On The Train
When the chaos had reached a fever pitch in violence and chaos a lone voice spoke a single word that silenced every noise.
“Concretastisis.” She did not shout, or even speak loudly, few students would have even heard it. They all would see, then feel, the effect of the spell. A frost spread from the wand of the witch who cast the spell. The frost expanded to blanket the entire train car. Students would feel the cold wash over them and hold them tightly in place. Some were midway through their own spells, others mid punch, some wide eyed, some flinching away from a blow, some clutching their familiar into their chest. They only thing the would be able to move was their eyes. They could blink, and roll the eye in the socket and look around. They were all stiff and cold, like statues. They would see one another with screwed up expressions and blue lips.
Professor Sadria Quinn stepped into the compartment. She didn’t hurry. She quietly stepped through the frozen scene. Occasionally peering more carefully at a student or their situation. Occasionally giving a soft sound like ‘Hmfh.” or “mmm?” of disapproval.
“I’m going to unfreeze you now. One at a time. No further misbehavior shall be tolerated.” She spoke in a clear dark tone. She had large knife-like nose and thin brows. “We will travel to Hogwarts and commence with the sorting ceremony… After the ceremony you will all report to me. Then we will see what the Headmistress would like to do about all this mess.”
She would unfreeze them one by one in a prompt and organized fashion. Other teachers would be on hand to help and supervise the compartment. Professor Quinn assigned seating and would make the children sit in silence. Anyone who needed medical attention was immediately taken away to another car to be cared for and supervised by other teachers.
When they arrived the first years were separated from the other students, and Professor Sadria Quinn would lead them onto longboats just as the sun began to set.
When the boats rounded the curve they would each see Hogwarts for the first time. A silhouette against the dying day. The mighty ancient castle stood tall over the lake below, the woods around it, and its enemies.
Professor Sadria Quinn would park the first year fleet in a cave under the castle. Then lead them up an old stairwell cut from the stone itself.
She led them into the great hall…
IN THE GREAT HALL
The great hall was illuminated by firelight and starlight. The fire came from candles that hovered over the tables and around the large carved columns. Above them was a mural of glowing stars, but it was much more realistic than any mural every painted, it was as if firmament itself was only just above them.
Professor Orianna Greco would step in to administer the sorting ceremony. She was a younger teacher. She had rosy cheeks upon a dusky complexion, vivid green eyes, and a few silver strands of hair that she did not bother to hide. Her locks were neatly swept back into a tight bun under her neck. She wore a tall black witches hat and long dark robes. She walked to the podium and holding a large pillow and a very old and very famous hat. She set it upon a table and stood back, producing a long scroll from her robe-pocket. She unfurled it and began to read the names of each first year. As she called them they would approach and she would place the hat upon their heads. Each student would sit and wear the hat until the sorting hat declared aloud what house they would belong to. Then Orianna would call out for the next student...
Orianna called out: “PETER DOBSON!”
Peter felt the old fabric hat placed upon his head. Dust fell down and onto his nose.
After a few moments he would hear a voice in his head. It would sound old, and jolly.
"Thinking with your stomach will not find you in the right house! Fortunately each table receives the same fare. I'm told the dragon nut pudding is particularly satisfying and always runs out! Be sure to get a big spoonful early on!”
"Oh really?" Peter's stomach groaned once more at the mention of pudding. "My brother said that the pumpkin stew was to die for!"
The hat responded: “From what I have overheard during my time here, your brother would be correct. Anyway enough talk of food, as I know just what to do with you!”
“Hufflepuff!"
~~~
Orianna called out: “NOLAN ARCHER!”
"Eureka! Finally I have the honor to meet the last Archer! That is, to mean, the youngest... I have heard mention of you many times before! Hail and welcome young man."
Nolan was caught rather off guard, his eyes widening as the hat spoke to him. They were on the floor as he looked down, not wanting to meet the eyes of his brothers. He could feel Roy and Judoc watching him from their respective tables, both hoping he would come join them.
"You've heard of me?" he asked, his voice a whisper. He wasn't quite sure, but Nolan imagined the hat would understand his thoughts even if he didn't speak them.
"Why, of course! I have been anticipating your arrival for a... very long time."
"You do have much in common with your brothers. The wise raven-claw Roy and the brave Gryffindor Judoc are watching you now. They think that you are like them, and would do well in their own houses. Yet, I sense there is a little bit more to you you, isn't there?"
“Something more huh? You mean the fact that I'm going to be better than all of them. Even if I'm not gifted like the rest of them." Even in his thoughts he emphasized the word with a bit of disgust. In reality he was surprised he was able to be so honest about his ambitions with the hat. Though he was confident in his own abilities, the fact that he wanted to outshine them all was not something he often admitted to. Nolan looked up at his brothers, meeting each of them in the eye. Both were talented, both succeeded more easily than most, and both loved him very much. He sighed. He couldn't fault them, but that didn't mean he couldn't aspire to show them up.
"Well then! It seems all is decided! I look forward to your success success! Take care not to jump the life to come, but rather enjoy each moment dear student of..."
"SLYTHERIN!"
~~~
Orianna called out: “CHARLOTTE MARIE SPRINGER!”
"Pay not attention to the man behind the curtain!"
"That's a muggle book!" Charlotte spoke out loud, but didn't pay any mind to
the fact that people besides the hat could hear her.
"Orianna has been reading to me. She thinks I can help the newer students feel
more-at-home. Though, it is a fascinating story in it's own right! The
witches really steal the show don't they!?"
She frowned and thought into the hat now. “I haven't actually read it.”
"I am sure that Oriana would lend it to you! She has quite the collection
of literature! It's about a girl and her dog get lost from their home,
they are muggles, likely picked up by a stray weather spell of some
sort... and she teams up with a man without a brain, a man without a
heart, and a man without courage to face an evil witch.... and they...
well... We have not finished the story yet, so, I'm not sure what
happens!"
“It's a Lion. The lion is the one without courage, not a man.”
"A Lion!? Indeed, A lion brave and proud! Say... I think the metaphor suits you better! Therefore I declare you for..."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
~~~
Orianna called out: “ROZILIA ÉATHIEL!”
If she had been a shy or nervous girl, sitting on a stool in front of everybody in the school would have left her shaking; and yet, all she could think about was how amazing the school looked. Like a castle straight out of a Tolkien or C.S Lewis novel (She'd have to find out if either of them were Wizards and had gone here - what a thing to tell her Father!), it had taken her breath away. The boat ride over the lake had been fantastic, with the castle silhouetted in the dark blanket of the night sky above it, brought to light by the candles flickering in the windows of the stone-walled rooms within, and the bright full-moon paired with the scattering pinpricks of stars around it, illuminating the outline of the great structure. And then the entrance hall - carved pillars, marble floors, suits of armour and scarred stone brought the interior to life. Unfortunately, Peeves hadn't shown up - probably banished temporarily by one of the Professors; she'd heard plenty of stories of his endless pranks, often heard shouting 'For the Weasleys!' for some reason or another after tipping yet another cauldron of green goo onto a student. And entering the Great Hall - Oh, what a sight. Thousands of floating candles with the night sky stretched across the ceiling of the roof; older students sat on the tables, some waving to younger students, some drumming their fingers impatiently on the table while they stared longingly at their empty plates (And some pointing and grinning at Roze's hair as it illuminated to a delighted gold upon seeing the Great Hall - clearly, Metamorphagi weren't very common), and then, there was the hat. With a last name beginning with an E - she was pleasantly surprised that the Professor could actually pronounce her strange Italian name - she was one of the first to be called up.
"...Hm. I remember your brother. And your mother... and your Uncle." The hat began, his voice filling her ears. It was so big it had swallowed up the top half of her head, so she could see nothing but dark fabric within.
"Was Uncle Bobby as grumpy as a kid as he is now?" Was the first thing she could think of, bringing forth a chuckle from the hat.
"He was quite nervous, actually. And more than surprised to find out he went into Hufflepuff."
"Yeah... I think you made a mistake there."
"Why so?"
"Uh... grumpy?"
"You don't seem to be 'grumpy' - how about Hufflepuff for you? Or Ravenclaw? Your family hasn't had a Ravenclaw yet."
"Actually, I'm not bothered." This brought forth a pause from the hat, who was probably unused to having such an answer. Normally, a kid was pleading to be in their family's house, their elder siblings' house, or simply the house they heard wasn't bad while on the train over. Hufflepuff often got quite disregarded, and Slytherin was more often than not thought to breed nothing but Death Eaters and Parseltongues.
"Well, well. You've certainly got an aptitude for all the houses. You have bravery, a rather large need to attain knowledge, a strong sense of loyalty... oh, and plenty of cunning. And sarcasm - that tends to help people in Slytherin quite a bit, I've noticed."
"Again, I'm not bothered. Maybe..." Roze paused, her legs swinging slightly on the stool. She'd been sat for a bit now; longer than anyone else so far.
"Yes?"
"Maybe if you put me in a house, I'd be able to help it. I mean... people have a lot of stereotypes for houses - I'd like to break them. I mean, my Mam was really sweet, but she was in Slytherin. My Uncle was really grumpy, but he was in Hufflepuff, and my brother... well, he worked like a Ravenclaw, I suppose, but he was a Gryffindor."
"Interesting thoughts. I suppose if you think of it like that, it had better be..."
“RAVENCLAW”
~~~
Orianna called out: “CHANDLER GRIFFIN WEBSTER!”
"Such talent! No doubt you were very young when it began to show. Hmmm, yes, the talent is within, but how shall it manifest without? I wonder... I wonder..."
Chandler quite visibly jumped and looked around more than a little scared but realized that was why he had seen some of the other kids also seem surprised. He supposed he would just need to think his answers so he found himself in a conversation with a magical hat, awesome. "Erm, hi there. I was three when my parents started noticing things... Sir?"
"That is very young! I am sure they were confused at first, but now they are proud and can be even prouder! You shall be a wonderful addition to my school! And to a house... but which one might that be? Where the dragon walks it's tail must follow!"
"Urm, thank you sir. I would think I would do well wherever you think I would. On the train though Gryffindor or Ravenclaw but at the same time sir I'm pretty driven to do well as well so Slytherin could work to... But then again Hufflepuff might work to." He sighed obviously confused.
"You strive to make a wise decision! Allow me to assist, as I know the houses and their spirits well. In you I sense a great potential, best revealed, methinks, in..."
"RAVENCLAW!"
~~~
Orianna called out: “PEARLEANE POMPAQUE!”
Climbing the stairs carefully she sat down with a small huff. She didn't need to be told to sit, she was already tired from waiting in line and the long, adventurous trip getting there. Professor Greco placed the hat down on the girl's mess of braided ebony curls and it soon began to speak.
"Indeed, I see that you have already distinguished yourself here at Hogwarts! But I am hardly here to dwell on past reputation, but rather, the futures... hmmmm... this is a difficult decision indeed..."
"No need to be nervous young Pearleane Pompaque. Your mother Claudia was quite the opposite when she sat here for the first time." Pearleane gasped slightly, her crimson lips then closing into a tight smile. He had remembered her mother, and knew how much of a strong woman and excellent leader she was. Would he plan to place her in Gryffindor as well?
"Ah but yes, there is no mistake you're a Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuffs are true, and unafraid of toil. Hufflepuff is where you belong!" The sorting hat sung, half teasingly as he then made the announcement.
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
"Well, I always have looked great in black and yellow." she teased, getting up and walking towards Hufflepuff.
~~~
Orianna called out: “ALARIC KEATO!”
Alaric shifted a little in his seat and squeezed his eyes shut. “I don't know if you're listening or anything, but... please let me be a Gryffindor, he thought to the hat with a hint of desperation, My brother was a Gryffindor. And being a Gryffindor sounds... nice... I guess... He trailed off as he realized none of the things he'd thought earlier sounded the least bit convincing. ..Uh, just put me in Gryffindor, okay?” the boy thought again.
"Why Gryffindor?" said a voice in his head. The voice was very old, jolly, and sad.
"Because... my brother," Alaric insisted to the hat, "He did a lot of good things and I want to be a good person and he was in Gryffindor, so... just put me in Gryffindor, alright?"
"Besides, Slytherins are evil," he added, "So I'm not a Slytherin. And I'm not smart enough to be a Ravenclaw. And Hufflepuffs... look kinda stupid. So there! I'm a Gryffindor." The boy grinned a little, looking oddly proud of himself.
"I see that you know everything there is to know about our school and it's houses." The hat wiggled atop his head. "Yet, this is your first time setting foot on these grounds. Open your eyes, look at the long tables, who would you say appears stupid? or brave? or evil? or smart?"
"Your brother is a brave Gryffindor. Courage? Yet, you are afraid to look at things for what they are. This will be a most important quality in years to come! I best set you on the course that suits you most..."
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
~~~
Orianna called out: “JULIUS MARS HILLSHIRE!”
Julius jumped. There was a voice in his head!
. . .
You know what, he wasn't actually that surprised . . .
"So, uh, hi there?" he thought. It was a bit weird to be talking to a hat, never mind that the hat was in his head.
The sorting hat seemed amused. "Always on your guard I see! You should expect many unexpected surprises here at Hogwarts!"
Julius grinned both internally and externally. "Of course I'm always on my guard. If there's one thing that my dad taught me, it's that magic is weird, and you should always be careful of weird things."
Of course, Julius took a lot of liberty what exactly careful was supposed to mean - often without thinking about it.
"So, uh, hat-guy? Hows it hanging?" he asked. "How does it feel like to be a hat anyway?"
"For someone so cautious of strange things, you are quite cordial towards talking hats." The sorting hat sounded amused. "You see much that others do not... I wonder what is strange and what is not? For me it does not feel strange to be a talking hat. It's quite comfortable actually. There isn’t really much I miss... Enough about me. Let's talk about you! Only the best of houses will do for someone as capable and wise as you..."
"SLYTHERIN!"
~
Orianna called out: “DANIELLE MARIE CARSON!”
The soft old hat was placed upon Dani's head.
"What have we here? My! Another fine witch! How are you today young one? Excited? Fearful? Confused? or perhaps you are... your... well... perhaps I should let you do the talking if I intend to hear an answer!"
The felt hat, far too large for Dani, slipped down over her eyes and ears as it was placed on her head. There was nothing but silence for just long enough to make her think that maybe the hat wouldn't work for her before she heard a voice. At first, she thought that it was one of the professors talking to her, probably about the lack of reaction in the hat. But, it quickly became apparent that the voice was that of the hat, and that she was actually hearing it inside her head. The hat's friendly and jolly voice helped put Dani's nerves at ease a bit, though it's suggestion that she answer instead of letting the hat ramble on brought back her fears. Her whiteboard was sitting in her little backpack, making it currently inaccessible, not that she even knew if the hat would be able to read what she wrote. It didn't exactly have eyes after all. Still, she figured that the hat would probably be able to read her mind, as it was able to talk to her through her mind, and so she tried answering it mentally. "A little of everything, I guess," she responded, hoping that the hat would hear.
"YES! This is an important day for you! For every first year... and for Hogwarts who gets to see you welcomed here! especially at…”
“RAVENCLAW”
~~~
Orianna called out “ JACOB MASTERS!”
Jake watched as a few others were sorted into their respective houses. He was a ball of nerves knowing that he had to be a Gryffindor no matter what. He was going to be like his family no matter what. He smiled at that thought. Soon he would be in the house his father and grandfather had been in for generations. Family legend spoke of how his ancestor had been chosen for the house by Godric Gryffindor himself when he had first made his house. Soon after he had thought this he heard his name. Without fear he heard his name ring out.
Jake walked up with a firm smile on his face. He was not scared as the hat was placed on his head. "Ahhh... This is not a head I had been on in years. " The hat murmured into his ears." Oh... There we are... Fearless even when you know you should be worried... Unafraid of that which should be feared... There is ambition in you, boy. To be more than your brothers. The snake would support that. Make you great.Yes, boy I know where you must go…”
“GRYFFINDOR!”
Jake jumped up as the hat was removed. With a smile he basically ran over to the table. As he did so his brother slapped him on the back as Jake walked by. 'Good job little brother." He said as Jake passed. He sat down next to Devlin and slapped his new friend on the back"See! I told you you had nothing to fear! I told you that you would be a Gryffindor. You had all the traits of one. This is great! The two of us in the same house. My brother said that you make your best friends in your house. Stick with me and I'll help you with the more magical stuff. This is gonna be crazy." Jake said masking his former nervousness with his rapid fire talking.
~~~
Orianna called out “CAELUM LIQUIN”
The first year turned pale and timid as she walked out onto the podium. She clutched her sketchbook with trembling hands.
“Dear sweet thing with a keen open eye and a keen heart! It is no mystery where you will best get your start…”
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
~~~
Orianna called out: “LAYLA GINLIO!”
The hat touched the girls head for only a second and the hat made its quick decision.
“GRYFFINDOR!”
~~~
Orianna called out: “KONSTANTIN YEREMEYEV!”
“My luck that the last is so easy to place! Clever and determined I should say…”
“SLYTHERIN!”
