Sorting Ceremony 2023-2024

Jace's palms were sweaty as he awaited his turn. In fact, every single part of him was uncomfortably damp. His robe stuck to his back, and his hair tickled his neck, and the thousands of floating candles were making his eyes bleed. The line before him seemed to stretch forward endlessly, black robbed students marching in a single file, awaiting their name to be called out. Jason's could feel the ball in his stomach twist and jump with every step he shuffled forward. Nobody had explained a thing. Or perhaps they had. Perhaps he just hadn't listened.

Jace rolled his shoulders back, trying to dislodge his robe. He shouldn't have worn a binder underneath it. Nobody would be looking in his direction either way, or at least that was what he told himself. They were all just as nervous as him. In fact they were more nervous. Jace shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

Time was a funny, fickle thing. One moment, Jace was at the back of the line. The next he was in the middle. It only took one blink for him to end up at the very front.

He'd stopped, he realized. The hat was waiting. The hat. The talking hat. That hat. It was waiting for him to step forward, to put it on his head. Jace briefly wondered if it had ever eaten anyone. It looked like the type of hat who would.

The person behind him gave Jace a tiny push. "Sorry," Jace said automatically. "You can go ahead." He moved to the side.

Which was clearly the wrong thing to do. Confused eyes stared back at him from multiple directions.

"Sorry. Sorry. I don't-...sorry." He moved towards the stool with the hat. The talking hat. That hat. The cannibal hat.

Having a hard time? the cannibal hat asked kindly, as soon as Jace's fingers touched the brim.

"I-...uhm. Am I supposed to sit or-.."

Yes, I suppose that would be helpful.

"Sorry. Sorry. Yes. I'm-. I'm going to sit now. Sorry." He sat. A little too fast. His tailbone hit the stool and pain exploded against his back.

He tried to think thoughts that wouldn't make the hat hungry. What did hats like to eat? Did hats eat?

The thing on his head laughed. A hearty sound that reverberated throughout the great hall.

A troubled mind, the hat said. But a good heart. Tell me how do you feel about basements.

Jace thought back to the basement in his complex. It was where the washing machine lived. It had smelled like mold and rat droppings, and every time he'd gone down those stairs, he'd been convinced he wouldn't be coming back up.

Not a fan? That's understandable.

The hat wasn't...horrible. The voice against his temples had grown rather comforting, as had the weight of old leather on his hair.

Oh that's interesting. You seem very determined to have things happen your way, Jason.

It knew. It knew.

"Please," he whispered, something in his chest sinking.

Yes, yes, the hat went on, and Jason resolved to walk home on foot if he needed to. You seem perfectly suited for-

GRYFFINDOR.

Relief. It spilled over him in waves, running him over from the tips of his toes to the roots of his hair. "Thank you," Jason squeaked, his voice coming out unusually high. He took the hat off and set it back on the stool.

And then froze in the middle of the room. His eyes passed over the four tables, realizing he had no clue what Gryffindor meant.

The red ones, the hat said bemusedly.

Between the train ride and the painstakingly long boat ride to Hogwarts, there were times when Rowan couldn't help but wonder why Hogwarts needed such a convoluted way to enter, but of course that question was rhetorical. Rowan is a pure blood after all, his parents put extra care into making sure Rowan and their other siblings would be knowledgeable with everything Wizarding world throughout the past century including the battle on Hogwarts between Harry Potter and Voldemort. After then Hogwarts further tightened their defences and security as a result. Rowan softly chuckled as they mentally childed themselves for asking questions they already knew of.


The boats docked and Rowan finally got their first look at Hogwarts.  They admit, seeing the formidable school in person is much more intimidating than hearing about it from his parents or seeing it in the books he read about witches and wizards.  


The boats docked, signalling to everybody that they have finally arrived at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. And all at once any doubt Rowan might have had about their current situation was dissipated at an instance  and instead replaced with uncertainty, doubt and fear. The school loomed over everything in sight.  It's stone walls shone dark in the moonlit sky and painted the dirt with its shadows the only light that could be seen was the warm lights of the hogwarts hallways, rooms, and stairwells. If Rowan though that the boat ride was excruciating then the climb up to Hogwarts was hell. Their thoughts were running wildly the what ifs drowned out any rational thought that tried to peak through.


The sight of the mess hall and floating candles didn't help either.  Teenagers all with different colored robes were grouped and sat with a group of others that wore the same color.  Rowan remembered their brother and parents tell him about the colors and what house they represent; yellow hufflepuffs, red gryffindors, green slytherins and finally, blue ravenclaws. Children Rowans age filed into the already crowded mess hall as the sorting ceremony started.  


If Rowan was being honest they didn't really pay any attention to the words of the sorting hat or headmaster Solomon Lear.  They were too preoccupied watching the candle lights float in the sky in a desperate attempt to clear his raging thoughts.  Rowan thought they were prepared for this, but all their preparations were all for naught when Rowan became all too aware of how much of their life relied on this one thing, and the scariest part was that he couldn't pick and choose what he wanted.  Everything about this situation wasn't in his control and if he didn't like what he got he could do nothing about it.


"Rowan Nikolaevna."  Before Rowan realised it the sorting hat had called his name and it was their turn to be 'judged'.  Rowans shoulders tensed but they had no choice but to step towards the sorting hat. Stiffly Rowan took a seat and the sorting hat was lowered onto their head.  Rowan tensed and closed his eyes at the new weight that had been put onto his head.


"Mhm, I see. You pride yourself on academics, yet often times your pride gets the best of you. Yet your not one to hide grudges or be spiteful. You have your doubts about yourself yet you never stop trying. A creative at heart with a hear that yerns to learn. Yes, I see… you were fated to be in… RAVENCLAW!"


My eyes shaped open at the final verdict of the talking hat. A crowd of cheers and applause came from the Ravenclaw table. And for some reason Rowan found themselves smiling as they practically sprinted to where people that were sorted into Ravenclaw sat. And as Rowan took at seat amount smiling faces they felt all thier fears and doubts melt away as they let themself get carried away into the round of introductions that erupted from the lids of the Ravenclaw house.

1.9.2023

After the train ride, our journey continues o the great hall. I was exited. My mother had told me what happens in sorting. It eased my tension a bit. My mother was a Ravenclaw but I was sure I'd make it to Hufflepuff.

We walked through the great hall. The whispers of older students could be heard all around us. Everyone was staring at us. I noticed some of the students I saw on the train in the crowd.

Someone walked in front of the hall. Then a sorting hat and chair were brought forward. Te names of the new students began to be called out.

First a red-aired girl sat on the chair. She looked scared. She was sorted into Slytherin. After her it was the short boy's turn. I saw how his hands were shaking. He became a Hufflepuff. Then it was te black haired boy's turn. He looked confident as he sat on the chair. After a while he was also a Hufflepuff.

"Wendy Harvey". It was my turn. I trie to look confident as I walked up to the cair. I was sure of getting into Hufflepuff. The hat was put on my head. I waited. After thinking the hat called out " Ravenclaw!" All the Ravenclaws cheered. I was in shock. I knew Ravenclaw wasn't a bad house but I don't know on he basis i was put there. I didn't think I was particularly smart and studing wasn't my favorite thing.

September 1st, 2023

It was a whirlwind of an evening for Pyxis, matching the bustle of his morning. Ushered into the hall with a large group of students around his age, the boy was suddenly thankful that his lengthy train journey went by without much fanfare. The nerves of the morning came rushing back in as quick as they left once his senses had been too bamboozled to think about leaving his parents behind for a world unknown. He didn’t think he would long for the overstimulation of the station or the suffocating silence of the boat ride but here he was, traipsing down the aisle, a bedraggled hat waiting at the end to wed him. Pyxis had never thought of himself as an anxious person, but the perturbation within him now felt like it would take months, no years to lessen.

All he could hear was the blood rushing in his ears. The sickly sound drowned out the loud chatter of the first years around him and the rest of the hall who looked on as their group kept increasing in size as more students walked in. He could barely hear his own thoughts and had to hold himself back from smashing the bases of his palms against his ears in a futile effort to stop the noise. Looking at the ground isn’t helping. Maybe I should look up. Oh, those candles are floating. And the boy almost collapsed into the poor soul who was standing to his left. He staggered into them and righted himself with a hand on their shoulder. Then he muttered his apologies and choked back the snacks he’d eaten on the train. After experiencing summer camp, Pyxis was sure that there was nothing that could shock him anymore. How wrong he was.

As the ill-looking soldier limped down the hall, he took some time to practice the breathing exercises prescribed by his mother’s wellness coach. He’d always thought the coach was a loon, but maybe her pointers actually catered to wellness. Or rather, her pointers would hopefully steer Pyxis away from fainting or spewing. He barely registered the soldier’s - Headmaster’s - speech and only released himself from the back of his eyelids when a song began. The old man’s got some pipes! Wait. No. It’s the hat. He braced himself on the person to his left once more.

But the song seemed to calm him some because he chose to focus on its lyrics. The muggle-born appreciated the miniature history lesson provided by the hat, and the context he received on the houses helped him think a little bit more on which one he would like to call family. Bold, fair, sweet, and… shrewd. Well, the hat certainly had favorites.

The ceremony was terribly slow. It seemed like the hat needed several minutes to mull over each student, except for the rare few who were sorted almost immediately. Just as his ankles were starting to ache, he heard his name.

“Hellebore, Pyxis!” and even though he expected himself to scramble forward immediately, he walked over to the stool rather slowly instead. Apparently this house thing was a big deal, and he was preparing exactly what to say to convince the hat to put him in the house he wanted. But what house do I want? He still hadn’t made the descision as he took a seat and felt the cloth brush his head, pale face matching the one of the Headmaster standing nearby.

“That’s the question, isn’t it? What house indeed?” Gryffin…uh…puff! No, I meant… the… the bird one! “You have nary an idea where you belong, boy.” Pyxis knew it was useless to argue to that. “Let’s see then. You’ve got guts, I can tell.” I think it’s more likely that I might spill my guts instead. “You’re out of your element here. But I know. When you’re comfortable, you’ll rush into anything without thinking. Why is that? For glory and fame? Or is it to protect the people you hold dear? And what about toil? Do you like to work boy?” No! The hat simply laughed at him.

“You say that now, but remember, I know everything.” Even so, you can’t possibly think I’d belong somewhere that values hard work? “I possibly think I do. You’ll work, but only for what you want. As for smarts… no. Definitely not.” Hey! That’s not true! And it's quite rude, y’know. “There it is. You care for what I think about you, right? You care what others think, too. And you’re willing to do whatever it takes to reach your goals. You are your parents’ child, Mr. Hellebore. Scorn them if you must-” I don’t scorn them. “You do. But you have a chance to be better than them now. And there’s only one place that can fashion you well.”

There was a pause before the hat's proclamation, and Pyxis knew exactly where he was going. He had alarmingly little access to the wizarding world and his knowledge on the houses was lacking, but he knew.

“SLYTHERIN!”

Unsure if he should breathe in regret or relief, the boy simply slid off the stool and accepted the green people’s welcoming cheers. Once he got comfortable on the bench, his head hit the table for a few seconds and he thanked whatever deity was listening for their help in keeping him upright on that stool. He wasn’t sure if happiness was the appropriate reaction, and he definitely didn’t know if the Snakes were home, but at least his judgement was over.

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Allegra gazes around the Great Hall, her emotions a spiral of excitement, awe, nervousness, and fear. The grand room filled with students and decorations was an extraordinary sight. However, the faces of the older students whose attention is directed towards her and the other first years were frightening, to say the least. One small mess up and the whole school could see.

She nervously fiddles with the ends of her sleeves as she waits for her name to be called, her excitement quickly dwindling to make room for the new sense of anxiety which had bubbled up in her stomach.


Luckily- or unluckily (depending on how you view it), Allegra didn't need to wait long for her sorting. She continues to fiddle with her sleeves as she waits for the names of the students before her being called in alphabetical order. A...B....C....D..... and finally E. As it gets closer to her name being called she takes a few deep breaths, her eyes moving to gaze over the crowd once more. Then... "ALLEGRA ESPOSITO". She refocuses her attention on the sorting hat as her name is called, and after another deep breath, she moves towards the stool.


Once she takes a seat, her vision is obscured as the sorting hat is placed on her head, the brim falling over her eyes. After a few moments of the hat speaking and mumbling, it seemed to have made a decision. "Better be... GRYFFINDOR". The hat is then removed from her head, and she stands up, walking over to the table full of cheering students, all of whom were wearing red and gold robes. As she sits at the table her anxiety has not yet diminished, the butterflies in her stomach still fluttering about, but her excitement at being sorted seems to have overshadowed that, a large smile appearing on her face. This was a great start to her education at Hogwarts.

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The sorting ceremony was an event that Lyrra was pretty familiar with. At least, she'd been told about it. Her parents had taught her all about the houses, the hat, and most importantly the sorting itself. Her mom and dad were both Slytherins, so were their parents. Naturally, they expected Lyrra to be one as well. She herself, having basic knowledge of the four different houses, also fully expected slytherin.

Despite previously being told in detail about every aspect of hogwarts, the sight of the great hall made her feel nauseous. Together with the other first year students, she had just entered through the large, wooden doors. Lyrra knew that the great hall would be large, of course, but it was huge.
Finally the doors behind them closed and the students started to quiet down as the headmaster made his way to the front of the hall and started to speak. Lyrra tried her best to pay attention to the words while also attempting to stay calm in her nerves.

Finally, it was time for the names to be called out. The headmaster called the first student, then the second, and the third. Every time it took a few seconds, maybe a minute, before the first year was placed into a house. It seemed nothing to be afraid of, but still, Lyrra was as nervous as she'd ever been.

"Kelly, Lyrra!"

For a moment Lyrra just stood there, but when the realization sank in, she quickly made her way to the front. It's really my turn, she thought, I'm about to hear what house I belong to! Slytherin, probably, but now I'll actually know.
Lyrra sat down on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her head.

"Hmm... A Kelly, huh? Let's see. Pretty loyal. Ambitious, just like your parents. But you have something else... Oh, I see now. You'd do best in-

-GRYFFINDOR!"

What? The hat was taken off her head and Lyrra made her way to the Gryffindor table, where her new housemates were.
Gryffindor? This was the opposite of what she'd expected. Brave, am I brave? She glanced at the other Gryffindors, who all seemed to be having a great time. Well, at least there was one thing she knew for certain. The sorting hat is never wrong.

Wow, this definitely doesn't seem like a top-secret facility, thought Salina as she walked through the halls with the other first-years. There was only a smidge of sarcasm with that thought because even though the place, this castle, was very unusual compared to other places she has been...it didn't seem necessarily off, like she would expect.

Since she was first told about Hogwarts she, similar to her parents, was quite suspicious, though her parents thought she was selected for some gifted school rather than an actual place for the magically inclined. Salina expected to see scientists and government officials any minute now but everything seems strangely ordinary in it's own way. Like this was the everyday ambience for a society she just wasn't aware of before, which was the very literal situation. But she made sure to take note of as much as possible.

Salina readjusted her flowy robe, which reminded her of what judges wore in court. Everyone else around her was wearing one, too. Speaking of others, her group was being lead by these individuals known as prefects, which were basically student leaders. As they toured them around the castle, they shared useful information about the school, like where to go for certain things or situations, and where to avoid, since the castle happened to be moving and nearly sentient entity within itself, or however it worked.

She was most curious about what classes she would be taking, after seeing some of the rooms and areas. Salina was especially ready for sports and any other outdoor activity. She meant to speak on it but another first year beat her to it, initiating a discussion about some sport called Quidditch. The boy seemed to be like her, new to the magic world, because his questions were so oblivious apparently that it made other seemingly more knowledgeable students laugh. And some of the laughing ones cracked jokes about the student's ignorance, which made Salina hold back. She didn't like the vibe of some people already.

Eventually they arrived at a grand room announced as the Great Hall. Even before the reached it Salina could feel the ancient, powerful energy of the space. Inside were seated the other students of the school, sitting with their respective houses, professors at the rear table, hundreds of candles somehow floating above, and an amazing view of night sky above, but...it was the ceiling. Salina was sure what else to make of it because she was still comprehending how magic even worked.

The first years were lead down the middle aisle towards the professors' table, where a stool was placed, along with a dingy, or at the very least worn, hat was place. Salina had been told about it. It was called the Sorting Hat, and it's purpose was to sort students into the houses they would be in the for the rest of the school years at Hogwarts.

There were four houses: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each was represented by a creature, the lion, the eagle, the badger, and the serpent, respectively. Salina heard some things about each other them, which was then reiterated by the Headmaster of the school, Professor Lead, as the Sorting Ceremony commenced, but she wasn't sure which one she should be placed in. Not that it seemed to matter, since it decided for it's own, somehow. Salina, after hearing what it meant to be part of each, felt like Gryffindor and Hufflepuff were good enough fits but it seemed like some students were surprised and even disappointed in what they were placed in.

The Sorting went on for a long while, since there were a good amount of first years. Since they were going alphabetically, Salina would be somewhere in the middle, towards the end though. And unfortunately they were just standing there, and also being observed and even obnoxiously stared at by older students, so she let her mind wander until she was called.

"Skeeter, Salina!"

Salina snapped out of her daydreaming and immediately, but not hurriedly, made her way towards the stool. Her palm suddenly felt sweaty when she went to take a seat and noticed all the eyes staring back at her, so she focused on the floor as the hat was placed over her brow.

The Sorting Hat mused as seemed to...sort through her head, like it was going through her memories, thoughts, and feelings. Analyzing her, comprehending her, even sympathizing her. It felt like a long time in her head but the whole ordeal was probably meer moments on the outside. Sometimes she wanted to think something very opinionated about the whole ordeal because it felt borderline intrusive, but Salina knew it could read her mind so she just focused on wanting to be sorted into a house that was good enough for her.

"Miss Skeeter—and you should know this most of all...life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." Salina frowned a little bit. She wanted to say something, but felt like she wasn't supposed to, for some reason. "Keep this in mind during your endeavors, not only for yourself but others who may be in need of your fire, when they have forgotten their own," said the Sorting Hat. "GRYFFINDOR!"

Figures, she thought, as the table clad in red erupted into polite applause. As she meekly made her way over to the table someone magically adorned her in the colors of the lions. She seated herself betwen to a first year and an older student, processing the moment. What does it even truly mean to be a lion?

Elijah hadn’t heard anything in the Headmaster’s address past “Welcome”. He was self-aware enough to feel at least a little embarrassed of the fact, but privately he didn’t think it was entirely his fault. Not when he was expected to listen whilst also processing everything in front of him.

'Great Hall' was a fitting name. He didn’t know where to look first. Floating candles, moving portraits, swooping tapestries, four massive tables that spanned the length of the hall brimming with students-

There were so many students.

The hall was large, yes, but it didn’t feel that way. It felt too small for the amount of energy it contained, constant buzz of chatter and the air warm and heavy with something that was maybe excitement, maybe anticipation, maybe magic itself. It stuck to his tongue and throat when he breathed in. He loosened his tie.

It was the singing hat that eventually made him snap back to attention. With the song and brief introduction to the house system over (one that Elijah had in no way processed at all), it wasn’t long before he was being called up.

He shifted self-consciously as the hat was placed on his head, ignoring the prickled gaze of hundreds of eyes. “I’ll have a look inside your mind”, it had sung, and Elijah wondered whether privacy was a thing at all in the wizarding world. Shouldn’t there be a consent form for this kind of thing? I, Elijah Cadence Ace, give permission to have the only private place in the world violated by an old-

He couldn’t bring himself to feel bad when the sound of a pointed cough filled his head.

“Mr. Ace, I see we have a curious and highly active mind,” the voice said, “common makings of a great Ravenclaw”.

That didn’t mean much to Elijah so he let the hat continue muttering to itself, resisting the urge to bounce his leg.

“Although… is it a thirst for knowledge, I wonder, or one for life? I daresay the head is rarely involved in your decision making. For that, you turn to the heart.”

Well. Elijah supposed it was fair to be insulted back, however backward it may have been. A beat of silence and his fingers curled around the edge of the stool.

“GRYFFINDOR”

He still wasn’t sure what momentous decision had been made as he walked over to the table adorned in red, but the sincere enthusiasm and congratulations he received made him think it couldn’t be a wholly bad one. An empty spot was easy to find this early into the ceremony and he dropped into it with a sigh of relief, his fingers twisting into the charms on his bracelet in a subconscious habit. Elijah allowed himself a ten second countdown before straightening and turning to watch the other first years.

He’d find some time to process later. For now, he was happy to be here.

Ophelia was worried. She'd never been away from her parents this long. It had been days since she'd last seen them and there was still a long time to go before break. She didn't know how she was going to handle any of it. Still, she couldn't deny that being around others like her, other magical beings, was enough to incite something magical inside her. Excitement. And even the worry that she felt about her younger brother at home without her wasn't enough to suppress her awe at the giant castle-school.

After the long ride on the Hogwarts Express, the group of first years had been pulled aside and had gotten taken on a boat ride across the lake to the castle building which Ophelia was told was the school. She'd been amazed. Now, they sat in a large hall, accurately named the Great Hall, in front of four large tables. Each one was emblazoned with its own colors.

Mrs. Northwell, Ophelia's mother, had described to her the sorting process that she was going to go through and she'd been excited. Though she hadn't been pressured into somehow getting into one specific house, she'd felt the pride that her mother had felt at being a Ravenclaw. "You have no idea how proud I shall be of you if you become a Ravenclaw as well, my dear." She'd said, her eyes shining as she envisioned something. No pressure.

After the Headmaster completed his extremely long speech, everyone had stepped back to let the old hat do its work. The song had been mystifying, as Ophelia hadn't understood a word and it hadn't really sounded much like singing to her. But all the other students had been quiet and awed.

Now, the actual Sorting began.

Ophelia zoned out, thinking about her options. If she was in Ravenclaw, her mother would be ecstatic when she received the letter. Though she'd clearly told Ophelia that any house would make her proud, it was pretty apparent that there was only one house that she wanted her child to be in. But Ophelia had seen one of her friends get picked for Slytherin earlier. Maybe that's where I belong, too. She really didn't know.

"Northwell, Ophelia!"

Her name was called abruptly and harshly and Ophelia jerked into a standing position. She stared at the mass of people staring at her and took a deep breath, walking slowly to the old stool which housed the wizened hat.

Ophelia slipped the Sorting Hat over her head. It was large enough to slide down and touch the tops of her ears. She closed her eyes, blocking out the stares of the students and staff. She felt a being enter her consciousness and almost jumped when she heard the hat's voice.

"Miss Northwell. Daughter of a Ravenclaw. Do you possess the same qualities of you mother, or do you belong somewhere else?"

There was a long sigh-like sound that made Ophelia believe that the hat was thinking. Ravenclaw, please. She thought, hoping the hat would obey her commands, though she didn't know exactly how it worked.

"You're thinking Ravenclaw too, eh?" The hat was silent for a moment before yelling her result out into the world. "RAVENCLAW!"

Ophelia opened her eyes and took off the wizened creature from atop her head, placing it down gently on the stool for the next student. Satisfied, she almost skipped down to the large table clearly marked Ravenclaw. She couldn't wait to tell her mother.

The thought of me...part of the Wolfe ancient family has been invited to go to hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. I was anxious when I got onto the train but even more anxious when i got into the great hall. when they called my name "Raven Wolfe" Instead of clapping the whole hall became quiet. as i walked up the steps i got even more scare., what if they don't like me? what if i won't be accepted into the school for whatever reason. Because, of my strange heritage? as i got up there to the hat,i put it on and it started to talk :
"oh,my,my,my it has been a while since i saw the mind of a Wolfe member, where should i put you? Every Wolfe member went into various house's they all became good wizards. hmm you have no courage, i see weakness in you. I don't see loyal. and you don't seem like a snake... you have great intelligence... hmm very well might as well be RAVENCLAW... just know you are the hardest person to sort i have ever met."
As i took off the hat the hall did not clap as It heard the hat. I got up and put the hat then i walked to the ravenclaw table and sat at the the very end of it. waiting till the end. I just knew that this year is going to be very interesting.