waiting for the hat to make a decision. "A very Ravenclaw trait I must say. You're creativity and wit also befits a Proud Eagle and you would do very well in this noble house." Her heart was pounding in her chest so hard she was afraid that everyone could hear it and it might leap out of her chest if the hat didn't shout out her House soon. "You will achieve a great many things, maybe not necessarily in the same capacity as your family but you will achieve greatness...inRAVENCLAW" Aylee let go of her breath and hopped off the stool. She put the hat back and quickly rushed to the table where everyone was cheering and clapping for her.

Sitting down she smiled brightly at everyone who welcomed her and immediatly felt at ease. She knew a lot about Ravenclaw already and even though she had not cared in which house she would be placed in she was glad it was the same one as her family had been in for centuries. It already felt like home and she was sure she would make a lot of friends here who understood her curious nature and need for knowledge.

Brianna stood amongst the witches and wizards surrounding her, lacing and unlacing her fingers as she looked up at the headmaster waiting for them at the top of the steps. Being one of the smaller first years, she was able to slip past the taller students and head to the front. She certainly didn't intend on standing at the very beginning of the crowd, however, where the headmaster could see her. As he spoke in the introduction, she adverted her sea green eyes, fingers combing down her messily done curls that had developed in her red hair from being in a braid on the train for so long. Each time his blue eyes would cast over in the general direction of the group she stood in, he might have caught a sort of wonder in the young witch's face that was usually present of one who hadn't grown up around much magic. Her older brother, who had graduated roughly a year before she attended, spoke highly of the young headmaster. She mouthed his name to herself once or twice, recommitting it to memory. She wondered if there were cards of him in the backs of chocolate frogs yet...

A smile would tug at the corner of her lips every so often, blissfully aloof of the struggles she may encounter and sincerely thrilled to be there. The ginger paid no mind to the confused glances she received when she gave a broad grin at the mention of the sorting and the call of every student up to the platform to be judged under the hat. Her father raised her on stories of her mother, a pureblood of unknown location. She had been told of how precious she was to her family of two numerous times but also reminded of the high price it took to have her with them. She treated her gift of magic with the very same care– something like the way you would treat a pearl.

Regardless of allegiance to a house, Brianna clapped enthusiastically for each and every student sorted, sure enough catching attention amongst the crowd. At the sound of her name with the usual mispronunciation of her last, the girl glanced around for a moment before jumping slightly. As realization dawned on her, her cheeks flushed a bright red, almost causing her freckles to blend into her skin. She took a shaky breath and smiled nervously, flinching some at the sound of her flats catching on each other as she stumbled some on her way to the stand. The girl gracelessly smoothed down her skirt, pausing in front of Headmaster Akerley and dipping her head politely with a soft h-hello, before taking a bit of an awkward seat.

She squeezed her eyes shut as the deep brown hat was placed on her head, peeking one open to glance at the four tables, first years, and then finally to the edge of the sorting hat a bit anxiously. "Well? Where do I belong?" she whispered, fingers grasping the fabric of her robes which were just a bit large on her due to a last minute fitting as she leaned forward slightly in anticipation.

"Let's see now... a good mind... quick thinking– I ought to place you where the wise find their kind. On second thought, I see an amount bravery and chivalry that is familiar to me... quite the nerve, haven't you, girl? Without a doubt..."

"GRYFFINDOR!"

At the loud declaration, Brianna almost tipped backward off the stool, though quickly steadied herself with a foot on the ground and a hand on the hat to keep it from falling until it was plucked from her head. She looked up at the uproar of cheers from the Gryffindor table, a smile sweet and warm enough to bake an apple pie coming to her lips as she hopped off the stool and straightened it. She flashed the headmaster and the sorting hat one last smile before she started down the steps to her house table.

The Great Hall was breathtaking.

Flickers of the dancing candles above the children's heads reminded Helen strikingly of stars glittering in the night. Reflections of light bounced off of golden plates, blinding her momentarily. The long, graceful dining tables captured the castle's ancient history perfectly. She had to admit -- if she had to move away from home, Hogwarts was the place to go. It wasn't until the first years were lined up (for the slaughter, her mind whispered maliciously) in front of the rest of the student body and her future professors that her heart began to pound loudly in her chest.

Shifting her feet nervously, Helen stared down at her fumbling hands as she attempted to lace her fingers together. Her name was far too close to the top of the list. "Eldridge, Helen." She was shaking so badly that she feared she would trip on her way up to the stool as she forced herself to present herself in front of the entire school. Finally, she reached the stool, and she watched as a thousand eyes disappeared from her sight when the hat fell over her head.

"My, my, what's this? There's no need to be so nervous." Helen almost jumped off the stool when a tiny voice softly murmured in her ear. "You're very used to getting your way, aren't you?" The Sorting Hat chuckled. "Well, there's no doubt you've got intelligence in there; bravery, perhaps not in the most obvious sense...no, no, Gryffindor certainly isn't for you, I can tell. You're clever and you're quick to let others know it, but you're not fond of learning so much, are you? It's a bit obvious to me, then, that you belong in SLYTHERIN."

Relief flooded Helen as she scrambled to the Slytherin table, glad that the worst part was over. Her hands were still shaking as she sat down, her racing heart slowing as an older student in her new House smiled reassuringly at her. Hesitantly smiling back, Helen lifted her eyes to examine the people she would spend the next seven years with. Her body relaxed as the ceremony began to come close to the end, and she smothered her smile at the thought of the new memories she would make. She was sure it would be the start of a memorable year.

The boy's stomach had been twisted in knots caused by his anxiety as well as his excitement. Jonathan had been confused at how one could be both, but his father was the one that explained it best and let him know that it was completely normal. That someone like his father could feel that way had calmed him down usually, but at the moment, he believed he'd rather be in a plane up in the sky rather than ready to step in front of over a thousand students to be judged. While he knew that it wasn't like a trial, he was being judged to determine where he'd fit in best. That was the cause of his anxiety. Not one to try and be the center of attention, Jonathan was just happy to be in the background listening. Even when his grandmother or the other people from the village would focus on him when they started to tell him stories back home, their gazes would stray and turn inwards as they recalled the memories, if it was a true story.

While he was with the others of his age group, he felt a bit of peace. He would undoubtedly when the night was over, be so emotionally wrung that he would fall out as soon as his head hit the pillow despite being in a strange place. All day his emotions had warred the predominate two being nervousness and excitement. It was as if everything was triggered to overload his senses, from the boat ride to standing here in the Great Hall. Everything was incredible and he knew that there weren't enough adequate words to try and describe how exactly he felt or the sights he'd seen. Words couldn't do the hall justice.

Puffing out his cheeks, Jonathan let out a breath and gave a startled twitch when he realized that they were down to the K's and he was up. Giving a sickly smile, he knew he shouldn't be as nervous as he was. Loads of kids before him for many, many, many years had gone before him and hadn't been scarred for the experience. Maybe he should have dipped his hand in the lake to use the water to try and style his hair...first impressions and everything. 'Well, here goes everything,' he thought to himself as he tried to not come across as nervous as he was. Unknown to the boy he looked as if he was going to be sick.

Once he'd sat on the stool, he'd locked his feet around the legs and kept his gaze on the hat until it descended and rested atop his heat. Not used to having a voice in his head aside from his own, Jonathan naturally startled and grimaced when his leg jerked and he smacked the top of his foot against the leg of the stool. The hat laughed at him! Slouching a little he listened as it debated where to put him, grateful that it he was the only recipient of the hat's monologue. It considered him for Hufflepuff before stating something about 'iron' and then screamed out Gryffindor for everyone to hear.

It was a relief when the hat came off and Jonathan felt he could breathe easier. Who knew that from learning about wizard school and the houses to actually being sorted, he'd felt as if he was weighted down? Grinning, he unlocked his feet and slid off the stool to quick walk to his table, another name already being called.

The Great Hall was just as his father and mother had described with a vast high ceiling that showed the weather, a large assortment of floating candles, long wooden tables filled with students of all years, and at the far end the table row of Professors. The group of new students moved as a mass of wide eyes and gawking glances, save for the odd few who knew what to expect. Either way, the entrance to the hall was a sight to behold.

Moreland was dressed in the Hogwarts uniform that consisted of a black robe, tie and pants, as well as a gray sweater over a white shirt. Everything about the boy was pristine, from his shined shoes to his perfectly tied tie, not a thing was out of place. There were standards to uphold and Moreland had been told that first impressions were often the most important, and considering his parents were heavily involved in Wizarding social circles, it came as no surprise that similar focus had been passed to their son.

'I wonder, will I follow in my father's footsteps or be something different?' Moreland thought to himself, smiling as he glanced across the tables.

Really though there was little doubt. Moreland was a Harceler, raised to be every bit that name implied, and there was no reason to suspect he would be anything but the House of his father. The waiting was the most agitating thing and it took a lot of patience and self-control to not push through to the front of the students, even if some of them looked like they would appreciate the chance to put off the sorting ceremony.

"Moreland Harceler!"

The old hat called the boy's name. Without hesitation, Moreland stalked up to the chair, turned and sat down. The Professor that held the hat waited a moment for him to get comfortable, but really there wasn't much point. The hat was lowered, the worn leathery material barely touching Moreland's blonde hair, before it spoke.

"Ah, just like most of the others in your family, it seems," The hat mumbled, the wrinkles giving it a frown. "No point delaying: Slytherin!"

Without a word Moreland stood and walked over to the cheering Slytherin table. He nodded and smiled, accepting the back slaps and handshakes from the students in green-hemmed robes, before the boy sat down in a spare seat and sighed. That was a relief, at least Moreland hadn't been put into a pathetic House like Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Ravenclaw might have been acceptable, like his mother, but Slytherin was the ideal, just like his father and his father's father.

"Welcome to Slytherin, Harceler."

Moreland turned to look at the older student that spoke to him, offering a smirk.

"Thank you. It's nice to be home."

Rekka was absolutely amazed at the great hall. Her mother was a witch, yes, but she didn't know about the secret world of Scotland until several months ago, on her birthday when she recieved her letter. Now, seeing the floating candles, the bright colors, and the ancient castle filled with the echoes of laughter and chatter, she shivered in her boots. She was far from cold, but was still plenty nervous. Gryffindor table seemed to be filled with loud, talkative kids of all sorts, whereas the golden Hufflepuff table was warm and inviting. Even so, the Slytherin table seemed to be a little more closed off to the other tables, but they were still together, albeit with less laughter coming from their direction. The last table that Rekka drew her attention to was a long table filled with students wearing beautiful blue and bronze robes. several had books or quills, and all seemed to be a little quieter than the rest, but there was still an aire of peaceful and comfort coming from every member. The song had said that Ravenclaws were smart, and she remembered her mom saying that's what her house was. Her stepfather was a Gryffindor, house of valor, and the Hufflepuffs were moral and accepting. Slytherins were more shifty folk who would do anything to put themselves on a pedestal. She wondered if Karma treated them differently than others. They sounded awful.

As she heard her name being called, she shook. Tripping over her too-long cloak ("So you can grow into it!" her mother had claimed), she felt her face turn red. She just wanted to get her blue tie and go.
As she approached the tall stool, she noticed the girl before her sitting in the green table. May the universe guide her away from their unholy practices.
She sneezed as dust fell on her head. How old was this hat, anyways?
"Ah, Miss Snyder. I thought I would see you here soon enough." The creaky voice seemed to be coming from inside her own head.
"It's Ray-Snyder. I'll just take Ravenclaw and go now," she mumbled, shifting in her seat. The hat was so big, it fell over her eyes, but she could feel the other first-years behind her, staring at her expectantly.
"Oh, really? What makes you so sure of Ravenclaw?"
"Aren't you a magical hat? Just look into my head and see."
"Ah, a smart mouth on this one!" The hat paused a moment more. "Your mother, eh? I can see the resemblance. Keeping a family line strong is important, after all, isn't it?" Rekka gasped as the memory of her father and mother, before their divorce, sprung to her mind.
"Get out of my head. I'll show you what it really means to be a Ravenclaw." She was shaking, and there was a lump in her throat, but she felt the hat go quiet.
"That was all I needed, my dear."
Finally, Rekka thought. a wave of relief came crashing down over her. Now I can finally be like mo--
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat cried aloud.
Rekka's face fell. She wasn't a bad person! She didn't eat meat, listened to her parents, and listened to her muggle teachers when they asked her to do something! She knew it had to be Karma for not following maitrī, the virtue of good will. Now, in order to repay her violation, she would have to live with these terrifying people for seven years.
She dragged her feet over to the green table on the end, pulling the hood of her cloak up over her face. Holding up her dress robes to avoid tripping, she slumped into one of the empty spots towards the middle of the table.

Devina followed the rest of the first years through the grand doors of the Great Hall. She stood patiently with her hands clasped behind her back, rocking on her heel and looking as each first year was sorted. This was one of the most important moments of her life. Devina comes from a long line of Slytherins and was expecting to also be one. She had to be one. How could she not? She tried to stay calm and collected while waiting.

She looked around the room. Hundreds of students, new and old. Lit candles floating overhead, illuminating the room. Portraits lining the walls. Ahead of her stood the Deputy Headmaster next to the sorting hat, holding the list of names. She watched as the short, blonde boy was being sorted.

"RAVENCLAW" yelled out the hat. The whole room all clapped for the young boy. The Deputy Headmaster removed the hat from his head as he jumped up with joy and ran over to the group of other Ravenclaws. The cheering then lowered to allow the next name to be heard.

Devina hoped it was her that was going to be called next. She hated being the last person to go. Going last meant waiting longer, and waiting longer meant more anxiety. She focused her eyes on the list in the Deputy Headmaster's hands. The Deputy Headmaster stared at the list, carefully studying it over before slowly raising their head. "Devina Spence!" Devina's eyes widened. Yes! This was the moment she had been waiting for. Now it is just a matter of getting into the right house.

Devina walked toward the old sorting hat, holding up her black robes as to not trip. She gave a slight smile to the Deputy Headmaster and took a seat on the stool in front of everyone. She was very anxious and quite honestly, scared. The Deputy Headmaster slipped the old, brown leather hat onto Devina's silky red hair.

"Ahh, let us see, Miss Devina Spence." the sorting hat said. "A beautiful Pure-Blood." She blushed and a single bead of sweat ran down the side of her face. "Hahaha. Don' t be nervous. I assure you, I know exactly the perfect house for you! And that house is..."

Devina crossed her fingers and smiled widely, waiting for an answer.

"SLYTHERIN!" roared the old hat.

Before the entire name could even be said, Devina jumped up full of excitement. She knew it! The exact house that her family had all been a part of! The entire room of students stood clapping and cheering for the new Slytherin. The hat was removed from Devina's head. She looked in the direction of a group of fellow Snakes. The waved for her to join them at the table. Still very excited, Devina took off in their direction. She sat at the end of the long table, between a girl with long, platinum blonde hair, and an older boy with short brown hair. She introduced her self to everyone around her and gave them a warm smile before turning to face the next student being sorted.