Sorting Ceremony 2023-2024

Interacting with: @Delphine Madeline

The Sorting Ceremony.

Aqma might have been upset about having to go to Hogwarts instead of Durmstrang, but she had to admit that this was an event she looked forward to. Finding a close-knit community consisting of like minded people easened her worries concerning her socialisation, but an even more exciting part of it all must have been discovering what House she would be sorted in. Was she a brave Gryffindor? A loyal Hufflepuff? Of course, she was neither of those.

Having been nicknamed “the Little Studious One” by her family, she naturally expected to be sorted into Ravenclaw. Even if she did not belong in the blue House, Slytherin was a great option too, considering her family’s long history with the serpents. So, in reality, it was just a matter of which of the two Houses Aqma was going to end up in and she would be satisfied in both of the outcomes.

As she watched the ceremony unfold before her eyes though, the smug smirk on her face slowly faded away. She saw some disappointed faces, even some tears and wondered if she was to have the same result. Her anxious thoughts spiralled so far that by the time she was called to the front of the Great Hall, she could feel her legs tremble. What if she was some Gryffindor? What would her family think of her? Feeling the eyes of the entire school glued to her as the Sorting Hat took its time to make a decision, Aqma thanked Merlin that there was a chair to sit on. Otherwise, she would have easily fainted.

That old hat seemed to take an eternity to make its choice, which did not help Aqma at all. Unable to take the pressure, she closed her eyes, which is when the Sorting Hat screamed out in its full capacity: “Slytherin!”

Now that is a relief. Aqma heard a wave of applause and cheering wash over her and, suddenly, she felt stronger than ever. A wide smile spread on her lips as she confidently made her way to the Slytherin table.

“Congratulations!”, she heard a soft voice say. It was one of those disappointed kids Aqma noticed earlier. She could have sworn this curly-haired girl looked like a complete ghost the moment she found out she was a Slytherin, but now she was grinning! Perhaps, she was not as ungrateful as Aqma thought she was.

“Why, thank you,” Aqma replied, grinning back. “Though this is like congratulating a fledgling for having its first flight – it’s nothing special since it was bound to happen anyways,” she added with a bit of pompousness, enjoying her moment. It was, in fact, special though.

“I’m Aqma, by the way,” she sat down next to the brown-eyed girl, offering her hand. “Aqma Sagaxa.”

Alice's attention wanders around from wall to wall, ceiling to floor, and, at last, from table to table, where existing students seem to be gathered in their color coded masses. The greens of Slytherin, the reds of Gryffindor, the golds of Hufflepuff, and the blues of Ravenclaw each call out to Alice in an educational siren's call. She doesn't really have a preference, but the thought of belonging in one of them puts butterflies in her stomach.

She's surprised to see the headmaster in his intimidating armor, but it's foolish to let herself be intimidated just because a bit of leather and metal when she'll soon be learning to control magic beyond anything she'd thought she'd ever be capable of. Even so, it's quite strange to watch the man speaking and engaging with a magical talking hat, of all things.

Alice stands still, awkward yet captivated as the hat sings its catchy little tune about a brief history of Hogwarts and its houses, but even she can't resist joining the contagious applause from the students surrounding her.

As the applause dies down, the excitement is no less palpable as the headmaster begins to name the students, who approach the Hat one by one for the sorting. Alice heard about the sorting at Diagon Alley, and even read a bit about it in her copy of Hogwarts, A History, but it's still incredibly suspenseful waiting for the Hat to make its decision for each student. Some are assigned to a house almost before the Hat touches their head. For others, it almost feels like the Hat will never make a decision.

Alice almost forgets that she too will have to face her own sorting. Her own name comes as a surprise, so she's a little slower on the uptake when she walks to the front of the Great Hall with small, delicate steps. The Hat feels heavy as it's placed on her head.

To which house could she possibly belong? She hears the Hat pondering the same question, and as she feels the eyes of the other students on her, she lets out a relieved gasp as the Hat quickly comes to its answer: Ravenclaw.

Alice smiles gratefully to the Headmaster, and the Hat, and walks toward the table of bronzes and blues.

After what felt like a long and arduous trip, he was finally at Hogwarts. The place he was now to call home until that year were to end. He stumbled into the great he was enthralled by the look of the room since it was all new to him but when he noticed all the other students his anxiety built up he didn't know what he was supposed to do at that moment. He was put in the line with the rest of the new kids waiting to be sorted into a house. when it came his turn, he took a seat on the stool, and the sorting hat was placed upon his head. he sat as the sorting hat was in the process of figuring out where to put him then he was eventually placed into ravenclaw because of his curios mind, keen to learn new things and his love of reading books. He got down from the seat and went over to the long table where other ravenclaw students sat he sat in an empty spot at the table and watched on as the rest of the new students were being sorted into there house. as other kids were talking and getting to know each other he just sat there he didn't know what he was supposed to do at that moment because of his lack of social skills.

vienna jones’ sorting ceremony ☆
key: italics represent vienna’s inner thoughts , bold for sorting hat

As the train halted to a stop, Vienna jolted from her daze of staring mindlessly out of the window. Slightly confused, she staggered up from her seat and followed the crowd into Hogwarts. As she stepped into the Great Hall, Vienna's mouth hung agape. The magnificent architecture drew her in while she gazed at the chatting students.

Soon after the introduction began, the long-awaited and highly anticipated sorting started. Vienna's head was a myriad of thoughts. What house would I be sorted in? Will my fellow housemates be nice? Or will they be annoying? If it's the latter it's best if I avoid them then. were just among the questions Vienna had. At that moment, the sorting hat's thunderous voice snapped her out of her trance. Wrinkling her nose in distaste, Vienna mused to herself, "Must it be that loud? Seriously what's the point?" However, another question dawned upon her at that moment: what house would she be sorted into? Glancing at the four houses' tables, she considered her options.

Vienna pondered to herself: Hufflepuff? All of them seem so nice but I don't seriously think I'm like them at all... What about Gryffindor? I can't imagine myself being "brave" at all, it took me so long to mentally prepare myself for today. Slytherin would be nice, a lot of them are quite ambitious, aren't they? I don't mind that. Oh, yes, Ravenclaw. Ivory went there... and they are fond of learning right?

Ivory, Vienna's elder sister, was part of Ravenclaw but she has already graduated. Dread consumed Vienna. Fidgeting with her hands, Vienna wanted to be back in the comfort of her home. Her anxiety grew as more students got sorted into their houses. Her next few years depended on this ceremony. Snapping out of her thoughts, Vienna heard her name reverberate throughout the hall.

With shaky legs, she managed to walk up to the hat and place it on her head.

“Let’s see… where does this one belong?” The sorting hat mused.

Ravenclaw, please Vienna asked the hat.

“Hm… Are you sure? You could do a lot of good in other houses too… I sense determination in you.”

Did she really want to go into Ravenclaw or was it because of her sister? Vienna sighed I’m fine with anything

“You’re well-read and witty… However, there’s courage lingering within you… I see, better be… GRYFFINDOR!”

Wait, what?

Confused, Vienna joined her fellow housemates at the table. They seemed friendly enough, so it wasn’t much of an issue to her. However, when was she Gryffindor-ish in any way?

The rush of the day was starting to wear on Ellie. The world wind of saying goodbye to her parents at King's Cross, the nerve wracking journey to find an open seat on the train, and the agonizing anticipation of arriving at what would be her home for the majority of the next seven years, had sent Ellie into a overstimulated haze. By the time she found herself seated in a swaying boat, half way across the lake, her mind finally caught up with her body. A chill had entered her as she approached the castle lost somewhere in the middle of the line of young witches and wizards eager to be sorted.

A cold sweat itched at the back of her robes as they all paused in front of the large doors leading to the great hall. The din of voices beyond the door sent another chill up her spine. Ellie's mother had prepared her for her entrance to the great castle and the sorting that would take place. Ellie knew that all eyes of the school would at one point be placed upon her small features as she donned the ancient hat responsible for placing students among those who would become their family. Ever feeling the expectations of her parents, Ellie was unsure of what was expected of her now. Her mother had not placed any specific wishes atop her shoulders. Although she knew her mother had been a Ravenclaw, she had only stressed the importance of honesty and acceptance as the hat was placed.

Ellie entered the hall with her fellow first years, almost as though she was riding a wave that pushed her forward. The hall extended before her, her eyes fixed on the expansive ceiling and the regal architecture of stone. Avoiding the many eyes seated at the long tables surrounding her, Ellie tried to focus on the light and beauty around her. Soon she found herself nervously bouncing in place as the greeting began.

It was an agonizing wait for Ellie, her surname putting her in the lower half of her class. As names began to ring out and various students approached the waiting sorting, Ellie found she could not focus on anything but thinking of all the ways she could make a fool of herself and create an off putting first impression. All the possibilities flowed through her mind from tripping on her way forward, to knocking the sorting hat to the floor, to finding herself the only student not sorted and Headmaster Lear announcing her name was not actually on the list.

She looked from table to table, careful to avoid any awkward moment of eye contact. Was she expected to be seated in Ravenclaw, the house of her clever mother who was always searching for the newest and best methods and information? Was she expected to show that she had true bravery inside, and be seated among Gryffindors, though she couldn't even consider that a true amount of bravery existed inside her. Was she expected to be placed among Slytherin house, those which were ambitious and proud, pride being a trait she struggled to see in herself. Or perhaps Hufflepuff, those who valued hardwork and perseverance, though the idea of giving up and running away seemed to be the best option. As the time ticked by, Ellie found herself most focused on forcing her feet to move when she inevitably heard...

"ROOK, ELEANOR."

A moment. A silence that seemed to reverberate through the slight eleven year old. A deep breath. A step, then another, until she found herself in front of the crowd, no place to hide. She shook slightly as she felt the weight of the hat fall over her head. Another moment, then...

"Hmmm...."

A breathy voice filled her mind.

"Timid I see, no need to fear me, but it is not me you are actually fearing is it? Interesting. Where do you belong?" The Hat intoned.

Ellie tensed, unsure whether to respond. Honesty and acceptance, her mother's words rang through her mind. She closed her eyes and thought. I do not know, but I trust you will know what is best for me.

Another moment. "Ah, yes...I see, a great mind, yearning to prove yourself and show your worth. A longing to be accepted and loved, and to return that acceptance and love, to rise to the occasion no matter the challenge and put all of yourself into the betterment of others. I believe you have a true place in... HUFFLEPUFF!"

The last word rang loudly throughout the hall as Ellie's eyes blinked open and fell upon the smiling faces of her new house. Her feet feeling like lead, she quickly scampered to the closest open seat at the table adorned beneath yellow and black, and sat, her heart almost jumping out of her chest. A small tear leaked from her eye as she thought of the Hat's words to her. Perhaps it knew that she needed to hear just that. As she wiped away her tear, she turned toward the table and hesitantly glanced at the faces before her, thinking; Maybe this will be good. Maybe I will be happy here.

Following way behind the flock of first years entering the vast large hall. Aleksandra looked rather bored; her steely gray eyes held nothing but annoyance similar to a dormant stormy sky. The young girls silvery platinum blonde hair cascaded down her shoulder in little ripples of waves like a small little waterfall residing in a brook. The young girls school robes covered past her wrists slightly as she continued to scan the surrounding hall.

Aleksandra’s eyes flitted across the four long tables noting that each one seemed rather large of course Hogwarts itself was rather vast and expansive.

Hearing the shutting of the doors behind the first year group Aleksandra gazed forward tilting her head boredom clearly written on the young girl's rather fair pale skin. Her steely gray eyes looking forward to catching a glimpse of the headmaster.

The hall seemed to quiet down as the Headmaster began to speak towards the group of first years. As the Headmaster started their speech Aleksandra zoned out her steely gray eyes staring above her watching the enchanted ceiling. The young girl seemed quite lost in her own world.

The young silvery platinum haired girl continued to stare up into space for a while ignoring mainly everything around her. Aleksandra seemed rather bored of course once the young girl heard her name being called forward she blinked slowly before glancing around in confusion before making her way forwards towards the front of the hall.

Once Aleksandra reached the front of the hall the young girl awaited for the Sorting hat to be placed atop of her head. The platinum haired girl wrinkled her face a bit in disgust. The utter thought of something tattered touching her head made her unsettled.

Staring forward Aleksandra could hear a little voice speaking by her ear, but the young girl continued to hold a scowl. Aleksandra honestly could care less where she was sorted or where she was put. In all honesty the young girl wished to hurry up, be sorted and get away from the crowd of people that seemed to be swarming in the hall.

After what felt like an eternity to the young girl the sorting hat seemed to make it’s decision rather quickly.

“SLYTHERIN”

The sorting hat seemed to echo through the halls.

Aleksandra removed the hat off atop of her head, handing it back to where it came and began her journey towards the vast large table that housed the other students that called Slytherin their home.

Sighing Aleksandra continued to scowl one thought in her head and that was something along the lines of being a very long six years of this place.

Charlie was looking all around her while entering the great hall, trying not to touch anyone in the middle of the crowd of first years. She went to the side of the crowd, looking for Terry and Candice each at their own house table.
Even though she was trying to keep a straight face, anxiety was running through her vein. She remembered everything Terry and Candice told her about their sorting ceremonies but it only seemed to make her more anxious until she caught Terry's gaze at the Ravenclaw table.
She could see him whisper to her "take a deep breath" and so she did and a smile came back on her face. This smile even grew bigger when she saw Candice at the Gryffindor table giving her a thumbs up.

"I can do it. I can do it" she whispered to herself. And yes she could. She had been able to say goodbye to her parents in the morning before Terry and Candice came to pick her up and go to Kingscross. It had been the hardest but most exciting good bye of her life. So, when her name was called she stepped up and walked right to the sorting hat, making only eye contact with Terry and Candice. Would she be with one of them ? It was more likely she would be a Ravenclaw just like her parents and Terry but who knows... Maybe she would end up alone in Hufflepuff or Slytherin. Either way, she will have to deal with people her age and all these first years, scarring her to the bones.

"Please, please" she muttured to the sorting hat. "Don't leave me all alone, let me be in a place where I will be accepted for who I am..."

She did not even had the time to finish that the hat screamed:

"RAVENCLAW"

She heard people clapping their hands and in the distance Terry calling for her with a big smile on his face as she joined the table.

Charlie had found her house for the next seven years. What an adventure will it be !

After a long time of waiting for this moment of what James was waiting for, He was accepted into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. When he was boggled on what he was going to do because he had never been in this school before, and he was lost on where he could find any of his stuff. So, he met a big heavy-set guy and said "Pardon me, sir, I have lost my mind, I don't know how to get all these things for school. I have been accepted into Hogwarts and I am having a hard time getting around. Can you help me? The guy said yes, I can help you, and my name is Leonard or Leo for short. He told James to go to Diagon Alley and he will meet him there. So, when he looked around, Leo was gone. Before Leo was gone though, he gave James a ticket to get on the train. Which was a long train ride to Hogwarts. James was trying to look for this man and Leo appeared right behind him and said there you are, I was looking for you. I see you made it. I think you need to get your stuff right. Leo told James, don't worry about your books, I will get them. So, while all the children were waiting to be sorted into the houses, Leo came to me and told me that he got James' supplies. James told Leo thanks. So, when James heard his name to be called, he went to the seat and sat down, the sorting hat told him that He was most certainly a HUFFLEPUFF.

Timothy trotted along with the other First Years, his eyes growing wide with wonder and awe at his surroundings. He’d never seen anything like it – and granted, he could say that about a lot of things since the day his Hogwarts acceptance letter had come but the school itself was on a whole different level. He had been increasingly excited about the prospect of spending the next 7 years here thanks to his mother’s stories and descriptions, but even they hadn’t been enough to prepare him for the sheer grandeur of the castle. And the Great Hall was certainly no exception with its grand decorations, exceedingly long tables packed with students, the colours of their robes clearly marking which House belonged to which table, and when Timothy’s eyes glanced to the roof of the Hall, it took nearly all his strength to stop staring at the enchanted sky above them and instead turn his attention back to the Headmaster as the welcoming speech began.

While the Hat sang its song, a knot formed deep in Timothy’s stomach and he anxiously fidgeted with the sleeve of his new robes. It wasn’t as though he had anything against the idea of being placed in any particular House, but at the same time, he couldn’t help but feel nervous about it. At his old muggle school, the children had been placed into houses completely arbitrarily so that they may all have roughly the same number of students; it was strange to think that here, whatever House he would be placed into would actually reveal something about himself. And what if he didn’t particularly like what was revealed? As he listened to the description of the Houses, he tried to guess where he’d be placed. His mother had been in Ravenclaw but studying and schoolwork had never been Timothy’s strong suit; ambition he had but he wasn’t entirely sure he had enough cunning for Slytherin; “patient” was hardly a word he’d ever use to describe himself which would rule out Hufflepuff… Judging by the Hat’s song, an idea formed in his mind that he’d likely end up in Gryffindor; he certainly felt he was brave enough to qualify…

When his name was called, Timothy gulped and headed up to wear the Hat, his feet feeling as heavy as concrete blocks. Almost as soon as the Hat settled down over his ears, its voice began to murmur inside his head. “Hmm… Let’s see… Brave, certainly, though perhaps not quite so much as you pretend to be. Daring, reckless even…”

‘Gryffindor then?’ Timothy thought hopefully, preparing to take the Hat from his head until its voice stopped him.

“But there’s more to you, far more. Determination, loyalty… It’s the bonds of friendship that you hold dearest, is it not? Yes, I know just where to put you.” Timothy thought he could somehow hear a smile in the Hat’s voice as it roared its decision to the Hall. “HUFFLEPUFF!”

Timothy blinked as the Hat was removed from his head and after a moment’s hesitation, he made his way down to sit at the table of cheering students decked in the yellow and black colours of his new House. As he sat, he glanced around at the smiling faces surrounding him and offered a small smile back. It may not have been the outcome that he had expected, but he certainly wasn’t unhappy about it.

At last, Diana was there. Her feet walked on numbly in line with the rest of her class as they proceeded through the hallways of Hogwarts.

Truthfully, the eleven-year-old was falling asleep. Every few seconds her eyelids would flutter shut and she would let out a soft yawn. Her grandmother had woken her in a frenzy early in the morning to ensure. After that she had been on the Hogwarts Express for hours and then there were the boats. That didn’t even account for the mental stimulation of experiencing a bajillion new things all on the same day (and honestly, in the mind of an eleven-year-old, few things were cooler than the first day of magical school.)

For Diana, this had manifested in the form of keeping a countdown to her departure date ever since she received her letter. She had lost count a little bit less than a week ago due to her grandfather banning it. Her obsession with staring at the clock and announcing the amount of time there was left had gotten to a point where it was unbearable to listen to. At this point she switched over to asking her grandparents endless questions about her father’s time at Hogwarts.

Despite having a pureblood legacy, Diana was the second in her family to enroll in Hogwarts. Her mother’s family from Greece had exclusively attended Beauxbatons for thousands of years but her father, having moved to England when he was a baby, had his first instance of magic in the region that allowed him to attend Hogwarts. However, Diana was not in France with him so asking him questions was not feasible. Hence, she settled with learning through experience.

As she stepped into the hall, Diana’s hand moved to cover her mouth. “Wow!” The exclamation slipped out of her mouth as she entered the hall. Her head turned quickly from side to side in an attempt to take it all in at once. The floating candles, the sky-ceiling-enchantment-thing, the hoards of students… It was enchanting.

While she was lost in the beauty of the scene the headmaster began to speak and her attention was called back to the presentation at hand. It passed as blur and, soon enough, the name “Diana Saengkaew” was called out.

Diana stumbled forward and up the steps to the stage before sitting herself in the chair. The hat paused a second as if it were contemplating her fate. Then, it sat up in an assertive manner.

“Gryffindor!” It called out. Diana flinched as it was removed from her head but a bright smile appeared on her face as she made her way to the cheering, red table..