Closed The Sorting ceremony 2018-2019

RAVENCLAW! The hat screamed.

Her gasp was, unluckily, very audible. Alex covered her mouth and slinked off to the Ravenclaw table. Giggles and murmurs followed her as she walked.

As she sat down, she started thinking. One question kept popping into her mind: "Why was I not put in Slytherin?"

She had always thought that she was a Slytherin. Her father, at least, always told her so. But then again, she would never put a jinx on someone to get what she wanted…

“Snap out of it Alex.” She scolded herself. In her head, of course. “Not all Slytherins are bad.”

Another point came to mind. Did this mean that she would have no time to put her crazy plans to action? It seemed as if all Ravenclaw cared about was grades. Which she cared a lot about too, but...

“Snap out of it Alex! Nobody ever said you had to obey the norm! Plus, there is so much more to Ravenclaw then you are imagining!”

Her mind jumped in her anxiety again. How would she make friends with people who were so more, well, Ravenclaw-y than her, smarter and better? She couldn't deal with being second, ever. She hated the feeling.

“Snap out of it Alex! You are in Ravenclaw, so obviously you must be smart. The sorting hat knows everything. You will be fine.”

She realized that she was fidgeting with her necklace. She fought to still her hands. It was her nervous tick. The necklace was a yellow drop-shaped jewel that she had received for her 11th birthday, from her best friend, Jude (Juliette). It reminded her of her old life. Jude was, unsurprisingly, a muggle. Alex was crushed to leave Jude behind. She scrunched her eyes shut to keep herself from crying.

“Snap out of it Alex! Fit in. Don’t...”

“SNAP OUT OF SAYING SNAP OUT OF IT!” She yelled. But not in her head this time. All the real Ravenclaws whisked their heads around to stare at her. Her. She lowered her head to stare at her french-onion soup. Which was delicious but did not help her case whatsoever. So much for fitting in.

Eventually, the table started talking again. Sheesh. “Nice going Alex.”

“Snap out of it! Negative thoughts lead to…”

She mentally (thank goodness) slapped herself. What a great start to a year that was supposed to be like a dream.

[font=times new roman]It was as if a ball of butterflies sat at the bottom of her stomach. Hailey smiled so wide, her cheeks scrunched up to the corner of her eyes and her eyes filled with wonder, but she still felt a sort of uneasiness and uncertainty somewhere. As she and the other first-years made there way into the Entrance Hall she was intent on looking around but she knew she had to focus once she caught sight of the Headmaster. She could tell by his stature that he was getting ready to say something so she helped shush everyone so he could speak.

The Headmaster talked about taking them to the Great Hall to be sorted, the four Houses, and house points, all of which her older brother had already told her about. Speaking of which, she had just looked in time to see him go down the halls, looking at her. She raised her hand to wave but he stuck his tongue out and ran off with his friends, laughing. Hailey frowned for a moment but Headmaster had just finished his speech and they were on their way to the Great Hall.

As they walked Hailey bounced between thoughts about which House she'd be sorted into and the interesting things inside the castle. Her mother had had been sorted into Ravenclaw and her father in Gryffindor, while her brother, Harrison, had been sorted into Hufflepuff. Hailey had her fingers crossed for Ravenclaw, she wanted to make her mum happy. All summer she'd gone on and on about how smart and clever Hailey was becoming and she hoped that it was a sign that she'd get into the House of blue. Her mum had already ordered a dozen blue dresses, and expensive ones too, so Hailey hoped she wouldn't disappointment.

Hailey had an odd feeling, though, about the Sorting Ceremony and the outcome, but she tried to put it in the back of her mind as they finally entered the Great Hall.

It was grandiose! The castle was old but it still had a charm that certainly allured Hailey. She beamed up at the enchanted ceiling, gazing at the starry, night sky that protrayed the outdoors perfectly. The hall was so big, and it felt bigger with all of the students staring at her group as they headed down the row. Hailey squeezed her crossed fingers even closer together as she came into view of the Sorting Hat. If I could only get one wish, she thought. It would be to get into Ravenclaw, it's all I want for Christmas and my birthday. She wished as hard as she could, squeezing her eyes into tiny slits as if that would make her wishing more effective.

When the ceremony finally commenced, Hailey listened as the Sorting Hat sang it's song. It was interesting to listen to, talking about the founders of Hogwarts, the house virtues, and what makes each house so unique. This made Hailey think: what if she didn't get into Ravenclaw? That would be devastating, but maybe she should think about the other possibilities. There was literally nothing she could do if she got into any other house, and her mum always told her to think of every possibility.

Hailey was considering all of this when the Sorting Hat finally called her. He shouted, or more like demanded, “Latimer, Halitreia!” and she lurched forward, heading speedily over to the chair where the hat lay. She sat down and one of the professors placed it on her, covering her eyes.

It was darkness for a moment until the matter-of-fact voice of the Sorting Hat rumbled into her ear. “Yet another Latimer, I see. Wonder what it'll be this time, Hufflepuff like your brother? Gryffindor like your father? Oh–better yet, Slytherin, like your great-grandmother. Ah, I remember that day oh so clearly, she threatened me to put her into Slytherin.”

Hailey licked her lips and felt her heartbeat quicken; it was forbidden to talk about Grandmother Dianne, but the hat probably didn't know that. But what he said did interest her–would she fit in Slytherin? Only pure-bloods really got into there, and she didn't think she was the Slytherin type. Thinking of this reminded her about her wish and she crossed her fingers.

“Please,” she whispered earnestly. “I really want to be in Ravenclaw, I think I'm smart enough, and my mum was in there, too–I'm just like her.”

“But are you? I see more of your father in you than any other...yes, it's almost certainly the case. For that I shall say–”

“Wait–”

“GRYFFINDOR.” Applause erupted around the room, centered at the Gryffindor table. As someone took the hat off her head and lightly pushed her towards her table, Hailey smiled weakly but inside was a whole different story. She felt like a dementor had ripped her soul away; what would her mom say? She could imagine the Howler–no, her mother would send long, long letter than spanned from from Hogwarts to the end of the world about how disappointed she was in her eldest daughter. The corners of her eyes stung as she shuffled towards the table, sinking into a seat. She scratched the corner of her eye to hid her water eyes.

I do not want to be in this house. Hailey joined the others in watching the first-years get sorted out but she was really thinking about all of this. She rested her head in one hand and tried to relax. It couldn't be that bad, Gryffindor was a good house and her father was more than a great person. What did the hat mean about she was like her father? Nevermind that, now all she could do was wonder how she could make up this mistake to her mother.

One of the Gryffindors at her table tapped her on the shoulder and asked, “Hey, new girl—Latimer, isn't it? Your brother's Harrison, right? What do you think of your first day?”

Startled, Hailey thought for moment before answering. “...it's...it's definitely not what I expected.” And that was only too true, however the understatement.

There was no clear consensus on this group of first years. Some grinning ear to ear with excitement, filled with anticipation to join their respective group of wizards. Others filled with an overwhelming anxiety, fearful they would not get picked into the house of their preference. Then there was Thomas maintaining a formidable distance between the other first years at the end of the table. If a survey was given to a bunch of clueless muggles, the majority would point to Thomas as the loner of the group.

He watched scornfully as the students took their turns, one by one being selected into their houses. Many showing joy, excitement, relief. He could not relate. Thomas had an underlying fear he’d be chosen into the house his father was. Briefly a death eater, he was killed in a fire shortly after Thomas’ was born. Despite his mother’s attempts of explaining to Thomas the good man his father was before he was corrupted, he refused to believe her stories.

Over his short time on this world, the fear Thomas has carried has developed into hatred. For who his father became, and his premature departure. He feared his selection into Slytherin would only increase his chances of following that same dark path.

“Thomas Lestrange.”

So absorbed in his thoughts, Thomas failed to realize a handful of other students staring at him. A student near him spoke up impatiently. “That’s you, is it not? Well get up there before the sun rises!” Thomas stood up quickly, embarrassed. He was often wrapped up in his thoughts, detached from the present.

The headmaster placed the hat firmly on his head.

“Ahh, what a treat. Angry are we? Much like your father at his age!”

Thomas clenched his fists, the older students’ that were aware of his father’s dark past and demise began to whisper judgingly about him. Or at least so he thought.

“There’s power in anger you know, if controlled properly. You have a high ceiling Lestrange, yes you do. Only one place to put you…SLYTHERIN!”

Thomas closed his eyes, fighting the tears that threatened to stream down his face. His sorting went worse than expected. Not only was he compared to his father, but also selected into the same house. In his mind, he would never escape this shadow.

After joining his place aside the snakes, Thomas let his head drop into his hands. One of the boys looked to him with a sinister grin. “My father said yours was an outright fool for what occurred.” Thomas tried his best to ignore him, looking to the substantial number of floating candles near the ceiling. He may not have known at the time he was far different from his father in ways he refused to perceive. Though he was still vulnerable to a wicked road.

Daniel felt very small and alone as he stepped up to the front of the Great Hall to be sorted. The sound of his own name was still ringing in his ears, underscored by the anticipatory silence of the other, older students and his fellow first years. He still felt very much out of place in this odd world. He had wandered Diagon Alley on his own, quietly selecting all that he needed as quickly as possible. His visit to Ollivander's had rather rattled him. A small voice in his head kept on asking if he even wanted or needed magic, if it was going to be away from the familiarity and safety of his home. He could enter any world he wished in the numerous books lying in piles in his bedroom.

But of course he wanted magic, didn't he? He would have to be insane not to. Besides, just think of what Aster would say when he wrote her all about Hogwarts. He would get used to the hugeness of this new world, he told himself, and finally stepped up to the stool next to the Sorting Hat.

It was plunked unceremoniously onto his head and then, to his great surprise, it began to speak.

Hm.. said the voice. Well, this should be easy enough. Good head on your shoulders. Thirst for knowledge. I believe you'd do quite well in...RAVENCLAW!

Feeling relieved (and not quite sure exactly what he was relieved at), Daniel joined the sea of cheering blue and silver students.

Finding his way to the top of the stairs with the others, Livius saw a man standing near and ready to accept them. He listened closely as he explained what was going to be happening. The man had a certain air about him, clearly a man that was to be respected. It made sense when he introduced himself as the Headmaster of the school. No doubt it took a powerful person to become the leader of such a prestigious school. He noted the rest of the students looking around, whispering among themselves with the same kind of nervousness and excitement that he felt.

Stepping through the large wooden doors to the great hall and into the crowd of students, Livius felt a certain adrenaline rush. His parents had told him many things of their time at Hogwarts; the friends they made, the adventures they found, and the knowledge they gained. This was where he would take the reigns of his destiny. He wouldn't be constrained to just being a tree farmer like his father's family. He wanted more. A better life, a fuller life. A life where he could be comfortable in and really leave his mark on the world. He wanted to be remembered.

As the Sorting Hat began to sing its song, Livius peered around the hall at the tables. The students that were a few years his senior were all staring at the new blood, almost like carrion ready to devour them. No doubt they wanted to know which student would bring respect to their house, and which would bring shame. He could see them muttering amongst themselves and pointing out those they assumed would be joining them. It made him wonder greatly at which house he would be joining.

His father was a Gryffindor, and his mother a Ravenclaw. It would no doubt make sense for him to be sorted into one of those houses, but were those really the right fit? He wasn't a very brash person, doing things without thinking them through. He was more like his mother in that way. He was at a loss at where he would go, but so deep in thought that he didn't hear his name called.

"Livius Grimstone!" He was jolted and stepped forward embarrassed that he hadn't heard them call him. The other students behind him and the others at the table chuckled as he took his seat. He didn't say anything, but stared out at the crowd somewhat resentful at the fact that they laughed at him. The hat was quickly placed on his head, and immediately he could hear a voice. The hat? He was unsure.

Ah, Mr. Grimstone is it? Yes, I remember your parents. It wasn't that hard to place them, no I believe I did so in a matter of moments. Where to put you then? Gryffindor or Ravenclaw?" The hat stayed silent for a few moments. The silence was deafening. What was taking so long? It had seemed like the hat was pretty sure on where he was going to go, so why the wait? He was about to ask, when he was cut off by the voice. "I see....I see....I believe you have a lot of potential Mr. Grimstone. I see a lot of pride in you, much like your father. You would do decently in Gryffindor I think. Though smart.....quite smart. Ravenclaw would no doubt welcome you with open arms." Yes, he knew all of this already. Which one of those houses was it going to be? He was eager to get going and start his journey. Impatiently, he cleared his throat which seemed to make the hat amused.

"Aha, impatient are we? Determined to get started? I see a lot to prove in you Mr. Grimstone. Quite a lot of hidden feeling in here you know. I think I know just where you belong." It was finally about to happen. The first step on his long climb to the top. His eyes darted back and forth between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables, as they all stared at him expectantly. The shock at the name the Sorting Hat called out could not be understated. SLYTHERIN!! He nearly took off toward the other tables, but stopped himself when he heard the name.

"What?" He caught himself speaking aloud, confused as to why the hat had called that out. Slytherin? That.....That can't be possible. There must be a mistake. He was not allowed much time with his own thoughts however as he was ushered off to join the others at the table. While the other students were thrilled to have another join their numbers, patting him on the back and cheering, Livius just sat down dumbstruck. As far back as he could think, there was no other in his family that had been sorted into Slytherin. He wasn't evil was he? Shaking those thoughts from his head, he smiled meekly and exhaled. No, that was just a stupid stereotype. Not everyone from Slytherin was a dark wizard. No, it was the same house as everyone else. Just somewhere to learn. That's what he told himself anyway. However, his family....what would they think? He swallowed a lump and looked around at the other students at his table, now smiling fully confident at them and shaking hands. It didn't matter. If this is where he started, there was nothing else to it. His destination would be the same regardless.

Lilac heard so many whispers on the boat full of excitement. Now as Lilac entered the Great Entrance Hall of Hogwarts, her mind shifted focus as the Headmaster began to speak.

"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" That sounds great thought Lilac, as she began to feel a little bit at ease with the idea of being sorted.

Finally, Lilac and her fellow first years were lead into the Great Hall, which was brightly decorated in stunning house colours. As they reached the end of the Hall; the hat it just started singing, Lilac jumped back a bit in fright at first, then laughed as the hat sung. As the song finished; Lilac thought most of the houses sounded ok; although she wasn't sure about the last one, and she didn't feel courageous either. As she waited in line a few students tried the hat on first; sometimes the hat screamed the answer immediately, for others it took time. Finally, it was Lilac turn, she ran forward as she heard her name and sat down, the hat was placed on her head.

"Ah Miss Dune, I see already you are a tricky one to sort, so many traits."

"With a sharp mind you may be ready for an adventure or two, you might even be bold at times, and yet I see deep humility and loyalty within you."

Lilac thought the hat was talking in riddles, and she certainly didn't see herself as bold. Lilac wondered if the hat knew which house to put her in.

"You're well suited to both the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw houses, but you have qualities that run deep so let it be HUFFLEPUFF” Roared the hat to everyone’s surprise including Lilac’s.

The HUFFLEPUFF table cheered clearly thrilled to have Lilac at their house, she ran towards the table and took a seat.

Caprice had felt anxious upon arriving at Hogwarts. She had been one of the last students to exit the Hogwarts Express, since she was trying to avoid the crowds. Then she saw the Great Hall. It looked as if a billion students were all crammed in the room that seemingly was getting smaller and smaller...

Caprice pushed her claustrophobic thoughts away.
No anxiety. No panic attacks. No breakdowns.

Not now, and certainly not today.

A man who claimed to be the headmaster welcomed all of the first years to the school. Caprice smiled, knowing that she was one of them. She was about to get sorted into the school of her dreams. After the sorting ceremony was explained, and everyone had entered and settled in the Hall, the Sorting Hat began its song.

Caprice listened to the Hat in a kind of trance. Butterflies begun to form in her stomach, as the realization of the sorting at dawned on her. She would have to go up there - by herself - with hundreds of people watching. All eyes would be on her. Her! Caprice Brynn, in her cowardice and anxiety. All eyes on the girl who would most likely have a panic attack in front of them all.

The Hat finished its song, and everyone applauded. Then... they began calling the First Years' names. Caprice bit her lip to keep from hyperventilating. She silently cursed her last name. (Her last name, starting with a B, meant she would be one of the first to be called.)
The first and last were always the ones that are remembered! Why, oh why, couldn't I be in the forgotten middle?! she thought, panicking.

"Caprice Brynn, last call!" A voice called, breaking into her thoughts abruptly.
"Oh, bloodroots!" Caprice muttered, mentally slapping herself in the face. She slowly walked up to the hat, trying not to make eye contact with anyone. She sat down, staring only at her lap. The Hat was carefully placed on her head. Caprice heard whispering among the students at each house's table. Excitement? Judging? Caprice wasn't sure.

"Hmm... A shy one, aren't we?" A voice asked. Caprice tensed. It was the Sorting Hat. "Don't worry. I'm completely harmless." Caprice let out a small breath. Words couldn't describe how nervous she was.
"Well, you're nervous, obviously. Don't fret - everyone always is." The Hat and some students at the tables chuckled. Caprice felt her cheeks getting hot.

This couldn't be happening.

"Oh, it's happening." Came the reply in which she did not want. "You're very bright, that much is clear. You have great ambition for learning. I can see your patience and dedication as well. Hrmm... yes... It oughta be..." The Hat paused dramatically. Caprice held her breath, scared half to death.

"GRYFFINDOR!" Was the word that broke the silence of the room. Loud, joyous cheers arose from the Gryffindor table. Caprice somehow breathed again, letting out a huge sigh, although she was very confused.

Gryffindor? How could I be a Gryffindor? I must be the furthest thing from it!

The Sorting Hat chuckled softly on Caprice's head, hidden by the loud cheering for only Caprice to hear.
"Welcome to Gryffindor, dear. Remember: bravery can come in even the most unlikely of places."
Caprice's eyes widened.

What was that supposed to mean?

But the Hat was taken off her head at that moment, making her more confused then ever. She was ushered to the Gryffindor table, where she was welcomed grandly. Caprice didn't acknowledge any of them - she was trying not to have a panic attack. She sat down at the end of the table, where no one would see or talk to her.

This is going to be a rough year.

The Sorting Hat was dirty.

Unconsicously, Florentia’s lip curled. She didn’t want to think about how many hundreds of heads that hat had sat on – but her mind was already there. Greasy, unwashed, unbrushed hair of all colours and shapes. Merlin knows what lay in the unkempt threads atop her classmates skulls.

It was then that her eyes widened at a thought. Nits.

“Florentia Thistlequill!”

Too late. The young girl swallowed, briefly wondering if there was another way to do this. Would it be rude to request a brief look inside the rim of this infamous hat? Just for her own safety. Yet a hand was at the small of her back, edging her forwards. Florentia realized with a sink that this was not possible. Today was a lemming day where one kid followed the next, no questions asked.

Florentia stepped up, the small creak of floorboards emitting underneath her foot. Quiet and docile, she took her place upon the stool and before she could even take a cursory glance, the weight of the Hogwarts emblem was around her ears. Sh would have to douse her head in Bubotuber pus later tonight.

“Ahhh…..A Thistlequill.”

A small voice whispered into her left ear. All thoughts of head lice disappeared. Florentia wondered whether she should reply.

“No, no need for replies. Just thinking out loud,” the hat responded. “But well, what to do with you. Your father was a Ravenclaw? Of course I remember. Your mother too, though I must say I deliberated much more on her sorting. She almost went to Gryffindor. Is that where you belong too?”

Florentia wasn’t sure. The honest truth was that she hoped for Ravenclaw but only for the thought of carrying on tradition. Each house had a little of what she liked, even Hufflepuff might have been ok, they all seemed to work hard.

“Ravenclaw might be right for you but I feel there is something extra. Ambition, but for what I cannot see. There is cunning too. Alright, better be SLYTHERIN!”

It was over, all in the space of a minute. Florentia blinked as she was ushered off the stool, pale grey eyes moving to the cheering table of green and silver. A dark thought curled her stomach – should she have thought about it more and argued her case?

Too late now.

Fenix hid himself within his fellow first years from the eyes of everyone else in the room. He didn't like being stared at and wanted to be able to appreciate the Great Hall's elaborate beauty in peace. The glow of the suspended candles glittered upon the golden plates and banquet trays like shimmering gems. Fenix marveled at the intricacies carved into the flying buttresses that faded into the magical reflection of the night sky. Stars twinkled and candles danced across the dark abyss that held them suspended as if they were performing a ballet of flickering shadows. Fenix was not a stranger to magic but he had certainly never seen anything like this before. 

When the group reached the end of the room and The Sorting Hat sang his song, Fenix started to get collywobbles.  His father was a Hufflepuff and was certain to be fine with any house that Fenix was placed into, but the bit the Hat sang about Slytherin made Fenix nervous about being sorted into that particular house.

Fenix's name is called.

Fenix takes a deep breath, steps forward, and seats himself upon the stool as the others had done before him. The hat is placed upon his head and Fenix can hear the hat whispering to him.

Hm..... Interesting... Yes..... GRYFFINDOR!

 

As Jade entered the great hall despite her attempts to stay with Grace she was separated from her once again. Jade didn't like this, she was in the middle of a bunch of strangers with no way out, Jade tried to fall to the back but the students behind her wouldn't let her through. Jade heard a voice in her ear  "Just keep walking, you'll be fine" Jade was only mildly comfort by this strangers words. As Jade got to the front of the line the teacher started calling names in alphabetical order. After a while "Murphy Jade" It was Jades turn.

With slightly shaking knees Jade walked up to the front and sat on the stool and with that the hat was put on her head. "Hmmmm, very smart and creative yessss, but I think, maybe, there's a lot of kindness and Loyalty, even if you haven't had the chance to show it yet....." the hat whispered in her ear "Are you sure? not to be rude but I was kind of hoping for Ravenclaw. If you'r sure then I won't oppose you, just be sure." Jade thought "Ahhhh, miss Murphy, I am sure... HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat called out. And with that the hat was taken off Jades head and Jade walked over to the Hufflepuff table and sat down.