The Sorting Ceremony Y50

[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, 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.

 

[Eris Athanasiou]

Eris had been waiting for the moment to get her letter for so long and as she finally had gotten it on her 11th birthday she'd been more than happy. She'd felt proud and like she'd done something right. That had been many months ago now and it was finally the time for her to start at Hogwarts. Eris had made her way to the castle accompanied by her sisters who went in and out of her carriage to check on her and catch up with their friends. She wasn't nervous by any means so she'd just told Nia and Gaia to do their own thing, she'd manage. Most of the ride she'd spent staring at the sky from the window, she'd even opened the window a crack so hat she could feel and hear the wind. She'd always believed the wind to be whispers from worlds beyond theirs and those who had passed on. She liked to listen to the wind, what it may have to say. Which wasn't always much to be honest, but the idea brought her great comfort.

Arriving at the castle she'd followed the other first years to the Great Hall, which okay it was pretty great. It was big that was for sure. She'd seen some familiar faces, kids she'd met before school started. She'd given a few of them a wave or a smile but mostly she was just running her eyes over every surface of the halls. There were no expectations for her on where she might be sorted, but she doubted it'd be any of her sisters houses, she wouldn't mind either or but she also didn't see much similarities between her and Mania or her and Gaia. Settling in the line of first years Eris began to patiently wait for her turn, she wondered if there was somewhere in the castle or its grounds that she could practice archery at. She sure hoped so, if not she'd figure out a way to do it anyways. There were only a few names called before hers, given that her first name started with an E and surname with an A, it was pretty quick of a wait.

"Athanasiou, Eris!" A clear voice cut through the commotion of the students conversing among each other. With her head held high, refusing to let the stares, or what she thought was her sister cheering, bother her too much on her walk to the stool. As she sat down on it she began to wait for the hat to be placed onto her head, both Mania and Gaia had explained to her how this worked so when she felt the hat on her head there were only a few things she thought of. I don't care where you put me, but I want learning to be encouraged and I'd love to hear the wind when opening the window, that is all I ask. She could always go outside but sometimes it was nice to be inside and crack open the window to listen to the wind. With that being said and done, or more like thought Eris began her wait for the hat to dig through the depths of her mind and figure out the best place to put her in.

"Unfortunately for you, only one of those things is going to be happen. I see what you would like, and I see an ability which would make you thrive there, however, I also see more, and I see where you might be much more suited to....remember to pay attention to your curfew for when you're listening to the wind....Slytherin,"

 

[Luke Lagowski]

Luke thought he'd already emptied his bladder sufficiently before leaving the train, but apparently that didn't mean he didn't need to go again the moment he was waiting to be sorted. Perhaps it was the anticipation. The Great Hall was even better than he thought it was going to be, and his eyes immediately started searching the room for Susie and Freddie. They'd come together on the train, but Luke was quickly separated off with the other first years, and he was already feeling a little lost. He didn't really know how Susie had done it when she was a first year, coming to Hogwarts all by herself. Then again, Susie was brave and put anyone back in their place if she had to, so she didn't have anything to worry about!

When his name was called, the eleven-year-old squeezed through the crowd and hopped his way up to the stool. Facing the crowd, he made a mental note as to which table was which house, so that when the hat did make its decision, he would be able to head straight to the correct table without looking like a right wally. He gave a little smile to his brother and sister when his eyes finally located them and tried not to let the hat know too much about who he was and where he wanted to be. If the hat knew he wanted to be with Freddie or Susie, then it would probably put him in Slytherin or Gryffindor just out of spite!

"Please don't put me in Gryffindor," Luke tried to focus on those words in his head, because if the hat was listening and really did care, it should take his preference into account, right? Luke wished he'd kept Butters in his pocket. His best friend always knew how to make him feel better when he was feeling apprehensive.

"Okay....I won't. Gryffindor is not the place for you, in fact there really only is one place for you. You'd have manage anywhere but partly because this is the best choice...Slytherin,"

 

[Ulric Vale]

Ulric swallowed hard as he took his first steps into the great hall. The space was huge but he could hardly focus on that when he suddenly felt hundreds of eyes on him. He didn't dare raise his gaze to meet any of them and he especially didn't dare look towards the Slytherin table where his brother was sitting. His stomach did a flip and he clenched his fists even tighter and he could feels his nails digging into his palms. Thankfully he remembered to breathe and he took in a gasping breath. He would not pass out in front of the whole school!

He had kept to the back of the crowd, knowing his name would be called close to the end. The headmaster greeted them and Ulric hoped he would find this place like home eventually because he missed his desperately and it hadn't even been a full day. When the hat started singing he was only mildly interested. He knew all about the houses and what they stood for, and he knew where he did not what to end up. As the names started to be called, Ulric felt each one and flinched as it got closer and closer to his name.

Finally it was his turn as his name echoed throughout the hall. With shaky knees he stepped forward, one step at a time brought him closer and closer to the stool and the hat. He kept his head down as he sat not wanting to look at the crowd of students but knowing that everyone, especially his brother, would be watching. Ulric took another shallow breath as he felt the hat on his head. He had wanted to be strong in this moment but he crumbled instantly under his fear. Please, he begged the hat, practically screaming in his mind. Anywhere but Slytherin! I would do anything you ask, please don't send me there! He wasn't sure if the hat would hear him or understand him but he couldn't help but try.

"What you want is always taken into consideration and weighed up against the other aspects of where you could end up. But you don't need to worry about that, that is not the house for you. Instead I know exactly where you will be best suited...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Kate McNamara]

Kate had never felt like this before. Like one of many. That was what schools were all about, she supposed - they put you in a uniform so you all looked alike, and nobody was any more special than anyone else. Back home, at the park, she was always special, though she hadn't realised it until now. Fetching bog rolls and offering directions to the gift shop had hardly made her feel important. But people had smiled at her, and sometimes remembered her, and she'd always had the answers to their questions, even if they weren't very exciting ones. Nobody would ask her questions here. That was a good thing, too, because she had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Sorting. Mammy had almost definitely never said anything about a ceremony, and she certainly hadn't mentioned the singing hat. Things must have been different at her school.

School. It was a little word, but it felt impossibly big in Kate's head as she stood in front of the raised platform, arms stiff at her sides. Was it possible she didn't fit neatly into any of the houses? She was brave, no doubt, but she was hard-working too. And there was that time she'd helped re-paint the shop sign, which probably counted for being creative.

"McNamara, Kathleen."

It was time to find out. Nudging the crowd apart, she made her way up to the stool and sat down. Still warm. The hat was, too. Kate wasn't sure where to look, but settled on the back of the hall. Just a few seconds more, and it would be over...

"I can see what you desire, but I see a lot more too. A lot of other things which make me think that you should depart for your desire....Yes, there's an adventurous spirit which will be best served by...Gryffindor,"​

 

[AJ Carpenter]

AJ felt like running around and yelling at the top of his lungs. He was here, finally at Hogwarts. He was walking the same path his father once had, and that his siblings would follow in time. AJ kept himself composed, but only barely. He followed his classmates into the Great Hall, craning his neck eagerly to get an early glimpse of it.

The hall was filled with students, and AJ scanned the tables as they came to a stop at the front of the room. There were a lot of kids here. He had known that, but seeing it was something else. His gaze moved to the Gryffindor table. He hoped he would soon be sitting there. AJ clenched his fists, then focused his attention on the headmaster who was talking a lot. Then, the hat started to sing about all the houses. He figured it was mostly for the muggleborn students who didn't know a lot yet. While he was impatient, he understood why it was important. Thankfully, the headmaster then started naming names. It didn't take long for his own name to be called, as the 'C' names came up quickly. As he moved to the front, AJ passed the girl he had met in the village. He gave her a quick, nervous, smile before heading to the stool. He took a seat, pressing his trembling hands into the wood of the stool to still them. Please Gryffindor, please. I want to be in Gryffindor like my dad. Please. He thought, over and over again, as he closed hsi eyes in anticipation.

"You are in luck, because there is only one house for you...Gryffindor!"

 

[Auden Sheldrake]

Auden was one of the big kids now, and he was wearing the robes to prove it. He stood up nice and straight, like his teachers had always told him to do - no slouching. This place was wicked. Right out of a fairy-tale. He felt like some sort of knight, come here to collect an award from the arch-wizard (that was Professor Alcott-Ward) for his stupendious bravery. Actually, he was here to put on an old hat and get sorted into his new school house, but it was more fun to pretend.

He reached into his pockets. At the bottom, something unexpectedly sticky made him sharply retract his hands.

"Sheldrake, Auden."

A sheldrake was a type of duck. Auden hoped nobody knew that as he sat down on the wooden stool, facing the audience. He definitely would have preferred an award. This just felt a bit embarrassing. At least everybody had to do it, and not just him.

Ooh. It was a fruit roll-up. The sticky thing in his pocket. He remembered now. Amazing - he could eat that in a minute.

"You'll have plenty more to eat than a fruit-roll up in a few minutes, and though there are a few options here with you, I see a sure path. A self-interested path...Slytherin,"​

 

[Alfred Gorbach]

"Gorbach, Alfred."

He stood. His name sounded too loud in the hall. The name he hates handing out, dragged into the open. He rubbed his palm on his robe where a bow grip should've been, not fabric. He was annoyed and the plans he was actively making just got interrupted.
One step, two steps.. for a brief moment it all felt heavy. Like if he actually got sorted, then this would be it. Life as he knew it would truly be over. It already was, but still.

This was real. This could actually be a place where he belonged, if not for Laura and the promise he'd made. And the pact. No debts. No pity. Say the truth. It's okay not to be okay.

Speaking of which, his father's lessons tried to climb in. Stand straight. Act right. Perform.
He pushed them out. He wanted to be him. Whatever that was. For now, being the boy who actually made it to the stool would be nice. He continued walking. Thinking about Laura helped more than counting. Laura sitting on a blanket next to him under the wrong sky. And how he promised he would help her break out.

This whole magic thing was still so new to him, at first it didn't occur to him he could speak to the hat. What did occur, before his name was called, was that they were absolutely and fundamentally screwed. This wasn't going to be anything like sneaking away to meet up with Laura past bedtime and not get caught. This was a whole new level. He remembered how she said she was afraid of being locked in narrow spaces but tunnels were fine as long as there where shovels and she knew she could get out. So he started looking around and thinking exactly where could they get at least two shovels and what kind of tripwire wards a school like this would lay and how to step around them. How to mark exits. How to take the hit if it went wrong.

To him the Forbidden Forest mention was practically a dare. Saying dangerous and not exactly saying how dangerous, was basically saying nothing. His aunt thinks listening to the wrong audiobooks is dangerous for his mind. And punishments? Detention and boring “how to be prime citizens/students” talks, or actual expulsion? If it was expulsion, that would be an easy exit, except what if they actually just ship you to another school? And if it was truly dangerous, he'd never put her through that. Which probably meant more prep. And more than two shovels.

He wanted to get over with this so he could sooner find Laura and, and.. And if all went to hell, and none of their plans worked, and if they had to stay, he hoped Laura would be there too. Not like they couldn't talk if she wasn't, but there was just something about a "team", a belonging to a house, to a specific group of people, cheering together, winning and losing together, same colors and yes... if they had to stay, let it be under the same banner.

"Hmmm...You're an interesting fellow, a good amount of brains, a good amount of hard-working nature, and a good adventurous spirit. Just which of these stands out most....Hmm, okay, okay...I see, the forest is dangerous...Yeah, okay....Gryffindor,"​

 

[Lorraine Hawkes]

Lorraine stood huddled somewhere in between her fellow first years, all eager to be sorted as a new year awaits for them to use and waste. She'd been grinning from ear to ear ever since she got here, I can't believe it, she gasped when she was climbing onto those small, wooden boats, gawping at the ginormous stone walls of Hogwarts.

This was it. It was happening real time.

She might've thought of this as a prank the first time she got her letter, but holy cow, Hogwarts was actually real? And she was actually standing on top of it? This feels quite the dilemma, she thought, too good to be true.

“Hawkes, Lorraine”

She jumped slightly at the mention of her name, the voice was so booming and sudden it made her wonder whether the speaker was saying it quite literally to her ear. She strode to the mangy-looking old hat with complete confidence and high energy, when in reality, she really just wanted to fidget back there 'till someone came to help her.

But because this was somewhere new, she had to at least face her fears and become the bigger person. All I want to do here is go sit with my house mates and relax, she told the hat, so put me anywhere, I don't care.

"I will put you not anywhere, but where you belong. A place you will find like minded people. And that will be...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Natsuko Hirano]

Natsuko was beyond excited. She had been all the way from the train platform to the castle. Actually, probably from the time she'd gotten her letter. Actual magic, she was actually magic, and she was actually going to a magic school. It was beyond belief. She really couldn't comprehend it. Natsuko had grown up not knowing at all. Well, she'd known secretly, the way a five-year-old knows they're magic when really they're playing make believe. To think that it'd turn out like this!

Natsuko entered the great hall and audibly gasped at how amazing it all was. The ceilings, the architecture, the everything. A huge smile formed on her face and she eagerly tried to get at the front of the crowd of first years to get a better look. She listened somewhat to the headmaster, then got the shock of her life when the sorting hat began to sing. She clapped when it finished, absolutely chuffed with how everything was going. Now she just needed to find out what house she belonged to. She itched to know, watching the other students go up before her. Then, after what felt like simultaneously a long time and a short time, her name was called.

"Hirano, Natsuko."

She immediately half-skipped to the stool, taking her seat. "Hi," she thought, wondering if the sorting hat could hear her if she just thought things at it. "My name's Natsuko! I loved your song!" She waited for a response.

"Why thank you, I'm glad someone appreciated it. I will make this quick as this is rather straight forward, you will find everything you want in this new world in...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Oliver Harper]

One of the things that Oliver had thought about during his train ride here was the sorting part of it all. He couldn't wait to find out what house he'd be sorted into. He honestly wasn't fussed on where he was picked. He knew he wouldn't be sorted in the same house as his brother; he wasn't the smartest cookie in the bunch if he was being honest with himself.

Oliver walked down the great hall with the rest of his classmates, grinning ear to ear with amazement as he thought everything around him looked really cool. They had then come to a halt as they were near the front of the great hall. Oliver looked towards the Ravenclaw table, looking around to see if he could find his brother. It took him a bit to finally find him, and he gave Theo a wave before moving his attention back to the ceremony. At the moment, they were listening to the hat singing, which he found quite odd, even though he knew it was coming.

It wasn't long before the actual ceremony had begun, and people's names were being called up. Oliver's surname was a bit further down the list, which meant he knew he had to wait a while before it was his turn. Oliver was impatiently waiting for his name to be called out, clapping and cheering for his new classmates.

His name was finally called, and Ollie made his way up to the front and sat on the stool. He looked towards the Ravenclaw table yet again and gave his brother a wave. Oliver had so many questions he wanted to ask the hat, like what sort of ability did the hat have to decide what house to be placed in? Could it read minds? A lot of questions.

"It's not that I 'read' minds but more that I see inside your head. And I see you keep looking in one direction, a direction which will not be for you. You'll be much better suited to....Gryffindor!"

 

[Calliope Lockwood]

Calliope walked into the Great Hall with Aurora and Nico, carefully keeping her face schooled. It wouldn't do to look like she was awed by anything. She made sure to keep her back straight and her chin up. Her hair was freshly pleated into a fishtail braid, laid carefully over her shoulders. She waited patiently, hands folded in front of her- and keeping her perfectly painted nails on display. When she was finally called, she walked up gracefully, aware of every footfall. She smoothed her skirt before she sat down, folding her hands over her lap, closing her eyes as the sorting hat slid over her head. Hello, thank you. I'll dominate whatever house you put me in, so feel free to take your time.

"As it turns out, I really do not need to take my time, the answer is exceedingly clear to me. Have fun...Slytherin"

 

[Aurora Hume]

Aurora couldn't believe they were finally here! She'd seen so many drawings, heard so many stories. She was bouncing on her feet, keeping close to her twin and her aunt Callie. "O.m. G!" She gasped, hands shooting out to shake Nico's arm as they walked into the great hall. "Look at it all!" She hissed under her breath to him. She wished she could get her hand on some charcoal and her sketchpad. She was bouncing on her toes, energy building until finally she heard her name. Well, she heard Hume, and she let out a happy squeal. Of course she was first, after all. She bounded up, stumbling a little on the stairs. She kept going, giggling as she sat down on the stool. Hi! You must have sooo many stories! Can I visit you later and ask you about them? That would be so fun! I can make some drawings of your stories for you! Do you get any visitors?

"I have more stories than you can count. But no, you meet me once and that's all. I see that you are a very creative person, smart but you don't really care aout that. I see a love of adventure, and a desire to follow in certain footsteps....Hmmm...okay then...Gryffindor,"

 

[Amanita Castillo]

Amanita gripped Hinemoa's hand tight as they stepped into the hall, trying to keep her head high and focused despite the urge to stare in wonder like most of her classmates. She wasn't nervous. She wasn't. She knew exactly how this was going to go. In fact, she was only holding Hine's hand because she was nervous. Ama was fine.

She resisted the urge to bounce and wave at her parents, though she had to smile at how official they looked sitting up at the staff table in their robes. She'd seen Dad in his old pajamas on Sundays. She wasn't fooled. It helped though, seeing them both looking so put together and knowing what they were actually like, and Amanita took a deep breath, ducking her head and grinning at Hinemoa.

"Finally," she said under her breath, now giddy with it and Professor Alcott-Ward greeted everyone and the Hat began to sing. "I knew it was going to do that," she whispered to a student nearby. She couldn't imagine how nerve-wrecking it must be for anyone who didn't know how this whole thing worked.

It was annoying, that she had to wait even longer now that names were being called. She did her best to behave patiently as the few names before her's were called, but Amanita already had a plan in place. She'd go up, sit down, be sorted into Slytherin, obviously, and get to take her seat. Easy, simple. Nothing could go wrong, she just had to wait-

Castillo, Amanita

"You may have a little competition for being the top student, but I can see exactly where such ambition and the drive behind it go...Slytherin,"

 

[Billie Anderson]

Of all the things Billie wished her mom had told her about Hogwarts, this was the biggest one that she missed out. Of course, she knew that a magical hat would tell her where she belonged, but she didn't know it would be in front of the entire school. Perhaps that's why her mom didn't tell her. Maybe her mother knew her more than she let on. There's no way Billie would have agreed to this if she had known. No, she'd rather be back at home with the birds for company than humans. Humans watching her every step. And it wasn't like she had very long to contemplate her escape or focus on how to walk - Anderson was very early in the alphabet. In fact, she barely had time to breathe before her name was called. Billie stood still, trying to swallow but her mouth was dry. She didn't want to do this. It wasn't until a helpful shove from the person next to her that Billie's legs actually started working and she forced herself forward, tripping up the stairs on the way. Billie could feel the heat rush up her neck and into her face, sure she was as bright as a tomato as she sat on the stool, clenching her eyes closed as tight as she possibly could, pretending with all her might that this wasn't happening.

"This is fortunately happening, and I know you will find exactly the people you desire and better, that this will be over as soon as it has begun...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Caelith Blaze]

Caelith was so excited to be at Hogwarts, and after hearing his father tell him all about every since he had adopted him, he was of the opinion that it was about time that he was getting sorted! He had spent his entire life up until now learning about Hogwarts and how he would be able to make his time here the best that he could and he was going to use all of the lessons that his dad had imparted of him and he wouldn't let anybody stand in his way. He pushed his way to the front of the line, and impatiently waited the (honestly short) amount of time that it took for his name to be called, and then imagined all the possibilities as the hat was placed onto his head. "Let's do this, hat, and make it quick! I've got so many books to read, places to see, and most importantly.. classes to attend!" He said, with a grin on his face, and an impatient tone in his voice.

"The classes will begin in no time at all, don't you worry and I will make this quick. Your adventurous spirit would serve you well in a certain house, but I see a cleverness with it that will serve you too and which is your path...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Novalie Rosenberg]

It was finally time to get to Hogwarts. Novalie had been so impatient since she got the letter that she could go to Hogwarts New Zealand. Just like her sisters and brother had been, she would be the last. Some would be excited to meet people, or learn about magic. But mostly Novalie was excited for one thing, she had her eyes on one prize. She wanted to be part of the quidditch team for the house she would get into. And she had her preferences which house sounded the most fun, from the stories of her siblings. And the most fun sibling she thought of was her brother Gabriel and he was for sure right. Giselle didn't even finished her school, so she was not actually an good example. But still she loved her sister, although she never agreed with her on the quidditch part.

When the blonde made her way with the rest of the students inside the castle and into the big hall she looked around with an big smile on her face. This place was very old, but looked kind of cool. She kind of wanted to scream her name or hello, to see if something would echo. But since there were so many people inside she figured it didn't work. Giselle wasn't nervous for the sorting, but she would be dissapointed if she didn't got into the house she actually wanted to get into. But perhaps she could ask the hat, to just put her where she liked. Novalie waited impatiently for her own name to get called, tapping with her feet on the floor. And looking around her. She hoped they would have some nice food, she was hungry and watched over to the tables where the older students sat.

''Rosenberg, Novalie''

The blonde heard her name and ran to the chair, trying to avoid bumping into people. '' Sorry! Coming through.'' she said. And jumped on the chair with an big smile on her face. And moved from left to right excitingly to hear what the hat would say. It was kind of cool that such an old hat could look into her brains. She wondered what he would see. And than she remembered her request. '' I really would like to be in Gryffindor, can you do that?'' she whispered to the hat.

"It isn't really about whether I can do that, but whether I should. I can do anything, when it comes to house placements, but it's based on where best suits. Though your request and desire help. They certainly show me aspects which make filling your request easier...Gryffindor,"

 

[Pomegranate Bell]

Pomegranate's sock had twisted itself around on her foot during the walk to the castle and the uneven feel of her shoes made her shuffle in a little slower behind the other students. A small, tight ache had settled in her chest upon the realisation that she was all by herself in a school where she knew barely anyone. She leaned forward onto her toes, hoping the shift would ease the twisted sock on her foot and give her a better view of her aunt in the crowd. Unable to spot her, Pomegranate pressed herself back down, teetering dangerously as she nearly collided with another student.

So few names came before hers, and with her surname at the very start of the alphabet, her nerves flared. She tried humming to soothe herself, but choked it back, terrified of drawing attention. As she waited, fragments of thought fluttered through Pomegranate’s mind, giving her the absurd sense that she was about to be executed. Noting how ridiculous the idea was helped her breathe a little easier.

"Bell, Pomegranate."

Pomegranate stepped forward with what she hoped looked like purpose, though her shoulders were stiff and she couldn't take her eyes off the floor. She had run through every scenario she could think of for which house might claim her, yet even her imagination hadn't been able to capture a concrete answer. Now that the choice was imminent, worry clung to her like a heavy cloak as the hat was lowered onto her head.

"The choice is imminent but there is no wrong one, just because someone in your family was in one of the houses it doesn't mean you will be too. I see where you should go, where you find the peace you seek....Hufflepuff,"

 

[Elysia Bailey]

Elysia tried to reassure herself all the way to Hogwarts that everything would be fine. Because finally she was here and standing with the other first year students to take their first steps at school. She looked around as the other students were sorted out one by one. Needless to say, butterflies were fluttering in her stomach again, but she didn't have to wait long, soon she got to the letter ''B'' and it was only a short moment before her name was called - Elysia Bailey.

The girl took a deep breath, then went forward and sat down on a chair, and put the hat on her head, it slipped slightly over her eyes and it made her close her eyes. Elysia was silent for a short moment, but then she spoke to the hat. "Hi! Put me in the house where I fit in the most. I would put my fate in your hands'' she said quietly, then waited for the decision to be made.

"Well, I'm not about to put you in the house you fit least, that wouldn't be very fair now would it. For you, I see that you would make a rather great Slytherin, but it's not the path, no the path for you is...Gryffindor,"

 

[Laura Zavaglia]

Laura hung around the back of the group. She'd inevitably be one of, if not the last person to go through this 'sorting' so it made sense to stand back and wait. Apparently they took their houses very seriously here. This was odd to Laura. In her experience, the houses were just something the school put you into at random based on how many people were in the year level, and only mattered when it came to school sports day or swimming carnival or cross country. It was an excuse to wear a red shirt instead of her uniform, put some face paint and a tutu on and jump around with her friends. And try to win the 100m. Best she'd managed was second, though she'd won the 400m once, which she was pretty proud of. The best runners had been sick, but she'd take it.

Laura wasn't sure if they even had a sports day here, or a pool. She felt like that was the point of having houses, and she quite liked sports day besides. Here it was apparently split by personality, and you were put in dorms with people of the same traits. She wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing, but it seemed a bit isolating. Everything here did, in all fairness. Part of her wanted to turn around and use that 400m sprint experience to try and run as fast as she could back out the door but then where would she go? The train had taken her somewhere in the middle of nowhere, and all her navigational tools were in her suitcase. Plus, she was certain the train wouldn't let her back on even if she did escape the hall. No, if she was going to escape, she had to be a bit more sensible about it. Get the lay of the land and her supplies back first.

Instead she turned around to focus back on the hall, which was an impressive bit of architecture with an admittedly really cool ceiling. Laura caught herself staring up at it in awe, feeling a bit like a country bumpkin despite being a sophisticated city girl. Sophisticated was a fun word to say, even if she struggled spelling it sometimes. The girl she'd met at the park (Eris, apparently, which made her wonder if it was a mishearing of 'Erin') was now being 'sorted', which apparently involved sitting in front of the school and wearing a big old hat. Wizards were so weird.

From what she'd gathered, Laura decided that if she had to go into any house, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw were the best ones. Her aunt had been in Hufflepuff, and while Laura liked her aunt well enough, black and yellow were Richmond colours and she was not going to wear those. Blue would, of course, be the best, though it wasn't navy blue, and the Lions were probably her second favourite team they had to be because they're the team the writer supports so Gryffindor wouldn't be too bad at all. The snobby girl from the train went up, and more and more she half paid attention to until Alfred's name was called and Laura stood on her tiptoes to watch. Eventually, the hat put her in Gryffindor, so that settled that. She had to go there too. The only thing that was going to stop her from running away was the pact the two of them had made, and this alien castle wouldn't be nearly as bad if she had him there with her. She heard Natsuko's name called soon after, but she was looking to see where the Gryffindor table was, and deciding whether it was going to be a good team overall. She had a feeling it might be, which was immediately swallowed up by guilt.

It seemed an eternity of children with odd names, like Pomegranate and Amanita and Caelith and Ulric - why were wizards like that? - before she was finally, finally called up. For a moment, her legs didn't want to move, but she managed to make herself walk up and sit down on the stool, wincing slightly as the hat was put on her head. She was going to need to wash her hair later. Did wizards have proper showers? She hadn't thought to ask that, assuming that would be the case, but now she was starting to wonder. She knew the hat could hear thoughts, and thought out the argument shee'd put together while she'd been waiting. Okay, if I really am a witch, and I really have to stay here, locked away like a princess who can take a mean hangar, then please, please put me in Gryffindor. I made a pact and I don't think your magic should override that magic. If you have to make me stay, then please give me a good reason to.

"A pact you say? Interesting. It would likely help you to see this, this weird place as an adventure, and I won't let my magic override your pact....Gryffindor,"

 

[Victoria Barron]

Victoria felt odd being surrounded by so much magic. Perhaps even a little nervous. Not that she was ever going to tell anyone that, or show it for that matter. Still, it felt weird being so close to everything that had been kept so far away from her for most of her life. She decided not to dwell on that though and try to focus on the excitement of it all. She was here and ready to connect with this new version of herself. Or an old one, technically.

Walking into the great hall Vic couldn't help but to look around in awe. It was huge. She could understand how calling it 'the great hall' wasn't much of an overstatement. If this was the size of the hall though she could hardly imagine how big the castle actually was. Sure, she had seen it from the outside and it had seemed big then, but it felt like it had tripled in size from the second she set foot inside. Being slightly distracted by everything she had never seen Vic hadn't been paying attention to what was happening in front of her and needed a second to figure out where the singing voice she was hearing came from. A hat. The voice came from a hat. Should she be surprised? Or was this simply what everyday life with magic was life? She was left with little time to ponder those questions as the hat started calling out names and students were slowly getting sorted into their new houses. Having a surname that started with a 'B' came with it perks every now and then and being called up to the stage early on was definitely one of them. After making her way up to the stage Vic sat down on the stool and softly tapped her foot as she waited to see what the hat would say. She just hoped it didn't take too long.

"This never takes long, though I imagine it can for those so young feel that way. You have a great deal of bravery tucked away, an impulsiveness, a keenness....ah yes, I see..Well, there's only one place for you....Gryffindor,"

 

[Zack Choi]

Finally it happened. Zack had felt a little nervous before, but since he got off the boats everything disappeared as if it had never happened. He had to be completely calm, so as not to get his nerves and it would be easier for the hat to read his thoughts. One plus was that he wouldn't have to wait long to get his decision from the hat, which tower he would enter. Zack knew which house he wanted to be in, but maybe his thoughts would differ from the hat's thoughts.

Then his name was called from the long list, which was read and they were called one by one to come forward. Zachary Mingyu Choi.

Zack heard his name, then squeezed through the two students who were standing in front, then he climbed the stairs and took the hat in his hand, sat on a chair and put it on his head. ''Hello! I don't know if our thoughts will be similar, but I want to get into Gryffindor or Hufflepuff house. "Everything is in your hands." he said so that only the hat could hear it. All that remained was to wait.

"Everything is in my hands, and I share some thoughts that you do on where you will end up. Even, I know this final answer...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Nico Hume]

Nico remained close to his sister, unwilling to stray far from her as they stepped into the Great Hall, a place he had heard about in his mother's stories and seen in so many pictures. It was both nothing like he'd expected and everything like it. From the wooden beams to the floating candles. He didn't let himself be distracted, no, there were important things to be done, important sortings to be done. In truth he didn't mind where he ended up, didn't feel like he needed to be with his sister. He just wanted to be...in a house. He knew he had a preference for his mother's house, for Ravenclaw, but he also knew any of the houses would be fine.

He had seen the ways in which his mother was more than her ravenclaw ways and his father more than his gryffindor ones. Nico glanced at the hat as it began to sing, humming along as he caught the tune quickly and unable to help himself in thinking of other words or rhymes. he was still thinking about the song, and humming a little as Aurora stepped forward. Oh, he should pay attention. He watched her, with a smile and was the first to applaud as she got what she wanted.

Hume, Nico.

Nico was moving before the head master had even finished. He knew he'd be next anyway. He stepped forward and sat on the stool, his mind still abuzz with the sorting song, and all of the things he would do differently with it.

"You have a number of gifts that make you suited for...well, you already know, don't you? But let me announce it to the rest...Ravenclaw!"

 

[Fiona Archer]

Fiona couldn't believe it. She was here, finally here. At Hogwarts, she had heard about the school her whole life, how her parents had med there, been friends and been in the club academia together. She had seen it from brightstone village, And now she was here. Walking into the great hall, with the high stary cieling and all of the other people she felt like she had arrived at Disneyland, except instead of lining up for a ride, there was a queue for sorting.
She tried to get herself near to the front so she could see what was going on better. She was an Archer, so she would be one of the early ones called and she wanted to know where she was going. As she stood waiting for everyone to settle down and things to start, she caught her uncle’s eye and gave him a wave, feeling a little more relaxed seeing a friendly face.
She turned her attention back to the headmaster as he explained the process, and then it was time for sorting. It sounded easy enough, and then the hat was singing. It was pretty good too. Now that wasn’t something you saw every day, even in a wazarding household, it was a good singer too. She joined in the applause.
Then, all too soon Archer, Fiona” was called. she glanced around before taking a step towards the stage. Then another until she was at the stool and sitting down with the hat being placed over her head. The world was suddenly blanketed in blackness. She waited until the hat gave her her fate for the next few years. Can you tell me which house table I am meant to go to so I don't embarrass myself when you call a house out. ” she said. before closing her eyes, relaxing her thoughts and waiting for the verdict.

"I hope you'll hold your head up high. Your house founder was one of the kindest and fairest of all. No need to be embarrassed when I say...Hufflepuff!"