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Before the Feast
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-19-11 05:34
Professor McGonagall stood at the top of a slope on the Hogwarts grounds and watched as dozens of small boats moved across the glassy surface of the lake. She could only make out the hulking figure of Hagrid, who had an entire boat to himself. The rest of the boats were filled with two and three students apiece.
When the boats drew near the boathouse, Professor McGonagall turned and approached the castle. During that time, the carriages carrying the older students came and went. The Great Hall would soon be filled nearly to capacity.
It was a nice enough evening that Professor McGonagall decided to greet the first years on the front steps of the castle. She waited there patiently for their arrival. Soon enough, she spotted Hagrid ahead of the group, leading them up the slope to where the Deputy-Headmistress waited.
Hagrid turned so that he faced the children and said, "Ev'ryone, this is Professor McGonagall. She'll be tellin' yeh all abou' Hogwarts. 'Spect yeh'll be int'rested in wha' she has ter say."
Then he turned to Minerva. "Yeh have a good group, Professor."
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will see you inside."
Hagrid nodded his bushy head, waved at the first years, and then went inside the castle.
Professor McGonagall gave the group a quick inspection. Some of the students were obviously nervous. Others looked excited to be there.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, first years. My name is Professor McGonagall. I am the Deputy-Headmistress, as well as one of the Transfiguration professors on staff. In a few moments, we will go inside the castle and enter the Great Hall, where you will be sorted. The Sorting Hat will be placed onto your heads and will decide where you belong. There are four houses at Hogwarts…"
Professor McGonagall went on to tell them briefly about Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. She also talked about house points and rule-breaking. Finally, she gestured to the front doors of the castle.
"If you will follow me in an orderly manner…"
She turned and opened the front doors. Professor McGonagall led the way inside the entrance hall and then stopped in front of the doors to the Great Hall. She looked over her shoulder to make sure that she hadn't lost anybody in the group. Then she pushed open the doors to the Great Hall.
The Sorting Ceremony, Part One
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-19-11 06:10
The Great Hall was crowded. Every seat at the four house tables was occupied, except for a number near the front of the room. Perpendicular to the house tables was the High Table, which only had one empty seat. At the very center of the High Table sat Professor Dumbledore. Even from the back of the Great Hall, Minerva could make out the twinkling pair of eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.
The Great Hall hushed when the group of first years walked along the center aisle behind the Deputy-Headmistress. When they reached the dais at the front of the room, Professor McGonagall turned and asked the first years to remain where they stood. Then she turned and climbed onto the dais, where she pulled over a three-legged stool on which sat a raggedy, old hat. Professor McGonagall took a step back and waited.
For a long moment, nothing happened. The older students all knew what to expect, but some of the first years were quite shocked when a tear in the hat opened up like a mouth. It was even more shocking to hear a voice emerge from that tear.
The Sorting Hat started singing. Sometimes its song was quite generic, focusing only on the school and its houses, but other times the song contained an overlying theme in addition to that basic information. This year the Sorting Hat sang about trust. Trust in your friends. Trust in yourself. It sounded like a positive message to Professor McGonagall's ears, but she couldn't help but wonder if the Hat was hinting at something to come.
It wrapped up its song with a final welcome to all students new and old and then fell silent.
Now it was time for the Sorting Ceremony to begin.
Professor McGonagall picked up a scroll and unfurled it. She looked at the gathering of first years and explained, "When I call your name, please come forward and sit down on the stool." She picked up the hat and called out the first name on the list.
"Amelia Acker."
A clone of second year student Alcmene Acker approached the stool and sat down. The Sorting Hat wasted no time in announcing, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Professor McGonagall removed the hat from Amelia's head. The new Gryffindor was all smiles as she leapt off of the stool and joined her sister at the house table.
"Callie Blackwell," Professor McGonagall called next.
Another little girl approached the stool. She sat down. Professor McGonagall put the Sorting Hat onto her head. It took a moment to deliberate and then announced, "SLYTHERIN!"
A cheer erupted from the Slytherin table. Callie waited for Professor McGonagall to remove the Sorting Hat from her head and then joined her new housemates at the Slytherin table.
"Mildred Campbell," Professor McGonagall read from the list.
A girl with long blonde hair cautiously came forward. She sat down on the stool and sat perfectly still as Professor McGonagall placed the hat onto her head.
Hmm… the Sorting Hat mused. A curious child, you are. Stricken by tragedy. Hmm… the Hat went on. But I think you are stronger than you think and very brave. Yes… You belong in… "GRYFFINDOR!"
Mildred, who had seemed somewhat stoic, smiled for the very first time. Professor McGonagall took away the hat, allowing Mildred to join the Gryffindor table.
Waiting To Be Sorted (Marion DeMarco)
Author: Saffron
Date: 10-19-11 14:22
Unlike a number of first years Marion DeMarco isn't the least bit nervous about the Sorting or being here at Hogwarts. Once upon a time she'd lived at Hogwarts, taking many a meal in the Great Hall. Some of the professors are different from then but some are the same. Because she knew Hagrid already Marion was not the least bit intimidated when exiting the Hogwarts Express to join up with Hagrid for the boat ride across the lake.
What Marion is, is still slightly miffed that she has to stay in a dormitory instead of with Aunt Saffron. While Marion has nothing against sleeping in a big room with other girls her age who wouldn't prefer a room to one's self? It's what she's used to. Most of the time anyway. Sometimes CJ and Clark steal into bed with her, which Marion finds annoying but even she's not so mean as to kick one of her little brothers out of bed when he's had a nightmare and is looking for comfort.
Hogwarts really should be a day school. With the Floo and portkeys someone really should have thought of it long ago. Maybe it has something to do with students can freely practice homework for such classes as Charms here at Hogwarts while at home there would be the risk of the Ministry getting in a snit about underage use of magic, especially for those who are Muggle borns.
The line inches up slightly and another student perches on the stool as Professor McGonagall settles the Sorting Hat on a head trying not to every so slightly twitch with nerves. Marion wonders what house she'll be put into. Callie's in Slytherin. It's quite possible their little group of friends will get spread across all four houses. They've sworn to stay as close as sisters no matter what though so Marion's not overly concerned if they do end up split among the Hogwarts houses. It will simply mean they won't all get to share a dorm, which would make having to sleep in a dorm a much more attractive prospect, and they won't have every single class together. They can still do homework together though since they will all have the same professors and be learning the same things at the same time.
As the line inches up again Marion thinks with her last name being DeMarco she'll be called by Professor McGonagall rather soon. In the meantime, she'll look around to see who she can find that she knows, like Deak and his girlfriend Etta.
Impending Last Meal
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 10-19-11 17:34
Though hiding it much better than many of the new students waiting to be sorted, Dante is extremely nervous. Tomorrow is his debut as a professor and as the official start of term drew near today the less sure he is that he's ready. Despite having sat in on some of Professor Flitwick's classes at the end of last term, formal education in an actual classroom at an institution such as Hogwarts is as foreign to Dante as the Urdu language. What has he gotten himself into?
At least his last meal will be pretty great if End of Term Feast is anything to go by. Come breakfast in the morning Dante doubts he'll have much appetite what with a nine am class of fifth years looming. He'll skip the Great Hall in the morning, taking a long run followed by a shower before going to the upper years' Charms classroom. His classroom.
Dante tries not to think about how quickly tomorrow morning will arrive. He'd go right now for a run - for the fourth time today - if he could. Running helps him think and destress. No matter where his parents dragged the family, Dante could find a place to run even if only in circles around a pitched tent. Running was the only solitude from his family Dante generally got, was a way of working off anger and frustration, and at times growing up was an outlet for maintaining his sanity amid the craziness that was, and is, his family and its lifestyle.
Unable to go running, Dante fixes his attention on the Sorting Ceremony, wondering how many charms went into creating the Sorting Hat and whether the nature of the magic used must periodically be renewed and, if so, how often.
The Sorting Ceremony, Part Two
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-19-11 17:52
This year was the first in perhaps a decade that the Sorting Hat wasn't also sorting transfer students. The last of the older set to don the hat were Miss Blackwood and Mr. AlGunud, who were undoubtedly present in the audience.
Professor McGonagall read the name of the next first year student.
"Ellie Mae Chamberlain." She was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Gideon Coy" went to Slytherin.
Next came "Marion DeMarco." Marion sat down onto the stool and looked out at the hundreds of faces watching her. The hat deliberated. Interesting… No stranger to these hallways, are you? Hmm… Calm, confident. A loyal friend. I know just what to do with you… "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Marion turned to shoot a smile at her godmother and then sprang off the stool to sit at the Hufflepuff table.
Marion's friend "Katheryn Finch" became the newest member of "RAVENCLAW!"
A girl named "Melpomene Graham" followed Amelia and Mildred into "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Hope Hyland."
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Maurice Kilman."
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Hubert MacBadger."
A boy with dark auburn hair and brown eyes stepped forward and promptly tripped on the step, falling flat on his face. There was a collective gasp from some and hysterical laughter from others. Professor McGonagall helped the boy up, who seemed unharmed, if only extremely embarrased. She guided him to the stool and placed the hat on his head before gazing sterning at everyone still laughing. The Great Hall hushed immediately.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the Sorting Hat announced.
Hubert started to leave with the hat still on his head. Professor McGonagall followed him a few steps before he realized his mistake. He sheepishly pulled it from his head and handed it to her.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
Professor McGonagall nodded curtly at him and then prepared to read the next name off of the list. Thankfully, Hubert made it to the Hufflepuff table without incident.
The Sorting Ceremony, Part Three
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-20-11 05:41
"Queenie McPhaul."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
The next name on the list was "Pippa Middleton."
The eleven year old approached the stool, sat down, and allowed Professor McGonagall to set the Sorting Hat onto her head.
Another Middleton, the Sorting Hat murmured. You belong in… "RAVENCLAW!"
With a grin, Pippa hurried to the Ravenclaw table, where her older siblings and cousin cheered.
"Bernard Ollis" was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Horace Quisenberry" went to Slytherin.
"Paton Shrewsbury."
A boy with black hair came forward and sat on the stool.
Hmm… Difficult… Very difficult. Kind, shy with those you do not know… Temperamental at times… Rebellious… Clever… Better be… "RAVENCLAW!"
After Paton came "Achilles Sims", who was sorted into Gryffindor.
Then came "Franciscus Vanderbilt."
Another Vanderbilt, the Sorting Hat said. But you are all different. Not like your oldest sisters, not like the middle one. Most like the youngest. You belong in… "RAVENCLAW!"
Pleasantly surprised to find himself sorted into the same house as his new cousin just moments ago, Franciscus leapt off the stool and joined Paton at the Ravenclaw table.
"Wesley Varnum."
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Amorica Wenlock."
The younger sister of Slytherin student Alexa Wenlock was the second to last first year to get sorted. She stepped forward and sat still for the Sorting Hat.
Another Wenlock, it said into her ear. A driven, enthusiastic young girl, you are. I know just what to do with you… "SLYTHERIN!"
Grinning from ear to ear, Amorica joined her new housemates and her sister at the Slytherin table.
The final name on Professor McGonagall's scroll was "Edgar Zhou," who was sorted into… "HUFFLEPUFF!"
While Edgar joined his housemates, Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll and moved the three-legged stool and Sorting Hat aside. Then she walked around the High Table and took her place next to Professor Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Minerva," he said to her. Then he stood up and addressed the school.
A New Year Has Begun
Author: Karma Davyd
Date: 10-20-11 06:27
Earlier in the day after a small chicken ceasar salad at Imperial Crown & Cauldron I'd headed back to the Castle for a quick, last minute check of my classroom, which would get its debut to my students in the morning, bright and early at nine.
A quick shower had left me pleanty of time to get ready. I'd settled on my favorite little yellow antique sari dress that danced around mid-thigh, and added my favorite pair of Jimmy Choo patent leather kitten heel pumps. Hair left loose and lightly gelled around my shoulders, a single yellow hair clip added just by my left temple. Make-up was lightly and then I slipped on the black robe, letting it remain loose as I headed down to the Great Hall for the Start-of-Term feast.
I was anxious to see the sorting ceremony performed by Minerva, and see the hat in action as it placed all of the new students into the houses that would best suit them. However, I also knew what the food situation was going to be like - enough to encourage one into indulging in one of the seven deadly sins - namely Gluttony. Savory delights would be spread across all five of the tables that filled the Great Hall. Once dinner was complete, the savory would be replaced by sweetly decadant to round out the evening before the Prefects would lead the first years to their dormatories.
It was like the night before a holiday, anxiety was a sweetly delicious thing. I was looking forward to my first class, however, looking over at Dante, it would seem that I was perhaps one of the only new professors looking forward to teaching tomorrow morning. Dante was a mystery to me, he was very handsome and yet so quiet and reserved it made me wonder why he chose to come to Hogwarts, and why he chose teaching when now he looked as if he risked loosing his appetite even before the feast began.
I didn't get a chance to ask Dante if he was alright, because right after the Sorting Ceremony ended, and it was definitely a sight to see as each child was sorted into the four houses and joined their fellow classmates amid cheers and applause, Professor Dumbledore stood up and moved toward the dais so that he could address the assembled students and teachers alike in welcome to the new school year.
The Beginning of Another School Year
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-20-11 07:02
Ariella had an early morning shift at Briar's and then they'd spent a quiet afternoon just lounging in their quarters before it was time to get ready to head down to the Great Hall for the Start of Term feast. They both knew from their time as students and Lawrence's term teaching that eating much before the Start-of-Term feast because the Castle's house elves tend to out do themselves time and time again.
They settled at the High Table when the second through seventh years filed into the Great Hall, knowing well that the boats that carried the first years over from the station at Hogsmeade would be arriving and Minerva and Hagrid, who at the start were the only professors that were missing from the High Table. Hagrid soon entered and the half-giant slipped into his seat, which meant that Minerva would not be far behind with the first years, and soon enough she entered with the first years trailing behind her.
Some of them looked nervous, some of them looked around in awe, and some of them looked as if they knew what would be happening as they were soon lead to the dias. The Sorting Ceremony began, and Lawrence slid a hand to lightly lay claim to one of Ariella's knowing that eventually when their lives settled they would at some point have a child standing amongst the first years waiting to be sorted into oen of the four houses of Hogwarts.
Lawrence remembered his sorting ceremony, he was a transfer student, the memories that brought him here were painful, but he brushed them aside, and forced his attention back to the present and the final few students being sorted into their houses. Once the Sorting Ceremony was complete, Minerva settled into the chair next to Dumbledore, who moments later rose and moved to begin the speech that would officially bring the start of term.
Five to Slytherin
Author: Adina Blackwood
Date: 10-20-11 10:03
Arthur, Kida, Whitney, and Adina currently sat at the Slytherin table, watching with rapt attention to see how many new faces would be joining Slytherin house this year. The other houses, didn't matter so much. "I'm guessing about five of them will end up here." Adina said and grinned.
"I'm guessing maybe three or four." Said Kida.
"Maybe six." Whitney said, looking over the group of first years before Professor McGonagall began calling out the name of the first first year to come up for the beginning of the Sorting Ceremony.
"Three is my guess." Arthur said sliding an arm around Adina's shoulders and snuggling with her while they waited anxiously to see who would win their little contest, and the loosers would be buying sweets at Honeydukes on the first Hogsmeade trip.
Fingertips idly toyed with the surface of the table, eyes sliding closed as she listened to the Sorting Hat's song about trust in your friends and in yourself. It was an interesting message and when she opened her eyes she could tell that several individuals were wondering just what was behind the message from the Sorting Hat's song. Either way, the Sorting Ceremony had officially begun.
Cheers errupted from Gryffindor as the first girl called was sorted into that house. The cheers died down and soon rose again moments later when the second student was sorted into Slytherin. Callie Blackwell was greeted as she found a seat at the table. The third girl called was sorted into Gryffindor which sent more cheers rising from the table.
Moments passed as more students were sorted, fourth student sorted was placed into Hufflepuff, and then Slytherin got their second first year sorted into the house, a boy named Gideon Coy. There were four more students sorted one to Hufflepuff, one to Gryffindor and two into Ravenclaw before Slytherin got a third student from the new first years, a boy named Maurice Kilman who settled himself at the table amidst cheers and applause next to Gideon.
There was one boy who got some laughter from others and required Professor McGonagall's assistance to right himself once he'd face planted upon the dias when his name was called. Hubert MacBadger would probably never live down the fact that he had fallen over before he could even get sorted, and then when the Sorting Hat placed him in Hufflepuff the kid tried to wander off with the Sorting Hat still on his head. Adina rolled her eyes and leaned into Arthur once more, eyes sliding closed for a few moments, she didn't get a chance to take a nap on the train like she usually did, but beyond that she was ready to get into the swing of things.
Once the Sorting Hat was back where it belonged, the ceremony continued and with the next four students one would be sorted into each house as cheers errupted from the tables when they each gained a new student. Slytherin received another boy, Horace Quisenberry. He settled himself next to Callie, and once more everyone's attention returned to the raised dias where the sorting ceremony was being held.
Five more students would be sorted, none of them into Slytherin thus far, so far Slytherin was up to four new students, which right now had Kida as the winner, however there were two more students that had yet to be sorted into houses. Amorica Wenlock was called to the dias, and settled herself upon the stool and within moments a cheer went up from Slytherin table as a fifth first year was sorted into their house. The final student was sorted into Hufflepuff.
"Right, so cupcakes, biscuits and a slice of that to die for red velvet cake are what I want." Adina said with a grin as she claimed victory this year.
Moments after Professor McGonagall finished the Sorting Ceremony and the cheers from Hufflepuff died down, Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat in the center of the High Table and moved toward the dais so that he could make the opening speech and officially start the term off. Which meant that the abundance of decadant food was only moments off.
New Students Sorted
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 10-20-11 10:20
Isma, Blake and Eric currently sat at the Gryffindor table, watching and waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to begin. Soon enough, all five tables in the Great Hall would be filled with gluttonous amounts of food that the House elves had gone to great lengths to prepare in honor of the start of term. For now, there was some required things to be done like the Sorting Ceremony and the welcome done by Professor Dumbledore. However, most of the cheering and loud volume would come during the Sorting Ceremony when each of the four houses would gain some of the new first years.
This year, everyone looked to be a first year, and there were none older than eleven from what they could tell, which meant no transfer students from other schools. It made things a bit easier, and more interesting.
"Alright, how many do you think we will get this year?" Isma said, shifting against Blake who slid an arm around her shoulders, but mindful to still be on his best behavior as it would not bode well to start the year off with negative points.
"I think about four this year, what about you Eric?" Blake said, looking over at his best friend.
"Hmm...I'm thinking three sounds good." Eric said, as the three of them turned their attention to the raised dias as the sorting hat began singing his song. Once the song was over Professor McGonagall would begin the sorting. First student called was sorted into Gryffindor, and the third was sorted into Gryffindor as well.
Three more would be added to Gryffindor by the time the Sorting Ceremony reached its conclusion and Professor McGonagall returned to her seat at the High Table and Professor Dumbledore rose to move toward the dias and the podium there so he could begin the welcome speech and ultimately start the feasting part of the evening.
Dumbledore's Speech
Author: Sirius Padfoot Black
Date: 10-20-11 14:21
During the Sorting Ceremony Drucilla and Sirius frequently looked to the children's table to make sure their two didn't disrupt the proceedings. Luckily, Mira and James seemed enthralled by the talking hat plus someone had thoughtfully put some non-staining finger paints along with a paper tablecloth and stack of blank parchment for all the children to enjoy while the Sorting and headmaster's speech took place. That's nice for Sirius because being a Lower Years professor he's paying closer attention to the fresh crop of first years then he might have otherwise.
Just after the last Sorting, Edgar Zhou into Hufflepuff, Minerva returns to the head table and Albus gets up, making his way around to stand in his usual spot at such events as this.
"Welcome, everyone, to the 2005-2006 term. A rousing rendition of the Hogwarts school song is an excellent follow-up to the Sorting Ceremony, don't you agree?"
A flick of the wand has the first line appearing in the air just in front of and slightly above Albus's head. "As always, any tune you like will do quite nicely."
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, hoggy warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.
Lyrics by J.K. Rowling
When the last voice has trailed away, Albus smiles benignly, eyes twinkling. "For those who do not know me, I am Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. You all now know Deputy Headmistress and Upper Years Transfiguration professor Minerva McGonagall."
Albus quickly runs through the rest of the head table introductions then nods towards the Great Hall main doors where Argus Filch has just crept through. "Argus Filch is the school caretaker. Mr. Filch and I would like students to steer clear of the marked corridors on the seventh floor. Some repairs and renovations are underway and conditions for the time being could prove quite hazardous. Also off limits without proper supervision is the Forbidden Forest. Any student caught there without permission or a chaperone will face a heavy detention and the loss of many house points."
Albus's voice had turned grim with that last sentence and he pauses, letting the warning hang in the air, sweeping the student tables with a stern gaze. When he speaks again, his tone is light once more.
"Tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, classes officially begin. For now, let us feast and enjoy the evening."
With that food begins appearing on the tables until each is so laden that one could easily imagine the table supports to be groaning from the weight. With Drucilla seventh months pregnant, the baby being due around Halloween, Sirius gets up alone to fix plates for the twins, getting them settled before sitting down to enjoy his own meal, at least until one of the twins decides an interruption is needed.