The Sorting Ceremony was an annual event that took place at the start of each school year at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The ceremony was held to sort every first-year into one of the four school houses: Horned Serpent, Thunderbird, Wampus and Pukwudgie.[1]
Ceremony[]
The ceremony was held in a circular room found behind the front doors of the school. The new students would stand by the walls of the room, and wait to be asked to step forward onto the Gordian Knot engraved into the middle of the marble floor. The older students would watch in silence from the balcony on the next level, which went around the circle. The school would then wait for one of the four wooden carvings, which were in the form of each creature the four houses represented, to react.[1]
When the Horned Serpent wanted a student, the gem set into its forehead would glow, while Thunderbird showed approval by beating its wings. The Wampus would roar, while the Pukwudgie raised its arrow into the air.[1]
If more than one statue reacted, the student could choose which house they wanted. In very rare cases, which would most likely happen once every decade, all four wooden carvings would react. Seraphina Picquery was one such student. She opted for Horned Serpent. When every new student was allocated a house, they were led to a large hall where they could choose or be chosen by a wand.[1]
Appearances[]
- Pottermore (First mentioned)
- Wizarding World (Mentioned only)