The clamor in the gym dies down as the Headmaster, Professor Wade begins the ceremony, walking through the double doors of the gym. He is followed by the incoming freshmen. You are one of these 9th graders. You look nervous as you enter the gym. You notice the upperclassmen watching in the bleachers, sitting in four distinct sections. Behind each cluster of students, a large banner hangs. The banners boldly display one of the house colors; red, blue, green, and purple. At the end of the procession the three headmistresses follow, one of them is holding an old and worn blue baseball cap with a red paw print. Another is holding a three legged stool. In the center of the gym the headmistresses set down the stool and place the cap on top of it. You are told to sit on the bottom row of the bleachers with the other 9th graders and wait for your name to be called.
Professor Wade steps forward to speak. “Welcome, let the sorting begin.” It’s a long process. You watch your fellow freshman be called one at a time to the center of the gym. They nervously sit on the stool and the headmistresses place the cap on their heads. After a few seconds of silence the cap shouts out the name of one of the four houses. Every time a house is announced the gym erupts in cheers.
Soon, your name is called. As you sit on the stool and the cap is placed on your head, you recall the headmistresses explaining how the sorting will work. The cap can talk and will sort you into one of the four houses. There is Ignis, Laguz, Terra, and Ather. You are hoping to get into the house you want. You’re startled when the cap starts speaking to you, almost like it’s in your head. “Mmmm … .let’s see here.” It pauses for a moment, then announces your house.
“Ah yes. I know just what to do with you. Right then, better be…”
Ok, so I know that the houses aren’t really like Harry Potter. And I imagine you were just as annoyed as I was to spend my precious tutorial time in one of the four meeting spaces that each house was randomly assigned to go to. When they explained the houses, I thought it was stupid. And I’m still skeptical. However, it’s growing on me. It’s still early in the year and this has never been done before at Analy, so I guess we should try to have an open mind 🙂
