Sorting Ceremony 2020-2021

Isadora Greene felt herself being pushed as if in a current as she stood in the crowd of first years as they waited outside the Great Hall to be sorted into their houses. Her trip on the Hogwarts Express had been a nerve-wracking one. Her parents former Hogwarts students themselves had just enough time to see her off onto the train and out of the station before they had to head to Bulgaria on a job helping to relocate a kelpie. It had been a busy week for the young girl who had traveled the world her whole life as her parents worked to rescue and relocate magical creatures working with wizards, witches and muggles alike.
However she hadn't told her parents this but she didn't know if she wanted to go to Hogwarts. Of course she wanted to go but the idea of being sorted terrified her. Her mother Diana was a former Ravenclaw and her father Oliver had been a Hufflepuff. The idea of her not getting into either house terrified her. And what if she got into Ravenclaw instead of Hufflepuff or vice versa?! Either way she felt like whichever house she got she would be letting her parents down in some way or another.
Just then Isa was jolted out of her anxious thoughts by the creaking of the grand doors that lead into the Great Hall as they opened. Like a flock of birds they began to move and she almost stumbled, feeling herself nearly being pushed from behind by someone. However when she set her eyes on the grand hall her jaw dropped.
It was beautiful. Four long tables took up the whole room and at the other end, steps that led up to a podium and dais full of older looking witches and wizards-the teachers and staff. Above her beautiful candles floated in midair casting a beautiful glow around the room.
As she walked down the room she could feel the many eyes staring at her and the other first years. Not liking to be the center of attention the young girl felt her heart race a bit quicker.
There was a loud bang as the Great Hall doors close and the flock of first years came to a stop in front of the dais. Looking up Isadora was shocked to see a man in full armor standing in front of them. When his gaze passed over the other students and herself she had to force herself not to crouch down to avoid his gaze. She clenched her teeth her heart racing. She soon learned that this was Headmaster Lear. She listened as he introduced himself and the heads of houses letting her thoughts wander.
I wonder why he wears armor? She thought to herself.
Suddenly a voice broke into her thoughts.
"Sentient. I am intelligent."
The idea of someone interrupting Headmaster Lear made the girl turn her head in search of the voice. However what she found instead shocked her.
It was the hat. It was moving.
Her parents hadn't said anything about a hat only that there was a special way that you were sorted. Isa's eyes widened as the hat began to sing.
Then begun the long process of the students being sorted. After about 10 students Isa became slightly anxious and began to look around the room.
As the ceremony went on, Isadora took the time to admire her surroundings. The hall was beautiful made out of stone of some sort. Behind the dais were large stained glass windows but the girl couldn't make the colors out as well as she could have if it were light. To the right of her beyond the two tables on the right was a roaring fire.
She was so enthralled by the room that she nearly missed her name being called.
"Isadora Greene!"
At first Isa felt her blood run cold. She didn't move at first before she quickly made her way through the crowd with small "excuse me's" and "pardon's" and she made her way up front.
When she finally reached the front she felt all the eyes in the room on her. She took the few steps up to the stool where Headmaster Lear stood waiting the hat in hand. She met the headmasters eyes nervousness and unsureness in them. She slowly sat on the stool feeling all eyes on her.
The moment the hat was on her head it let out a gasp of intrigue.
"Oh you've seen a lot in your young life haven't you....a Greene....the child of two houses though yes....you've got your mothers intelligence." And the hat jerked her head around gently as it continued to speak. "Yes....you would make a fine Ravenclaw I would see...and yet...I see in your heart overflowing loyalty and kindness for others...no matter how unsure and nervous you are of yourself...your decisions are unwavering when it comes to others who you may not even know....tricky tricky...but I believe I know just where to put you....HUFFLEPUFF!"
A loud cheer from what Isadora could only guess was the Hufflepuff table went up as the hat cried out her new house. The hat was whisked off her head and with a nod of thanks to Headmaster Lear and the hat she scurried down the steps to join her new housemates. However she stopped not able to find a spot. As her anxiety began to creep in, looking around but before she could say anything two Hufflepuff students a older looking boy and a young girl a year or two older than Isa made room for her patting the seat for her to join them. Isa quickly sat down as words of congratulations and welcome were thrown her way. She let out a sigh of relief as she turned back to the ceremony.

Alice's mind jumped back and forth, going over her checklists over and over again. All the time on the train thinking of all the possibilities and ways that her first year would, or could go. talking to herself she said. "I guess we will see how this shall play out, could be fun, could be torture."Pausing for a moment to look around and make sure that no one would hear her. "I know I know, I have gone over the checklist, but it hasn't been a million times, you exaggerate." whispering almost, mouthing the words. "Okay I won't go over it again I promise." She looked around once more to see if anyone was lurking. Afraid someone would happen upon her she sat the rest of the way in silence, twiddling her thumbs. She thought about writing or maybe a sketch, but she didn't really have the calm or the patience to do it, energy pulsed through her body, letting her know just how close she was to the time of arrival checking her watch every few minutes. it felt like forever.

barely remembering what it took to get from point A. to point B., maybe a few pleasantries? " Surely nothing to important took place while I wasn't paying attention" She said not realizing she was talking allowed again. she looked at all the details of the school was one of her favorite things to do in a new place, she admired every inch of it. Staying to herself she watched as one by one kid after kid went up to be sorted into their houses, She thought "This day, this day is everything I would have thought it would be, and its not even over yet. " She had longed for so long to be a Slytherin. Almost unable to contain herself from jumping up and down with excitement. Shaking a bit she wasn't sure rather she was afraid or if it was just feeling of everyone around her. she couldnt seem to stop the shake. Wanting to say something to one of the other fellow students. Maybe one of them will speak to me, I don't know what I am doing, I hope no one can tell. I hope I can find friends too. she thought. Then she thought again, maybe not, but maybe I should... Maybe. Alice looked around the room and again. Watching her world almost spin, she took a sip of water, and tried to breathe again.

The thought cut off when she heard her name be called to the sorting hat. Alice looked up, realizing she had been watching her feet for some time. Her stomach rumbled and almost had the idea to vomit all over everyone near her. She took a Long deep breath and walked up to the hat to be sorted. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for, the moment she had wanted, the moment she had longed for. she smiled softly, and waited for the sweet sound she would hope she would hear. "Slytherin" The hat had finally confirmed what she had wanted to hear, it was done, the pressure of sorting was done, she could breathe again. She felt strong, and confident now, she just had to know that she could get there. The shaking stopped, and she saw the world with her admiring eyes once more.

Nervous, exticed or simply sugar high from all the candy she ate on the trainride. Probably all of them at ones. All three had the same results, Juliana could not stand still. She waited for years to finally attend Hogwarts. To meet and interact with witches and wizards her own age. To share her interests in quiditch and magical creatures, to learn more about magic in general. To be away from Lingfield and those dull muggles. Juliana was ready for what comes next.
But her hyperactivety was getting to the nerves of her futere classmates. The redhead realised something awful.
She never thought about which house she was going to be in. This made her even more anxious, not because her parents would be dissappointed, but because of her potential house mates. What kind of people are they, would they like her?
Nervous, she was definitely nervous. Her hyperactivety transformed into fiddeling, lots of fiddeling. She made several attempts to stop. Her fiddeling would not solve anything, she needed that sorting hat to scream whatever house she belonged in. Lucky for Juliana, her wish would come soon enough.

'Hunt, Juliana' the headmaster called. Never in her life did she ran so fast to a seat in her short live, while muttering a quick apologie to anybody she pushed aside. The only way to get rid of her fear was to face, head on. She heard several chuckles from some students. Perhaps it doesn't come often that a first-year would run to get sorted.
The headmaster put that old sorting hat on her head, and even though she knew very well that the head could speak in her head. That by no means prepared her for when it actually happened.
'Ah, yes.' began the sorting hat. 'Ready for the challenge, aren't you?'
'Yes, mister hat. Can I call you that?' Juliana asked.
The hat let out a soft laugh that vibrated trough her head. 'Not Ravenclaw for you, dear.' mister hat said. 'Let's look a bit futher,' he, I'm pretty sure the hat is a he, continued. 'Very friendly and loyal, qualities that fit any Hufflepuff. But your bravery stands out.' After several more moments of thoughts, mister hat finally shouted 'Gryffindor!'

Finally mister hat had made his decision, a sigh of relief left her mouth as the headmaster picked up the hat from her head.
Juliana's hair was a bit sloppy, happens all the time when she wears a hat. But had the biggest smile on her face as she ran towars the table clad in red and gold.
She sat down with the other first year Gryffindors and thought to herself. 'Bring it on, Hogwarts. Because I am ready.'

Word Count: 718| Past | Present

It was official, Catriona decided. Magic was the greatest thing. Ever.

Of course, Catriona had been exposed to magic before. She had grown up with it all around her, what with her mother being a witch and all; but her mother had always practiced mundane everyday magic. It had never been anything quite as stunning as this. The very air seemed to thrum with energy as Catriona looked around, trying to take in everything about the hall around her. The floating candles, enchanted ceiling, and soaring columns were awe-inspiring. She recalled what her mother had told her the night before when was having a hard time falling asleep in the hotel.

"Remember dear," her mother had whispered so she wouldn't wake 's younger sister. "Magic is a wonderful, beautiful gift. I went to Hogwarts when I was your age, and it quickly became my second home. Cherish your time there and try to make the most of it." The words had filled the air as Catriona tried to imagine what this new adventure might have in store for her. She dreamt up all sorts of fantastical sights and adventures as she drifted off last night, but none of them had even compared to this.

A second home, Catriona thought. I like the sound of that.

The tiny brunette could hardly contain her excitement as the ceremony seemed to drag on. She listened to the headmaster's speech. She waited impatiently as they brought up a raggedy old hat and practically gasped when she realized it could talk. Her blue eyes lit up, nerves from this morning forgotten. Magic was delightful. She watched as her peers began to make their way to the stool as their names were called, one-by-one, and she clapped every time someone was sorted. 's curiosity grew with every shout of the hat. How was it deciding where to place them? Did it ask questions? Were you required to prove yourself somehow? The excitable eleven-year-old was so busy trying to suss out the process and mentally prepare herself, that she almost missed it.

"Catriona Fraser."

There was a moment of silence as Catriona processed her name being called. She scrambled to respond before remembering herself and glancing around at all the eyes on her. Quickly, the young girl tried to compose herself as she approached the solitary seat in front of the entire school. She sat as primly as she could and tried to keep her excitement from showing, although had a feeling she hadn't quite kept the massive grin off her face. She held her breath as the headmaster placed the hat on her head, darkness quickly descending when the fabric covered her eyes.

"Ah, aren't you an interesting one?" The girl startled Catriona had expected to hear the hat whispering in her ears, not echoing in the recesses of her mind. How does this work? She tried to think at the hat. Do I have to answer questions? Is there some sort of test? The hat seemed to chuckle.

"Such a bold little one, aren't you. And so very inquisitive."Catriona couldn't help but to preen a little at the praise. "No, little one, there are no questions. I simply look into your mind, and I can see you have an adventurous little spirit that would suit Gryffindor quite well. Of course, you're also rather inquisitive and so very intelligent. Ravenclaw might be your home..." Catriona couldn't help the brief stab of disappointment at that. Her mother had been in Ravenclaw and, while the girl loved and respected her mother, was nothing like her. Davinia was the quiet, creative one who liked to stay at home with their mum. Catriona wanted to be someone important, like her father. She wanted to travel, to see the world, to make a difference. She wanted to prove herself.

"Ah, I see," the hat agreed. "You have a hunger and a desire to lead. Well then, it must be..." couldn't help but tense up in anticipation.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Catriona squinted as the hat was lifted off her head, and she turned to face her new table. As she glanced at the students clad in green robes, clapping and welcoming her in, she felt a warm glow settle in her stomach. She was home.

On my way to Hogwarts I was riding alone cause I chose to, then I decided to read one of the books I bought It was about magical creatures and were to find them. I was reading for a while then the train stopped I started seeing people live the train so I joined them we saw a carriage that moves itsel I thought that was weird but got on anyway. We were coming across little boats and beyond that I saw Hogwarts my first thought was "It looks like a ordinary castle to me".Everyone got to Hogwarts every first year was about to go into the great hall. I am walking into the great hall I see so many other students, I was wondering to myself to which house I would be sorted into.I heard that a lot of pure-blood wizards and witches would be sorted into slytherin but not all of them I honestly didn't care what house I get put into aslong as I meet chill nice people. I was so happy see other people like me,I started smiling.

As I was waiting for me to be sorted I was looking at some the other first years to see if they were nervous,I wasn't nervous at all I was to be sorted into my house.I was next to be sorted the hat was asking questions and after a long time thinking he said "hmph yes I think you will be in GRYFFINDORRRR! When he said that everyone Gryffindor was clapping for me and welcoming me to seat down,I was so happy.

A second family

This day was most likely to be the most important day in Aurélie’s time at Hogwarts. The room she was in, together with numerous other new students and many more older students, was called The Great Hall, she overheard some others. It was indeed great. More like humongous. The young Scottish lass had no idea what was about to happen here. Out of nowhere, a loud male voice arose from far away. Aurélie wasn’t exactly tall so she moved a bit closer to the front of the group of first-years to find the source of the voice. It was a grey-haired man with a large beard. He stood higher than the students and faced the great hall. The man was Headmaster Solomon Lear and he explained to all new students how they would be sorted into one the houses. Ah, Henry told me about these houses. There’s four different ones. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Raven-something? Ravenclaw, I think. A magical hat called ‘the Sorting Hat’, it could talk, sing and dance which impressed and at the same time creep out Aurélie out, would be placed on their heads and tell them which house they belonged. According to the Headmaster, the hat sorted students by looking at their personality and qualities. My qualities? I have no idea what those would be. Or what house I would fit in best. Thankfully, I don’t have to choose myself.

Many students had come before Aurélie but now it was her turn. Her turn to walk up the stage, have hundreds or thousands of students stare at her and let the magical talking hat declare what house was fit for her. What if I don’t fit in any house? Or what if the Sorting Hat simply doesn’t know which one.. Has that happened before? Aurélie heard her name being called “Aurélie Nimco” and her eyes bounced immediately at the Headmaster. Solomon Lear searched the crowd with his gaze and once it fell upon Aurélie, he gently smiled at her and nodded as a gesture to have her come forward. The girl smiled back and tried to hide her nerves as she walked toward the wooden stool next to the Headmaster. The students surrounding her moved out of the way so she could make her way through. Softly, she uttered to them; “Thank you. Thanks.” The girl reached the wooden stool and Headmaster Lear said; “Have a seat, young lady. You’ll do great.” His reassuring words made Aurélie feel ready. She took a seat and felt the Sorting Hat being placed softly on her noggin.

“Hmm.. a young werewolf. I see you are quite a courageous soul. Modest and fair are traits that you have.. perhaps you would thrive in Hufflepuff?”, the Sorting hat said softly so only she and the Headmaster could hear what he said.

Aurélie patiently listened to what The Sorting Hat had to say about her. She was indeed fair and courageous. Well, most of the time. Hufflepuff sounded like a fun house, although she hadn’t met any of its students.

“No, that’s not right. Too much nerve in this young lady.. You seem determined to fight for what is right. How.. chivalrous. That determination could put you in Slytherin.. but you care too much about others.. not Slytherin either.”

The young girl thought this was taking quite a long time. It felt like she had been sitting there for ages. Make up your mind already.

“Oh, a bit impatient are we? You have got some nerve, lady. I know exactly which house you belong in!’

After a few seconds of ear deafening silence, which seemed to last forever, the Sorting Hat loudly shouted; “GRYFFINDOR!’

Immediately, the whole house of Gryffindor began clapping and whistling in excitement. What a roar they made. Aurélie eagerly jumped off the stool, thanked the Headmaster and Sorting Hat and made her way to the Gryffindor table. The clamor settled down once she took a seat and the next student was called to the stage. There were many Gryffindors looking at her with a smile or an intrigued look on their faces. Further down the table, Aurélie spotted Eyre Reeves sitting with his friends. She had met him at the Summer Camp before school started. Some other familiar faces filled the table but she didn’t really know any of them. Aurélie turned her gaze toward the Slytherin table to see if she could spot her friend Henry Knight. They had also met during the camp and had met up once after that. Not being able to find him, she turned her attention back to the other first-years and followed the rest of the Ceremony. I’m sure I’ll see him around some time.

Norina felt unqualified, overwhelmed, and a tad bit nauseous when she approached the huge castle that was now her school. Is this normal? She asked herself as she nearly tripped on her robes while looking at the pictures on the wall that she could’ve sworn just moved. Her family would never believe her, which is why she will probably never tell them the full truth. They don’t need to know that she attends classes in a legitimate castle with ceilings that change to the night sky and paintings that are now waving at her.

Why are there so many first-years?! Why are there so many of us?

Coming from a small village with fewer than 200 people, she was already seeing more people than she was used to, and she was going to have to see this many people every day for the next seven years, at least! She had no idea magic was even real this time a year ago, much less would she ever believe that this many people had magical powers! How many things did she look over because she wasn’t paying attention while growing up in her muggle home?

She fell in line with the rest of the first years to shake the headmaster’s hand. While a little intimidated by his quite large stature, she quickly walked up to him, shook his hand, gave a small grin, and kept moving. After all, the man had to shake every single hand of the new group of students, and she was not about to hold up the line on her first day.

So. Many. People.

She felt like she was going to either faint or vomit before she made it to the end of her very long journey to the front of the huge room.

After listening to the probably very tired headmaster explain the houses and trying to follow along with the rhyme of the old pointy hat, Norina realized that this was the moment everyone was talking about. This was the moment where this magical thing is placed on her head and her life would be determined for the next several years at Hogwarts. This hat was going to choose who she would be sleeping in the same room as for the next seven years, at least.

Her heart was racing, for no reason. She had nothing to worry about! Unlike her classmates, she had no parents that had a history of a certain house that she felt like she had to live up to an expectation. At this moment, Hogwarts was an open book and the sorting hat was simply helping her write the first chapter.

She patiently, and nervously, watched the other students take their seats under the moving and talking hat. The magic part of her life wasn’t settling in just yet. Do other muggle-born students think this is normal? Am I just freaking out for no reason? They seem calm, so I’m going to stay calm. Everything’s fine.



Norina almost forgot her name. She felt the headmaster’s eyes land on her, and it suddenly came flooding back that her name was indeed Norina Evans. Cheeks flushed, she quickly walked up and sat down under the mumbling hat.

“Oooohhhh, a bit nervous, are we?”
Norina momentarily thought she was going to pass out. She shook her head yes as she felt her cheeks begin to boil from embarrassment.

“Hmmm, yes. Alright.”
Am I supposed to be thinking something specific? This hat can hear what I’m saying to myself, I need to shut it. She thought to herself.

“You’re rather curious, but very brave when you need to be.”
At this moment, Norina didn’t feel an ounce of braveness run through her veins.

“I know where you need to be….”
She held her breath and could feel her heart in her throat.

“HUFFLEPUFF!!!”

“Oh my gosh, I love the color yellow!” Norina yelled as she jolted off the chair, almost forgetting to let the headmaster take the hat off of her head.

As she skipped to her new family, she realized that this was the start of the fun and this was the start of her new beginning. All of her fears and worries melted away as soon as she saw the smiling faces of everyone wearing that incredible badger crest.

I nervously bit my nails as I watched as other students got sorted into their houses. I knew what to expect, my whole family has been to Hogwarts! Both my brother and my father were sorted into Hufflepuff, but my mother was a proud Gryffindor. I honestly don't know where I'll be put. I'd like to think I'm strong and brave like my mother, and that I'll be sorted into Gryffindor, but to be honest I think I'm quite the opposite. I'm determined, ambitious, but I'm not brave.

There's a dull chatter going on behind me, but it's too indistinct to decipher what they're saying. I'm sure other students are nervous, just like me. I try to tune them out and pay more attention to the sorting ceremony, but it's hard to focus. I reach down and play with a loose hem on my robes.

It'll be over soon, I think to myself. I can go to my assigned dorm and relax. Everything will be okay.

"SALEM HART!" I hear someone yell. I look up and I meet the gaze of the professor holding the sorting hat. I bite my lip, and take a step forward.

Everything goes quiet. I'm not sure if the Great Hall went silent with the announcement of my name, or if I'm so nervous that I'm tuning them out. So many people are going to see me on that stage.

What if the hat tells me there's been a mistake and I don't deserve to be sorted into any of the houses? No, I can't think like that. Both my mother and father were powerful wizards. This is my home.

I take a seat on the hard wooden stool and wait for the professor to place the hat on my head. I hold my breath as I stare out at the crowd in front of me. Half of the new students are chatting to themselves, the other half has been watching the sorting ceremony intensely. I can see students of all ages staring back at me from their respective house tables.

I feel the hat placed on my head. I inhale sharply and try to calm down. I can't be seen as weak up here.

"Ah, I can sense the power within this one. You hold great potential, and you will need a house to support you on that journey. I sense intellect, strength, ambition. A strong bloodline of witches and wizards perhaps. I know just what to do with you... GRYFFINDOR!"

My eyes widen. Gryffindor? There's no way...

William couldn't believe he was there. He had read all the books, finding them very interesting. The Great Hall was... beautiful. He wanted to go in the house of Ravenclaw like is parents. William didn't listen the first name called, he startle when he ears:
- O'Brien, William
-Ho no! I'm not ready!
William sail in direction of the hat. Trambling, he put the hat on is head.
- A O'Brien? Right I see... Inteligent, shy...
I am not shy!
- ... stubborn...
At this word William blushes, he is very stubborn. When he wants someting he have to have it. Or when he starts someting he has to finish it.
- ... Open mide, generous,
- come on hat!
William was petrified. If the hat did not have a house for him?
- I see better be...
It's Ravenclaw?
William close his eyes.
- Ravenclaw!
For the first time of the day a smile was present on his face. He gets up and go to the table where applause are the more noisy. He is in the house of is parents and grand parents have done there study. He seats near a student of first years and ask him questions about the years.