Sorting Ceremony

The submarine arched around the school and landed in a spacious field that Hadrian assumed was a Quidditch Pitch. The submarine slowly descended and began blaring its horn as it touched the sea bed.

Demetri stood up and gestured his new juniors to follow. As they walked out of the compartment, they saw many other children their age - looks of excitement and nervousness plastered on their faces. Theo had a goofy smile that signified that he was thoroughly looking forward to exploring Aunriton. Hadrian smirked at his new friend's shamelessness.

They made their way out of the never-ending submarine and were herded into the entrance of the school. They made their way down the large hallway and reached a large dark room with a sign that read 'The Sorting Area' placed above the door.

Headmistress Rosewood lead them into the darkroom and sat them down on the floor.

''Welcome! - '', bellowed Rosewood, ''Before you can get started on your journey here at Aunriton Academy Of the Arcane, you will be sorted into houses! You will be sorted on personality traits.'' Rosewood said, chuckling at the nervous faces her new students were sporting.

Immediately after Rosewood's declaration - a large platform rose from beneath her feet and rose slightly.

''There are four houses here at Aunritons. House Pegasus! - Home to the free-spirited and adventurous.'' All of a sudden, a bright white hologram of a Pegasus appeared behind Headmistress Rosewood - it slowly spun on the spot while she carried on talking.

'' House Sphinx! - Home to the studious and ambitious.'' A hologram of a golden Sphinx emerged.

'' House Cerberus! - Home to the innovative and resourceful.'' A hologram of a Cerberus appeared.

'' House Dragon! - Home to the heroic and driven.'' Finally, an image of a pitch-black dragon materialized beside the other beasts.

All of the holograms were spinning very slowly as they displayed their patron mascots.

''Stand on this platform and it will dictate which dorm you will be sleeping in as well as competing alongside within future house competitions.'' Rosewood slipped off the platform and took out a scroll.

''Jamie Gooseberry! You're first.'' Rosewood smiled encouragingly at the nervous boy.

He made his way onto the platform and after a few seconds three of the holograms turned off and only the Sphinx remained.

Rosewood pointed behind the hologram - gesturing Jamie to stand in that spot.

''Sammie Primrose!'', a haughty looking brown haired girl with freckles, swaggered to the platform. Seconds later only the image of the Cerberus remained - the girl made her way behind the three-headed dog hologram.

This process was repeated with 37 different students until finally, the only three British wizards remained.

''Daphne Greengrass!'' , Daphne slowly made her way to the platform, while the already sorted watched her graceful movements.

Daphne's sorting took around a minute, the longest so far out of all those who were sorted. The children began to murmur until finally, the Dragon was the only one left standing.

Daphne went to join her housemates in the small line that had just formed.

''Theodore Nott!'', Theo ran to the platform - nearly slipping in his excitement. Theo's sorting was the fastest one this morning. All most as soon as he stepped on the platform, all the other holograms dissipated until only a Pegasus remained. Theo grinned at Hadrian and made his way to his line also.

''Hadrian Black!'', Hadrian rose slowly from the ground and walked to the platform. As he walked he had a regal air about him - he walked as though he was a prince.

He stepped on the podium and then stood there for about thirty seconds until only the Dragon was left. Hadrian strolled over to the line with the least amount of people standing in it. Hadrian noted that out of forty different students; only 8 were in the House of Dragons.

With Hadrian being the final student to be sorted; the ceremony was over.

''This way! follow me to the dormitories.'' Headmistress Rosewood shouted over her shoulder to a band of kids trying - and failing - to keep up. Her adult legs were simply too long, her strides were much farther as well.

They reached the dormitories, all the dormitories were right next to each other. Hadrian figured this was most likely done so that the teachers would easily be able to locate the students.

The dorm entrances had their respective Greek mythological beasts planted above the large doors. The dorms had barriers that systematically decided who to let in depending on their House - at least that's what Rosewood said.

If one was to look closer, they would see that their house mascots had runes that pulsated ever so lightly and gently. Hadrian - being a Potter, a family that specializes in runes - noticed these runes. It would be impossible not to, his potter heir ring was pulsating in time with the runes above the door! He concluded that the rune formations laid on the pictures of the mascots and were simply painted over to camouflage it.

Hadrian regained his focus and decided to carry on listening to Rosewood's speech.

''You will find your timetable on your beds, as well as your school uniform and the books for the term. On another note, do not believe that your house dictates who you talk to and are friends with. That is ridiculous and I will not encourage house fighting - you are students. You are all here to learn so I suggest you listen to this warning because on the single instance I hear of bullying - you 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 be going home. Is that understood?'', throughout Rosewood's speech, the children began to sweatdrop profusely. When the speech had ended, all that could be seen was a group of children bobbing their heads rapidly.

Rosewood smiled and walked off after telling them to have a good sleep.

Hadrian looked for his new acquaintances, he hoped they were as excited coming to Aunriton as he was.

''This place is so cool! No one else is gonna know half the things we will when we get to Hogwarts!'', Theo exploded, eyes brimming with mirth.

''I know, I am so gonna brag about this to Tracey!'' Daphne added, a playful smirk adorned on her face.

Hadrian smiled at his friend's new antics and said, ''Quite right! I'm just happier that I'm with you guys. I would find it rather lonely if I was the only British wizard here.''

Theo nodded and brought out his hand - as if he was offering to arm-wrestle - Hadrian looked at him for a second. After a few seconds, he realized and clasped his hand in Theo's. They both chuckled playfully.

Theo decided that it was his cue to leave and went off to the House Pegasus dormitory.

Daphne and Hadrian were left standing alone in the corridor. Daphne having realized this, became shy and looked down. Hadrian didn't quite understand the reaction, which is understandable - after all, he is only 7 - turning 8.

Shaking his head, Hadrian smiled and began walking, Daphne right beside him.

They broke off into their separated dorms, due to gender, but not before Hadrian had once again brushed his lip against her knuckles.

His grandfather- Charlus, had told him that it was the customary greeting an heir and heiress should be expected to partake in.

Hadrian shook his head at the girl's bright red blush. 'Maybe it is because it is a hot day', he thought to himself before frowning. 'Nevermind. I forgot we were underwater..'

Hadrian chuckled to himself and found himself in the boy's dorm. His trunk was already at the foot of his bed - how convenient.

There were 3 other boys in the room. Hadrian thought it was prudent to introduce himself, these were the people he would be with for 3 years after all.

''Hello, I'm Hadrian Black. You guys wanna be friends? - I haven't ever had friends before today and I would be glad if you guys were amongst the first few.'' Hadrian said with a smile and his hand outstretched.

''Hiya there Hadrian, I'm Oliver Gooseberry - brother to Jamie Gooseberry. Y'know, the first boy that got sorted. Nice to meet ya!'' Oliver said, a stupid grin plastered on his face.

'' I'm Roan. Nice to meet you, I guess...'', said a voice in a flippant manner. The boy that spoke was already on his bed - he was reading a comic book. Hadrian looked closer and saw that it said 'The Adventures Of Aquaman'.

Hadrian furrowed his brow in confusion, what on earth was an Aquaman?

'' I'm Crow Pinescrew. I believe that it is in our best interests to create some dorm rules.'' Oliver and Roan groaned in indignation.

''We're finally away from home and you wanna make rules? C'mon man!'' Oliver exclaimed,

''Not cool bro! You're ruining my mojo...'' said Roan, joining Oliver in his complaints.

Hadrian snorted in laughter at Roan's manner of speech, Hadrian came from two Most noble and Ancient Houses - he wasn't used to hearing someone speaking with such disregard of articulation.

He knew if he had spoken like that at home, Grandma Dorea would give him the hairdryer treatment. When Dorea shouted at you, she made sure that you knew you were wrong. Hadrian grimaced at the memory of the time he had accidentally knocked over one of her vases.

He shuddered and discarded that memory from his mind for now.

''- Here are the rules,'' Crow carried on seemingly disregarding his roommates' refusal,

''Rule number 1, you will not borrow or go through anyone's stuff without asking.'' Hadrian thought this was a fair rule.

''Rule number 2, you wil𝐥 clean up your mess.'' Hadrian nodded again, these rules were not bad at all.

'' And the final rule! There will be NO PRANKS in this dorm - and if you even so far as to think about pranking me, you will face the repercussions.'' Crow was now sporting a very creepy face, whilst smiling very sweetly - a look that was seemingly out of place for someone so serious-sounding.

'' Dude! - That is - It is so totally, NOT FAIR!'' Roan and Oliver chorused out simultaneously.

Hadrian thought the rules were a little harsh but decided that he would just leave it be and climb into bed, he wasn't that interested in pranks anyway - that was more James' thing.

Hadrian frowned a little when he thought of his parents. He had lost all feelings for them - after Charlus had enlightened Hadrian as to all of his parents' flaws and problems, he viewed them as an annoyance. He was grateful to his Grandparents for adopting him - albeit the very circumstantial causes that led to the situation.

Aside from annoyance, Hadrian had grown to hold a substantial amount of disdain for his parents. He had reverted to calling them by the first names and hardly ever cared whenever they were brought up - they were simply not important to Hadrian anymore.

He decided that he would focus on becoming the best version of himself. He will make Charlus and Dorea proud. Hadrian repeated these thoughts as he slowly drifted to bed.