The Sorting Ceremony

[Bada Yeong]

Bada Yeong was excited to step into the Great Hall, standing outside near some of the other girls that were going to be in her grade she kept biting her lip waiting for the moment she'd be allowed to go into the Great Hall. Cullen had said it was a very nice place, though he wasn't one for giving great descriptions she could tell from his few words that it was pretty. Once the doors flew open she pushed her way to be towards the front of the group. Knowing there were four houses she wanted to be sorted as soon as she could be, which she thought would happen if she was at the front of the group. After hearing names being called out that were not her own she realized that it was different from what she thought and then decided to glance around at the hall. Everything here seemed to be so warm, despite the cold white exterior of the castle. The candles gave off a friendly open feeling and the tables long provided a sense of a family gathering for meal time.
"Yeong, Bada."
That was her name. She hadn't been paying attention and had thought to herself it was surprising they would be calling names out in the Korean fashion. Unless they knew that was how she would prefer her name to be called. She made her way through the remaining students to the stage area. She had a slightly nervous smile on her face wondering with anticipation what was going to happen next. The hat was placed on her head, and immediately fell down her face as she was rather small. She waited for the hat to speak to her as she had been told by another student it would.

"Hufflepuff!"

 

[Professor Selene Le Fey]

The large oak doors creaked open to reveal the great hall. Selene looked around as she, along with the other first years filtered in and made her way to the front. She had read about the place during her long nights awake but nothing in her imagination could prepare her for the sight of the actual hall, it was larger than she expected, the ceiling was higher, the stars more realistic, and there were far more people than she had expected. She was relieved that she was walking down with her sister. "wow" she breathed looking around. she looked at her sister and saw a similar expression plastered on her face as to what she felt. she was glad to have heliana with her to share this experience with her. she tried to imagine what the other students would be thinking experiencing this on their own.
They reached the front of the hall and they could see the sorting hat on his stool. the headmistress stood and introduced the ceremony and what to do when your name was called, and then attention turned to the sorting hat. she knew how improtant an wise the hat was but she had a sudden thought to if someone was looking in from the outside, be it as a muggleborn firstyear, or some outside observer she realised how odd it would look, everyone in the hall waiting for a, in helianas words, shabbby, hat to do something.
the song was good, introducing the houses and giving a bit of information about them. Selene didn't need information about the houses. she knew where she wanted to be. Ravenclaw. like her mum. though she wouldn't be too disappointed if she was elsewhere she couldn't see herself in any house except the blue one. Heliana was harder to place, she knew they probably wouldn't be in the same house which would be a shame. Heliana wasn't aiming for an particular house though selene could see her sister in red robes. it would be weird not being her her sister. they had never spent a night apart and had always shared a room. Selene needed heli. her the knowledge of her presence was something that was always there like a warm hug. she took her sisters hand and gave it a squeeze not letting it go afterwards. "Good luck" she whispered.
Being Le Fey's meant that they were somewhere in the middle of the group. as the list moved on slowly and soon "Le Fey, Heliana" selene watched as her sister made her way up too the stool and had the hat placed on her head. She smiled when she heard the house and clapped as her sister went to join her new table. there would be no prizes for guessing what name would be next. "Le Fey, Selene came the headmistresses voice. Selene made her way up to the stage and sat down. she was hardly breathing she was so nervous. she closed her eyes as the hat was placed over her head "thank you for putting my sister in her house. now please don't put me with her. as much as I would love to be with herald depend on having her around she needs to have the chance to experience school in her own way and she won't be able to do that with me hanging on to her" she thought. she remembered hearing that the house listened to your thoughts "and if you would be very kind Mr Sorting hat sir I would love to follow my mum and be a Ravenclaw" she thought waiting for the hat to make his decision.

"You'd do well in Gryffindor, you know. But if you're sure... Ravenclaw!"

 

[Kace Corelli]

Kace was ready, ready to be sorted and join the house in which he belonged. Since moving to New Zealand and getting the letter from Hogwarts, his emotions been all over the place. Moving was hard, but knowing that his friend Wendy was around, Kace welcomed the adjustments. His dad couldn't believe how quick and easy Kace welcomed the change. Although, he suspect the letter from Hogwarts may have made it ten times better for Kace, he thought it was like a dream come true. Ever since he heard about Hogwarts from his dad and Wendy, Kace was more than ready to attend. He was ready to mixed his magic with the thing he loved best, which was dancing. Which is how he met Wendy too. Both attended a dance studio back in New York City. They've been going there for years. But, then she moved and ironically he moved to the same country as well. Coincidence? It was funny how that worked out, and now he was here. Free to be opened about magic in front of Wendy, and learn to harness and control his own magic. It was going to be quite a journey for the boy. Kace followed in with the crowd and waited, bouncing on his heels until he was called by the elegant looking woman up front, shouting out his name. "Corelli, Kace!" Kace jumped up, waving his hands. "Yeah, that's me,"the boy grinned ear to ear. He stepped up to the stool and sat down like the other students who have done before him. Kace waited, a cool expression washing over his face as he did. Finally, he heard the old hat shout out to which house he belonged to.

"Gryffindor!"

Kace grinned, hopping off the stool. He had predicted he would end up in that house and he was right! Unlike Wendy and his cousin Danielle, who both ended up in Hufflepuff, Kace just screamed lion cub. Kace joined the house, in which they greeted him with clapping and cheers. Kace would have to write to his cousin and tell her of the news. Danielle, a professional quidditch player may spare some time in celebrating the good news with him. It was a good start of his beginning year at Hogwarts.

 

[Blake van Houten]

Blake wasn't really interested in the 'school' part of going to a new school, but the 'new' part had a lot of potential. Nobody here knew anything about him yet, and while it had sucked to say goodbye to all his old friends, Blake was ready for the challenge of building a new reputation in a new place. It wouldn't be long before everyone knew his name. He sized up the kids around him while he waited impatiently for this boring ceremony to begin, wondering who would be his best friends in this place. He already ruled out a few possibilities who looked boring or like they wouldn't be able to keep up with him, but hopefully it wouldn't be long before he had his own squad of friends, just like at home. It was hard to believe how many older students there were sitting at the tables. Blake didn't think he had seen this many people all together for anything but rugby matches. School here was going to be a lot of fun.

Once the names began being read out, Blake quickly lost interest, thinking about what he had seen of the castle so far. The lake was awesome, and the staircases definitely looked like they'd be a lot of fun to mess around on. This place had tons of potential, for sure. He'd be able to think up some awesome stunts to do, no doubt about it. Blake was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of his own name, looking over at the Headmistress excitedly. His turn! Whichever house Blake wound up in, he was gonna make it the best house of the bunch, no questions about that. Hurrying over to the Headmistress, Blake took his seat, grinning confidently as the hat slipped over his eyes. 'I'm gonna go where the winners go.' He thought to himself.

"Slytherin!"

 

[Tyler Lee]

Tyler hadn't been sure what to expect from Hogwarts, but it didn't entirely surprise him either. It was a bit strange to go to school in a literal castle, but it was also kind of cool. He did thing it could have been nice if it had been upgraded a little bit over the past few centuries, but he wasn't going to complain about it. Not out loud, anyway. He had considered trying to find some people to befriend on the train ride, but it had felt a little early. He didn't know enough about his classmates yet to figure out who to align himself with, and he had never been bad at entertaining himself. He had read through some of his course books for the year, so he could at least appear to professors to have an interest in learning their subjects. He knew making a good impression on teachers was an important part of school life, at least in his experience. When he had been done with that, he had simply read a novel until the train had arrived at Hogwarts.

He kept his hands behind his back as he walked into the great hall with his fellow first years, glancing around at the other kids. There were a lot of them, and he was glad they would be sorted in four different houses. At least he would only be sharing living spaces with a few of them, which would make it easier to establish himself in some small way. The sorting hat's song wasn't great, but he had the feeling it would be stuck in his head for a while. He sighed softly and waited for his name to be called, glad not to be too far in the back of the alphabet. When it was called, he stepped forward calmly and took a seat. He didn't really have a preference for a house, but he hoped it would be a place where he could both fit in and thrive.

"Your calculating nature will serve you best in...Slytherin!"

 

[Theodore Snow II]

Theodore Snow II followed the peers into the Great Hall, a yawn stretching over his pale features. He wanted to get this done and over with. Sorting seemed to be a long process, especially since his surname started with an S. He listened as some of his cousins were sorted, and soon enough, it was his turn, before his sister. It was funny since she was older than him by a couple of minutes, which would be what it took to get sorted himself. He wanted to be in Slytherin like his parents and older brother, since he thought that the color green went with his skin better. He walked up to the podium and sat down, with the hat sitting on his head. He hoped that none of the kids beforehand did not have head lice...

"Slytherin!"

 

[Deepa Pillai]

Deepa had seen plenty of magic, but none of it quite as mesmerising as the enchantments in the great hall. She shivered as she followed the crowd down the vast room, wondering how the students at the tables could look quite so at ease - as if the castle was homely, and not enormous and cold and probably dark in a lot of places. It was certainly nothing like home to Deepa. What if she didn't like it here? Would they let her go home? She gave herself a mental shake. She'd only been here five minutes - she had to get a grip! After a short speech from the Headmistress, the sorting ceremony began. Deepa glanced around at the tables behind her. She'd heard a bit about each house already, and come to some quick conclusions that didn't cast any of them in a particularly favourable light. As long as wasn't put in Slytherin, Deepa supposed she would be fine wherever she went. She wasn't going to conform depending on the colour of her robes. It wasn't a big deal.

And yet her stomach swarmed with butterflies. Standing tall (a trick she'd learned made her feel more confident when she was nervous), she waited patiently for her turn to be sorted. By the time it came, she could hear her heartbeat drumming in her ears. She looked ahead as the hat was placed on her head, breathing evenly. The hat probably knew best. It was magical, wasn't it? It wouldn't put her in a house that wasn't right for her.

"Ooh, you're easy to place. Better be...Gryffindor!"

 

[Etienne de Villiers]

Still, after everything, Etienne was struggling with the idea that magic was all real. Sure, he had been convinced something else was going on after some, apparently, accidental magic from when he was younger, but the blonde had never thought for a second that it was actually all real. His brain was struggling to comprehend it all, even as he stood there in this large hall, a wand in his pocket, robes which were slightly too big for him hanging off his thin form and magic all around him. The whole thing almost felt like a bit of a dream, but he was snapped back to reality when the sorting started, names started to be called out and one by one the rest of the first years started to step up towards the strange hat and were sorted. By the hat. Now that almost made him laugh.

"de Villiers, Etienne!" He blinked with surprise before a grin sprouted on his face, eagerly pushing his way through the first years around him to get towards the stool and this magic hat that was going to sort him. "Hiya there, mister hat," he greeted cheerily as the cloth was placed over his head, "Can you actually understand me? How do you decide where to sort people? Is it just random or something? Does magic make you talk and stuff?" Maybe that was too many questions, but he was really rather curious about all of this. "Sorry," he added after a moment in a quieter voice, "Am I distracting you? I'll shut up now."

"I'm a magical hat, so of course it's magic that makes me determine just where to sort you. The four founders of the original Hogwarts each enchanted me to know just when a student needs to be in their house. There's Gryffindor and Slytherin and Hufflepuff and the house you belong in...RAVENCLAW!"

 

[Seren Dipity]

Hidden amongst the mountains was a magnificent castle with tall turrants and twinkling windows. It was was more than Seren had imagined and better than anyone could have described. She marveled at her first view of Hogwarts as small boats magically propelled them to the shore.

The mind boggling magic continued to the Great Hall where hundreds of candles bobbed above their heads, then above those candles you could see the night sky. "Wow, that's beautiful!" Whispered Seren in a noisy room so nobody heard.

She walked the final steps, stopping at the base of the raised platform were the Sorting Hat was placed on top of a wooden stool. The hall fell silent for speeches and the hats song, it was clearly a respected tradition and Seren was excited to be part of it for the first time. She wanted to try on the Sorting Hat and find out once and for all where she belonged.

"Dipity, Seren"

It happened sooner than she thought. Stepping forward, Seren perched her bum on the stool and waited for the announcement to follow.

"Gryffindor!"

 

[Heliana Le Fey]

The heavy double doors creaked open and the first years entered in a vast hall, showered by golden light. Lena had talked so many times about the iconic Great Hall of Hogwarts but witnessing with your own eyes the hundred floating candles and the enchanted ceiling, was an inexpressible experience that words were doing no justice. She was part of the jaw-dropped first year students that were looking overhead the night sky that was replacing the ceiling, as they were guided at the other side of the room where the school’s staff table was located. Heliana wasn’t surprised to see the old hat on the stool. Lena had shared every single detail of the sorting ceremony and Heliana was ready for it. She eyed her twin next to her, slightly feeling her tension as they stopped before the sorting hat and a member of the school staff made an introduction.

Heliana thought that she might have underestimated the sorting hat when it started singing. She used to call it shabby hat with her sister right away coming to its defense to state that there was more that met the eye. She had to agree that it could rhyme pretty well and it had certainly great telepathic powers for knowing what was deep in every student’s mind that was placing to a house.

The sorting ceremony began and students were summoned to have a seat on the stool. Sometimes the hat was announcing the house just by touching the top of the first year’s head, others it was taking more time for its decision. Heliana couldn’t help but wonder what exactly the hat could see to make the decision. She pondered whether it could flashback to certain life events of its bearer and see their reactions and choices that could reflect the qualities of the four houses. This intriguing thought dissolved violently when her name echoed across the Great Hall that went silent.

She didn’t flinch a bit and with determination in her pace, she left the security of the group to reach the stool. The hat felt too big for her head, it almost obscured her view of the Great Hall. She glanced at her sister that was standing at the front of the waiting first years. She was next to be summoned.

“Mr. Hat I’m sorry for calling you shabby in the past. I should never judge a hat by its patches.” She admitted a bit embarrassed, hoping that it won’t hold a grudge for her bluntness. “I don’t mind ending up in any of the four houses but please, place my sister in Ravenclaw. I swear, she is the cleverest person I know and she will do justice to the ravens.” She repeated in her head, believing that the hat could hear her thoughts.

“Oh, also, she was the one who defended you every time I called you shabby and said you are wise.” She added to her thoughts before the hat’s announcement.

"Let's figure you out first. Ooh, I see. Your sense of justice makes you best suited for Hufflepuff!"

 

[Hylas Agiades]

The boy squeezed through his fellow first years to reach the front line as the doors of the Great Hall opened wide for them to enter. Ever since his journey began on board of the steam engine, he was trying to absorb everything he was witnessing in his mind in order to record them later in his journal. For most of his peers around him, this was the first day at school but for him was the beginning of a seven years long adventure. An adventure that he was impatient to live it to its fullest.

He didn’t know where to lay his eyes on. “Wow” He murmured, gazing up at the enchanting ceiling. He needed this for his bedroom back at home. He was definitely going to ask his father when he was back for holidays. He was left wondering how much skillful must have been the wizard or the witch that had cast the hovering or levitating charm on so many candles simultaneously. He stopped unconsciously with the rest of the group when they reached in front of a stool with a hat on it. He noticed it only when it started singing its rhymes.

He had read somewhere that New Zealand Hogwarts branch had adopted the same sorting methodology as the original one in Scotland. The boy had expected a more complex procedure for their sorting but it seemed they would just have to wait their names called for the Sorting Hat to be placed at the top of their heads. It wasn’t long for his name to be called as his surname was starting with the first letter of the alphabet.

“Agiadis, Hylas”

Nervous within reason, he took the steps that brought him to the stool. He sat on it, taking a deep breath as the hat was placed on his head. He started fidgeting immediately, bouncing his right leg repeatedly as he thought that the hat could possibly see clearly all of his schemes of late-night wanderings around the castle. Subsequently, he thought of the forbidden forest as a possible destination unintentionally and feared that the hat was going to give his intentions away before everyone in the Great Hall.

"Gryffindor!

 

[Sabrina Mackintosh]

There had been a not in Sabrina's stomach ever since the train left the station but it wasn't nerves the girl felt as she began the journey to her new school, it was excitement. Hogwarts presented new and exciting opportunities for Sabrina but none more enticing than causing trouble for her sister. Sabrina didn't enjoy the friendliest of relationships with her older sibling but making her life difficult was one of her favourite past times and being at school with her would allow her to do so more often. It was an exciting prospect.

Sabrina put thoughts of her sister to one side once she arrived at the school and followed along with her fellow first years to the Great hall where they entered for the sorting ceremony. Sabrina waited in the crowd as students went up to be sorted by the hat until it was her turn. The blonde looked around to see if she could catch her sisters eye but she couldn't. At least not before the hat was placed on her head.

"Slytherin!"

 

[Hilda Bjork]

Hilda was very excited about going to magical school, both of her parents had told her quite a bit about it and she was eager, having been born and raised in New Zealand, the girl was most happy that she would barely need to leave home for it. She’d grown up in the countryside of New Zealand, on the edges of a forest that her great grandfather had laid down himself. A whole variety of woods largely used for either wands or the occasional ruins. But her time out there was at an end, she had school to go to and things that absolutely needed done. The girl was so eager and excited to get started, to meet other kids, to meet ghosts, to meet the variety of creatures she had learned and interacted with at her home. The girl applauded loudly for the sorting hat’s song and allowed herself to be really swept up in the whole atmosphere of the place, she was looking forward to learning and crafting things and just overall having a great time. The girl would of course have a great time. Hilda smiled to herself when her name was called. She confidently walked forward and took a seat. Her head was filled with all the magical things that she might see and interact with during her time at this school, and she knew she was more than eager to just get started on it. This school year would be amazing. Hilda could just feel it. Now, all the sorting hat had to do was sort her and she’d be golden!​

"You march to the beat of your own drum...Hufflepuff!"

 

[Ampersand Ambrosie]

The magic within the walls of Hogwarts New Zealand reminded Ampersand so much of her father's dress shop that homesickness quickly overtook the brunette. Her stomach churned as she let her hazel orbs become lost in the sea of unknown faces, and a sudden need to cling to someone she didn't know almost overpowered the pre-teen. Wrapping cloaked arms around her body she held herself tightly in a small, nervous hug. Underneath her robes was the plain school uniform, the only thing setting her apart was the enchanted necklace she wore around her heart which mimicked the heartbeat of her youngest sister - four - whom had the matching necklace as she had said she would miss her Ammy dearly.

Taking in a deep breath, Percy settled among the crowd of nervous hopefuls, glancing from table to table to spot the differences in students. People came from all over the world to attend and work within these walls, and now Ampersand was going to be among their ranks. She knew as the first in a long line of siblings she would set the example for the Ambrosie name, and the pressure the young woman felt was immense for a second, only to be snapped away once her name was called. She cursed in french being at the near top of the list - and made her way up to the stool. Legs shaking like that of a new born giraffe, the girl sat on the wobbling, old stool, hoping no splinters caught her skirt. As much as she knew she could mend it, she did not want to have to do so so soon.

Once encapsulated by the old, musty hat, Percy crinkled her nose slightly, thoughts in french as it was the easiest way for her to think. "This hat smells quite odd, as if it was tossed in a closet all year. Is that what they do with magical items? Was it steam pressed or would that hurt?" Her thoughts wound slowly in her head, waiting for a verdict that would start the first day of the rest of her life.

I'm too important to be thrown in a closet. I have important work to do! You're fear of failure and strong ambitions make you a Slytherin!"

 

[Violet Fields]

Entering the great hall was like stepping into another dimension or being born into much wealth that one would live in a castle this grand. Vi went with dimension or the royal family’s home. She saw it once or maybe twice when visiting the UK. She always wonder what it looked like in the queen’s home, now it felt like she was gliding on pure gold and finding that answer out for herself. It was overwhelming and hyped for a reason. She thought her mother was a little too imaginative when she spoke about Hogwarts. She thought Lila went a little too wild when she mentioned Ilvermorny. It was just like they described it, Vi imagined Ilvermorny was no different. Maybe? As impressive as this castle was, Vi can’t help but feel small among the crowd of first years, older students and staff. Every step she took was barely audible, only when she walked with the group did the floor beneath her made some noise. And her school uniform, they were stuffy. And the robes were long, she wasn’t interested in wearing her school robes at all. How does one feel small and suffocated at the same time? It couldn’t be either one, it had to be both. Vi tug at her shirt, she missed her feather light sweaters and running. She missed running. Vi wish to run now until her name was called. The headmistress was calling names one by one, the agony. The wait. Vi sighed, and position herself to stand up straight and tell herself over again, it won’t be long, it won’t be long. "Fields, Violet!" Whoa, deja vu. Vi almost certain this is what Peeta from the hunger games series felt when his name was called. Just the way she called out her name, it kind of freaked Vi out. But she didn’t let any of that show as she stepped up to the stool. This wasn’t the hunger games and this was no capital, but she imagined it. It was a weird deja vu, it was a strange connection to make. Vi thanked Merlin no one can read her mind. Vi sighed and tried to relax. The hat fell and her lashes fluttered shut. Vi waited.

"Slytherin!"

 

[Malia de la Rosa]

This is nothing Malia consciously told to her brain. This is not worst than coming to visit to my tribal land, that was much worst. "Is it me or this is not the worst feeling when we visited our grandparents back home?" She asked her twin sister, McKenzie, who was busy looking at the other girls clothes. Malia rolled her eyes. She was definitely nervous, but she doesn't know why. It must be just the gitters. Minutes past and they were lined up and was walking down an aisle. Students looked at them like they were new meat on the market.

Back in the Philippines, they were just normal people. Who didn't speak of their true nature to the outsiders. Only their tribe knows who and what they are to them. Their whole clan are consist of Shamans from different area of study like Seer, Healing, Divination and Sorcery. For Malia and McKenzie, being surrounded by other people who has the same talent as they have will be a good measure of getting used to it. As the group stopped, the sorting begins. Malia was tapping her foot as one by one, new students get sorted and when it was her turn, her heart started to pound fast.

"De la Rosa, Malia!" Called the Headmistress to her. The announcement of her name made everyone in the hall silent. She came up in front and sat on the stool. The young girl held tight over the ledge of the stool and forced herself not to puke with all the audience she has. The twins were mainly sent at Hogwarts New Zealand for a proper training because old ways dies, that's what her mum said. But she argued that it wasn't, an eleven year old arguing what is right but in the end she lost. Malia was going to prove that ancient ways still lingers. Groups are not my thing, I belong were I can fight for what is being erased from this world and that's by being alone. But obviously I'm not the kind of person who doesn't follow rules and this is why I wait for your decision. Although, Malia hoped she didn't just anger the sorting hat with her comment which was made in her head.

"Maybe you think groups aren't your thing because you haven't found the right group. Hufflepuff!"

 

[McKenzie de la Rosa]

"Oh, hush! Malia, stop your whining. We all know you got this all acted up. I didn't want to go but you pushed it." McKenzie stopped her ogling eyes. She was looking at the other girls uniforms that was pristine new. They have new uniforms too but she liked to think which designer they went to buy their cloaks and other stuff. Her perfect twin was beyond, and she wasn't jealous too. Them being here was Malia's fault. She anger their mum who was considering McKenzie's offer that she will rather be taught by the tribe elders - grandparents - than be sent away from home and be taught by strangers. Yes, old ways of practicing magic is slowly being changed by modern magic and because of reasons that it is old. McKenzie agreed to that but she grew up on more muggle technology that she pardons them than magic.

Mandadawak or Shaman/Healer in Igorot (A very popular ethnic group in the Philippines) is what their family rank in the society of their culture. They were like nobles but in the way of magical medicine. Their culture might be well preserve until now but will it last? It's what McKenzie always ask herself. The dark haired girl walked side by side with her sister inside the dining hall where lots of eyes upon them. Usually she familiarized with different ethnic groups in their part of continent. But none she recognized. They kept walking until they stopped, McKenzie was busy looking around, familiarizing herself with the Professors and staff who she will be seeing for seven years.

Until "De la Rosa, McKenzie!" Said the woman holding a parchment. The girl didn't even realized that Malia waasn't there anymore and she couldn't see where she went. But the crowd awaits her faith, a faith she didn't realized she was actually waiting for to happened. McKenzie sat on the stool once she stepped to the front. The hat has a musty smell and so, she took out a mini perfume spray and sprayed it around her. It was a moment everyone should laugh and yet, she started a one on ona talk with the hat on her mind. Okay, I've been with my sister since we came out from our mother's womb. Maybe sticking with her is a bad idea as she will just basically boss me around. I'm not like her is what I'm trying to say, she's more of a fighter and I'm just here who doesn't want to fight. Leaving everything is a way that they're supposed to be, should be left alone. Malia is trying to save a dying culture and I say let it be.

"Your respect for your sister's belief and your loyalty to her shine through and show that you're meant to be in Gryffindor!"

 

[Peregrine White]

Peregrine didn't see why he had to attend Hogwarts. His parents had managed to teach him from infancy until his eleventh birthday - would it really have been so difficult to complete his education at home? Moving away to a boarding school seemed far more a hassle than hiring private tutors, especially seeing as they had the resources. But the case he had put forward to his father had fallen on deaf ears, and before Peregrine knew it he was standing in the great hall amongst dozens of other young witches and wizards, waiting patiently for his name to be called so that he could be placed into one of the four famous houses. Like a guest at a dinner party he smiled politely at the boys to his right and left, hoping to catch a friendly face that he could seek out once the ceremony was over. It was a little odd, Peregrine thought, to divide children up by their values, but who was he to question the efficiency of such an old tradition?

"White, Peregrine."

Roused from his daydream, Peregrine eased through the crowd and stepped up to sit on the stool. Facing a large crowd of people while he wore upon his head a hat that could hear his thoughts made him feel oddly vulnerable, though he had nothing bad to think of. Hands clasped in his lap, he awaited the hat's verdict.

"Hufflepuff!"

 

[Matthew Chambers]

Matthew walked into the Great Hall following the rest of the first year students. He had read a lot about the castle in the few days he had been forced to wait between buying his equipment and then arriving at the school. Everything about it seemed so magical and he couldn't wait to explore all of it and begin to learn all that it had to teach him. He already had a strong idea which of the lessons would be his favourite, he had even gone so far as to look up the electives that they would be studying in the future. Some of those definitely seemed more interesting than others, but he still had quite a while before he had to make that choice. He smiled to himself as they stopped, and he watched as people began to be sorted. He knew he wouldn't be far off and began to patiently wait for his turn. He didn't have to wait long.

"Chambers, Matthew."

He jumped a little bit even though he had been expecting it and anticipating it, and he felt the familiar feeling of nerves begin to creep over him. He managed a weak smile, however his confident steps betrayed how he was really feeling inside. He took a seat and sucked in a breath as the hat was placed on his head. He held that breath as the Sorting Hat began its deliberations on where his home would be at this school.

"You'd suit a lot of houses well, but above all else you'll succeed in Ravenclaw!"

 

[Kaye Cavanaugh]

Kaye was feeling a mixed bag of emotions as she waited for her name to be called. Now that she had seen the sorting hat in action, she knew what to expect and that had helped somewhat. Kaye hated not knowing how things were supposed to go. But even with knowing, it wasn't as if she knew where the sorting hat was going to place her. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to be placed in the same house with her siblings. Of course, that would make things easier, but she wasn't sure if that would actually help her in the long run.

Hearing her name, Kaye looked back, searching for her brother. She thought about saying something to him, perhaps wishing him good luck, but in the end she just sighed, turned back around and walked up to the Headmistress. She settled onto the stool and felt the hat as it was placed on her head. It was lighter than she had expected.

"Slytherin"

 

[Lucy Finch]

Lucy Finch could hardly believe that she was at a magical school. Despite the fact that her parents had magic, she had been raised in an almost muggle world. Her father did everything he could to not use magic in any shape or form. Her mother was a little more inclined to occasionally use magic, but only when her dad wasn't around. Her unique indigo eyes, a weird combination of her mother's amethyst and father's azure eyes, scanned the Great Hall curiously as she impatiently waited on her name to be called. She didn't understand how that strange hat was going to be trusted to place her in the correct house, not that she much cared which house it was. Soon enough, "Finch, Lucy" rang out throughout the hall. The blonde stuck her chin in the air confidently as she walked up to the stool to take a seat under the sorting hat.

"Hufflepuff"

 

[Asiel Chae]

Asiel entered the hall with his fellow first years. He was nervous, although his outer appearance doesn’t show any sign of it. He had his head held high, the way his father taught him, as he followed his peers. His older siblings didn’t attend Hogwarts, so he had little to no idea about what would happen to him. His father was a graduate of the school, but he refused to tell him anything, saying that it would be better to be surprised than to know everything about the school before he even started. That was typical of his father. He had made anything easy for them. Which he didn’t really mind. He liked his father the way he is. He listened as the headmaster gave her speech. And soon, the sorting began. It was a bit weird to depend their future at the school on an old hat, but he supposed that the school knew what it was doing. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have flourished for this long. With his surname starting with “C”, it didn’t take long before he was called. He took a deep breath before he walked with measured steps. He was getting more nervous but he made sure not to show it on his face. He learned ago that wearing his emotions would not do him any good. He scanned the crowd for any familiar face as he waited for the sorting hat to be placed on his head. He didn’t really have any preference for a house, so he supposed that as odd as it may be, he had to let the sorting hat handle this one.​

"Ravenclaw"

 

[Agnes Baros]

Even though she'd been told countless times as to what to expect at the school, that didn't stop Agnes feeling a little overwhelmed as she draped her own eyes across the scene for the first time herself. She wasn't going to let the family down though, and if there was one thing she wanted to do while at the school, it was ensure that everyone, not just her own classmates, knew who she was. The first Norgaard of New Zealand. That's what her father had said. Sure, her uncle had attended the institution over twenty years ago, but the Kain's weren't a family that Agnes wanted anything to do with. They weren't like her. They were special.

Following the other students up to the sorting hat, she waited for her name to be called. It didn't matter what house she ended up in, it wasn't as though it was going to make any difference at all, and while she was aware of the stereotypes associated with these houses, anyone's opinion could be influenced if given the right kind of pressures.

When the brunette heard her name, she took her place, staring out numbly across the hall with her head held high, making sure to look at each person she came across in the eye. The last thing she needed was to be underestimated.

"Slytherin,"

 

[Flynn Farley]

Flynn's head bobbed above the sea of black robes donned by his cohort, his deep brown eyes surveying the Great Hall. It was a funny feeling to be standing here before the podium that his father had no doubt given innumerous speeches behind all those years ago. A small smile pulled at the corners of Flynn's mouth. He hoped that one day he could follow in his father's footsteps. And although that would be several years in the making, he had no doubt that the title was well within his reach.

"Farley, Flynn"

The tall boy perked up at the sound of his name. He began to wade through the sea of first years, politely excusing himself and pressing them each a friendly smile as he passed. He couldn't help but wonder which of these witches and wizards he'd hold near and dear before the year was out. Before too long, Flynn had reached the headmistress. He flashed her a bright smile as he sat himself down on the stool and exhaled slowly as she placed the sorting hat on his head.

You're not as raggety as they say you are, Mr Hat, Flynn thought as he looked out over the tables of emerald, gold, scarlet and blue.

"Ravenclaw,"

 

[Emily Underwood]

Emily definitely wasn't ready for this adventure. She had been frantically packing her trunk and it still wasn't done to her liking. Her mom had offered to help, but Emily wanted to do it herself. She wanted to make sure she had everything she might need. Emily was scared for what was to come, but learning magic was supposed to be cool right. Her parents had been over the moon excited when they heard magic excised and their precious daughter was invited to some magic school. For Emily it was total horror, she didn't want to go to a normal school and be normal. Now she was some kind of freak that could do magic apparently. Emily knew she was special, but she always denied it. On her tenth birthday the candles of her cake illuminated without any fire, but she had just put it on not sleeping the previous night.

It was time to go and Emily grabbed her trunk, her parents were already ready to go. Her parents were way more excited for Hogwarts than she was. Emily was excited, but scared out of her mind. She didn't know what was going to happen and what would happen if she wasn't good enough. Emily told her best friend that she would go to this special boarding school for children with anxiety issues and although her friend was sad she accept it. Emily didn't have many friends so it was easy to let go.

When they arrived at the train station Emily kissed her parents goodbye and gave them a big hug. She sneakily went into an empty compartment and tried to act as if she didn't exist. Which was easy, she did it in most of her classes in the muggle school as well. The train arrived at Hogwarts soon after and Emily was overwhelmed by the castle. There were so many people here and hiding was no option anymore. Emily sighed and walked with the other first years to their designated area the great hall. When she noticed the one stool in front of the Great hall sweat broke out. Emily was panicking, no way of hiding everyone and everything could see her now. What if they thought she was weird and would bully her. Emily's mind was racing and she almost forgot to listen for her name.

'Underwood, Emily' Emily looked around to see if there were more Emily Underwoods when no one seemed to go she knew it was her. Emily slowly shuffled to the stool making sure she didn't trip or fall out of nerves. A leathery hat was put on her head. The head smelled ancient, a good type of ancient, it somehow smelled magically something that was weird to think. Emily waited for the hat to say something, she didn't know how it would happen with the others it just happened. Unsure of what she would do she just thought about her life and what she did before this moment.

"Ravenclaw"