Y42 Sorting Ceremony

[Matt Alcott-Ward]

The sky overhead looked clear tonight, and bright moonlight added to the candlelight in the Great Hall. Matt had been here many times before, but it felt different this time. He stood in front of the entire school, smiling at the students. His students. He stood at the podium and waited for the hall to quiet down so he could make his first speech in his new role as headmaster. His gaze moved from table to table, feeling a sense of pride. All these young minds would learn so much in the upcoming school year. Matt was honored to be a part of it.

He nodded and smiled in greeting, then cleared his throat as he started his speech. "Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Welcome back," he started, looking at the house tables in turn. "And welcome, to the new students joining us today. Today marks the start of your journey as witches and wizards. For some of you, the first step into the magical world. Hogwarts will be your home for the next seven years. A place to learn and grow into full-fledged witches and wizards." He said with a smile. Then he put his serious face on as he continued. "There are a few housekeeping rules to mention for the new students or those who might need a reminder. The Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to any students unless they're supervised by a professor or a member of the staff. The forest is dangerous and this rule is set up for your own protection. Anyone who breaks the rule will be punished accordingly."

Matt paused there to let it sink in, though he knew that real troublemakers wouldn't be deterred by his words. Then, he continued on. "It is now time for the sorting ceremony. Each of you will be sorted into a house, and that house will be your home for the duration of your time here. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. They are each named after one of the founders of this school." He said, watching the banners of each house unfurl as he named the houses in turn. "You will be sorted based on the values of each of the founders, which means you will be placed with students with similar values. First years, once I call your name you can step forward and take a seat on this stool." He said, gesturing to the stool which was in view of all the students and teachers in the hall. "Once you sit down, the Sorting Hat will be placed on your head. It will decide which house suits you best and sort you. After that, you can join your new housemates at one of the tables." He paused, smiling slightly. "But first, the hat has a little song for us," He said, gesturing to the hat to start singing. Once the song was done, Matt unraveled the roll of parchment in front of him and read the first name.

 

[Sorting Hat]

It comes but once, but once each year,
When, I, the sorting hat appear.
I appear to sort the latest batch,
To look within and find a match.
To seek the person who does reside,
Beneath the skin, deep down inside.

Rest assured, I do take care,
To avoid mistakes and always be fair,
Because I know my duty is very great,
The decisions I make affecting fate.
So do not approach with a sense of fear,
Embarrassed when seated upon your rear.
And when I'm placed upon your head,
Your thoughts should not be full of dread.
Approach with confidence, pure and true,
Give me the chance to honour you.

Those who step forth brave with pride,
Likely in Gryffindor they will reside.
Fire and Lion, scarlet and gold,
A house of friends, strong and bold.

Hard working kids who value fair play,
May find that Hufflepuff is where they stay.
The Earth and Badger, yellow and black.
Loyalty and tolerance, keep them on track.

Creativity and intelligence will help some soar,
Above the rest to Ravenclaw's door.
Air and Eagle, bronze and blue.
The wisdom to make dreams come true.

And finally those, resourceful and cunning,
Ambitious and powerful are in the running.
They'll join the house of silver and green,
Where water and serpents stage the scene.

Now, one last thing, please take heed,
Here is some advice that you may need.
This school has grown in a short time,
So have mistakes and heinous crime.
A challenge to all present, to look within,
No matter the house I've placed you in.
To do your best and persevere,
To use your strengths and face your fear.

The time has come, no more delay,
I call you forth, come on, let's play.

 

[Max Goose]

Max followed the other soon-to-be-sorted students to the front of the hall and often looked around the see what was happening around him. So far the castle was bigger than he thought it would be even though his father had told him about the castle many times and had given his son a near-perfect description of what it looked like inside. He obviously thought that his father was trying to oversell the school to him to get him excited about going to Hogwarts, but it appeared that his father was actually telling him the truth. Which meant that there was plenty to get excited about if he was to believe everything his father had told him. The kitchens, for example, or that one empty classroom filled with beans his father talked about on a daily basis, or the giant squid in the lake and the many creatures living in the Forbidden Forest. There was definitely a lot to do at Hogwarts and he was looking forward to exploring all of it. Once the Headmaster began to welcome all of them, Max tried his best to follow what the man was saying. At some point, he decided to give up and focus more on his new surroundings again. He knew that he would have plenty of time to do so later but everything was just so very interesting at the moment. Thankfully, he had started to pay attention to the ceremony again right as the Headmaster told them that they were supposed to sit on the stool when their name would be called out. Which, luckily for him, didn't actually take all that long. He made his way through the first years when it was his turn to be sorted and sat down on the stool, looking up as the Sorting Hat was placed upon his head. He didn't really care where the Hat would place him as long as he could make friends and do fun stuff together, and he reckoned that he could do that in any house.

"Hmm...Well, this is interesting, you are intelligent but actively push it away...you would've made a good Ravenclaw, but I think you will more easily grow in....Gryffindor,"

 

[Dalia Drake]

It couldn't be said that Dalia was as scared as an aspen leaf all this time, but when the girl's name came out, her heart sank. At first, it's slow and enjoyable, but after a while it's reminiscent of the gusts of wings hitting the body with all possible force. Yes, she was worried, but the long-awaited information about where Dalia would be sorted and chosen, whether the sisters would be together, did not leave the redhead's mind.Dalia jerked Charlotte's hand away and wiped her sweaty palm on the black cloths. Without her sister's support, she felt unstable and the path to divorce was spent in a haze. One, step, two, faster and faster. She slipped on and took an interesting look at the hat in the chair at Dalia's head full of thoughts. She wondered what would happen if it was decided to put the girl in, say, Hufflepuff, where the girl didn't want to choose at all? Could she study hard at all if a girl loves Hufflepuff house? Maybe house Hufflepuff wasn't so bad after all? Dalia's mind sighed, and she straightened up in her chair, her cold fingers involuntarily feeling the pen hidden under the school cloths, which she couldn't leave behind. It was like a lucky charm,''Please, I don't want to sound very picky, but I want to be with Charlote, please, please.'' Dalia waited for the decision under an old bookcase with a pen clutched in her fingers, thinking of Charlote. At least for the moment, she was proud of herself that she hadn't shouted at the Sorting hut, because that would have embarrassed herself.

"I'm sorting you, so that's all that matters. Where someone else ended up will have little to do with your sorting. Given that you seem a little scared. I'll make this quick....Slytherin,"

 

[Zerrin Fergusson]

Zerrin felt like he was on a rollercoaster. He had a new baby sister, he'd received his letter from school, and he had an awesome day out with his family getting his school supplies. The kitten his father had bought him was tucked away inside his robes, asleep and curled up happily against his chest. Zerrin was looking around excitedly, smiling. This wasn't the school his mother had gone to, but that was alright. He and Fraser would have a great time here. He was startled from his thoughts when he heard his name being called, and he hurried up with a bashful smile. He sat on the stool, shutting his eyes as the hat slipped over his head. Hello. That was a really nice song. Thank you for helping us all out. He thought, thinking he should be appreciative of the hat, though he did wonder what the hat did for the rest of the year.

"Thank you, it's always nice to be appreciated. This is a rather simple sort for me, you'd have adapted to any house but you will have the best time in.....Hufflepuff!"

 

[Conan Burke]

Conan was super excited! It was finally his turn to make it to Hogwarts. His siblings had so much to say about the school, especially Molly. He was a little nervous that he was going to make a mistake at some point and that he would have to go home, but his siblings had laughed and said it wouldn't be possible. But he was still nervous about that possibility.

The first year slowly yet nervously walked with the rest of the first years, almost tripping over his own two feet. He looked around the hall to see if he could find his siblings, which he eventually did and sent them a small wave. He frowned a little when he noticed how down his brother looked, but he didn't let that bother him. Right now, he was going to be sorted. The boy became nervous as the ceremony began, realising that the boy didn't really know anyone here either. He watched as the first years were now called up. He knew that it wouldn't be long until he was called up, considering that his last name started with 'b' and it was the second letter of the alphabet. After what felt like an eternity, his name was finally called and Conan slowly made his way to the stool and sat down and felt the hat being placed on his head. The boy didn't mind if he wasn't sorted in the same house as his siblings, he just hoped that he would like the house that he would be sorted into.

"You will certainly like the house you are sorted into...everyone does. I've yet to have a single complaint. For you the choice is split, you are adventurous and curious, two traits which though linked lead to two different paths....hmm..yes, I think you'll do best in......Ravenclaw,"

 

[Thistle Carnahan]

Thistle was practically vibrating with excitement as she stepped into the Great Hall with her new classmates, eyes flashing around eager to take in as much as possible all at once. This was it, the beginning of her time at school, finally. It was a shame that Theia had graduated already - even after all this waiting, Thistle wouldn't get a single year with her family all together, but as she looked across the tables and spotted Sawyer and Felix, she couldn't help but smile. Her brothers stood out easily with their shocks of green hair to match her own, and Thistle couldn't think of a more perfect way to start her time at school. She only half-listened as the headmaster and hat spoke in turn, too busy taking in everything there was to see. There was so much to explore and learn in a place like this, and the possibilities almost made Thistle's head hurt. Where was she even supposed to start? It was a relief to have a name so early in the alphabet, and she was well and truly ready when she heard the headmaster call;

"Carnahan, Thistle!"

Thistle couldn't help a small squeal of excitement as she tore away from the group and up to the stool, bouncing slightly as she settled down on the seat. She flashed her brothers a bright grin and a double thumbs up before the hat slipped over her eyes, unfortunately covering up her delightfully green hair as she sat and awaited her future.

"Hmm, while this trickster nature of your might've usually seen you to Gryffindor, there is certainly an inquisitiveness and smarts involved in the tricks you play that will steer you away from that house so instead enjoy....Ravenclaw,"

 

[Dahlia Doherty]

Wow, thought Dahlia, unable to suppress a smirk as she looked around at the decorations of the hall they'd all been ushered into. My old school could learn a lot from this. The level of pageantry was something else, alright. Floating candles, robes, and a singing hat. A singing hat! It all felt so quaint, and so unreal. Her robes felt so stiff and uncomfortable, hardly flowing and glamourous as seemed fitting of a witch. She supposed they'd soften a bit after a few washes. If only she could style them up a bit. Accessorize. Maybe change the cut of them when she got a bit older?

Dahlia supposed she should be worried about having the eyes of the other students and teachers on her, but it really didn't faze her. She liked being in front of a crowd. Thrived on it, even. She was more relieved than frustrated that D was so early in the alphabet. A few other students had gone before her and had the hat put on their head and been sorted, just like that rude other boy had said. She'd seen him lining up and pointedly ignored him, not wanting to deal with his rudeness and the whole weird blood prejudice thing.

When her name was called, Dahlia walked up quickly without wanting to break out into a full jog or anything. She was keen, but not keen to look like a loser or anything. She sat down on the stool as the hat was lowered onto her head, fighting the urge to make a face when everyone's eyes were on her and instead just smiled calmly. Sure hope none of those other kids had lice, she thought, hoping her first days at a new school wouldn't ruin her hair. Or there's a magical way to get rid of them if they did. She bounced her knee a little, waiting for the hat's judgement.

"There is a magical way to get rid of them, but I can promise you no one has any lice. Really that should not be your focus...your focus is where you'll spend the next seven years...and for you...you'd make a decent Slytherin...but you'll do even better in....Gryffindor!"

 

[Zion Lind]

Zion wasn't sure he was meant to be here- sure, his mother was a witch, but that didn't mean he was magic. He was just a regular kid- he wasn't super smart or good at sports- he was just a kid that liked to goof around with his friends and maybe read sometimes. He had his hands in his pockets, almost overwhelmed as he looked around the castle. He looked up when he heard his name and walked to the stool, embarrassed to think everyone was looking at him. He sat down, waiting nervously. He wasn't sure why he was nervous- maybe it was stage fright? He was just glad he hadn't tripped.

"There's still time to trip on the way back down from here...but I'm sure that won't happen...but I'll get this over with quick so that you can avoid all these eyes being on you for long.....Slytherin"

 

[Charlotte Drake]

Charlotte only managed to understand that the students were called in alphabetical order when she heard her sister Dalia's name and let go of her hand that she had been holding.

All this, the huge hall, so many senior students, and the solemnity of the whole event made Charlotte tremble like an aspen leaf, and she really felt like a little one with all her little friends around. The hall was VERY large, with candles flying across the ceiling, and the sky couldn't see the ceiling at all, but Charlotte remembered reading about this illusion and knew it was a spell, just like the flying candles.

The moment her name was called, the girl took a sharp breath and looked into Dalia's eyes for salvation and encouragement. But it was not allowed to be late. She focused on the Sorting Hat’s dirty wrinkles and measured them the few remaining steps to the bench, on which she finally sat down. The girl's legs did not reach the ground and she looked up and back in awe where the funny Hat should be. She had not imagined the Hat that spoke. Turning her gaze back to the hall, she noticed in front of her a group of interested first-timers and very long tables with very many students. Charlotte sighed excitedly, gave a shaky smile and waved a shaky hand to the big students. This was a sign that she was not at all afraid and did not at all think that she would definitely mess up the table she was supposed to go to.

"You won't mess up, just follow the noise of the table shouting the loudest. And for you that table will be...Gryffindor,"

 

[Leah Thorne]

Leah held her breath as she walked through the doors of the great hall. It felt like she was really diving into the unknown and quickly let out her breath when she caught sight of the ceiling and forgot to keep walking for a moment until someone bumped into her. She whispered a sorry, fully grinning now, and rushed to keep up. She looked out among the students at the tables watching them and she waved. None of this felt real at all. Ever since she stepped foot on the train she was somewhat convinced she had actually fallen and hit her head and this was just some kind of dream. But if she had to wake up she hoped she could at least get sorted first. Her eyes floated back to the ceiling but was snapped out of her daydreaming when the headmaster started his speech. As he spoke her excitement grew. She knew all about Hogwarts houses, and even Ilvermorny houses thanks to her mother. Every time she had dreamed of this day she would imagine herself going into a different house. They all felt right in their own way she guessed but how was she supposed to know for sure. How did anyone know? But it wasn't really a 'someone' at all. She let out a gasp when the hat began to sing. She knew it could talk but singing felt extra impressive somehow.

Finally it was time for the sorting to begin and she cursed her last name for starting with a letter so close to the end of the alphabet. She couldn't stand still and kept swaying to get a better view or bouncing slightly on the balls of her feet. Name after name was called and she tried to keep track of them all in her head but lost count after a while. Then it was suddenly her turn. Her name being called snapped her out of her daze instantly and she blinked once before quickly walking to the front of the hall. She willed herself not to run but she caved at the end and took the last few steps an a flash. Slightly out of breath, she sat down. "Hello." she whispered, wanting to make a good first impression. She closed her eyes as she felt the hat sit gently on her head, and held her breath once more as she waited to hear her fate.

"Hello there, it is always nice when someone actually greets me. I'll be quick, though I can see you managing in most of our great houses, you will absolutely excel in.....Gryffindor,"

 

[Cassius Styx]

Cassius Styx was utterly appalled that that the boy that he threw a rock at was a wizard. That meant... Muggle-born! Ugh! Cass looked around the Great Hall and it was just as unimpressive as he imagined it would be. He wanted to go to Durmstrang, but alas, he had to be moved here, and he had to attend a school that would allow such lower forms in. Disgraceful. He knew that it would take some time before he would be sorted, but his eyes scanned the room once more. He recognized a handful that he had met prior to coming here, including another muggle-born student. Didn't care enough to remember her name. But she did have a sibling. That was all that he recalled. Sad though.

He saw someone else get sorted, and after some time, he finally heard his name called. He proudly walked up to the stool and sat down on it, allowing the hat to drop on his head. Even though the hat had touched countless heads of muggle-borns, he didn't care about that. At least, he tried not to. He folded his arms across his chest, and waited for the hat's decision. He did hope for Slytherin, or even Ravenclaw. Being with a bunch of nerds would be better than being with idiots, since who'd sort an idiot into Ravenclaw? And, free help in case he needed it - which he doubted that he would.

"It has been a little since I sorted a Styx...and it seems not much has changed.... You would manage well in Ravenclaw...but that pride...yes.....Slytherin,"​

 

[Bethany Gillan]

Bethany still couldn't believe she was in Hogwarts and the boat ride was even better than her parents had told her. Miraculously, he was not worried, as he decided to leave everything to the hat to decide in which house she would fit best. Bethany walked into the Great Hall with the other students, which was even bigger than it read in the book. As she passed the tables, she wondered which of them she would end up in and where she would have to start the remaining seven years as her home. However, she knew she would be at peace with whatever decision she made. All that was left to do was wait for her turn to put on the hat.

Soon it was her turn to go up the stairs and put on her hat. Bethany took a deep breath when she heard her first and last name, then left the line and climbed the stairs. She carefully took the hat from the bench, then sat down on it and put the hat on her head. Awaiting its decision, because only the hat will know better in which house she will answer better. All that remained was to wait.

"Hmmm..this is a difficult one, you have a lot of very strong traits, things which would serve you well no matter the house. It's not a bad thing, but it does make my job a little more difficult...hmmm..okay...Slytherin,"

 

[Chase Campbell]

Chase didn't get what all the fuss was about. Hogwarts was a school just like any others and there was very little about it that made him excited. Sure, it was a huge castle and classes would involve magic but other than that he didn't see much difference with his muggle school. Things would still be the same. There would be popular kids, kids who tried their best to fit in but never managed and kids who probably shouldn't even try. There was never a way to please everyone, so why bother? If there were others that seemed acceptable enough to hang out with he was sure he'd find out soon enough. Or maybe he wouldn't and he'd just roll through school on his own like he had did before.

He followed the others in walking through the doors that lead to the great hall, glancing around at all of the older students already there. Chase could admit the size of the hall was slightly impressive but the amount of students it housed made that thought fade away quickly. There was at least twice the amount of students there had been at his muggle school and he wasn't sure whether he liked it. He tried to listen to what the headmaster was saying but none of it seemed worth remembering and instead he focussed his attention on the hat when it started singing. It went on for way longer than Chase had thought it would and he was glad when it finally stopped and started getting them sorted. Having a last name that started with a letter in the alphabet had been a curse and a blessing before but right now it felt like a blessing. The sooner he was called upon the sooner he could just head to a table and sit down. When his name was called Chase stepped forward and sat down, waiting for the hat to call out a house so he knew what colour he was expected to wear for the next seven years. Whether or not he would stick to that was a different question entirely.

"Your house will more than a colour for you, it'll be a home away from home..hopefully..and for you this home will be...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Silas Gideon Secunda]

Silas tried not to look as intimidated as he felt as he walked into the Great Hall. How could anyone not be intimidated, though? This place was massive and exquisitely detailed, as though there couldn't be a single bit of empty space anywhere. Nothing could have prepared him for the size of this castle or even just this room. It was already full of students, some of them rather loud, and Silas found himself jutting out his chin in a familiar feel of stubbornness. He would not appear intimidated or, god help him, scared. Not that he was scared. If anyone else was looking at him (and he was sure they were), he would probably just look bored. He stood for awhile as the others around him were called one by one. More than half of them were sorted already when his name was finally called. He moved bravely through his peers, one foot in front of the other, until he was suddenly at the stool. Feeling quite ready and somehow unprepared at the same time, he sat down.

"I see what you desire, but I think I have a better idea. There is a great deal of intelligence here, and it would be a waste to not listen to that...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Anisha Khatri]

Anisha stepped into the great hall with purpose and determination. She wouldn't show his nervous she was, not even a little bit. She glanced at Raafe and briefly reached for his hand, giving it a quick squeeze before letting go. "We'll be together." She whispered to him. Then she looked around, taking in the Great Hall with the floating candles and the different house tables. Before she could look for Indi at the table with the grumpiest looking students, a man started to speak. Anisha assumed he was the headmaster, and she stared at him as he welcomed them and went over the rules. At the mention of a forbidden forest, Anisha looked at Raafe and wiggled her eyebrows, though she turned her attention back to the Headmaster quickly. She frowned when he said the hat had a song for them, Indi hadn't mentioned anything about a song. Though she hadn't exactly said much about the sorting process in general. Anisha's eyes widened as the hat actually started to sing, she hadn't expected that. Once she got over her initial shock, she tried her best to listen to what it was singing about, which was each of the houses. Anisha wasn't all that fussed about where she would end up, as long as it was with Raafe. She resisted the urge to reach for his hand again as the headmaster started to list off names. Instead, she tried to appear patient and calm as she waited for her name to be called. She saw the annoying kid from the bookstore, who was apparently named Dorian. Anisha immediately decided that was a stupid name. It didn't take long after him for her own name to be called. Anisha glanced briefly at her cousin before stepping forward and taking a seat on the stool, ready to learn where she belonged.

"I know where you belong, I can see it fairly easily. You'd make a good Slytherin but perhaps you are just a little too honest for it...there's some intelligence here for Ravenclaw too but no that's not it....better be...Gryffindor,"

 

[Snowdrop Chase]

Snowdrop was stood there in the crowd tugging at her sleeves as she waited for her name to be called. She wondered briefly just how many there were there to be sorted, and how many would stick it through till the end. Some might transfer, or get expelled, or just plain quit once they were old enough. Somehow she knew she wouldn't be seeing all of these faces when she was graduated. The brunette took in a deep breath, steadying the itsy feeling of nervousness that was so unfamiliar to her. After all, she was never nerve wracked! She was "brave, and fearsome, and a little bit too skinny have some chocolate" as her mom always said. She shook her mom's words from her head just as her name was called.

She approached the hat. Her mom was never a sorted student but her dad was a Ravenclaw and she supposed she could deal with that house. But truly she just wanted the house she would grow the most in. And she knew the hat knew exactly where that was. "But also I look good in reds or yellows so... if you could." She thought in a bashfully, shallow manner.

"Though those reds are what you want, I do believe a little green or blue would suit you just as well.....but no...this is where you'll excel the most....Gryffindor,"

 

[Ainmere Pendleton]

Ainmere shoved her way to the front, wanting to get a good look at what was going on up front. She stood on tip toes and stroked her ginger locks behind her ears. This was incredible! The stories her parents had told her didn't even compare to what it was actually like! Ainmere could jump out of her skin she was so excited. As she stood there heel bouncing she became more and more anxious until her name was finally called.

Ainmere nearly leapt to the stool, and the momentum almost tipped it. She didn't care if she looked ridiculous, she wanted to be sorted now. She wanted slytherin like her mother or Hufflepuff like her father and she'd settle for no less. Heck she'd fight the hat over it.

"Well, there will be no need to fight me. Slytherin would suit you fine, but I think what'll suit you better is that other one.....Hufflepuff,"

 

[Serina Brown]

Standing and waiting for the moment when her name will be said, so that she too can sit down with hat, who will assign her to one of the very important Hogwarts houses. Serina's knees were shaking. She just watched and watched as the students left their group and irretrievably... The stress and anxiety did not allow the girl to understand that all these children were only classified into the so-called. At the moment, she didn't feel brave enough for Gryffindor, purposeful for Slytherin, tolerant of Ashpoot, or brave enough for Ravenclaw. All those twelve years of bravado for his sharp mind had come to a screeching halt tonight, standing among these students.

"Serina Brown. " As soon as her name was called, the girl rubbed her slightly stress-sweated hands against the edge of her robe and climbed up to get the Sorting hat that would put her in one of the houses. A slight blush crept into her cheeks, the brim of her hat fell over her eyes and hit her blunt nose as she closed her eyes, not daring to make a peep. so what?

"You could keep your eyes open...we've no rules against that. But, no matter, your eyes won't be kept closed for long.....Hufflepuff,"

 

[Akira Lavyan]

Akira hated being in the middle of all the waiting, she wanted to be one of the first people to get sorted, she deserved it. However, she was standing there, with everyone, hoping that no one looked at how baggy her clothes were, no way anyone at her home would see her like that. Never. The uniform sucked. The Hat didn't tho. It wasn't the prettiest but it did the best job ever. Maybe Akira really didn't know where she wanted to go, but she wanted to go somewhere. And while waiting, she clapped loudly for Charlotte and Dalia, the two girls that she met at the ice cream shop, and even for the boy that was climbing the tree, he wasn't bad after all. Maybe. Who knew? And then Akira's turn came up as well, she excitedly but prettily came up to the Hat and waited for the decision.

"This is decision is a little tricky...one could argue for any of our houses for you..but I am not just anyone..and...I can see where you should go.....Slytherin,"

 

[Dorian Fitzwilliam]

Dorian stepped closer to Ezra as they shuffled into the hall. If he could fully disappear behind his friend, he would, but this would have to do. He'd tried to subtly get a read on what to expect for the sorting ceremony while on the train but information had been mixed and it'd been far too hard to weed out what was real and what was just sensationalism from their soon to be classmates so Dorian had begrudgingly resigned himself to just having to find out on his own.

He listened closely as the Headmaster introduced himself and went over some of the school rules, filing those away quietly in his head along with any information about the four houses and the rest of the sorting process. It sounded simply enough though Dorian's stomach sank as he realized they were going to be called up one by one to put on the hat, and that he had to wait for it to sing to them first. His eyes wandered over the students gathered with him in the hall, lingering on the loud girl from the bookstore for a moment before he shuffled again closer to Ezra, quietly glad he'd be called first, and hopefully quickly too, so he wouldn't have to wait alone in the line, wiping his palms as subtly as he could as he waited for his name to be called.

"Hmmm...you place a lot of value in tradition something that would aid you well in say Slytherin..but your intelligence outshines it and everything else, and for that....Ravenclaw,"

 

[Raafe Khatri]

Raafe tilted his head back, taking in the enchanted ceiling above them before turning to Anisha with a raised eyebrow at the sights around them. He'd always been aware that magic was A Thing, more so possibly than Anisha considering how closed off her parents were to it, but it was different being truly immersed it in now, and frankly pretty impressive. But the boring parts of the ceremony had to come first, with introductions and rules, ugh, before they could get to the really interesting part. Raafe kept a straight face, even as the hat burst into song, though he did clap as the song was finished. That'd been pretty cool.

Now for the potentially worst part, Raafe thought gravely as Anisha whispered to him, giving her hand a firm squeeze in return and a simple nod. He knew there was a chance they'd be split up, something he was quietly dread even if it didn't show on his face, and he was ready to spend as much time as he needed to arguing with the hat if that's what it came to. He watched closely as Anisha was sorted, holding the name of her house firmly in his mind as he was called next.

"Hmmm....this is interesting...truly any house would suit you..you could manage in any place...just which is best. Hmmm I can see what you desire, and I think yes...that'll work perfectly....Gryffindor,"

 

[Valentina Raven]

Valentina's stepmother never really went into detail on her life at school, although she never went to Hogwarts in New Zealand. She was magical but barely showed it, so it was up to Val's imagination on what magic can do. And boy did it exceed her expectations. From the train ride to following the students her age through the hall, she felt overwhelmed. Everything was so grand, magic was everywhere. She had never felt this exhilarated in her entire life. Making her way to the front, she noticed a man at a podium waiting to begin. As his speech went on, she looked in awe as each banner was rolled out as he announced the houses one by one. The houses themself didn't incite any feelings within Valentina, she didn't care which one she joined. Her stepmother did tell her about them, but after their descriptions, she didn't find herself caring too much. Once the speech had ended, the hat began to sing. She listened intently, intrigued and shocked that an inanimate object had begun to talk, and sing at that. Val was still taking everything in until her name was called.

"Do take everything in, this will only happen once in your life...and I'll be quick...since this is rather easy. You'd manage in Hufflepuff well, but I think that's the safe option for you...instead....Ravenclaw,"

 

[Savannah Walters]

Savannah Walters had been really looking forward to school. She hated being at home, there was nothing for her to do, her parents were lame and useless so school was going to be the thing for her. Savannah had always known she was magical, both of her parents were too, so she had been counting down the days until she was finally able to finally step into its halls. So, here Savannah was, at Hogwarts. Finally, Savannah was looking forward to this more than likely most, in part because she knew that being at school meant she didn’t have to think about her parents or what they were doing. It was bad enough that Savannah knew everyone was judging her hand-me-down robes, which were fixed by magic but seemingly still looked like they were a hundred years old. Savannah’s family was not well off, her parents really struggled to keep jobs, barely trying half the time and she was just left to her own devices. But at school, she wouldn’t have to think about them, she could just focus on her education, on having a little fun. She wouldn’t have to look after everything because there were house elves. She was going to be able to just learn, maybe make a friend and work so hard in her seven years that she would never end up like her parents. And unlike what that boy that had been taking a bath in the water said, she would not need anyone.

Savannah followed the group of students into the hall, she stayed mingled amongst them, unable to tear herself away from the fact that her robes just look bad in comparison to the shiny new robes of seemingly everyone else. She had asked for new ones, but with the wand and the books that she also needed to get, which couldn’t be hand-me-downs, the robes were the thing she was unable to get a new set of. Savannah knew how this would go, despite neither of her parents having gone to Hogwarts in New Zealand, she had lived close enough to the community that she had heard plenty about it from other people. Savannah stopped as all the other students did and she stood on the tips of her toes to see over other students rather than push her way to the front. She could see over people, there was no need to draw attention to herself. Savannah listened along to the song, but took the opportunity as the hat sang to glance about at the other students, people she’d spend the next seven years around. She easily spotted that stupid boy, but she kept glancing towards others. The song ended and names began to be called. Savannah had known she would be one of the last ones called, there couldn’t be many people after her, if any. And the longer she stood in the thinning first year crowd the worst she felt about her clothes. It wasn’t like if she was one on one with someone that she couldn’t fight them on it, or retort, she was stuck with people looking at her and noting her appearance, they had to be. And then finally, at long last. Her name was called.

Savannah moved quickly, she wasn’t going to waste any more time. She sat down on the stool and glanced out towards all the students looking at her. She fixed a somewhat angry expression on her face, the one she usually had when she was very well to just about fight someone and then let the hat be placed on her head. This would be over in minutes.

"So much to consider here. No doubt you're ambitious, that trait is rising to the top. But which house which help you with those ambitions? Let's see now. Ah, yes, I can see it now. Ravenclaw!"​

 

[Gregory Friend]

Gregory Friend had never expected to be magical. Sure, for a couple of years now when his emotions had reached peaks he had sometimes caused slightly unexplainable things to happen, but never in a million years would he have expected to ever be a wizard. It seemed laughable, a massive joke. But he’d been to the village which sold brooms, quills, odd looking creatures and wands. He’d gotten on the train and there he’d raced through the countryside of New Zealand, where kids in compartments were playing with magical toys or discussing magical things. He had also run into Cassius on the train and his explanation of magical blood had certainly explained a little functionally why the boy was rude to him. But it didn’t matter given he was here now, at the school where he’d spend the whole year. He would make other friends, in fact in the crowd he spotted that boy he’d once met at the beach. It would be nice to spend more time with him. Gregory would avoid Cassius and avoid getting into any trouble.

Gregory was enjoying the first peak at the school. It was a pretty incredible place, filled it seemed with just so much. He had always gone to small schools with few students and this first year class was bigger than his whole old school, it was more student than he had ever experienced in his life. Gregory lingered towards the back, unable to stop himself from being distracted. He was very happy to be here. He’d been feeling a little off at his old school, the seeds of doubt as to if his friends were really his friends had really cemented themselves in his brain but he didn’t need to think about that anymore he was at a new school and he could just focus on the new classes and people that were around him. He had a lot to catch up on, a quill to figure how to write with. There was so much about this world that was going to be a bit of a challenge for him and he shouldn’t focus on the past.

Gregory stopped with the other first years and glanced towards the head master who stood up and spoke. Heglanced towards the hat he was holding with a frown. Not quite sure how the hat would do it, but the moment he questioned it, and suddenly the hat began singing. If it could sing then it could tell him where he was to go. He knew there were houses, had figured out from all the other people he’d heard talking. The young boy was listening to the song closely, and it did help figure out a little what things meant. When the song ended the first student was called forward, the hat was placed on their head and after silence for a moment the house was called. It seemed pretty easy. He watched as others got called forward. Gregory was a little nervous about ending up in the same house as a certain someone but he was getting sorted first, so there would be no luck there.

Very soon after the first name was called, Gregory heard his name echo in the hall. He pushed his way to the front, apologising quietly to each of the students he pushed passed to get to the front. He went to the stool and sat down, Gregory quickly took off his glasses in case the hat went lower than them. He waited, eager to be sorted and then figure out what exactly that meant.

"Oh, I know just where to place you. It's my job to see where you'll thrive and grow, and for you that'll happen in...HUFFLEPUFF!"​