Climb up upon the stool,
Pull me down around your ears;
I’ll reveal the new beginning
Of your magical careers.
And as you disperse to Houses
Where your new friends welcome you,
Keep in mind the world is looking
For a new beginning too.
For each House to play a part
In the rebuilding that’s ahead,
You must all resist the follies
That have left so many dead.
Clever Ravenclaws: remember,
As your education starts,
All your knowledge comes to nothing
If you fail to use your hearts.
Faithful Hufflepuffs, take heed:
While it is noble to be true,
You must keep your eyes wide open;
Know the ones your loyal to.
Cunning Slytherins, be watchful:
Your ambition won’t come free;
Those who claim the greatest power
Claim responsibility.
Valiant Gryffindors: though battle
Has a time and place that’s right,
There are times when even warriors
Make peace without a fight.
As you go to forge your futures
Please remember what has passed,
Or the peace your friends have fought for
Will not be a peace that lasts.
Work together, help each other,
Banish thoughts of laying blame;
Though your banners may be diff’rent,
Deep inside you’re much the same.

Again, we’re gathered here beneath
This great, enchanted ceiling
There’s thunder, lightning, heavy rain
That none of us are feeling

My task this year, as years before,
Is choosing your rightful place
To help you conquer and endure
The tasks you’re soon to face

The Hogwarts founders, long ago,
Trusted me with this task
Though now I think it may’ve been
Somewhat unwise to ask

I fear this may be the last time
I can so frankly speak
For there are those among us all
That hope for our defeat

And so, before I sort you,
My other task is clear
To say the words that Dumbledore
And I feel you must hear

Ravenclaw have shown us
Any problem can be solved
While Slytherin has long defined
The advantage of resolve

Gryffindors know well that fear’s
Nothing to be afraid of
And Hufflepuffs know just as well
What true kindness is made of

A thousand years these houses stand
On these few strengths alone
But great minds and hats think alike
Weakness is what we’ve shown

The unity of our four houses
Hangs by just a tether
True greatness, power and victory
We only achieve together

With my patches and my tears,
I must be quite a sight,
But when it comes to sorting students
No hat could be more bright!
Our founders sought to teach the young
Good magical technique,
But though they shared a common goal,
Their values were unique.
In the past our four good founders
Taught their favorites with good grace,
And now I am in charge to find
Each student’s proper place.

Perhaps you’ll go to Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave and daring;
Or make your way in Hufflepuff,
Hardworking, just and caring;
You might be fit for Slytherin,
Where cunning is admired;
Or find your home in Ravenclaw,
Where wisdom is inspired.

The feast begins as always,
With the sorting and good cheer,
Yet our memories are heavy
From the darkness of last year.
It is time for celebration,
Hogwarts has endured;
And though I still shall sort each year,
I may rest assured:
Our beloved school was tested,
But in that fateful hour,
We stood as one to triumph
Against that threatening power.
But I digress, and now too long
I’ve held you in suspense,
So step right up! It’s time now for
The sorting to commence!

At Hogwarts I was crafted
Many years ago
And through the ages I have seen
Great wizards come and go

Whether gifted with a clever mind
Courage, wit, or virtues
You must stay wary of your talents
And with which purpose they are used

While we glory in these days of peace
We all still must remember
The sacrifices that were made
For our world to continue to prosper

History can repeat itself
Without continued examination
So while you’re learning to use magic
Keep justice as your foundation

The pointless deaths of war will haunt
This hat for all existence
For I have seen too many lives
Be paid because of intolerance

Witch or wizard, muggle or squib
House-elf or centaur
The responsibility lies in all of us
To treat the lot as brother

And as I have said many times
And will say again
I sometimes do regret sorting
Separating those that might have been friends

Whether Gryffindor or Ravenclaw
Slytherin or Hufflepuff
You must stay united for what is right
This I cannot stress enough

And though I’m just a sorting hat
I have knowledge deep within
But you’ve all listened enough tonight
Let the sorting now begin!

Congratulations to all!