|
Post by Matt Finch on Oct 7, 2010 1:06:49 GMT -5
[[Until we get an actual headmaster, he'll have to be a staff NPC.]]
Great Hall shimmered under the twinkling lights of thousands of candles, which in turn were glimmering under the millions of stars showing on the enchanted ceiling. Students who had not already made their way to one of the four House tables in the room filtered in through the enormous doorway, searching for friends they hadn't seen in months. The room was dominated by a gleeful chaos until a call from the head of the room broke through the chatter.
"Students! Please, take your seats." After a few moments of creaking and scraping as those still standing finally chose a spot at the tables, the room fell silent. "Excellent. Now, before we begin, I'd like to welcome you all back to Hogwarts; I hope you will do your part to make this a good year. As some of you may have noticed, we have a new Potions Master, Professor Kameren." Gesturing at Curse with a wave of his hand, he continued, "I trust you will all give him the same respect as you did Professor Dorset." Professor Dorset was, of course, the previous Potions professor; she had left the school to 'pursue other opportunities.' Rumors amongst the students put quite a spin on those enigmatic terms.
"Now, it is time to sort our new students. Professor Forrester?"
|
|
|
Post by Gail Forrester on Oct 15, 2010 21:08:09 GMT -5
At the end of the Hall, the doors opened once again to admit the teacher in question, as well as a crowd of wide-eyed new students. The professor strode calmly down the aisle; her charges followed less confidently, gazing about the enormous room in awe. Those who came from Muggle homes found it that much more amazing, what with the floating candles twinkling in perfect harmony with the stars on the enchanted ceiling. As they reached the faculty table, Professor Forrester placed a battered old hat on an equally wizened stool.
For several moments, nothing happened. The children that didn't understand what was happening looked at each other in bewilderment--until the hat broke into song:
At Hogwarts I was crafted Many years ago And through the ages I have seen Great wizards come and go
Whether gifted with a clever mind Courage, wit, or virtues You must stay wary of your talents And with which purpose they are used
While we glory in these days of peace We all still must remember The sacrifices that were made For our world to continue to prosper
History can repeat itself Without continued examination So while you’re learning to use magic Keep justice as your foundation
The pointless deaths of war will haunt This hat for all existence For I have seen too many lives Be paid because of intolerance
Witch or wizard, muggle or squib House-elf or centaur The responsibility lies in all of us To treat the lot as brother
And as I have said many times And will say again I sometimes do regret sorting Separating those that might have been friends
Whether Gryffindor or Ravenclaw Slytherin or Hufflepuff You must stay united for what is right This I cannot stress enough
And though I’m just a sorting hat I have knowledge deep within But you’ve all listened enough tonight Let the sorting now begin!
With the Hat having completed its song, Professor Forrester produced a long list of the First Years. "Abellera, Peter," was the first, and after he was sorted into Hufflepuff (amidst raucous cheers from that table), she continued down the list.
[[Any first years, feel free to call your own name and sort yourself. Song by Kathleen Spero.]]
|
|
|
Post by Sienna Andormeran on Oct 20, 2010 18:59:50 GMT -5
Sienna couldn't wait to step into Hogwarts. She felt all giggly and happy inside, even though the train ride wasn't that great. Absolutely nobody noticed her and her pink feathered boa, and people kept giving her strange looks. There was this one person even, who called himself Prefect, who told her that it wasn't allowed. Feather boas, not allowed? The nerve.
They were all separated from the big kids back when the train ride ended, and she was now all with the First Years. Sienna didn't see anyone she knew, or maybe it was just the sheer number of people. Rosa Alderthwaite and Missy Peregrim both told her they were going to attend Hogwarts (and couldn't wait to be sorted into Slytherin) but Sienna didn't share that almost holy vision.
It's going to be the worst 7 years ever if I'm stuck in a House full of people I've known since my first birthday. It's either Slytherin House gets other people or I want out. she thought. But Slytherin wouldn't be so bad other than that, Sienna reflected. After all, Michael was sorted into Slytherin.
Sienna was jostled at her back by several burly looking first years, all eager to get into the Great Hall. For Merlin's sake, it's only a Hall... she thought. "Hmph, we got bigger ones at Belle Terre." she said to no one in particular.
The antiques and medieval look of the castle didn't sway Sienna, as she had seen it all before in the musty abodes of her Pureblood playmates. What interested her more were the dignified people wearing black robes that sat in the front of the Hall. Other people were filing in, students from the train as well as first years. And then a tall woman put a battered old Hat on a stool -- a Hat Sienna remembered well from Michael's old stories about Hogwarts. "This is it!" she whispered.
The hat burst into song, surprising Sienna as she didn't hear about that part. It mentioned the other Houses in Hogwarts, but that they shouldn't be divided... rather, they should be united as one. Pish posh.. thought Sienna. Start with the sorting!
Finally, it was done. She was letter A, so it wasn't long before the teacher called, "Andormeran, Sienna".
Sienna walked proudly to the podium and with a plop put the Sorting Hat on her head. She immediately heard a voice whispering in her mind. "The last Andormeran. I haven't seen any of you going through these halls in some time."
"I see mischievousness and a slight hint of malice in you, little girl... where do you come by this? Ah, determination. Knowledge. A disdain of hard work? You are one bundle of contradictions. But there's one trait that's shining in you, and that is being bold and unafraid. So I think you will do best in --"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Sienna's eyes bugged out, as Gryffindor was not an option she had considered. She took off the Sorting Hat and placed it carefully on the stool, walking slowly to the raucous table where her new housemates stood and cheered. "Oh dear Merlin... this is not going to be good."
|
|
|
Post by Emery Fletcher on Oct 23, 2010 17:47:45 GMT -5
tap, tap tap, pause, tap, tap, tap, pause...repeat
Emery followed the crowd of chattering students into the hall, letting the wave carry him in. He ignored the conversation around him, worrying about far more important things than the new potions teacher, or who was hotter than who. The normally, calm, cool as ice water boy took his seat without incident. Outwardly he appeared unaffected, normal even. Except for this traitorous left hand, that tapped a way on his thigh. If anyone deigned to stare closely they would see that he was anything but calm. But anyone would be if they had a seer for a terrible first year sister.
By the time the first years entered, Emery was about to have a heart attack. It took a few seconds but he spotted Eden pushing her way towards the edge of the crowd so she could see. Worriedly he searched the familiar, tired face for signs of trauma. All he could see was excitement. Relieved, Emery let out a small sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he listened to the sorting hat. His plan to distract Eden had worked. She had not spotted what pulled the carriages. Emery knew Eden could see the strange threstals, because he too could see them. In fact he still blamed himself for Eden witnessing the tragic accidental death of their cousin. She shouldn't have gone fishing with them, but she insisted and it was hard to say no to her.
Emery glanced at his friends siting near them as the sorting started.
"Any ideas where she'll be placed?" He asked as he glanced back at his sister, as everyone welcomed the first Gryffindor.
|
|
|
Post by Nuriko Elsywth on Oct 25, 2010 0:38:58 GMT -5
“Ooooh, a sorting!” Nuriko cheered, jumping in place as she entered the hall. A nearby Gryffindor gave the excitable Raven claw a mock disdainful look as she nudged her playfully with a hip. “Always there’s a sorting at the beginning of term. And always…” She didn’t need to finish her sentence as her friend did some more enthusiastic actions.
“Oh, I can’t help it, Bethy! So much fun!” Nuriko reached up to ruffle the younger girl’s hair before rushing away to her table. The fifth year Gryffindor shook her head, continuing towards the lion’s table.
“Calms down!” ’Riko reached to ruffle the taller boy’s hair. “She’ll do fine. Perhaps she’ll be an eagle like us!” She grinned, her hair flowing out of its spikes into a longer style that spilled down her back in bold royal blue and bronze. “Or maybe a badger!” her hair shortened and seemed to become rougher and shaggier as it became a canary yellow and black. “Ohh, maybe a lion?” Her hair erupted in shoulder-length, crimson and gold curls. “Or a snake!” Becoming sleeker, her hair was now green and silver, and cut like a boy’s.
“Who knows?” She winked at her friend, letting her hair become her customary bright blue again.
|
|
|
Post by Jaxon Bronx Pietri on Oct 26, 2010 16:53:19 GMT -5
Leaning back in his chair, Jaxon's soft hazel eyes quickly surveyed the room. As students filed in, they took their seats, chattering with friends. Most seemed excited, which was something he understood. The Sorting was one of the most exciting times of year, seeing who would be joining which house and how they would fit in at Hogwarts. Even now, seventeen years after his own Sorting, the feeling in the air was still infectious. He paid attention to each new student being sorted in order to become acquainted with them, particularly to those from Hufflepuff House . If he were young again, he would most definitely be clapping along with them.
The headmaster called for silence, and after a few squeaks and whispers, he began to speak. For the three years Jaxon had been a professor, the welcoming speech had been pretty much the same. This year, there was a new addition, to both the speech and the Hogwarts staff. Curiously, he glanced to his left down the table to see the new Potions master for himself. He made a mental note to personally welcome him later on after the Feast. Jaxon, as shy as he was, prayed that the headmaster would not point out his new position as Head of Hufflepuff House. It was bound to happen, so he braced himself for the stares.
Professor Forrester entered the hall, accompanied by nervous first-years. Jaxon saw one boy pointing to the enchanted ceiling and it brought a smile to his face. When he entered Hogwarts, a scrawny little Muggle-born, that was the most spectacular thing he had ever seen up until that point. Now he knew that there were plenty of other interesting things in the wizarding world. Straining his eyes a little, he could see a lumpy brown something cradled in her arms and instantly he knew that it was the Sorting Hat. Placing it gently on the stool, she backed away to give it ample space.
Its song was much like any other year's and Jaxon didn't find it noteworthy enough to think about for very long afterward. Little first-years were being sorted into houses and he could see older students talking excitedly amongst themselves, but he couldn't make out their faces.
Turning his attention to the professor next to him, he chuckled. "This ought to be an interesting year, don't you think?"
|
|
|
Post by Adrien Jacques on Oct 28, 2010 16:57:00 GMT -5
Adrien watched the processions with great interest; this was amongst his favorite moments at Hogwarts. His attention was first on the teacher that had just entered followed by the first years, but his attention quickly shifted. He found something a little more interesting than her. Watching the students react to the decorations was always a personal joy especially when he saw the reactions from those new to magic. The dazzled look they had as their eyes drifted upward to the enchanted ceiling or the excited, but a little apprehensive look some students gave the sorting hat. He couldn't help, but chuckle softly at those particular reactions. He remembered when he'd been in there place, it had been a bittersweet moment for him. Adrien had also been just as frightened, the thing was a little on the creepy side. He would have suggested replacing it with something a little more approachable or repair it just a tad, but he was afraid of the consequences of such a suggestion. The hat might not look like much, but he was sure it could manage to make his life a bit of a living hell if he ever suggested it be replaced. There was another reason, why spare any of the future first years the experience everyone before them had had to deal with. Besides the hat was rather good at its job, he doubted he could replace it.
Adrien watched as each student was sorted, making a mental note of who went where. He found it interesting to see how they reacted to the feel of the school, the hat that would sort them, and where they were sorted. Each detail gave him a little insight into their personality. It may have only been a surface view, but it was something to start with. The reaction that was truly memorable to him was that of the now Gryffindor, Sienna Andormeran. He couldn’t help, but smile when he noticed her surprise. “Welcome to the club so many of us are members of. That sorting hat is known for shocking sorting.” Adrien thought to himself as he sipped his drink, absentmindedly.
Hearing Professor Pietri’s statement he couldn’t help, but comment. “Every year is interesting in its own way. Some of them are interesting in a less stressful way and others have you wanting to tear your hair out. I have a feeling this year is going to be a special year though, one filled with a mixture of the laid back years and the adventure of the more stressful ones. A fun combination if you ask me.” Adrien had an odd sent of delight at the prospect, he rather enjoyed years that weren’t typical. It gave him something to do other than read.
|
|
|
Post by Kassie Bently on Oct 29, 2010 22:23:55 GMT -5
Kassie was sitting in her chair at the head table with the rest of the professors watching the small first years some who looked excited others who looked timid others whispering to themselves about Merlin only knew what. The sorting hat broke out into song but even though it gave a similar song each year in the seven years she had attended as a student and now that she was a professor it was different just the same. A small smile was on her face as her brown eyes held their normal glint of mischievousness and happiness.
She was wearing a short sleeve v-neck top that was black and white, with a black knee length skirt and four inch black heels. Her black hair was hanging but half was pinned up in a complicated looking twist and held in place by a silver clip that looked like a flower. Kassie had her legs folded beneath the large oak table and her hands placed in her lap. She heard Professor Pietri and the headmaster holding a small quiet conversation and gave a small smirk to the head masters comment. Kassie had a feeling this was gonna be a well balanced year which was good, she herself didn't like over hectic years but she didn't like quiet ones either.
Reaching up she brushed a loose strand of her black hair that had fallen across her forehead before she replaced her hand in her lap as her eyes rested on the student body once more. WORDCOUNT:: 252THEOUTFIT:: click here!TAGGEDFOR:: openWRITERSCOMMENT:: n.a
|
|
|
Post by Matt Finch on Oct 30, 2010 1:54:49 GMT -5
“Who knows?”
"That's what's great about you," Matt interjected. "Always so decisive." Having already bored himself with Emery on the train (after a while, lack of any real response to his wit lost its comedic value), he had reattached himself to those students that actually enjoyed his company. Unbelievably, however, he had stayed quiet through the sorting; it didn't have the same appeal to him as it did to other students. He assumed it was because he knew his sister, who was 12 and apparently pure-Muggle, would never get to wear that hat and be sorted herself.
For now, he contented himself to bask in the fact that they were all back at Hogwarts. After such a plain, non-magical summer, the floating candles and occasional ghost flitting through were a welcome reminder that magic still existed. Certainly, the tattered Sorting Hat would not let him forget, as it called out House assignments for each student. "Wait, which one is Eden again?" he asked, trying to pick her out from the crowd of first years. They all seemed so shaky and wide-eyed that he could have sworn a pack of chihuahuas was standing at the front of Great Hall in robes; figuring out which was which was difficult at best.
|
|
|
Post by Professor Schmidt on Nov 1, 2010 11:48:52 GMT -5
Alexandra had been sat talking quietly with Headmaster Jacques when, right on cue, he rose from his seat to call for silence across the great hall. A smile tugged at the corner of Alexandra's mouth - it wouldn't look like a proper smile to the new students but older students would know it was about as close as she got to smiling, other than sarcastic or mocking smiles - as she looked at the students sitting at the four tables. As always the students were excited, and she was pleased to see so many students had returned. It wasn't always the case.
Sitting on the right of the headmaster's chair, as the deputy headmistress always did, Alexandra observed as the sorting began. Professor Forrester, the Charms Professor, entered with the first years and brought them to the front of the hall, just in front of the teacher's stand, where they began the process of being sorted into their houses. As all teachers did she clapped and applauded each new student, clapping just that little bit louder whenever a student was sorted into Ravenclaw House. It was, after all, the house she represented on the staff of Hogwarts.
The process was about a quarter of the way through when Alexandra heard Proessor Pietri speaking to the professor next to him, and the headmaster joined in the conversation only seconds later. She listened to what the two had to say, nodding at the headmaster's words. "I too feel that this year will be different to previous years. It has been some time since I myself was a student here but something feels different. Perhaps it is the students. Or perhaps it is just the climate we now live in." She referred, of course, to the fact that there was now no Dark Lord threatening the world. But just because there was no 'superior' dark wizard didn't mean there weren't threats.
She noticed the Astronomy Professor, Kassie Bentley, smiling at the headmaster's comments. Alexandra merely turned and continued to watch the sorting. She hid her emotions and feelings well: no other teacher, apart from the headmaster, knew that she had been apprehensive about the inclusion of teachers who had formerly been ensared by the Dark Arts. Though the headmaster too had used the arts during his youth he'd long since given them up, and Alexandra's friendship with him was strong enough to withstand her telling him of her worries. He'd reassured her, and nothing more had been said.
As the sorting continued she turned her head towards Jacques. "As always I shall present the students with their timetables in the morning. Is there any additional task you require? The difference we feel this year may require some change to rules or the structure of Hogwarts, and it would be best to deal with that earlier rather than later."
[Pietri, when I browsed through your profile I noticed it said 'doubles as Head of Gryffindor' in your occupation, but here it says 'Head of Hufflepuff'. Since I didn't know which it was, I put neither for now.]
|
|
|
Post by Eden Fletcher on Nov 2, 2010 23:40:44 GMT -5
(for purposes of not breaking the rules Eden and Emery are in the same post.)
At first, Nuri's excited chatter did nothing to calm Emery. Her constant fluttering made him even more antsy, he trampled down the urge to stretch his long legs which would surely knock into the person across from him. Instead he craned his neck in search of his sister as the first years were Shepard in. Not for the first time, he wished his sister was a little bit taller, she was rather hard to spot in a mob.
“Calms down!” ’Riko reached to ruffle the taller boy’s hair. “She’ll do fine. Perhaps she’ll be an eagle like us!” She grinned, her hair flowing out of its spikes into a longer style that spilled down her back in bold royal blue and bronze. “Or maybe a badger!” her hair shortened and seemed to become rougher and shaggier as it became a canary yellow and black. “Ohh, maybe a lion?” Her hair erupted in shoulder-length, crimson and gold curls. “Or a snake!” Becoming sleeker, her hair was now green and silver, and cut like a boy’s.
A slow grin of amusement at his friends antics, lightened Emery's neutral mask. His friends were right of course. No one knew except the hat where Eden be and he was silly to worry but he did. Still he appreciated the colorful show from Nuri, she had a talent for cheering people, she did.
Emery glanced at Matt as he asked which one was Eden, and then back to the blob of first years. At first they all looked the same, scared, amazed and confused. Eden must have been in the back because Emery couldn't find her.
"She'll be the shortest, I bet... I don't see her..." He said trailing off and then he spotted her on the edge of the crowd closest to the teacher's table. Her back was towards the students, her head slightly turned. She was too far away, to see an expression, but she just stood there and seemed to be staring at a teacher.
"She's off to the side towards the back, her hat's practically falling off." He said waving a hand in the general direction of where she was, it was rude to point.
The boat ride was awesome. Eden had been in the very front, leaning over the edge the entire time because she was not afraid of getting wet, nor the cold or the giant squid. She was quite disappointed that she hadn't seen the large creature or his family. She would have to (of course) come down and meet him and perhaps a mermaid sometime. Although she had been warned by Emery that merfolk were not solicitous to humans. She wanted to give them a chance to change, after all humans had been mean to them for years. She would be nice and bring them a present to show that she was nice and wouldn't harm them.
The boat ride went entirely too quick for Eden to find all of the things that her brother had told her about and she couldn't wait to get outdoors again to go searching. There was far too much to see and she could barely take it all in. Eden was rather silent as she followed the other students up the stairs and into Hogwarts. the place was huge! She'd surely get lost, hopefully she'd find her way out again, maybe she could envision secret pathways...Eden practically skipped into the Great Hall. She was listening to the sorting hat sing when she became distracted by a strange pulling sensation that was somehow familiar.
She knew that presence. It was Tor! Eden glanced towards the big table in front of everyone where she assumed it was the teachers', because why would they be amongst the students? and they were adults sitting there after all and the only adults at the school should be teachers right?
Eden frowned when a few taller students blocked her view. She shuffled sideways, to the edge where she could examine the table better. She stood there staring for several minutes analyzing each professor, trying to match her mental conversations and aouars with images. It was slow going, any number of them could be her mental mentor Tor. Then the pretty looking blonde professor looked at her and their eyes met. In an instant she recognized his gaze and she sent a mental greeting.
She was so wrapped up in her quest that it took two repeats of her name to capture her attention.
"Here!" Eden shouted as she quickly scampered around the crowd and to the stool, which she rabbit hopped onto a big smile on her face. She scanned the crowd for Emery's tall head, finding him rather easily before he was replaced by black, itchy cloth. Nothing happened. No voice, no magical feeling, just inky blackness. Was this a joke or did the last kid break the hat? Did it die? Then, as if it was coming from a long distance, a voice spoke to her in a similar manner that Tor did.
"Take down the wall child and let me in! Quite the powerful witch you are. Wise too, you'd do well among the tome readers, but will you flourish? That is the question. Do not block me, let me see, you want to be sorted do you?"
I'm not doing an---" Hmm ambitions yes, the thrive to prove your abilities is strong. But you are not a cunning person. Fire burns in you and a strength. Careful, your lack of fear might just be your downfall but also your best ability.
Long pause, Eden suspected it might be for dramatic effect, if hats could be drama queens that is.
Best be "GRYFFINDOR"
Eden slid off the tool, nearly tripping over the edge of her robe as she yanked the hat, rather roughly off her head. It was a silly creature. She paid it little heed, storing it's little chat in a corner of her midn, she'd look at later, if she needed to. For now she waved at her brother and headed off to the table that was making noise for her.
She took a seat that faced her brothers table, intending to make faces at him when ever her attention wondered.
Why in Merlin's beard wasn't Eden moving? Wait was she having a vision? Here of all place. SHe'd be labeled a freak on her first day and she'd never make friends. But then after a delayed response Eden once more became animated and she did her I'm-so-adorable-you-have-to-smile routine. Was she skipping. Obviously the lessons on how one acted before a crowd had not yet sank in. Still, she was young and could get away with murder. For now.
Then after what seemed like a decade she was sorted. Emery clapped with everyone else, relieved that his sister wasn't in his house. Yes relieved. She'd be less of a torment to his friends that way. There would be less of a chance that she'd tell embarrassing stories and he had gotten used to her being at a distance. But he'd admit that only to himself. He loved his sister and a part of him wanted her to be a ravenclaw only for the fact that he'd make sure she did her homework and didn't have nightmares. But if she needed him he'd be there, the second she needed it.
"Thank god, we'll still have peace in the commonroom." He said softly with a small teasing smile that was rare on his face. It was a little one, barely a hint and then it was gone.
|
|
|
Post by //Numbers Barr-- on Nov 11, 2010 17:15:42 GMT -5
‘Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.’
‘Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.’
‘Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.’
‘Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.’
He only had to keep repeating those names in his head over and over. That was his trick to remembering just about anything. Repeat those four names in his head again and again. After a while, they would stick to his long term memory. With his ability to retain anything recent obliterated in a car crash that he was not even old enough to remember, Numbers felt as though he had the disadvantage in this situation. He was in a new school where all the professors were new, his classmates all had names that he would have to learn, and even the ‘houses’ had names that also needed to be retained. In other words, Numbers was screwed.
He didn’t have long though to memorize these names. His last name, Barr, started with a ‘B’. That means his name was higher on the list, marking him for sorting at the very beginning.
“BARR, NUMBERS.” The teacher called his name. It might have been his imagination but she hesitated on his name. Yeah, his name was Numbers, it was strange. He had been reminded of that fact every day of his life. And with that, it was time for Numbers to be sorted, for better or for worse.
The tiny boy scrambled up the steps and towards the intimidating stool and hat. The hat, which shouldn’t be able to smile, but did, gave him a long stare as he sat down. Jamming the oversized headpiece onto his hair, the hat slid down over his eyes. Just like everything else, even the hat was too big for tiny Numbers.
‘Ahh, your mother was Andrea Price. What a bright mind.’ Numbers flinched at the mention of his mother. He knew he was not nearly as smart as she was. The hat then proceeded to call him out on it. ‘Not as smart? Well, things are a bit jumbled up inside this head of yours.’
‘Hey!’ Numbers thought, starting to object but the hat cut him off.
‘But you are a kind boy, with lots of heart. Not much courage or confidence though,’ The hat seemed to not stop with the insults. ‘So Gryffindor is out of the question. And you are not quite that bright, so not Ravenclaw.’ Numbers flinched as every house was crossed out one by one. It seems that insult sting just a little more when given by a hat.
“So, I must go with HUFFLEPUFF!” The hat shouted out loud. Numbers lifted the hat just above his eyes to see a flurry of black and yellow erupt into cheers. Giving a sheepish smile, the boy removed the hat and put it back down on the stool. He then couldn’t help it, Numbers ran over to his new house, raising a hand in triumph. Maybe this Hufflepuff, despite what his mother had said about them, was the place for him.
|
|