It was finally HAPPENING.

They were no longer on boats yelling about pillows and frogs or storming off cause they didn't like the idea of SEEING the squid (or at least that's what Blaise thought the Daxton kid left for), they were now IN the castle! dsfbgkrufg!!!! For his part, the little boy tried his hardest to keep up with/ahead of the group of First Years, obviously eager to see everything he could even in the dimly lit corridor they were taken down.

He wonder where they were being taken but most of his focus was set on what he'd say to the hat. People said it chose the house--despite Suri not believing him that it DOES talk--and he had heard that if you convinced it enough then it would put you where you wanted. The boy would start with sweet words, then move into intimidation and finally grovelling. It seemed like the perfect plan.

His quill and notepad floated just a few paces behind him, no doubt capturing the hushed chatter of his fellow First Years. Later before bed he'd read it over to see what it caught; an idea far removed from his mind when they actually got into a VERY HUGE HALL that was packed with other kids who were obviously older. Blaise wasn't typically the nervous kind but right now his stomach was in knots. What if...what if they hat made him a Ravenclaw in front of all these people and didn't change it's mind even after all his complimenting and pleading???????

Deep breathes Bellaire.

Blaise stood patiently in line but found he didn't have all that long a wait because his last name was 'B'. It was a little nerve wracking being among the first but only because he was still trying to find WAYS of ensuring he got into Gryffindor no matter what the hat and his mother said. The words 'Blaise Bellaire' had the 11 year old walking up to the stool, his eyes intent on the Gryffindor table. THAT was where he would go and his cousin better go there too or they would have words after.

"Hmmm...where to put you? Where to put you?" The hat said in a rather singsong tone. Before the boy's lips could even part in response, it was already onto the decision. "Gryffindo--"

"Now hear me out. I know you might be seeing other things but it has to be Gryffindor. PLEASE put me in Gryffindor."

The hat sighed at the boy who was obviously not listening. "Gryffindor."

"No I mean it! You gotta make me a Gryffindor, me and my cousin have all these epic plans we gotta do up in the tower and...and I'll write a really nice story about you--make you famous--you'll be more than a hat, you'll be a STAR." His entire line of arguing was skewed and the boy had completely left out the intimidation but he was trying to work this. There must have been SOME WAY of changing its mind.

The hat was becoming even stronger in its conviction with every protest from the little one. He would be getting nowhere if it continued like this and so it was time to try something else. "Ravenclaw." He said, largely unimpressed and waiting because there would be a reaction, this kid was the type. 3...2...1...

"WHAT?????" His eyes widened in utter disbelief even as his hands moved to clamp his mouth shut, momentarily mortified by his own volume as well as the hat's decision. "But you just said Gryffindor! C'mon, mate! No take backs!"

"Oh good, so you WERE listening." The hat gave a little chuckle before bellowing his response. "GRYFFINDOR!!!"

THIS time he was listening, THIS TIME the boy was grinning widely from ear to ear as he threw off the hat and ran down to join the table of applauding students in scarlet and red screaming 'YES!' the entire time while his quill and notepad zipped behind him trying to keep up. YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!

"Kettleburn, Charlotte!" --

--may have caused some concern for those who had known her aunt Zahra, but there wasn't any left on the teaching staff who truly knew her legacy, except for Professor Sabel Dakest, who Char WAVED at excitedly as she skipped up to the stool. Yeah, she knew what to expect. She was confident. She had this. She ALSO waved out at the tables, all smiles and not an ounce of nerves visible in her expression.

She sat down on the stool, the hat was lowered over her hea--

"GRYFFINDOR!"

o______O

"RAVENCLAW!" Charlotte corrected. "It said Ravenclaw!"

Because, see, that was where her mum and dad had been sorted, and she, Charlotte, had been raised with that expectation and, she was going to be a Ravenclaw, surely?

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat repeated, louder.

At PRECISELY the same time that Charlotte yelled, "RAVENCLAW!" In an attempt to drown said hat out. It hadn't even touched her head properly, it hadn't! It was being held above her head, and just as it was about to be pulled away, Charlotte reached up with both hands, grabbed the brim, and pulled it down on her head.

Hey hat, you're WRONG! She thought at it furiously. And everyone says that you can CHOOSE your house and you didn't even ASK me, hat! Are you BROKEN? Who broke you? I'm a Ravenclaw okay? Like my mum and dad! Char screwed her face up in concentration. Didn't it understand?

My dear, you will grow to love your house and after all you aren't the first Kettleburn to become a lion, or the first Toussaint for that matter. I think you will find Gryffindor is exactly the place for you. No other house will do.

Take it back! I want to be a Ravenclaw! Charlotte thought at it, in mortification, but the hat simply shouted once more:

"GRYFFINDOR!"

ACK!

You're nothing but a DUNCE CAP is what YOU ARE, Mr HAT!

But it didn't answer, the hat was being lifted away from her head and she swiped at it futilely, and then after a moment got up off the stool.

"RAVENCLAW!" She yelled again, and with great determination, the newly sorted Gryffindor Char, MARCHED to the RAVENCLAW table. A dumb bit of fabric couldn't tell HER what to do!

HOLY MOLY.

He was really here.

He was at Hogwarts and this magical place was where Owen was going to spend at least the next seven years of his life. He knew the castle was awesome and all, but knowing and actually seeing it for yourself were different. He was simply in awe. The Great Hall was something almost out of a dream - with a black velvety ceiling dotted with stars. He wasn't sure where to look first. He could see the four long tables designated for each house and with each passing moment it was getting hard to keep his excitement in check.

His mind was already thinking of the all the things he would get to experience in this place!

Speaking of experience, tonight he was going to experience being sorted into a House. This...he was excited but at the same time nervous about. Putting on a hat that people swore talked to you to determine which house you fall into? Yep, pretty exciting...and mildly terrifying if you were an incoming first year. Plus, as he watched his fellow first years have a go at the Sorting Hat, some issues had presented themselves. What a scene.

....

It was a little while before he was actually called because sequence was according to alphabetical order, it seemed. Finally...

Owen Thyago Montezor!

Owen gulped.

Then promptly sat down as the sorting hat was placed over his head.

"Sooo, which house do you want to be in, you chubby tubby?"

THE HAT! It was talking! And calling him chubby tubby. Haha. Humorous hat was humorous. It was actually alleviating Owen's nerves. This wasn't so bad after all. "Kid, are you deaf?" Okay, maybe he thought too soon.

Um, sorry. I'm not really sure. But I think I would like it if you put me somewhere with food? HINT. HINT.

"Hahaha. Riiiiight. Couldn't let a growing boy be deprived of food now, could we? I also feel a well-rounded personality in you, loyal and patient too. Well...better be......
HUFFLEPUFF!

Hufflepuff! With the hat pulled off his head, Owen vacated the stool and did a mini jiggle-jiggle dance of some sort. He was was not dreaming. He was sorted. He was a Hufflepuff and wasn't their common room near the Kitchens? and he honestly couldn't complain.

A huge genuine grin in place, the newly sorted badger wobbled towards the Hufflepuff Table.

Archer, Riley.

THAT WAS HER.

THAT WAS HER NAME.

Without hesitation, Riley walk-jogged to the stool and sat down. IT WAS HAPPENING. She peered up as a hat was lowered onto her head, trying to resist asking the Professor about the hat and about the houses because this was all so ODD and so exciting and she just wanted to get on with it. Oh and a quick wave to ALL THE STUDENTS.

Ahhhhhhhhhh...

WOAH. Riley spun in her seat, looking for the source of the noise. Or maybe it in her head. That was concerning.

Hmmmm... most interesting...

"What's interesting?" Riley asked with her nose crinkled in confusion. This must be what people were talking about earlier about hats and voices and stuff. So weiiiiiiird, but definitely cool.

You do not need to use your voice for me to hear you, my dear...

Before Riley could question what that meant though the hat was 'speaking' again. This time about houses which DEFINITELY caught the redhead's attention.

Perhaps your home shall be Gryffindor....you have a fearlessness unlike most others... however.....

However what? Were Gryffindors the fearless house? That sounded like a DANDY house. "What are all the houses and what do they mean, Sir. hat?" She needed to KNOW just in case she didn't want to be a Gryffindor, y'see?

You have quite a thirst for knowledge, don't you, child? Unlike so many others you want to know 'why' .... Well, I can tell you.... Gryffindor is the home of those with chivalrous and courageous hearts and may well be your new home, but there are other things to consider ..... Your determination to succeed and eagerness to learn, not to mention your unceasing questions, suggest you would do well in Ravenclaw...

"What about the others?" Duh. She had 'all' after all.

Hmmmmmmm... Perhaps you should ask your new housemates.....


................."RAVENCLAW!"

OH. OH. OHHHHHH.

"Thank you, hat of houses," she cried, before very, very carefully taking off the hat and placing it back on the stool. With a MASSIVE grin on her face and zero qualms about being a Ravenclaw, she skipped on over to what she thought was the Ravenclaw table. She was wrong but that didn't really matter now.

The walk through the big double doors that lead into the Great Hall was both intimidating and exciting. The little brunette’s eyes lit up as she gazed at the ceiling and then down at the lines of students that filled the tables on either side of the walkway. They were stood in a clump at the top of the hall where Ruby watched as student after student was sorted by the talking hat. Her lips curled into a tiny smile as she watched in fascination as different houses were called and students clapped. That was until she heard the hat call her name.

“Ruby-May Broadmoor”

She swallowed hard. Her eyes lifted to the stool on the platform at the very front. She felt as if every eye was on her and she had never felt so intimidated in her life. The hat was placed on her head and she stared out ahead at her fellow first year students rather than all the others waiting in anticipation to see what house was called.

"I see you come from a family of Slytherins”

She nodded confirming his statement, amazed by how much the hat knew about her. She was too scared to open her mouth and speak however so she kept it firmly closed.

“But you are not a Slytherin at heart”

The eleven year old bit at her bottom lip. She knew that would be the case. Ruby was not cunning or ambitious. She wouldn't fit into the house and despite both her parents and her sister being Snakes she would feel intimidated stuck under the lake in a dark and atmospheric common room. Ruby wanted desperately to be with her sister but quite frankly she didn't want to have to be a Slytherin to get to her. The lip biting continued as she waited for the hat to announce its thoughts.

“I think you and I both know where you belong.. RAVENCLAW!!”

Ruby couldn't help the smile that fell onto her lips. Ravenclaw had been the house that she had hoped for. Her father could have easily belonged there AND one of her idols Auntie Vashti was one too. The hat was removed from her head and she hopped off the stall and over to the Ravenclaw table.

"Prince, Daxton."

For a moment, he didn't move. Daxton had spent all day psyching himself up for this moment, ever since David Truebridge had told him what to expect. But the trouble down at the boats and then his awe at the finery of the Great Hall and then the curiousness of the ceremony had all blown that clear from his mind, and now the moment had come and he was not ready to go up there. And yet, that was exactly where his feet were taking him. Prince Daxton, coming through.

A quick Sorting. That was all he wanted. And a quiet one. And the Hat could read minds, so it would know to give him those things.

Daxton sat on the stool, squeezing his eyes shut tight the second he caught sight of everyone looking at him, while his heart rate seemed to double and his breathing quickened and he willed the Hat, which was then placed on his head, to make the decision as fast as it could.

'Interesting...'

Daxton gasped, might have yelped if that were his modus operandi, and tried to bat the Hat right off of his head. It was instantly returned, however, and so instead he reached underneath the fabric and covered up his ears.

It had sounded as though someone was right up close to him, mumbling into his ear, and even though he knew it was impossible it was almost as if he could feel its breath tickle his neck. Daxton could still hear it now; covering his ears wasn't working, so he started a low, tuneless hum to drown the noise out. That did the trick.

Seconds past... moments... soon a full minute. He knew that when it yelled, he would hear it, but still there was nothing. So much for a quick Sorting. How come Char got placed quickly and he didn't? What was so special about her?

In his curiosity, and in his drive to understand and know what was happening, Daxton lowered the volume of his humming and lessened the pressure over his ears.

'...-of a Gryffind-...' Daxton clamped his hands down again, resumed the tuneless humming, a little louder than before. Gryffindor, it was saying. He didn't know why, but he also didn't want to uncover his ears for long enough find out. All he knew was that Gryffindor was the house where all the loudest students from the boats had been placed so far, and there was not a chance he was going there. Not. A. Chance. He would walk right out of here and demand to be taken home. And luckily for him, the Hat didn't seem to think that Gryffindor was the right House, either.

More time passed, and still no call from the Hat. Daxton wondered if it had broken or something; if it was still deciding or if it had somehow withered and died while sat on his head, blown away by his complex and unfathomable and impressive (duh) brain, and nobody had noticed. Could a hat die? Was it alive in the first place, or simply animated? Was it sentient? Did it feel pain?

He uncovered his ears for just a second.

'...-iduality... intellige-...

Still going, then. Not dead. Or as dead as a Hat could get. Though if it didn't pick up the pace, Daxton could promise it a slow and merciless end. He grit his teeth, hummed louder still, and waited. He tried not to think about all the people probably still watching him, how much he wished they would all look away.

The worst part of this, actually, was that Daxton really did want to know what the Hat was saying. He wanted to communicate with it, because apparently he didn't need to talk to do that, and it would likely be the easiest conversation he would have for a while. He wanted to know things, all the things. But he couldn't handle it talking right into his ear.

It had been a while since he last checked, so Daxton ceased his humming and uncovered his ears once again, just for a second, just to check...

'...-eal of self-preserv-...

Still going. It was still going? Why on earth did they use this stupid thing that looked so old and took so long to do anything it was probably going senile? Did they ever replace their Sorting Hats? Apparently not. Ridiculous.

Though he did not know it, Daxton's sorting had now passed the five minute mark, making him an official Hatstall, though apparently there was still no decision in sight. The boy psyched himself up again, and uncovered an ear.

'...-ight move things along faster if I had your input-...' Still no, then. And apparently asking Daxton to Sort himself, as if that wasn't what the Hat's sole intention was.

How long had he been up here now? Daxton had no idea, only that it had been a fair while, and he could still feel eyes on him from every direction. He wanted this to be over. Stupid hat. He ought to burn the thing. Rip it apart. Feed it to the Squid. Then nobody could have their precious Sorting Hat which was really nothing more than a waste of fabric and a waste of time. The Hat was unnecessary. Any human could do this job and not take an inordinate amount of time. That was his input.

Once again, he lifted one hand from over his ear, to see if it had come to a decision. If not, he was giving up and declaring the hat broken.

'...-in either Ravenclaw or Slythe-...

Wait. What? Slytherin, it was talking about Slytherin. Daxton suddenly remembered what David Truebridge had said about their Head of House. A Healer. A doctor. I am not going into Slytherin, you stupid freaking hat.

"RAVENCLAW!" And it only took five minutes and fifty-nine seconds. Wow.

One of Daxton's ears was still partially uncovered, so the booming of the hat was too close too loud too much too much too much. But it was done, he was Sorted, he was a Ravenclaw.

Daxton all but sprang up off of the stool and finally opened his eyes as he threw the hat down and far away from him. Finally. Finally. There was a table cheering and clapping (he covered his ears once again), but he still didn't know where to go. Char was over there, and she had been sorted into Gryffindor, not Ravenclaw. And there had been others who had gone to sit at tables where the occupants hadn't cheered for them... so... what did he...?

But a second later he was pointed in that direction, and Daxton hesitated no longer. Ravenclaw. Okay. Ravenclaw. The smart ones. Right. That would work. Ravenclaw.

Noelle bounced back in forth in line waiting for her name to be called. Excitement sketched every line on her young face. She wiggles in excitement as Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were called out. She laughed at the girl that kept trying to correct the hat. Obviously she was in shock of it all. Then she heard it. HER name.

Noelle Summers.

Her eyes widened just a fraction of the inch. But not in fright of being in front of everyone, having them look and watch you as the hat judged where to put you. No in excitement. She eagerly rushed up to the stool to sit on it. Only she missed the stool. Missed it bad. She practically flung herself over the stool trying to get on it and landed on her face in front of the whole school.

Noelle's cheeks flushed but she bounced right back up and scrambled onto the stool that was stood back up. "I'm a little clumsy." She announced to the school. Because they were all watching. And probably laughing. She didn't care though, because THAT HAT WAS ON HER HEAD .

It didn't take but a moment and the hat yelled out. GRYFFINDOR!! Mum was right! She was in Gryffindor!!!

She toppled off the stool and fell face first on the ground again. Too excited to be embarrassed, she took off running to the red and yellow table with her arms raised high. " IM A GRYFFINDOR!!"

This was it, the moment she had spent the whole summer early waiting for. She had arrived at Hogwarts at last. Blair craned her neck to see over the crowd of excited first years. There at the front of the hall was the sorting hat. Having heard fellow students discussing it on the train Blair felt confident and could not wait to discover her new house. Her mind trailed off thinking about the year ahead...

Anderson, Blair

It's time! Blair strode past her fellow students and took her place on the stool. Not very stylish this hat is it? After what felt like a lifetime a voice finally shouted...

Gryffindor!

He. Was at. Hogwarts.

THIS WAS NO JOKE. HE WAS AT HOGWARTS!!

Months and months and months of waiting had led up to this moment. THIS one right here! Phillip had dreamt about this a LOT -- and had probably annoyed Kat by shoving it in her face ha ha. And now.... NOW this was happening. He almost couldn't contain himself OR his excitement.

So, it was no wonder that the first year was walking a little slower than he should, taking a look around at EVERYTHING. Look at the decoration, look at the plates, LOOK AT THE CEILING. Everything looked........ nice. It made him feel like royalty, like he was in his own kingdom. Merlin, he could get used to THIS.

And he was trailing behind the others. Whoops.

Phillip jogged up to the rest of the group, looking as casual as possible. It was probably a good thing he was near the back of the crew because it gave him the opportunity to take a goooood look at the goings on of the ceremony so that he knew what to expect. He watched as some people were sorted immediately -- the hat didn't even touch their head!! -- while others were sitting there for years and years and YEARS. merlin, the Sorting Ceremony was taking AAAAAAAAAAGES. C'mon, he was going to grow OLD here with all this waiting. And it didn't help that his surname began with 'R', meaning that he was had to wait nearly CENTURIES to be--

"Romalotti, Phillip!"

WAIT THAT WAS HIM! HE WAS A PHILLIP! EVERYBODY, MOVE YOURSELF, HE WAS COMING THROUGH.

Shoving past some of the people that were in front of him, the eleven year old went and sat himself down on the stool everyone before him had sat on -- and made the seat warm for him, how nice -- while the hat was placed on his head. Er. More like covered half of his head. His mouth was still showing to the audience but his eyes? His eyes were covered by the hat and all he could see was the inside fabric.

So what was he meant to do NOW? Wait? Surely, this ceremony was more magical than this? Months of waiting hadn't led up to him sitting on a stool in front of lots of people only to wear a HAT. One that covered most of his FA--

'Hmmmmm... hmmmm... now this is interesting...'

What? WHAT? Interesting? WHO SAID THAT?!

Phillip looked around wildly, almost expecting someone to have popped up out of nowhere, as if he was in some kind of weird dream, but, uh, no. It took a moment or two to realise that it was the HAT speaking. The hat. Speaking. INTO HIS EAR? This was kind of creepy, wasn't it?

But interesting. The hat had said that something was interesting and Phillip opened his mouth to ask exactly WHAT was interesting when, as if reading his mind, the hat spoke up.

'It's interesting that, despite your father being a Hufflepuff, you've gained more traits from your step side of your family, hence Gryffindor, than from him. Interesting.'

Er. Well. The young boy frowned and squirmed a little in his seat. Was this a good thing or not?

'It's not good or bad, it's just interesting.'

You say that a lot, Mr Hat.

'Moving ON,' If the hat had a face, Phillip felt as though it would have rolled its eyes right about now. 'You don't have the hard working nature of a Hufflepuff-' HEY NOW! '... and you also don't have the wit and thirst for knowledge that Ravenclaws require.' Was this hat being RUDE?!

'But!' Oh? He sat up a little straighter. 'You're a very close mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin. Bravery and ambition. A strong urge to prove your worth but also a knack of not wanting to follow the rules.' Still not a bad thing, Mr Hat.

And Mr Hat? Do you mind hurrying up? His butt was starting to hurt from sitting here for so long. He was having to wiggle around on the stool a lot and, to the outside world, it could look like he was about to wet his pants. He didn't want to start off his first day by doing THAT.

'Your sense of self worth and ambitious flair outweighs the amount of recklessness you have, meaning that you'd better be...'

THIS WAS IT!

"... SLYTHERIN!"

HE'D DONE IT HE'D DONE IT! HE WAS IN THE SAME HOUSE AS HIS MUM!

Grinning, the boy took off the hat and placed it on the stool before turning to look around at the rest of the Hall. Slytherin....... over THERE. The table with the people with green ties. Phillip bounded his way over towards that direction.

Oh just WAIT til mum hears about this!

Bentley was standing right next to Blaise when his cousin's name was called and he was left all alone with the other nervous looking first years. Admittedly, he was scared too but not because "OH MY GOSH HOGWARTS!" What if he didn't get Slytherin house? Would his grandma be upset with him? But what if he did get into Gryffindor? He'd be in the same house with his dad...Baaaaaaaaaaaaah! Contrary to whatever Blaise said, this was the hardest part of everything!

But maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan did he wish the slow poke hat would hurry up. He knew how this whole thing went. He had watched it all before from the staff table with his grandma and now it was finally his turn.

Green wasn't a bad colour on him...but he had already gotten scarlet and gold stuff for his room.....he could go to HufflePuff too...

GAAAAASSSP!!!

What if the hat put him there because his mum was a hufflepuff?!!! He didn't want to wear yellow!!!!!!!!

"Moore.. Bentley!"

"That's me! That's me!"

Bentley shuffled his way through the throng of students and planted his little butt on the stool.

"Hmmmm...hmmmmm..hmmmmm..might be.....Slytherin....you are ambitious..ah....head strong too I see...."

"Yes..Slytherin...but no no maybe...wait Mr. Hat!!...."

"wait you say?.....you have an air of recklessness but a good heart..you would do well in Hufflepuff...."

Bentley squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. Was this process suppose to take this long?.." No..not hufflepuff..I don't even like yellow....not hufflepuff....not hufflepuff..."

"No? Better be GRYFFINDOR!"

Gryffindor! Just like his dad! And just like his cousin! His grandma would understand. Right now he was too excited. The newly sorted Lion cub hopped off the stool and raced towards the Gryffindor table. Walking was waay too mainstream right now.

"Nathan Fenlon...."

"Nathan Fenlon...."
The professor had looked down at the name list once more.........

"Nathan Fenlon...." oh!!!!!! That was him. The young boy got up and made his way to the stool. This was--Whoa! Down he went... Faceplanting the steps up to the stool in front of the entire school over his shoelace. He groaned before getting up and dusting his pants off, even though no dust was to be found. "Nathan..." he heard his name once more before he approached the daunting stool and took a seat with his back to the students.

He grinned and waved enthusiastically at the professors in front of him. "Hi---oomph!" the hat was placed on his head and he could hear snickering behind his back as he kicked his feet. This stool was tall and all.

hmmmm..... Very interesting this one.... Very nice complex. Very........ Interesting..."

"what? .... Hello?!" the hat was so big on his head that brim had covered his eyes and he had no idea who was talking to him. Frustrated he blew some air up towards his forehead as he usually did when his hair bothered him to try and move the hat to no avail...
"But I cant see yo---"

"SLYTHERIN!!!!!"

What!? What did that mean? He looked around as the hat was removed and he was ushered off the chair.

Oh look..... BLUE people!! And with that he made his way to the RAVENCLAW table. Hi.

Finally, they were here! At Hogwarts! Their new home, or for Davie, his old and familiar summer stomping grounds. Standing in line behind alllllllll the other first years, Davie tried his best not to be nervous. He was at the end of the alphabet though, so he had a long long time to wait. He tried to predict where the other firsties were going while he waited. The first girl he didn't recognize, and she was a GRYFFINDOR. The next few were a mix of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, and the big mouth boy from the boats (Blaise Bellaire, he learned) was obviously a Gryffindor.

Then came his BFF Charlotte Kettleburn. Char was obviously a Ravenclaw like her whole family, though, right? Right? Right? Then what was the hat saying at the same time as her?? It sounded an awful lot like Gryffindor... but if that were the case, then surely she would be marching in the opposite direction right now. Maybe it had just pronounced Kettleburn wrong.

Confused as to his friend's correct sorting, Davie almost missed watching the big boy (Owen Thyago Montezor) go into Hufflepuff, and Daxton Prince go into Ravenclaw. Good for him. Ravenclaws seemed the least likely to be bothered by a nonverbal housemate who has to write everything he wants to say.

After a kinda quick Slytherin sort (Phillip Romalotti), it was finally his turn. FINALLY. Davie straightened his tie and adjusted his glasses, walking firmly and smoothly up to the stool when he heard, "TRUEBRIDGE, DAVID," announced loudly.

He took his seat and swung his legs, excited to have the hat on top of his head again... it honestly felt like wearing an old friend, for the son of the former Headmistress. Of course it promptly slid down over his eyes, but he didn't mind. The hat brim was now serving as his protector from all the curious eyes of the older students in the hall.

"I never mentioned this to you before, but you come from a long line of Slytherins, as you know," the Hat began in his ear. "But your mother is staunchly a Hufflepuff, of the hardworking and loyal kind. You are best suited for neither of those Houses, however, and I think you know why."

Oh no, that can't be true, Davie thought, suddenly facing the realization that the Hat might think him a Gryffindor. I'm just not cut out for the lion life.

"No you are not, my boy, you're far too wise and witty to waste away in that madhouse." The Hat seemed to be laughing at him, or maybe with him. Davie was meanwhile putting together the pieces and realizing that where the hat wanted him was also exactly where he wanted to go. "You're right, young Truebridge, there's only one place for you to in this Great Hall. Go on, take your seat with...

"RAVENCLAW!!!!"

Beaming widely as this last bit was said aloud for everyone to hear, Davie bounced up from the stool and after a quick, happily-thought, 'Thanks!' bounced off to the navy and bronze table. RAVENCLAW. Yay! He would make so many new friends and acquaintances tonight!

"Save me a seat," Olly whispered to his sister when her name was called for the sorting.

When he and his siblings waited for something, Olly always came last. 'O' came fairly late in the alphabet so he was always after Colin and after Ellery. But he didn't mind. He liked watching them go before him. It was especially exciting to watch Ellery and she went first to get sorted. The excitement he felt for her rivaled the anticipation he felt for his own sorting. The only downfall in this case was that the surprise would be ruined. Because he knew that wherever Ellery got sorted, was where he would get sorted too.

Borzekowski-Thomas, Oliver

He only paused for a second after his name was called, to grin at Ellery and send her a thumbs up, before dashing forward and taking a seat. It was his turn. The moment had finally arrived. He was there, at HOGWARTS, about to be SORTED. Olly could barely contain his excitement. It took all of the first year's concentration to keep from bouncing in his seat as the hat was placed on is head. IT WAS TIME.

The hat was too big for him, and it fell over his eyes as it was placed on his head. Olly waited, unsure exactly what to expect. Would the hat talk to him? Normally, he would have asked Ellery for every detail but obviously that had not been an option in this situation. So he waited, completely in the dark both literally and metaphorically. Finally he did hear a voice. It didn't seem to enter his ears, but it was perfectly clear in his mind nonetheless.

"That was your sister who was just up here." It was more of a statement than a question so Olly figured it didn't need a response. He didn't know how to go about responding anyway. Did he speak aloud? That seemed stupid, considering the hat was speaking only inside his head. It could read his thoughts, so did he only need to think to respond? "You're very close," the hat continued. "You would do anything for her." Yes, Olly thought fiercely, and that seemed to be the correct way to respond. The hat didn't speak again, it seemed to be considering.

Another long period of time passed with only silence from the hat. How long had it been since the hat had first been placed on his head? It seemed like forever to Olly, but that was because he was the one up there. He just wanted the hat to hurry up and sort him already. He already knew where he was going, he just needed the hat to yell it out so he could go join his sister with the Gryffindors.

"Slytherin!"

What?

Olly's entire world froze. He had to have heard wrong, because there was no way he could be a Slytherin. No way he could be something or somewhere without Ellery by his side. It could not be happening. Everything was moving in slow motion, and he was nearly blinded when the light returned to his eyes.

Even after the hat was removed from his head, Olly sat for a few moments. He was frozen in shock, unable to move. His eyes were wide, staring toward the Gryffindor table. Toward his sister and the space next to her that was supposed to be for him. They were always together. How could he possibly bear to be apart?

His lower lip wobbled and his eyes burned with the threat of tears. But somehow Olly forced himself to stand, and wretched his eyes away from Ellery. He turned and walked toward the Slytherins. Away from the Gryffindor table. Away from his sister.

Adelynn anxiously awaited her turn at the sorting ceremony. She felt out of place considering mostly everyone around her was a first year and she was a transferring third year. She looked around and then-

"KINGSTON, ADELYNN"

The time was here. She gave a quick smile and then slowly walked up to where the hat was. With the hat on her head, she tried to look up at it.

"Hmmm, you're a bit tricky. Although you may be new here, the Kingston family is not. Nope, been here for ages."

Adelynn bit her lip. Those on her mums side, who had attended Hogwarts, were mostly Ravenclaw. However, her entire dads side were Slytherins and she had her fair share of Slytherins at family gatherings.

"Don't worry, dear. You would never do well in Slytherin."

Okay, a bit harsh. But it wasn't Slytherin she wanted anyway. She was hoping for Ravenclaw.

"Ravenclaw? You would do great in Ravenclaw, you certainly have the brains for it. But you might find a happier heart in Hufflepuff."

Adelynn had Hufflepuff qualities, sure, but Ravenclaw was where she belonged. She had already made friends in Ravenclaw, she found the location of the house to be the best, and it was everything she wanted.

"Hmm, not too hard of a decision then. RAVENCLAW!"

Adelynn smiled with content and made her way to the Ravenclaw table.

Lucas rocked on his heels, watching the others as they got sorted. He scanned the house tables, looking for his cousin, Philipe, who was a hufflepuff and then to the slytherin house where he searched for his friends from the train. He eyed the hat as it seemed to take FOREVER to just get to the Ms! He sighed and pouted, tired of waiting. He was hungry and wanted to know if he was going to be stuck in a stupid house or get one of the better ones... It was probably not going to be Gryffindor... no one in his family was in that house... other than the ones that had married in but that doesn't count. He glanced away from that table and looked at the Slytherin table, his grandparents were in that house and it seemed like a pretty cool house. He was hoping that he would get that one. His eyes moved to the Ravenclaw as he made a face. His sister, Taylor, and his Aunt Chelle were Ravenclaws and... well... he didn't like thinking that he was anything like his obnoxious sister though... he did like his aunt... She was big on potions or at least seemed to be and could be useful in helping him get good grades in that. He stroked his chin and then went back to bouncing. He glanced at last at the Hufflepuff table and made another face. His mother and Uncle Bryson and now his cousin, Philipe, were or is in that house. He didn't know much about his uncle or his cousin but he liked his mother. She was nice and kind as well as loving but the house itself seemed lame in his opinion. If he wanted a snack, however, maybe he could convince an older girl in that house to make him something. He blinked and looked up as his name was called out. "LUCAS MCINTYRE!"

He went up to the platform, hopping onto each of the steps and plopped down on the stool. Lucas felt the hat slip onto his head and he wiggled his toes. He swung his feet as the hat started to talk. "Maybe places your family comes from but youre not quite like the rest... you have smarts, yes, but those aren't as strong... you have a kind heart but you aren't fit for that either... bravery. we shall see but cunning and mischief takes the lead... better put you in SLYTHERIN!" His eyes widened as he got placed and the hat was removed. Lucas beamed and jumped up, air pumping. "YES!" He did a happy dance all the way down the steps then skipped over to the Slytherin, thinking of all the mischievous things he will do and all the pranks he shall pull.

Time for his moment of truth. He had to take the sorting hat test. This was gonna tell him what house he was gonna be in. He hoped for Slytherin because it sounded like him from the explanation Kate gave him. His cousins also hoped he got it because he would fit into it perfectly. He knew his name would be the last to called because his last name started with a W. He waited and waited and saw others get sorted. His nerves were really setting in now waiting with the others. Now it was dwindling to like less than 4 kids. He gulped when he realized he was next.

He heard his name called out.....

"WINCHESTER, COLT"

Showtime dude. He moved his legs that felt like jelly to the front of the room. He turned around and sat on the stool and faced all of Hogwarts. Man there was a lot of people there. He tried not to look at them and stared down at the floor. He felt the soft hat go on his head and he heard it talk? Man this thing could talk?

"Well well well I see we have a new transfer here today.." the hat began to address everyone.

"Yeah yeah yeah I am a transfer just get on with it..." Colt thought. His nerves were really getting to it that his hands were starting to sweat.

"Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage I see, not a bad mind either. But where to prove yourself?" the hat addressed to him yet again.

Colt closed his eyes and was hoping for Slytherin. He even muttered it to himself. "Slytherin eh? Are you sure you maybe belong in Gryffindor where bravery sets others apart."

Colt's heart sank and he hoped he would get Slytherin, he muttered, "Oh please oh please..."

"Well if you are sure.....better bee......SLYTHERIN!!!!"

Colt breathed out a sigh of relief and smiled so brightly. He was relieved that he got the house he chose. He got out from the stool and went over to his table. He even got applause which made him even happier. He couldn't wait to tell his family the news.

Note: This happens BEFORE Oliver Borzekowski-Thomas's sorting.

THIS WAS THE MOST EXCITING MOMENT OF ELLERY'S LIFE.

This was more exciting than her near-spotting of the giant squid. More exciting than getting her wand. More exciting than getting her letter. EVEN MORE EXCITING than jumping off her brothers' bunk beds for the first time. No, THIS was the most exciting moment of her life. And she was READY FOR IT.

"Borzekowski-Thomas, Ellery."

THAT WAS HER. She gave her brother a quick kiss on the cheek and a hug, then skipped her way up to the stool. She seated herself primly, crossing her legs at the ankles, then waited for the hat to be put on her.

…

Silence.

"Hi, I'm Ellery," she whispered to the hat. She wasn't sure how exactly to communicate to it, but she HAD heard that it talked, so she gave it a try. When another few seconds went by, she furrowed her brow and tried again, this time much louder in a half-shout. "HI I'M ELL-"

"I heard you the first time," came a whisper in her ear, so soft that it caressed her eardrum and sent a shiver down her spine. She turned to look over her left shoulder, but nothing was there, so it must've been in her head. She turned back to face the front, closed her eyes, and concentrated hard.

"HI MR./MS./ INSERT GENDER NEUTRAL TITLE HERE/DR. HAT," she thought with all her might. It might've been just her imagination, but she thought she heard a faint chuckle.

"I've never heard the third option," the hat said, and Ellery opened her eyes.

"Yeah, well, I'm very progressive." She accompanied this statement with a firm nod, causing the hat to fall off and a professor reaffixing it to her head. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Very clever and intuitive mind. Very open. Could be Ravenclaw, but I don't think that's quite it." The hat trailed off, and Ellery wriggled with impatience. After another twenty or so seconds, Ellery interrupted the silence.

"Dr. Hat, can you go faster?"

At this, it wasn't so much of a chuckle as a harumph.

"Fine," came the reply, and Ellery waited with bated breath…

"GRYFFINDOR!"

"GRYFFINDOR!!!! THANKS DR. HAT!!!!" Ellery exclaimed out loud, giving a thumbs up to her brother and removing the hat. On her way to her new home for the next seven years, she waved at her brother.

"I'll save you a seat!" she mouthed.

“Gimenez, Sabbath” his name had been called.

Sabbath approached the squat stool preparing himself for his turn to be psychoanalysed by a… hat. This wizarding world was seriously bizarre! He’d flicked through a few of his texts earlier and remembered reading about the four houses into which first years were sorted. There were lists of personal attributes that determined which house each student would be sorted and he had amused himself by trying to predict which house the ‘soothsaying sombrero” would place him.

Sabbath had considered his own attributes compared to those of each of the houses. “Hmm” he thought to himself. “ Was he brave? - Well, yeah, he was no ponce! But, he wouldn’t stick his neck out if there was nothing in it for him”. So he dismissed Gryffindor immediately.
“Was he loyal and friendly? He could be, but then again, he was very selective with his real friends. He’d suffer no fools! Well, that’s Hufflepuff out, then” he thought.
“Was he clever and sharp-minded? Well, he thought he could definitely fit into this house. He was no dullard” Maybe Ravenclaw, then?”
Then he considered the last house, Slytherin. “Was he cunning, ambitious and resourceful?” He’d laughed out loud at the description - there could be no doubt in his mind. This was him in a nutshell! How many times had his wily ways and artful dodging brought him out on top”. He grinned to himself assuredly. He was certain to end up in Slytherin, it was a given…

Then, a sobering thought occurred to him…

A label like this could be quite a liability for a guy like him. He certainly didn’t want a description like this preceding him, it was bound to carry some kind of prejudice? At least from some people. Just imagine how many sly opportunities could be missed if people already suspected that you might have ulterior motives!! It would be akin to wearing a sign on your forehead!”.
Slytherin, he thought, best described his heart, but, Ravenclaw might best serve his purposes.

As he lowered the hat on to his head, he wondered if the old hat would let him choose… he would certainly have a try at swaying it’s decision...

“Ravenclaw, place me in Ravenclaw” Sabbath tried to project to the hat. “Ravenclaw, hey? The hat crooned, “I see you fitting well elsewhere young man. You already have a history of cunning and wiles, I think you’d go far in Slytherin” it said.
Sabbath started back-peddling, “I can see you read me well, but I implore you, hat - Sir, to consider offering me the opportunity to turn over a new leaf”
“Hmm” the hat replied.
Sabbath continued, “You see, I feel like I’m on the cusp of a whole new start here at Hogwarts, I just need to belong to house that can guide me with steadfast logic and intelligence. What do you say, hat, Sir? Place me in Ravenclaw, give me a chance…”

The hat was obviously vacillating on its final decision and Sabbath felt the seconds stretch uncomfortably. The hat finally spoke:
“Slytherin would embrace you, of that, I am sure,
But you’ll widen your prospects within — ‘RAVENCLAW’”

Sabbath grinned widely “pfft, thanks hat” Sabbath thought. He’d certainly pulled the wool over its eyes!

"Armstrong, Aldous,"

Aldous was SO ready for the first biggest experience in his life. Or so he thought. When his name was called, the eleven-year old froze in his place for a good couple of moments before managing to move his legs and walk up to that stool. Certainly more choices were available when they decided that they be seated upon this stool. Whatever happened to comfortable armchairs or chairs that had backs to lean on, you know. He did wonder if there was a purpose of this particular choice or it was merely to increase the discomfort the children might be feeling.

Many thoughts were roaming in his little head as the hat was placed on top of his head. Here goes.

"Hm. A complex personality," He heard a voice sound in his head. Wow. That was extraordinary!

"Yet your bright mind and love of knowledge makes it quite clear where you belong," He would LOVE it if it was Ravenclaw, he thought.

"I hear you, kid. Although you would do well in other houses. You are cunning and certainly the type to seek glory and recognition. No adventurous spirit, though," Well, Slytherin didn't sound bad but he would rather not live in the dungeons, thank you very much. And no, he was not going to speak out loud like the other kids. It looked super weird.

"Will it be Ravenclaw...?"

"I would like that," He slapped his hand over his mouth. OOps. He broke his own rule. Oh, well, not that looking weird was the worst thing. Tripping while he climbed up or down was worst.

The hat chuckled, "It would be a total waste to ignore the gears continuously working in your head. So I'm going to say RAVENCLAW,"

WHEW!

The newly sorted Ravenclaw hopped up with a smile pulling at his lips and started his way towards his house table. That was going to be where he sat for SEVEN years to come!

Chloe had been waiting way too long to be efficient for this sorting thing. How hard could it be for a hat to pick one of four options and shove a kid in a house? Obviously, very difficult. Maybe the hat was getting old. It didn't LOOK very youthful anymore....and it was disgusting. Like, seriously, the fact that someone expected her to put that on her head was ew. Ew, ew, ew. (Coupled with the fact that she did NOT want to be put on the spot in front of tons and tons of people....Chloe was not about this, k?)

Not that she had much of a choice.

"NEWMAN, CHLOE!!"

That was loud...and now everyone was staring at her and why was this in front of a million and seven people again? This should be private. Personal. Not a grand event.

She picked up her chin and pocketed her shaking fingers before plopping onto the stool warm and worn down by all of the sweaty, hot behinds that had sat on it before her. Again. Ew. This whole ceremony.

"Oh, dear..." the hat began. Chloe froze. It was on her head. Oh my god. Gross. Get it off. Ruddy, old thing. Plus, brown and black did not match. "You hardly want to be up here, Miss Newman."

"Duh," she whispered.

"FINE," the hat boomed, "Let me make this easy for you. RAVENCLAW. Because you possess-""

"Okay, sure, uh huh. Thanks." She wanted off the stool. Wanted less eyes on her. And she joined her new housemates at their table. See ya later hat. Go get cleaned. You're gross.