The Sorting Ceremony Y51

[Professor Kalif Styx]

The overhead sky was cloudy, but no threatening storms or rain. The moon appeared to pop up from time to time, depending on the clouds and how they moved. It added a magical atmosphere to the Great Hall that Professor Kalif Styx never appreciated while he was in the school. From a professor, to a Slytherin Head of House, back to a professor, and now returning as Headmaster, he had seen the Sorting Ceremony many, many times and knew how it ran by heart - even now with several years gone. He stood at the podium before the students, looking over them all with his onyx eyes. Styx was not the biggest fan of speeches, but alas, it should be done as should his expectations be known. He cleared his throat and started the speech, "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts New Zealand."

His tone was not exactly welcoming, but it was just stern, strict - just as he had used when he used when he addressed the Slytherins when he was their Head of House. His eyes loomed over the house tables, and then on the first years standing in the middle. "This will be your home for the next seven years. For some of you, this will be your first real step into the magical world. So, I will give out a couple of rules for the first years, as well as reminders for the rest of you. The Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students unless supervised by a member of staff. The forest is dangerous, and anyone that wants to risk their safety will be punished." For anyone that might have heard of Styx's punishments from their parents should take this to heart.

"Now, it is time for the Sorting Ceremony. Each of you will be sorted into one of the four houses and you will remain there for your tenure of education. The houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. They match the surnames of the founder of the original Hogwarts located in Scotland. And thus, you will be sorted based on the values of each of the founders. Then, when I call your name, step forward and take a seat on this stool." Styx stepped around the podium and gestured at the stool before him. "Once you take a seat, I'll place the Sorting Hat on your head, and it will decide where you belong. Then, you will join your new housemates at their table. Like every year, the hat will sing you all a song." Styx could hardly say that he missed that.

Once the song was finished, he unrolled the long scroll of parchment, and called 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.

 

[Julio Santana]

Julio wanted to be excited about all of this. He did, but that was hard to do when the only thought in his head was that this was the wrong school. This was not where he wanted to be. Not where he expected to be. It was all going so well until his father decided to pick everything up and move them all back to his home. Which just wasn't fair if you asked him. And no one had; otherwise, he would have made this very obvious.

The boy tapped his foot while he waited, eyes narrowed at the talking hat at the front of the room. He just wanted this whole thing over and done with so he could sit down, but no, he had to stand around and wait for his name to be called.

"Julio Santana!"

"About time," the boy muttered as he shouldered his way to the front, wasting absolutely no time in turning around and sitting down on the stool. And as the hat was lowered over his eyes, he only let out a rather loud huff. "Can we just get this over with already?" The last thing he wanted to do was to sit there all evening with everyone staring at him.

"This never really takes long, a short moment and the future is set, I will never understand the desire to rush. But on the matter at hand, I see in you that there is a hunger to prove yourself, a desire to be the best, a hunger for knowledge. Lesser hats might've placed you in Slytherin with all this ambition, but I see more clearly, that this desire for knowledge is what drives you...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Henry Collins]

Henry still couldn't believe that this place was real. He was amazed by everything, and of course, he was still learning about the magical world and all. The train ride here had been quite long, and he was mostly tired from the ride over here. Now he had to stand here and wait to be sorted? He wondered how long that was going to take if he was being honest.

Henry stood with the rest of the firsties as he listened to the headmaster. He didn't want to admit it, but the headmaster seemed a little scary if he was being honest. Henry wasnt usually one for being a bit nervous around a lot of adults, but the headmaster's demeanour was a little something else. He listened carefully to what the professor had to say as he wanted to take everything in and make sure he was learning about the magical world. He was away from his family, so the unfamiliar place and world he had been placed in was a little bit of a scary thought.

He listened to the song that the magical hat sang. Apparently, there were clothing accessories in the magical world that could sing and talk? Henry had no idea that it had existed either. It wasn't long before some of the students had been sorted. He watched with wonder and anticipation as each person before him went up to the stool and was sorted.

"Henry, Collins!"

Henry felt like his heart dropped when his name had suddenly been called, and his palms began to sweat. He looked at the people around him with a nervous smile before making his way up to the front and sitting on the stool, anticipation growing inside of him as well as him hoping for this to be over as quickly as possible.

"This will be an easy and quick process, I know for newcomers it can be very overwhelming. There's a good intelligence, and a good amount of curiosity, but I think the best place for you will focus on that determined nature....Hufflepuff,"

 

[Leo Ilves]

Leo was conflicted now that the day to start at Hogwarts had finally come. In one hand he was looking forward to being with Lilith and to being at the school, but in the other it meant he'd have to leave mum alone. Mum said she'd be fine, she had the dogs, but Leo had still been hesitant. Lilith had made sure to take both him and Leena to get their wands, in his humble opinion his sister had been way too overbearing, like for Merlin's sake it wasn't like they were her children! But secretly he'd enjoyed the attention, especially since his sister's boyfriend wasn't with them.

Now as Leo walked into the Great Hall next to his sister he peered around the various tables littered with older students, all attention seemingly on the first years. Putting on a grin and even waving at some of them he pretended he wasn't a tad nervous the hat was going to place him incorrectly, because Leo knew the only right place for him was with Gryffindor. His attention shifted from the other students to the man at the front with a strict voice. Yeah Lille had told him and Leena that the former Headmaster had quit or retired last year. "He seems... delightful." Leo whispered to his sister in Finnish, cracking a smile at his own sarcasm. The warning about the forest only made the first year more curious, the punishment couldn't be that bad, now could it? Lilith had never broken any rules so he'd never heard of any punishments. Maybe Leo could sneak in there secretly and not get caught, he was sure he could be sneaky enough. Besides there had to be at least ten different bird species that he'd never seen over on this side of the globe. Okay it was way over ten.

"Leo Ilves!"

Oh. He hadn't even heard the song. Dang it, he'd been too busy scheming adventures. "See you on the other side, good luck lil sis." He said to Leena and with one last gentle squeeze of her hand he was off to the stool. The walk seemed longer than it actually was, Leo's heart was hammering behind his ribcage, all his aspirations and the next seven years depended on what the hat chose next. All his life the boy had wanted to be like his father, albeit in the last few months he'd gotten into more trouble than it was worth he still wanted to do well and make those around him proud. That started with making it to Gryffindor, there really was no other option. Staring down at the stool for a moment the first year took a seat and stared at all the faces around the hall. He didn't care that they were staring, not at all. He actually thrived under attention, what he cared for right now was to hear where he'd spend his years in. He'd been looking forward to this very moment for his whole life and now that it was here it didn't feel real. Make the right choice. He thought, hoping the hat would listen to his wishes.

"There are no wrong choices when it comes to sorting, but I see exactly what you desire, and how strongly you desire it. I see that this desire is not exactly unfounded...so...okay...Gryffindor,"

 

[Quentin Carew]

Quentin had been looking forward to this moment for a very long time, pretty much ever since the day his older brother had left for Hogwarts four years earlier. He knew he would probably get Ravenclaw as all the other houses sounded strange for not putting learning as the most important point of being at Hogwarts. It was a school after all and everyone here was ultimately here to learn. Quentin stepped forward when his name was called and took his place. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do now, that he passed the time trying to figure out an equation that had been bothering him. "If x = 7 × y" he thought, "then if y is a small prime, what are the possibilities? 2, 3, hmm 5. Or maybe y is also 7? No that can't be right." his thoughts went on until the Sorting Hat started speaking to him.

"I see you have a very logical and inquisitive mind. I think there's one logical choice for you, though know I think you could've managed in some of our other houses, certainly you would've figured out a way...anyway...Ravenclaw,"

 

[James Furneaux]

Oh James was a big boy now! Both his sisters were at Hogwarts so when he'd gotten his letter he'd felt like the coolest guy the entire time. He'd had to fight not to tell all his friends that when he said he was a wizard it no longer was a joke. Now that he was in the Great Hall, after that fun trip to the wand store, he couldn't wait to see all the cool things around him. He was busy glancing around to see his sisters in their tables, he'd already forgotten the house names though, when a voice spoke up. The man that was speaking seemed grumpy so James didn't focus on him, instead he gawked at the hat that was singing. "Um..... are you seeing and hearing what I'm seeing and hearing?" He asked the witches and wizards around him. BRO A HAT COULD SING? THAT WAS SO COOL.

As names started being called out James watched kids go one by one and waited for his own turn, tapping his foot impatiently. He was focused on the tapping when someone called for his name and he was walking toward the grumpy man with the hat. "Is there any way someone else can put that hat on my head? He kind of looks like.... a supervillain from a marvel movie." The boy said to an adult that seemed like a trustworthy one. Eventually he did sit down on the stool, begrudgingly so, and let the supervillain put that hat on his head. "So like? What now? I just sit here while you sit on my head?" He asked the hat, peering up at it on his head. If his sisters had told him anything about this process he didn't remember. "Don't tell me I needed to take some quiz before today..." He muttered to himself. "I suck at them."

"You do just sit there, and I just have a little look into your mind. I see all I need to see and nothing more....and I've seen all I need to...Gryffindor,"

 

[Thorine Zhefarovich-Dolohov]

Thorine Zhefarovich-Dolohov knew exactly what to expect when it came down to Hogwarts New Zealand. Her own mother came here, was sorted in Slytherin, and didn't really do much of anything. Of course, Thorine hoped that she would be able to sail on through without any sort of issues. Especially with who was Headmaster. Of course, no one told her that their family Patriarch was harshest on his bloodline, but still. Thorine waited patiently as she watched each one sorted. Some family, most not.

Before long, as one of the last ones, her name was finally called. She approached the stool and sat down on it. The hat sat upon her blonde hair, and she inwardly groaned. Someone needed to spice this up to today's latest trends because she knew that other than today, she would not be caught dead with something as old as this on her person.

"Not to worry, I will be quick, since there's a clear answer for where you should be...Slytherin,"​

 

[Reinhardt Katsaros-Styx]

Reinhardt Katsaros-Styx followed the first years into the Great Hall to be sorted. He didn't really show emotion with the charmed sky and the hat singing after the Headmaster's speech. He knew what to expect. His mother and father attended, and were sorted in Ravenclaw and Slytherin respectively. He was a good blend of both of them, so it might be a little hard for him to have a preference from one to another. He truly didn't care. He was apathetic about a lot after all. He felt more sorry for whoever was the Head of House for the twins in a couple of years.

He heard his name, which he only let out a sigh as he approached the stool. He felt the hat drop onto his head. He folded his arms across his chest as he peered over the crowd. He knew that he didn't belong in Gryffindor. Hufflepuff wouldn't be terrible, but they might annoy him. Slytherin was a hit or miss. And Ravenclaw might panic over having the best grades. Reinhardt assumed that he would go in either Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Unless the hat saw something else in him - which he doubted wholeheartedly.

"I can assure you that neither Gryffindor or Hufflepuff are the houses for you. There's an intelligence here but that's not really something you care about.....being like your parents matters to you...hmmm...for that...Slytherin,"​

 

[June Parish]

June was trying her hardest to put on a brave face. She refused to look scared when she knew her sister would be searching her face for any sign that she wasn't ok. But she was ok! And even if she wasn't, she could handle it herself! June took a deep breath and followed along with all the other first years, who she hoped were just as nervous as she was. She wasn't exactly sure what she was scared of. Nothing bad was going to happen to her. Her whole family, well except Bellamy, had given her all the information she needed to know. She just had to walk up and sit down and it'd be over in a flash. Yet, she still balled her fists at her sides as she took in the great hall and just how many students were here.

The space was beautiful and grand and for a moment she tried to picture what it would all look like as a gown flowing gracefully across the stage. She sighed and closed her eyes and the image calmed her a bit. The professor spoke and he was different than what her sister had described but she didn't pay much attention. The hat on the other hand she eagerly watched and she couldn't help but wonder how he was made. When the names started to be called, she remembered she was nervous and she stomped her foot in frustration.

June's breath froze in her chest when her name was finally called and she took care to move as quietly as she could. She had always been on the short side but now it felt like the older kids at the tables seemed to loom over her until she was finally sitting on the stool. She kept her eyes down and focused on the floor but couldn't help but spare a glance at the hat as she tried to find where it's seams were. She couldn't make much sense of it and once it was on her head she closed her eyes and waited for what it would say about her.

"Interesting, you are interesting. I see a number of paths, places you would find success, but what I keep coming back to is this ambition, this desire to be known...to stand out...hmmmm....Slytherin,"

 

[Leena Ilves]

Almost nothing could stop the shaking that was currently going through Leena's limbs. That was, until Leo took her hand, and she focused on the way he was gripping her just tightly enough to calm her nerves down. It wasn't that she was scared of crowds, new people, nor that she was about to face a room full of strangers and be given a house, only that this felt like such a big decision. It was as though she was graduating, or passing her driving test, she presumed. It wasn't something to be taken lightly, and while she knew her family would be pleased wherever she ended up, this moment would be one that changed her path forever.

Leena had enjoyed the last few days more than she had in a long time. Spending time with Lilith as the twins bought their wands, being shown around the area and having her sister play tour guide as she introduced them to the stores she'd been telling them for years. Merlin, even seeing Eoghan in his robes had been a comfort, and Leena thought the boy was usually cold company.

She was jolted by her thought of the last holiday that Lilith had come to visit, and smiled at her brother. She hadn't even noticed the Headmaster, which probably wasn't a good thing to admit out loud on her first day of school. "Yeah," she was sure Leo only made his comment to distract her from the impending importance, so she make an effort to follow his lead, and not to get too hung up on what was about to happen. "Maybe he has to be strict," Leena wasn't going to take the risk of insulting the man around people she didn't know. For all they knew, they could speak Finnish too. It wasn't long however until Leo was called up to the stool, and she gave him the most reassuring smile she could muster as they said a brief goodbye. If they weren't in the same house, it would be a while before they had a chance to speak again.

Suddenly alone, Leena glanced around the hall in search of her sister. She knew Lilith would be watching intently to see where the twins would end up, although the blonde couldn't see the fifth year at the Ravenclaw table anywhere! Trying not to panic, she turned back to Leo just in time to see him be admitted to Gryffindor, and clapped hard as he made his way over to his table. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Now there was no way they'd all be together, even if Leena were to be in one of their houses too.

"Leena Ilves!"

As her own name was called, the first year stepped forward, gingerly taking a seat where her brother had been a moment prior and took a deep breath. One, two, three, four. Four tables. One, two, three.. no there were too many students in the room to count them too. The hat needed to get on with it and put her out of her misery, maybe then she could finally relax in her new home.

"There are too many students to count, and certainly not enough time for you to count them because this is easy..Hufflepuff,"

 

[Tempus Snow]

Tempus Snow kept his long, nearly white hair cascading down his back, neatly brushed and full of softening products that was worth more than his robes. Tempus took great care in his appearance and did not want to look like rags in front of the school body. He stared ahead at the front with his forest green eyes, looking over the headmaster. He only seen him a handful of times because he was distantly related to him. His nose wrinkled at the hat. He definitely did not want to have that on his head. But that was how he would be sorted. Great.

His name was called after a while, and he would have dragged his feet but he did not want to seem like he was raised without manners. He turned and sat down on the stool, and felt the hat on his head. As long as the hat didn't say his hair looked awful, he didn't care what was said. He just wanted this to be quick and painless so that he could be sorted. Any color looked good on him - which he could give his mother and father kudos for that.
"I don't think colours should be your main concern as you are being sorted, but I can see that you don't really do concerns...or...anything..., makes this a little tricky, were it not for a house which accepts all the rest...Hufflepuff,"​

 

[Janus Vetrov]

Janus hadn’t been sure what school he would end up attending. Minerva and Marcellus had started their school life at Hogwarts New Zealand, but both ended up at Ilvermorny. For a time, he wondered if he would also end up in Massachusetts with his older siblings, but it seemed his parents had decided that with the older twins soon graduating and likely returning home, it made more sense for Janus and his younger siblings to attend Hogwarts.

After a pretty quick train ride, Janus found himself waiting with the other first years to find out their sorting fate. He waited longer than most as the professor went through the students in alphabetical order. When it finally came to him he stepped forward to learn his fate.

"You have waited longer than most, and I'm sure you're hungry, so I won't prolong this. After all, I see a hunger for more than just food, a hunger for knowledge...Ravenclaw,"

 

[Njord Kyle]

Njord Kyle came from a Hogwarts New Zealand set of families. His mother was sorted in Slytherin, and his father was in Gryffindor. He never heard of a Kyle being sorted in Slytherin anyway. Any with the surname. Njord did not think that he would be the first because he was not exactly like his mother. He was similar to his father instead. Njord was rather excited for the most part no matter what would happen during sorting. He clasped his hands together and flinched at the headmaster. He knew of him, not ever met him in person though. Not yet.

He shook his head and nodded along with the song. It was great, to be honest. He loved the singing hat. His name was practically in the middle, so he did not have to wait terribly long. He bid his cousin good luck and went up to the front. He sat down on the stool and felt the hat on his head. He clasped his hands together, and looked at Ravenclaw. He whispered, "Just not there, please." He did not want to be with people that valued studies. He was definitely not one of them.

"Some people are just not focused on knowledge, and that's okay. I see how you like to use your time, your drivers, and I know the best place for you will be in amongst like-minded loyalists...Gryffindor,"​

 

[Daniel Westerberg]

Danny trembled with excitement as he looked around the Great Hall in all of its splendor. The sky above shone with stars on a black background, with the moon in a waning crescent shape. He listened with half an ear to the Headmaster's introduction. He hid a smile at the mention of the Forbidden Forest. Maybe he'd find a way to sneak in there without getting caught. He wondered if he could get some magical fireworks to start off the year right?

While he was pondering this, the Sorting Hat had started to sing. He hummed under his breath along with the Hat. Once it was done, Danny stared at the stool with anticipation as kid after kid sat and got sorted. He was one of the last ones, seeing as how his last name started with a 'W'.

When his name was called, he bounced over to the stool, shoving the hat on his head eagerly.

"I see you are eager for this place and already considering ways to disrupt the school....Certainly there's one place where you will thrive...Gryffindor,"

 

[Daviana de Lundin]

Daviana looked around the Great Hall as she and the other first years were led inside, marveling at the ceiling. Her aunt used magic around the house, but nothing like this. Realizing she was about to bump into someone, she looked down and made eye contact with a familiar face at the table. She didn't want to wave and draw attention to herself or the fact that she knew someone already - what if other students found that weird? Daviana flipped her curls back behind her shoulder as the students in front of her finally stopped to listen to the man at the front with very wild hair. That was definitely something she was also not used to - the fashion sense of the wizarding world.

The Headmaster spoke and then the hat began to sing a song, which Daviana found rather amusing. She knew it would be a few students before she was called up and watched closely to see if there were any clues as to what went on when that hat was on your head. Her Aunt Siobhan had explained that the process was simple and painless, but Daviana was nervous. She didn't know what house she should really be in, even though she'd read up on each of them. Her aunt had been in Gryffindor, but she wasn't sure if that was right for her - but maybe it was.

When her name was called, she skipped up to the stool and took a seat, feeling the hat sit on top of her red hair. Taking a breath, she waited for the hat to start its process.

"You've got a lot of interests, and some desires to achieve highly, a loyalty to friends, and a desire for adventure...I think...yes...Gryffindor,"

 

[Bryanna Monet]

Bee wasn’t sure how she felt about going to Hogwarts. If anything, it was delaying her current project. She had brought it with her, which her mum said was silly as she wouldn’t have any time for it with all her school work, but Bee didn’t care. She already didn’t care for any classes unless they taught her how to get better at using clay.

There were quite a few students that Bee noticed who were also being sorted with her. She was sure they were all thinking the same main question - which house would they be sorted into? Bee hadn’t really thought of it much until now. Her mother had been a Ravenclaw, and truthfully she wouldn’t be surprised if this was also where she belonged, but she also thought she had some traits of the other houses, so her future still wasn’t certain.

The great hall was one of the largest rooms Bee had ever seen. As the tall door opened, she noticed 5 large tables within the room. One of the tables sat across the very back of the hall, which is where it seemed all the professors were sitting. That meant they had to see the sorting from behind, which she was sure wouldn’t be very fun at all.

Bee watched as other people were called upon first to make their way to the rickety stool for an old hat to sit upon their head. Bee wondered about the lifespan of a sorting hat. Were they invincible? Did they really enjoy their lives? Bee didn’t think it would be all that exciting, especially since they were only used once a year.

About half of the students had already been sorted when Bee’s name was called. She hadn’t heard her full name "Bryanna" in quite some time, so it did throw her off a little. It took her a second to realise that it was in fact her turn. She made her way over to the stool with a friendly smile on her face before sitting down to await her fate.

"Nice of you to join me, though I see it's been a while since anyone has called you by your full name. I also see that you are an exceedingly hard worker, even if the subject changes, it would've made you a good candidate for Ravenclaw, but alas I think you'll be better suited where hard work is most appreciated....Hufflepuff,"

 

[Merrie Hume]

Merrie was shaking, she had started shaking when they'd gotten to Hogwarts and hadn't stopped since. She knew that they would be sorted, and she really would've rathered just be able to immediately join a table. It wouldn't matter which she was at at the end of the day. Merrie followed the rest of the students in,keeping her hands firmly at her sides. They were sweaty, clammy. She at least appreciated that with sorting she wouldn't need to decide herself, someone would tell her where to go, but still.

Merrie glanced at the headmaster and swore down she felt a shiver go down her spine. He seemed like such an imposing man. She stood up a little straighter, trying to keep her posture better, brushed down the skirt and shirt she was wearing, hoping none of it had creased since she'd not been able to press it since it had been packed.

Merrie's attention moved to the hat, which had started its song, and she nodded her head along to it. Her mother had been a Hufflepuff, her uncle a gryffindor, her aunt ava a ravenclaw. her cousins were gryffindor and ravenclaw too. She was sure she'd end up in hufflepuff like her mother, but she was trying to keep too many of those thoughts out of her mind, she wanted the hat to sort her without any influence.

"hume, Merrie," she heard her name and stepped forward. She wiped her clammy hands against her robes and then sat down. She was surprised that the stool didn't start vibrating from how much she was shaking, and then the hat was placed on top.

"Whoa there, nervous? There's really no need to be. You can't do anything wrong with this because I've got all of the information that I need at my disposal. So let's see, well you are helpful but...no, no. Hufflepuff won't do for you. There's more there, just beneath the surface. You're headed to...Ravenclaw!"

 

[Tate Whitlock]

Tate was impressed and trying hard to hide it. His siblings had mostly all been through this already. He walked in with the others, doing his best to look nonchalant, hands stuffed in his pockets. Still his eyes searched out his brothers and sister. His lips quirked in a little smirk of acknowledgement when he found them. They'd make sure things were easy here for him, whatever house he was in. Tanith especially. She was always fussing over them.

He watched the other students getting sorted for a bit, sighing a little as slowly more and more of them were called to the front. He hated being a Whitlock when it came to things like this. He was practically the last one to be summoned forward. He didn't bother glancing about to see who was left.

Tate sauntered up, falling onto the stool with another sigh. Alright then, lets get this over with.

"Let us get over this indeed, I can see a lot of things, but above all, I can see exactly where you should go...Slytherin,"

 

[Cairo North]

This was it. He was here. Cairo was finally here. He could barely contain his excitement, energy vibrating through every cell. His eyes snapped over every little detail, over every stone, over the walls and the doors and the students blocking his view. After a thousand stories, a thousand questions, he was finally here, in his fathers school. It was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen.

Cairo was so caught up trying to peer down the hall that he bumped into the student in front of him. He answered their glare with a sheepish grin before turning his attention to the front of the Great Hall as well. He clasped his hands behind his back, forcing himself to still and breath as the hat sang its song for them. Cairo could be patient when he needed to be, and he'd need a great deal of it to keep himself from just sneaking away to explore every inch of this castle.

North was fairly far down on the list of students, so while he waited he ran through his family tree, trying to figure out if he had any family in the castle he could annoy while he was here since his sister wasn't. Marley had graduated last year. Calliope was here, as were Aurora and Nico. Of all his cousins, though, he preferred little Plum- and she wasn't due here for another few years.

Cairo took another deep breath, moving his attention back to the front as the hat shifted into the M's. Soon, he thought, soon it will be me. His face lit up in anticipation. He was moving practically before they had even finished calling his name. It was a good thing there wasn't another North there.

Cairo was doing his best to stay composed, hands clasped tightly behind his back even as he turned and sat down. He couldn't keep the excited grin off of his face as the Sorting Hat slid over his eyes. Please please please, put me in my fathers house, He pleaded to himself, I want to be a Slytherin like my dad.

"Unfortunately, your father's house is not the house for you. I see a different path, one marked by your bravery, by your intelligence and by your desire to work hard. I think for you, the path you'll succeed most is...Ravenclaw!"

 

[Volaine Jusantrea]

Volaine walked into the Great Hall with his twin brother, hands in his pockets and wishing he had his guitar on him. Not that he really needed it, he just liked the feel of it strapped on his back. He sighed as he took his place with the other students. He was a little impressed by the castle, but mostly just a little annoyed. It was going to be hard to find a reliable place to chill out in a castle this big- he was bound to be disturbed more than he'd like.

The headmaster had some cool vibes going for him, at least- in that dark, might kill you if you misbehaved kinda way. Volaine rolled his head on his shoulders, sighing again. That meant he'd have to stay out of trouble. Messing around wasn't worth the risk if the guy in charge already looked like that.

Vol watched as Dante was sorted first, not really holding out much hope they'd be in the same house. They weren't identical, and they were hardly a match personality wise either. It was fine, he supposed, they'd just have to grab lunches together sometimes or something. He bit back a sigh as he was called up, shuffling to the front and falling into the chair. Let's get this over with, he thought with a yawn, I just want to find my bed and live there for the next week.

"You'd have made a pretty good Ravenclaw with your natural intelligence, but that's not the path for you...No. I see what you want, and I see that as being where you'll be best settled to do what you please...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Larry Smoth]

Larry was very nervous when he heard his name called out. He slowly walked up to the stool where he sat. It was a warm stool by now, since other students had sat on it already. He looked directly at a certain house, and hoped he be would sorted into there. He closed his eyes, and hoped for the best.

"You have quite a mix that will lead to you growing into a powerful wizard if you hone it. The best place for that will be in...Ravenclaw"

 

[Dante Jusantrea]

Dante entered the Great Hall with his twin brother, his arms swinging lightly at his sides, and humming softly to himself, so that he would be at least somewhat calm and also a sense of security. He stopped humming when he took his place with the other students and without taking his brother's eyes off him. It was a little tiring to wait for their turn, because everything seemed to be moving too slowly, although he did not complain, but waited for his turn. It would be difficult at first to call this big castle home, but he would just have to get used to it, as long as he had his twin brother by his side.

Of course, the director seemed like such an interesting personality that Dante didn't even know whether to take his words seriously or not, unless he was joking.

Dante was called first, when he went to the sorting hat he looked at Volaine, although he could not have known that they would end up in the same house. They were not identical twins, nor were they at all similar in character. He took a deep breath, then climbed the few steps to the chair, then when the hat was placed on his head. He was silent for a moment, looking at his twin brother. I don't even know which house I fit into the most. Some say I'm a Gryffindor and some say I'm not. Wherever I belong, I want to be there with my twin brother and be able to look after him. he said quietly to himself, not knowing if the hat would hear his words.

"The good thing is, you do not need to know which house you fit into, only I do. I see a great deal, a love for an adventure which would make you a good Gryffindor, loyalty too. But I see a hard worker, someone who tries their best every time and for that...Hufflepuff,"

 

[Dashley Renner]

Hogwarts was a castle Dashley couldn't wait to conquer; to claim for her own so she could be a queen among subjects that were her other peers, and a building she saw as her initial chance at independence where she would grow into the person she was destined to be, someone who would be wholly admired and revered. The only goal on her mind was to achieve this, to become the true royal she had always dreamed of being, where she could weave herself a crown and carve a throne she would hold above the other children her age as she pushed her way, without remorse, to the front of the group of other soon to be first years as they gathered outside the great hall. Dashley smiled to herself, using one hand to adjust her headband in anticipation of the large wooden doors opening to allow the group into the sorting ceremony.

Keeping herself smiling, Dash squared her shoulders to show her confidence, moving to gently hold the hand of her newly declared best friend Reyna in solidarity as the group began to walk through the hall. The floating candles and clear night sky decorating the ceiling were beautiful, although not a sight Dashley focused on for too long before the group reached the front of the hall, where the sorting hat and wooden stool were waiting to sort each new student into their respective houses, a decision that would dictate Dashley's success over the next seven years. She watched intently as the headmaster began his speech, only really listening when the sorting hat finished it's lengthy and somewhat boring song and the headmaster began to read names from a scroll of parchment.

Dashley of course paid attention to each of the students sorted before her, sizing each of them up, noting their hair and clothing choices, and keeping which house they were all placed in in the back of her mind, as it was one of the few useful tidbits of information she had in deciding who would be worthy of her friendship in the upcoming semester. It wasn't until her own name was called that she moved her attention back to herself, ensuring her shoulders were still squared as she promptly, and confidently stepped forward to sit down on the stool. She tried her best to remain calm as the hat was placed on her head, ignoring the worry that the hat would mess up her hair, and instead making her best effort to be polite and leave the hat with a good impression of her. She smiled to herself, and politely asked in her thoughts for the hat to place her anywhere other than Gryffindor, almost pleading, so she wouldn't be compared to her dad, because she wasn't her dad, and so she could forge her own destiny during her time at Hogwarts.

"I don't believe Gryffindor is really the house on the table here, though I can a good amount of bravery and a willingness to stand out, there is another place you'll find much greater success. Where this ambition will serve you best...Slytherin,"​

 

[Cassian Potter-Cade]

The train ride had been pretty quiet, so Cassian had been glad to arrive at Hogwarts so he could get the sorting ceremony out of the way and figure out where he would be spending the next few years of his life. He waited with the other first years in the great hall and watched as the students in line before him stepped up to the hat, then went off to their house tables. Eventually, it was his turn, so Cassian took his seat on the stool and waited to see where he would be sorted.

"Gryffindor!"