Closed The Sorting ceremony 2018-2019

Going onto the train was not an exciting feat, at least not for Dunhee’s mother, she made sure that Dunhee’s clothes were in perfect condition and that they looked just bought, even if they were it looked like it was just made. ‘First impressions are the most important ones’ she remembered her mother telling her. She watched all the other kids gawk and marvel at the train that finally reached platform 9^3/4. She was forced to stay impassive on her facial features as her mother was right beside her, on the left to be exact. When she felt a warm hand on her left shoulder and looked up to her father’s smiling face she couldn’t help but let out a smile, making sure her mother wasn’t looking. When the trained let out a whistle, she boarded it, making sure to grab an empty spot all to myself so she could say goodbye to her parents in peace. She said goodbye to both of them, but she put more sorrow in her father’s goodbye than her mother’s. If she was truthful she would say that she was excited to be finally out of her grasps, she had gotten bored under her mother’s care, so she was really hoping that she could discover exciting adventures at hogwarts.

Finally the train started to move forward, so did her life. She looked at the small book she had with her and shrugged, seeing as she had nothing to do, she decided to go and read it. She doubted that someone would come sit with her so she settled for putting her stuff on the space next to her before grabbing the book and reading it. Dunhee only got to the third chapter before falling asleep of boredom.

Finally the train ride was over, and thankfully Dunhee awoke an hour before it reached Hogwarts so she had plenty of time to pack up and stare at the outside scenery. She decided to eat one of the three chocolate frogs she had bought when the cart lady came by, she could eat the other two later. When she had finished her small treat they had finally arrived at hogwarts, ten minutes ago it was a dot in her view, now it was so big she almost didn’t believe it.

Dunhee had followed everyone else on the path to the school, which she had slight doubts that this was ‘the only way to get to the school’ but she didn’t say anything she quite liked it anyways. She also liked some of the conversations she had heard on the way to the great hall. She looked around in the room, she marveled it with her eyes, at least she didn’t catch flies like the rest with their mouths hanging open. She listened to the speech given by the Headmaster, Ackerley Blackburn. She couldn’t help but glare at the kids who thought this was the appropriate time to whisper and giggle.

The ceremony began and Dunhee couldn’t help the feelings that rushed to her all at once, when she realized that this was real, this was happening, she was in Hogwarts about to be sorted to her house, she also finally for nervous, she didn’t mind a house like Hufflepuff, but she absolutely loathed the idea of Gryffindor, those were clowns who where reckless and cocky. ”Dunhee Lee”, she froze as she heard her name, but not enough to seem scared. She briskly walked up, tense from the eyes on her. She felt the hat sit on her head, then it seemed to block her vision from her peers.

‘Ah, Another Lee. I remember your mother, a wise Ravenclaw, and your father was also an ambitious Slytherin’ the hat spoke to her, she suddenly realized it was in her head, not outloud. ‘You catch on quick’ the hat had commented. ‘I see bravery in your heart, but your mind is truly cunning. I see that you were often rejected of things from your mother too. But you were ambitious to get what you wanted.’ The hat spoke. Dunhee tried not to react to it, she knew no matter what she said that it would affect the outcome. ‘Very true indeed’ was the comment to her recent thought. ‘I see your path is not a clear one, for that you will need friends that will truly help you, you shall belong to ”...SLYTHERIN” the hat bellowed. She smiled as she hopped off the seat and to her table, full of her future family and hopefully friends. She couldn’t help but silently thank the hat for the choice it had made.

"Um..." Ariella was worried. She had no idea what the heck her house was going to be, and whether it would help her or not...
Ugh, was she kidding? This was the sorting hat, and she shouldn't be afraid - but she couldn't help to be nervous. She lined up with the other first years, who looked equally nervous, though some seemed confident. They must already know that they would be in a certain house, she thought, noticing how they were not looking down like a lot of the other students. After hearing people get their names and houses yelled, Ariella felt almost deaf. The sorting hat was darn loud. After waiting for a bit she heard her name.
"Paige, Ariella!"
Slowly walking up to the stool, she took a deep breath. Nothing could go wrong, she told herself, calmly, It's not as if it's going to kill you or anything.
Slowly, she sat on the stool, and the voice of the sorting hat appeared in her head. "Ahh, difficult, very, very, difficult. Both your parents... Gryffindor, but you seem to be very different to them. Curious, but determined. Sly, but also well-read. I'd say you'd be with the snakes or the lions, now wouldn't you... let's see, you would make your real friends in..."
"RAVENCLAW!!!"
Ariella breathed a sigh of relief. So she wasn't sorted into Gryffindor, thank God.

Alex was excited to finally see the great castle his brothers had been talking about for years. They bragged about everything- especially Rhys- knowing how much it got on Alex's nerves. He'd lost count of the number of times he'd dreamed the place. The giant castle- rivaling Winchester itself. He wondered how the Queen would feel if she ever got to see Hogwarts. The Great Hall, with the floating candles or holiday decorations. The never-ending food though, was what he was most excited for. His mum's cooking was great, of course, but his brothers went on and on about the deserts for the Opening Feast. Alex couldn't help it- he had a sweet tooth.

It was even better than he imagined! The tall ceilings with the blue skies above (he was pretty sure that was just enchanted, right? It didn't feel that cold in here. But what if it rained?) were magnificent. There were so many portraits moving around on the walls it made the hall seem even bigger.

And then there were the students. They were... they were all watching the first years- like Alex- get sorted. He could see Ben in Hufflepuff and Rhys in Gryffindor pulling faces at him, which he made right back and then blushed as red as Rhys's robes as he realized all the other students could see him doing this as well.

What if the Sorting Hat realized how bad Alex was at magic? What if it couldn't pick any house for him? What if this was Alex's first and last view of the Great Hall?

Lumos, for light. Nox to extinguish, Alex repeated spells and their effects to himself, thinking he had to prove his knowledge- maybe the Sorting Hat would be distracted by what he read over the summer and not realize Alex's failures.

"Orion, Alex!" His turn already? Alex froze for a moment, staring at the hat, before one of the professors gave him a small push in its direction.

Hands shaking, Alex picked up the hat and placed it gently on its head.

Another Orion, hmm? Could everyone else hear the hat? Or was it just speaking in his mind? Alex couldn't remember if his brothers told him this.

Your brothers have done quite well here, quite well. I suppose we can expect the same from you?

Please, please let me stay at Hogwarts. I don't care what house I'm sorted into. I just don't want to go home and face my family's disappointment. I want to belong here.

But are you brave like Liam and Rhys? Or loyal and hard-working like Ben?

Was the hat ignoring his concerns? Couldn't it hear his thoughts? Didn't it know he wasn't good enough?

You've memorized more spells than any other first year I've sorted in quite some time. Is it a thirst for knowledge you have?

I just want to be good enough. I want to be good at magic. I'll do whatever it takes.

Hard work then, I see. Better be...

"Hufflepuff!"

Alex sighed in relief. He was still here. They couldn't kick him out after he'd been sorted, could they?

The hat called the next name from atop his head, and he jumped. Right. Better take that off, then. Alex deposited the hat back on the stool and ran toward his second oldest brother's house. He made it. He really was a Hogwarts student!

I stood there waiting after a long lonely trip by the express and boat across the lake. Here is where I shall start my new adventure I thought looking up at the star speckled ceiling of the great hall.

“Kathrine Vincent”

OH! thats me. I stepped forward only to trip on my robes, before sitting down to see the a greatly over sized tattered hat to be sat on my head. It covered my eyes and I could barely see a thing as a voice echoed in my head. “Ah finally another Gorgan." Yes my mother, I thought back to the hat. Mother had told me about the long conversation you guys had before you placed her in Slytherin. "Ah Yes Candence, You seem to have inherited her ambition and intelligence, but here it is your father's witty nature." He was Hufflepuff... "Yes but, Hufflepuff is not for you.....Better be SLYTHERIN!”

Slytherin? Well father says the hat is never wrong. I thought as the hat was lifed off my head. I walked dazed towards the table of clapping Slytherins. I sat down thinking how I better write my brother and tell him that he owes me a galleon. He was sure I was going to be a Ravenclaw.

Growing up with a large family from two different bloodlines provided Mitzi with different point-of-views on a wizards place in the world. As she grows up, and develops her powers, it is her job to figure out what she wants to with her magic and how she's going to do it. She could follow her mother's side, and see superiority as something of value, or her father's side and just value the gift that was bestowed on certain souls, something others weren't able to get.

As she walked down the corridor with the other first-years, on their way to the Sorting Ceremony, she considered this choice, since it would be the first that affected many others while she went to Hogwarts. She thought about what her mother said often, about how Mitzi liked to ask a lot of big questions, like 'why were wizards and muggles made?', 'where does magic come from?', and 'will magic disappear one day?'. Mitzi just wanted to be sure of things, but it seemed like there were too many unanswered questions everywhere. Like right now, the question that floated above most of the first-year's heads was 'what house will I be put it?'.

Mitzi's parents both went to Hogwarts, fortunately, although they never spoke to each other until her mother was in her seventh year and her father was in his sixth. Her mother, who had went by Jasmine Elders, was a tall, serious Ravenclaw who didn't like to stick to rules she didn't believe. Often she'd challenge things that people said, whether it was a student, professor, or relative, and she wouldn't hesitate to follow her own rules if she felt like they were better, which is why she broke from her family's long line of purebloods, unlike her fearful siblings, and married a muggleborn. Her father, William Waddell, was born from two rowdy muggles who gave him up for adoption. He was adopted by a wizard family known as the Waddell's but nearly everyone knew of his origin. Despite the 'abandonment' of his parents, her father always had a good heart, great dose of optimism, and a fair mind, which landed him in Hufflepuff. He treats every situation as if his choice is as dire as life or death and he tries to keep peace as the uppermost goal.

Thinking of all of this, Mitzi considered which House she'd be put in, just as she rounded the corner into the Great Hall. Hundreds of students surrounded her, each from one of the four houses of Hogwarts. She craned her neck at the hanging light near the ceiling, which itself seemed to represent the night sky outside. As they walked down towards the sorting hat to lineup, Mitzi finally came down to two choices, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. She just couldn't see herself as a Slytherin, no matter how she thought, and judging by her father's jolly personality and persistent mirth, she probably wouldn't fit in Hufflepuff, although she didn't know much about it. So all that was left was Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Her mother said she was pretty clever for her age, and she took time to think through her decisions to do the right thing. She also said that Mitzi became dramatically more courageous over the years, from when she was little and was scared of nearly everything to now, when she even scolded her younger cousins for being afraid of anything from the dark to bad wizards.

So that's how come when it was her turn to try on the infamous Sorting Hat, Mitzi set her mind and thoughts on those two Houses. Closing her eyes to both concentrate and blot out the sight of a bunch of strangers staring at her, Mitzi imagined the two floating symbols of Ravenclaw and Gryffindor floating in her mind as the Hat mused.

"So, you're giving me the choices, eh," says the Hat. "The Lions or the Eagles, a choice that can be big or small, but maybe it's not our choice, for the heart chooses after all...Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, oh so your mind perseveres...ah, I think I've found it, for now it's oh so clear..."

Then in a loud clear voice, it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"

The Great Hall erupted in applause, mostly coming from the table shrouded in red. Mitzi got up, beaming so hard her cheeks hurt. She hurried over to the table and sat down, accepting the pats on the back and hugs from the students. Her father said that this would be the first of the many great moments during her stay at Hogwarts and she couldn't agree more.

Nick had always known about Hogwarts. His mother had told him about her experiences every chance she got. However, She had not warned Nick that a tattered hat would be the first person-- sorry, the first thing to greet him, and all the other students in the room. Nick had already nearly fainted because of the number of people there (he's extremely shy), and a talking hat certainly did not help things.

Nick started to daydream as the "Sorting Hat" began to sing its song. As the hat started to sort people, Nick did manage to get the general idea, but mostly kept thinking about what to write to his mom for not telling him about the Sorting.

When the Sorting Hat yelled out Nick's name, he leaped nearly two feet into the air and started to walk slowly to the chair where the hat was sitting. Nick could feel his face flush as kids clad in green, yellow, blue, and red turned to face him. when he put the hat on, he could feel a voice whisper in his ear.

"Well, well, well. A Jones boy. I knew your mother well, boy. A Ravenclaw at heart. I see you want to follow her into that House... Ahh, Shyness. Though you do like to play pranks... Mmm, yes. Bravery comes in many shapes, m'boy! I think I'll put you in GRYFFINDOR!"

Nick stood up slowly. A million thoughts rushed through his head as he put the hat down and went to sit with the kids clad in red, as they were cheering the hardest, but Nick heard none of it. As he sat down in the empty chair farthest away from anyone else. "Why would the hat put me in Gryffindor? I'm shy! Aren't Gryffindors supposed to be brave? What's that it said about 'Bravery comes in many shapes and sizes?'" And most importantly...

What am I going to tell Mom?

Marilyn Alle looked around nervously but excited. As someone who came from a family that does not have a history of magic ability, what happened to her was surprising. She remembered the first time she got a letter from Hogwarts stating that she was accepted to attend school there -as a witch- and of course, no one from her family had ever heard of Hogwarts before. However, she was surprised by her mother who believed that Lyn did have special talents, and was eager to fulfil all of her school requirements -according to what was written in the letter- even though they had difficulty finding a place where they could buy all the magic school equipment.

And she stood there, in the middle of a large hall containing hundreds of wizards and witches sitting at long tables in the room. Even though she had read a book about Hogwarts before she entered the school, she never imagined the extraordinary sensation of entering Hogwarts. She and a number of first-year students are waiting for their turn to got sorting to their house where they will live in while studying at Hogwarts. Lyn had read about the four houses and for her wherever she was placed, she would accept them with joy. Some names have been called and Lyn can see the students who are called by their name sitting on chairs, wearing the worn and faded hat, and then the hat told them which house they are. Lyn waited for her turn patiently.

"Allen, Marilyn," she finally called to be sorted.

Lyn almost tripped as she came towards the stool where the hat was located. One minute later she was sitting in a chair and wearing that hat.

"Muggle family witches, huh," Lyn could hear a sound on her head. "Hmm ... An excited child who likes to meet new people and does everything for people around her. No need to doubt HUFFLEPUFF!" the voice blared as he said the dorm where Lyn is.

Lyn immediately removed the hat from her head. The room was boisterous with applause -Hufflepuff house was the most eagerly to clapped and whistling- and Lyn headed forward a long table in the centre of the hall where Hufflepuff students sat. She shook hands with several students, sat there, and waited for the other one-year students to be sorted into their houses.

"Luciel Zontanos."

A young boy wearily stepped up, confusion written all over his face. Adding up the shock he received from an owl aggressively pecking his head before leaving a letter, being pushed into a brick wall and landing face first on an unfamiliar train platform, riding on a train that was chock-full with kids and jumping chocolate frogs, a raft ride on a wide river and seeing a castle on a hill, any normal 11 year old child would have been shaken to his core. But Luciel was just confused, utterly confused. Even after all of the magical occurrences that happened around him, he still truthfully believed that he was going to a boarding school. But... why did the ceiling look like the night sky?!

"Please proceed to the front so you can be sorted into a house."

A magnetic voice resounded in the enormous hall, the children's seemingly endless chattering ceased. Nervous, Luciel reluctantly followed the voice's instruction. Why? First, he didn't know where it came from, second, something told him that even if he wanted to, there are no possibilities of him running away from this place.

The young boy spotted a chair in the middle of the stage with an old man pointing towards it, this must be where he'll be sitting. The boy sat down and positioned himself comfortably, though, that comfort only lasted for a few moments when that dilapidated talking hat that scared him was placed on top of his head.

Hmmm... A Zontanos? How odd...

"Odd? Excuse me? What do you mean odd? Are you insulting me? No, no, no, if you wanna talk about odd, you're odd! You're a hat, and you're speaking! How dare you call a normal boy, odd? No wait, that's not the point right now, how does a piece of talking leather know me?!"

The hall was filled with silence.

The young boy, flabbergasted at the hat's remarks, couldn't help but erupt. Numerous eye balls were focused on him, from what he saw, it seems like they were flabbergasted too. Though, who knows if it was because of the talking hat or Luciel's outburst. Still, how dare a talking head wear call him odd?! Furthermore, why does it know his surname?

YOU DARE CALL ME ODD?! Boy, cease your blabbering before I turn you into a steak.

"Turn me into a steak?! Ludicrous! GO ON, I DARE YO-" Something struck the boy's head, he was currently arguing with a hat, A HAT. Memories of his trip rushed into his mind like a river, the train platform, those pouncing chocolate frogs, the talking hat... If he didn't know what was going on by now then he might as well pass off as stupid. Even a toddler would understand the current situation that he's in.

"I mean... I apologize for my sudden outburst of careless and offensive remarks towards you, Mr. Hat sir, I didn't mean to be so rude... So please, continue with the ceremony." Spoke Luciel with reverence. A huge contrast to his tone a little while ago.

The hat's already grumpy appearance scrunched up even more, but of course, the culprit was unaware of this.

Quite a mouth you have there, brat. Well, growing up as a thief and a liar must have taught you how hard life is in an early age. Very well, I shall forgive you this time. But, remember, you should show respect to everyone in this institute.

Luciel blankly nodded.

The hat started to speak.

Born from a Slytherin and a Ravenclaw, eh? Zontanos... Ah, what a tragedy.

Geez, stop spouting nonsense and just get on with it.

Kid, I can hear your thoughts

Oh... Cough! Apologies, please take your time.

Hmm... Cunning and intelligent, it seems you possess both characteristics of a Slytherin and a Ravenclaw, you have good blood, child.

Excuse me, but, do you know my parents?

The young boy sincerely inquired, the hat has been talking about him being born from a "Slytherin" and a "Ravenclaw" for a while, only an idiot wouldn't realize that that the hat knew something. This sparked his interest, taunting him to inquire but...

Shush.

Ah, I see... you have an unyielding heart burning with passion... A liar but a loyal companion, nevertheless... I feel a strong desire to be recognized... Hmm... indeed, this is difficult... Child, let me ask you, would you rather be a Slytherin or a Ravenclaw?

Those are the houses right? Well... which one of them offers a better education, a warm bed and good food? Oh and, don't forget the monthly allowanc-

Choose.

The boy wracked his mind for an answer as he stared at the crowd of children in front of him. He noticed that their robes had emblems on them. He found certain table where the children's robes had a green snake imprint. Silver and Green. He didn't have a basis nor any information about the houses to thoroughly think it through, so, he might as well go with the one that looks the coolest.

Assuming from the snake emblem, the boy answered in a whisper.

"Slytherin."

Mm... I see... well then...





GRYFFINDOR!

Aster Blake sat patiently, watching passively as her fellow first years were called forward. With ankles crossed primly, she had to shift slightly in her seat as the next student made their way to the sorting hat. Though she did not pay much mind to the features of the one that passed by, she did notice that they wore the same expression that nearly all the others had... a sort of anxious hope.

She focused her eyes on the boy now seated upon the stool, the hat being lowered upon his head. His form began to blur around the edges as Aster's mind wandered. Her mother and father were both proud Slytherins, she held a wish in her heart to follow in their footsteps. How pleased they would be. But, what would happen should she end up in a different house? Aster's brow began to furrow, imagining a fate that would land her in Ravenclaw, Griffindor, or... even Hufflepuff.

No, no, no... it wouldn't happen that way.

“Aster Blake...”

The girl snapped out of it. She rose gracefully from her seat, smoothed the front of her robes, and walked towards the front of the room. There was a look cool confidence on her face, further displayed by her straight posture and seemingly nonchalant steps. However, she could not deny the definite flutter of nerves within. Aster perched daintily upon the stool, and felt the old hat come to sit atop her blonde curls.

There was a gruff, whispering voice heard. Aster kept her eyes straight ahead, but blinked a couple of times, for it was a very odd sensation. It seemed that the hat was searching, but it wasn't long at all before there was an answer to a very important question: which house would Aster be placed in?

"SLYTHERIN!"

A small gasp escaped the girl, quickly followed by a pleased smile. There really was no doubt at all, she mused silently. Hopping down from her seat, she held her head high as she took the walk down the aisle to the table of Slytherins. Aster took her seat, next to other students clad in the emerald lined robes. She was welcomed with nods and smiles, all of which she eagerly returned.

It was a good start indeed.

The number of people gave Ophelia a rather uncomfortable feeling in her chest. She was not a fan of gigantic masses of unfamiliar faces. Many of them were smiling and talking, questioning what houses they will be sorted into. A few were quiet, listening to the decisions the hat made for other wizards. Some expressed worry and overthought, probably hoping to be sorted in a house they perceived as best.
Ophelia, on the other hand, did not expect anything. She didn't really have a preference, she wouldn't judge by each house's conventional images and ideas, knowing all the stereotypes of such should be abandoned. Each house has its ups and downs, its pros and cons and all that Ophelia hoped was that she would enjoy her position when it shall be decided.
"Ophelia Silverton."
Hearing her name out loud, head tilted up, gazing upon the direction of the echoed voice. Standing up, the girl noticed some eyes on her. Trying to ignore them, not a fan of colossal attention but deciding she won't put her mind too much on the gazes, face giving a rather intimidating look as she was walking towards the chair.
The hat seemed to be thinking for a while, looking at Ophelia's somewhat serious expression, which showed neither excitement nor worry.
Then, the hat smiled. It seemed to know something, something which made blue eyes light with curiosity.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The pale-haired girl nodded, returning a tiny smile to the hat, leaving the chair and stepping towards the table of yellow.
Many smiled at her, welcoming her, head nodded at them in return, then she sat on the closest chair she could find and observed the rest of the ceremony in silence.