Once Alice's name was called she walked up toward the seat that the hat sat on. Merlin..She was nervous and she was never nervous. But this was different. A hat was about to sit on her head and decide where she belonged based on who she was.

But she was eleven! She didn't even know who she was.. How would a hat?

Deeeeeep breath. In and out. She sat in the seat and the hat was placed atop her head. She was still hoping for Slytherin or Ravenclaw, mostly because she wanted a uniform that looked good with her hair and eyes. Green and Blue would be best.

The hat sat there for a moment or two, muttering something. "GRYFFINDOR!" Shouted the hat.

Alice couldn't help the smile on her face, so what if the color would clash with her hair.. She was a Gryffindor! Like her Brother and her Father!

Hope's name was called. This was it! She slowly made her way up to the hat.she didn't want to fall. She was so clumsy. She just knew it would happen.

She hadn't realized she was holding her breath until she got to the hat and let a big whoosh.

The thing swallowed her head, but it didn't matter because as soon as it was placed on her head it yelled out, "GRYFFINDOR!!!" .

Hope's face lit up as she made her way to the Gryffindor table. She was red!!! She couldn't believe it! Actually she could. It was such a relief!

Spencer's name was called, he swallowed nervously before he walked towards the stool that held the old sorting hat. He couldn't believe that this time has finally come, he could see his brothers waiting eagerly at the table to see if he would join them at the Gryffindor table. Spencer waked towards the stool and sat down on the stool as the hat was placed on his head. For minute, he could barely see anything but darkness, but he heard whispering from the sorting hat.


The hat was determining between Slytherin and Gryffindor, Spencer hoped that he would pick Gryffindor but he wouldn't mind Slytherin at all, it was a cool house. After a quiet pause the hat said loudly. You're best sorted in... GRYFFINDOR" as the Gryffindor table cheered the hat was taken off his head as he went to the Gryffindor table. He couldn't believe that he was a Gryffindor like his parents and brothers, maybe he truly was a Gryffindor at heart like he thought

Azura was waiting nervously in line as she waited for her name to be called. This was it. This was what she had been anxiously awaiting..

The sorting.

In a moment her name would be called and she would go up there and sit in the stool and hear what the hat had to say!

"Azura Kennedy." She jumped a bit as her name was called and she turned to look at Jasper, her purple eyes wide as she nodded at him and bit her lip and headed up to the stool.

She sat down in the stool and closed her eyes,not wanting to see the rest of the school watching her. She took a few breath as the hat was placed on her head, her heart pounding in her chest as she heard it speak in her head.

"Ahh, a Kennedy, I remember placing your Father but Gryffindor isn't the right place for you.. Hmm.. Hmm."

Azura was barely breathing as the hat debated where to put her.. When finally it shouted out

"Ravenclaw!"

A sigh of relief flowed through her as she stood up and she moved off to her house table.. Her eyes meeting Jazz's as they both now waited for his turn!

Rula was hereeee, and it was pretty cool. Figuratively, at least, not literally. It wasn't all that cold outside, at least not in comparison to Durmstrang, which she appreciated. The castle also looked pretty awesome from the outside with the windows all lit up. Yeah, Rula was definitely liking it so far.

She grinned as she was led with the first years and other transfers up to where they'd be sorted. Her eyes scanned the house and staff tables, and her grin faltered for the briefest of moments as she considered what it would've been like right now if her grandfather had still been sitting up there right now. She internally shook those thoughts from her mind and forced a smile back onto her face as she focused on the sorting.

It didn't seem all that long until, "Botros, Rula," was called, and she stepped up to sit on the stool, the hat being placed on her head.

"Ah, I knew I'd see another one from this family again. I've sorted many of the members of your family, as you well know."

Of course she did. And most of them were either Slytherins or Hufflepuffs so...

"Yes, yes, quite right, I've narrowed it down to those two as well. But which one, hmm..."

The hat seemed to be quietly determining his decision now, apparently not inclined to include her in his thoughts. And now Rula was suddenly starting to feel just a smidgen of nervousness creep up. She hadn't been set on one house over another since any of them seemed fine, but now that she was right here, right in the middle of being sorted...well, this was it. It would be official. And would she really be happy with any house? Truly?

She wasn't 100% sure. But she was sure that she was feeling a little bit annoyed now that the hat almost seemed to be ignoring her. This was her head after all.

"Yes, I've made my decision."

Rula perked up.

"Better be...

SLYTHERIN!"

Rula smiled. Sounded just fine to her.

The newly-sorted Slytherin hopped up, set the hat on the stool, and then headed down to the green table.

Altha had been standing in the very back of the line for what felt like ages. With the last name Viteri, she'd been anticipating this. The first few sorting so were interesting enough to watch; the students were nervous, followed by relieved after they'd been sorted. Altha felt quite differently than most- or at least it seemed so. Nerves weren't an issue. She pictured herself strolling up to the hat, and after a moment or two, the bellowing of "GRYFFINDOR!" would come from the hat. After all- her entire family had been placed into Gryffindor.

Althea had been imagining walking smoothly over to the Gryffindors table, probably sitting next to her 5th year brother, Graham. But just before she could imagine her brother patting her on her back with his broad smile, her thoughts were interrupted by the loud call of, "Viteri, Altha!"

And so she walked- calmly. Her long black her flowed behind her, hovering gracefully above her back. The stool stood lonely in the front of the great hall, and Altha sat on it, waiting.

"Oh, dear. How mistaken you are... I suppose I do see your Gryffindor traits, even a touch of Ravenclaws..." the hat whispered to her thoughts. And for the first time, it struck Altha that just because her family was all Gryffindor, didn't mean she would be. How had she never thought it before? But before she could continue contemplating this...

"Yes dear, should be...

SLYTHERIN!"

Altha rose, but not with the same calmness she'd sat down with. The cheering from the Slytthrin table was hard to acknowledge as Altha looked to the Gryffindor table and caught her brothers eye, with unmistakable disappointment. For a moment- she felt shock, then, after her brothers felt anger. There was nothing to be disappointed about. With a stern and stubborn look of confidence shot towards her brother, she strode to the green table with the upmost of confidence.

She took a seat at the green table, smiling.

This was it.

This was the end of his childhood. Cornelius. Orion. Baltazar was well on his way to manhood. Soon he will lose all of the baby fat and he’ll grow even taller. His shoulders would get wider, just like Johnathan’s. He might even get some hardcore peach fuzz above his lip. Or sideburns. Whatever it was, he’d have facial hair soon.

Discussing this with himself, Cornelius allowed the crowd of first years to move him along. Biting his tongue in concentration, debating whether a goatee was even possible, Cornelius stopped, eyes wide; the light of the floating candles reflected on his emerald eyes. He almost toppled forward as the students behind him collided like dominoes into his back.

“Now THAT is decoration,” he said, jabbing his thumb toward the ceiling, totally spacing out the complaining grumbles behind him.

There were names being called out. SORTING TIME.

Cornelius jumped, his curls bouncing off his face like springs. Who was being sorted? He wanted to know. Oh--Ravenclaw. That one person just got sorted into Ravenclaw. The boy shrunk down a bit. What if he was sorted into that house? What if the Sorting Hat wasn’t taking requests and it set him there? Cornelius felt his chest tight. Was the healer near? ‘Cause he might need one.

His name was called. Even though this was the day he’s been dreaming of, Cornelius was nervous. Yeah. Cornelius. Orion. Baltazar nervous. The world was going to end. Hopefully it ended if the Hat ruined his life.

Shaking off the negatives, he took confident steps toward the stool, his shoulders acting as if they were broad like a weight lifter’s. He tried to look up at the Hat once it was placed on his head. This was his chance…

"Cornelius...Orion...Baltazar," the Sorting Hat seemed to savor.

"You said it right--"

"Clever young mind," the Hat continued, making no sense of the scowling young boy under it. "You seek knowledge--"

"I also seek insects and sweets. Naps on Wednesdays but not Thursdays. Blue muffins, preferably chocolate chip." Cornelius inhaled a deep breath before continuing. "And--"

"You do not disappoint, just like any Baltazar." The Hat said with an irritated grumble. Cornelius wondered if they had all been chatty as well, though Cornelius was only doing it to be annoying. "They were, too," the Hat added as if it heard him.

"Enough digging through my mind, sort me." Long pause. "Please."

"Mmm...ready mind--"

"AND brave at heart, daring, nerve, and chivalry set me apart," he preened.

"A thirst for learning," the Hat continued. "I know where you--"

"ANNNND I'll make my real friends, with those cunning folk that use any means to achieve their ends!" The eleven year old spoke quickly, slightly panicking of where the Sorting Hat was heading. "NOT Ravenclaaaaaaw," he whined. His mum would expect WAY too much of him. She'd want him to be a perfectionist and he WASN'T.

"Not Ravenclaw, eh?" the Hat whispered. "Better be...SLYTHERIIIIN!"

Scarlett was no longer worrying about that weird old lady on the train. Not when the most IMPORTANT MOMENT OF HER WHOLE LIFE was about to occur!! Her palms were sweaty and she felt like her heart was going to leap right out of her chest. She tried to tell herself that really, it wasn't THAT big of a deal where she got sorted...but who was she kidding? THIS WAS A MAKE OR BREAK MOMENT.

AND WHY WAS REYNOLDS SO FAR IN THE ALPHABET?!

After what seemed like ages, it was finally her turn. She practically ran up to the stool, ready to just get on with it and get her fate sealed as soon as she possibly could. The hat fell over her eyes, completely covering her short brown hair, and she jumped a bit when it started TALKING. NO ONE HAD TOLD HER ABOUT THE TALKING!

"Reynolds, Reynolds...I remember that name. And the fondness for Divination that runs in your blood..but there's a lot more to you than that, isn't there? I see bits of all the founders in you...but it's clear to me which one stands out the most. Brave, smart, cunning, and loyal, but you'd do anything to help the ones you love, no question in my mind, you must be...

HUFFLEPUFF!"

The last bit was yelled to everyone. Scarlett felt out a sigh of relief and realized that really, she had known where she was going all along. Her parents were going to be so thrilled! Taking the hat off her head, she grinned and hurried to meet her new classmates, and now that she had gotten her nerves out the way - she was HUNGRY. FEAST TIME!

The great hall was exactly as Ailsa had pictured it from her mother's recollections and from the reading she'd done. The pressing mass of first years gaping at the ceiling and jostling for a view of the sorting ceremony all while trying desperately not to appear overwhelmed - all of these things Ailsa herself indulged in as she stood awaiting her name to be called - however, was not as pictured for it had simply not been mentioned.

It didn't help that Haddie was still half scowling at her for, well, honestly, for the fact that when Ailsa had been seven she'd been seven and acted accordingly.

Before she could give this too much thought, however, her name rang out in the hall.

"Denaker, Ailsa!"

The copy of The Will, The Word, and The Wand still clutched in her hands Ailsa climbed the stage, desperately hoping that her nervousness wasn't showing.

What if I'm not good enough? What if I don't fit in any house? What if I really shouldn't be here? What if... The doubts rushed through her head but there was no need. There was no pondering, no lingering conversation with the hat as she'd read others sometimes experienced. No, not the slightest iota of uncertainty. The instant the hat had even brushed her copper hair, the decision rang out.

RAVENCLAW!

Oh happy day! Ailsa nearly skipped to the table under the deep blue and bronze banner as the welcoming applause rang pleasantly in her ears.

Jeslyn was waiting nervously. Finally she'll know where's her house.

She put her hair into messy bun while her name was called.

"CHAMBELL,JESLYN."

She felt many pairs of eyes looked at her. Her palm went wet and her knees turned into jelly.

No other choice. She went in front of Great Hall,being center of attention, and professor she didn't know put the hat in her head.

She heard grumpy voice.Was the hat could talk?

"Another Chambell,hm? I know your parents. A Gryffindor Father and Slytherin Mother. Where house should I put you?Hmmm.... interesting."

Jessie look around the hall. Four long tables put in different color.


Suddenly she heard someone （or Something ) shouted into the entire Great Hall.


"GRYFFINDOR"

Jessie heard cheers from the crowded. The professor take the hat and help Jessie to joined the table with red and gold decoration.

Rosie's eyes shifted from one side to the other, watching as students headed up to the hat one by one. All with the goal to get sorted into the house that would best suit them, for the next seven terms. Many nervous students surrounded the young Walker and yet not one ounce of anxiety was running through her body. If anything was certain, Miss Rosie Walker, was confident that she's going to get placed in the house she has been dreaming of since the very first moment she heard of Hogwarts. Possibly even when she was in the womb. Maybe.

Geez, relax. Rosie thought to herself as she noticed a few more nerve wrecked students, with the exception of her dear mate Cornelius Baltazar. He was the only acceptable person in her mind, to have some sort of nerves, everyone else just relax. Seriously.

Perhaps it could be the self confidence her father had always implicated in her, or it would be her dominant personality feeling a little too superior tonight.

Looking up at what seemed to be the Sorting Hat, her eyes completely widened! There was NO way that thing was going to go on her hair! Like seriously, it's so old and probably reeks too! Her hair was soft and clean and smelled like roses. Nope. Just no!

"Oh, uh-uh!" She whispered shaking her head and softly stroking her long curls.

Okay, just walk right up there and maybe duck my head down a little so like it doesn't touch my hair at all. Yeah, that'll work. Rosie thought to herself, nodding at that thought. Bullet proof.

Upon hearing the hat call out her name "Rosalinda Jane Walker", the young girl elegantly made her way towards the judgmental hat. Yes, that's what she's going with. Judgmental.

Not one ounce of fear in her, well maybe for her hair which she will deep wash later.

The hat sensed the first year's presence as she smirk at it, whilst making her way down. There was no doubt where this little brat was going to be placed. Considering her family's line of Gryffindors, where did they go wrong with her? Not even two seconds after Rosie sat down to get her final verdict, did the hat sigh and belch SLYTHERIN! The house this girl truly belonged in, was a question that didn't need any answering. Her sly and devious, green eyes said it all. ALL I TELL YA!

OH HECK YEAH! The now young Slytherin, thought to herself as she heard those magic words.

Her confidence and dominance didn't stop there, she stood proudly looking down at the students who had yet to be sorted, a foxy smirk grew on Rosie's face as if she were their ruler.

The doors were opening to the Great Hall, Brady had a rush of adrenaline running through him. He couldn't believe he was here! His grandfather and his grandmother had always told him stories about Hogwarts. He had even heard stories from his uncles and his aunts. He remembered some of the stories his older cousins had told him as well. He knew almost everything that was to know about this castle and he knew that he was still going to get lost on his way to his classes. Bradson followed the rest of the first years into the Great Hall. He watched as everyone looked up in awe at the ceiling.

"Aren't most of you from magical family's? It's like you lot haven't see magic before." The Scottish boy shook his head. "That fancy looking sky up there with the moon and floating candles that called magic, who would have known that." Some people were just so dumb. His sassiness and sarcasm was on full power tonight. Then he thought about it for minute. "If you're a muggleborn I'll let your shocked faces slide because you haven't grown up are magic all your lives." In Brady's opinion muggles and muggleborns were pretty cool, well some of them.

The eleven year old looked around waiting for his name to be called. He had a feeling he would be in Gryffindor or maybe Slytherin, he had found that he had most of those qualities for both of the houses. His Aunt Katlas even said that he would be perfect for Slytherin but his Uncle Casper always told him that he would make a very good Gryffindor.

Maybe he would be next very soon? He was just getting impatient right now. "Somerhalder, Bradson." THAT WAS HIS NAME! Brady went up to the stool and took a seat on it. He felt the hat on his head. "Just to let you know it's Brady not Bradson." He said giving the hat some attitude.

"Somerhalder. Somerhalder. God help us all with that last name. Hmm.. Your father was in Hufflepuff and your mother was a Slytherin but you would fit very well in Gryffindor...where shall I put you?" Brady sighed as he waited for the hat to say something useful. He hadn't heard anything useful so far. "Maybe I should put you in Ravenclaw so they can have a chuckle with someone like you in their house." He heard the hat pause again. This hat was messing with him? Wasn't he? "Don't turn out like your father....HUFFLEPUFF!"

It was about time! What did he mean by 'don't turn out like your father'? Who says that? Brady took off the hat and jumped off the stool and walked over towards the Hufflepuff table.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Haddie sighed in relief. At least she wasn't going to have to share a house with cousin. Ravenclaw was the only house she was assured not to get placed in.

"Denaker, Hadley."

It was her turn now, and Haddie didn't hesitate for a moment before strolling up to the stool and put the sorting hat on her head.

"Another Denaker, eh?" Haddie jumped. She had not been expecting the voice in her head. "Yet very different from you cousin. She was easy. You... are not. There's bravery, loyalty, a keen mind as well, and more than a fair bit of ambition. Hmmm.... Tricky. Where to put you?"

The voice in her head trailed away. Wait what was that supposed to mean? The sorting hat didn't answer. He kept mumbling to himself about how tricky she was.

Minutes ticked on.

And on.

And on.

How long had she been up here? It had to be going on 10 minutes by now.

She huffed and rested her chin on her other hand for a while.

More minutes ticked by. This was taking way too long. Was there a time limit to this? Would she be sent home if it couldn't just DO ITS JOB AND PUT HER IN A HOUSE!? Oh for crying out loud, just put me in Gryffindor already!

"Gryffindor, eh? Yes, you'd do well in that house. That has been clear from the start. You'd do well in all the houses. The question isn't which house you're right for, but which house is right for you."

Hadley groaned, and folded her arms with a pout. This clearly wasn't going to end anytime soon. She began to imagine various forms of revenge she might take on the sorting hat. It helped pass the time, and was more than a little satisfying.

Oh the things she would do to it if no one else was here...

"Ah, there you are." The sorting hat sounded so pleased with itself it jarred Haddie out of her daydream.

What?

"Yes. Everything boils down to those thoughts and ideas, don't they?" Hadley was more confused now. "It's clear now. You could have saved us both a lot of time, if you'd just let your mind wander earlier."

Unbelievable, it was actually trying to blame her for this! But before she tell the hat off, it bellowed, "RAVENCLAW!"

"What!?" But... but that's the smart house? I've never gotten higher than a C in my life!

"Yes yes, how lovely." Was... Did the hat just snark her?

Haddie didn't move, she was too dumbfounded to move. But...?

The Sorting Hat sighed in her head. "This is where you take me off and go sit down." Haddie still didn't move. The Hat sighed louder. "This. Is. Where. You. Take. Me. Off."

The condescending tone did it. Haddie growled in annoyance. I really don't like you! She ripped the hat off her head and unceremoniously tossed it onto the floor before marching to the same table her cousin was at.

Carl, who was staring at the Sorting Hat nervously, was startled to hear his name being called. He took a deep breath and walked up towards the stool. There was no need to worry, but he was worried. What if the Hat thought he did not belong anywhere? Despite his indifference towards the topic of Sorting when he was with his friends, he had been thinking about it almost daily.

The walk to the stool seemed extremely long ... but Carl made it and sat down while the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. He wanted to look at all the House tables, but the Hat covered his eyes, so all he could see was the black and dirty inside of it.

Nothing happened. The Hat then started muttering something. Carl strained his ears and listened, but could barely make out anything. But he heard the final word clearly, as it was shouted out to everybody.

"Hufflepuff!"

Carl smiled. 'A laid back House that prefers loyalty and hard work.' He could not help but go over the words he had heard in the summer holidays. Yep, loyal and hardworking - that was him.

Haddie and Garreth had already been Sorted and they both got Ravenclaw. Rachel was excited for both of then and eagerly waited until her name was called before briskly walking towards the stool to be Sorted. With Watson being her surname, she had quite a while to wait but finally the moment was here. Before she sat, she neatly smoothly her robes beneath her. When the very ancient hat, patched and frayed, was placed upon her dark brown head of hair, she suddenly found herself looking into darkness. The Hat was too big for her and had slipped right down over her eyes, coming to a rest on the bridge of her nose.

“Watson, eh?’’ said a voice in her head. “I remember your parents. Brilliant minds and no doubt they went on to do brilliant things.’’

“They did and still do,’’ Rachel found herself saying softly, thinking of them and missing them again.

“Let’s take a look at you, shall we? Hmmm. Friendly, a hard worker. Traits of a Hufflepuff.’’

The girl smiled. Her dad had told her that she had the traits of the Badger House. She didn’t mind which House she was placed in as long as it was Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw.

The Hat’s voice continued. “I see plenty of Intelligence,wit, intelligence and creativity in here. Hmmm. Where to put you?’’

Rachel waited patiently and excitedly for the decision, mentally saying, ''Ravenclaw like mommy, daddy, Garreth and Haddie, Ravenclaw like mommy, daddy, Garreth and Haddie.''

Any second now for that decision…

Any second turned into what seemed like a minute but in actuality it was a full minute.

''Ravenclaw like mommy, daddy, Garreth and Haddie.''

“If you're certain, young Rachel Watson. Better be RAVENCLAW!’’

The last word echoed loudly and she stood up and removed the Hat. “Thank you!’’ she told the thing before rushing off to join the Ravenclaw table. She was so proud to be following in her parents footsteps.

The other great thing was that she was in the same House as her two best friends.

Olivia knew what was going to happen, and what she had to do.

Just go up when her name was called, near the end due to her last name, and sit on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed upon her blonde hair. Then it would do all the hard work of choosing which house of Hogwarts was to be her home for the next seven years. And given the thoughts and behaviors of some in her family, the family that one was a part of for the rest of her life. Would she be a badger like her mother? Or a lion like her father? Or fall under the cunning and knowledge-seeking crowd of her grandmother, uncle or extended family?

She tried to distract herself from her wondering by looking around at the new things while others were getting sorted. But oh look…the boy from the train had been sorted into Slytherin. And Rachel was a Ravenclaw. Okay…okay…must not be nervous, she reminded herself as she moved up further and further inline.

“Ms. Olivia Stone…”

That was her name and she bit the inside of her cheek as she made her way up to the stool and sat down, the weight of the hat added to her head. It took but a moment for the Sorting Hat to start to respond.

“Hmm…a Nairne in Stone clothing. Do you fit where your family tends to prefer?”

“I…don’t know.” Was she talking to a hat?

“Loyal and kind are there…yet a touch of cunning.”

Olivia swallowed. She wasn’t sure she really belonged with the Ralston line. Especially not the darker natures of some of them.

“You’re also not afraid of your own shadow…”

Was that a hint leaning towards her father’s house?

“I think…you better be…RAVENCLAW!!!”

She would take that, the newly sorted eagle released from the stool to join her new housemates.

Being the gentleman that he was, Bastien had made certain to line up after Rula so that she could pick the house they would be in. That was the agreement, that whoever got called up first would pick the house they both would go into. And so long as Rula picked a house that was fitting for them both, and not just herself, then their plan would work out perfectly.

While he waited for her sorting, he watched every other student go up to be sorted. Some took what felt like ages when you were standing with a bunch of other snot nosed first years, and others barely had the hat touch their heads. That was the plan for Bast. He wasn't too fussed about his hair, but the hat was old, yeah? Touched the heads of every kid in the place, and past ones that went forgotten. He didn't want it on his head for long.

He watched each sorting with a level of patience that wasn't granted to his peers, but it wasn't until Ru had got called up that he showed any real interest. It didn't seem like a long wait, but then he would have been okay if it had because she got the right house. A grin stretched across his face, he watched her go to the green and silver table.

The wait after didn't feel like much of anything. He grew increasingly bored of standing in one spot and had started quietly humming compositions until, "Marius Toussaint!" Ugh. He rolled his eyes.

"It's Sebastien." He corrected the professor as he stepped up to the stool. The last thing he needed was for everyone in this school thinking they could call him by his first name. Only his father could do that.

And only he could place a hat on his head. The third year kindly took the hat from the professor when they tried to place it on his head, and did so himself. Carefully, and at a tilt.

"Ah, another Toussaint."

He cut off the hat. "We don't have to waste time with pleasantries, hat. I want to be in Slytherin."

If anyone could feel a hat frown, it was Sebastien. He waited patiently for his requested house to be shouted, but heard nothing but grumbles. "Doing my job for me? Sounds more like a--"

"A Bott? I'm that as well. Slytherin please."

"Have some patience! This process can't be rushed."

"I'm not rushing you, I just already know what I want. You're wasting both of our time pretending I'm going to go anywhere else." Even if he wasn't put into Slytherin, he would still find a way to be in that common room and those dorms. The other houses, from what he gathered meeting other students and reading texts, did not suit him at all.

This one did, and it had his best friend.

Him and the hat went back and forth for another minute or so before the hat shouted irritably.

"Slytherin!"

Smirking, the newly sorted Slytherin removed the hat from his head and placed it on the stool.

Not headed for his house table just yet, he had some cousins to see.

Ariadne tried her best to follow along in an orderly fashion as she and the other first years walked into the Great Hall. The problem was that her mind was telling her to stay in line and wait her turn, while her heart was telling her to run wide open, seek out the Sorting Hat, and take care of her sorting straight away.

She distracted her heart by looking up at the enchanted ceiling and admiring its magic. These are the things she'd waited for ever since FOREVER! Oh, my Merlin, it was really happening! She sighed in an effort to calm her nerves and excitement and then followed the rest of the crowd right up to the stool the Sorting Hat sat upon. Thank Merlin her last name ended in a G! She didn't know what she'd do if she was a Weasley or a Zabini! That kind of last name must be TORTURE right about now! She only fidgeted a few times before finally...

"GREINGOTH, ARIADNE!" someone said.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Okay, no. That wasn't out loud. She'd only thought that inside her head. But SERIOUSLY. This was her SORTING! Right here, right now! She stepped forward, not being able to help the smile that spread across her face. She sat down and was only vaguely aware of the hat enclosing the top of her head...

Greingoth! I've had one of you a time or two before! And is that half Lafay in there, as well? Interesting. A combination I have yet to see before now. Hmm...

Ambition will take you far in your studies, but a Ravenclaw you are not. That much I am sure of.

Oh, thank Merlin! One down...two more to get rid of!

To get rid of? Not a Hufflepuff then? Not surprising. I haven't found one among you for generations back. Very well then. Next!

So it was down to Gryffindor and Slytherin, the two Ariadne had figured would be the hat's top two choices. She wanted Slytherin so very badly, but being a Gryffindor would be okay, too. She'd already met some very cool Gryffindors, and Anna had been one, too!

Hmm... What to do with you Ariadne Greingoth? Bravery or ambition? I sense some of both in you. Too friendly to be cunning, yet too ambitious to be chivalrous. It's down to a matter of personal choice, I see...

"SLYTHERIN!"

SLYTHERIN?! She'd made it in! She couldn't wait to write home and tell her mom and dad! If it was possible to jump up and wrap the Sorting Hat in a huge hug or give it a high five, Ariadne would have. She bounded off the stool with such energy and excitement that had the Sorting Hat still been on her head, she'd probably have tossed it to the floor. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she told it.

Too excited to be shy, she made her way down and over to her new house table---the SLYTHERIN table!

He had heard the hat call Ravenclaw during Azura's sorting. His own eyes focussed on the girl during her sorting. Now he just had to wait and see what would happen.

"Quinn, Jasper"

It was time.

He knew that his body was shaking slightly. Numbly he moved up to sit down on the stool as the speaking hat was placed on his head.

'Another Quinn... odd that you are starting in your first year... you must be the first in centuries,' the voice in his head, which he knew was the hat, spoke. Jasper was just completely thrown by the fact that the hat had started like that.

'Uh... hi?'

'Not as brave as your father... and you lack the ambition needed for Slytherin,' the hat continued, almost seeming to ignore him.

'Could you just put me in Ravenclaw?' he asked the hat innocently, though his mind quickly travelled to his friend. Azura. The purple eyed girl that was already in that house. He was fairly certain that the hat laughed in response to his request.

'Ravenclaw... you do have a certain creativity that will do well in Ravenclaw... and yet you would also do well in Hufflepuff...'

'Ravenclaw,' he insisted, before adding a softer 'please' to that request.

"RAVENCLAW!"

'Thank you,' he said in his mind before the had was taken off his head, beaming as he made his way to the table where his friend was already sitting!

It was finally time for the big moment of truth. Garreth had wondered and hoped and prayed about this day for as long as he'd known he was going to Hogwarts. It had taken enormous amounts of strength that Garreth didn't know he had in him to keep from breaking down completely upon entering the great hall, but he'd managed it. Still, he could hardly believe he was here! This was THE GREAT HALL, the one and only. His mother had probably stood exactly where he was standing, years and years before. He saw the hall now, not only as his mother had done before him, but thousands of the greatest wizards of all time as well. His crippling nervousness and fear of the result made the boy want to put off the sorting, and just spend some time taking in the great hall. However, it didn't take long before he heard a voice call his name; "Kenway, Garreth."

Gulp.

There it was, the point of no return. He had to go up there now. He made his way out of the group of yet unsorted students and up onto the stool. There was a short moment of silence as the sorting hat's crumpled visage morphed into what could only be interpreted as a sly grin.

"Scared, are we?"

Garreth flinched. Of course he was scared! This was a big moment, and the hat was just making fun of him! He had half a mind to just run off, but he clenched his fist and decided he would make it through this, no matter what.

"Yes, I know how much bravery it takes for you to come up here, son." the hat suddenly turned serious. "Might put you in Gryffindor."

'Oh no! I mean, yes! I mean, NO! What about Ravenclaw?' Garreth's mind was racing, his heart was pounding and he was biting his lip perhaps a little bit too hard. The hat laughed and shuffled awkwardly on top of the boy's head, as if attempting to nod.

"Determined too!" the hat belched loudly in reply to his thoughts. "Yes, you certainly have the mind for Ravenclaw, young Garreth, but you have a heart fit for Gryffindor. Are you sure?" Garreth closed his eyes and focused his mind.

'Mister Sorting hat, sir - Please, if the student's preference has ever meant anything to you at all, please, please, please, please, please, please, PLEASE put me in Ravenclaw with Rachel, and Mom, and Mr. Kitridge, and the Grey Lady, and all the rest of them! I've never been more sure of anything in my life.' he thought clearly. There was a long pause as the hat stared off into the distance.

"RAVENCLAW!"

“Torrance Spades!”

Tory heard his name called. It was his turn to go up there and put on that weird talking hat. The young buy scurried up there and sat in the stool. The hat was placed on his head

“Hmmm...well I’ll be you're a Primeaux under there I see”

“You can tell that!?” Torrance said surprised, “but I'm a Spades.”

“I'm aware of that as well boy.”

“so how do you do this, do I get to tell you where I want to go?” He saw a few others before him tell the hat what's what and he placed them in that house.

“I do weigh in your opinion, yes. If I may where is it that you'd like to go?”

“I don't really care. Honestly. I wanna see you read my mind and all that stuff. Look at my Family History, Mister Hat.” He places his hands behind his head and leaned back a bit careful not to fall off the stool and make a big fool of himself.

“Yes well as I mentioned before you're a Primeaux. Many before you, all but two have been Ravenclaw. I can see that you've got a strong curiosity, and this would do for Ravenclaw. You would strive like those before you to learn all you can.”

“Nah, I don't want to be here to learn, Mister Hat. I want to have fun while I'm here. You got me? How about Gryffindor?”

He could probably tell the hat furrowed its folds it calls a brow in annoyance. “If you wished me to place you…”

Tory interrupted the hat. “My Grandpa always told me I got the smarts and stuff too, but I'm not interested in being the Smartest. I want to do things my way and that's so much more fun and isn't that learning in itself?” ...Tory Nodded. “Trial and Error is the best”

“Hmmmmph so it's a Lion you say say you're best at being? You've got spunk, boy. Very well I can break the Primeaux trend once more”

“GRYFFINDOR!!”

Waiting…that was boring Mel was already sick of waiting before the waiting even began. So sick that she even forgot to listen at one point and didn’t hear the Deputy Head call her name until it was called a second time. “ Johanson, Melbourne - Johanson, Melbourne! ” the voice clipped through the air sending her heart to race.

She was going to find out where she was going to live for the next seven years of her life. THIS was going to be fun now wasn’t it? Well, she hoped it was going to be fun.

Shifting and walking over to the stool where the sorting hat rested she couldn’t help but fidget. No she wasn’t nervous she just didn’t want to put a hat on that SO many other people had worn…but it was a magical hat wasn’t it…but what if some magical kid before her had had lice? ”better not get lice from this” she hissed under her breath as she sat down on the stool.

The hat was barely placed on her head when she heard it begin to speak. ”Ah, another Johanson” the words filled her head as if they were being announced straight into her head. “Y-yes, I’m Melbourne,” she said back to the hat only to receive a tutting sound in response.

”I know who you are child, now…let me see” the words paused for a moment ”you’re a bright one – but not the same brightness as your sisters…smart but more in a cunning way than a ravenclaw” she listened to the chattering of the hat and waited for it to ask something. ”you are loyal and cunning, you’re your loyalty comes out in a form of bravery – ah…you’ve got quite the temper there.” The hat seemed to laugh, ”You could fit well in Ravenclaw or Slytherin…” the hat mused for a moment longer. ”but you seem too reckless and impatient for both ah. I see…you have a spark of jealousy in you, well then,” the hat seemed to shift on her as if it were smiling.

”best be GRYFFINDOR” Mel gasped at the words the hat had said in the end. SHE WAS NOT IMPATIENT or jealous. How did the hat think it could get away with calling her jealous? She was going to get revenge on that hat…but the house was cool all historic and Sam and Ace were sorted there…and well, so was Marsha and Tory.

Fresh off the the first years boats. Katerina followed her yearmates into the great hall. Waiting for her turn to be called to be sorted. It seem like it was taking forever. There were so many of the first years. Her blue eyes continued to look around the great hall. It was huge, it was everything and nothing like Phillip had explained to her. She started seeing familiar faces. This made her start to feel a little better. Kat was nervous, what if she didn't really fit into any house?

"Delgado, Katerina!"

Her eye widen even more as she turned straight ahead hearing her name. She froze. That was her, her name had been called. She paused a moment, took a breathe and slowly to moved up to the stool at the front. Sitting down she could see just how many people were here. All of them watching her. She shut her eyes. If she couldn't see them they couldn't see her right?

"AH, Delgado you say. I've sorted plenty in your family. Spread out thought the four houses. As you are. Your mother is correct, a nice mix of every house, but where to put you?" Katerina jumped, she was expecting the hats voice in her ear. Haha her mother right? That didn't surprise her at all. In fact she was going to add that into the letter she had to write to her.

"You are very much your father's daughter and you are just like your mother as well. Not picky about what house you go to either. Let's see let's go with...." No she wasn't picky and just felt like she'd be lucky to even fit just right into a house. She didn't want to be houseless. Where would she sleep?

"Hufflepuff!"

Kats eyes sprung open and she let out a huge sigh of relief. She was in a house. She had gotten into a house. She slid off of the stool and skipped off toward the Hufflepuff table.

Genny couldn't believe she was going to be sorted. After ALL those years and tales from her parents and cousins about how absolutely thrilling it was to wait in line to the sorting ceremony, she did not think it felt like she was shaking all over, and definitely bouncing on the balls of her feet.

When it was her turn, her mouth suddenly went dry. What if she was a Hufflepuff? Or worse, a Slytherin?? How did she convince the headmistress to re-sort her?? There was NO WAY she was ending up in a house other than her dad's! NO WAY. SHE'D TEAR UP THE BLOODY RAGGED HAT.

Ahem.

Now. Genny sat on the edge of the stool, gingerly laying her bottom on the hard surface. Her eyes caught the vast crowd in front of her, which she had forgotten for a moment.

Oh Merlin.

GULP.

The hat was on her head in a second and she swallowed the nerves and frowned determined to show the hat how courageous she was. "There is almost no doubt about this one. No surprise at all. The magic gushing through, the determination, the undernea--"

"JUST SAY IT ALREADY!"

The hat did not look happy at the outburst at all. "DEFINITELY needs A LOT to learn. GRYFFINDOR!!!!"

Genny jumped up happily and squished the hat into a biiiiiig hug before the professor had to wrestle the protesting magical creature from the Gryffindor's arms.