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The Sorting Ceremony
Every year, at the start of term, the students attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were greeted with a ceremony and start-of-term feast. New students were greeted with a song by the Sorting Hat and sorted into their Houses, and the whole school would take that one night to greet one another, catch up, and prepare for classes to begin.
This year was a little bit different, however. With the news that Hogwarts would play host to a number of Outsiders, the school was a hub of gossip. Students were talking about the Outsiders in hushed voices, almost as though it was forbidden. Many of the rumours sounded ridiculous - apparently, Outsiders could throw houses, fly without aid, and turn invisible at will. Some students would try to discredit the rumours by explaining how such things were impossible, but it was to little avail.
As the long line of First Years, followed by a shorter line of Outsiders, entered the Hall, many of the new students were looking upwards at the ceiling. Enchanted to reflect the outside sky, it seemed almost as though the rain should be pounding down on them even in the warmth and dryness of the Castle. Professor McGonagall, a stern-looking witch, led these students, carrying a stool upon which rested a frayed and tattered hat.
The Professor carefully placed the stool just before the staff table, where the whole school could see. As the last of the chatter died away, the rip near the hat's brim opened wide, like a mouth, and it burst into a cheerful song describing the four Founders of Hogwarts, the Houses named for them, and the qualities each sought after. As the last note died, and the school burst into applause, Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
"First years. When I call your name, you will wear the hat and sit on the stool. The Sorting Hat will select the most appropriate House, and you will then seat yourself at that House's table."
It took some time for the First Year students - a group including three Outsider girls - to be sorted. Ordinarily, this would mark the end of the ceremony and start of the feast, but there were yet others to be Sorted, and McGonagall addressed these students as the last of the First Years took their seat.
"Outsider students, we will follow the same process. I shall call your name and the year in which you are entering this school, and you will present yourself to be sorted accordingly."
It was again a long process, and by this point some of the existing students were getting bored waiting for the feast. Whispering had resumed amongst them, Outsiders were commented upon, and even after the last of the Outsiders was seated the conversations did not die away until Professor Dumbledore stood and raised a hand for silence, beaming at the students assembled before him.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as some of them are very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are here with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even invisibility cloaks.
"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors.
"The second item of note is, as I'm sure you are all aware, the Outsiders now attending our school. We have welcomed a number of these Outsiders into our ranks. I am sure you are all aware of the circumstances that have brought them here, and ask only that you treat them the same as any other student in this school. They are here to learn, just as you are, and are just as worthy of your respect.
"On a happier note..."
Dumbledore continued with his start-of-term messages, before finally the feast began. The golden plates and goblets that lay empty upon the tables suddenly filled, a whole variety of foods laid out for students to pick and choose from. This year, some items were new and foreign, clearly catering to the Outsiders' tastes - for the most part, they remained untouched, except by the more inquisitive or daring students.
The feast would last for a couple of hours, before each House's prefects led the school-aged students to their dormitories, and each Head of House led the Adult students to their alternative housing in the Lost Wing.
This year was a little bit different, however. With the news that Hogwarts would play host to a number of Outsiders, the school was a hub of gossip. Students were talking about the Outsiders in hushed voices, almost as though it was forbidden. Many of the rumours sounded ridiculous - apparently, Outsiders could throw houses, fly without aid, and turn invisible at will. Some students would try to discredit the rumours by explaining how such things were impossible, but it was to little avail.
As the long line of First Years, followed by a shorter line of Outsiders, entered the Hall, many of the new students were looking upwards at the ceiling. Enchanted to reflect the outside sky, it seemed almost as though the rain should be pounding down on them even in the warmth and dryness of the Castle. Professor McGonagall, a stern-looking witch, led these students, carrying a stool upon which rested a frayed and tattered hat.
The Professor carefully placed the stool just before the staff table, where the whole school could see. As the last of the chatter died away, the rip near the hat's brim opened wide, like a mouth, and it burst into a cheerful song describing the four Founders of Hogwarts, the Houses named for them, and the qualities each sought after. As the last note died, and the school burst into applause, Professor McGonagall stepped forward.
"First years. When I call your name, you will wear the hat and sit on the stool. The Sorting Hat will select the most appropriate House, and you will then seat yourself at that House's table."
It took some time for the First Year students - a group including three Outsider girls - to be sorted. Ordinarily, this would mark the end of the ceremony and start of the feast, but there were yet others to be Sorted, and McGonagall addressed these students as the last of the First Years took their seat.
"Outsider students, we will follow the same process. I shall call your name and the year in which you are entering this school, and you will present yourself to be sorted accordingly."
It was again a long process, and by this point some of the existing students were getting bored waiting for the feast. Whispering had resumed amongst them, Outsiders were commented upon, and even after the last of the Outsiders was seated the conversations did not die away until Professor Dumbledore stood and raised a hand for silence, beaming at the students assembled before him.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as some of them are very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."
Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds, and while they are here with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises - or even invisibility cloaks.
"It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the Prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors.
"The second item of note is, as I'm sure you are all aware, the Outsiders now attending our school. We have welcomed a number of these Outsiders into our ranks. I am sure you are all aware of the circumstances that have brought them here, and ask only that you treat them the same as any other student in this school. They are here to learn, just as you are, and are just as worthy of your respect.
"On a happier note..."
Dumbledore continued with his start-of-term messages, before finally the feast began. The golden plates and goblets that lay empty upon the tables suddenly filled, a whole variety of foods laid out for students to pick and choose from. This year, some items were new and foreign, clearly catering to the Outsiders' tastes - for the most part, they remained untouched, except by the more inquisitive or daring students.
The feast would last for a couple of hours, before each House's prefects led the school-aged students to their dormitories, and each Head of House led the Adult students to their alternative housing in the Lost Wing.
Akira
When his name was called, he walked up to the stool, looking as calm and collected as he did before games. He was curious about the hat and a little nervous to be starting in a school that taught magic (now known to be) as real as the air he breathed, but neither of the feelings showed on his expression. When he sat on the stool, he stared at a point on the far wall and the hat was placed on his head. He didn't know what to expect... though a part of him still thought it was strange to expect anything.]
no subject
no subject
But to answer the hat, did he only have to think the replies back? Or actually speak them? He went for the latter, whispering the words. Speaking his reply was more normal. "What do you mean?" He knew what the hat's words meant to himself, but did the hat actually know?