A professor asks for a volunteer to give a five minute presentation in front of the class next lesson. No one raises their hand. The professor turns to Lysander and asks him to do it.

Oh, this might be my worst nightmare. I'm really nervous about public speaking when I don't know everyone. But if I was called on by a professor, then I really ought to do my best — and I wouldn't come to class unprepared, because it's important to be a good student and just in case something like this happened!

So I would stand up and walk to the front of my class, and take my notes with me, and make eye contact with a friend instead of with someone I didn't know as well. If I pretended I was talking to a friend, I think I would be all right. Sometimes you have to do the scary thing at Hogwarts, right?

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   Basil Foxwood, Fortitude Greengrass, Gus Lissington

This was thrilling! The time had finally come for her sorting. She understood that the ceremony was important to some and less to others. With the majority of the paternal side of her family being Gryffindors–quite expected for those who specialized in dragons–the maternal side of her family was a mix... and neither of her parents seemed to have a preference for her. Poppy didn't either. She was more of a go-with-the-flow kind of girl. One had to be with so many younger brothers underfoot.

Then again... her best friend Margaery had just been sorted into Hufflepuff. It would be nice to be able to be in the same house. Then all the firsts she was about to experience would be a little less frightening...

And suddenly, she was at the front of the line and her name was called. Nervously, Poppy tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ears and hopped up on the stool. She found herself shaking–either from excitement, anixety, or a mix of both–so she crossed her ankles and tightly clasped her hands in her lap to try to get herself together. The hat was sat upon her head (it smelled a bit funky, but she would never be so impolite to say it!) She took a steadying breath.

––––––

They have a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom.

A whole week away from her brood of little brothers?! It sounded like heaven! Not that she didn't adore them of course, but even when she tried to close her bedroom door to get a break from the noise, they still managed to barge in. So maybe she would spend her first few days holed up with her parents in a quiet house (assuming her brothers were off with a capable family member.) She'd read her favorite books, do a bit of adventuring outdoors, and get more one-on-one time with them.

Poppy didn't think doing that the entire week would keep her entertained, though. So she supposed the remaining days she'd like to go around the world to experience the different places she'd read about. Like Egypt! Or the continent! Or even China! And maybe for her final day, she'd spend it learning from and meeting her heroes... professional quidditch players, advanced magic, and an author or two could be neat. Maybe even the Queen, if her majesty was feeling nice that day.

What do they think their animagus form would be?

Something ordinary like a sparrow, she supposed. She didn't particularly enjoy standing out, so she likely wouldn't be anything large or brightly colored. Being small and able to blend in with your surroundings seemed useful. And with wings, she could travel in both the air and land, which opened up so many possibilities for adventures!

A classmate answers a professor's question correctly but the professor mistakenly thinks your character was the one that spoke and awards you their house points.

It would be absolutely terrifying, but Poppy wouldn't feel right accepting a reward she didn't earn–especially if it was in front of the person who had actually earned it! She'd prefer to address the professor privately, but she also wouldn't want the other student to feel negatively toward her. So as much as she would hate it, and her face and ears would be flaming red that they nearly matched her hair, she'd raise her hand and very politely and fumble through informing the professor that it had been the other student who had answered, not her.

Someone they want to be friends with suggests doing something they're uncomfortable with.

This had happened to her recently in Diagon Alley! She'd encountered a couple of girls outside the post office. One (who'd been rather eccentric and Poppy had seen was sorted into Ravenclaw) had gotten hold of a letter from a raven. She'd wanted to open the letter and read its contents, but between Poppy and the other girl, they'd convinced her to simply return it to the postmaster. Granted, Poppy had had a very difficult time speaking up. She'd stuttered even, but she'd made sure her opinion that they return it and do what was right was voiced. She hadn't been the first to say it, but she'd agreed with the third girl, and even suggested they find an adult to deal with the situation properly. Though... and Poppy would never say this outloud... she wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be friends with Miss Glower, after all. She seemed like she might have a mischievious streak that would get them in trouble.

  

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Club Membership in: Astronomy • Flying • Charms • Book • Quidditch

Adorably sweet set by the amazing Lady!

So, it is a hat! Leni thought triumphantly as the frayed Sorting Hat concluded its annual song. For years, she had pestered Nat to tell her what the Sorting entailed, but as his stories got more elaborate and were never the same each time, Leni had turned to her next best resource - books. One of which told her that the Sorting was conducted via a magical talking hat - which still honestly sounded just as made up as one of Nat’s stories, but she was glad to have gotten a more truthful answer at least.

One by one the procession of other first years she came in with dwindled as they were called forth to determine their fate, and before she knew it, Leni herself was called up. With a deep breath and a final bracing look at Nat over the Hufflepuff table to steel the sudden flutter of nerves in her stomach, Leni stepped up to the four-legged stool and sat, her vision slipping into darkness as the hat’s tattered brim fell over her eyes.

1.) They have a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom.
There’s so much you can do, if you have the imagination for it! I like keeping busy and learning, so I don’t imagine I would struggle to try and fill up the time. Reading, painting, flying, playing the piano… Though I suppose I would like to have some sort of project too, to challenge myself - like learning a new art form, playing a new game, studying a new language, or traveling to a new country!

2.) What do they think their animagus form would be?
I think I would enjoy being an animal that flies. Not a bug, but maybe a bird? Ms. Greene and I used to watch the birds in our garden. My favorites were always the magpies. Beautiful little creatures with larger personalities than you might think - playful and curious, but also very smart too!

3.) A classmate answers a professor's question correctly but the professor mistakenly thinks your character was the one that spoke and awards you their house points.
I’d speak up, of course. I wouldn’t wish to take credit for someone else’s work. It wouldn’t be fair.

4.) Someone they want to be friends with suggests doing something they're uncomfortable with.
I suppose it depends on who the person in question is and what they are suggesting. If it’s not something dangerous or that would get us into trouble, and my only concern is that I’ve never done it before, I think I’d be willing to give it a try. Otherwise, I would say no and wonder if I should be friends with that person in the first place, if they’re willing to take such a big risk.

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   Veronica Gallivan

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avatar and signature created by the talented jordan

Being a Black meant that Arcturus was near the front of the pack when it came to getting sorted. He eyed the hat in anticipation as his own turn came closer. He would find a way to burn the thing to ashes if it somehow deigned to put him in Hufflepuff, his fathers ire if he did so be damned. Why, Arcturus would disown himself. Ravenclaw would put him in with Phineas II which would make him gag due to the possible implication that they might have similar values or mindsets. Ick. Please Just No. Slytherin was his very much preferred house just like most of his family members before him. Like Sirius. Gryffindor would be fine, he supposed but still ultimately Disappointing.

Arcturus stepped up as his turn approached and waited for the hat to fall over his head.

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1. They have a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom.
Arcturus knew very little about what it was like to not have unlimited resources. He had always wanted nothing except perhaps for proper parental love so he supposed not much would change. With more freedom, he could go about more freely as he liked though. Arcturus supposed he would spend the entire week travelling to different countries since that was one of the main things he could not so easily do due to his age. He supposed he would also get extravagant gifts befitting each of the members of his family and perhaps he would even be nice and get Phineas II something too. Like something to help hide or fix those ears of his, maybe.

2. What do they think their animagus form would be?
Arcturus liked to think he would be a snake if he were to ever become an animagus. He liked snakes and found them to be truly majestic and beautiful creatures. He also figured they would be good for slipping into places undetected. Though he supposed something that could fly might also be good.

3. A classmate answers a professor's question correctly but the professor mistakenly thinks your character was the one that spoke and awards you their house points.
Well. Arcturus was not all too pleased to be confused with someone else. Even so, he was not about to turn away some free house points credited to his name. He cared very little about what his classmates would think about this. If they were so intent on people being properly credited, they could speak up themselves.

4. Someone they want to be friends with suggests doing something they're uncomfortable with.
Arcturus was not about to let some peon know his weaknesses or discomforts. That would be giving them more power over him than he felt comfortable with. So instead, he opted for acting disgusted with them like they had just asked him to do something he found truly ridiculous and beneath the both of them. Definitely not that he was scared or uncomfortable.

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It was with a raised eyebrow that Leo gazed upon the hat that had begun to sing. This ugly, patchy, lumpy head covering was supposed to determine his future for the next seven years? Was this a joke? And why did some of the other children around him look as if this were the most amazing feat of magic they had ever seen? Yawn.

The boy, however, didn't say as much. Instead, he stood rather still, trying to simultaneously appear confident, yet casual at the same time, which he achieved quite well. The only giveaway were his eyes that bore into each and every eleven-year-old who found themselves in the hot seat. He examined them critically, noting their body language, the way they moved, and their reactions to the hat.

He seemed to be analyzing his new year mates. He had already begun the process of mentally picking out those who might be the weak links...and those who might prove useful. Were there any allies among them? Who would cry first?

Ah, yes, that one had a cat, just look at the state of her robes, all white, clinging fur.

That one was sickly.

And that...well, that boy could only be the youngest child of a slums family what with the state of the hand-me-downs and number of patches.

"Hm..."

Only one boy genuinely caught his interest. Lysander. His cousin. Leo stood up a bit straighter to discover which house he was sorted into. At the declaration, he clapped politely, perhaps even a small smile gracing his lips. As the list went on, Leo's concentration only grew until it was his own turn.

"Lupin, Leo."

Head raised high, the small boy slithered around those still in the greatly diminished group of first years. His boots hardly made a sound as he approached, and he sat down in one smooth motion. The large hat dropped partly over his eyes, and he nearly scowled at the sudden darkness. While Leo had heard the declarations, the voice in his head caught him off-guard. The youngster's knuckles curled, and a thought was growled out at the poor hat, "Get OUT of my head. He even tried to mentally shove the presence away, block it out, but, alas, he didn't quite know how. Yet.

Written not quite in Leo's voice, but definitely what would be knocking around in his brain.

They have a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom.

Leo's answer would be somewhere along the lines of 'whatever the hell I want, when I want.'


What do they think their animagus form would be?

If asked, Leo would immediately say he wished to be a spider with venomous fangs. To be creepy crawly, harmful, and sneaky all at once. However, he would eventually reconsider and decide on a cat. Cats are everywhere. Cats are assholes who get away with it due to their cuteness and charm. Cats watch, plot, and blend in. A cat would allow for one to be more covert.


A classmate answers a professor's question correctly but the professor mistakenly thinks your character was the one that spoke and awards you their house points.

Idiot. If they can't catch their own mistake, it's not my responsibility to correct them. And if I benefit? A bonus.


Someone they want to be friends with suggests doing something they're uncomfortable with.

That depends. How useful could this friendship be? A little discomfort may be worth the end result. Although, are friendships even truly worth the effort? Allies to manipulate seem like the smarter move. I would have to think deeply on this. Observe, test, decide.

  

Kermit Escher

"I've got it..." It had taken a whole minute of deliberation but the hat gleefully shouted out, “Ravenclaw!”

Lysander Echelon

"You'd make a fine Hufflepuff, but what you need is another matter." The Sorting Hat chuckled wryly. “Gryffindor!”

Poppy MacFusty

The hat furrowed its 'brow' for a brief moment and then roared (rather smugly), “Ravenclaw!”

  

Selene Gallivan

Selene is looking into a crystal ball when the mist suddenly parts and she starts seeing flashes of her future. What would she want to see there?

Arcturus Black

"A true Black this time, eh?" the hat remarked in a manner that could almost be described as snide. “Slytherin!”

Leo Lupin

After mere seconds in a flat, rather reluctant and subdued tone the hat said, “Slytherin.”

  

Ariel followed the procession into the Great Hall and couldn't help but marvel opened mouthed at the beautiful ceiling that seemed to stretch for miles above and seemed magicked to show the sky outside - seemed? That was probably the incorrect word. WAS. That was the correct word. That WAS magicked to show the outside sky. Would they be using that to study astronomy later? Like a big telescope? She wondered if you could use it to bring distant galaxies into focus. That would be amazing. Even more amazing would be to set it all to music and use the ceiling as a stage or simply another aspect of a performance so that everyone below could witness the performance and there wouldn't be a concern about boxes or cheapseats -- the enormity of the world she was entering hit her. There were so many beautiful wonderful things that magic could be capable of and limited only to ones imagination (Surely!). She felt any sorrow at leaving her mother disappear as she felt the excitement somewhat belatedly take her.

"This is so exciting!!" She whispered loudly to one of the girls she walked beside her, only to be promptly ignored as the other girl seemed far more interested in propriety and not talking during the most momentous moment of their schooling.

"I wonder how they get the ceiling to do that!" she tried again, but before she could say more, a hush fell over the hall. The hat, sitting center stage like the main character in a play, twitched, and then launched into its brilliant solo, describing each of the four houses. She of course already knew who all of four of them were - Acacia had been a Ravenclaw, and Dunstan a Hufflepuff, Chystana had been a Slytherin, Orinda a [REDACTED] and Malachai a [REDACTED]- and Ariel had yet to decide which one she'd rather be in which probably was a good thing as it seemed that it wasn't up to her.

S however was such a dreadful long way away from A and as she watched the others get sorted she wondered where she would end up. She tried once more to whisper to her companion about houses and which one maybe they'd prefer and again found it as if she was talking to a brick wall. She knew she ought not to talk for everyone else was paying attention but the wait and the curiosity was near unbearable.

S came at last and when 'Sherington, Ariel' was finally called, she nearly ran to the podium and plopped herself onto the stool as the hat was placed upon her head.

They have a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom.

That would be quite easy - with a whole week of unlimited resources and freedom Ariel would've been found attending all the musical performances, plays, musicals, theatres, opera, ballets and other performances that she could. She'd go to London, and America - New York apparently had an amazing theatre scene! She'd sit in those prime boxes and just listen and enjoy and maybe even meet the performers and musicians that graced the world with their wonderful creations. She'd go to magical and muggle shows alike. Oh she would have so much fun!

What do they think their animagus form would be?

Certainly she'd be a bird - something with the freedom to fly and spin and sing all day. It would have to be a songbird then  - something that made beautiful music. And if she'd have her way it would be something beautiful too. It was so unfair that the more she learnt about the beautiful creatures - the more she was disappointed. Why was it that the males got to be beautiful whilst the girls had to be so drab and plain? And so many of the females rarely sung as beautiful a song. It truly was unfair. Maybe a parrot? Or a cardinal might be good? Or a warbler? Perhaps she'd be bat or whale.. though a whale would be far from useful though she could imagine herself dancing through the water. Definitely something that could sing and dance and be free because what other point was there if she was to be an animal?


A classmate answers a professor's question correctly but the professor mistakenly thinks your character was the one that spoke and awards you their house points.

Ariel stared at the teacher and knew what the right thing to do was.... and she didn't want to do it. It would've been easy to take the win when it had just been handed to her. She stared at the classmate and hoped they could laugh it off and make it up to them later. Something like housepoints didn't matter that much to anyone... surely? It was then the guilt kicked in.

She couldn't do it.

She shouldn't do it.

It didn't matter.

It really didn't matter that much. Were the house points going to the same house anyway? If they were she wouldn't have done anything because then it didn't and then she wouldn't bother interrupting the teacher who was so ready to move on that he hadn't paid attention to the speaker. If the house points were supposed to go to a rival she also probably would've accepted them as well and had the teacher noticed her face that was incapable of hiding her thoughts he probably would've also corrected his mistake because it truly did show. Though maybe he'd done it on purpose... she knew she was talking herself into keeping quiet.

Perhaps if they'd moved on quickly it wouldn't have mattered but had it then Ariel would've swept it under the rug like an easy win. And then her big mouth opened and she said, without raising her hand.

"Professor! Are you sure you didn't mean to give XXX the points?" She asked giggling and trying to lead the class into the joke. Why should she worry so? It was the silly professors fault to begin with - in for a penny, in for a pound.

Someone they want to be friends with suggests doing something they're uncomfortable with.

She wouldn't do it. Thats for sure. As opposed to housepoints or school credit which she couldn't find it within herself to be passionate about - if somebody tried to make Ariel do something she was uncomfortable with well she just wouldnt do that. It was that simple. She was confident in her own beliefs enough that if she truly felt uncomfortable she'd just say no.

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Selene is looking into a crystal ball when the mist suddenly parts and she starts seeing flashes of her future. What would she want to see there?

The hazy mist swirled as Leni's arms rested on the table, chin perched on her hands, her expression thoughtful. She wondered what she might see - or what she would even want to see. There were so many possibilities! Would she follow a more traditional route like Cee, her Mama, and her aunts, becoming a debutante and settling into marriage and motherhood? Or work in an appropriate occupation such as a governess like Ms. Greene or a healer? That would be the expected path she supposed, but perhaps she would decide to choose a less conventional route like Aunt Lena did, devoting her life to a so-called less feminine pursuit? If she was honest, the latter seemed to be a better prospect, in her opinion.

Leni's mind continued to whirl with possibilities that she nearly missed when the crystal ball cleared, and her head rose at the same time her vision was clouded with a kaleidoscope of colors and flashing images. The vibrant greenery of a large greenhouse, gloves and a half-potted plant left on the counter. A wood-paneled study with a large map in the center of the wall. The brilliant blue of the ocean as the boat bobbed towards an incoming shore. Standing on the end of a jutted cliff, a broad-winged eagle soaring through the air. A bright-eyed child sitting at an old school desk.

Abruptly, the images stopped, and although her current reality now seemed far more dull in comparison, Leni smiled. Good things were coming, she was sure of it.

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   Ariel Sherington, Veronica Gallivan

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avatar and signature created by the talented jordan

Selene Gallivan

The Sorting Hat deliberated for just over a minute, occasionally muttering about 'potential'. At last it cried out, “Hufflepuff!”

Ariel Sherington

It took the hat a respectable 42 seconds to make up its mind. “Gryffindor!”

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   Ariel Sherington, Veronica Gallivan