17 Mar 2023, 20:59
Sorting Ceremony
"Vaylen, Avorra." Hearing her name perked her ears. The sorting ceremony had been a long one, and with her last name beginning with a V, she was near the bottom of the extensive list. Yet somehow, despite the immense anticipation, she still found herself surprised. As Avorra stood up, she found herself anxious. Her father, and his father before him, had been sorted as Slytherins. Most of her fathers lineage had been Slytherins, in fact. Her great-grandfather, however, was an avid Gryffindor, perhaps one of the only ones to break the family tradition. If she had her preference, it was certainly Slytherin. Having read up on the great houses previously, the Slytherin house fit her perfectly so - at least, so she thought.
The walk to the seat felt like the longest walk in her life. Surely she had made it in only a brief few seconds? Next thing she knew, she was sitting down, and a large hat had been placed on her head.
"Oh. Well, you are certainly an... interesting one." A soothing, somewhat hoarse voice crept through her skull.
"You can talk?!" Avorra spoke through her thoughts.
"Why, of course I can talk! Can't you?" The hat answered her.
"Depends on who's talking, to be fair." She communicated with a snarky tone.
"Ah, sass. A trait from your father, no doubt."
"You knew my father?"
"I've sorted many fathers, my dear." The hat began humming away inside her head, with a sense of uncertainty. "I've sorted many like you, and yet, you are most peculiar."
Avorra listened to the hat hum back and forth inside her mind. How much time had passed? Why was this taking so long? Surely the answer was obvious.
"Patience, young one." The hat spoke in her mind once more. "You are certainly ambitious, your wants clear. You have the wits of a preying cat, the cunning of a slippery snake. You are committed to taking what you want, when you want it. The thoughts in your mind clearly shout Slytherin."
Avorra's excitement could hardly be contained at the hat's coming conclusion.
"And yet, I sense..." The hat paused for dramatic effect. A long moment of silence followed. "Beneath your mind, your thoughts, lies your heart that speaks a buried truth. It speaks of bravery, of devotion. Of courage, of strength. Beneath your ambition, lies fearlessness. Beneath your cunning, lies determination."
"Surely you don't mean..?" Avorra's thoughts trailed off, as the hat interrupted her with the loudest shout she'd ever heard.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The walk to the seat felt like the longest walk in her life. Surely she had made it in only a brief few seconds? Next thing she knew, she was sitting down, and a large hat had been placed on her head.
"Oh. Well, you are certainly an... interesting one." A soothing, somewhat hoarse voice crept through her skull.
"You can talk?!" Avorra spoke through her thoughts.
"Why, of course I can talk! Can't you?" The hat answered her.
"Depends on who's talking, to be fair." She communicated with a snarky tone.
"Ah, sass. A trait from your father, no doubt."
"You knew my father?"
"I've sorted many fathers, my dear." The hat began humming away inside her head, with a sense of uncertainty. "I've sorted many like you, and yet, you are most peculiar."
Avorra listened to the hat hum back and forth inside her mind. How much time had passed? Why was this taking so long? Surely the answer was obvious.
"Patience, young one." The hat spoke in her mind once more. "You are certainly ambitious, your wants clear. You have the wits of a preying cat, the cunning of a slippery snake. You are committed to taking what you want, when you want it. The thoughts in your mind clearly shout Slytherin."
Avorra's excitement could hardly be contained at the hat's coming conclusion.
"And yet, I sense..." The hat paused for dramatic effect. A long moment of silence followed. "Beneath your mind, your thoughts, lies your heart that speaks a buried truth. It speaks of bravery, of devotion. Of courage, of strength. Beneath your ambition, lies fearlessness. Beneath your cunning, lies determination."
"Surely you don't mean..?" Avorra's thoughts trailed off, as the hat interrupted her with the loudest shout she'd ever heard.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Word Count: 418 words
Avorra Vaylen | Stamina: 3 | Evasion: 8 | Strength: 1 | Wisdom: 10 | Arcane Power: 5 | Accuracy: 3 |
17 Mar 2023, 22:31
Sorting Ceremony
Ember walked slowly into the great hall behind the other first years. She was nervous, her legs shaking as she looked around. She caught a glance upwards and was stuck as she glanced up at what appeared to be the bare sky instead of a roof above them, a shooting star passing right overhead. She looked around the great hall taking in all its beauty until eventually all the students got to the front of the room. Nervousness filled her once again as the professor in front of them explained how the sorting ceremony would go. She couldn't help her shaking as names were called until they got to the K's.
" Kirkpatrick, Ember.
She slowly walked up to the front, knees shaking as she sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her head. She heard the voice filling her head and wondered if the rest of the people in the hall could hear it.
" Ah what do we have here? A caring soul, but also some bravery is hidden within you. But where to put you?
She couldn't understand why it said bravery. She was the farthest thing from it. After what seemed like an eternity the hat finally shouted out "HUFFLEPUFF"
She couldn't seem to get off that stool fast enough but slowed down as she made her way to her house table. She kept her head down, trying her best to keep to her self and calm her shaken nerves as the entire hall exploded into applause, most from the Hufflepuff table.
" Kirkpatrick, Ember.
She slowly walked up to the front, knees shaking as she sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her head. She heard the voice filling her head and wondered if the rest of the people in the hall could hear it.
" Ah what do we have here? A caring soul, but also some bravery is hidden within you. But where to put you?
She couldn't understand why it said bravery. She was the farthest thing from it. After what seemed like an eternity the hat finally shouted out "HUFFLEPUFF"
She couldn't seem to get off that stool fast enough but slowed down as she made her way to her house table. She kept her head down, trying her best to keep to her self and calm her shaken nerves as the entire hall exploded into applause, most from the Hufflepuff table.
Ember Kirkpatrick
19 Mar 2023, 01:08
Sorting Ceremony
Nora shuffled quickly into the great hall, followed by the other first years. Anxiety bubbled in her throat, but no matter how anxious she was, it didn't stop her from taking in every detail. From the fake evening sky above to the floating candles, even Hogwarts: A History hadn't prepared her for how surreal the room was. Nora noticed some of the other students were also glancing around, but most were either chatting nervously with each other or too tense in anticipation of the sorting to even speak.
When the headmaster started speaking, the whole hall hushed in anticipation. The teachers were introduced (though Nora couldn't see any of them rather well), and then the sorting hat begun his song. Surprisingly, none of the older students in the hall joined it, even though it was clear that they'd heard the song several times before. Instead, they remained in respectful silence until the first name was called.
Every time another student was sorted, the bated breath that filled the room was briefly replaced with cheers and hollers from the respective house. Nora, however, paid little attention to it all. Instead, her eyes were fixed on one of the portraits that was still visible through the hallway door. It seemed to be juggling pears, and was a welcome distraction from the anxiety of being sorted.
Finally, "De Carie, Nora!" was called, and Nora quickly ran her fingures through her hair before hurrying up and taking a seat under the hat.
It made a little noise before whispering, "Hmm... Very resourceful, indeed. And creative, though I suppose the two go hand in hand..."
"Hurry up!" Nora hissed, her knee twitching. She wasn't very good in situations like this and realised that wasn't at all fair for the hat. "Sorry."
"Would make a fine Ravenclaw, no doubt, with all you've got up there, but it seems like you'd rather take the easy way up rather than the honest one, eh?" the hat murmured, "Certainly not Hufflepuff, then, perhaps Gryffindor?"
Nora glanced behind her, before whispering, "How long does this normally take?"
Without responding, the hat continued on its tangent, "No, no, not Gryffindor. Hmm, I suppose... Oh, very well then, better be SLYTHERIN!"
Continued at Slytherin Table...
Last edited by Nora De Carie on 4 Apr 2023, 02:35, edited 5 times in total.
22 Mar 2023, 19:12
Sorting Ceremony
Petrified, Ella stood in line with the other first years, a feeling of nausea sweeping over her. What if I fail? She thought. What if the Sorting Hat just sits on my head and doesn't utter a word and then everyone laughs and the a professor tells me to take one's leave and then -. She slowed and calmed her mind, assuring herself there must be plenty other muggleborns.
As the other first years were sorted she fidgeted with her hair, and as Daphene Smith was sorted into Hufflepuff, she took a deep breath. She tried to ignore the feeling of everone's eyes on her, and walked foward when her name was called, "Slateraz, Ella".
"Well, well, well, Ms. Slateraz, I sense a ambition and desire to prove yourself, is that right? Yes. I sense kindness and loyalty as well. A bit of bravery too. I mostly see intelligence, wisdom, creativity, and wit. Hmmmmm. Well then, it better be… RAVENCLAW![/i]
Applause errupted from the Ravenclaw table as Ella happily handed the hat off and practically skipped to the table. She was flushed with happiness. All was well.
As the other first years were sorted she fidgeted with her hair, and as Daphene Smith was sorted into Hufflepuff, she took a deep breath. She tried to ignore the feeling of everone's eyes on her, and walked foward when her name was called, "Slateraz, Ella".
"Well, well, well, Ms. Slateraz, I sense a ambition and desire to prove yourself, is that right? Yes. I sense kindness and loyalty as well. A bit of bravery too. I mostly see intelligence, wisdom, creativity, and wit. Hmmmmm. Well then, it better be… RAVENCLAW![/i]
Applause errupted from the Ravenclaw table as Ella happily handed the hat off and practically skipped to the table. She was flushed with happiness. All was well.
27 Mar 2023, 17:15
Sorting Ceremony
ENOLA JOHNSON
eleven years old
first year
eleven years old
first year
Enola had never been this much excited before. She had read everything that she had found before coming, and everything looked incredible. She looked at everything with shocked eyes and couldn’t stop smiling. Every students looked more interesting than the muggles and she was so impatient to begin the year. She arrived in a room, following the other students. A man, probably the headmaster but Enola wasn’t sure, was welcoming them.
When she put her foot on the ground, Enola just smiled. This place was amazing and everything looked and felt magic. The girl have never felt that before and was just so glad to be there. She moved forward and stared at the older students, who all looked like they belonged here. Enola just wanted to be part of them, to be part of this school.
The headmaster made a speech that she didn't listen, too excited, and then a hat began to sing. A hat began to sing. The witch couldn't believe it. In her world, the hat didn't sing. It wasn't possible. Her smile grew up at this moment, like never it had done before. This was just perfect.
After hearing the hat's song, Enola was sure to become a Gryffindor girl. She didn't know this houses meant, but there was no doubt possible. It will be her house, her family for the rest of her life. Maybe she didn't know anything about this world, but she belonged here as much as the others. She was a witch. And she was gonna prove it to everyone else. In Gryffindor.
Suddenly, the students began to be called and Enola began to be anxious. She had never been anxious in her whole life. It couldn't be possible. But seeing the others students laugh, smile and go to their house's table, it was really scary. She suddenly was afraid to go in another house and to not find her place. She just wanted to be happy, make friends, go to class and be bored. She wanted to have the perfect childhood.
Lost in her mind, she barely saw the others students. And then, it was already her turn to go in front of everyone. She loved being the center of the attention, but she was too anxious. Slowly, she went and put the hat on her head. She hadn't totally put it on her head when it screamed "Gryffindor !".
Amazing. It was just amazing. She felt suddenly relieved and stood up in front of the others, proud. She was so happy. Without waiting any seconds, she went to her table and sat next to the others. Now, it was time to make her first friends !
29 Mar 2023, 20:20
Sorting Ceremony
DATE ┊ September 1, 2022 | 18:00---"Quiet the mind and the Soul will speak,"
-----Her heart was pounding in her ears as the pupils were led through the grounds. It had been a long day of anticipation, with many restless nights spent daydreaming about the voyage ahead of her. The castle was far more lovely than Caoimhe could have imagined; her parents and brothers had all sought, but failed, to express Hogwarts' grandeur via their words. No amount of words or portraits could adequately express the splendor of Hogwarts' castle.
The same would happen in the Great Hall; she had heard stories of how the ceiling appeared like the evening sky. Her gaze would travel along the long feast tables and up to the vast house tapestries that hung from the clouds, which was itself illuminated with countless hovering candles. Ghosts would float around the room aimlessly, occasionally addressing the students below. That was a sight to behold, leaving Caoimhe in awe, whirling her head around to ensure she didn't miss anything.
Peering at the Heads of House seated at the table, she reflected on what it must have required to bring them there. It flickered across her mind how powerful they had to be, and she thought of Headmaster Lear as he began shouting out names with a deep, booming voice. Caoimhe enjoyed witnessing all the elation and clear sorrow from various students from where she was standing as the headmaster slowly worked his way through the alphabetical sequence. Caoimhe didn't have to worry where she went; there were only two possible houses for someone like Caoimhe: Hufflepuff or Gryffindor. Her immediate family was made up entirely of such people, who were recognized as having kind hearts, loyalty, and bravery.
She could feel her moment approaching after each student was sorted. Her fate was to be announced by a sentient hat, which would predetermine her future at Hogwarts. Caoimhe could feel her palms sweating and her heart racing, and it felt like it would stop and burst when her name was uttered.
"Kyle, Caoimhe."
Caoimhe wove her way out of the towering throng of students. 'Breathe,' she admonished herself as she cautiously descended the stairs and walked down the aisle between the four long tables. When she felt like all eyes were on her, she worried about the attention her surname may bring. True, her family legacy would only revolve around her brothers' father and the murder of a muggle, but Caoimhe was concerned that this would stain her legacy from the start. Yet it was a low-key trial; after all, no one should have remembered her name aside.
She perched herself on the stool and scooted so her back was upright, her legs dangling in the air, allowing some kids to snicker. The audience became silent as she stared above the crowd and then upwards as the sorting hat was lowered atop her curly brown hair.
"Another Kyle, how wonderful...You've got a history of Gryffindor alumni ahead of you," the hat said to itself, rambling mystically. "And Hufflepuffs, too, considering your family's loyalty to one another and the community."
What did any of this mean? Was she supposed to respond?
"But you're different, Miss Kyle, unlike the rest.. You're on a mission to impress.. and willing to use any means to get what you want. There's only one true place for you,"
The hat let out a short silence before bellowing, "SLYTHERIN!"
Caoimhe flinched as the hat yelled and was in a state of shock as the hat was plucked from her head; the hat had to be wrong, not even she would imagine she'd be sorted with the snakes.
Not that she didn't like the hat's choice; it was an unexpected response that might disclose portions of Caoimhe's thoughts she wasn't aware of. After hearing many tales of the common-rooms of lions and badgers, she was unequipped with any knowledge of the Slytherin house. Glancing over to the Gryffindor banquet table, she would notice her brother's beady eyes as he rose up and clapped slowly. Was it jealousy on his face? Anger? She could not decipher. But her attention was drawn back to the emerald-adorned table, where all of the kids were standing in adoration, arms spread, welcoming her into the unknown.
sta 5 • eva 9 • str 0 wis 9 • arc 5 • acc 9 | -- | " I have no issue with being called an insensitive witch, so long as I remain an efficient one, " Kee's ency | -- | Statistical Relevance | ability | ability ability | ability | ability |
30 Mar 2023, 14:58
Sorting Ceremony
As she first stepped into the Great Hall Theodora couldn't help but let out a little gasp, not only at the great amount of students waiting in the seats before her around the colourful tables but also the fantastically magical ceiling. Glittering stars and thin floating candles danced merrily above her and for a second Theodora found herself almost bewitched as she stared upward with fascination.
"Ouch- Move it."
The trance ended as another first year in line stumbled right into her back. Embarrassed, Theodora quickly mumbled her apologies and hurried forward so as to be at the same pace as the other children. On her way she thought she heard a snicker come from one of the older students at the tables. Heat rushed to her face and she looked pointedly down at her shoes. Theodora wished very much at that moment she could pull the hood of her robes up to hide her reddening face, but doing that now of all times would just make her even more noticeable.
As the Headmaster began his welcoming speech Theodora tried to focus on calming down, but as the speech went on she realized she was beginning to feel slightly sick. Nerves threatened to consume her entirely when she saw she would have to sit alone infront of the entire school with that strange hat on her head.
At this rate I'll be lucky to even be considered for Hufflepuff. Theodora thought glumly as the first students were called. She did not feel she was very smart like Ravenclaw, or goal driven like Slytherin. Indeed Theodora had trouble even imagining a loftier goal for herself than just making a single friend. And Gryffindor? It was out of the question. I'm too much of a coward... She thought bitterly. It would have to be Hufflepuff, There was nothing else for it. Theodora was sure her father would be quite dissappointed when she would inevitably have to send this news, He was a Gryffindor himself and always bragged it was the best house to be in.
More and more names were being called and sorted, panic was beginning to set in.
"Chant, Theodora!"
Feeling very faint and shakey, Theodora walked forward slowly like a prisoner to execution, and the large old hat was placed on her small head, covering her vision.
For a moment, there was only blackness. Then the voice of the hat sprung to life in her mind.
Aha! Theodora nearly jumped out of her seat. I sense a mind full of determination... yes yes... theres fierce loyalty no doubt about that, and the courage to overcome adversity... better be...
GRYFFINDOR!
Theodora couldn't believe it. With trembling hands she handed back the hat to the Headmaster and headed towards the table in red, which had erupted into enthusiastic cheering. Relief and joy washed over her in waves as she sat down amongst her new fellow house members. The hat didn't think she was useless or a coward at all... the hat put her in Gryffindor!
"Ouch- Move it."
The trance ended as another first year in line stumbled right into her back. Embarrassed, Theodora quickly mumbled her apologies and hurried forward so as to be at the same pace as the other children. On her way she thought she heard a snicker come from one of the older students at the tables. Heat rushed to her face and she looked pointedly down at her shoes. Theodora wished very much at that moment she could pull the hood of her robes up to hide her reddening face, but doing that now of all times would just make her even more noticeable.
As the Headmaster began his welcoming speech Theodora tried to focus on calming down, but as the speech went on she realized she was beginning to feel slightly sick. Nerves threatened to consume her entirely when she saw she would have to sit alone infront of the entire school with that strange hat on her head.
At this rate I'll be lucky to even be considered for Hufflepuff. Theodora thought glumly as the first students were called. She did not feel she was very smart like Ravenclaw, or goal driven like Slytherin. Indeed Theodora had trouble even imagining a loftier goal for herself than just making a single friend. And Gryffindor? It was out of the question. I'm too much of a coward... She thought bitterly. It would have to be Hufflepuff, There was nothing else for it. Theodora was sure her father would be quite dissappointed when she would inevitably have to send this news, He was a Gryffindor himself and always bragged it was the best house to be in.
More and more names were being called and sorted, panic was beginning to set in.
"Chant, Theodora!"
Feeling very faint and shakey, Theodora walked forward slowly like a prisoner to execution, and the large old hat was placed on her small head, covering her vision.
For a moment, there was only blackness. Then the voice of the hat sprung to life in her mind.
Aha! Theodora nearly jumped out of her seat. I sense a mind full of determination... yes yes... theres fierce loyalty no doubt about that, and the courage to overcome adversity... better be...
GRYFFINDOR!
Theodora couldn't believe it. With trembling hands she handed back the hat to the Headmaster and headed towards the table in red, which had erupted into enthusiastic cheering. Relief and joy washed over her in waves as she sat down amongst her new fellow house members. The hat didn't think she was useless or a coward at all... the hat put her in Gryffindor!
WC: 505
30 Mar 2023, 22:34
Sorting Ceremony
A singing hat. A fake, magical sky in the ceiling. Floating candles.
If Jaden didn't know any better, she'd be sure she was dreaming. She'd dreamt of magic since her mother first began telling her stories of her own magical education, though the dreams usually resembled Disney's Fantasia. This was entirely different, though. This was real.
She pinched herself lightly on the arm even as the other first years lined up, just to be sure she wasn't dreaming, but the sharp pain informed her that this was seriously happening.
Jaden Harrison was over the moon.
She watched the other students being called up one by one, and as their houses were announced - some quickly, some slowly - she thought about the song of the Sorting Hat and tried to guess which house she would inevitably wind up in.
As her own name was called, near the middle of the list, she surmised, she walked up to the stool and it felt strangely similar to a dentist appointment as the old, tattered hat was placed upon her head. She didn't dare move, afraid as she was of upsetting the process. Apparently, she didn't need to worry about that, because the same voice which had sang and spoken to them all was now filling her head.
There's a great fear within you. Great fear. I think Gryffindor is out of the question.
She couldn't argue with that. This was terrifying. What if the hat didn't like her and just told her to leave and never come back? She couldn't possibly live with herself if she had to explain to her mum why her daughter wasn't good enough for Hogwarts. The voice once again interrupted her thoughts.
Perhaps Slytherin, eh? You're certainly cunning, that much cannot be denied.
Her eyes opened and though her vision was partially blocked from the hat falling over them, she did catch a glance of green at one of the tables in the Great Hall. Slytherin didn't sound so bad, and green was a smashing color.
But I think your true strength lies in your curiosity, hmm? I've seen keener minds, but yours is quite a curious one.
That was true. Ever since her magic had, well, awakened? Activated? She wasn't sure of the term, but ever since it happened, all she'd looked forward to was coming to Hogwarts and learning every single spell she could possibly manage. She wanted to learn more about magic, about herself, and about the world her mum came from.
The hat was silent for a brief moment, but there was a finality that Jaden could almost sense. At last, after what felt like forever, the hat finally announced aloud, "Ravenclaw!"
If Jaden didn't know any better, she'd be sure she was dreaming. She'd dreamt of magic since her mother first began telling her stories of her own magical education, though the dreams usually resembled Disney's Fantasia. This was entirely different, though. This was real.
She pinched herself lightly on the arm even as the other first years lined up, just to be sure she wasn't dreaming, but the sharp pain informed her that this was seriously happening.
Jaden Harrison was over the moon.
She watched the other students being called up one by one, and as their houses were announced - some quickly, some slowly - she thought about the song of the Sorting Hat and tried to guess which house she would inevitably wind up in.
As her own name was called, near the middle of the list, she surmised, she walked up to the stool and it felt strangely similar to a dentist appointment as the old, tattered hat was placed upon her head. She didn't dare move, afraid as she was of upsetting the process. Apparently, she didn't need to worry about that, because the same voice which had sang and spoken to them all was now filling her head.
There's a great fear within you. Great fear. I think Gryffindor is out of the question.
She couldn't argue with that. This was terrifying. What if the hat didn't like her and just told her to leave and never come back? She couldn't possibly live with herself if she had to explain to her mum why her daughter wasn't good enough for Hogwarts. The voice once again interrupted her thoughts.
Perhaps Slytherin, eh? You're certainly cunning, that much cannot be denied.
Her eyes opened and though her vision was partially blocked from the hat falling over them, she did catch a glance of green at one of the tables in the Great Hall. Slytherin didn't sound so bad, and green was a smashing color.
But I think your true strength lies in your curiosity, hmm? I've seen keener minds, but yours is quite a curious one.
That was true. Ever since her magic had, well, awakened? Activated? She wasn't sure of the term, but ever since it happened, all she'd looked forward to was coming to Hogwarts and learning every single spell she could possibly manage. She wanted to learn more about magic, about herself, and about the world her mum came from.
The hat was silent for a brief moment, but there was a finality that Jaden could almost sense. At last, after what felt like forever, the hat finally announced aloud, "Ravenclaw!"
1 Apr 2023, 04:09
Sorting Ceremony
Lenora Berwick: The Sorting Hat
Inner Thoughts
Dialogue
"... and now students you will wait out here until you are lead in. Everyone remain quiet and orderly"
The voice was somewhere far ahead of Lenora as she waited, pressed shoulder to shoulder with a boy and girl she did not know as they fidgeted restlessly. The curious carving lovingly etched around the door had her full attention, the angler pattern curling sharply up and out of sight.
"I wonder who carved that and when... did my mum and dad look at those carvings too?..." that train of thought was quickly interrupted with a brisk shake of her head. There was no need to bring her mum into this, not until after she was sorted and she could send the happy news home that she was a Hufflepuff. She could almost hear her mum now, squealing when the letter arrived and running to send an owl to her grandparents and cousins and-
"Right now through the doors, quickly and quietly," everyone begun to move forward and she stumbled forward with the sudden movement. As her head passed through the door, Lenora's mouth fell open. The candles twinkled overhead and the evening sky twinkled on in the rafters. The hall already felt full, with all eyes on the throng of first years moving down the centre aisle. "My professors! They don't look nearly as scary as Isla said!" the relief was almost too evident on her face when none of the professors snarled back at her curious gaze. That was one less thing to worry about. To her right, a hiss of a whisper caught her attention and she turned wide eyed toward the sound. Sitting opposite the table across from her in her ruby-red robes was Isla! Her grin made Lenora smile as she passed, feeling more at ease in the moment, as if the greatest moment of her next seven years wasn't waiting for her under the hat currently being held by the head master on stage. "Just remember what Mum said, be calm and let the hat make the obvious declaration" she repeated as the line in front of her grew ever thinner.
"Lenora Berwick!" The head master smiled down at her kindly as she was ushered on stage and to the stool. The wide brim fell over her eyes and she swathed in darkness.
"Hmm...how curious..yes I remember your sister. Lots of determination and loyalty in you...which to choose, which to choose..," The voice seemed to echo from a place right by Lenora's ears and yet, it was all around her. Her breath caught in her throat. "I just want to fit in, somewhere I can be myself," Lenora willed, squeezing her eyes shut tight. Yes, somewhere to be herself without Isla talking over her. There was a throaty chuckled by her left ear. "Alright child the choice is clear... it's gotta be GRYFFINDOR"
Lenora's heart dropped as the hall exploded. "Gryffindor? Wha-How?" her thoughts spun as she suddenly found herself plopping down into a spot between two other beaming first years, but her sullen expression was enough to keep them and their comments away. Only one thought was swirling through her head as the headmaster began his main address; "What am I gonna tell mum..?"
Inner Thoughts
Dialogue
"... and now students you will wait out here until you are lead in. Everyone remain quiet and orderly"
The voice was somewhere far ahead of Lenora as she waited, pressed shoulder to shoulder with a boy and girl she did not know as they fidgeted restlessly. The curious carving lovingly etched around the door had her full attention, the angler pattern curling sharply up and out of sight.
"I wonder who carved that and when... did my mum and dad look at those carvings too?..." that train of thought was quickly interrupted with a brisk shake of her head. There was no need to bring her mum into this, not until after she was sorted and she could send the happy news home that she was a Hufflepuff. She could almost hear her mum now, squealing when the letter arrived and running to send an owl to her grandparents and cousins and-
"Right now through the doors, quickly and quietly," everyone begun to move forward and she stumbled forward with the sudden movement. As her head passed through the door, Lenora's mouth fell open. The candles twinkled overhead and the evening sky twinkled on in the rafters. The hall already felt full, with all eyes on the throng of first years moving down the centre aisle. "My professors! They don't look nearly as scary as Isla said!" the relief was almost too evident on her face when none of the professors snarled back at her curious gaze. That was one less thing to worry about. To her right, a hiss of a whisper caught her attention and she turned wide eyed toward the sound. Sitting opposite the table across from her in her ruby-red robes was Isla! Her grin made Lenora smile as she passed, feeling more at ease in the moment, as if the greatest moment of her next seven years wasn't waiting for her under the hat currently being held by the head master on stage. "Just remember what Mum said, be calm and let the hat make the obvious declaration" she repeated as the line in front of her grew ever thinner.
"Lenora Berwick!" The head master smiled down at her kindly as she was ushered on stage and to the stool. The wide brim fell over her eyes and she swathed in darkness.
"Hmm...how curious..yes I remember your sister. Lots of determination and loyalty in you...which to choose, which to choose..," The voice seemed to echo from a place right by Lenora's ears and yet, it was all around her. Her breath caught in her throat. "I just want to fit in, somewhere I can be myself," Lenora willed, squeezing her eyes shut tight. Yes, somewhere to be herself without Isla talking over her. There was a throaty chuckled by her left ear. "Alright child the choice is clear... it's gotta be GRYFFINDOR"
Lenora's heart dropped as the hall exploded. "Gryffindor? Wha-How?" her thoughts spun as she suddenly found herself plopping down into a spot between two other beaming first years, but her sullen expression was enough to keep them and their comments away. Only one thought was swirling through her head as the headmaster began his main address; "What am I gonna tell mum..?"
2 Apr 2023, 05:56
Sorting Ceremony
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The first sight of the great hall was momentous. All of the air that had been held in her lungs exited her body in the form of a single, quiet gasp. Her eyes, which had begun to droop after a long day of travel, blinked open in wonder as Selena attempted to take in everything at once. This was the essence of magic, encapsulated in a single room.
Selena's head was spinning. How did she come to be here? It was only last night when she was sleeping in her room, surrounded by the same 90s-style dusty flowered wallpaper that had been there ever since she can remember. She was here because she was a witch. Not the fairytale type of witch with green skin and claws who eats children for breakfast, thankfully, but a more human-with-magic-powers type of witch. Why was it that witches were associated with evildoing but wizards were heroes? The sentiment irked her.
The brief thought passed as Selena regained focus. She was here, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It took the poor professor who was assigned to delivering her letter a great deal of time to convince her that they were not some sort of criminal trying to kidnap her, a possibility that made much more sense to the eleven year old than a magical school. They had eventually gotten her to change her mind enough to get on the train but a hint of doubt still remained. Now she could be 99% for sure that the professor had told her the truth from the beginning. Her surroundings proved it.
The four tables and banners that lined the hall were the most usual items in her line of sight. She was sure she had seen the same ones in the brochures her grandmother had shown her when she was in her "try to convince Selena to go to a fancy boarding school" phase. (Thankfully, that phase didn't last long so nothing ever came of it.) The floating candles less so. Were those hung using fishing line or was it magic holding them up?
Selena arched her neck to observe the ceiling. Her eyes sparkled. Not once had she ever seen this many stars in London. Was it because she was in the countryside or was it magic? Selena couldn't be sure. Her mind went back to the encyclopedia of constellations that was currently sitting on her dresser. She found Delphinus first and connected the stars with her eyes, tracing the lines as if she were in a trance. Her breath slowed and her heart rate fell gradually to the usual rhythm.
"Selena Barlowe." The voice of the headmaster brought her back to reality. Oh right. She had to get sorted. Selena tore her attention away from the sky. (Was it the sky or was it a ceiling? She wasn't sure.) The young witch walked with steady footsteps to the hat fitting stool and sat down.
"Selena," the voice of the hat echoed in her ears, causing the girl to flinch. "You are tenacious. I can sense great determination and loyalty in you, resourcefulness too. However, you lack great ambition. Slytherin is out. How is your courage?" Was she supposed to respond? She had never conversed telepathically with a hat before. Could the hat hear her thoughts? Selena was not enough of an expert on magic hats, unfortunately. "Too much thought and not enough action for Gryffindor. I see great creative potential in you though," the hat paused dramatically, as if to scratch its head.
It broke the silence abruptly with a cry of "Ravenclaw!" Ravenclaw... What was a Ravenclaw again? Selena remembered it was the blue one but otherwise her mind was blank. Oh well. She would find out soon enough.
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WC: 628 • Outfit: Link • Moving to Ravenclaw table
STR 7 | EVA 8 | STR 5 | WIS 7 | ARC 5 | ACC 3 | #9391a1
"it has been said that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can cause a typhoon halfway across the world" - chaos theory