2 Jul 2023, 17:56
Sorting Ceremony
1st September 2023 - 30th June 2024
September 1st 2023 would mark the arrival of a fresh generation of wizards. This is also the day older students return to an oh so familiar scene. This story is of course not for the older students. They had already been here... done that. The Sorting Ceremony is a tradition that has remained unchanged for generations. There was still excitement too be found in ceremony and routine. who among the throng of fresh-faced, wide-eyed children would share their dormitory, their house, their tables?
These first years were about to embark on a novel journey. For those with a magical family; older brothers, parents or even friends, they might know what this gathering was all about. For others, specifically the muggle-borns, this might be a more stressful day as their 'normal' muggle life is finally truly over and the world that they are now a part of is entirely unlike their own. At this sorting ceremony each new student with the help of the sorting hat would be placed in one of four Houses -- Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor.
Hufflepuff for the loyal and the hard-working.
Slytherin for the cunning and ambitious.
Ravenclaw for the studious and the clever.
Gryffindor the the prideful and the brave.
Slytherin for the cunning and ambitious.
Ravenclaw for the studious and the clever.
Gryffindor the the prideful and the brave.
As they say, the Sorting Hat is never wrong and while for some the Sorting Hat may pick a House that is unwanted or unexpected, it simply means that the House saw something in you that you failed to see within yourself. In the years that would surely follow, you will learn about yourself, make friends, enemies, and rivals. You might have seen yourself as bookish, ambitious, brave or kind, but became so much more given time and opportunity.
The room itself was grand. Four long dining tables stretched the length of the room with benches on either side. As it always was on the first day -- it was standing room only. A feast was laid out family-style down the center of each of the four tables, the children would gorge themselves on every sort of food one could think of in the shared space. Goblets full of cheery, fruity drinks and large, full plates of hearty dishes sat in front of each student. The walls were lined with massive living portraits that chatted among themselves and with some of the more curious students. Overhead lit candles hovered, illuminating the great space and the high vaulted ceiling above. It was loud, the roar of conversation as well as the excitement and anticipation of many of the students as they waited and they wondered where they were going to be sorted. Many had a preference, one that the hat often, but not always, honored. Many came back exuberant, but there were a few that would slink back to the crowd after they were sorted astonished or even dismayed that they were placed in the house that they were.Out of Character Note: The sorting ceremony that you enjoyed is a weight-based algorithm that chose your house based on the answers you have chosen. This is not randomly assigned. We hope you took care in picking your answers because this is the House that you will be in for the next several years while you attend this school!
To reiterate, despite it being mentioned in the welcoming letter I feel it is important to say once again: we do not allow players to re-attempt the sorting ceremony, nor do we forcibly sort players into their desired houses. An unexpected house can serve as a great tool for character development. Please utilize the unexpected outcome to your fullest ability.
Solomon Lear, the Headmaster was there. He was a curious, unexpected figure for most. He met most of the students at the door as they entered the Great Hall although there was always a wily one that would slip past. Somewhat imposing, standing a bit over six foot, six foot - two inches to be exact and wearing armor. The armor was a strange characteristic of the grey haired wizard with a full beard and dark, stormy eyes - heavy metal plate wrapped in an embossed leather that while definitely worn with evidence of repair and appeared to be well cared for. He was more pleasant than he would appear on first impression, his expression certainly not stern, his words for the most part the common platitudes one would expect from a Headmaster laced with the occasional dad-joke. However there was something about his features that suggested illness or disability. While he appeared fuller about his cheeks and his armor appeared to fit him snugly, he had this sickly pallor that would remain unexplained. He was alert, interactive and friendly but he was not animated or vibrant, his blue eyes appeared dead and his gaze distant. This was for the most part pomp and circumstance, a ritual to start the school year as it always had, one could not waver from what was tradition. At his side or at least nearby, always a Head of House but they appeared to rotate their presence near the Headmaster. Those with a keen eye might notice that the older man had a slight limp.
Once the students were all inside, the doors would close behind the last student as if on its own. Solomon would quietly make his way to the front of the room, this awkward period of time as he traversed the length of the hall. His movement for the most part demanding without requesting silence. With the assistance of the Amplifying Charm his voice boomed. "Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony. The sorting hat has been a part of our school's tradition since the time of Godric Gryffindor, one of this institution's founding wizards. This hat is very much sentient."
Sentient, I am intelligent
A voice chimed in from... It did not come from the Headmaster nor did it come from any of the other Professors that elected to participate in this year's sorting ceremony. None of the Professors seemed even remotely surprised although one rolled their eyes a bit, they made the same joke every year it seemed. In the hands of one of the Professors, a pointed witches hat that was tattered and worn moved about on its own accord. Yes, the voice came from the hat itself.
Solomon let out a bit of a cough, as if he was making sure that the hat was going to let him continue to speak. "Ah yes, the intelligent" he eyed the hat. They had done this exchange before, it was nice having a sense of normalcy once again. A shame that the hat had not come up with a new joke in the past year but he had not come up with a new speech either. The hat was in a lot of ways similar to Headmaster Lear, making things appear as normal as possible which was never easy, a farce in the best of circumstances. Headmaster Lear gave a slight smile to the sorting hat and said in a low voice that the study body could not overhear. Neither of us are terribly funny anymore I say. Which is fine, they will pretend to laugh anyways. During the school year, the Sorting Hat spent the rest of the year in the Headmaster's Office. Renovated the summer of 2019 with better security than before, there had been a restless peace the past year as they both kept to themselves.
"Sorting Hat will be placed upon your head. It won't hurt one bit. The Sorting Hat will look into your heart and mind and determine the best place for you: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. As most of you must know, each of those houses possesses their own characteristic, their own values and their own Head of House." He would gesture towards the present four Heads of House and the Deputy Headmistress and announce each of their names in order before continuing his instruction. "The house that will be chosen for you shall represent qualities that are truly present within each of you. Your future house shall be like a second family. You will also be able to gather points and once we reach the end of the year, the house with the most house points shall win the House Championship Cup. What you need to know is the Sorting Hat is never wrong, once you are sorted your House will not change for the duration of your time in Hogwarts."
Solomon would pull a scroll from his waist and open the tightly bound parchment. The list was long this year, even longer than last year. There was a bit of nervousness within him as the long scroll hit the floor, one end still in his hand and rolled several feet away. There were names, so many names. This was going to take awhile he thought to himself. It was as if the list got longer and longer every single year, the wizard baby boom was not over yet.Out of Character Note: You should have a letter from your Head of House upon completing the sorting ceremony that gives you some basic information regarding where to go and where to start. If you have any questions or concerns, they are a great resource, please use them.
As if on queue, the Sorting Hat would be placed on a small stool and would start moving and singing:
The Sorting Hat then sang his song :
" A thousand years or more ago
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
For were their such friends anywhere
As Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
As Slytherin and Gryffindor.
Unless it was the second pair
Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
They had the selfsame yearning
To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones, they had to teach.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When were they dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When were they dead and gone?
Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've got a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends. "
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've got a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends. "
Once the Sorting Hat was done, most of the students applauded the sorting hat. It was technically the Deputy Headmistress' duty to grow hoarse listing off all of the names. He had tried to pawn the role of Deputy Headmaster off on one of his Heads of House in 2018, all of them ridiculously competent and smart enough to say "no." Eventually @Hjørdis Jensen, better known as "Nora" would be conned convinced (typos are truly a terrible thing) to accept the mantle. Solomon sometimes wondered if he was even needed as Headmaster. They had managed the school admirably in his absence during 2019. Never the less, the old armored man would start to recite each name on the list and one by one the students would be summoned to the front of the room where the Sorting Hat would be placed on their head. It was time to start their journey.
This is a RPG topic where all new first year students are welcome to post.
All RPG rules apply. Word count per post is 200 words of your own work, not including quotes, ooc chat or other people's words. Any flood type (posts under 200 words) of message will be deleted after a warning owl is sent. If you are having a hard time meeting the 200 word count expectation try to be descriptive: How was the trip here? How are you feeling? Are you hoping for a certain house, if so why?
Very minor god-modding is allowed here because there are hundreds of you and only one of me. Please be respectful of this fact and keep most of your post about you. You know that my character called your name, they might give you a kind smile and a word of encouragement but in character he is also seeing hundreds of students in a single day. He would not be spending a lot of time on a single student, this ceremony goes on for hours. As for the sorting hat, again please respect the cannon. The sorting hat would see something in you, they would not decide because you are someone they 'especially hate' for instance that they would place you in the 'wrong house.' Think about what traits you do have that make you a suitable fit for the house you got and have the hat give that as a delivery for instance. Or if you cannot think of anything, the hat never tells you their reasoning as they declare your house.
We have a Prefect Staff that moderates this forum and this thread in particular. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to a Prefect or other staff member.
There is something about ambition, how it not only propels you but also defines you.
2 Jul 2023, 23:22
Sorting Ceremony
Friday, September the 1st, 2023
Dialogue: #03733b
Finally, after many hours of traveling on a train, I was finally at Hogwarts. The inside of the castle was much bigger then I had expected, and something that I immediately noticed was that there were portraits everywhere. An old man greeted me and the other first years as we entered the Great Hall and walked to the front to get sorted. He was quite tall and he was wearing armor. I would later find out that he was Solomon Lear, the Headmaster of this school. As I walked through the Great Hall, I noticed the seemingly endless amount of food laid out on the tables, and oh, how good it looked. I immediately thought about how hard it would be to not eat unhealthy food in here. Not that there wasn’t any healthy food here, no. In fact, there was a lot of healthy food here. The problem was, there was also a lot of unhealthy food here, and it looked very good. Okay, so maybe I’d give myself a little bit of leeway every other Sunday, what was the harm in that? No, I had to stay committed.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of the doors at the back of the Great Hall shutting, and when I turned to look, I saw the Headmaster walking to the front of the room. The Great Hall was dead silent as be did this. Well, as dead silent as a hall full of youths could be. Of course, sounds were still made as people adjusted themselves in their seats and whatnot, but other than that, nobody spoke a word. When the Headmaster finished making his way to the front of the room, he finally introduced himself. “Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.” Headmaster Lear then continued his speech during which he talked about the sorting ceremony and after being interrupted by the sorting hat in the middle of his speech, the Headmaster continued by explaining how the sorting ceremony would work, introducing us to the heads of the four houses, as well as the Deputy Headmistress, and explaining to us some other house keeping things.
Once the Headmaster was done with his speech, the sorting hat sang a song about its creation and the sorting began. The Headmaster unrolled a long list of names and began reading them off. I looked around. There was a lot of us first years here, a few hundred probably, and we all had to be sorted. Oh man, this was going to take forever. Hopefully there was no hatstalls this year. Name after name was read, and time slowly passed by as students were sorted by the sorting hat into their respective houses. At long last, the Headmaster called out my name. “Hughes Rodney.” Hold up, I was an H, so that meant that there were still eighteenth letters of the alphabet to go throught. I looked around and saw that there was still lot of kids that needed to be sorted.
As I walked up to the stool and sat on it, I looked at all of the students that had yet to be sorted and felt bad for them, especially the ones whose last names started with a Z, they would be going last. All of a sudden, I heard a voice in my head. “Ah, Rodney Hughes. I see that you’re quite smart, you’d do well in Ravenclaw.” Ravenclaw, yes, I could definitely be in Ravenclaw, I loved to study. Besides, I’d have the option to share a dormitory with a few of my cousins, so that’d be nice.“Or perhaps in Hufflepuff? I see that you are very loyal and that you’d make for an outstanding friend.” I completely agreed with that, I was loyal and I would make for a good friend. After all, I did try my best to treat others as I’d want to be treated. And here as well, I would have the option to share my dorm with a few of my cousins. “I have made my decision now Rodney.” The voice in my head said. “You’ll best be in HUFFLEPUFF!”
I shook slightly as I heard the hat say the last word out loud; it was quite a jumpscare when the only voice I heard in the last few minutes was inside of my head. ‘Thanks.’ I thought as I stood up and took off the sorting hat before giving it back to Headmaster Lear. I then turned in the direction of my new house and went to the Hufflepuff table where I took a seat. It didn’t take me long to notice that my robes had changed color to match my house. I took a deep breath and looked around the Great Hall in awe. This was going to be my second home for the next seven years.
Last edited by Rodney Hughes on 29 Aug 2023, 01:47, edited 3 times in total.
3 Jul 2023, 11:57
Sorting Ceremony
Date
Location
It was the very first day of September. This year September 1st was quite special for Menia. After all she was already 11 and it is not every day that a young witch or wizard turns to 11. That day was Menia's very first day of school, she finally had to attend to Hogwarts and the sorting ceremory was about to start soon. As usually the first years were going to the castle after crossing the lake with boats. The weather was awful. It was raining heavily and the strong wind was blowing by making a loud noise and sometimes changing the rain's way. Menia was impatient to enter the Great Hall and finally get sorted into one of the four houses. Wheter it would be Slytherin or Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, Menia could not tell. She just knew that right after getting sorted, the house would become her home.
Menia with so many other first years entered the hall through the large, wooden doors. The ceiling caught Menia's eye at the very first moment. It was magnificent. Menia knew that it was charmed before coming to Hogwarts, Menia read the book called Hogwarts: A History Menia was walking with her head up to the ceiling. Only after the Professor said to stop she stopped looking at the ceiling. Students with names starting by A and B got all sorted into their houses. Now it was the turn for letter C. Menia got really nervous and excited at the time. Then her name was heard all over the Great Hall. She tried not to look at others, it seemed way too much easier to watch on her shoes while walking. Menia sat down at the little chair in front of her and just a second later the Sorting Hat was on her head.
"Hmmm, which house should this one be sorted into?"- asked the Hat, more to himself,- "Ahh, seems like I know, but it's hard. Very hard. What if that one does not fit her very well.
Menia was so, so nervous. She just wished to be sorted into the right house, where she really belongs to.
"Please,please, send me where I belong. Please" - Menia whispered to the Sorting Hat.
"I see you are clever, but also cunning and brave. And besides that you are kind. Seems like you have the immanences for all the four house. You are very, very rare one. But I can see that you are wise and have thirst of knowledge. Yeah I know. Just give me a second."
A little time passed and the Sorting Hat spoke again.
" Let it be RAVENCLAW!"
Finally, she was sorted. With a big smile on her face Menia walked to the Ravenclaw table. And that was it. She was were she belonged to.
Reducio
September 1st
Location
Reducio
Hogwarts
It was the very first day of September. This year September 1st was quite special for Menia. After all she was already 11 and it is not every day that a young witch or wizard turns to 11. That day was Menia's very first day of school, she finally had to attend to Hogwarts and the sorting ceremory was about to start soon. As usually the first years were going to the castle after crossing the lake with boats. The weather was awful. It was raining heavily and the strong wind was blowing by making a loud noise and sometimes changing the rain's way. Menia was impatient to enter the Great Hall and finally get sorted into one of the four houses. Wheter it would be Slytherin or Gryffindor, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, Menia could not tell. She just knew that right after getting sorted, the house would become her home.
Menia with so many other first years entered the hall through the large, wooden doors. The ceiling caught Menia's eye at the very first moment. It was magnificent. Menia knew that it was charmed before coming to Hogwarts, Menia read the book called Hogwarts: A History Menia was walking with her head up to the ceiling. Only after the Professor said to stop she stopped looking at the ceiling. Students with names starting by A and B got all sorted into their houses. Now it was the turn for letter C. Menia got really nervous and excited at the time. Then her name was heard all over the Great Hall. She tried not to look at others, it seemed way too much easier to watch on her shoes while walking. Menia sat down at the little chair in front of her and just a second later the Sorting Hat was on her head.
"Hmmm, which house should this one be sorted into?"- asked the Hat, more to himself,- "Ahh, seems like I know, but it's hard. Very hard. What if that one does not fit her very well.
Menia was so, so nervous. She just wished to be sorted into the right house, where she really belongs to.
"Please,please, send me where I belong. Please" - Menia whispered to the Sorting Hat.
"I see you are clever, but also cunning and brave. And besides that you are kind. Seems like you have the immanences for all the four house. You are very, very rare one. But I can see that you are wise and have thirst of knowledge. Yeah I know. Just give me a second."
A little time passed and the Sorting Hat spoke again.
" Let it be RAVENCLAW!"
Finally, she was sorted. With a big smile on her face Menia walked to the Ravenclaw table. And that was it. She was were she belonged to.
''The point of life is how you will greet death at the end.'' - Menia Eve Calin
3 Jul 2023, 13:32
Sorting Ceremony
As Hashirielz Hendilliam stepped into the Great Hall, his eyes widened in awe. The high ceiling adorned with floating candles, the four long tables filled with students from each House, and the anticipation in the air all added to the magical ambiance. The moment he had been waiting for had arrived—the Sorting Ceremony.
Taking a deep breath, Hashirielz joined the other first-year students at the front of the Great Hall, waiting anxiously for his turn to be sorted. He had heard stories from his parents and read about the Houses, but he didn't know what to expect. The Sorting Hat, an ancient artifact with a reputation for reading minds, held the power to determine his fate.
As the ceremony began, Hashirielz watched with bated breath as the first years were called up one by one. The Sorting Hat would reveal their House, their new home within Hogwarts. The anticipation grew with each call, until finally, it was his turn.
Placing the Sorting Hat on his head, Hashirielz closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He wondered if the Sorting Hat could sense the excitement pulsing through him, or if it could perceive the dreams and ambitions that swirled within his mind.
Seconds turned into what felt like minutes, and just as doubt began to creep in, the Sorting Hat spoke in a hushed voice that only he could hear. Its words echoed through his mind, unraveling the depths of his thoughts and unraveling the threads of his potential.
Hashirielz was surprised when the hat began to talk, his eyes widening in awe. He had heard stories of its ability to converse, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter. The hat delved into his strengths, his thirst for knowledge, and his unwavering curiosity.
As the Sorting Hat deliberated, Hashirielz's heart skipped a beat. Did he truly belong to a specific House? Would the hat see him as the courageous Gryffindor, the loyal Hufflepuff, the ambitious Slytherin, or perhaps the witty and wise Ravenclaw?
Finally, the Sorting Hat made its decision. It declared, for all the Great Hall to hear, that Hashirielz Hendilliam was to be a member of Ravenclaw House. A mixture of surprise and delight washed over him, a smile creeping across his face.
Hashirielz had always admired the Ravenclaws for their wisdom, wit, and dedication to learning. Though he hadn't known the specific outcome before the ceremony, he felt a sense of resonance with the House's values. The Sorting Hat had seen the potential within him, recognizing his thirst for knowledge and his ability to think critically.
Walking towards the Ravenclaw table, Hashirielz couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. He had found his place within Hogwarts, among a group of like-minded individuals who shared his love for learning and intellectual pursuits.
Taking a seat among his new housemates, Hashirielz felt a sense of belonging settle deep within him. The Sorting Hat's decision validated his own aspirations and provided him with a supportive community to grow and flourish.
Taking a deep breath, Hashirielz joined the other first-year students at the front of the Great Hall, waiting anxiously for his turn to be sorted. He had heard stories from his parents and read about the Houses, but he didn't know what to expect. The Sorting Hat, an ancient artifact with a reputation for reading minds, held the power to determine his fate.
As the ceremony began, Hashirielz watched with bated breath as the first years were called up one by one. The Sorting Hat would reveal their House, their new home within Hogwarts. The anticipation grew with each call, until finally, it was his turn.
Placing the Sorting Hat on his head, Hashirielz closed his eyes, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He wondered if the Sorting Hat could sense the excitement pulsing through him, or if it could perceive the dreams and ambitions that swirled within his mind.
Seconds turned into what felt like minutes, and just as doubt began to creep in, the Sorting Hat spoke in a hushed voice that only he could hear. Its words echoed through his mind, unraveling the depths of his thoughts and unraveling the threads of his potential.
Hashirielz was surprised when the hat began to talk, his eyes widening in awe. He had heard stories of its ability to converse, but experiencing it firsthand was an entirely different matter. The hat delved into his strengths, his thirst for knowledge, and his unwavering curiosity.
As the Sorting Hat deliberated, Hashirielz's heart skipped a beat. Did he truly belong to a specific House? Would the hat see him as the courageous Gryffindor, the loyal Hufflepuff, the ambitious Slytherin, or perhaps the witty and wise Ravenclaw?
Finally, the Sorting Hat made its decision. It declared, for all the Great Hall to hear, that Hashirielz Hendilliam was to be a member of Ravenclaw House. A mixture of surprise and delight washed over him, a smile creeping across his face.
Hashirielz had always admired the Ravenclaws for their wisdom, wit, and dedication to learning. Though he hadn't known the specific outcome before the ceremony, he felt a sense of resonance with the House's values. The Sorting Hat had seen the potential within him, recognizing his thirst for knowledge and his ability to think critically.
Walking towards the Ravenclaw table, Hashirielz couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness. He had found his place within Hogwarts, among a group of like-minded individuals who shared his love for learning and intellectual pursuits.
Taking a seat among his new housemates, Hashirielz felt a sense of belonging settle deep within him. The Sorting Hat's decision validated his own aspirations and provided him with a supportive community to grow and flourish.
3 Jul 2023, 22:35
Sorting Ceremony
Vivianna filed into the room with the other first years, she could not say she wasn't nervous. Hogwarts, somewhere she never thought she would be. She looked around at her new school, and spent time examining every detail, until... "Vivianna Waywater", the Sorting Hat called out making her ears ring. As she walked to the front of the room, she shivered, feeling every stude4nts eyes on her. Vivianna sat in the chair as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head, "Hmm, a sense of will, have we?" Vivianna swallowed hard, awaiting her house "Better be, HUFFLEPUFF!!" She smiled wide as she made her way to sit at Hufflepuff table. She sat quietly by a couple of what seemed to be older kids. Vivianna was still trying to wrap her head around all of this, this was everything she ever imagined, okay maybe not going to a school named Hogwarts, but she had always wanted to learn magic, even if she was always told it wasn't real. She hoped it would be easier for her to make friends at this school, as it has not always been easy for her in the past. This was going to be a GREAT year, or so she hoped.
Vivianna Haywater
4 Jul 2023, 12:39
Sorting Ceremony
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When asked about her memory of that day years later, Fang Yun-Xin would admit she only remembered her name being called, and the loud GRYFFINDOR! the sorting hat had shouted. Oh, and there was also that anxiety that flooded her while sitting on the stool, with the sorting hat crammed on her head. Looking back, September 1st of 2023 was, and will be, the most terrifying day of her life.
The summer holidays had disappeared as quickly as they had arrived, leaving behind a fluttery feeling in the air. The day Xin dreaded drew closer, and closer, until the page August 31 was ripped, and in its place -
September 1 was normally when student headed back to school, or in Xin's case, report to secondary school. However, the letter that came in July totally changed everything. No more secondary school, no more yellow buses, and most importantly, no more pens and pencils and erasers. Soon, Xin was attending summer camp in a quidditch stadium. Is that what the thing is called? Confusing enough. What's more, just two hours earlier she found herself being whisked off to Hogwarts on a train. A train that looked as if it was made centuries ago. And now, a pair of large wooden doors opened in front of her, allowing the girl to get a glimpse of the Great Hall itself.
It was HUGE. And not huge like a mansion's living room, but so huge Xin was sure her whole home could fit in it. The girl didn't think she had ever been in a room this huge in her life. Even a room as large as this was filled with students who wore in black robes. They were sitting along the four long tables in the center of the hall, each in a different color. Xin was immediately reminded of what that idiot had told her during their encounter. The four houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. The magnificent Great Hall was surely living up to its name.
Xin gulped, she had thought this might be a bit scary, but she never knew it would be this terrifying. There was so many people, and soon, all eyes will be on her. Oceans of strangers, hundreds, even thousands of eyes on her. It was, in a word, horrifying. Her dark brown eyes were wide with anxiety and awe as looked around the hall, admiring its decorations and magical aspects. She just couldn't stop staring. Suddenly, the girl spotted the idiot seated in the Hufflepuff table, and waved to him sheepishly. Everyone looked as if they were filed to the brim with excitement, waiting for the sorting to begin. As the Headmaster spoke rapidly on, Xin found herself lost in sea of thoughts.
Suddenly the Headmaster's voice could be heard shouting "YUN-XIN, FANG" Trembling, the girl made her way through the sea of new students, her thoughts flooding her more than ever. What if she wouldn't be sorted? Would she just be sent back home? Why did she have to be here? Xin looked at the Headmaster, beckoning her to the front. She didn't think her legs could carry her anymore as she trembled her way, and allowed the hat to be jammed onto her head, covering her vision.
"Ohhh, right..." a voice said out of the blue, actually, change that to black. Xin nearly fell of the stool, she never expected a hat could talk. Well, perhaps in the magical world talking hats are a rather common thing. "Don't fret... Let me see... thirst for knowledge and recognization... small and soft, but that's not the whole of you... yes, I can see that" Xin shivered, the hat knew her thoughts and soul, ready for challenges aren't you... even now, trying to figure out schemes to defeat enemies... Ahh, yes... You will be best in -"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
With the hat taken off her head, Xin could now see the sea of crimson applauding and hear the loud cheers as Gryffindors welcomed the new girl to their house. The newly sorted Gryffindor blushed the same shade as the banner above the table and smiled. If this was to be her home for the next seven years, then that was the best thing the girl could wish for.
Last edited by Fang Yun-Xin on 7 Jul 2023, 17:27, edited 2 times in total.
| FANG YUN-XIN | first, gryffindor. STA 7 • EVA 9 • STR 0 • WIS 9 • ARC 1 • ACC 9 |
❝ | well you only need the light when its burning low |
❞ |
6 Jul 2023, 22:28
Sorting Ceremony
September 1st, 2023OOC Note: This is so roughly written, sorry
The hours on the train had been nauseous, but soothing nonetheless, regardless of how it made her feel, she was glad to have it over. What she hadn’t expected, though, had been the stress and anticipation from actually seeing Hogwarts, something that made her want to bite at her nails.
Currently, though, she stood amongst the crowd of people waiting to be sorted. From where she stood, it she rolled up onto the balls of her feet she could get a good look at the headmaster, Solomon Lear, was it, who was currently making his way to the front, slightly limping, leg troubles, perhaps.
He began to speak and the conversation softened into a quiet buzz of hushed whispers. She listened as the hat begun to sing its song, pondering the meaning of each of the words and absentmindedly taking mental notes of the history he spoke of.
Alexandra zoned out as the first few people were called up, not bothering to pay attention to their names or their newly announced house’s as she stared up at the floating candles, head in the clouds. It didn’t much matter to her what house she was a part of so long as it wasn’t Gryffindor, they seemed a bit much, so there wasn’t much of a point in worrying about it, that didn’t seem to stop her though.
She was snapped out of her trance as her name was called, shuffling through the crowd up onto the stool. She blinked at the hat, trying to take a closer look at it, but she was soon ushered onto the stool with the hat placed atop her head.
This hat doesn’t smell overly pleasant, she noted awkwardly waiting as a vast number of students stared at her, it felt like she could feel the hat frown. “Ravenclaw,” it announced, seemingly bored, and with that, she took that as a sign to take that hat off and scramble off into the masses of students, weaving her way around people to navigate to the Ravenclaw table.
Alexandra was greeted with a pat on the shoulder, to which she jumped at. “Welcome to Ravenclaw, happy to have you here,” an older boy smiled at her, and she nodded back, relaxing, this will probably be fine, she assured herself, taking a seat, now pleased with how things had turned out.
8 Jul 2023, 14:15
Sorting Ceremony
September 1st, 2023
Once the great doors swung open Victor was treated to a sight he had never seen before, a great banquet hall with floating candles and a night sky with a shining full moon overhead. It was something almost out of a fairy tale, although in a way he could imagine this place as the source of all fairy tales. He spent so much time gawking at the celling that another student behind him gently prodded him to keep moving. This was such an unusual sensation he didn't really know how to feel, excited? Overwhelmed? Nervous? All of them, and more, some he didn't never know the words for. Eventually he and his cohort made it to the front, where after waiting for hi name, it was finally called.
It is an odd thing, to want to do something so badly you fear you might burst, then when the moment finally arrives you falter, if only for a moment. Victor was no different, as if he was pretending he didn't here his name, before taking a sheepish step forward followed by another. By now he had entered into the headmasters gaze but continued to step up all the same. There was something reassuring in the older mans eyes, before he turned to face the room full of strangers and the feeling of a hat being lowered on to his head occupied his attention. The hat came with an odd voice, one that almost enjoyed giving young children a fright.
The hat hummed for a moment, ''Not one for sports eh? Not one for adventure eh? Well we will see about that in time won't we? Clever though, better be Ravenclaw!''
And that was that, he was eagerly invited to the table by a handful of older students and took is place amongst the other first years who were selected. Victor continued to watch the ceremony, but he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't interested in the food.
Once the great doors swung open Victor was treated to a sight he had never seen before, a great banquet hall with floating candles and a night sky with a shining full moon overhead. It was something almost out of a fairy tale, although in a way he could imagine this place as the source of all fairy tales. He spent so much time gawking at the celling that another student behind him gently prodded him to keep moving. This was such an unusual sensation he didn't really know how to feel, excited? Overwhelmed? Nervous? All of them, and more, some he didn't never know the words for. Eventually he and his cohort made it to the front, where after waiting for hi name, it was finally called.
It is an odd thing, to want to do something so badly you fear you might burst, then when the moment finally arrives you falter, if only for a moment. Victor was no different, as if he was pretending he didn't here his name, before taking a sheepish step forward followed by another. By now he had entered into the headmasters gaze but continued to step up all the same. There was something reassuring in the older mans eyes, before he turned to face the room full of strangers and the feeling of a hat being lowered on to his head occupied his attention. The hat came with an odd voice, one that almost enjoyed giving young children a fright.
The hat hummed for a moment, ''Not one for sports eh? Not one for adventure eh? Well we will see about that in time won't we? Clever though, better be Ravenclaw!''
And that was that, he was eagerly invited to the table by a handful of older students and took is place amongst the other first years who were selected. Victor continued to watch the ceremony, but he would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't interested in the food.
8 Jul 2023, 14:58
Sorting Ceremony
Thoughts • Someone else is speaking • Sage is speaking
The sorting ceremony was an event that would change everything, that’s what Cassie had to say about it. She had also told Sage she would either be in Slytherin, Cassie’s house, or Gryffindor, her mom’s house. That’s what Sage had been told since her first instance of magic and so she was prepared to walk towards either Gryffindor or Slytherin with a smile. Sage stood along the others waiting for her name to be called. One by one, other first years went up and had the old, weathered hat placed down in their head. Sometimes the hat would mutter something or sometimes it would just yell out the house as loud as it could.
“Sage Willows!” a voice called. On shaking legs, Sage went up and sat on the stool. The hat was placed on her head and Sage found herself holding her breath. Why? She was prepared so why was she so utterly terrified?
“Hmmm… she’s plenty smart. Plenty cunning. Plenty willing to go for an adventure. Ah! But she’s loyal! Very loyal once she knows someone. Well, it must be, HUFFLEPUFF!” shouted the sorting hat. Hufflepuff? No! That can’t be! Cassie said I would be In Slytherin or Gryffindor! Not Hufflepuff! thought Sage angrily. As she walked towards the Hufflepuff table, Sage found herself angrily wondering how she had ended up here in Hufflepuff.
11 Jul 2023, 08:17
Sorting Ceremony
Calypso Vierling
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─────Calypso’s gaze wandered around the imposing room, eyes full of wonder as she surveyed the decorations. Majestic, perfectly complementing the elegant architecture on the outside which the girl had barely gleaned, parts of the castle hidden by nightfall. Even then, she could tell how large the school was through a blurry silhouette. Her curiosity couldn’t help but be intrigued, how hadn’t any unwanted visitors found Hogwarts yet? Though she knew the question was a waste, it was magic, unbound by logic and her ideas of what was meant to be possible or impossible.
Stare lingering on an armoured man who greeted the first years, her attention then moved to the myriad of students, contributing to the loud raucous that resounded through the hall. Floating candles with soft flames illuminated the room and animated portraits lined the walls, a marvel for Calypso who finally had her first true glimpse into the grandeur of the wizarding world.
The doors to the hall suddenly closed, seemingly of its own accord. The same armoured man she saw at the beginning began to make his way to the front of the room, Calypso’s observing eyes noting the pallor of his skin and his small limp. The neverending chatter and excitement of the pupils finally mellowed down as the man began to speak, the standard welcoming speech at the start of the year that the girl had always heard at her old school, though quite quickly it deviated from what she had expected.
A sentient hat, a claim that screamed fairytales and folktales to Calypso, but nevertheless, she wholeheartedly believed in it - it was hard to remain ignorant when you were surrounded by things that broke the rules of physics and when the same exact hat spoke. It slightly unnerved Calypso and the feeling was only amplified as she learned about the four houses, matching the four long tables that stretched across the hall.
The…hat soon began and finished its song to which Calypso found herself nervously fiddling with her sleeve, what house would she be in? Politely clapping, she realised this would be her first impression to the rest of the school. Great, no pressure.
Students began to be called up one by one, in alphabetical order according to their last names, Calypso quickly realised. She would be one of the later ones then. Smoothing ginger curls that ended near her shoulders and tracing the haphazardly stuck-on bandaid on her left jaw from her usual antics a few days ago, time seemed to pass quickly, far too quickly for her liking.
“Vierling, Calypso”
Her eyes widened as she took a deep breath, walking to a wooden stool before sitting down. The sentient hat from before was placed on her head, she supposed it was the moment of truth now. Noting the attention of most of the students on her, her thoughts began to race, slamming her mind with countless possibilities.
“Slytherin!” the hat called out, snapping her out of her trance. Calypso’s body tensed, not expecting the loud voice, before relaxing as she walked towards her new house.
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“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.”