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+------ Forum: 1922 Opening Feast (https://knockturnbound.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=281)
+------ Thread: Sorting Hat (/showthread.php?tid=1041)
Sorting Hat - Gideon Blackwood - 04-29-2026
Sorting Hat
1 September 1922
Staring out through the castle doors, Gideon let out a quiet sigh. Another year. With any luck, it might even be a calm one. He knew better than to say it aloud.
The sound of laughter and chatter rose up from the grounds, signaling the arrival of the older students. As they came into view, Gideon’s gaze moved over them, some new faces among the familiar, transfers mixed in with those who had simply grown older over the summer.
“Welcome back to Hogwarts,” he called, voice carrying through the crowd. “Head straight to the Great Hall for the opening feast. You all know where you’re going, so do try and get there without incident.” He paused. A slight narrowing of his eyes at a few specific students.
“If you arrive late for any reason, there will be sandwiches in your future. Many of you already know how unfortunate that can be. You’ve been warned, yes, even the ones pretending not to hear me. Cucumber sandwiches, don’t test me. Off you go.”
He waited just long enough to ensure they actually moved before turning his attention to the smaller group approaching from the boathouse. The first years were far too small, in his opinion. They looked up at him expectantly, a mix of nerves and curiosity written plainly across their faces. Gideon looked over the group and sighed.
“Right,” he said. “Good evening, and welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In a moment, we’ll enter the Great Hall. You’ll follow me to the front and line up. From there, you’ll be sorted into your houses. That house will be your home for the next seven years, where you’ll sleep, study, argue… and, if you’re fortunate, find your people.”
A faint, knowing smile touched his expression.
“When your name is called, step forward, sit on the stool, and I’ll place the Sorting Hat on your head. It will decide where you belong. Once sorted, you’ll join your house for the feast.”
His gaze swept across the group, looking for anyone ignoring his instructions or potentially ready to pass out in panic.
“A few simple expectations: stay with the group, listen when you’re spoken to, and resist the urge to touch anything that looks interesting. At Hogwarts, that is usually when it bites back.”
A brief pause.
“Any questions? No? Good. There’s hope for you yet.” He turned, already moving toward the doors. “Follow me.”
The footsteps climbing the stairs were softer then those of the older years. Tentative. Smaller. As they got to the doors, he turned and looked over the group one more time, happy that they all seemed to follow his earlier instructions. Great, they were off to a promising start.
The first years were lined up at the front of the great hall, a mixture of awe and terror on their faces. There was a hushed silence in the hall as everyone waited for the Sorting Hat to come alive for it’s yearly song.
And then… it spoke…
A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
The Great Hall erupted into applause, as usual, everyone loved the hat and its rhyming antics. Gideon pulled the scroll out from the interior pocket of his robes. Something he rarely wore, but it seemed prudent on the first night. With his hand raised, the students calmed, waiting to hear where the first years would be sorted.
“Andre Anders!”
“Zade Zakarius!”
Gideon rolled up the scroll, tucked it back into his robes and retreated to the staff table where he sat next to his Wife, and the Hufflepuff Head of House Roisin. Taking her hand in his, linking their fingers together, he settled into his seat and waited for the Head Master to give his speech. His job was done for the time being, ready to sit back and relax.
(OOC: Welcome first years! You will come in and sit on a stool where the Sorting Hat will decide your fate. Feel free to post this experience!
You don’t need to follow any specific order, and this is considered a one-shot. Your student will post, then immediately go join their table.)
Good luck!
Gryffindor
Third Year
Lindsay Thatch
Vinnie Folwell
Fourth Year
Frederick Richter
Fifth Year
Morgan Barlowe
Sixth Year
Matilda Nordstrom
Nathaniel Mourningside
Timothy Blackburn
Tulip Asquith
Seventh Year
Dragomir Zdravkova
Third Year
Lindsay Thatch
Vinnie Folwell
Fourth Year
Frederick Richter
Fifth Year
Morgan Barlowe
Sixth Year
Matilda Nordstrom
Nathaniel Mourningside
Timothy Blackburn
Tulip Asquith
Seventh Year
Dragomir Zdravkova
Hufflepuff
Third Year
Maevie Golding
Sixth Year
Ellen Graymere
Percival Harman
Benji Laurence
Alice Ravenstone
Third Year
Maevie Golding
Sixth Year
Ellen Graymere
Percival Harman
Benji Laurence
Alice Ravenstone
Ravenclaw
First Year
Avery Hale
Kathryn Barlowe
Rion Milton
Second Year
Mia Star
Third Year
Catherine Holloway
Elias Everett
Joshua Henley
Sienna Miller
Silas LaCroix
Fifth Year
Brooks Garren
Sixth Year
Eamon Thistlebane
Oilibhéar Ó Coigligh
William Arsenaut
First Year
Avery Hale
Kathryn Barlowe
Rion Milton
Second Year
Mia Star
Third Year
Catherine Holloway
Elias Everett
Joshua Henley
Sienna Miller
Silas LaCroix
Fifth Year
Brooks Garren
Sixth Year
Eamon Thistlebane
Oilibhéar Ó Coigligh
William Arsenaut
Slytherin
Third Year
Hera Redcliff
Fifth Year
Corbin Donahue
Sixth Year
Evander Whistler
Gianni Di Paolo
Ren Al-Sayeed
Ruth Elliot
Third Year
Hera Redcliff
Fifth Year
Corbin Donahue
Sixth Year
Evander Whistler
Gianni Di Paolo
Ren Al-Sayeed
Ruth Elliot
**Sorting Hat Song found HERE**