Sorting Ceremony Y49

[Professor Matt Alcott-Ward]

The sky overhead looked cloudy tonight, but moonlight filtered through to add to the candlelight in the Great Hall. Matt had been here many times before, and he felt comfortable with it by now. It was becoming a routine. He stood in front of the 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 speech. 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.

 

[Ares Zephyr]

Ares had half believed he’d never seen the view of the hall. It would maybe end up as just one of those stories he’d heard about, from everyone in his family, but not something he’d ever get to see for himself. The fact his parents had decided not to transfer the girls to a different school after the year Demi had had was a miracle, and meant he was now stood with the rest of the first years waiting to be sorted.

The boy wasn’t necessarily anxious, but he was ready to find out his house. He’d waited what felt like years to see where he’d be placed. Personally he would have enjoyed the red coat if not because there wasn’t another in their family in Gryffindor, and any other house would mean having to share to share a common room with one of his sisters. He looked around at the other students, noticing a few familiar faces (and some he would have happily been kept away from), when the ceremony suddenly began.

Would he be first, or last? It was hard to tell with his name. The brunette however decided to move through the crowd, nudging his way to the front to not only get the best view of the hat and those sat under it, but because maybe the professors would sort him sooner if they thought he was an eager student. “I can go next,” Ares offered, not waiting for his name to be called.

He took a seat on the stool and sat up straight, hoping that wherever he was placed, he would be happy to call it his new home.

"Well, that's an interesting way of doing things. Certainly helps colour what I can see. You are used to having things go your way...hmm...well, I see two options, and of those two the deeper I look, the clearer I see...Gryffindor,"​

 

[Freddie Lagowski]

Nothing about the sorting ceremony came as a surprise to Freddie. He'd heard at least ten different accounts of the event from various uncles and cousins, most of them in excruciating, unsolicited detail. At first, he'd enjoyed hearing them, but the novelty had soon worn off, to be replaced with a sort of loathing. It'll be your turn soon, they liked to tell him. Yeah – not soon enough. And thanks for ruining all the surprises. It could have been incredible, shocking, awe-inspiring, but it was... well, exactly as his cousins had described it.

Still, they couldn't rob him of all his excitement. He knew what was coming, but he didn't know where he was going, or what would happen tomorrow, or the day after that. The world was basically his oyster. There would be no stopping him. And when his little nieces and nephews asked him to regale them with his Hogwarts adventures, the stories would be so cool, they wouldn't even believe him.

“Lagowski, Wilfred.”

Ugh. Wilfred. His parents could have given him any name in the world, and they chose that. Why couldn't he have been a Xavier? Or an Atlas? Nobody had ever laughed at a kid called Atlas.

Freddie climbed onto the stage. A sick feeling came over him as he met eyes with the audience and he sat down in a hurry. Everybody seemed quite sure he would be a Hufflepuff like his sister, but Freddie privately disagreed. It was time to find out who was right.

"Well, I don't believe you will be a hufflepuff, not that's not the house for you. I see a lot of ambition, and a lot of independence. But above all, I see an intelligence, and that, that's it...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Arachne Westwick]

Arachne's eyes were wide and nervous as she took in every new sight at Hogwarts, her hand clasped tightly in her sister's. She had longed for this day for so long, but now she kind of wished she could freeze time so she could process it all. So much had already happened today, and the scariest bit was just beginning. Thankfully, Arachne's parents had prepared them for this moment, so she knew exactly what to expect. That didn't mean she was any less scared, though. The girl listened to the hat's song, wondering idly if he made it up himself or had someone teach it to him. She also wondered if it ever got lonely, being the only hat like this.

Her heartbeat sped up as the ceremony actually began and people started being called. She tried her very best not to look at the house tables, where it seemed like endless rows of kids were sitting and staring at them. If she looked their way, she might faint. She clung to Nessie's hand, seeking reassurance in her safe familiarity. At first, she was glad it would take a long time to get to their last names. But the longer she waited, the more she wished she could just go and get it over with already. Finally they came to the end of the alphabet, and it suddenly occurred to her that she would go before Nessie. That felt wrong, somehow. Nessie was always the leader, the one who went first. Arachne started breathing quickly. "Do you think you could go first?" She asked her sister in a panicked whisper. But before she could even respond, her name was called.

"Westwick, Arachne!"

Arachne's hand must have let go of Nessie's, though she didn't remember doing it. The cool air against her sweaty palm felt oddly nice as she took her first nervous steps. This sorting ceremony seemed like some form of torture to her, time seemed to slow down, and every step to the stool felt like it took at least five years. But eventually she sat down, her hands and knees shaking slightly as she closed her eyes. She knew she should ask something of the hat. No, not just something. She knew Nessie would say she should ask to be with her sister, that the hat would put her in the same house as her sister. But somehow, she couldn't quite form the thought. I don't know what I want, hat, I don't know what's right. Please, help. Was her last, desperate thought as the hat went over her eyes.

"It is curious, so often I see siblings who desire to be together, but you do not....For you, I see an easy path, one where you find new connections, maybe slightly gentler people..Hufflepuff,"

 

[Gaia Athanasiou]

Gaia wasn't exactly excited about the sorting. Too many eyes, too much noise. So when she arrived to the great hall she stayed strictly to herself glaring at anyone who attempted to make conversation. It wasn't her thing right now she just wanted to get it done and over with. She waited patiently in line staring at her shoes, because otherwise she might make eye contact and practically invite someone for a conversation.

"Athanasiou Gaia!" Someone announced and Gaia could swear she heard her sister Nia scream something. Rolling her eyes she made her way to the front and grimaced looking at the old hat. As she sat down and the community hat was put on her head she thought to herself, because nobody was gonna catch her talking to ha freaking hat. If you put me to Gryffindor, Hat, so Merlin help me I will find a way to get you and dump you into a hole with spiders. So make your decision wisely. With that being said she sat there staring down at everyone, wishing for her fate to be sealed as soon as possible. Seriously what was all the hassle about.

"Now then...I'll be honest, all that does is make me want to put you in that very house, and really, I think you'd find a way to succeed there, but okay....I guess I won't do that. No, that is not the place for you..instead let it be...Slytherin,"

 

[January Parish]

January was scared but excited as she entered the great hall for the first time. After her meltdown on the train all she had to do was not cry and she'd count it as a success. She wasn't sure what to expect. Everyone in her family had gone to Hogwarts Scotland, well except for Aunt Céleste and Bellamy. Still, she was the first to walk these halls. The though made her stomach do a flip and she swallowed hard. But as all the first years shuffled through the door she was caught off guard by how grand the space was, not to mention all the eyes on her. She felt herself blush but she kept her head high and kept walking, careful not to trip or step on anybody's robes. Her eyes darted around the room and she couldn't really focus on the headmaster's speech, her heart was beating far too loudly in her ears. At least the houses were the same. She didn't feel particularly strongly about any of them, her parents did their best to keep their opinions neutral so she wouldn't feel pressured. But instead her head felt completely blank as names started to be called. One by one they walked up to the front and were sorted. Januarly clenched her hands together until finally she heard her name echo across the hall. "Excuse me." she whispered as she had to wiggle her way to the front. She kept her footsteps steady as she walked and tried not to think about everyone watching her. This wasn't the first time she had been in front of an audience. But small children's plays were very very different than this. She took her place on the stool and made sure her posture was nice and straight. She wasn't sure if she should greet the hat or say something but the words died on her tongue, her mouth suddenly dry. So she sat mouth closed and waited.

"Hmmm...well, this is quite an easy choice really, an easy sort. You would've managed in any of the houses, but there is one house about the rest which will suit you best...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Isla Warrick]

A train ride of party games had put Isla in a good mood heading into the sorting ceremony. She didn’t know what awaited her when she walked into the great hall, nor did she know what adventure awaited at Hogwarts. She’d heard a lot of stories from her parents, but they were both sqaures so how much fun could they really have had? Isla admired the way the interior of the castle was laid out as she walked through some of it, suits of armour were cool even if they served no practical function. Perhaps she could find a use for them during her time at the school. She would make that her mission.

The worst part about Isla’s family was their name. Not that there was anything wrong with it, she liked it well enough, but being a Warrick meant waiting at the back of the line while the A’s, B’s and C’s went ahead of her. She was practically rolling her eyes by the time Freddie Lagowski was sorted. But at least the beat Westwick and Zephyr. Losers.

When it was finally her turn Isla stepped up to the sorting hat’s stool and took her seat. She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to talk, or think or what. Would the hat quiz her? She just sat and waited to see which one of them would cave and talk first.

"I see exactly where you should go, but know you probably would've made a very decent Slytherin. It's not where you'll go, but still...Instead..Gryffindor,"

 

[Priyanka Bakshi]

Priyanka had been looking forward to going to Hogwarts. Now she stood in the Great Hall with the others to wait for her turn to be sorted. She wouldn't have to wait long, because her last name started with one of the first letters of the alphabet. Priya looked over to the Ravenclaw table, because her cousin Vikram had been sorted there three years ago, to be honest, which house could she have been so sorted into, because everyone in her family had been in three houses, but she didn't know which one she was destined to end up in. Priyanka looked away from the Ravenclaw table, then looked as another one was sorted into her own house. Of course, like everyone else, she was worried. One by one, the children were called. Then it was her turn, as soon as her name was called.

Bakshi Priyanka.

Priya tried to calm herself as she pushed her way through the other primitives as she walked towards the climb. "Everything will be fine. Don't worry, everything will be fine," she said quietly to herself. Then, climbing the stairs, she took the hat in her hands and sat down on a chair, but the hat on her head. "Good evening, dear Sorting Hat! I am Priyanka Bakshi. Put me in the house where I fit in the most. Although I would prefer to be in Ravenclaw house with my cousin. If you think I fit in somewhere else, I will be at peace with your decision." she said to the hat, because she knew it would hear her. Priya sat and waited, her hands shaking, so she folded them together in her lap. Now it was time to wait.

"Well, if that's what you would prefer. It helps that I see a creativity and an intelligence that lend themselves both well to that house...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Chase Edwards]

Chase followed the group of new first years throughout the castle as they made their way from outside towards the Great Hall where they would be sorted. He was glad that his sister had decided to be home schooled, but similarly he was terrified of how things might end up without him around to try and detract from how their parents treated her. She was already spoiled enough with him around to try and keep her honest, things could only get worse for this year. Chase sighed, and shook his head as the cluster of students finally entered the Great Hall and moved onwards towards the Sorting Hat at the far end. He genuinely had no idea where he would end up, only knowing that he was excited to be here, happy to be away from his parents and finally having a chance to find a place where he belonged away from the parents that had spent so many years delegating his upraising, pushing him aside in favour of his sister for such a long time that home hadn’t ever felt like home to him.

Chase stopped with the crowd and listened as the headmaster welcomed them and then began the sorting proceedings. He watched as people began to make their way up, and clapped as each one of them was sorted into their houses, even throwing in a boo or two as people were sorted into Slytherin. He hoped that he didn’t find himself sorted into that house, and if he was, would he have to boo himself? Probably. Reciprocity and all that, after all. When it was his turn, he smiled briefly before schooling his impression and making his way up to take a seat, trying to decide if he was more excited, nervous, or nauseous, as the hat was placed onto his head. “Please make this quick and painless.” He whispered to himself, his voice shaking the entire time. He knew that he shouldn’t be scared, he did, but this would decide how the next seven years of his life went.

"Not to worry, this isn't a particularly hard decision, you've got a good head upon you and I think you'll find exactly what you want and need in...Gryffindor,"

 

[Tarquin Argentum]

Tarquin's robes fit about as comfortably as his name. A little too big for him, slightly starched and itchy and when he looked in the mirror he privately thought he looked like someone else entirely. He could just imagine Lady Claudia's disgust if he were to fidget too much. He was a proper wizard now. Or at least, learning to be one. Merlin's beard, boy, she'd say, tapping her cane in exasperation. Stand up straight. If you want to get anywhere in life you have to make the appropriate impression from the moment you walk into that hall. The admonishment giving itself, Tarquin forced down the urge to scratch his arms and instead stood up tall and silent, smiling benevolently as he waited amongst the group of his soon to be classmates.

Thankfully, the name he had been given was quite early in proceedings, so he didn't have to wait too long with the irritation. He walked briskly, having practiced walking in the new robes so he didn't trip on them, and kept his head high and a gentle smile on his face. So would begin the tale of Tarquin Argentum, not the tale he had been born to play but the one he would gratefully take on. "Thank you," he said politely to the professor as the hat was lowered onto his head. Good evening, ser, he mentally greeted the hat in turn, having been told how it worked. I hope I am not too much trouble to sort.

"No one is ever too much trouble to sort, that's my whole job and I love doing it. For you, I see a very clear path...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Jun Nakamura]

Jun knew what to expect. His father taught at the school after all, and he had two cousins who had filled him in beforehand. That didn’t stop his amazement at the vastness of the hall, the architecture, or the enchanted ceiling. He looked up, eyes wide, before settling his sights on the sorting hat. It sang a song, as expected, but it was…well, it was different. Jun didn’t really feel the most comfortable with having it on his head. How many heads had it been on? Had it been washed in between? Was it cruel to wash a sentient hat, or cruel not to? These thoughts were in his head as he listened to each successive student get called up. Eventually it was his turn. He took a seat, settling in. The hat was put on his head and Jun waited patiently, wondering if he’d be Slytherin like his cousins. He never quite had their determination, but maybe?

"I think you could've been a rather decent Slytherin, but I also do not believe that to be your path. Instead this desire for learning for learning's sake, this creativity, this mind will be much better suited to....Ravenclaw,"

 

[Ivara Caldwell]

Ivara was up at the front, of course. She had to be, to see what was going on. She knew her shortness might be seen as a weakness, but Ivara didn’t consider it so. She was nimble enough and was good at sneaking and not being spotted. Not that Ivara did much sneaking. She’d much rather be settled down in a nook, reading about frogs. Frogs were the best thing to her – the height of evolutionary success. They were cute, they could survive in both water and on land, and the way they jumped! It was incredible to Ivara. She was, unfortunately, not paying complete attention when her name was read out and had to be nudged by someone before coming forward. Ivara felt a tinge of annoyance but pushed it down, sitting on the stool and looking up as though to spot the moment the hat sat upon her head. She honestly had no preference for house – though she knew her parents wanted her to be Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. She didn’t really care as long as she had her frog and access to the library – which presumably had books on frogs.

"I will not take long, and you'll soon discover the expansive selection of books in the library on frogs...Gryffindor,"

 

[Nessie Westwick]

Not even the promise of getting to live in a castle full of mysteries was enough to assuage the dread freezing Nessie's muscles and tightening each nerve to its most painful. This was it. She had never in her life known dread and fear quite like this. One day - one awful day - to decide her fate for the next seven years. And then those seven years ahead! Roommates, classmates, crowded halls; a list of one intolerable agony after another. Just looking around the Great Hall made her queasy, and her blood burned with loathing for every single person in this miserable room.

All but one. Her grip was like iron around Arachne's hand as the cruel ceremony began, and she braced herself to have her very mind invaded. A blood sacrifice would be kinder, as far as Nessie was concerned. To have her thoughts probed, and then to be forced into an arbitrary category full of hateful morons, it was an awful thing to do to children. And the thought that maybe she would be separated from Arachne was nearly too much to bear. She clutched her sister's hand tighter still as the Headmaster worked through the list of names, loathing her surname for the first time ever. Watching classmate after classmate file by as she and Arachne could do nothing but wait their turn. As it drew closer her sister spoke, but before Nessie could say anything their time had come, and Arachne was wrenched away from her. Nessie seethed silently as she watched her sister's fate decided, loathing the wretched, awful hat that somehow carried so much power. And then-

"Westwick, Nessie."

There was nothing for it. Nessie's hands trembled as she made her way to the stool, a sensation she could no longer discern as fear or rage. Whatever it was, it carried her to where she needed to be, body near-aching with tension as the hat slid over her head, defending her from the stares of the hateful student body if nothing else. 'You have one job.' Nessie thought forcefully, refusing to let the hat have the first say. 'Put me with my sister. I will not accept any other house.'

"The problem is, no matter how much you desire it, being with your sister is not the path here. Your desires are something I consider, but for this, for you, it is not enough...Slytherin,"

 

[Nikolaus Metzger]

Wow, this was hardly what it was described to him! Of course, his parents both attended and were sorted here in Hogwarts New Zealand. Nikolaus Metzger looked forward to this since he could start walking and listening. He hoped that this would be the best seven years of his life, and that, like his parents, meet the love of his life. But for now, he could focus on just enjoying the childhood or teenage tenure. Nik looked around at the other first years as they piled inside of the Great Hall to be sorted, one by one.

Nik watched, every now and then having to stand up on his tippy toes to see them sorted into their houses. Before too long, he heard his name. Nik approached the podium, gave a look to the Headmaster and then sat down on the stool. He felt the hat upon his black hair. He hoped that the hat remembered his mother and father. He even thought their names in his mind. 'I want to be in the same house as either one of them. Gryffindor or Hufflepuff please,' Nik pleaded in his mind, hoping the hat would heed his request.

"Do you now? Hmmm, well, I guess I can see you suiting in one of them perfectly....Hufflepuff,"​

 

[Simon Zhefarovich]

Without his oldest brother in the school, Simon Zhefarovich felt that this was the best case scenario. He did not want to be in his shadow. Now, he had a lot of other Zhefarovich family members to live under. That would be absolutely fantastic. At least none of them are his immediate family members. He did have a few cousins. His first cousins were all in Slytherin. Was it possible that he would be there too? Absolutely. Simon knew this. There was a chance that he could be in Gryffindor too, just like Chaos the second, just like Havoc.

Simon stepped in the Great Hall, and knew that he would be among the last to be sorted. He sighed as he listened to the hat sing, and then the Headmaster called them up, one by one. He eventually heard his name. Simon approached the stool, and sat down. He felt the hat drop onto his head. He simply waited patiently for his outcome, while hoping that he would not end up in Gryffindor.

"I can assure you, Gryffindor is not the house for you. Though, placing you is a little difficult, there are a lot of things here making you good for any of our houses, but hmmm...yes, okay....Slytherin,"​

 

[Declan Burke]

Declan couldn't believe it. He was finally here at this magical place! He heard his cousins speak about their time at Hogwarts, and now he was able to experience this all on his own! The train ride to Hogwarts had been alright, he had been bouncing off the walls with excitement if he was being honest. As Declan walked through the giant doors of the great hall, he looked around the wide eyes at the amazement he was looking at. It was similar to what his cousins had described, but this seemed a lot cooler to explore in person.

Declan looked around, noticing a few first-year faces he had recognised before noticing his cousin Fiona on the Gryffindor table and giving her a small yet excited wave. It wasn't long before the headmaster had begun with a speech, though Declan perked at the sound of the forbidden forest being off limits, but that wasn't going to stop his curiosity about it. He tilted his head with confusion when the sorting hat began to sing, as it was a wee bit strange, but they were in the magical world, so he guessed there was nothing strange about that.

Names were finally being called, and Declan knew that he was going to be one of the first few people to go up due to his surname. It wasn't long before his name was called up. Declan slowly made his way up to the front, weaving his way through the first years. He then sat on the stool before feeling the hat being placed on his head. Declan wanted this to be over with, his nerves starting to slowly rank up.

 

[Annika Nightray]

Annika wasn't sure what she felt as she stepped into the Great Hall for her sorting. She could see both of her siblings, Kael watching her silently in that way he did when he was pretending he wasn't interested and Eury was almost as excited as she was, giving her a look that told her she was expecting a Hufflepuff sibling. Or that might have been threatening her to NOT be Hufflepuff.. she couldn't tell from back here. It was what she was expecting, Slytherin like Oppa and her dad, or Hufflepuff like Unnie and her mum. She wasn't like the rest of these wide eyes first years who probably didn't know anything about the castle or what house they would be in, she was pretty sure she knew exactly what house she was going to be in, though she didn't want to jinx it right now, that seemed like it wouldn't be too smart. She did glance at the Staff table to spot both Ben and Uncle Conan, though she was less familiar with Ben than with Uncle Conan of course. She waved to them, and then faced her attention to the front so she could wait to be called.

Nightray, Annika.

She liked that her last name was called first because that made it sound like she was a Nightray above being just Annika, and that's how it felt in her family sometimes. She stepped up and didn't hesitate in the least, because she was calm and this was easy. Nightray's didn't get nervous. She sat on the stool when she reached it and let the hat be placed on her head, though she wasn't pleased about the fact it messed up her hair, she wasn't really all that worried about it. When it drooped slowly over her eyes though she pouted, because now it was harder to see her siblings reactions when she got sorted.​

 

[Elizabeth Hale]

Elizabeth was ready for this. She'd got her uniform as pressed and neat as she could. She wasn't sure how she felt about the black, but she'd tried to soften it with a pale pink ribbon in her long blond hair, a matching bowtie, and matching pale pink socks. She'd painted her nails a clear light shimmer, and dabbed a bit of glitter on her cheeks. Mother said she was still a bit too young for makeup, but you could always do with a little glitter.

Elizabeth stood with the other students, a gentle smile on her face. She stood straight, head held high, hands folded behind her back. Her smile grew when they called her name. She moved carefully, doing her best to be graceful. She smoothed her skirts as she sat down, making sure to keep her posture straight as the hat slid over her eyes. Thank you, hat, she thought. I really liked your song.

 

[Juniper Veritas]

Juniper was very nervous but also excited as she walked to the Great Hall. She clutched her jar of sand closer to her chest as her eyes roamed over space. It was very grand and beautiful, very different from what she was used to. She knew that in this ceremony there'd be a hat put on her head that would decide which of the houses she'd best fit in, though it wasn't too important to her as long as she'd be somewhere with sunlight around. Juni let her brown eyes run over the vast amount of students in different coloured robes, wondering which of them she'd be wearing for the next seven years. There were names being called up front and the brunette barely heard her name on the first time. "Veritas, Juniper" The voice called out again and Juni blushed scrambling forward. "Yes yes, that's me... Sorry... Sorry, excuse me..." Keeping her head down she apologized her way through the crowd before finally settling in front of the stool.

Could she just sit on it so her back was towards the people in the hall? Would that be considered rude or weird? She really didn't want to face them. Juniper sat on the stool, back towards the other students praying that she did not have to look at them. As she was clutching her sand jar waiting for the hat to be placed someone gently turned her around in the stool. To face the crowd.... Her brown eyes widened and she instantly cast her glance down, gripping her jar like her life depended on it because it might as well have. As the hat was lowered onto her head Juni awaited for the conclusion. Please please please, make it somewhere bright and nice and comfortable. I don't wan't to be in dark or cold places. Please make this quick they are all staring at me... What if they think I'm weird? Do you think I'm weird? Her thoughts were rummaging through her head wildly and she only hoped the hat could pick up anything with how fast it was all going.

 

[Turlough Whitlock]

Turlough wasn't sure what he thought of all this yet. He wasn't going to admit it, but part of the decision to come here had been Tanith. You'd have to be blind not to notice how upset she'd been lately. While Tiernan was his main priority, she was still his sister, and he'd still go to war for her. He walked in, staying close to his brother, arms crossed as he glared about the room. He highly doubted he'd be a hufflepuff with his sister, but as long as he shared a house with his brother he'd be fine. Of course, they had to wait for everyone else to be sorted. Tiernan was called first. Turlough watched, following his twin as his name was called. Alright then, just send me with him. He thought easily, ready to just get to their dorm and be done with the night.

 

[Eloise Flynn]

Eloise had a mixture of emotions at the thought of arriving at Hogwarts. Her brother had his turn experiencing his first year at Hogwarts, and now it was in fact Eloise's turn to experience it all. While the girl had been excited to finally be here, she was also nervous. What if she wasn't able to make any friends? Or what if she ended up not liking it here?

Eloise pushed those thoughts away quickly once the group of first years had made their way into the great hall, and she couldn't help but gasp quietly at how pretty everything was. Floating candles and ghosts floating around. She wondered if the stupid poltergeist her brother mentioned during the break was around. Speaking of her brother, she looked around to see if she could see him, but there were too many people around she couldn't seem to find him. The headmaster made his speech, mentioning the houses as well as the housekeeping rules. While the forbidden forest rule had been intriguing, she might be best to stay back from the forest for a bit.

The sorting hat began to sing, and honestly, Eloise wasn't sure if she had liked the singing or not; she wondered if the singing was necessary. It wasn't long before the names were called up as each student went up one by one. Eloise clapped for each of them, and it hadn't been long until it was her turn.

"Flynn, Eloise"

Eloise froze up a little when she heard her name being called, unsure if she had actually prepared for this or not. The girl quickly made it back to reality before slowly making her way through students to make her way to the stool. Eloise slowly sat down as she then felt the hat being placed on her head. "Um... Hi hat! How are you? I'm fine with anything, please make this quick"

 

[Marina Vortalis]

Her fingers curled tightly around the cuffs of her robe, slightly too long for her. She wasn't nervous, but she didn't like the feeling of being watched. She was more the watcher than anything and it was making her feel probably like how she made other people feel and she didn't really like it if she was being totally honest. It was like everyone knew her dirty little secret and she found that really hard to deal with. Her father had moved them away from everything that they knew just so they could avoid this specific situation, and yet somehow she was finding herself in the midst of people again. It was hardly the best feeling, but she had to admit that she would have probably been more comfortable with it if she hadn't just been thinking about it on the train. She took a shaky breath when she heard her name called and quickly stepped up to the stool, moving forward quick enough that she didn't have to see anyone who could be potentially looking at her. He could feel her heart thudding in her ribcage, almost like it was trying to vacate her body.

The hat was... well, it was a hat, she supposed, though probably not like any other old had her grandmother might have had in the closet. It seemed older than she thought a hat would have any right to be, but what would she know? The hat was placed on her head as she sat on the stool and then all she could see was darkness. That felt about right, there was always a bit of darkness in her life these days, she was used to it.​

 

[Francis Blythewood]

Frannie had stuffed herself with snacks on the train with her new friends, feeling tired as the food began to settle in her stomach. The eleven-year-old was in awe as she entered the castle and audibly gasped as they entered the Great Hall - she was sure playing music in the space would sound marvelous. Looking around at how many others her age, she wondered if they'd go in alphabetical order, meaning she would be near the front of the group. Her parents had explained what might happen, but neither of them had went to Hogwarts New Zealand and were not entirely positive how the sorting ceremony worked, which left Frannie feeling a tad anxious.

The blonde found a spot as the man who introduced himself as Headmaster spoke, giving a brief overview of the situation. Frannie tried to say the names of the houses over and over in her head in case she was asked what house she'd like to be in. She didn't really know if she got a choice, but it made sense to at least be familiar - although, Hufflepuff made her giggle. She watched as some other students went first and a house was called out, followed by applause from the little hat that sang a song earlier. When she heard name called, Frannie looked around a little nervously before confidently making her way to the top and feeling the hat fall on her head, covering her eyebrows. "Hello, sir," she said quietly to the hat. "What do I do?" she asked, unsure how much of a conversation this was.