Sorting Ceremony 2019-2020 Archived

Haleigha stood and listened intently to Headmaster Solomon's speech about the Sorting Ceremony. She wasn't sure what house she would be good in. Quite honestly she wasn't exactly sure what house she even wanted to be sorted in into. From the moment she stepped of the train she was starting to regret being so excited to come here in the first place. Maybe she could owl her parents and just go home. That was a brilliant idea.

She pivoted slightly to look around her and survey the Great Hall. She had to admit the shear size of it was stunning. She looked at each of the Professor that stood with Headmaster Solomon, and then she started to silently size up each of the students. After all some of them would be her Housemates. She froze as soon as she heard the first name called and watched as one by one students were sorted into their houses.

"Keziahis (Kez-EE-US), Nyalah (Nah-Luh)

Her head snapped up and she looked around. When no one else stepped forward she knew it was her name that was called even though it was mispronounced. She wasn't sure if she should correct the pronunciation or just step forward. She took a few steps forward and mumbled. "Nyalah (Nye-Aye-Luh) Keziahis (Keh-z-eye-us). Before walking up to the stool and placing the sorting hat on her head.

She sat stock still and waited. She was starting to loose hope that anything would happen when all of a sudden she heard something. "Ah Yes I see you are a very studious one, who is eager to learn all that she can. Nyalah hadn't realized she was holding her breath or that she had even closed her eyes until she heard those words. She took a deep breath and looked realizing nobody else but herself could hear what was being said at that moment. "A shy one that isn't opposed to a bit of adventure. Though your eagerness to learn and study wins over all else.

Nyalah sat patiently waiting to see what house she would be in. She felt like she had been on the stool hours when it reality it was like only a minute or so.

"RAVENCLAW"

At Nyalah breathed a sigh of relief quickly taking the Sorting Hat off her head and placing it back on the stool. She walked over to join the rest of the Ravenclaws with a smile. She wasn't sure what the year would hold for her but in her heart she knew that Ravenclaw was the right house for her.

It would seem that @Piérre Marchonné has quite the imagination. The sorting hat placed upon his head by Solomon Lear, just like he had so many before him. Small talk from the hat as the sentient object delved into the depths of his mind, his heart and his soul. Within each and every one of us is housed a great, inconceivable potential and the sorting hat only got a whisper of it all.

Delusions of grandeur perhaps? Likely so. Ties to the founder Salazar Slytherin? No, that would mean that he was associated with a canon character. The Sorting Hat made its decision, and it was never wrong, it was as if it was his first moderated experience -- "Gryffindor!" The hat declared. Solomon did not usher the boy off without sorting, that was not how this would have went. No, this was a normal sorting like all others, except for the story left in the boy's head.

The boy perhaps a bit dramatic, expecting Slytherin and hearing Gryffindor. If the world did indeed go black, the Headmaster would check for a pulse and give a look to the Professors and Heads of House that were in attendance. He would mouth hospital wing and then with an awkward chuckle announce to the student body, "he is fine... just a bit overexcited. Next..." he read the name with a furrowed brow. He had no chance of getting this name right. He would try anyways, announcing it was time for Keziahis (Kez-EE-US), Nyalah (Nah-Luh) to be sorted. Did he get it right? Maybe. A girl responded and he doubted that the name was popular enough for there to be more than one with a similar name.

Reminder:
- Please do not godmod me. I am a player just like the rest of you. I do allow for minor god-modding to facilitate things like this ceremony. For those that do not understand the concept of godmodding, consider links such as this for additional information.
- There are no associations with canon characters. A player here does not get to be a reincarnation, possessed by, etc. a canon character. This is explained in the welcoming owl, please reference this. 

Duna looked around her in awe as she stood in line, waiting to be sorted. Candles floated in the air, bright golden warm light engulfed the extravagant dining hall. Duna was curious how wax didn’t drip down, but she decided it was simply magic.
She looked at the four long dining tables packed full of kids who were laughing and joking with each other. Old friends reunited. There were also large banners hung around the room. Duna couldn’t pick a favorite. The yellow badger was cute, but Duna loved snakes. Cats were also pretty cool and she had deep love for birds as well.
Duna had no idea what any of this ment, although she had had it roughly explained on the train ride over.
Kids began getting called up one by one, a large hat was placed on their head. Duna’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when the hat began to talk. Her jaw actually dropped slightly.
“Griffindoor!” The hat boomed for the child whom it was sitting on top of. One table full of kids in black robes cheered while another booed.
This must have been what the houses were!
Duna’s excitement only increased as she got closer and closer to being sorted. Eventually the girl in front of her was sorted and it was her turn.
“Nixis, Duna.”
Her name was called. Duna timidly walked up to the stool and took a seat, looking out over the sea of people in front of her. They all watched her expectantly, she hoped she wouldn’t let them down.
“I see great imagination and love.” A voice spoke in Duna’s head. She froze, not moving a muscle. The hat lightly chuckled. “A bit timid, eager to please. Not Slytherin.”
Duna’s nervous smile wavered slightly, had she done something wrong?
“I’d say with your kindness... HUFFLEPUFF!”
Duna beamed as a table cheered for her and the hat was removed from her head. She hopped off the stool and turned around, singing “Thank You” to the hat. She quickly ran over to the table and plopped down next to her new classmates, happy to be in the house of the badger.

Iris looked around the Great Hall with wonder. Hundreds of candles hung suspended in midair, and the ceiling must of been enchanted, because it looked exactly like the night sky. Four banners hovered above tables, one for each house. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slythorin, Ravenclaw. Iris had given a lot of thought to wish house she wanted to be in. Most of her siblings had been Ravenclaw, but her mother had been in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw was for the smart and clever, so there was a change, Gryffindor was for the brave and determined so maybe… then again, Hufflepuff was for the kind… A voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Iris Pythonissam!" Iris hurried to the stool, anxious to finally find out which house she was. Sitting down she felt the hat being placed on her head. Immediately a voice began to speak in her ear. "Hmm, I see determination, bravery… but also kindness. A desire to help others before yourself. Hmm…" Iris felt her heart quicken. This was it. "Hufflepuff!"
Iris stood up and made her way over to the table with the badger banner, a smile plastered on her face.

Beatrice had been minding her own business, whispering to two blonde-haired girls - whom she had paired with on the boats - whilst they were sailing across the Great Lake, on their way to the Great Hall to commence the Sorting Ceremony. They were telling her how they had heard that, last year, a second-year student had fell of their broomstick and remained  in the hospital wing for numerous weeks with a three fractured ribs and a broken femur. The sheer thought of breaking a bone made her wince in pain.

But, before she could voice her concerns about the injured, she was interrupted by the holler of the Sorting Hat. What a strange thing it was. A turret of rough fabric, which he visibly worn with age, with a thick rim - it looked like something her grandmother might keep, hidden away in the confines of her garage. And, if it hadn't been brushed, Beatrice could imagine it to be laden of dust. 

It's youthful tone sounded, calling forwards a girl, whom she guessed to have a friendly demeanor;

“Iris Pythonissam!”

A Hufflepuff. Beatrice began to wonder which house she may be placed in: would she be witty enough for Ravenclaw? Or brave and sporting enough for Gryffindor? Or maybe-

She had no time to recollect her thoughts, as soon, the frayed hat was beckoning her.



Her nerves had got the better of her: her feet felt as if they were rooted to the ground, her head seeming to be heavy. The entire hall was silent, gazing her way, eager to recruit her as one of their own. With heavy and lumbersome steps, she approached the three-legged stool and perched atop it. The hat sat on her head, a weight that held over her eyes.


So it talked? She was much perplexed. However, nowadays she had learnt to except any reality that faced her - even if it was talking hats, shouting frogs or flying snails. Not wanting to speak loudly, to share her converse with the hat to the whole of Hogwarts, Beatrice resolved to whispering her reply - hoping that the hat could understand her. As for Raynott, she had heard the name somewhere.. She could've swore it was something her mother'd said.






This made Beatrice beam.












The hat was lifted from her eyes. Her head felt light and clouds swam into view as her eyes adjusted to the candlelight.

The cheering and the swells erupted at the Hufflepuff table, and Beatrice never felt so welcomed in her life. As she moved towards the large, wooden table, she burst into an infectious grin - maybe Hogwarts wasn't that bad after all.

It all seems like a dream. Too much at once, really. His head is light, the exact way he feels when he's leaving the land of dreams and coming back to reality. Virgil's waiting for the moment he'll hear his mother's calming voice, as she kisses his cheeks, saying it's time to get up.

None of that happens. His enchanted eyes hover over every corner of the grand room - it's real. I'm not dreaming. He's not even sure he'd be able to dream of something as overwhelming as Hogwarts. It scares him, to be honest. A place so grand, so magical and oh so unknown. It's nothing like home.

Anxiety bubbles inside of him as he watches the students being sorted to their houses. Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff. Slytherin. Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat is never wrong, uncle Jay says, always so proud of being the only Slytherin in the family.

His family doesn't care about house sorting, which he's very thankful for. Unlike some pure-bloods, Virgil doesn't come from a lineage of wizards all sorted into the same house. However, he can't say he doesn't have a preference. Mum's a Ravenclaw. Dad's a Hufflepuff. He's hopeful to follow one of their footsteps.

"Virgil Lee," he snaps out of his thoughts when he hears his name being called. He walks towards the Sorting Hat, each step feeling like the end. He sits on the chair, closing his eyes the moment he feels it perfectly fitting his head.

Virgil stops breathing at the silence he's met with. Should he say something? He's never had a conversation with a magical hat before. The Sorting Hat is supposed to consider his opinion as well, right?

Ah, yes, yes. You have a lot of things going on inside your head, he hears and bites his lower lip. He can hear his heart beating fast inside his chest and his blood running through his ears. Virgil holds his hands together. A lonely heart with a very creative mind. At first, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff do sound like great choices. But there's a need to show yourself inside of you. A desire for greatness. I know just the perfect house for you...

SLYTHERIN

Virgil opens his eyes as he feels the Sorting Hat leaving his head. He sees the green and silver table cheering for him and something in his heart quiets down. He takes a deep breath and walks towards them.

The room was enormous, bigger and grander than any place Carra had set foot in before. Lights twinkled, floating through the air catching Carra's eye. As she admired them her eyes drifted higher, taking in the grandeur of the place. It seemed as if there were no ceiling, it just opened up to the stary night sky.

The raucous room grew suddenly quiet, and Carra turned to watch the grey-bearded man, who met them as they came in, walking up the aisle. She knew instantly that he must be an important person, who else could command silence by simply moving from one place to another? As he reached the front of the room where she and all the other new students were gathered, he cried out with an unnaturally loud voice,

"Welcome first year students. I am Solomon Lear, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As it is our tradition here we are going to engage in our first ceremony known as the sorting ceremony. The sorting hat has been a part of our school's tradition since the time of Godric Gryffindor, one of this institution's founding wizards. This hat is very much sentient."

Sentient, I am intelligent

Carra's mouth dropped open, had that old weathered hat one of the professors was holding just spoke? Of course, she had been expecting strange and exciting things but, a talking hat was certainly not the first thing that had come to mind when she arrived at Hogwarts. The Headmaster continued on, explaining that Carra and her fellow first years would be part of the 'sorting ceremony', which the talking hat would perform, and they would be sorted into one of four houses, Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff.

As he explained more, though she was trying to pay attention, Carras' imagination and attention drifted elsewhere. There was just too much to take in at once and, being muggle-born, Carra had not truly had a hint of what life at Hogwarts would be like until she had entered this room. She glanced back at the tables behind her, each of the four belonging to one of the aforementioned houses. Which would she end up sitting at?

Her attention was drawn back to the extraordinary hat as it broke into song, telling the tale of its creation and more about the four houses. Carra shuffled her feet, impatient to be sorted and find her place among her classmates. As soon as the hat finished its song the Headmaster began to read from the overly long list of names.

The first student was sorted into Hufflepuff and the Houses' table exploded into cheers. As the names droned on, Carra waited expectantly, her name would surely be called soon and she didn't want to waste a minute, there would be so many other things to explore once she had a house. Name came after name and still she waited, growing more impatient by the minute.

After what seemed like ages, Solomons' voice called out, "MacKinnon, Carra"

Carra lept to her feet, trembling from head to toe, not with nerves, but with excitement, her next great adventure was about to begin. She made her way up the steps to the stool and turned and sat, looking out at the throng with a grin that spread from ear to ear. The hat was lowered on to her head and she waited expectantly.

Ah, Miss MacKinnon, I see you're glad to have finally made it up here.

Carra gave a little start as the hat addressed her but nodded fiercely thinking, 'It took long enough, maybe we'll get finished before the night is completely wasted.'

The hat gave a chuckle, Yes, these things do take time, and I see that patience is something you'll have to learn. But let's get started, I see you have got a fine temper and aptitude for trouble.

'I never try to get into trouble though, and I only lose my temper for important things.' Carra thought indignantly.

Only the important things, of course. Well, Gryffindor or Slytherin would suit you well, your ambition and courage know no bounds, but I feel that perhaps, yes, there is a better place for you. A heart of gold lies within you, and those who possess its trust will see that it never fails. Yes, the perfect place for you is...

Hufflepuff!

If Carra's grin could get larger, it certainly did as the crowd at the Hufflepuff table broke into cheers and she skipped joyfully to join them. She had found her place and now the adventure could really start.

The buzz of the Sorting Ceremony was humming through the large group of brand new first years but Artemisia was indifferently calm and collected.
For the last two years her parents and their staff had been preparing her for this exact moment. She knew the houses, she knew each of the traits they represented and she knew which one her parents would prefer her to be in. They said it wasn’t a prejudice thing, just a family thing. Artemisia didn’t know or care if that was true but she had lazily paid attention to the information presented to her and stored it away in her brain for this moment right now.

The children around her were jostling each other in an attempt to get closer to the front of the queue as they were led into the Great Hall. Artemisia ignored them and allowed those who wished to pass her to go ahead. Any body who had a clue knew that the names were called alphabetically so it didn’t matter in the slightest at what point you entered the hall.

That being said, as she finally passed through the oversized entrance she felt it’s impressive grandeur stir a sliver of excitement somewhere deep within. It had to be at least twice the size of the hall she had at home. It was perhaps a little more old-fashioned but it complimented the overall feel of the castle well.
The caterpillar of first years gradually arrived at the front of the hall where the headmaster was stood waiting. Artemisia looked up at him and instantly decided he seemed like someone she could respect. There was something about his demeanour that commanded the attention of the room and of everyone in it.

Unlike those around her, when the brim of the rather grubby looking hat before them opened and song came out, Artemisia showed no sign of surprise. In fact she hardly showed any sign of anything but indifference. This was another of the many things about Hogwarts that she had been prepared for. One of the tasks set to her by her tutor had been to learn one of the previous songs of the Sorting Hat word for word and perform it to her family.
Artemisia was surprised by just how many of her fellow students appeared to be of muggle descent or to have little to no knowledge of magic at all. There were of course others like herself who seemed to have grown up in magical households but they didn’t grab her attention as much as the other children. They knew a life she didn’t and that fascinated her.

Watching the varied children occupied her mind for the majority of the ceremony and she only began to pay proper attention to the events taking place when she realised there was only herself and a handful of other students remaining.
Artemisia didn’t get nervous, she always held some sort of confidence but she couldn’t deny there was an odd churning in her stomach as a loud “Whitby, Artemisia!”, echoed through the room.

She took the few sturdy steps steadily and perched at the edge of the stool, allowing her eyes to settle calmly on the crowd before her. She’d faced crowds before in ballet recitals and the fancy dinners her parents held for various other high societal wizarding families. This was nothing new and she was pleased that, unlike so many others, her cheeks did not flush.

The Sorting Hat was placed carefully on her head. She noted how much lighter it seemed and waited patiently for the voice in her ear to make itself known.

“Well, well...very well informed aren’t we? You’ve definitely done your homework...Hmm you think you know yourself rather well but you see so very little.”

Artemisia’s eyes narrowed the tiniest amount at this. She did know herself. She’d known herself her whole life - who was this old hat to tell her otherwise?

“Did I hit a nerve? My apologies...You certainly have the makings of good Slytherin. The right attitude, your parents were both Slytherin also. I suspect that’s what you’re hoping for...”

The girl said nothing, her eyes ducking to the floor for a moment at the suggestion.
Of course she’d thought of being a Slytherin. Her mother had spent hours teaching her about the houses history and her father had gone into great detail about the wonder that was the Slytherin common room.
But she couldn’t help but wonder what else there was to see.

Artemisia was shocked out of her thoughts by the quiet voice rumbling through her head again.

“Curious though, very curious...perhaps I’ll have to take a risk on you, Miss Whitby.” The hat paused and Artemisia felt herself inhale with the suspense, “Remember I am never wrong...RAVENCLAW!”

Artemisia hopped off the stool as the hat was removed by Professor Lear and she stumbled down the steps in the direction of the Ravenclaw table, where her future now waited. She wondered for a moment what her parents would say when she wrote to them. Had she made the effort, she could probably have imagined their response to the news, but at that moment she was far too occupied in taking a seat among her fellow housemates.
Among the sudden excitement and curiosity, a thought ran around her head.

What made me a Ravenclaw?

It was something she was eager to address but felt that for now at least, it could continue making its way around her mind.

Kat could hardly contain the secret excitement thrumming through her veins. The Great Hall certainly lived up to its name: brightly glimmering with thousands of candles which hung midair, lighting up the blanket of black that was the ceiling, a reflection of the sky outside. Four impressive tables ran the stretch of the room, each seating hundreds of students who cheered loudly whenever a first year was assigned to their house, and atop stood mountains of food, piping hot and ready to be devoured. There simply was nothing that could prepare you for its sheer magnificence - not even reading Hogwarts: A History twice, it appeared. However, bubbling excitement was quickly becoming nervousness. The hat seemed rather sure of itself - what if it started spouting all her secrets? She knew that was ridiculous thought, of course, but she couldn't help her hands tightening to fists in her robes.

Professor Lear, a strange wizard wearing a suit of armour, was reading names off a scroll. Although it was long, Kat's surname must have been fairly near to the top of the list, beginning with the letter 'C' and all. She bit her lip, feeling as though she would look intensely awkward sat on that tiny wooden stool in front of the rest of the school. She suddenly wondered if her brother Levi was watching, and cast her eyes about the Gryffindor table, hoping to feel a tad less alone.

"Cobwebbe, Katherine!"

Kat could have leapt out of her skin. Yes, the hat, the stool, go, sit. Katherine shuffled through the crowd of first years, quietly excusing herself as she pushed past people as smoothly as possible. Soon, she was upon the elevated platform and taking her seat. She didn't have a lot of time to gaze into the endless sea of people, all of whom were staring back at her, before the hat was placed upon her head and the room vanished from her sights. It was musty, inside the old fraying hat, and it didn't smell too pleasant either.

"What, you don't like it in here?"

The voice was sudden but drawling. Fantastic. She forgot it could read minds. Kat muttered an apology, hoping nobody else could hear her. "I am sorry, sir, but it is hard to control your thoughts, especially when you have nothing to preoccupy your eyes." Thankfully, the hat appeared to move on without much fuss. Maybe it didn't really care - or was used to it. Or maybe it found her reaction amusing.

"Let's see then..." The Sorting Hat said slowly. Kat felt her hands grip the stool. The whole scenario felt quite invasive, not that she could protest. "You're a clever one, aren't you? Creative mind, no doubt. And curious." Kat caught herself smiling beneath the hat's rim. Maybe it wasn't such a terrible thing, being complimented like this. The hat added briskly, "But I also see drive in you, and a real independence. You like to do things your own way, don't you? Not much time for others in your life. And ambition, too. You like to write, do you?"

Katherine nodded sharply.

"Right..." mused the hat, "You should learn to appreciate others more, my dear. It would do you well. Either way, I know where you belong. Just like your father miss Cobwebbe..."

Kat waited with baited breath, knowing which table she'd be joining.

"RAVENCLAW!" cried a booming voice.

Kat yanked the Sorting Hat proudly off her head and leapt down to join the Ravenclaw table. Just as she sat down, she caught her brother's eye. He was clapping vigorously.

Androse, a charming young man, looked dead nervous. He knew his parents were famous and they told him time and time again. "Don't let people use you for your fame Androse! It will make you weak! Trust your gut and trust you will make the right decisions!" He would repeat that in his head over and over again! The voices of the press ringing in his head saying, "Androse, Androse! We are so excited to see you as Slytherin's seeker as a first year! You have to make it as a first year! We hope you don't let us down boy!" He was in his head the whole time while he was walking down the isle towards the sorting hat. He was so anxious. What will the world think if he didn't make into to Slytherin?

Then out of no where, he heard "Androse Wildore!" He stood there... His heart stoped for a moment... He heard whispers once his name was called, he knew people were talking about him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He walked up to the stool where the sorting hat was and he took a seat. The hat was placed on his head and it spoke thus. "AH! Wildore! I know exactly where to put you, Sly-" The sorting hat paused for a moment. It looked stumped. "Well now... Curious." Androse looked confused. "It should be simple right? I'm Slytherin..." The sorting hat shrugged its brim. The Sorting hat said, "Are you Slytherin? Your mind might be saying Slytherin... But, what does your heart desire, hmm? You seem to want something else... Is that correct? Sure you could be Slytherin, become what everyone else wants you to be, or... You could create your own destiny... You seem to be driven, brave, imaginative, and loyal! Do you want to be Slytherin?" Androse was stumped... He doesn't know what to feel now. "Do I want Slytherin?" He thinks for a moment. "No, I don't want to be Slytherin. But what will my family and everyone else think if I'm not sorted into Slytherin?" He asked the sorting hat. "It's all up to you..." Androse closes his eyes for a moment and whispers, "Gryffindor..." The leathery eyebrows of the sorting hat raises. "Very brave answer..." The Sorting hat smiles and shouts "GRYFFINDOR!"

The whole Gryffindor table cheered, Androse's eye brows rose, "Did I just say Gryffindor?" He thought. He stands up and walks over to the Gryffindor table, he looks shocked. "What happens now?" he thought. What will his family think of him now... What will the world think...?