Beaming with joy and up on his feet, Albus looked upon the graduating class at the front and the students beyond as if nothing could have made him prouder.

"Welcome!" He said in his loud and powerful voice. "For those who have forgotten, as well as for those who would greatly wish to hear it once more, this is the Graduation of the Class of 1972!"

"Before I begin with my speech to you, I would like for you to first hear the voice of a wise member of this school, who has been with us for a great many years more than anybody I, or you have ever known." He paused, smiling as students unconsciously mouthed, Is it Binns? Who?

"He was most adamant in making sure that as his words of wisdom were one of the first you ever paid heed to, so too, would they be one of the last. So without further ado, I present The Sorting Hat."

With little effort, Albus waved his wand arm in the space before the Head table, and from behind a concealing charm, the hat was seated upon his stool before them.

You sit so still, so mature and strong

In houses four, where you now belong

But seven years ago, I had to choose

The parts of you to be nourished and the gifts you were to lose.

For I had a task in mind, and I called on your minds too

To find a house that fit, and would suit specifically you.

And so Gryffindor, the brave and bold

Took those of you with fight; who were destined to save our world

With the belief that they were right.

Fair Ravenclaw, the smart and wise

Took those of you who yearned; who sought the truth beyond the lies

With the determination by which they learned.

Sweet Hufflepuff, the most patient of the four

Took those of you that were kind; who labored in all their endeavors

With the goal by which they set their minds.

And finally, it comes to me, to set the record straight.

Of the final founder who once loved all, and slowly turned to hate.

When all that he loved was compromised, to suit the needs of his friends

And when Muggleborns first came in this hall, he should have made amends

But instead he watched with silent eyes as the killers of his kin

Let their children walk inside, with no remorse for crime or sin.

For Slytherin, the greatest of the four

Took those of you with a purpose, of whom mediocrity they abhor

With the ambitions of those that had nothing but pride to lose.

And I want to make this a lesson, of how we must believe

That the faith and forgiveness of others is the love we hence receive

For though Slytherin was the greatest, he fought and hurt alone

But had he chosen solidarity with friends, he would not have gone.

The times are changing once more, and old blood will tell its tale

And were I not to warn you all, but my purpose in this school would fail.

When you came to this school, did you desire bravery, cleverness, loyalty or fame?

For were I again to sort you now, my answer for all would be the same:

"Go now my children upon this world. No house can hold you, no banner define you.

You are all but many of a different mind. All unique, but all wizard kind."

Author Note: This was initially just a minor part of another, much longer fanfiction I am currently working on. I felt I had to submit this extract however, because even for me, it puts forward a message that not alot of other fanfiction do. Its the Graduation Speech of the Hogwarts Class of 1972. Bonus points if you can guess a certain graduate amongst the students whom I'm sure the Hat is trying to give specific attention to.