Don't let my tattered old appearance
Fool you all to think
That my selection has no coherence
Or that my thoughts don't interlink.
I am a hat of selection.
I'll put you where you best fit
And if you have an objection,
My choice alone is it.
If I pick the House you fear,
I beg you don't be mad.
For at the end of your short seven years,
The house your in you'll be glad.

Now to the Houses you can be sorted-
they all have one common trait
Of the graduated men and women assorted
Their accomplishments are great.

When my voice booms Hufflepuff
You are a gentle soul.
You're heart is made of the right stuff-
Purity, calm, and a focused goal.
Although you may feel sadly ignored
Your presence is quite strong.
For without you the school would be bored,
You truly do belong.

For those of you who count on brains
In Ravenclaw you will be.
For this one fact still remains
The smartest are always glee.
But brains alone is not this house
Just look at the Quidditch scores
You'll notice that you did not grouse
And you won the cup for sure.

The snakes themselves are a prideful bunch
Their wit and cunning is prime
And I, myself, do have a hunch
That house is a grand old time.
But don't be fooled by their whimsical ways
For they are always on the watch
For something that will achieve them praise
And tear competition down a notch.

However, if you're loyal and brave
In Gryffindor you will stay.
Throughout these years you'll crave
For justice to never sway.
The lions all stick together
Their family is strong.
These bonds will never weather
For your whole life long.

So come and sit upon my seat
Each house is equally a prize.
Once you're sorted your journey you'll meet.
In Hogwarts- the years fly.
I am a hat and that is that
I am nothing more.
With your brain I'll have a chat
And sort you where I'm sure.

05/01/11 - 5