The Sorting Ceremony

[Pontifex Maximus]

2001 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]

Since his baggage had all been taken, Atticus made his way to the horseless carriages that commonly pulled students to the gates of the School. He was careful to notice where Violeta would sit, since he was keen to make amends for his comments on the train. Regis bounded ahead, barely visible in the gloom of the night.

[Xion]

After having their baggage taken, Violeta and Ashley begin to make their way to the carriages. Violeta looks up at the moon, a waxing gibbous moon that is a pale yellow, concealed by some clouds crossing it at this time. She stops for a second while Ashley is paused, searching for Cecil and Weatherby, to stare at the first years being lead by Hagrid to the boats, remembering for a few seconds her first year and the trip across the lake, where Atticus was attacked by the squid. She then looks over at Ashley, who has finished trying to look for the Gryffindors here, and the two move on closer to the carriages. Violeta sees two other Slytherins who come over and talk with her while Ashley looks around once more for any of her friends to sit. Eventually the small group keep moving towards the carriages, none of them in any hurry to get there.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Atticus mustered his courage and decided to confront his friend, since Cecil and Weatherby were nowhere to be found. He didn't want to sit alone. Though maybe if that Nigel guy was around he might be able to sit with him...in any case he had to make things right. He fell in behind the pair of girls and called out to Violeta. smiling bashfully

Care to share a carriage?

[Xion]

"I'd rather not." Violeta doesn't even look at him when she speaks, then returns to talking to her cousin and the two other Slytherins with them.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Atticus stopped short, allowing the group to continue without him in toe. His head was slightly hung, but in spite of this did not reveal a flicker of emotion to betray the inner wound wrought by Violeta's scorn. Instead he turned smartly on his heel and with a whispered hiss called Regis to his side. The pair took a seat in an unoccupied carriage, Regis crouched in Atticus' lap still as death.

[Xion]

Violeta and Ashley walk a bit further before Violeta stops and whispers to Ashley. "Do you think it'll work?" "Trust me, it will." The two girls giggle as they they board their carriage, and continue plotting something in whispers. "It'll be funny to see his reaction." Violeta merely nods while they wait for the carriage to leave.

[M D]

The Headmaster went ahead alone in a carriage so as to be there before the feast began

[Raglan]

Having never set foot in Hogwarts before, James ignores the horseless carriages, and walks the short walk up to the school. It doesn't take long, and he soon finds the great hall. Entering he finds he is later than most, but before the first years. Walking the length of the hall he takes it all in, the enchanted ceiling. The school tables, the students, and of course the sorting hat. Somewhat bemused at the sight of the hat sitting on a stool he wonders just how the sorting will occur. As he walks the length of the hall, some of the students watch him pass, a few surprised at him taking his seat at the head table. He is after all only two years older than most seventh years, and his youthful face means he could easily pass for a student.

[Kip]

Waverly huffed impatiently at the rail station. After what seemed like ages, Weatherby finally burst from the car, his bag and pockets bulging with what his friends would know were pumpkin pasties.

"You're the very last one off the train, you know that?"

"Worth it. Wasn't about to miss out on trolley sweets. You didn't have to wait you know."

"Just needed to be sure you didn't get attacked by that tentacula or something. Mom would throw a fit if you died on my watch."

Weatheby rolled his eyes with a grin an tossed his sister a pasty before Waverly darted away to find a few second years whom she hadn't seen yet. Weatherby took his first generous bite and chased after the carriages, looking for one containing a friendly face.

[Barry Goldwater]

Cecil stepped off the train and casually made his way towards the carriages, walking with a relaxed gait now that he had been relieved of his baggage. Spotting Atticus boarding one of the then-unoccupied carriages, he changed directions and made his way towards it, Orestes trailing him at an equally relaxed pace. He waved at his Slytherin friend as he closed in and laughed genially,

"Hey, Atticus. Good timing on nabbing this carriage, I couldn't find Weatherby and was just thinking I'd have to sit alone."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Cecil stepped off the train and casually made his way towards the carriages, walking with a relaxed gait now that he had been relieved of his baggage. Spotting Atticus boarding one of the then-unoccupied carriages, he changed directions and made his way towards it, Orestes trailing him at an equally relaxed pace. He waved at his Slytherin friend as he closed in and laughed genially,

"Hey, Atticus. Good timing on nabbing this carriage, I couldn't find Weatherby and was just thinking I'd have to sit alone."

Atticus nodded

Things get a bit...wild when the train stops. I almost got run over by a Ravenclaw prefect herding first years to Hagrid.

Atticus looked up and saw carriages beginning to head towards the castle. He yawned and rested his head on the back of the seat

I'm done for after the feast. I'm going to collapse in my bed and sleep for days.

[m_1512]

Percival watched the whole procession from the main doors. He was deep in thought, so oblivious to the surroundings that he was making the candle chandelier swing without knowing.

[Watercress]

After several minutes of struggling to carry and collect all of her plants, items, and baggages, Abigail gave up, and decided to simply cast a Hover Charm on the whole lot. And so, she got off the train and headed down the path to Hogwarts, with a large cluster of brown luggage and green foliage hovering just behind her, following her movement.

[Narf]

Evangelina had seen i before, but as always she marveled at the brilliance that was the sight of Hogwarts. As in a trance she kept looking at it, the bright windows which light illuminated the school with the assistance of the moon, all very beautiful and mesmerizing. This was home and she would hope that she was allowed to live here next summer.. She jumped on a random Wagon having no real preference.(All are welcome to pick it up from here.).

[Pontifex Maximus]

~timewarp to everyone being in the Great Hall, seated, waiting for the first years to come in. The sorting hat is on a stool in the dais of the Great Hall with all the students and teachers looking on.

[Xion]

After arriving in their carriage, Violeta and Ashley walk to the Great Hall and then separate to sit at their respective house tables. Violeta sighs and sits next to Atticus, just so she may have someone to talk to if she gets bored. For now, she does look at him and leans over to whisper something. "Look at the Ravenclaw table. I heard a rumor that mudblood that tried to poison you has been let back in. As we also thought he was a vampire, you better carry some garlic." She then goes back to watching for the first years.

[Pontifex Maximus]

After recovering from the surprise of Violeta's sudden presence at his side, Atticus processed her words and was filled with dread.

If he tries anything like he did in potions I'll curse him into the hospital wing for a week...what's that noise?

Atticus turned around to witness the Hufflepuffs being, well, Hufflepuffs.

Don't they ever shut up?

[Xion]

Violeta looks back at Atticus, with a faint smile forming. "Oh no, I heard this time he plans to do something to you then take you somewhere he can nurse you back to health. Or poison you again. I only heard a bit of it over his incessant crying while I was hunting for the trolley." She looks over at the Hufflepuffs. "The majority, no. There are exceptions..but it is to be expected of their house to be like that. Perhaps one year someone should put something in their food to make them shut up for once. It'd be funny."

[Narf]

Yes, Laughter and the joy of being reunited with their housemates once more was to say the least, quite audible, everywhere, and no place more so than the Table of the Hufflepuffs. Evie enjoyed it, sitting with a wide smile on her lips. She loved the happy atmosphere, being surrounded by glad and happy people.. There was no greater thing in the world.. Even though she didn't have anyone to talk with, she enjoyed the brilliance and spectacle that was this unique evening, greatly.