The Sorting Ceremony Y50

[Hinemoa Josephs]

Hinemoa clung tightly to Amanita's hand as the two of them entered the Great Hall, the familiar sight of long tables and floating candles strangely undercut by the unfamiliar buzz of her situation. She wasn't watching from her mum's lap as a new batch of first years filtered in to learn their fates, she was one of those first years. In a matter of minutes the next seven years of her life would have been decided for her, and her time as a Hogwarts student would begin. It was overwhelming.

It was much easier to focus on the familiar, comforting elements of the experience, and she didn't hesitate to wave to her mum with her free hand as soon as she spotted her, grinning broadly as she got a big wave back. No matter what happened, she had people here for her. Everything was going to be fine. Even if they were separated, ultimately. Hinemoa knew that the warm hand in hers almost certainly wasn't going to be accompanying her to whichever table she wound up at - Amanita was a Slytherin through and through, and even if her dad hadn't been the Head of House, Hinemoa knew her best friend would be destined for green robes.

For herself though... Slytherin felt like the least likely option. Hinemoa was confident in herself, but she had never felt much need to fight for success or leadership. She just did her best, and that was good enough. Glancing at the teachers table again, she knew that her own mother would probably tilt things towards Ravenclaw, if the hat took that into consideration, but even if not it did feel the most likely. After all, what was a teacher's daughter if not someone who valued learning? Hufflepuff and Gryffindor were possibilities though, and as much as she would miss her mum in those houses, Hinemoa was curious to see what the other common rooms looked like.

Castillo, Amanita

Hinemoa's thoughts were interrupted by Matt's voice, and she couldn't believe it was time already. "Good luck!" She whispered as she released Amanita's hand, watching her best friend with total confidence. There had never been anywhere for Amanita but Slytherin, and she cheered and clapped when the hat confirmed what was obvious to everyone who met Amanita - she was a Slytherin through and through. Now Hinemoa was alone though, and her mind raced with possibilities as she watched the students between her and Amanita in the alphabet take their turns, wondering who her new roommates would be. The possibilities were endless, and she knew so many of her experiences would be shaped by the next few seconds of her life. It was thrilling and terrifying all at once.

Josephs, Hinemoa

She might have been imagining it, but Hinemoa was pretty sure she heard pride in Matt's voice as he called her name and she grinned, head high as she hurried to the stool and took her seat. She had spent her whole life imagining a thousand different scenarios for what would follow her sorting, and she was finally, finally about to learn which path she would be taking. It was a rush and she wondered if the hat could hear how fast her heart was racing as it was placed on her head.

'Hi Hat, I've heard all about you. I know you'll put me somewhere good, no matter what, and I can't wait to find out where!'

"I sure will, it's my job. Oh, you're an easy one to place...Ravenclaw!"

 

[Hudson Triss]

Hudson was still a little nervous about this whole school thing. He'd been to a real school before, but not where they had taught magic, and he worried it would be too hard. He held onto the back of his robes to make himself look like he had wings as they walked into the Great Hall, stunned at how big it was. He wondered how long it took to build this giant castle with magic since muggles had to do stuff like that by hand.

As they were given instructions, Hudson tried to listen very carefully, understanding that he would wait for his turn to go up in front of EVERYONE to be sorted. He tightened his "wings" around himself nervously as many of his classmates went before him, until he heard his name called.

"Triss, Hudson."

The boy's demeanor changed, and he tried to confidently walk up and took a seat, giggling as the hat landed on his head. "So, uh, hi, hat. My dad was in Gryffindor, and that seems like a cool place. Can I go there?" he asked, only semi-familiar with other houses.

"It does seem like a lot of people are wishing for Gryffindor, if because of a family connection or not and you know I think you would've made a pretty good Ravenclaw, but really it...that's not your path....no, if you have a place you want to go, there you shall go...Gryffindor,"

 

[Aegis DAramitz]

Aegis stood in the middle of all the incoming first years, looking around at the amazing castle, and the awesome ceiling that reflected the night sky. He couldn't wait to get sorted, and join this amazing place as one of Hogwarts' own. As his name was called, he noticed Evan at the Ravenclaw table, looking at him with pride. Aegis swelled up at the look, and put the hat on his head. He just hoped, where-ever he ended up, that Evan would be proud of him.

"Hmm, I see a desire for somewhere, but I also see a good deal of intelligence too...certainly enough to tip things in that direction and unfortunately away from your desire....Ravenclaw,"

 

[Sofia Gutierrez]

Sofia shuffled into the Great Hall along with all the other students, her nerves amplified by all the anxious and excited energy around her. She listened attentively to the Headmaster greet them and explain the Sorting process ahead of them. She'd heard about this part before, but didn't realize the entire student body would be watching.

As she watched the first student step up to the stool she hoped the Hat wouldn't read their thoughts out loud for everyone to hear. It didn't take too long for her to realize it wouldn't which eased her slightly, but the uneasy feeling in her stomach didn't settle the entire time she waited for her turn.

As she watched others get sorted into the different Houses she tried desperately to figure out what House she'd end up in. She wished she'd paid more attention to the Hat's song to remember what qualities it sang for each House and try to figure out which ones she most possessed, but she was too distracted watching everyone go where they belong to really recall the song anyway.

Finally when the Sorting Hat called out her name, she stepped up and sat down, wondering what future the Hat could see for her that she couldn't yet.

"I wouldn't worry about not fitting in. You'll find your place, and I know just where that is so let me tell everyone...Hufflepuff!"

 

[Knox Cooper]

Knox wiped his sweaty palms on his new robes as he entered the Great Hall and took in the magnificent sight around him. Every moment he expected to be told this was all some elaborate prank, but when he finally saw the amount of current students watching them, the future students surrounding him, and the many professors sitting at the head table up ahead, he knew these were too many people to coordinate for some little prank, so it had to be real.

He bounced on his feet anxiously as he waited for his turn, watching all the students before him shuffle off to certain tables and wondered which one he'd be headed to soon.

Before he knew it his name was being called up and he took a deep breath to steel himself for what came next. He allowed the Hat to be placed over his head and waited for the verdict.

"You're off on your journey with...Gryffindor!"