#01 [It's evening, about dinner time. Simmie met up with the other students after they got the train and was taken to the Black Lake and small boats that magically steer themselves, to make the trip to the castle. Hagrid was preoccupied throughout most of the trip with a few noisier boys (a James Potter and a couple of Weasleys, among them) who seemed to already know him.] #01 [Hogwarts made an impressive sight, and the night was clear and pleasant, which probably helped keep spirits reasonably high. Once there, they were led to the Great Hall by Professor Longbottom, the Head of Gryffindor House, who's always been nice to Simmie. He explained that they would be called up one by one, to have the hat put on their head, and it would determine where they should go. And not to worry, because the hat is never wrong.] #01 [And so now... now, they're in the Great Hall, with floating candles and TONS of students, sitting at four long tables that probably correspond to houses (given their robe trim and ties), and a large table with professors watching them, all waiting to watch the first year s/reaping/sorting. The hat just sang its song, and Professor Longbottom's starting to call up students. Simmie's heard of this process, but strangely enough, she's never been allowed to *watch* it. Her aunt always told her she will when it's time.] #01 [Session Start!] #06* Simmie is excited, but nervous. Sooo much comes down to this and there's a lot on her mind, but perhaps the thing that comes out more than anything is that she's actually here for real -- it's actually happening! #06* Simmie watches the process anxiously and as other kids are sorted into various houses, she's struck by a sudden worry that somehow she might let her aunt and her parents down. She bites her lip nervously and closes her eyes, knowing that her name is coming soon. #01 [Simmie's time seems to be coming up very quickly. Short work is made of the A's and B's. Barry Balfour ends up in Hufflepuff in mere seconds, and the first C - Giulia Cangelosi - gets sorted into Slytherin house in absolutely no time (to the cheers of the corresponding table and hushed silence of everyone else). She doesn't seem bothered, smiling and flipping her hair as she walks to the corresponding table. Next up: "Eliana Casale!" A gangly girl with dark, curly hair pushes her way past Simmie and to the front, and she sits down, curling her fingers around the edge of the stool. Professor Longbottom drops the hat over her head, and it just... sits there. In silence.] #06* Simmie stares, anxiety begining to slowly turn into panic. She looks at the faculty table and sees her aunt and takes several deep breaths. #01 [The hat continues to sit in silence as Simmie waits, looking up to the head table. Her Aunt Septima is there, her red robes and hat crisp as usual. Even though Simmie's one in a large crowd of students, she's pretty sure her aunt manages eye contact, if only briefly, and she's almost positive she saw a small nod directed her way. There might even be a little smile there.] #01 [At this point, low murmurs can be heard, starting quietly at the tables, but it's too soft for Simmie to make out what anyone's saying.] #06* Simmie manages a smile and tries to calm herself down. 'It's just sorting... everyone has to do it,' she tells herself. 'It will be okay. Auntie said whatever happened she would be proud'. She takes a few more deep breaths and then steadies herself. 'Besides, if you look afraid, you might scare others.' #01 [It drags on... and on... and on... until the hat finally opens the tear at its brim and yells, "SLYTHERIN!" to the cheers of the respective table as Longbottom pulls the hat off of the girl's head. As is usual with Slytherin sortings, the rest of the hall is silent... except for some small clapping behind Simmie. Eliana stands, glancing around with some measure of steel in her eyes that wasn't there when she walked up, and then she blinks at someone in the crowd of unsorted students, smiles a tiny bit, and heads off to the green and silver table where she's greeted enthusiastically.] #06* Simmie takes another reassuring deep breath and hopes she doesn't pass out when her name is called. #01 [She'd better not, because the next thing she hears after she calms down sufficiently is Professor Longbottom calling, "Simmral Daughtry!"] #06* Simmie jumps. She takes a deep breath and glances at her aunt as she leaves the group of unsorted students and makes her way towards the stool. She quickly steadies herself, trying as hard as she can to remain calm, composed, smile and above all, not make eye contact with anyone at the faculty table who have probably been waiting for years to see how she sorts out. #06* Simmie approaches the stool and looks up at the hat in Professor Longbottom's hand. She bites her lip, takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. #01 [Simmie sits down, and Professor Longbottom drops the hat on her head; it's so large that it slides right down her face and over her eyes. The darkness is soft and comforting.] #01 Simmral Elizabeth Daughtry, hmm... interesting, very interesting. Quite a mind you have, and a very active imagination, too. #01 And no small drop of courage, either. You possess a thirst for adventure, and a desire to do what's right. Now, where do I put you... #06* Simmie is caught off guard by the sudden voice of the Sorting Hat in her head. She takes another deep breath. ~you can... talk?~ #06* SortingHat chuckles in Simmie's mind. "Of course I can. I'm the Sorting Hat." * Simmie thinks, "did you sort my mum and dad?" #01 Why yes, and I remember both clearly. But sortings are private, and right now, I'm sorting you. but you remember them? #01 Of course I do. My, you're curious, aren't you? Hm. Ravenclaw does appreciate curiosity... as does Slytherin, to an extent, though I do not think you're Slytherin material at all... the application would be all wrong. #06* Simmie thinks back on all of the Slytherin students she's ever seen and nods. #06* Simmie then starts thinking of all the students she's seen... and their houses... and the winners and losers of the House Cup... and quidditch matches... because once you start thinking about one, the others come up no... not Slytherin... #01 No... you wouldn't fit in Slytherin house, would you? Nor Hufflepuff. But Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, ah. Those are houses where you would belong, and perhaps even shine. Which one, though... that's the question. not Hufflepuff... they seem nice enough, though... and loyal... #06* SortingHat chuckles again. "Not Hufflepuff," he agrees. "They are kind and loyal, and while you have plenty of potential to be both of those things, you would be better served in one of the other houses." why one time, there was this Hufflepuff guy who found something I had dropped and he tried to find out who... oh... but you said no #01 It's quite all right, and that was very good of him. #06* Simmie thinks about the remaining houses. "those were mummy and daddy's houses..." #06* Simmie tries not to get lost in sentiment for her parents. #01 Now, let's see. An inquiring mind, and a desire to learn more. A keen sense of right and wrong. Courage - I see plenty of courage there - and certain nobility, along with enough potential and imagination that Rowena Ravenclaw would have been proud to count you as her student. It's simply a matter of determining what's most important. lots of things are important how do you pick one? #06* SortingHat gives an excellent impression of grinning. "Magic." #01 I contain the wisdom of the founders, after all. #06* Simmie finds herself caught trying to decide if that was an honest answer or sarcasm #06* Simmie can't shake the thoughts of her parents, sentimental memories flooding back as she begins thinking about what she actually thinks could be most important to her. #06* Simmie tears up a bit #01 Family? Well, yes... ah, hm... wit and learning is all well and good, but all in all, you'd rather not bury your life in books, would you? I rather think you'd be a better fit for... #06* SortingHat opens his mouth and yells, "GRYFFINDOR!" #06* Simmie blinks, thinking to herself that she's no hero. she hopes it wasn't mistake. #01 [Simmie barely has time to collect herself before the hat is pulled off of her head, to the boisterous cheers of Gryffindor table.] #06* Simmie stands up and looks to the faculty table and to her aunt as she steps down and walks towards her new house's table. #01 [Aunt Septima's clapping, and she smiles at Simmie as she looks up - quite openly, this time.] #06* Simmie smiles shyly before turning towards her new table and housemates and finding a seat. #01 [Simmie makes her way to the Gryffindor table, where she's practically mobbed by enthusiastic students. She has no trouble finding a seat there, and one of the older ones - tall, with reddish brown hair and brown eyes, leans over with a big smile and a "Welcome to Gryffindor!"] hi, thank you #01 [He grins at her.] i was soooo nervous #01 But you did it anyway, right? First mark of Gryffindor bravery. You stood up to the rigorous sorting hat. #06* Mark leans over and halfwhispers, suddenly serious and secretive, "When I was sorted, I cried." #06* Simmie looks at him, rather surprised. "really?" #01 Wombat's honor. Don't tell anyone. #06* Simmie nods. then finds herself wondering if wombats have honor and how it could be measured. i wont. i promise #01 [Sorting continues! Students end up in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and a couple even end up in Slytherin. Romulus Lupin gets an enthusiastic "GRYFFINDOR!" and basically no one is surprised; certainly, Simmie's own table seems very happy about it, and he's met with plenty of hugs and congratulations from students who seem to already know him.] #01 [Eventually, Professor Longbottom calls, "Luke MacRae!" and a short, blond boy with blue eyes makes his way nervously to the stool. He sits down, the hat deliberates for maybe half a minute, and declares "HUFFLEPUFF!" with certainty. Much cheering from the Hufflepuff table occurs!] #01 [Mark - despite very NOT being at the Hufflepuff table - suddenly stands on his bench and yells, "WOO! GO LUKE!" at the top of his lungs while he waves his arms. The two students to either side of him pull him down, laughing.] #06* Simmie watches the nice Gryffindor guy who was talking to her stand up and then at the boy who is approaching the stool for sorting and sees similarities. she can't help but giggle softly to herself whe he gets pulled down. #06* Simmie leans over and gently taps him on the arm. "family?" #06* Mark grins at Simmie. "Yeah, that's my little brother. Second most awesome house in Hogwarts!" oh? what's the first? #01 This one, obviously. For one, we have me. For two, we have you. For three, we have Alexis Prewett, who is only the most ba- er, amazing head girl in the *history* of head girls. #06* Simmie finds herself blushing. "oh. OH!" #06* Simmie feels silly and hopes nobody else heard her. #06* Mark smiles, taking it in stride. "Plus, our common room is the best. You'll see." #06* Simmie quickly changes the subject. "the head girl is in our house?" #01 Yup! You'll meet her sooner or later. The head boy's in Slytherin this year. oh #01 [Continue Later, Mayhaps!]