Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020 Archived

Hyuna stayed silent, not listening to the speech at all. Her mouth felt extremely dry and her stomach was in knots. Her hands were shaking and she was praying to be put in Hufflepuff like her parents. The hall was impressive, though, and she had to admit she was pretty excited to eat, and sit here everyday, and learn spells. She watched all the other students get sorted, wondering which house she would be in for the rest of her time at Hogwarts.
"Kim, Hyuna!"
The young girl took deep breaths and tried not to faint. Thoughts were whirling about in her head. Her legs were trembling and she almost tripped. She was scared of the Sorting Hat. She didn't want it muddling around in her head. As she sat down, a shiver went down her spine as she heard the Sorting Hat's voice in her head.
"Hmm...not a Ravenclaw..." it muttered. "What house are you hoping for, hmm?"

"Hufflepuff," she said instantly.

"Interesting...but you are cunning and ambitious...would Slytherin be the house for you? But you are also daring and brave, deep down...your best match is..."
Hyuna held her breath.


"GRYFFINDOR!"

The table cheered, and even though the girl hadn't gotten the house she wanted, she felt like this was where she belonged.

Carmen had been wiggling in her spot, anxious for her turn to come up. She wondered which of her parents she would follow- her mother, who had been a Hufflepuff, or her father, a Ravenclaw. As soon as her name was called, she sprung forward, moving quickly to the chair and crossing her ankles as she sat down. The hat was placed on her head, and she tapped her toes against the stool, waiting to hear the voice speak in her head.

Ah, Carmen Thomas, the hat crooned in her ear, and she grinned in response. I see your spirit, your fire, your drive. There's no doubt about where you should be placed. Carmen closed her eyes, waiting impatiently as the hat seemed to clear it's throat before calling out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

It wasn't what she expected, but she had come into this situation ready to trust the Sorting Hat's decision. Carmen opened her eyes, beaming from ear to ear as the Gryffindor table burst into applause. She stood, taking a deep bow before making her way to the Gryffindor table. She slid in between two other first years, surveying the spread of food before her.

Her new home- home of the daring, those with nerve. She thought maybe her sense of justice and fairness would get her into Hufflepuff, or her academic drive would shuffle her into Ravenclaw. But she could see herself here, as outspoken and dauntless as she was. She turned to her neighbors, introducing herself to them as the next student was called up.

She stared wide eyed around her. The Great Hall was a feast for one's eyes. The magical ceiling, she was already told about this part by her mother who seemed to have never ceased loving her school, had candles floating above and beyond a cloudless starlit sky. She could not help but suddenly feel homesick. She used to watch the stars on a clear sky every night with her father when she was five and had found fascination with constellations.

There were four long tables that stretched out along the great hall. Students of each houses occupied each table. From the far left, the Slytherin students wearing their green accented uniform - her mother had been a Slytherin; next to them are the Gryffindors with their red and gold uniform; then the Hufflepuffs wearing the yellow color - her father was a Hufflepuff; last but definitely not the least sat the Ravenclaws with their blue colored uniforms.

All the students even those in the higher years looked excited for the Sorting Ceremony. Some of them might have friends, siblings, or relatives among the new students. Some might just be reminiscing fondly of their time with the Sorting Hat. As they were herded to the front of the Hall where all the professors and the Headmaster stood to welcome them, she heard a few students taking bets on who would belong what houses. She didn't know how to feel about that. Well, to be honest, at the moment, all that was in her heart was awe, nervousness, and excitement. Any other emotions will have to wait until she calmed down.

Banners hung on the sides along the wall depicting the insignia of the four houses. Any house will do, she thought to herself nervously. She would have preferred Ravenclaw because her favorite Hogwarts alumnus belonged to said house. By the time they were being instructed on how the sorting hat worked, her nervousness and excitement was making her agitated. It seemed she was not alone because the others were looking a little pale.

Mystery Ann Abbot

Her name was finally called and she stepped out in front and a professor, whose name she had forgotten because she was too distracted, placed the sorting hat on her head.

"You'll be placed where you're meant to be. Don't worry about. I heard a rumor the Sorting Hat considered your option," her mother had told her when she nervously asked about which house she could possibly go into.

But then how could you even ask it? She was already very nervous she could barely speak.

Gryffindor!

That was unexpected. But she was happy. The ceremony was finally over. She can finally sit and probably eat. Maybe later though, her heart was still beating too fast.

1st September, 2019

Gerald Fawkes awaited impassive for his name to be called out. All the D’s had already been sorted, and so had most of the E’s; his turn was approaching. So far, he’d come to the conclusion that the Hat produced two types of reaction on students: it was either immediate joy or utter confusion. While some kids’ decisions took fairly long, others’ verdict was pronounced within half an instant of their heads being grazed by the Hat, and Gerald couldn’t help but raise a brow at the disparities. Surely one second was not enough to make such a crucial decision. Then again, the thing was magical, and, in the wizarding world, spells and enchantments out ruled the apparent rationale.

All summer, Gerald had been pondering which of the four would be his ‘immediate joy’ House. Hufflepuff was likely out of the question, and so was Gryffindor, much to his father’s dismay. Although he admired his dad, he had been certain from a young age that the two of them were nothing alike. Leander Fawkes was a textbook Lion, first Fawkes to be sorted into Gryffindor; but his reckless courage had most definitely not been passed on to Gerald, ever so prudent.

“Fawkes, Gerald!”

Upon hearing his name, the boy started to make his way through the first-years’ crowd, bumping shoulders with probably a bit less care than what was considered polite.

“Another Fawkes, I see,” the Hat spoke in a low rumble. “Ah, I can sense the clashing thoughts, identical to those of your father and uncle.”

Which uncle? Despite his father’s reluctance to expand on his own side of the family, Gerald knew that he had not one, but two brothers. Slytherins, both of them. From Leander’s vague yet hostile descriptions, one would have to assume that his siblings, just like his parents, were two classic pureblood elitists, incapable of seeing further than the end of their own noses. For his father to hate them the way he did, Gerald was certain that there had to be something else about them apart from the ‘mudblood scum’ mentality. That something intrigued him deeply and he often wondered whether it would share some sort of connection with the fact that they all began their wizarding careers in Slytherin.

“I perceive a remarkable intelligence, nothing short of extraordinary. Great devotion for the cultivation of the mind. Ravenclaw, perhaps?”

Gerald shot a quick glance at the blue-robed students. He supposed he wouldn’t mind joining them.

“Maybe not,” continued the Hat. “Yours is a mind bound for glory, above anything else. Cautious, but you do not lack ambition. Yes, now it is clear: I am sending you to SLYTHERIN!”

Gerald got off the stool and, on his way towards the Slytherin table, thought that his dad would probably not like it when he learned of the sorting. Regardless of his Gryffindor father's imminent dissapointment, as he took a seat among his new housemates, the words resonated in his mind once again, making the most sense they'd ever had: The Hat is always right.

Up until the point that she stood in front of the Great Hall's door Elspeth wasn't able to pinpoint exactly what she was feeling. But now that the only thing standing between her and the sorting ceremony was students names A-Gok she could clearly sense that nervousness was winning out. Her arms tingled and she felt a little light headed as the door was opened and she felt herself walking into the room along with the continued flow of first years.

The Great Hall was magnificent. The four house tables were glittering with trays and crystal goblets. Each was filled with all of the older students at Hogwarts, whom Elspeth couldn't make eye contact with. She doubted she would be recognized by someone, but meeting eyes with someone felt too vulnerable to her, she wanted to continue this experience unseen and unjudged. As she averted her gaze her eyes made their way upwards toward the ceiling where for the second time that night she was struck by the sensation of viewing Hogwarts up in the night sky. The floating candles, the dark and cloudy sky apparition. She was overwhelmed again and decided to focus her attention on the headmaster just ahead of her.

One by one, students were called up to the stool to have a very public yet very private conversation with the Sorting Hat. At first she was upset that she was so early in the alphabet, but as she watched students sit down and then receive adulation from the house they were sorted into she felt more at ease. At least she wouldn't have to wait until the very end of the ceremony to hear where she would be staying for the next seven years. A student she recognized from the train was called up, as were two from the boat she'd taken. "Gryffindor!" "Hufflepuff!" "Gryffindor!" She politely clapped for each of them as they joined their tables.

It was only as the student she assumed was just before her in the alphabet went up that she began to wonder what house she might be in. Her mother had been a Hufflepuff, but she and her mother were so different she wasn't sure if that really meant anything... Was there a house she wanted to be in more than others? She stared from table to table, trying to get a read on which group might be the best fit for her, but it was really hard to tell much just from looking. There were quiet, boisterous, happy, and sullen looking students at each one. And then -

"Gollens, Elspeth!"

She flicked her head upward, looking toward the hat as if she'd been asked to witness something instead of walk up and be a part of it. After a beat she felt someone give her a very gentle push on the shoulders and she began walking toward the front of the hall. She gave a small nod to the headmaster before sitting down. He placed the hat gently atop her head.

Her mom had always had a hard time explaining what the sorting ceremony would be like. Just that it was different for everyone and there was nothing to worry about. So as the large hat touched her hair she had no idea what to expect. For a moment nothing happened. The inside of the hat didn't smell as bad as she expected, given how many nervous heads it must have been placed atop in its time. It wasn't exactly comfy but wasn't itchy or unpleasant either. She twiddled her thumbs a bit.

"Well... I don't know if I'd consider that rude or kind of you. But yes, I take care of myself. Don't want to be making a smelly first impression," a whisper in her ear said. Her eyes perked up, her posture improved.

"Um... hello. I'm-"
"Yes yes, I know who you are. The real question is, what do you know about yourself hmm?"

Elspeth was taken aback by that question. What did that mean, know about herself? She knew everything about herself. She was eleven years old. She loved butterflies and bread baking. She wasn't sure, yet, if she liked Hogwarts but she was very excited to get started on this journey.

"Sure, those are all things about you. But who are you really?

Elspeth shrugged reflexively.

"I ummm... I don't know, I guess?

The hat laughed, and at first she thought she'd given a silly answer and would be told to pack her trunk and leave. But soon the laugh faded and, although she couldn't see it, she could feel the hat smiling.

"It always is odd, asking people so young about themselves. You still have so much time! And yet, it's all here between your ears. Your curiosity, your keen interest in others, your skeptical nature."

Elspeth blushed a little at that last one, knowing the hat must have been talking about her mother. But it was also such an odd feeling, to be told things about yourself that you may have thought you knew, but weren't sure of. And to be told as if from a voice between your very ears, like something deep inside of you brought out that you've been looking for such a long time.

"Ah, yes, definitely. It must be RAVENCLAW"

The headmaster took the hat off of her head and she was blinded for a moment as her eyes opened again to the flickering lights and the wave of cheers from the sea-blue table. She smiled, finally feeling like she knew where she was supposed to go. As she stood up, she turned around and gave a quiet, "Thank you," to the sorting hat before walking toward her housemates.

Hannele, along with the other first years, made their 'grand' entrance into the Great Hall. She felt excited and proud, chin high as her eyes swept the room, but there was an underlying unsettling feeling that lingered underneath all of the zest. All of this, the train, the castle, the ceremony—heck, the magic, it was all too new, too unfamiliar, and feeling like this made Hannele very uncomfortable. But she was already here and she was more than excited to be on her way to getting sorted into one of the four legendary houses.

Unlike many of the other students she had met, those who were born into wizard families, she didn't have any prior knowledge to fall back, nothing to give her guidance in considering the house she was most suitable for. Her books had explained that the houses were based upon deep, inset values each pupil held, from inherit bravery, wisdom, loyalty, and ambition. Hannele thought she had a little of all of those things so she was confused on how others could just know so easily. Maybe she was just a complex person, or maybe she was just thinking to hard, and the answer lay in front of her.

It actually did, though. Only a few meters away sat the Sorting Hat, which lay upon a still, waiting for a student to approach it. But before one could the Headmaster, clad in armour and grey hair, meant to say his speech. Afterwards the Sorting Hat would sing his song and then the ceremony would commence.

Hannele waited patiently, thinking of other things like home, classes, and friends and family she had left behind. It was a little sad to think about them but she knew that she would be hear for an awfully long time and was determined not to forget them to any degree, if she even could do such a thing. But who knew in this strange, magical world?

The speech and the song were soon over and eventually, after many others, her own name was called. "Nestor, Hannele."

She stepped forward, suppressing a grin as she walked over to the stool. She sat down promptly and placed the Hat on her head.

She didn't know what to expect, really. She thought it would alert the professors somehow after a second but the Hat...it spoke right into her ear.

"Hannele Nestor, a name I surely haven't come across in many years."

Hannele yelped and looked around bewilderedly for a moment before realizing the source of the voice was right above her. She shrank in her seat sheepishly, embarrassed of her ignorance.

"Wait," she suddenly asked, keeping her voice down in case she was the only one who could hear him. "You've heard of my name before? But my mum said she made it up."

"Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that I recall it. Yes, I remember her now: a bright, determined girl named Hannele Morrissey from the 1840s, 'destined' to be sorted into Ravenclaw. Unfortunately her hopes were dashed and she was placed into Gryffindor, which I found more suitable for her. Though she did have a remarkable mind, she had an even more remarkable heart, capable of acting when others wouldn't or couldn't."

Hannele recalled reading how old the Sorting Hat actually was; she couldn't believe that a hat thousands of years old was resting a top her head. She had a weak urge to flick it off, but was ready to get sorted already. I wonder what it's like being born in 993, though. And to not have fallen apart.

"Well, that's sad for her; now, which house will I be in?" The young girl crossed her fingers and pursed her lips, apprehensive of the next words even though she wasn't entirely sure why.

The Hat waited a beat, contemplating over her forwardness or maybe just the memories in her mind, before saying, "Very well; you shall be in...GRYFFINDOR!

Hannele leapt off the chair, almost throwing the ancient Hat off her head but a staff member quickly took it from her, having perceived her built up energy beforehand. Hannele pumped her arms, crying an inaudible 'Yes!' in the applause, before making her way to the table covered in red and gold. She hardly cared which house she was in, really; Hannele was just excited to be sorted in general, and especially for the hype she was hit with as she blended in with her new housemates.

Autumn fidgeted with the ends of her robe, something she often did with her hoodies. She really wanted one of her hoodies right now. Preferably a black one, so she could blend in and leave. She did not know what was wrong, but she knew she was to be called up soon and that her stomach was not appreciative of the fact. It felt as if it were flipping in on itself, and Autumn attempted to shrug it off as something wrong she had ate before. It was then she remembered the "cauldron cake" she had eaten hesitantly on the train a few hours ago.

An entire cake. You are such a pig.

It is a miniature cake and also the only thing she had to eat the entire day. Give her a break.

...Yeah, no thank you.

Worth a try. It makes sense though, the stomach thing, I mean, if that's all she had to eat today. Did she even drink water? I don't think so. Yeah sure, food is disgusting and everything, but she doesn't want to die from starvation.

Autumn choked. The voices in her head were obnoxious, sur-

Excuse me.

They were obnoxious, sure, but this was a new level. How anxious was she right now?

"Ivy, Autumn."

She jumped slightly and made her way to the stage with the stupid, sheepish grin she got on her face whenever she got nervous. She sat on the seat and the hat was placed on her head. It made no sense. There was a talking hat on her head, and the people of this universe questioned this in no way. Why a hat anyway? It was so random. Whoever had thought a hat was the perfect way to choose where each student would live for the next 7 years had either been drunk, high and/or just plain stupid.

"Firstly, I am more than capable of doing my job. far more than capable. Secondly, your house is more than simply where you will be living."

By now, Autumn had deducted the voice to be coming from the top of her head. The Hat. She wondered what her house was if it were not simply some dorms and a common room. She knew her father had gotten emotionally attached to his house, Gryffindor, and had made a lot of his friends there.

"Your house will be like your second family."

At this point, she could not take it and whisper/muttered at the oh-so-mighty hat on her head.

"Great. I desperately need another one of those. Clearly one is not enough. More people to disappoint. Great. Yeah. So much fun."

Sarcasm dripped like venom out of her mouth.

"Well, you better get ready for it, because you can't really leave at this point. In you, I sense resourcefulness, shrewdness, self-preservation and cunningness. However, you lack the ambition it takes to be a Slytherin."

"That is nice of you to say."

"In you, I sense overflowing creativity, sharp wit and intellectual potential. However, you lack the love of learning it takes to be in Ravenclaw."

"You are truly charming, but if you will, get to the point?"

"Obviously, you are not in Gryffindor."

Autumn chuckled at that. She could not argue with that. Her father had been in Gryffindor, sure, but Autumn was nothing like him, and she could not imagine waking up in a Gryffindor dorm and remembering her father every single morning. It sounded like utter hell. Beside that, her father's journal made all Gryffindors look like reckless fools.

Only a single house remained.

"You value hard work, dedication, patience, loyalty and fair play, although you personally may not always be so patient. You have a strong moral code, and I pray for anyone who dares hurt the people you care about. You are fiercely loyal, and that brings me to my conclusion."

"Are you sure I am not in Slytherin or Ravenclaw?"

"Are you doubting my expertise in an area of work I have been doing for years?"

"Yes."

The hat sighed, almost in defeat.

"Just go before I put you in Gryffindor."

Autumn nodded.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Applause followed and Autumn joined the black and yellow table as her robes and tie matched the colour.

At least the colour scheme was the best out of all the houses.

Elle kept her head down as she shuffled into the great hall with all of the other students. She wasn't all that nervous, unlike some other children in front of her who were sniffling and crying. She wanted to comfort them, tell them it'd be alright, but she kept her mouth shut and shuffled at the ground with her brand-new shoe.

Her father was in Gryffindor. Her brother was in Slytherin. Really, she could be put into any house. Elle took a deep breath and let it out. She heard all these other students muttering what house they wanted to be put in, but Elle didn't know which one. She didn't have much of a preference, but she started to get anxious when two boys behind her started discussing at how they *better* be put in Gryffindor.

Should she have a preferred house? As she started getting more anxious, a girl in front of her turned around and asked what house she wanted to be put in. Elle said "Um... I guess... Gryffindor?"

The girl just turned away, annoyed. Elle wondered if she had said the wrong thing.

Soon, people started getting called up. Elle was one of the first, and when she heard Everdeen, Elle. She almost fainted.


She came up to the stool and placed the sorting hat on her head causally, trying to look like she wasn't terrified out of her mind, which she was. No, she wasn't scared of which house she'd be put in. She was scared of all the people staring at her, judging her, judging her clothes, judging the way she sat on the chair... she pushed all that to the back of her mind and let the sorting hat choose for her.

"Hmm... I see. You've got quite a caring mind, but you're also quite smart as well..." The sorting hat said.

Elle gulped, and started picking at her fingernails, trying to avoid the eyes of everyone staring at her.

"come on, just pick a house, please..." she whispered quietly.

"Hm, I see, very impatient... insecure..."

Elle swallowed nervously. Those weren't very good things to be.

"But deep down, you've got potential. That creative mind of yours... it could do great things. GREAT things. You're incredibly intelligent..."

Elle waited a few seconds more before the hat shouted out; "RAVENCLAW!!" Elle smiled in relief as the Ravenclaw table clapped loudly, welcoming her as she took a seat.

He looked around looking chill he could tell everyone was nervous, him? Nah just chilling and vibing like for the billionth time this year because why not?

Gunner didn't bother to open his mouth or to say anything in general because his accent would turn heads, then be bombarded with questions no surprise to be honest he just crossed his arms over his chest and gave a deep frustrated sigh like my god London was fast but Scotland? It reminded him of the one by one pecking order, he tapped his foot in frustration then shrugged taking a deep breath to calm himself before he done anything stupid and then looked around at his surroundings so ok blue and grey and brown how basic.... aye who was he to judge? well it was none of his business so he should just stay out of it before, curiosity killed the cat it was for his own good in the first place.

He started whistling and watched as names where called one by one honestly, hurry up ladies his grandfather was faster than that now that was his brutal honesty coming out to slap you in the face but with a chair just to add insult to the injury.

"Saxobeat Gunner" rang through the air he stood there shook and blinked with his mouth open gaping like a fish until he finally waltzed up to the stage, sat down and replied in his Kiwi accent"Crikey mate" then some ugly hat was dumped on his head and it talked no it actually talked he proceeded to full blown yank the hat off his head and dump it on the floor glaring at it.... Ok where was the closest mental hospital? This has got to be some sick prank or joke *haha* he thought *very funny totally laughing nope just kidding sorry not sorry* He then put the hat on half awkwardly on his head but then it lent to the side ok so his head was uneven now whelp that was nice to know like man what did these old people put in their coffee's? or was it just brits in general? He looked up at the hat with a well look on his face the hat then watched the hat scream"GRYFFINDOR" dramatic much bro? so it turns out this hat was more dramatic than him yipee to getting his title stolen he then replied to the hat in his kiwi "Thanks for blowing out my ear drums mate no really i appreciate it. "

Gunner then stood up and strolled off to the place where he was gonna be for the next 7 years off his life he made sure to leave the mean hat behind him no really the hat was actually mean.

It was windy, drizzly night. Inside of a compartment alone in the back of the Hogwarts express, Sabrina Butterbean nibbled on a pumpkin pasty. She may have been a Pure-Blood, but her parents lived in the muggle world, since it was her fathers job to keep track of the muggles in the town, according to the minister of magic. Her best friends didn't even know the family was magical. In fact, they thought that Sabrina was going to a boarding school for girls all the way back in America, where she lived at first.

"We'll miss you, Sabrina!" They had sniffed. "yeah, right." Sabrina had though. they walked all over her! the train pulled to a stop. the teacher instructed them to move to the boats and row. They obeyed.

the group walked into the Great hall. The older kids were watching, waiting. "I can't believe i'm here." Sabrina Butterbean muttered underneath her breath. "What?" a Boy with particularly spiky hair asked. "Oh, nothing." Sabrina blushed, embarrassed he had almost heard her. "OK, kids, gather round. Step up. OK, first up... Sabrina Butterbean?" Sabrina turned red. everyone was looking at her. she took a deep breath and sat on the stool.

"I see you clearly, I think it better be... HUFFLEPUFF!"

the Hufflepuffs cheered and hollered. who knows what will be in store this year.