The Sorting Ceremony

[Ava King]

Ava King welcomed the students entering the Great Hall with a small smile. The holidays had been horrendous for the Headmistress but the Sorting Ceremony was something Ava loved attending, so she made sure the Hall looked immaculate. The roof was, as always, charmed, the stars twinkling high above the student's heads. The roaring fires on each end of the Hall kept the large room warm and homely, the candles flickering above the tables made the room even more magical.
Ava approached the podium, the chatter in the Hall quickly dying out. "Hello all, and welcome to another year at Hogwarts." Ava started off, her cheerful demeanor not entirely present. "Welcome to all our new students, this will be your home for the next seven years - if you treat it well, it will treat you well. And welcome back to all our old students, it's great to see you all again!" Ava stated. "A reminder to all that the Forbidden Forest is strictly out of bounds, and any rule breakers will be punished." Her blue eyes studied the new faces in front of her, some looking nervous, some excited, others indifferent. "First years, when your name is called, please come and sit here," Ava started, gesturing to the stool "And I will place the Sorting Hat on your head. The Sorting Hat will decide where you will be staying for your school years. When it's made its decision, you may go and sit with you new House." Ava smiled.

Out of Character:

As stated in the Information about Sorting thread, you must fill out the sorting form entirely properly and fill in an RP as exemplified in the post. If your RP does not leave room for the sorting hat to sort you: you will not be sorted. If the sorting hat does not receive your sorting form: you will not be sorted. Follow instructions and: you will be sorted.

You can edit your post once you are sorted, but be sure that you only reply to this topic once and it is through the sorting form provided. Thank you.

 

[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

 

[Kristen Blade]

Kristen Blade walked through the Great Hall, taking in the sights around him. He had read a lot about this stuff before, so he knew what it would look like and what to expect at the end of the day. He took his place with the rest of the students, and watched as some were sorted into their own houses. He didn't know what to expect, really. He wasn't sure which house he would be put in, but that was the fun of it in his mind. "Blade, Kristen." He heard his name, and walked up to the podium and sat down. This was the time.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Spencer Owens]

Spencer had been looking forward to joining his sister at Hogwarts ever since she started in her first year. Listening to his sister's stories of her experiences at the school made him envious but the time for envy was over because it was finally time for Spencer to start his own Hogwarts adventure. The train ride had been fun, he was glad he decided not to sit with his sister and made a few friends of his own instead, and he was looking forward to catching up with them all once they were sorted into their houses. Spencer had no idea what house he would end up in, there was no divine Owens family house. Charlotte was in Slytherin, his mother had been a Hufflepuff and his father a Gryffindor. Maybe Spencer would round it off and end up in Ravnclaw who knew.

Waiting in the great hall to be sorted was nerve-wracking. One by one new first year students stepped forward to be sorted. Some looked happy with their result, some perplexed, there were even the occasional unhappy face. Spencer couldn't imagine being unhappy, he had no expectation, no hopeful destination, where ever he ended up he would make it his home. He watched on with a smile as some of the more familiar faces among the group stepped up to be sorted. Spencer smiled and waved at his new friends as they went off to different house tables and he was left wondering which of them he would be joining. As the group dwindled slightly it was almost time for him to learn his fate.

"Spencer Owens"

Spencer took a deep breath, he felt a little flutter in his stomach as he made his way to the stool and the hat was placed on his head. His only hope was that he wouldn't be a disappointment to his family.

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"Let's see where you belong. Hmm...I know. Better be...Gryffindor!"

 

[Asmodeus Snow]

It felt like decades since Asmodeus watched his big sister, Astarte, get onto the train and leave him behind. Now, it was his turn. Asmodeus followed the other potential peers of his into the Great Hall, not at all impressed by the decor. His red eyes instead looked for his older sister, who sat at the Slytherin table, looking bored. He did not wave to his sister though. He sighed as he heard the hat sing, and the headmistress call up names. Wasn't that the one that lost her husband? What a joke. She looked happy as ever. Perhaps it was a setup to get life insurance or something. That would be a good plan. Asmodeus kept this to himself, especially as the numbers dwindled as they were getting closer and closer to the end of the alphabet. Eventually, the S surnames were called, and it was his turn. He forced his way through the crowd, uttering obscenities in French. He did not want to be slowed down for someone so common. His eyes looked over the professors, before resting his eyes on the one that he definitely feared. Only because he heard horror stories in the family. Asmodeus turned and sat down on the stool, with the hat upon his head. He couldn't help but gnarl, "Ugh, someone else's hair and dander. I can feel it. Dirty rotten school." Asmodeus would have given his left leg to go to anywhere but New Zealand, the school that made his mother's life a living hell, and also shorted her education. Yet, his lazy father made head boy. It was an interesting couple, since Aleyha was in charge. 'So, old hat, I have one request. Place me with my sister. She needs my protection, and I need her guidance.' Sure, he thought nothing of him insulting the school and asking for a favor. It might be the only way he can even survive in this rotten place
​

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"Another Snow? You'll need more than your sister's guidance to succeed here. Better be...Slytherin!"

 

[Edwin Fessenden]

Edwin walked across the stage slowly, looking around the great hall with wide eyes. Despite all his attempts at research, all his hours of reading, nothing could have prepared him for this actual moment. Despite his best efforts, he could not help but feel a twinge of nervousness as he took his seat. As he sat, he wondered whether he actually had an advantage over those who came from wizarding families. They would be hoping desperately for a specific house, while he was working with a clean slate. Despite his best attempt to reassure himself, after having taken his seat, he took one last look at the crowd of students and shut his eyes, too nervous to look at the reactions of the others as he was sorted.

As he leaned back and felt the hat placed onto him, just one thought went through his head, 'I wonder why they made the hat so big if its mostly younger kids getting sorted?'

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"You're a curious one, aren't you? Let's see what else in there. Oh, I see. You'll excel in Ravenclaw!"

 

[Christopher Soerens]

Christopher gasped a little, he heard about how the Hogwarts school always hold impressive ceremonies for sorting. But as he entered the Great Hall with the other new students it was a sight to be hold. Noticing some other students looking up at the ceiling of the hall, while he already glanced at the famous sorting hat. Following a little speech by the headmaster of this school it seemed, to which Christopher tried to pay attention since all of this seems important, one by one students went up to get sorted. As the group he arrived with slowly went tinier, as more students went to their new House tables. Looking after one as suddenly.

"Christopher Soerens"

With that and final nod, he tried to tell himself, to not feel affraid of the hat. Sitting down and feeling the hat been placed on him, he still thought feeling affraid of a hat seems like it would be pointless. But then again, this hat might have an interesting history behind him, interesting enough to be read up upon after all of this is done. Christopher tried to get rid of thoughts like that, and awaited the hat's judgement now.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Christopher Marsh]

Hogwarts was the biggest thing that he had ever seen in his life. The castles stone was beautifully old, baring the slight dents and scratches of every student who brushed the walls over the years. It was Christopher's turn to become a student at Hogwarts School, to brush the walls if ever that was a highlight, to be taught by Professors, and meet people who would one day become his best friends, or worst enemies. He didn't know what the future held but he knew it would happen right here, at Hogwarts, over the next seven years.

The whole Sorting experience was overwhelming, he never remembered walking being this difficult before as his legs wobbled like set jelly. He felt very aware that he might be holding up the flow of students passing through the channel toward the Sorting Hat as he struggled to regulate his pace. It can't have been a long distance but Christopher felt he had walked a marathon by the end of it.

They stopped in front of a wooden stool with a ratty looking hat sitting on top of it. The brim opened, drew a quick breath, and began to sing a song. Honestly, it was singing! Christopher really had now seen everything.

When the hat finished singing, names started to be called from a long parchment and the person whom that name belonged was called forward to try the Sorting Hat on to be told their house. It all made perfect sense really, Christopher just hadn't caught up yet. Fortunately though, he had time to watch a few others to see what they were doing before he was finally called.

"Marsh, Christopher!"

He took the necessary steps forward and turned to face the entire school, with hundreds of burning eyes focused on him. If ever there was a nerve wracking moment in a boys life, this was it.

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"Hufflepuff!"

 

[Andi Forstrom]

The farmhouse Andi grew up in was big, as was one of the barns on the property however none of that equated to the size of the great hall and it left Andi's mouth hanging open slightly as she walked the length of the room with the small group of her soon-to-be peers. Her hand was clasped tightly to Signy's as they walked, tightening as they reached the end of the hall. Andi was enthusiastic about the sorting ceremony, excited to see where the hat would place her and it eventually became to much, causing her to push through the group slightly to get a better view of the headmistress and the sorting hat. When the hat sang and the ceremony began Andi watched in awe, taking note of the other children's names as they were called and sorted though she couldn't do so for long as Signy's name was called. She smiled and nudged her cousin forward slightly and waited for her to be sorted before her own name was called out.

"Forstrom, Verdandi."

Andi cursed under her breath when her full name was called but couldn't dwell on the annoyance for a second too long as she soon sat on the stool, closing her eyes in anticipation as the hat was placed on her head. Andi had wanted to be sorted into Gryffindor since first hearing about Hogwarts from her parents as it was the house they were both sorted into. She didn't know anything about the house besides the fact her parents were in it so she wasn't sure if she had the right traits and if the hat would sort her there, but she was sure that whatever house she did get sorted into would suit her and benefit her in some way even if she couldn't immediately figure it out. She sucked in a breath as she waited eagerly to hear the hat's decision.​

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"You'd do well in Hufflepuff, great, in fact. If you're sure though...alriiight. Gryffindor!"

 

[Ilsa Nimitz]

Ilsa wasn't looking anywhere but Elyse, the girl who ruined her acceptance at Ilvermorny. It was her first and only choice to go to school and now, she's standing inside the school Merlin knows what they teach here. As the double doors opened, everyone lined up in pairs. Ilsa with her sister. "This is all your fault. I shouldn't be here." Ilsa whispered to Elyse angrily but kept a smile as they entered the Great Hall. She looked up as they continue to walk, a hint of awe was plastered on her lips. As the line stopped, a gorgeous, yet old, woman stood before them. She welcomed old and new students of Hogwarts New Zealand. Ilsa was a bit content about making friends, there are lots. As the sorting hat was introduce and the hat started and ended its singing, the sorting started alphabetically. "Nimitz, Ilsa!" Called the woman, the other students made way for her as she chinned up with confidence while walking in front. Ilsa was directed to a stool and sat there. Once the hat was on her head, she thought of great things she wanted to do that she's supposed to be doing at Ilvermorny and then she caught sight of Elyse. Augh! No, not with her, any house but not with her. Ilsa thought hard enough that it almost gave her a headache for thinking about it. That mudblood doesn't belong here. Daughter of a no-maj! Merlin, just sort me!

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"I'll put you where you belong. Lucky for me, it's an easy decision. Slytherin!"

 

[Xena Dragonslayer]

It was finally the big day. Xena had been counting down the days until she would go to Hogwarts, she couldn't wait to find out what House she would be in. Xena was closest with her older sister, Alkestis, and would love to be in the same house as her. Not only would Gryffindor have her sister, but Xena also thought she'd get along best with other Gryffindors. She had thought about it a lot, and didn't really want to be in Artaxias' house, Hufflepuff, and Xena thought she'd be pretty bored in Ravenclaw, so for her, it was a toss between the two Houses that had the supposed feud, which she thought was pretty funny.
Xena was hoping she'd be able to join the Quidditch team as well. She knew that First Years weren't really allowed to join, but she was going to try out anyway, she knew she was pretty good on a broom. The young girl had braided her hair, and she flicked the piece that had fallen out out of her face, before entering the Great Hall with the rest of the students. Nothing her sisters or brother had said could have prepared her for the beauty of the Hall. Though there were a bunch of older students all staring at them, Xena held her head high, her eyes scanning the room for her siblings. She smiled at them, continuing to walk to the front of the hall, where a hat lay on a stool. Though it was a pretty talented hat, Xena thought it would be much cooler if it were a bit sleeker, something that wasn't so ratty and tatty. Nevertheless, when her name was called, she moved swiftly to the stool, the butterflies in her stomach increasing ten fold. Sitting down, Xena held her breath as the hat was lowered onto her head.

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"Slytherin!"

 

[October Alcott]

October clasped and wrung her hands nervously as the group of first years entered the great hall. Her father had told her stories of his years within these walls, and it was mind boggling to think that it was really her turn at last, a whole new set of challenges, so far from and different to everything she had known at home. She tried to control her breathing as she peeked out at the sea of faces seated at the house tables for the first time, having to stand on her toes to see past her classmates at their seniors. They all looked so neat and smart and mature in their uniforms and house colours, and she felt too small and uncertain and out of place. October barely had time to take in the number of students and the size of the hall and the grandeur of it all before her name was being called already.

"Alcott, October!"

Dad had reminded October to keep an ear out because of how early her name was in the alphabet, but the atmosphere of everything around her had been enough to knock every word of his advice out of October's mind. She tensed a little at hearing her name and her heart began to thud wildly, hands twisting and fidgeting anxiously against her chest as she approached the hat and took her seat, eyes closing tight. This was nothing like a ballet show or violin recital, hundreds of people were watching her be judged on the very essence of her being. It was terrifying, and October could do nothing but hunch over as small as she could get and wait for the hat's decision.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Harley Tsuji]

Harley had spent the whole train ride over trying to figure out if she resented being here or was relieved by it. As much as it meant giving in to at least some of what her parents expected from her, they couldn't get to her here, to praise her, or tell her off, or anything in between. Standing together clustered with her future classmates, Harley folded her arms and scowled, hoping nobody directed any nervous chatter at her. As much as she wanted to find a posse once she was settled into her dorm, with sorting still hanging over all their heads, Harley didn't want to make any first impressions with the tangle of nerves in her stomach.

Still trying to look tough and unapproachable Harley swaggered into the Great Hall, but her swagger fell apart as she laid eyes on the hall for the first time, taking in the ceiling, the candles, the volume of people, everything. For the first time, Harley felt as excited as her parents had expected her to be about going to school here. Just the thought of eating under that ceiling every morning was enough to make her heart race. Harley was captivated, staring all around the hall, mouth still hanging slightly open when her name was called.

"Tsuji, Harley!"

Snapping her jaw closed with a click, Harley quickly hunched her shoulders again and slouched up to the stool, taking one last glance around as she sat down. She felt very small in front of so many people, with such an enormous hat about to go on her head, and her attitude wavered a little, gripping her robes tight to ease her nerves as she waited to be sorted.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Elyse Nimitz]

Elyse was avoiding her sister's stare, she knows not to look at her when she's furious like that. All she did on the way here was complain about Ilvermorny is better than Hogwarts New Zealand. It was good no one but them was on the cabin they took. As the double doors opened, everyone lined up. They all started to walk in while Ilsa whispered something to her that upset her, Elyse wanted to say something but she's better to just keep her mouth shut. Upon arriving in the front, there was an old hat sitting on a stool, Elyse wondered what was it for until one by one, the people with her were called and the hat moved and shouted something she doesn't quite understand. She heard her sister's name was called and the young one's eyes followed Ilsa up in front, the hat on her head and just blurted out something and her sister off somewhere. "Nimitz, Elyse!" It was her turn, her favorite raggedy Ann doll with her, she hugged it tightly until she managed to get to the stool. The hat on her, it started to move. Don't kill me, please. I have no idea what's going on. I want to be with my sister. Elyse never lifted her head, she was too embarrassed. She await the hat's thoughts and it might spare her.

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"Kill you? No, my job is to figure out where you belong, and that's an easy job with you. You belong in...Hufflepuff!

 

[Vivian Brackenstall]

Trains were noisy. Schools were noisy. Nervous kids were noisy. And close, and crowding, and a lot all at once. Vivian tucked himself up uncertainly, hands clutching his notebook in his pocket to calm him down. He couldn't help wishing he could sit down and step back and put this all in words somewhere by himself for a few moments before continuing. There was no chance to stop though, and all thoughts dropped from his mind as he saw the Great Hall for the first time. It was magnificent, beyond anything he had expected, and he gaped around at all the sights as he entered, filled with awe and wonder. He barely even noticed any of the other kids around him moving until suddenly his name rang out through the hall.

"Brackenstall, Vivian!"

The rush of fear that ran through Vivian as he felt all eyes on him was almost too much to bear and he froze for a long moment, looking around like a frightened mouse. He didn't consciously break through the fear as much as his legs began to work automatically, carrying his numb and nervous body up to the stool and sitting him down, trembling under the weight of a thousand gazes as he waited to hear which house would shape the next seven years of his life.

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"Don't be nervous. You're going to do great in...Hufflepuff!"

 

[Aodhan Kaelen]

After several hours of sitting in the train, listening to the kid in his compartment who was stating facts about Hogwarts, Adohan was happy that the train had finally arrived at its destination. The moment he had been waiting for months now came closer and closer, and to be honest he began to feel a bit nervous. Aodhan waited outside for his companion to walk with the other unsorted students. His jar dropped at the sight of the castle at night. Once inside the castle he began to smile, he just knew that living at the castle would be much better than living with uncle Eryk. A moment later they all stood in the Great Hall. Everything went in a flash, and eventually he heard his name being called out, ''Kaelen, Aodhan!'' Aodhan walked forward and sat down on the stool, smiling brightly at the woman who put the old hat on top of him. It was finally happening.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Daniel Aron]

Daniel walked next to his sister as the first years were all walked to the Great Hall. He was nervous and he could tell she was too. She was older than him by a month, thanks to them having different moms, but he always felt the need to make sure she was safe. So he feigned some courage and reassured her that everything was going to be okay. Both of their parents were magical. Their dad was a rather talented wizard. Daniel's mom was a stay-at-home witch. Daniel didn't know much about Emily's mother, she had passed away shortly after giving birth to her, but he had heard stories from his father that she was talented herself. This meant to Daniel that both he and his sister were both going to do well here. This is where they belonged.

As the class assembled in front of a stool a professor put a withered looking hat on a stool. It began to sing to them about various things and Daniel found himself fascinated. He was quickly beginning to love this place. He turned to his sister and she seemed to share the feeling. The professor than began to name students to be sorted into their respective houses.

Given that their last name began with an A,Daniel knew their time to be sorted would come quickly. Since his first name came before hers he wasn't surprised when the professor called him first. He turned to his sister, held her hand and whispered. "We'll be fine. Even if we're separated. Okay?" she nodded at him as he walked to the hat.

He cleared his mind and readied for the hat to be placed on his head.

"We're going to do great." he thought as he looked at his sister one last time.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Charles Abberline]

Charlie stood there in the middle of a noisy group in front of a gigantic wooden door, which led to the Great hall, where he finally would be sorted into one of the four houses of Hogwarts within minutes. Charlie wasn't a very nervous type, but right now, his hands were shaking and the thing he hated most, he already missed his dog Aslan a lot. The gigantic doors opened and a lot of noise, warmth and light came into the dark hall where the students, including him, were waiting.

Charlie quickly followed a couple of students walking in front of him, but didn't make any eye contact with students who were gazing at him or the other boys and girls around him. They stopped and Charlie sighned in relieve, he was just waiting for his name to be called. "Abberline, Charles!'' Charlie swallowed and pushed himself through the students as his name was one of the first to be called out and walked towards the stool. He sat down nervously and smiled at the woman as the hat was placed on his head. All Charlie had to do now was wait for the hat to sort him.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[SlytherinBlade84]

I walk into the Great Hall, knowing whats coming. I stand confortdently until my name gets called. Then i walk up to the Sorting Hat, smugly knowing what house I'll be put in.

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"Slytherin!"

Out of Character:

Your Username should reflect your character's first and last name. You can change yours by submitting a request here: http://hogwarts.nz/home/?c=20

 

[Emily Aron]

Emily walked alongside her younger brother as they walked in the group toward the Great Hall. She was older than him by a month, but he had always tried to protect her. This was no exception. As soon as they got their letters he insisted that they had to be in the same house to make sure that nothing bad would happen to her. Emily would insist that it wasn't necessary; she would eventually have to grow on her own. That's what she was hoping for most out of her time here. She wanted to become a stronger witch. Her father was an adept wizard and from what he had told her, her mother was quite talented too. She knew all she needed was some confidence and she would be set.

Emily found herself extremely fascinated by the singing hat. How this thing worked, she would never know. Just placing it on your head it would know enough about you to make a decision that would impact you for the rest of your life. She turned to her brother who shared a similar fascination. Shortly into the ceremony, the professor called Dani forward and before he left he reassured her that even if they weren't in the same house they would do great. She nodded as he was sorted into his own house.

After the applause had settled and the nerves sank in, she realized she would be next. And sure enough the next name the professor called was

"Aran, Emily."

She swallowed and proceeded to the Sorting Hat.

"Dani said we would be great, right?" She thought to herself as the professor lowered it. "Yeah. I'm going to be great."

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Abel Farley]

Abel hadn't been overly excited to got to Hogwarts, but he didn't dislike it either. As long as he could just roll through classes, without a lot of work, like he had always done things would be fine. Something he was looking forward to was seeing what sort of people he'd meet. Hopefully there were some relaxed people for him to hang with, because he already knew he wouldn't be able to stand hanging around with fully energetic people all of the time. Standing somewhere in the middle of his soon-to-be fellow first years Abel turned his head, looking for his sister. They had been together on the train, but he had somehow lost her on the way towards the castle. However, he was sure she'd be fine. She was a tough one after all.

As soon as the group of students made their way into the hall Abel could see some of the kids surrounding him getting more and more nervous. Sure all of them seemed to be at least a little nervous, but some of them just looked like their life would end if they didn't get sorted into the house they figured suits them. To be honest the boy himself hadn't even thought about what house he would be in yet, he wasn't one to worry about it. He'd just wait and see. "Farley, Abel!" The words rang through his head and his feet seemed to automatically make their way towards the stool. As he sat down he finally spotted his sister. She kept a straight face, but Abel could see right through it. She was nervous. Why wouldn't she? She was next after all.

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"You belong in...Hufflepuff!"

 

[Aurelia Jameson]

Walking into the Great Hall with the rest of the new first years, Aurelia felt her breath catch in her throat. The floating candles, the sea of faces turned to watch them and the vaulted ceiling (Is that stars in them?) all combined to make one of the most surreal experiences of her young life. In fact, the whole day had been slightly surreal. She had to keep pinching her arm to remind herself that it wasn't a dream, she was actually here.

Lining up in front of the staff table, Aurelia listened as a hat started singing. Taking a couple of deep breaths to try and steady herself, Aurelia glanced around at the students stood nearest. Everyone, or almost everyone, seemed to have the same look of excitement and terror mixed on their faces.

"Jameson, Aurelia."

Aurelia's face snapped forward as the hat called her name. For a moment she stood frozen and then took a hesitant step forward. Before she knew it she was sitting on the stool and the teacher was placing the old hat onto her head. Clasping her hands in her lap to try and stop the shaking from showing, she closed her eyes and tried to remember to breathe. Here we go...

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"Don't worry. I don't bite. Now let's see here. Hmm, you'd do well in Ravenclaw, but you'll do even better in...Hufflepuff!"

 

[Kairi Kelly]

Kairi's mind was blank when she sat on that stool. Every moment from saying goodbye to Angela, to getting on the train, to walking up the steps were gone. Everyone in the room was gone and Kairi felt it was just her and the sorting hat. Though she'd never tell anyone she was nervous. The Asian girl wanted to make her mother figure proud, but she wanted to make her own way in the school. There was so much to discover in the school that if she was concentrating on just that, she might not pass her classes. This was her future for seven years, and as Kairi sat with the hat on her head she thought of how she could turn these into the best seven years of her life - starting with being sorted.

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"Slytherin!"

 

[Margo Ellis]

Eight weeks was a relatively long time. It was not, however, long enough for Margo to process the largest and most extraordinary piece of news she had ever been given: she was a witch.

At first, she hadn't believed the letter. Some twisted hoax, she decided, played on her by a school bully. She had just mentally pinned the blame on Aisling when her grandfather had come bursting into the house, breathless and looking as if he'd just won the lottery. It was he who explained that, long ago, before he had met Grandma, he had raised a son who had also been of magical blood, and thus he was elated to hear that the gene had made itself known again in Margo.

Still she could not quite come to terms with the revelation. If it were true - and she prayed desperately that it was - her life was about to change forever. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sounded a heck of a lot cooler than St John's, but it was also a heck of a lot further away. 11,617 miles further, to be precise. It was odd, her grandfather said, that she was being invited to New Zealand's wizarding school when there was a perfectly good one in Scotland, but then again, they had been seriously considering moving over there anyway, and magic was a clever and often unexplainable thing. Besides, it wasn't as if Margo had anything to leave behind. She would miss her family, no question, but she would see them during the holidays, and letter writing by owl post sounded like brilliant fun.

So off Margo went, escorted to New Zealand by her grandfather, who knew most about the wizarding world and knew the most about its ways. Not everything, mind, and Margo found that for every question he could answer, she had dozens he could not. By the time she boarded the train in Obsidian Harbour and waved her grandfather goodbye, she was nearly too excited to mind that she had no idea where she was going. A very long journey later the train came to a slow, and Margo peered out of the window, hoping to catch her first glimpse of the castle her grandfather had told her of. And there it was, windows bristled with light, turrets and towers twisting majestically toward the night sky. Even in darkness, it was ten times more beautiful than she had imagined.

The children were led up the countryside and to the castle doors by foot. Inside they were herded into a grand hall, the ceiling of which seemed to rise up into infinity. Margo's jaw went slack as she craned to look at it, and at the floating candles, and at the students all dressed in robes and sat at long benches the length of the entire room. And to think that all of this had existed without her even knowing! When an old hat began to sing, she didn't even look particularly surprised. It seemed that just about anything was possible in this place. Her name was called, and on shaky legs she carried herself up to the stool and sat down. She hardly knew anything of the four school houses, and though one or two seemed favourable over the others, she entirely trusted the hat to place her where she belonged. It was magical, wasn't it? It couldn't possibly be wrong.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Evanna Farley]

Evanna's hands were shaking whilst she was standing in front of the giant doors together with the other first years, however she still tried to keep up her confidence act. Keeping a straight face she casually looked around her, taking in the other kids and hoping to spot her brother's face. Unfortunately for her she didn't. To say she had not been excited for this day would be quite the understatement. She had dreaded this day ever since she got her acceptance letter. She had often thought about not going, but that wasn't an option. Besides, her mother had been gleaming with pride when the two letters arrived and she couldn't tell her she didn't want to go. So here she was, just moments away from being sorted.

As soon as the group made its way into the hall Evanna could feel all the eyes being turned towards them and as she looked around she noticed all the others students staring at them, whispering things to each other. Taking a deep breath she lifted her head and tried to control her nerves whilst moving towards the front of the hall. Once the hat had called out for her brother and he had taken his spot on the stool Evanna made eye contact with him. She knew he could see right through her and she needed him to reassure her that she was going to be fine. "Farley, Evanna!" It seemed as if Abel hadn't even hopped of the chair yet or the hat already called out her own name and Evanna took her place on the stool.

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"Hmm...tricky aren't you? Your adventure is just beginning so for you it better be...Slytherin!"