The Sorting Ceremony

[Cole Dragonov]

Cole Dragonov entered the Great Hall with the other first years, much like his mother had years ago. His mother was a prefect, Quidditch captain and everything before she graduated. She lost Head Girl to her twin, Ostensia. Her mother was a bit of a stern one, with ruling the team as so. Cole aspired to be like his parents and not to let them down in any way. He wanted to be the best that he could be. Cole figured that with his name starting with the letter D, he would be one of the first to be sorted. The boy stood quietly with the others, waiting as he heard the houses. His aunts and uncles were all in different houses, with Asa sharing the same as his mother. Cole had a lot of the qualities of each of his family members within him, so he did not know where he would belong. He just hoped that it would be somewhere that he could end up on the Quidditch team without much hassle. That was what he wanted. His name was soon called up. Cole walked to the front and sat down on the stool. He felt the hat on his brown hair, and waited the verdict. The judgment of which qualities he possessed.
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"Slytherin!"

 

[Chante Harvelle-Ateara]

Madlyn prepared her daughter every step of the way. Well mostly every step, Chante had to say her goodbyes at the station. After that, well the rest was up to her. There was no going back once she accepted her invitation to attend Hogwarts. The train finally arrived, and she knew right there and then her first year was to be completed here. The very same school that both her parents attended. Now it was her turn. She join the rest of her housemates, walking in awe at how beautiful the castle looked from the outside. Walking in was better! It's just how her mom describe it, every detail set in place. It's even more compelling in person. Chante took it all in. From the high chandeliers, the painting on the walls and levitating candles. So many lit the way towards the great hall. Where they all gathered by the masses. For once, she was okay, still being tiny. Can you imagine if she were as big as her parents?! Thank goodness she wasn't! Not yet at least.

Chante stood waiting around with everyone. They address the entire great hall, plenty was said and Chante did her best to listen. Then an old dusty hat was placed before them. It sang a song about the houses, mentioning each one by name. A very witty tune, then it was done. Chante could just imagine her mom now, even her grandad up there sitting with the rest of the professors. It made her smile, though she felt sad because she never had the chance to meet him. It was so long ago. Chante pushed the sadness away, her name was called. No time to be frowning. Chante went up and sat down, awaiting her fate. "Wherever you put me, I don't care. Just put me somewhere I can make my parents proud! Deal?" ​

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"Deal. HUFFLEPUFF!"

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis crossed her arms as she watched her new friends getting sorted ahead of her. Some of them were in Gryffindor, others in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. She was smiling as she watched her friends' reactions on the Sorting Hat talking on their heads. Of course, it was not everyday to see a talking hat. For the young Kramer, she has already expected this since she has four brothers who told her stories of their first days.

A few minutes into sorting and she heard the deputy headmistress call her, "Kramer, Alexis Sage." She straightened out her robes and stepped onto the platform. She nodded when she was gestured to sit on the stool and put the hat. Following suit, she sat straight,gave the hat and smile and put it on her blonde head. While waiting, she was contemplating on the values each house embodied. Gryffindor values courage, bravery, nerve, and chivalry. Hufflepuff values hard work, patience, justice, and loyalty. Ravenclaw values intelligence, creativity, learning, and wit. Slytherin house values ambition, cunning, leadership, and resourcefulness. Suddenly, thinking of all this, she had a headache. She has somehow a mix of all those core values. That is according to her parents. So, she has decided to let the Sorting Hat choose what was really the best house for her. And, she, in her part, would do her best to live up to it.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Joshua Toubia]

Joshua followed the rest of his housemates, into the long corridor and eventually the great hall. They weren't kidding when they said great hall. It was enormous, in every sense of the word. He could feel himself sweat, just looking around at these giant walls. Giant walls filled with art and big stain glass painted so exquisite. He felt so outta of his element. Sweat ran down his back, as he scratch the back of his neck. So, so out of place.

Luckily, he wasn't alone. Gracias dios! He could almost hear himself say, something his aunt would muttered in his place if she only knew what it was like to be him right now. Joshua scratch his neck some, then his face. Anymore, he be scratching his way down towards his toes. But, he heard his name echoed throughout the hall, meaning it was his time to get sorted. Joshua stepped up, then sat on the sturdy little stool. He felt the dusty hat flop down his head. Like everyone else, he awaited for his house to be shouted at last.</COLOR> ​

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Edmund Westwick]

If the prospect of a sorting that could potentially separate him from Theodore for seven whole years wasn't panic-inducing enough, doing so in a crowd of what felt like hundreds of other frightened children made it absolute torture. Holding on to Theodore's hand for dear life, Edmund tried to keep his eyes forward and avoid looking around at the throng. Everyone was so noisy, so much, it was impossible to really focus. Only Theodore's hand was keeping him grounded.

The view upon entering the Great Hall was almost enough to snap Edmund out of his panic. The ceiling was beautiful, this castle was gorgeous, what sort of secrets were waiting to be uncovered in a building so grand? The adventure ahead to be had was... something, even with the threat that they may have to have it separately. He squeezed Theodore's hand in fear as the sorting began, realising that their names would fall torturously late in the alphabet. And Edmund would have to go first, to brave the hat alone, and hope Theodore followed him. The pack around them blessedly dwindled, leaving the twins standing only with a mere handful remaining by the time the names reached the W-s.

"Westwick, Edmund!"

Edmund looked over at Theodore for the first time since entering the hall, knowing that at least he wasn't alone in this distress, before reluctantly releasing his hand and making his way over to the hat. The separation anxiety had distracted him until now, but at last Edmund realised just how visible it was up here, how many hundreds of people were all staring at him, waiting to find out what kind of person he was. Horrified at the prospect, Edmund closed his eyes and folded his hands nervously in his lap, awaiting the dreaded verdict.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Theodore Westwick]

Theodore was terrified. He didn't show it on his stony expression, but he was sure his twin could feel his hand shaking in his own. They were holding hands, something they didn't often do anymore but it was a big source of comfort right now. No one had commented on it yet, but if anyone tried he knew they would get back at that person. Together. At least, if they were in the same house. It took a long time for their names to be called, seeing as it started with a 'W'. Then, he finally heard it. 'Westwick Edmund.' He swallowed as his brother's hand slipped out of his and he made his way to the stool. He watched him get sorted and then head to the table with a glance back at Theodore. Then it was his turn, he didn't even have to listen to the name that was called because it was obvious he was next. He made his way to the stool slowly, closing his eyes and hoping more than anything else that he would be with his brother.

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"How curious! You and your brother are two sides of the same galleon. Ravenclaw!"

 

[Patrick Vernier]

Patrick was unsure how he should feel at that moment. Students around him were chatting away quietly as they all entered the great hall for the decision that may change their life. Some had already seemed to make some friends before even stepping foot inside the castle. Patrick stayed at the back of the crowd, not wanting to open his mouth to say anything. The school was quite large and the ceiling of the great hall was enchanted to look like the night sky which Patrick thought was pretty interesting. He could feel his palms sweating and he wiped them nervously on his robes as he followed the large group of people towards the front of the room. Around him sat the many students of Hogwarts sitting in their house groups. Patrick tried to see if he could spot Isabelle but he could not see her and took a deep breath, hoping she was there watching him.

Once everyone was settled, Patrick listened to what the headmistress had to say and could feel his hands shaking by his sides. He clenched them into a fist and took a deep breath as he listened to all of the names being called to go up and get sorted into their houses by an old and dusty hat that had the ability to talk. He had read up on some of the characteristics of the houses and he was very unsure of which house he would suit best and if he would have the ability to belong in Ravenclaw with his sister. Slytherin had seemed by far the worst but his step-cousin was in that house so how bad could it be, really? It took a while before Patrick's name was called but when it was he slowly made his way up the steps and towards the small stool. Upon his way there, he tripped up one of the steps but quickly recovered himself and sat down, cheeks as hot as ever. 'Please... help me get a good house.' he thought nervously in English as the hat was placed on his head, wondering whether or not it could hear him. All he needed to do was trust that the hat knew what it was doing.

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"Of course I know what I'm doing. I've been at this for years. But I'll do better than tell you. I'll show you. You'll thank me for this. Hufflepuff!"

 

[Silas Darlington]

The train ride had been unexceptional really, it was much like home of late with Mercier and Ameko bickering over silly things. Silas felt as if he would spend his life making peace between them and hoped that the next seven years at Hogwarts would be different. His first impression of the castle was awe inspiring, he didn't think words could do it justice and the moment he got to stand in the entrance hall - Silas wanted nothing more than to be directed to the greenhouses and allowed to explore everything there. He had brought all his mothers books with him, all neatly secured in his trunk and he couldn't wait to unpack them and make a home for them here in whatever house he was put into.

The doors were opened and the students bustled in, he glanced at others about him and gave a smile here and a nod there before taking his sisters hands and nervously moving to where all the first years had to go. Names were called out and he saw at last the infamous hat and felt excitement and anxiety battle it out in his chest before finally his own name was called. Slowly he released his siblings hands and moved up to the stool and sat there as it was placed upon his head.
'I have sisters' he whispered to the hat, 'please put us all together, I've never been apart from them before.'

He wasn't sure if that was the thing to do or not and suddenly wished he hadn't whispered anything and muttered an apology to the ancient hat before closing his eyes and waiting for the hat's decree.

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"No need to apologize though I can't make any guarantees that you'll end up in the same place as your sisters. The house that's right for you is Hufflepuff!"

 

[Mercier Darlington]

Mercier felt her brother take hold of her hand and she smiled at him, it was hard to imagine that the three of them would be under an other roof entirely without their father close by. She hadn't considered if they would be separated into different houses really, it had popped into her mind every so often but just as quickly popped out again. She would get through her seven years, do whatever it took to get through it all, learn what she needed then set up her business the way she had always planned. Her brother's name was called and she looked at the now empty hand before glancing at Ameko and then to where her brother sat upon the stool.

She genuinely wouldn't care if she didn't get the same house as Ameko, she could well do without her preaching every second of the day but it would be strange to not be close to Silas. She applauded along with the other students as he moved to his new house and then it was her turn. Mercier moved forward and smiling sat down as the hat was placed upon her heat.
'Do your stuff oh, ancient one' she smiled excitedly, this was the beginning of the rest of her life and she couldn't wait for it to begin.

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"I shall. Gryffindor!"

 

[Cassander Howard]

Cassander strutted into the Great Hall along with everyone else surrounding him, though he paid little attention. He couldn't wait to finally get this overwith. He had almost gone to Ilvermorny but the triplets all attended Hogwarts New Zealand so he was coming here too. He hoped to make a name for himself here and surpass even his older siblings and cousins, it'd only be a matter of time. He wasn't nervous as he listened watched the Sorting Hat place others in their houses beforehim. He puffed his chest with pride when his name was called. Those who mattered, anyone else who was a pureblood, would recognize his name and the long ancestry that came before him and give him the respect that he deserved. Cassander held his head up high as he walked over to the stool and took a seat as he felt the hat being placed on his head.

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"SLYTHERIN!"

 

[Ameko Darlington]

Ameko had already watched her siblings go forward, she glanced at her hand that Silas had only held not so long ago. Already the warmth of him was gone and she wondered if that meant that she wouldn't be in the same house as him. She had said all along that it wouldn't bother her in the slightest to be housed away from the two of them but Silas was different, he needed her or was it that at this stage, she needed him? She didn't know anymore so it probably wouldn't be a bad thing if she did get put somewhere else ... but that wasn't her decision to make.

With thoughts of her broom in her trunk, the thought of her first flying class just around the corner, Ameko had big dreams for herself, for what the school could give her and what she could give back to it. With a resigned air she stepped forward when her name was called and sat upon the stool. Did she greet the hat, did she say hello or thank you when it was done? She wasn't sure so remained still, waiting as patiently as she possibly could for the house that would be her future.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Poppy Appleton]

Poppy was sweating for three reasons. The first one was she was currently standing around a bunch of random kids she had never met before in her life (Her cousin Coral was the exception to that), the second one was she was expected to go in front of the entire school to be sorted into a house, and the third was she was actually at a school for magic. It was quite odd being here, it wasn't a place she could really talk about in the Muggle world. And she was aware that there was some prejudice towards the Muggle Born, which meant her.

"Appleton, Poppy." Her voice was called.

She froze for a second and forced herself to sit down and let the hat decide her fate. She didn't care which house ended up in honestly, she just wanted out of there. 'Why does this have to be done in front of the whole school?!' She thought. 'Can you just put me into a house so I can hide already?'

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"You could do well in Hufflepuff, but no...no, I see it now. Better be Ravenclaw!"

 

[Coral Waterman]

Coral felt like she was going to explode with excitement. The thought of finally making it to Hogwarts after so many years of waiting made her feel so happy. And she got to experience this with her cousin, Poppy! The crowd if students had shrunk down quite a bit, seeing how her surname started with a 'W', but it was still a very exciting time for her. There was a part of her that wanted to be sorted into the same house as Poppy, but she also wanted to go see the other houses, besides, they were very different from each other.

"Waterman, Coral." Her name was called.

It was actually refreshing her name was correctly called. People had called her Carol for some reason on my numerous occasions, but that was okay! They were both nice names after all, and she didn't see any harm done. Coral had to restrain herself from skipping up to the hat, and as she sat down, she could barely contain her excitement. 'I want lots of friends! And I know you can provide the perfect house for me!' She thought.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Mitchell Lowe]

When the doors of the Great Hall opened, Mitchell stood frozen in awe. It was better than he expected it to be, everything was better than he expected it to be. As his new classmates were led forwards to the front of the hall, he snapped out of his daze and continued on following them. Mitch couldn't help to suddenly feel a little uneasy, with so many eyes on him for the first time in his life. A big decision that would affect the rest of his life and it was about to happen. He didn't worry about it too much though, his father had reassured him that whatever house he'd be put it would be the right one for him. Mitchell smiled as he watched the other first year be sorted and clapped his hands when his friend from the Leaky Cauldron got sorted into Gryffindor. When his name was eventually called out, he made his way up to the three-legged stool and turned to sit under the Sorting Hat. ''Well then, this is it, isn't it, Mister Hat? My dad told me that you made the right decision for him, I trust you will do the same in my case.'' he thought while he waited for the hat to speak.

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"A satisfied customer, huh? You'll be another. RAVENCLAW!"

 

[Calypso Furie]

'Finally, out from Gaba's hair and off the shaky train and at last at the magic school that I got to hear so much about. First impression's were not that great, I mean it looked grey dull and non-magical. Not sure what I was expecting but what I saw sure did nothing to set my world on fire. We were dragged kicking and screaming, ok exaggeration much, into the hall - the great hall no less and made to walk up an aisle like performing monkeys while the rest of the school looked on. I don't get nervous, I don't have time for that sort of thing but I did enjoy the attention. I stood there smiling and beaming my wee heart out while the headmistress went on and on about stuff that either went over my head or in one ear and out the other.

A girl I had met on the train whispered that my name was being called and I walked like I was on a catwalk, swishing my robe behind me and giving the hair a flick before sitting down with my best pose and then the hat ... I forgot about the hat. I mean, I have one of those remembrall things coz Gaba says I would forget my head if it wasn't screwed on, but I was so busy looking about me and giving every Sally, Sue and Mary a wave that I clean forgot.

I'll wash my hair afterwards, I told myself when it was placed on top of my flaming tresses and I had to sit there ... I should have brought a nail file with me. So many people looking on and I had to sit there with an old hat on my head, it really didn't do anything for my complexion and that was to decide my fate for the next seven years ... go figure!

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Eva Reed]

---

Eva's name was called by the headmistress of the school. She was dazzled by the lights of candles and mounted wall-lights as she made her way through the thinning crowd of children her age. It was her turn. Something they'd talked about for the entire train journey, something every child had been whispering about in the instance they stepped off onto the platform. Eva was deeply nervous. She had heard that if she was Slytherin, people wouldn't like her. If she was a Gryffindor, everyone would love her. The school seemed to have a deep sense of community focusing on their houses and she hoped that she would be put in one with good people. Eva had barely noticed she'd sat down on the small wooden stool and a strange crooked old hat was being placed onto her head. Her hands folded neatly in her lap as she felt the strange itchy cloth rub at the sides of her head.

---

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"It's your intense desire for information that makes you a RAVENCLAW!"

 

[Sione Kyle]

Sione Tamati was not happy about coming to Hogwarts New Zealand. He begged and begged his family to let him stay on the boat, but no. He offered Stefan instead of him, but somehow that wouldn't work since they were not twins. Sione was doomed to be on the land. Camelia and Cristian both reassured Sione that he would do fine, and that there was a lake for him to enjoy. It wasn't really enough to take the bad taste out of his mouth. He was here though, with the other kids. He looked to Hufflepuff to see his brother, and then to Gryffindor to see Camelia and eventually, her husband to be. Sione hated him with a passion. Mainly, he thought that Octavian was not good enough for his sister. No one really was. Sione heard his name and dragged his feet to the podium before sitting down, and feeling the old hat on his head. His only thought repeated over and over, because it told everything: 'I want to go home.' He felt that he would do much better just being home-schooled. Sione clasped his hands together, gritted his teeth, and finally accepted his fate. He would be a Hogwarts New Zealand student, whether he wanted to or not.
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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Jocelynn Moors]

Jocelynn had never seen a building quite as impressive as the Hogwarts Castle. She wished she was allowed to walk around with her camera and take photos, but as it was she was being pushed along by other students in her year as they moved forward to the Great Hall. Her parents had told her about the sorting ceremony, they went through the process years ago when they went to Hogwarts Scotland. Jocelynn wasn't nervous about the house she was going to get into, she pushed her way towards the front of the crowd and listened to the Professor's speech. This woman was the Headmistress, and she was fierce-some to behold. Blonde hair in waves off her head and tall. Looking around at the other Professors Jocelynn noted a good mix of male and female, all varieties. She was used to adventures, going on hiking trips as a family and exploring all she could. However, this was the first adventure she was going on by herself and she was excited! Waiting for her name to be called was pure agony, her belly mumbled and groaned as she wanted to eat all the delicious food promised to her. Bouncing on her feet, Jocelynn watched a lot of of other students getting sorted and wondered when her name was going to be called.

So far New Zealand didn't seem too different than home in Australia. Of course, she was used to hearing all the comments making fun of the Kiwi-land. She was sure people native to here said similar things about Australians. She also got to hear the New Zealand accent for the firs time ever, as her mother and her flew over on a muggle plane. It was a lot different than she thought it would be since she had heard a lot of people got the accents messed up. To her it was quite clear there was a difference between them. Moving on from those thoughts Jocelynn looked at all the students around her. She saw quite the mix of hair colors and skin colors. It was different for her. She was used to see people fairly similar to her, mostly blondes and brown haired people, as that was what her family was.

"Jocelynn Moors!"

Pulled from her thoughts Jocelynn looked up towards the Headmistress and the Sorting Hat. That was her name, what did she need to do now? Glancing around she saw no movement and realized it was herself who needed to go up to the hat. "Hello Mr. Hat. And it's pronounced like Moore, not Moore-s, in case you didn't know, but maybe you do know, do you know?" Jocelynn said approaching the hat, it was lifted up and she sat down on it's bench and felt the weight of the hat on her head. She was sure it looked rather large on her small head. You're kind of heavy, Mr. Hat. Jocelynn looked around at everyone staring at her and waved, waiting for the hat to declare her into a house. Which house that would be, she had no clue.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Odessa Hopper]

A mess of red waves lead the way through the crowd as her name was called. Odessa scanned the room as she walked forward, taking it all in as she wondered where she would be placed for the next seven years. It was a huge responsibility and was glad not to be making this choice herself - even if she had a hard time understanding how an accessory could make that choice instead. Still the girl knew that it must have such special magic to talk freely so as she sat down on the stool she wondered what would become of her.

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"Ravenclaw!"

 

[Simon Vanity]

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Simon had spent all of the train ride pretty surprised, he'd met a boy whom he'd known from where he'd lived. He hadn't known the boy to be a wizard and the same had been in reverse. The young boy was surprised, but happily so. It only helped this building enjoyment towards the sorting itself. There was no way to win at sorting of course but he was of course going to enjoy the moment in the centre of attention, where he could show himself to be ready to tackle and win in this school. Simon was ready to learn, he was ready to put his brain to whatever he need to do to win. He wanted to do well. He needed to do well, it didn't matter what in, he wanted to be good at magic, he needed to be the best. Simon was stood with the rest, he was stood tall, lingering around his friend and staring forward through the crowd, he noted Patrick stood near the back and tried to get his attention with a little wave, encouraging the other boy to come join them. He wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by the few friends he had in this new school, they would help him in his destination towards victory, be people he could talk to, spend time with. Plus, it helped that he liked both boys, certainly, there was nothing more that he wanted than to spend time with people he liked. However, before he could inform Nixon that he was going to grab patrick to come stand with them, the mass of students were led into the great hall. Simon held his head high as he walked into the great hall. He kept his gaze focused with a look of determination on his face. He knew his name would come fairly late but he was still so ready for this. He was barely containing the excitement and desire to be the best.



The headmistress began, which lead to a hat leading a song, and though it was interesting, Simon was getting just a little impatient. He wanted to be sorted, he didn't particularly want to be with his sister in Ravenclaw but it would allow him to win and be better than her, and that was at least something. The part-veela was certainly glad when the song ended. He with the rest of the students, clapped loudly, but he was just eager to get started. Simon listened to the first names called, and he watched with interest as the students were sorted. He applauded equally for all, seeing no sense in clapping for any of them more than the rest, he didn't know many of them and he wasn't sure he wanted to clap loudly for anyone other than himself and he couldn't exactly do that. Simon watched as Nixon got sorted, and was mostly just glad it was heading towards his name, towards the end of the alphabet. He was listening hard, not wanting to miss his chance and then at long last it came! His name was called out loud and clear like all the ones before it. Simon drew himself up further, straightening up his shirt and walking confidently up to the stool. He held his head high, clear confidence played on his features. He was smiling at ease with this situation. He looked proudly out at the other students, enjoying the moment when they were all looking towards him, they hadn't seen anything yet. As soon as the classes started he would show them all how good he was at everything, how good he was at magic. All he needed was to be sorted. As the hat was placed upon his head, the only thought in his mind was, I'm ready.​

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"Good. So am I. <SIZE size="100">Ravenclaw!"

 

[Kendji Morgade]

A while ago Kendji was in New Zealand Express, trying to piece together just how his life had gotten so expectantly turned on his head. From the mysterious letter, to the most peculiar shopping he had ever gone in his life.

The boy was for bigger surprises when he arrived at the magic school. He couldn't believe that this gigantic castle was going to be his home for the rest of his student years and that he was going to practice magic with that piece of stick he had bought along with the other strange objects and books in his school list.

Kendji stood there, looking rather gobsmacked at everything within this vast hall he and the other first years were taken. Thanks to the two first years he spent his trip to Hogwarts, he had learned a few things about the ceremony that was going to take place. It was hard to keep his focus on one thing while lit candles were hovering in the air around him and a starry sky was flying over his head on the ceiling. However, the old hat on the stool earned his attention for a longer time as the boy tried to make some sense out of the its weird song and attempted to figure out how it could possibly move and speak through that seam line.

There was a pause afterwards and Kendji was standing still among the group of students with his curious eyes dancing to every corner of that wondrous room. From what he had made out, this fella of fabric and irregular patches was going to decide in which house he was going to be placed. Kendji had little knowledge of what they represented. He only had heard of their strange names he didn't memorized so far but he could distinguish them from their mascots. Still he was uncertain of how this decision was going to be taken.

The first student name was called and Kendji stood on his toes to have a better look over the other first years' heads. The summoned girl went for the stool and had a seat. The professor or whoever was the adult standing beside, placed the hat on the first year's head and suddenly it seemed like everyone in the hall were holding their breaths. Startled he blinked when the talking hat suddenly shouted one of the houses. The hall exploded in a deafening round of applause and he joined them as well, not sure if the girl was indeed sorted in a worthy house or not. The girl hopped off the stool relieved and went for the table of her new house.

Even though the whole process was completely clear to him after the next couple of students were also sorted, the muggle-born boy was still a bit nervous of the moment he was going to sit on that stool as well. He kept reminding himself it was just a hat and it wasn't expecting him to perform anything extraordinary. The truth was he couldn't perform anything extraordinary. He still wasn't sure how exactly he made his new wand spit those sparks at Ollivanders a few days ago. He could just perform that trick with the coin but he doubted whether it was considered magic or not here. What the talking hat was doing seemed like mind reading to him and Kendji was not excited to have his mind read.

"Morgade Kendji!" The adult's voice announced.

Everything went quiet. The boy could only hear his heart pounding wildly in his ears. He was now impatient to find out where he belonged. When he sat down on that stool, the hat was placed on his head and a soft, musty scent of old cloth reached his nostrils. The fact that many pairs of eyes were fixed on him were making him a bit uncomfortable but he cast away that the thought and waited for the hat's decision.

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"Gryffindor!"

 

[Aimee Marshall]

It didn't take too long before the witch called out her name, though she hadn't known it at first because she wasn't paying much attention to what was happening in front of her. Aimee smiled nervously at the witch as she made her way up to the three-legged stool and glanced up at the hat that was about to be placed onto her head. It was a rather old looking hat which made her wonder how many of these ceremony's it had been used for, a question that was still in her head whilst the hat was put on her head by the old witch. All that she could do for now was wait for the verdict and hope that she would be put somewhere she'd fit in perfectly.

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"I've sorted hundreds upon hundreds of students just like you. Now let's see where you need to be. Well, well, well. It looks like you'll do well in the house of my original owner. GRYFFINDOR!"

 

[Lucinda Sylvester]

Lucinda's eyes roamed the giant hall furiously, trying to take in every aspect of the magical atmosphere that she could. Particularly transfixed by the hundreds of floating candles she could see, she paid almost no attention to the people surrounding her or the strange test that seemed to be taking place. Although Lucinda had initially been captivated by the singing hat (hats did not sing in the world she had come from, and this was clearly a proper witch's hat too), she had soon grown tired of the tedious calling of names and strange words. If they weren't to be placed according to certain branches of magic to be learned, Lucinda had no care about what strange word might be shouted for herself. In fact, she was paying so little attention to the process that she didn't even hear her name as it was called the first time. Growing aware of a sudden hush that fallen, Lucinda looked around to find the cause of it with everyone else - only realising it was herself when she once again heard her name being called. Unbothered by the fact that everyone was now looking at her, Lucinda walked slowly up to the stool as indicated and sat down, happily smoothing her hands over the new robes that she had already decided she vastly preferred to her old clothes. Now if only she had a hat like the one that was being placed on her head, then she'd really feel like a proper witch.

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"You'd do well in Ravenclaw, no doubt. You're certainly smart enough. But, your ambition for power and your confidence make you better suited for Slytherin!"

 

[Stella Wright]

Stella stood in the Great Hall in the huddle of other first years, staring up at the ceiling. She had read that it displayed the actual night sky; how awesome was that? How marvellous to be able to stargaze from inside, whenever you wanted! Stella was very glad that there were no clouds tonight, that she got to see the stars for this special day. Also, they were a wonderful distraction from this long, boring ceremony. Stella picked out constellations and wondered about Hogwarts. She was excited to attend, of course, to learn all that she could. but there was a niggling doubt in the back of her mind. Her father had said that Hogwarts only taught magic, and nothing else. No English, no maths . . . no science. She hated the thought of not being able to take science classes. But surely he must be wrong. he'd been to Hogwarts Scotland, not Hogwarts New Zealand, and years ago. Even if it had been like that, surely things must have changed. It made no sense not to teach basic life skills alongside magic. That would be ridiculous.

Stella actually jumped when her name was called, and sheepishly stopped staring at the ceiling. Now, all of a sudden, she was intensely nervous. She walked with as much confidence as she could muster to sit on the stool and have the hat placed on her head. A hat that could read minds - and from the song it had delivered, seemed to be sentient - how extraordinary. She wondered how the enchantment worked. That was probably terribly rude; Stella mentally apologised to the hat. Gosh, her thoughts must be a mess, all spinning round in anxious excitement.

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"I know how to find the important thoughts. Like this one. You're easy to place. You've got the mind of a RAVENCLAW!"

 

[Gabriella Tillington]

Gabriella had given up the struggle against nail-biting somewhere between the train and the hall they now found themselves in. She was twisting her hands anxiously now, the raw edges of her nails scratching against her hand. She saw the girls she had been in the compartment with also waiting, the annoying blonde one called Frankie and the smaller girl called Eve. She wished the entire school wasn't here to watch this. The pressure was getting to her and she had to close her eyes for a moment. She listened to the names being called, students being sorted, dreading her own name being called.

There it was, 'Tillington'. She took a deep breath and took a step forward before she heard the second part: 'Franscesca'. Her eyes flew open and she froze in place. Franscesca Tillington? Her sister? HERE? She knew her sister was close to her in age, but as she knew the girl lived in America with their mother she hadn't expected her to be here at Hogwarts in New Zealand of all places. She stared in muted shock as a girl from the train, the annoying loud blonde she had argued with took her place on the seat. Frankie. Fransesca. Of course.

She watched her be sorted into Gryffindor and head to her seat, but she was barely processing it at this point. Her own name was called and she walked to the stool automatically, not even worried about the house she would be put in anymore. Her mind was racing, distracted by other thoughts now, as the hat descended onto her head.

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"Are you sure? Alright, if you insist...Hufflepuff!"