The Great Hall was even more majestic than Robert had let on. He had given him a quick rundown on what to expect while they ate breakfast. He wouldn’t accompany Lux to help get him situated, for fear of the staff and older students putting two and two together. He was fairly well known for being one of the main wizards who helped with new muggle-born students. This gave Lux a little pain in his chest – Robert was the man who gave him a chance at really becoming something bigger than himself and helping his family along the way. He knew, of course, that he had nothing to do with the fact that he had magical capabilities, but he couldn’t shake the fact that he wouldn’t be in the determined mindset about everything without him. There were a dozen different ways to attack the muggle-born political hoopla, and he told him directly without mincing his words, exactly what Lux would have wanted.

He took in the sights and sounds of The Great Hall, trying his best to maintain a poker face. They had discussed that morning, among other housekeeping information for first years, that he should remember to not paint a target on his back. While being impressed with the grandeur of the Great Hall is one thing, being shocked at floating candles and house elves was a different thing entirely. For most, magic has been a regular occurrence in their life since they were born. To some of the poorer families, everything they see here was still impressive, but not as much of a culture shock in comparison to someone like Lux.

There were long lines of picnic-style tables that were colored a deep, rich brown. There were four rows of these tables that stretched all the way down to the end of the room, which was no small task. There was room for at least two hundred people per row if Lux had to guess. Besides the floating candles, beautiful sconces lined the walls providing an inviting glow to the entire room. At the very end of the hall was a slight rise in elevation, a few stone steps leading up to a smaller table that could seat two dozen or so individuals, with one chair in the center that was grander than the rest.

“Incoming first years! Continue to stand along the walls to the right and left please!” a man in his early 20’s shouted as he stood in the center of the room. He had a logo he didn’t quite recognize embroidered on the front but looked like it was in the shape of some kind of lion.

Two lines of students hugged the walls, around fifty to sixty future wizards and witches. He picked the closest one and began to wait, people filling in behind him. He smiled and made eye contact with a few who returned the smiles, all but a few being silent and waiting. There were a few who knew each other, friends whose parents knew each other and happened to have children around the same time. The rest, however, were like any other first-year student. Nervous and anxious as they waited for a moment that could define the next seven years of their life, if not longer.

The candles flickered and dimmed, the sconce's flames dying down to no more than a soft glow. The students who were seated at the table hushed quickly, with the incoming students quieting shortly thereafter following the current students' lead. From the right and left several women and men, all older, came in from unseen corridors to take a seat at their respective chairs.

The final member who stood at the front of the stage behind a podium, Lux could only describe him as a football player. The man had dark tan skin; who’s heritage Lux couldn’t pinpoint. His muscles had muscles, standing at 200cm (6’5) with black hair tied into a tight ponytail, although his hair wasn’t too long and only had a few cm worth of extra hair. He seemed to be in his late 40s, although his body didn’t show it, the subtle wrinkles in the corner of his eyes and flecks of gray throughout his stubble and hair gave away his years.

Okay, that’s genetically unfair. Wizard, check. Attractive, check. Physical specimen, check.

The tall man smiled genuinely as he raised his hands, the candles and sconces returning to their former brilliance. “Good morning returning students, and welcome to our new batch of wizards and witches.” His voice boomed louder than humanly possible as he held his wand up to the side of his throat, amplifying his speech. The tables applauded politely around them, welcoming them with slightly less enthusiasm.

“I am Headmaster Gembol Blas, and I have been charged by the council of Hogwarts-Ilvermorny to run this school, as I have been for the last nine years.” He looked out over the students, pausing for effect. “I will not bore you with semantics; there will be plenty of time to address housekeeping matters over the coming days. For now, we need to find these new students tables to sit at.” He looked off to the side and motioned for someone to come forward. A student in robes and a tie that was bright yellow brought a pointy hat and a stool to the stage and placed both next to the Headmaster.

“Thank you, Theo, you may return to your seat please.” The man smiled in reverence at Gembol, giddy from praise by the Headmaster.

The man’s words turned a young man into a young child for a moment, like he is more of a celebrity than professor… interesting.

“For many, this has been a moment they have been wishing for since they first learned of our school. Finally starting their path on becoming wizards and witches like they have always dreamed.” He looked from right to left, several students nodding in the affirmative or smiling remembering their childhood dreams. “For a few others, an overwhelming sense of excitement and nerves as they comprehend their new futures, which seemed far-fetched just several days ago.” This caused some eye-rolling, head shaking, and even a few snickers in the crowd. Lux tried to catch where the snickers came from so he could put them on his ‘avoid at all costs’ list, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly who it was. To be honest, it was more than just a couple…

“No matter the situation…” he raised his voice slightly, “each person’s path is unique to his or herself, and I encourage the current students to help cultivate their new powers, regardless of pedigree.” Lux couldn’t tell if this was a recommendation or a demand, but nevertheless, at least he knew the Headmaster was at minimum neutral publicly about muggle-born, at the very least.

Gembol points to the old, pointy hat on the stool next to him. “Sorting Day has been a tradition for as long as Hogwarts-Ilvermorny doors have been open, and centuries before when it was just known as Hogwarts.” He began to pace on the stage, taking a moment before speaking again, “It is a tradition that spans generations, long before the current decline of our population, back when the average age of admitting students was just eleven years old. Centuries ago, Sorting Day was filled with cheers and children laughing ecstatically over the choice of their house. Today, some wonder the point to the class system at all, with everyone closer to being young adults than optimistic children.” He chuckled lightly. “I even admit, I too felt this way at times. However, there are multiple benefits. We can use the sorting hat as the world’s most elaborate, and truly magical, way of using a personality test. Everyone learns differently and tends to get along best with like-minded individuals. That’s not to say that a Hufflepuff and a Slytherin can’t be friends, to the contrary, my best friend is a Hufflepuff and I am a proud graduate from the Slytherin household.”

This earned a few cheers and clapping from the Slytherin table, who all had robes on with green ties and a logo of a snake embroidered onto the robe, resting just above the heart.

“I simply say that there is a true, educational reason for keeping the houses, an explanation I hope will satisfy my future Ravenclaws.” That line earned a chuckle from the various tables, except for the ones who had a crow stitched onto their robes, who all just nodded confidently as if to confirm what he said was accurate.

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“Beyond the analytical, however, is that the house you join becomes a tradition. It’s like having your favorite Quidditch team to cheer for, only you were directly involved in the team’s maturation and success, cheering them on one day and preparing for team duels the next. With our various sports and tournaments we host each year, and the houses competing against one another… the comradery that blossoms from those events form lasting friendships and a competitive spirit that is impossible to replicate. Why, my great grandmother still talks about her house losing the Quidditch cup during her 6th year to Gryffindor, and never fails to mention that to any new Gryffindor she meets! ‘It’s nice to meet you young man, but, I’ll never forgive your house from stealing the cup from me when I was Quidditch captain!’” he imitated his grandmother's voice, going up a few octaves and added a quiver to his voice. A few polite chuckles in the audience for the ‘dad joke’ was earned, and he smiled with success.

“Long-winded speech aside, my point is this – Feel proud to be in your house, but know it doesn’t tie you to it, that you aren't capable of change or broadening your interests. It doesn’t define you. As a famous wizard once said, ‘While we may come from different places and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one.’ You're students at Hogwarts-Ilvermorny first, and belong to various houses second.”

The speech was received well, applauses throughout the entire room, some more genuine than others.

“Now, without further wait, the Sorting Ceremony begins!”

The headmaster stood back, and the hat parted horizontal in the middle, revealing a crude shaped mouth.

Thank god Robert warned me about this, I might have cursed pretty loudly.

A deep baritone voice with a musical quality rang out from the hat and echoed off the walls in the Great Hall.

“Another year goes by

Without much success

Our numbers still dwindle

It truly has been a mess.

But I believe there is some hope

As I gaze onto this crowd

The future is in your hands

For that, I am confident; I’ll sing it loud!

The hope in Gryffindor is true

Their bravery and nerve much needed

Godric would be proud to see

That all his goals have been exceeded

The hope in Ravenclaw is just

Their wit and knowledge always a helping hand

If only everyone could have your smarts

It truly would be grand

The hope in Slytherin is infallible

Their cunning second to none

The pride they have for their House

Will never be outdone

The hope in Hufflepuff is steadfast

Their loyalty and acceptance some of their best qualities

You’ll never meet someone better

They always strive for equality

And thus ends another Sorting Hat song

Singing praises and warnings for centuries

Heed my words, and take them to heart

Just look at my past, if you want to understand my true history."

Everyone began clapping, cheers erupting with a chorus on ‘Encore’ being shouted by a group of students. Professor Blas waved over his shoulder and one of the professors brought a scroll of parchment to Gembol and he unrolled it, setting the paper on the stand in front of him.

“Starting us off – Lux Avery!”

No other A’s I suppose, he thought to himself and he made his way toward the stool. Robert had coached him what to expect, that the hat may talk to him. He didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but Lux still hadn’t fully decided on what he wanted to do about his heritage, so he wanted to play it safe.

Lux stood at the stool and looked at Gembol, reaching his hand out toward the man. “Nice to meet you Headmaster, thank you for giving me an opportunity to learn from you and this school.” He said genuinely. Gembol smiled and returned the handshake, his hand engulfing Lux’s.

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Avery.”

Lux sat on the stool and the Headmaster stood behind him and gently put the hat over his head.

“Did you listen to my song, Mr. Avery?” A gravelly voice rang through his head, another warning Lux was grateful to Robert for. He spoke back to the hat in his mind.

“Yes, I did. It was a great song, Mr. Sorting Hat… uh sir.”

“But did you hear the words I said?” He asked insistently. “At the end?”

“Uh, yes sir I did. You have a great history of being prophetic, I have been told. It’s an honor to hav you..”

The hat interrupted, “Bah! Okay okay, as long as you heard it.” There was a pause for a few seconds before he heard a deep hum in his mind. “Which house do you think you belong in?”

Lux paused for a moment. “I think all of them sound great, Sorting Hat, and you have thousands of previous students worth of experience. I’ll trust you will use your magic to put me where I have the best chance to succeed.” Lux said to the hat.

“Yes, I believe I do have a good choice for you.” He concluded.

“You don’t need to ask me anything else?” Lux thought to the hat, perplexed.

“You told me everything I needed to know.” A louder voice echoed out, this time Lux hearing it with his ears, the voice announcing it to the crowd.

“HUFFLEPUFF!”