The Sorting Ceremony

[Dark Storm]

1998 Sorting Ceremony

Row upon row of candles lined the great hall, floating above the lines of students that sat upon the four long tables. Inane chatter reached the ears of the first years as older Hogwarts students caught up on the summer that had just passed and events that had taken so many of their friends mere months before.

Indeed the room still showed scars of that battle, cracks running through masonry caused by Dark magic, repaired as best as possible. The enormous, ancient, window that had once stood prominently at the back of the room was still undergoing repair, a large hogwarts banner covering the obvious hole.

In front of the window stood the teachers table, at the center the Headmaster surrounded by the heads of houses. A few seats stood empty, a testament to those who were no longer alive to take their rightful place. Indeed this was mirrored by the seating arrangements of the students. Houses that once filled the lengths of their seats now could easily fit into less than half of the hall. A sad reminder of those that had fought and died to save the wizarding world.

And, at the most prominent position on the room, in an area that could be seen by everyone stood the old sorting hat upon its customary stool, just waiting to do its only job for the year, to judge and place the new first years...

[Pontifex Maximus]

Atticus entered the Great Hall, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the light. He filed down the center aisle towards the front where the sorting would take place

[Magicman2051]

((Wasn't the Sorting Hat destroyed or otherwise damaged?))

Barthus took his place at the teachers table opposite Hagrid, who retained his position as Professor despite all the turmoil, and attempted to look the part he was to play in the coming ceremony. As he glanced around the table he quickly realised that he did stand out, not that it was his intent to do so, with his grey dress robes looking quite out of place among the sea of darker colours.

With an audible sigh he took a gilded gourd of water and filled his cup. He was, for the most part, disinterested with this whole ceremony he just wanted to start actually teaching. Instead of sitting around trying to the part.

[Kip]

Weatherby followed closely behind his new friend - the prying eyes of hundreds of curious older students would have made him feel small, but he was far too distracted by the grandeur of the Great Hall to notice. Even in its damaged state, Weatherby had never witnesses anything quite as grand.

As he became acclimated to the vaulted walls and floating candles, he became more and more aware of the countless pairs of eyes, all seemingly fixed upon him and him alone. As he lingered under the stares, he began to regret that his surname began with a 'W'... he'd surely be one of the last to finally escape the limelight.

[Xion]

Violeta and Ashley follow the line of first years into the Hall, and Violeta stares upwards at the numerous candles, entranced by the flickering flame of each one as she walks. Ashley keeps her normal cheer, although a tinge of nervousness starts to appear.

[Pericles of Athens]

William entered the hall eyes cool with a small grin on his face, William enjoyed the limelight, he was impressed by the hall even if it had been damaged it was still a great sight. He went down the center aisle and headed toward the front of the hall with the other students.

[Barry Goldwater]

Cecil walked into the Great Hall, looking from the ceiling to the older students and then back around the mass of new first-years. While on the exterior he at least tried to maintain a proud and dignified appearance as he walked beside his friends, on the inside his stomach was positively turning.

[rathertallhat]

Professor Gaputa enters, walks over to the teachers table, and takes his seat. He has forsaken his usual attire for a dark blue robe more blending with the robes worn by others attending the ceremony. He smiles warmly at the student attempting to calm the more nervous ones.

[Gone 2 the Celts]

Fritz slumps in with the rest of the crowd, hoping that none of the houses reject him. His Uncle had told him that he would end up in Hufflepuff, or not sorted at all, which would be a disgrace to the Pureblood Slytherins of the Andsersen- GrayMane lines.

[Dark Storm]

James stood and surveyed the assembled students. The looks on the faces of the first years amused him, they were embarassed, nervous, about what was going to happen, "Welcome," he began, his voice reaching to all ears in the hall, "To students both old and new. As you can see much has changed from when you last stepped foot in this school. The events of last year affected us all greatly, not one among us did not lose friends or loved ones to that terrible war. But that war is now over, it is time for us to rebuild what was destroyed, regain what was lost. I look at the students of this school today and I see hope. Hope for the future, hope that we may come to terms with what has happened and learn to deal with it as best we can. I would like to say a firm thank you, to all of you, to those who fought to save Hogwarts." he gestured along the table, "change has befallen us, I am sure you can all see the strangers among us, myself included. We may not be the teachers you are used to but we will ensure your education continues at the highest standard." he then gestured to the assembled first years, "indeed, each and every one of these is a new member of our community, and we must welcome them into the family. The are the future of this school and all of us. Students and teachers, should feel responsible for them." he surveyed the room to ensure eveyone was taking this to heart, "Let Hogwarts not be remembered for the terrible events of last year, let is not be remembered for destruction and death. But let it be remembered for it's unity and strength in times of hardship, it is up to you now, students of Hogwarts." he smiled slightly, "and now I believe it is time. Let the sorting begin..."

[Pontifex Maximus]

A tear in the rim of the sorting hat appeared as the hat sprung to life.

Students of Hogwarts young and new,
Survivors of the terrors of You-Know-Who
Reunited once more,
To be sorted into these houses four

The old ways must melt away
To ensure that peace is here to stay
Past rivalries must be set aside
As we reinstate good old Hogwarts' pride

Place this old hat upon your head
Ensure that your mind will soon be read

Maybe your house will be Gryffindor
Bravest and keen, forevermore

Still yet possibly Slytherin
Passion and cunning found within

You could also go to Hufflepuff
They argue they're made of stern stuff

The last option, Ravenclaw, be it
Herein dwell those of sharp wit

Following the Hat's poem came a general applause. The first years were organized in alphabeitcal order and called forward one by one...

[Pontifex Maximus]

OOC: You'll be sorted once I hear from you about which house to place you in. I'm just RPing the Hat, everyone else can RP their individual sorting separately if they wish to give your character's own reaction.

Friedrich Andersen's name was called. The Hat was placed upon his head...

"Plenty of tragedy, but a pure heart. Yes, a friendly if somewhat delicate mind...yes that's it. HUFFLEPUFF!"

-------------------

William Howards stepped forward, the hat lowered onto his head...

"Plenty of ambition in this one. SLYTHERIN!"

-------------------

Weatherby Wiggin's turn came next.

"Pure of heart...loyal...yet only determined. Hufflepuff might be the place for you. No? Right then, better be GRYFFINDOR!

-------------------

Alexander Rosenburg was then called...

"A boy who values logic...brains...but not very tolerant! Well, I know what can sort out the problems and encourage the better traits to come out. RAVENCLAW!

-------------------

Cecil Florent was called after Alexander.

"A natural leader...a proud character...no tolerance for defects. GRYFFINDOR!

--------------------

Next came Violeta Dalca. The hat barely even touched her head before screaming "SLYTHERIN!"

--------------------

Ashley Dalca then stepped forward

"A kind heart, warm, personality...HUFFLEPUFF!"

---------------------

Atticus Prince came next

"It has been a while since we've seen a Prince. SLYTHERIN!"

----------------------

After Atticus, Jonathan Heikkiläwas called forward.

"An aptitude for learning, and the desire to broaden the mind, better be RAVENCLAW!"

---------------------------

Steven Marwick was then brought forward

"More of these, a smart lad, great potential for knowledge. RAVENCLAW!"

----------------------------

Caroline Chamberlin came next.

The hat hardly had to consider. "RAVENCLAW!"

-----------------------------

Jack Helsing was brought forward next.

"A well rounded student, plenty of courage, ambition, and brains. Difficult. But in the end, I think GRYFFINDOR!"

--------------------------------

Tristan Oldridge came next.

"You could use some firm friends, because the potential is there. You understand the art of self-preservation. SLYTHERIN!"

----------------------------------

John Cyrus Forbes stepped forward next.

"Hmm, yes. I sense another RAVENCLAW!"

-------------------------------

[Barry Goldwater]

Cecil Florent was called after Alexander.

Once his name was called, Cecil made his way forward, his proud composure cracking as the thought that he could possibly end up in a house other than Gryffindor, breaking with three past generations of Florents, and what his parents would think of that, thundered through his mind. By the time he had had the hat placed on his head, though he hadn't noticed it, he was sweating profusely, and his breathing had increased in pace with both excitement and trepidation.

"A natural leader...a proud character...no tolerance for defects. GRYFFINDOR!

--------------------

However, with the hat's announcement that he would follow in his father's, grandfather's and great-grandfather's footsteps as another Gryffindor, all such worries evaporated instantly. After removing the Hat, Cecil rose with all the pride of a squire who had just been knighted, and began making his way to the Gryffindor table with a spring in his step and a wide grin on his face.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Atticus approached the bench, being careful not to stumble on the three stairs leading up to it. He took his seat and faced the entirety of the student body, feeling very small under their collective gaze. He felt the hat lower onto his head and heard a strange voice in his thoughts. It was a hard feeling to describe. it was as if he was talking to himself, except that the voice in his head was not his...It was questioning him, running through memories, exposing him. He felt naked, as if all of his secrets, worries, fears, triumphs had been laid bare to this penetrating force. Suddenly it stopped, as if the power had withdrawn itself. The next thing he heard was the voice bellow out "SLYTHERIN!"

He felt relieved...thankful...not only that the experience was over, but that he would be joining his house of choice. He joined the table of applauding Slytherins and continued to watch the sorting play out.

[Xion]

Violeta stepped forward and closed her eyes as the hat was placed on her head. Suprisingly, it wasn't very long before it screamed out Slytherin. So she gets up and goes over the Slytherin table, remaining quiet as she watches Ashley approach the hat, and the sortings afterwards. Ashley sits and waits for the hat to be placed, it's voice entering her head for about half a minute before declaring Hufflepuff. Somewhat disappointed, she smiles weaker than usual and goes to the Hufflepuff table, just focusing on watching the sorting.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Atticus was thrilled to see where Violeta was sorted

Violeta, over here, sit next to me!

[Xion]

Atticus was thrilled to see where Violeta was sorted

Violeta, over here, sit next to me!

She looks over and gets up from her current seat to sit with Atticus.

"Well, it's nice knowing I have one person I already know in the same house as me."

[Pontifex Maximus]

She looks over and gets up from her current seat to sit with Atticus.

"Well, it's nice knowing I have one person I already know in the same house as me."

Atticus looked pleased as well

Good luck, eh? Too bad some of the others didn't get sorted into Slythering, look, there goes Cecil. Thought he'd end up in Gryffindor.

Atticus curled his lip

[Lucius Malfoy]

Ah those slimy Gryffindors.

The voice came right beside Atticus from out of nowhere. The young wizard would see a man in 10th - 11th century clothing with blood all over the right side of his chest and shirt. He flashes a grin...he was clearly a ghost cause Atticus was able to see right through him!

Fresh blood to the house of Salazar Slytherin. Glad to see that.

[Xion]

"I suppose. But Ashley ended up in....Hufflepuff. I thought she would end up in here in Slytherin or in Ravenclaw. Guess the hat had other ideas, though."

Violeta nods when he mentions Cecil.

"I'm not suprised. The boy seemed to fit that House rather well, just as I apparently was ideal for Slytherin as the hat only took a few seconds to determine my house."