Sorting Ceremony 2023-2024

As Kate entered the great room, she felt a sense of wonderment that she had never before experienced.

She looked around at the ginormous room bathed in golden, shimmering light and saw fantastical things in every direction. The ceiling above her was luminous with stars she could only imagine were modeled after the current night sky. Candles floated above every square inch of the large room. Four long, elegant tables were packed with students of all ages, and decorated with extravagant settings, goblets, and dishes.

As suddenly as they had entered, the line of moving First Years had come to a halt so suddenly that Kate almost ran into the person in front of her. She suddenly realized that all of the faces in the room were watching them intently with baited breath, as if unsure of what was to come next. A large, older man in a suit of armor stood and introduced himself as the headmaster, Solomon Lear. As he explained that the First Years were to be called up one by one and sorted into a house by a magical hat, Kate felt her stomach drop. She didn't know there was going to be a test. She had read through her Hogwarts, A History book as much as she could, but must have missed the chapter on magical, judging hats.

All of a sudden, the tattered headpiece began to sing. As she listened, she realized it was describing the various houses of the school. She tried to piece together carefully what the hat was saying, and found herself most enticed by the sound of Slytherin. "Using any means to achieve their end- that sounds like me", Kate thought.

She watched the first student called waddle slowly up to the stool where the old hat sat, and put it on their head. Almost immediately, it yelled out "GRYFFINDOR". The hat had described Slytherin and Gryffindor as good friends, and she felt almost anxious at the thought of being sorted into anything else.

The line grew shorter and shorter until she heard the headmaster call out "McConnell, Kathryn!". Kate walked as confidently as she could up to the tottering stool where she took her seat. The large hat was placed over her eyes, and began to speak to her in a voice she had the sneaking suspicion no one else could hear. "Hmmm, I see two different personalities- each pulling in their own way. Yes, an intense desire to prove yourself. Oh, and a very sharp mind. Very interesting. I see the loyalty and the self-preservation here. Where to put you? Hmmm...better be...SLYTHERIN!".

Applause coming from outside of the hat signaled to Kate that it was time to stand up and join her new family. As she walked over, she felt incredibly happy with her placement, and sat down at the Slytherin table- shaking hands with those who offered.

She would be very happy here.

1 September 2023

Finally.

Sigrid couldn’t contain her smile. Hogwarts was much grander than she had ever dared to dream. Despite the small feeling of worry invading her thoughts, she held her head high, determined not to betray her nervousness to the curious eyes of older students crowding the house tables. With her lips pursed and eyebrows furrowed, Sigrid followed the group of First Years with her fists tightly clenched, her nails pushing against palms. It was a good sort of nervousness, the sort that came from excitement and exhilaration, but Sigrid was set on keeping a brave face beside her new, nameless, classmates.

The list of students seemed to drag slowly, and Sigrid fought the urge to bite her lips. It didn’t matter much to her, what house the Sorting Hat would pick. Perhaps not Ravenclaw, she realised, recalling her mother’s old house. Her mother’s impressive intelligence and dedication to work had always meant little to Sigrid, who saw only a shrewd and unsentimental person devoid of sympathy and quite nearly alone in the world. Sigrid knew her mother couldn’t represent the entirety of the Ravenclaw house, but the possibility that she would take after her mother would be too much to bear.

‘Johnson, Sigrid!’

Sigrid’s mind had begun to wander to her father’s house, Gryffindor, and how she mightn't mind being placed there, when she heard her name called. She strode forward and allowed the Sorting Hat to be cast upon her head. It began to murmur quietly in a grumpy sort of way.

‘Hum, a Johnson is it? Yes, yes, young one, I can see you quite clearly, though I know you don't like it! Let’s see here… a strange one, isn’t it? But I know what to do, yes, I always manage, don’t I? Your love is irrepressible. Hufflepuff!’

Sigrid smiled. Finally.

Mylo had no idea what to expect when they saw the enormous doors that led into a room bigger than anything he'd ever seen before. Sure they'd heard kids talking excitedly about some sort of 'sorting ceremony' that would determine your house for the year, but he'd never been through something like this before so they were quite curious as to how it would go.

As he approached the doors all the students were greeted by an older man, as he got closer they could overhear him saying that he was the school's headmaster. Mylo thought to himself 'wow, the headmaster is personally greeting everyone, must be tiering.' After being greeted by the headmaster they entered the huge room, Mylo couldn't help but gawk at the extravagance displayed around the room, candles and paintings were everywhere, along with tables filled with students who he assumed had already been sorted previous years. After everyone had entered the headmaster stepped up to the podium and gave a speech about the beginning of the year, and how the sorting ceremony would go.

Before Mylo even had time to think or process this information they heard their name being shouted through the room, 'Mylo Atkins!', 'oh no, not the first one, okay, just keep breathing, all will be fine, you'll be fine' he thought to themselves as they approached the stool with the hat. As soon as they sat down the had was placed onto his head and it started speaking, 'hmmm, very eager to learn, very nervous though, I think you'd do well in.... Ravenclaw!' As soon as the house name was called out cheers came from the table where the other Ravenclaws where sitting. Mylo, quickly made their way over to them wiping his sweaty palms over his trousers hoping to dry them a little in case anybody wanted to shake their hand or anything. As they sat down a few people congratulated him on being sorted, they turned their attention back towards the chair to see where the next student would be placed. And Mylo thought to himself, 'I don't think this will be too bad, lets hope I'm right.'

Pippa had only changed into her robes just before hopping off the Hogwarts Express and being ushered into the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony. As all the first-years shuffled in, Pippa chatted among the new faces and a few first-years she had met briefly on the train. She had already taken in the distinct colors of each house and her eyes settled on the friendly yellows of the Hufflepuffs. Certainly there was no doubt in her mind that her father's guess would be right. She would soon be at home in a warm glow of yellow all around.

"Adams, Pippa!" echoed through the Great Hall. Pippa hardly had an opportunity to take in the extravagance of what she saw before her. Oh my, so soon. That's what I get for being an Adams, I suppose. Pippa thought with a deep breath. One foot in front of the other, she happily stepped up to the stool. She sat down and adjusted herself, expecting she'd be there a few minutes perhaps while the Sorting Hat evaluated her true self.

"Slytherin!" bellowed the Hat. How decisive.

"What..." Pippa silently breathed out as she tried to shake the pure shock off her face. What could the Hat possibly have seen in me that makes me a Slytherin? It couldn't be further from the truth. All the times her father had told her about the mischievous Slytherins he knew back in his day, Pippa had decided long ago there was no chance she'd end up in that house. To her, it sounded like a permanent anxiety stomachache.

Now, her world was turned upside down. Recognizing that the Hat is always right and there would be no changing houses once it decided your fate, Pippa picked up her head and decided to make the most of it. The Hat knows best, Pippa, you know that. Maybe you just don't know yourself like you thought you did, she thought in her best attempt at a pep talk.

Pippa gave the crowd her biggest smile, trying to convince them all that this was what she had wanted and hoping they hadn't seen the disappointment on her face. She hopped off the stool and headed straight for the table of green.

Hogwarts was just as she dreamed it would be! After hearing all about it from her parents and family, Jenny thought she knew what to expect. But all the stories and imaging couldn’t prepare her for the sight of Hogwarts from the lake. That had been one of the most beautiful experiences Jenny had ever had. As she and the other first years had crossed in the boats, Jenny drank up the hundreds of lit windows from the ancient castle. Seeing the soaring towers made her wonder which one was the astronomy tower. She was most excited for astronomy and she had been studying her mother’s old textbooks for the past three years. The only way to make the first sight of Hogwarts better would’ve been a beautiful backdrop of the starry night sky. But sadly, tonight was very foggy and cloudy. Not to worry, Jenny was sure she would come to study the stars and night sky soon enough.
It all seemed like a dream to her as she and the other first years were all corralled together and herded through into the Great Hall. The hundreds of candle lights caught her attention, but she quickly diverted her gaze upward. The enchanted ceiling. Ever since her mother had told her about the Great Hall’s enchanted ceiling she’d been fascinated by the idea. In fact, Jenny had asked her parents to enchant the bedroom back home to resemble the night sky, but they had just told her to wait until her days at Hogwarts. And here she was. Although the ceiling reflected the cloudy night sky, she was still amazed to actually be seeing it in person.
“Incredible,” Jenny breathed softly to herself. Eyes fixated upwards, she continued with the other first years until they came to stop in front of the Great Hall. The Headmaster, Professor Lear, welcomed the students to Hogwarts and explained the sorting ceremony. Jenny figured some of the muggle-born students must be thoroughly confused about all of this. Professor Lear produced the Sorting Hat, which, in Jenny’s humble opinion, was a little less awe-inspiring as she had imagined it to be. But the more she studied it, the more the old, unassuming hat seemed to have a particular quality about it.
After the famed Sorting Hat’s song, Headmaster Lear began the sorting ceremony by reading off a list of the incoming students’ names. Luckily for Jenny, her last name was closer to the beginning of the list and she didn’t have to wait long before she heard,
“Davies, Jenny!” called across the Great Hall.
Suddenly nerves struck her. She’d always expected to be sorted into Ravenclaw, just like both of her parents. She was studious and intellectual, loved astronomy and art, and wanted more than anything to be sorted into Ravenclaw. But what if that didn’t happen? She was terrified of the possibility of not having her dreams come true. She felt a deep feeling inside, the same feeling that she’d only felt once before after witnessing a shooting star. The feeling wasn’t expressed in words, but the message was clear: Hufflepuff. Not knowing what that meant, Jenny realized the students in the Great Hall were growing restless, awaiting the response from the called student’s name. Her name.
She slowly separated herself from the sea of first years and approached the stool. She carefully sat down and closed her eyes as the Sorting Hat was placed upon her head. Her mother had explained to her that the Hat could read your thoughts and often took personal requests. As soon as the Hat was placed on her head, she began to explain why she belonged in Ravenclaw, thinking about exact details and giving quite a well-thought out explanation.
That’s why I need to be in Ravenclaw, she finished through her thoughts.
Hmmmmm, a very nice argument, Miss Davies the voice said in her mind. But I see a different option. Oh yes, especially with your particular talents. Yes, yes, I’m sure you feel it as well, yes?
A different option? What? Ravenclaw was Jenny’s only option! As for her talents, she was studious and loved learning, as she had already explained to the old Hat. But what feeling? She felt it again, that intuition: Hufflepuff.
Yes, that’s one the voice whispered again in her mind. Then, through her ears, Jenny heard what she had feared.
“Better be . . . HUFFLEPUFF!” the Hat shouted as the Great Hall burst into applause. Jenny stumbled off the stool in shock, her mind still reeling.

Theodore’s parents had remained sceptical right up until the moment he boarded the train. The revelation of his magical abilities had caused nothing but disruption and apprehensiveness within the muggle family. He was supposed to go to a prestigious university and follow in his fathers footsteps to become an honoured barrister. Now his family had to tell their tight knit traditional community that their son was simply ‘studying abroad.’

As the cold calculating gaze of his father disappeared out of view, Theo felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Although he shared a train compartment with two other students, the boy remained silent and pensive as he rooted through his belongings, diligently checking he had everything he needed. To him, the journey lacked the enchantment and wonder that seemed to captivate the other students. Rather than perceiving it as a magical experience, it felt like an unplanned chapter in his life. Coming to terms with the realisation that he wasn't ordinary was still a process he grappled with.

As the day went on, the spectacle and peculiar occurrences were becoming truly overwhelming. The great hall in particular. Floating candles, speaking portraits and talking hats. Instead of sparking his curiosity, the sheer sensory overload had stunned him into silence. Theo would only make minor small talk with other students and ate a modest portion of food.

He would listen intently to the headmaster speak, but only fall out of his awkward stupor once the sorting hat started singing. As he snapped back to reality, his immediate thoughts couldn't help but question whether anyone else found this whole spectacle cringe-worthy and rather lame. These thoughts stemming from a background steeped in notions of social sophistication and refinement, it was challenging for him to understand and respect an unfamiliar culture. He was but a muggle child after all.

Theodore had no preconceived notions of the houses, albeit for what he had heard from other students on the train, the emblems and the little information divulged by the surrounding professors. To him, the sorting wasn’t weighing heavy on his mind. In fact, he cared so little that his only consideration revolved around whether he would look better in green or red.

When Theo’s turn to be sorted arrived, it was over quickly. The hat scarcely grazed the top of his head when it shouted. “Gryffindor!” and that was that.

Taking a deep breath with his eyes closed, Matthew took his first steps into the grand hall. He could feel the end of his robes wet from the boat ride over but nothing could ruin this moment. Opening his eyes he was completely awestruck, everything from the smiling faces of the fellow students they were paraded past to the floating candles hovering above them was beyond imagination. The world felt larger than it ever had before as if a light in his life that had been dim for many years was now burning bright once more. As Matthew followed hundreds of other giddy first years to the front of the hall he heard whispers about houses and family names and felt slightly out of place as he so often did but he reminded himself to let go of that. That this school, this new life was going to be different. He wasn't going to let anything stop him from finding people that would like him for himself and he was determined to prove himself worthy.

Losing himself in his thoughts he found himself staring at the ceiling, looking up at the illusory night sky he felt at peace once again. His father had told him every night growing up that whenever he looks up at the sky he was looking up at the same stars his father was and that his mother was looking down on them from the other side. He had told him that whenever he felt alone or scared all he had to do was look up and he'd know that his family were right up there with him. Bringing a tear to his eye, he was interrupted by the booming voice of Headmaster Solomon Lear who introduced the sorting ceremony that certainly seemed to cause a nervous excitement for the rest of the first years.

Matthew had been told about the sorting ceremony and must have read Hogwarts: A History 4 times already since his purchase of it in Diagon Alley but he had no prior ideas of the reputations of the houses. Matthew knew that wherever he was placed the only thing he would strive to do was his best and just hoped to be accepted. After a great deal of anticipation, Matthew's name was eventually called. He politely pushed through the students in front of him almost tripping but managing to catch himself and laugh it off. Matthew stood up to the stool and sat nervously awaiting the news of where his new home would be. This moment would mark the next 7 years of his life and with that realisation the panic began to sink in.

"There's no need to be nervous, I sense that you have struggled often to know where you belong but I see it clear as day. You are filled with ambition and are determined to make something of yourself. One that seeks to discover their worth must of course find themselves in Slytherin" the sorting hat croaked on top his head. Matthew held his breath for seconds that felt like hours worrying for the reaction from his new house but it was almost immediately broken by a burst of applause and fellow first years standing and clapping as he bolted over to the table. With more welcome than he had ever received in his life he knew for a fact now, once and for all, this was where he was always meant to be.

Digging into the feast that had been tempting him now for hours he made a mental note to himself, to prove himself not just for himself but for his whole family. He was going to be the best Slytherin he could be; determined, resilient, cunning and clever those were the words that described Slytherin. Well he was pretty sure he could give a good attempt at at least most of those!

Sullivan walked through the large oak doors that lead into the Great Hall beyond, he was in awe of the grandeur of the room. The ceiling loomed far above them. It seemed to be non-existent, reflecting the clouds and the stars of the night sky outside. He had read about it in one of his texts, Hogwarts: A History.

The four house tables stretched all the way to the front of the room where the High Table sat perched on a dias overlooking the whole of the Great Hall. High over each table, floating gracefully in the air, were hanging flags, emblazoned with the sigil and colours of each respective house. Sullivan was immediately drawn to the familiar silver and green serpent of House Slytherin, both his parents and his brothers had been sorted into House Slytherin; he was expected to carry on that legacy.

He searched the crowded Slytherin table for his brother, he was sat about halfway down. Sullivan tried to catch his attention but he was engaged in an animated conversation with the boy sitting next to him.

Sullivan made his way forward, following with the group of first years as they were led to the front of the Great Hall. His anxiety growing more with every step. His mind racing with possibilities, would he get placed in the house that his parents and brothers had attended, thus carrying on the legacy laid out before him by generations; or would he be placed elsewhere, would his family be supportive of him still?

He pushed the thoughts out of his head, that wasnt something he was willing to test. He was determined to find placement in Slytherin House. Sullivan took a deep breath to steady his nerves as he waited for his turn to be sorted. He watched and listened as each student was called out, sorted, and took their seat with their respective house.

“Olivier, Sullivan.”

His name was called and he walked forward, trying to appear more confident than he felt. The sorting hat was placed on his head, the brim nearly falling down over his eyes.

Sullivan's heart raced as he listened intently to the Hat's whispered deliberations, his mind buzzing with anticipation. After what felt like an eternity, the Sorting Hat declared in a clear voice that echoed throughout the hall, "Slytherin!" A wave of cheers erupted from the Slytherin table as Sullivan removed the hat, a sense of relief washing over him as he took his place among his new housemates.

He looked down the table to where his brother was sitting, he was cheering most loudly of all. Their eyes met and Sullivan smiled and gave him a wave, Beckham flashed a thumbs up and grinned widely. In that moment Sullivan felt on top of the world, pride swelled in his chest, he had made it, Slytherin was his home.

On that train ride, Noremac "Mac to my friends" Church had seen and heard lots of conversations. He heard some seventh years worrying about newts, he head a few sixth years telling each other that they had missed their significant others, even a few second years excited to be going back. Mac was a happy boy, his dad had been hard working, and provided well. He even taught him about the wizard world. But the sight of the Hogwarts castle was one you had to see for yourself to feel the awe that it brought.

Mac had enjoyed the boat ride across the lake, he even was surprised by the ghosts, but seeing each of the first years get sorted was nerve racking. In his Primary school, Mac had been the leader, the one that everyone looked to for help, be it with classes or bullies. He did not like bullies. He was the captian of his schools football (or Soccer as he was told by his American cousins) club. As well as the one that the teachers used to help orginize things for them.

But here, here he was at the bottom. It had been years since he felt the dread of being picked for something. But he remembered how it felt, knowing he belonged. So when the professor called his name he stood straight, held his head high and walked proudly to the stool and placed the Sorting hat on his head.

"Hmmm I see, lots of wisdom in you and the drive to know more. Reading your fathers old books will have done you well. But Ravenclaw no. I can see more than just that drive to learn. You are loyal to your friends for sure, but nice to everyone, I don't see that. Bullies are something you could never me nice too, so Hufflepuff is out. While you are ambitious, I don't think you would fit in with Slytherin. I see that you are more suited to the lions, they protect the weak, they are brave and strong. So it better be GRYFFINDOR!"

Mac made his way to the Gryffindor table as his robes shifted to show his new house. He was excited and was Ready to make friends, so the first thing he did was walk up to a shy looking boy and said. "Hi, My name is Noremac, but my friends call me Mac. What is your name?"

This was going to be a great year!

Taking a deep breath, the young boy following along behind his peers. Some he recognized from the train ride while others he could not quite place yet. Though he decidedly studied their faces to help remember for later. Afterall, they could end up in the same house or sitting next to one another in a class. A large part of the boy's thoughts became immediately overwhelmed as his mind lit up with fanciful ideas of what this year had in store. His mother, Mary Phillips, had always spoken highly of her school days. She had painted such elegant portraits of her professors and time in the Hufflepuff common room. At times old friends had come to visit her, venturing back into their youth together. Arthur loved listening to them laugh and remember their time within the castle. Whether in class or at some grand event it felt as if they were reading to him from a book. As magical as his world was already there was something about those stories, the sparkle in his mother's eyes and energy that vibrated among her friends. Hogwarts seemed to hold another type of magic all on its own and Arthur Phillips could absolutely not wait to be a part of it.

As he skirted into the room behind a pair of girls, Arthur glanced up at the immense ceiling. His mouth hung open as he blinked from one thing to the next. It was all so wonderous! His mother's stories had done a good job but she had been correct. It was something to see for himself. Words could not do it justice, not entirely. The mixture of atmosphere and electric energy to the other students made goosebumps radiate along his arms. "Amazing!" His voice cracked as he spoke to whoever would listen unaware of how close he had been standing to those in front of him. He bumped forward as the others moved forward, apologizing swiftly for having stepped on their foot.

A curious older wizard caught his attention. Arthur gave a small smile as he passed trying to avoid the man's gaze directly but being far too torn to peel his eyes away. His outfit alone was far too tempting not to inspect. Allowing himself to further look around the room, Arthur wondered where his mother had eaten lunch, had she hurried to finish homework or studying while cramming toast into his mouth? What would his next seven years be here? Who would he meet? Who would he become? Thoughts swirled around the young boy's mind as he lost focus momentarily. It was only now how overwhelming he realized the whole ordeal was becoming. Not to mention how close he was to everyone else. When had it gotten so hot in here? Sharing in an awkward exchange of smiles with another, Arthur flinched as the Headmaster's voice boomed over them all. His mother had failed to warn him of the Sorting Hat as well! Granted, that had been a pleasant surprise. Another curiosity that captured him until his name was being called out.

"Phillips, Arthur."

It was then he realized a number of others had been called and the crowd he had arrived with appeared thinner than before. Why had he not paid closer attention!? Was he to sit-oh yes-he saw it now. Scrambling into position he jolted as the hat spoke. Up until now he had spent no time considering what house he wanted to be in. His mother had been in Hufflepuff which always sounded pleasing to him but he had never though where he would want to belong. A voice slipped into his consciousness or was that truly aloud? He could not be sure. Curious? Sure, he was that. Loyal? He suspected so. Eager? Well, that was a given with how his knee began to bob up and down. Arthur had been too preoccupied worrying about houses by the time the hat called out, "Hufflepuff!"