Jaune wasn't having the greatest day- sure he was on his way to becoming a wizard but that didn't stop you from having a bad day when you were one of the clumsiest guys on the planet. He'd already almost fallen in the massive lake they'd had to cross to get to the castle, only being saved from a cold bath by the nice red-headed girl he'd met on the train- Pyrrha, if he remembered correctly. But any hope for a quiet rest of the journey was shattered by the pretty white haired girl screeching at him for almost capsizing the boat.

And then he felt the seasickness hit him.

That blonde girl had really not appreciated being in the splash zone…

And now that he had actually managed to physically get to Hogwarts without dying he was unlucky enough to be the first one Sorted. How unfair was life? The first one to be sorted and the first one to be sent home for being a Squib if the way his day had been going was any indication. He still hadn't shown much in the way of magic before his letter had arrived, confirming his place at the prestigious school and- if he was being completely honest with himself- he still hadn't felt any more "magical" since.

Still, he shuffled forward dutifully when his name had been called by the scary looking blonde witch, nearly tripping over his ridiculous robes- seriously Muggle clothes were the way forward, his mum was right- before he managed to plonk himself down on the provided stool in the full view of the entire school. He sat dumbly, waiting for something to happen.

Then the whole world went black.

Well, well, well, an Arc. I haven't seen one of you in a while. Was hearing voices a magical talent or had he just lost it? Oh dear you are a sheltered one, did your parents not prepare you for this? Am I correct in thinking you are a Halfblood? Jaune nodded. And your father was an Arc? He nodded again. Hmm, very different from your father and grandfather. I can see you were… otherwise occupied during the introduction so I'll keep it short: as you know I am the Sorting Hat and I place you into one of the four Houses that will be your home and family for the next seven years. At least your parents thought to tell you that… But I think I can see the place you will flourish with "a little help from your friends". The Sorting Hat took an unnecessarily deep breath into its nonexistent lungs before making his announcement. Jaune Arc you will be in:

HUFFLEPUFF!

The Hat was yanked off his head, the light from a thousand candles blinding him as he was nudged towards the roaring yellow and black table- sitting down in a daze before he realised that he had somehow sat down in a shadow. Looking up, the tallest boy Jaune had ever seen reached out with a massive hand to clap his shoulder.

"Hello. I'm Yatsuhashi and welcome to Hufflepuff."

"Sage Anyana."

Professor Goodwitch called a second boy up to the stool- this one looking infinitely more confident than the last. Blake knew that each Sorting was different- Hogwarts a History had said so- but this time the hat was on the boy's head for what could only have been 10 seconds before it hissed out SLYTHERIN!

From the moment she had been told she was a witch her whole life had suddenly made sense and she immediately began to research this whole new world that she was being thrust into by reading anything and everything she could get her hands on. Really though, would a couple of summer classes for Muggleborns be that hard to implement? Wizards didn't seem to be big on the whole "equal opportunities" thing- judging by some of the looks she'd gotten when she'd been exchanging her Muggle money into the absurd Wizarding currency. What had the metric system ever done to them? Anyway, Blake had thought it better to be over prepared than underprepared in this case, and she had reread the book on the train trying to brush up on some of the more… unusual… parts of the school's architecture. Well, before she'd been interrupted anyway...

While the tall boy sauntered over to the green-clad table- receiving understated applause from his house unlike the whistles from Hufflepuff- Blake took in the room. Magical didn't begin to describe the massive hall, despite it literally being magical.

"Blake Belladonna."

Unused to the robes she was wearing she stumbled slightly as she pushed her way to the front of the queue, not quite managing to get all the way there without her foot catching on something. Luckily the blonde girl who had burst into her compartment on the train- Yang, if she remembered correctly- caught her mid-fall, a sympathetic smile on her face as she set Blake back on her feet and sent her on her way with a pat on the back.

Blake ascended the steps to the stool, turned to face the assembled students and cringed slightly; she had never been one for being the centre of attention after all, and the stares were unnerving. As the Hat came to a rest on her head- neatly slipping over the bow that was her constant companion since childhood- she understood why that Jaune boy had jumped.

A voice talking directly into your head was a bit unnerving after all.

Blake Belladonna, the Hat pondered the name as it spoke, are you sure there are no wizards in your family? Or have Muggles just gotten more poetic with their naming over the years? Blake had no response to a question like that and remained silent. Not that she could speak given how petrified she was at that moment. Hmm, nevermind then, let's see, loyal, brave- in particular, willing to stand up for what you think is right, no ambition just yet but I think with some focus you could be formidable, no? Aha, here we are- smart, witty, big reader and- oh my that's a nice dark streak of humour. Barty does appreciate sarcasm so it has to be:

RAVENCLAW!

Having just had her life and personality cross-examined by a hat, it was fair to say that Blake was a little off kilter as she got up on shaky legs and headed to the cheering blue and bronze table. It was nice of them to give her help to work out which one was hers. She sat down right next to a girl with impossibly long brown hair and a welcoming smile.

"Hiya Blake, don't be too scared now, Ravenclaw's a great place," she leant in conspiratorily, "We have way more fun than the other houses think we do."

Relaxing in the older girl's presence Blake finally found her voice, no matter how quiet it was.

"Even for Muggleborns?"

Impossibly Velvet's smile got even kinder as she pulled the younger girl in for a hug.

"Especially for Muggleborns."

"Dew Gayle." HUFFLEPUFF!

Pyrrha knew her name was coming up soon as she once again rehearsed what she was going to say.

"Sky Lark."

An unremarkable boy strode forward but she knew the name from one of her parent's parties.

She knew quite a few of the names.

GRYFFINDOR!

It seemed like there were a lot of Purebloods this year- definitely not what she wanted- the more Muggleborns the merrier in her opinion. Despite pleading with her parents to go to Beauxbatons, where she might have a chance to remain slightly anonymous, they'd opted to send her here.

Here where her name was like a spotlight. Facing straight at her.

"Pyrrha Nikos." The hall went silent.

Of course it did. When your parents start training you to be a duelist before you even enter school you start to get talked about. When you start to win duels against older opponents, that's when you start to get famous. The duels were completely illegal of course, but that didn't stop Ministry officials watching and betting and even joining in on the odd drunken occasion, even while some of their colleagues struggled to get them stopped. As the old saying goes, "What Purebloods want, Purebloods get." It helped that her parents were more than rich enough to pay off any official that stepped on too many toes.

Pyrrha hated all of it. And this was her chance to do something about it.

Still, with the spotlight shining down upon her she plastered on her most gracious smile and strode forward- she knew what to do here.

The Hat was quick off the mark once she was seated. Pyrrha Nikos- obviously Sl- wait- you do not want to join the House almost your entire family has been in for years? Pyrrha was sure. This was the best way to break free of her family's hold- it wasn't that she didn't love them, she did. But sorting people into Houses based on their family was even dumber than sorting people into Houses based on their personality when they were 11. The hat recoiled slightly. Rude. Sorry. You'll find there's a bit more magic in me than what meets the eye, but you are not the first person to tell me that, not by a long shot. She sighed, glad that she hadn't angered the object making a massive decision that would impact the rest of her life. So not Slytherin then? Nope, she thought, anywhere else. No matter where you go Miss Nikos you will do great things, even in Slytherin. But never let it be said that I don't take into account personal opinions, especially ones as strong as yours. Thank you. Now, where to put you- smart enough for Ravenclaw but I don't feel like you would fit in there; more than kind enough Hufflepuff but they wouldn't push you. Frankly trying to overturn centuries of prejudice is more than ambitious enough for Slytherin but if you are going to be pushed to your limits there is only one House for you:

GRYFFINDOR!

The whole hall sat in a moment of shocked silence as the first Nikos in 30 years was sorted anywhere but Slytherin- and maybe even first Nikos ever to be sorted into Gryffindor- hopped down the stairs with a genuine smile gracing her face. The first genuine smile she's had in quite a while.

This was going to be great.

Ren wasn't quite sure what to make of all of it, all he knew was that he was glad to have Nora with him for all of it. Though in hindsight it did partially answer the question of how Nora and he always ended up together no matter what tried to pull them apart- like magnets.

Or like magic, he supposed that was the correct term, now that he knew it actually existed.

"Lie Ren."

As his name was called he reluctantly moved forward to the stool next to where Professor Goodwitch stood with the patchy old hat. He sat down, catching a glimpse of Nora grinning and sending him a double thumbs up, calming his nerves slightly.

Hmm, you've had a hard life. Thank you for pointing that out. I see you've spent a lot of time with Miss Valkyrie over the years- balancing your personalities so to speak. However, maybe it's finally time for you both to get a little bit of space. What?! Don't worry, it will not be a permanent split- I don't think you two ever be pulled apart- but there's only one place for a studious young man like you to go:

RAVENCLAW!

On the way to his cheering, new housemates he caught Nora's eye and tried to smile, ignoring the sinking feeling in his stomach.

He hoped wherever she ended up she wouldn't be too far away.

This was it. This was what she'd been waiting for from the moment she'd understood what she was. This was her first step to being the best witch she could be- maybe even the first step on her journey to becoming an Auror.

In short, this was the first step to the rest of Ruby Rose's life.

Hogwarts was so cool! Her dad hadn't told her everything since he "Didn't want to spoil anything for her" and she had to concede this one, Hogwarts was breathtaking. Her general enthusiasm for her education was only increased by the fact that Yang, the best big sister in the world, was here experiencing it right along with her. Sure, she hadn't exactly been over the moon about the whole Younger Sister Clinging To Her Side thing, but she'd still defended her from that scary white haired girl on the train when it mattered. Ruby honestly hadn't meant to knock over her suitcases- it had been a complete accident as she distractedly searched for Yang- but the girl, Weiss Schnee she'd screeched, hadn't seen it like that. Five minutes into the lecture Yang had found her and managed to pull her away from the ranting girl, helped by the chaos of an explosion from further down the train.

"Ruby Rose."

Oh boy, this was it! Clutching the red scarf, that she'd begged Professor Goodwitch to keep, she moved forward, brushing passed Weiss and paying no attention her hmmph as she bounded up to the Hat. She heard a cheer- probably Yang- as the Hat fell past her ears.

Hello! Now this, this is interesting: the youngest student to enter Hogwarts in over a century. Yep! And an enthusiastic one at that, you are going to be a very special student Miss Rose. Ruby sagged, I don't want to be special though, I just want to be normal. The Hat chuckled, I think it may be too late for that now Miss Rose- you have an interesting life ahead of you. I'm afraid Ravenclaw might not be a good fit for you. And I don't think you really have the ambition and cunning to really thrive in Slytherin, say what do you want to do? Ruby thought about it for a second before settling on her answer- I want to help people, like the heroes do. A noble pursuit- you certainly could be brave enough for Gryffindor but you are driven by a much different desire than glory. If don't want to stand out maybe Gryffindor isn't the place for you- the best place for you is the place you can be allowed to help people.

So just like your mother, the best place for you Miss Rose is:

HUFFLEPUFF!

The Hat was lifted off her head as she leapt down to run to her table. Above all the noise she could hear Yang hollering and cheering for her, even from the other side of the hall her sister had her back, and so with a smile, she sat down next to the blonde boy who had been sorted first.

Wait, wasn't he the one that threw up earlier?

Ew.

Little did Ruby know that the teachers' smiles were tinged with sadness as they remembered another young Hufflepuff girl with a scarf and each one prayed that this girl would not meet the same fate as her mother, taken too soon from her family.

Honestly, who was letting these idiots into Hogwarts? Maybe Weiss should have pressed to go to Beauxbatons like Winter had- no, no, she was father's heir and father needed his heir to go to Hogwarts to make connections. That was her job, that was her duty. Not that it was going to be an easy job either- with the clumsy Hufflepuff duo of Vomit Boy and the just sorted Ruby Rose already ruining her day. And that wasn't even considering Pyrrha throwing her to the wolves by getting herself sorted to Gryffindor of all places! What happened to the plan they had discussed at the last gathering before their arrival here?

"Weiss Schnee."

She tossed her hair over her shoulder as she strutted up to the stool, shoulders back Weiss, Schnees do not slump, her father's voice was inescapable even hundreds of miles away from him. She pushed that thought from her head as she daintily perched herself on the stool and waited for the hat to descend.

She immediately recoiled as the hat touched her hair- how many people have worn this thing? An awful lot Miss Schnee, including plenty of your ancestors- although I haven't had a Schnee is quite some time. I'm hurt your sister never decided to join us here. Weiss rolled her eyes, can we get on with this? Oh of course your highness. It's heiress actually, she couldn't stop herself from correcting the Hat and if hats could snort, this one did- This might just be the easiest sorting I've had all evening, I suppose you can't all be interesting like Miss Nikos. Miss Schnee, the only place for you is the House of your father before you:

SLYTHERIN!

Weiss had thought she would be happy after her sorting; it had been a done deal had it not? No surprises for her. But that had been before Pyrrha had gone to Gryffindor and before the Hat had reminded her of what the legacy the Schnees and Slytherin had passed down to her. Still, she plastered on her smug smirk as she sat down at the table of her ancestors, settling beside the girl she knew to be Gwen Darcy- the only other first year Slytherin girl. As she was about to introduce herself- no time like the present to start making allies- she was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. Turning to shout at the person who dared to touch her she stopped immediately once she realised who it was.

"Coco!"

Her older friend smirked at her before speaking.

"Good to see you joined the home of the ambitious, always knew you could do it, kid."

She was right, Weiss could do it, couldn't she? She was a Schnee but that didn't mean she had to be her father- she could be a Schnee and be Weiss. She could change anything she wanted.

Watching Ren get sorted stirred up mixed emotions in Nora, she'd never spent long away from Ren since they'd first met and she would hate to break their streak for this.

"Nora Valkyrie."

As her name was called she ignored the butterflies in her stomach as she strode forward, eyes glued on the stool. Seconds before Professor Goodwitch brought the Hat down she caught Ren's eye and returned his tentative smile- then a brown hat brim filled Nora's vision and suddenly a voice resounded through her head.

Just like Mister Lie, the dedication is mutual. Well, we have been together for years, Nora mentally caught herself, not "together-together" you see, but- Yes I see. However, it might be time for you to spend some time apart, no? What? Not "apart-apart" to use your phrasing but there's only one place that you will fit in- you wear your heart on your sleeve, Miss Valkyrie and you're ready to charge in headfirst into problems. Nora was shocked, this was not what she had been expecting- but what about Ren? I do not think there is any force in this world, Muggle or Magical, that could keep you truly apart. Do not worry, be brave, for you will be spending the next seven years of your life in:

GRYFFINDOR!

The moment the hat was removed from her head she sought out Ren at his place at the Ravenclaw table, giving him a tight smile before moving off to the hollering Gryffindor table. She sat down opposite a tall red-headed girl who smiled at her.

"Don't worry if your friend's in another house, you'll see him all the time. You're a Muggleborn right?" Nora nodded mutely, perhaps the first time she's been unable to find words since she'd met Ren. "My name's Pyrrha and think we're going to have a grand time."

Being the last one to be sorted wasn't a problem for Yang Xiao Long, although she was a little bit bored and hungry. In actual fact being the centre of attention was something she enjoyed- her dad had sent her to Muggle school (Summer had been the driving force though) and she had always been the centre of anything. Just the way she liked it. Honestly? Being last just meant she had to finish big. Go out with a Yang.

"And finally, Yang Xiao Long."

A blonde boy had just bounded over to the Gryffindor table, a huge grin on his face as he joined the applauding red and gold table. Showing no hesitation, she strode over to the stool and gave a thumbs up to the Professor, who rolled her eyes and plonked the old… dirty… well-worn hat on her perfect hair.

Eurgh! How many people have worn this thing? You may be unsurprised to find out that that is a very common question Miss Xiao Long, in fact, you aren't even the first one to ask me that tonight. Okay, fine can we get on with this then? We aren't all hats- some of us need to eat. You would either get on very well with Miss Schnee or you would both curse the other one- either way it would be very interesting. So maybe Slytherin to help you reach your true potential, like your mother?

Yang's heart stopped. Her mother had been in Slytherin? When she received her letter she had expected her father to react with pride or excitement, not a smile tinged with resignation. She hadn't spoken to her father for weeks after he revealed the truth about her real parentage, only tentatively mending bridges at Ruby's pleading. Yang only knew vague details about her mother, her father unwilling to tell her more and Qrow unavailable for comment due to whatever his job had him doing now. But Raven was his sister, he must be able to tell her more- they were from an old pureblood family the-

The Branwens, yes. Xiao Long and Branwen blood runs through you- a volatile combination but perhaps judging you by your parents does not do you justice, you are your own person after all, a strong, caring and brave person. Much like your sister, it's a natural choice between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor for you- well there's not actually really a choice here. Say sorry to Glynda from me, will you? Yang grinned, finally liking the way this was going. I think I have given her quite a lot of work to do- Miss Xiao Long I place you in:

GRYFFINDOR!

Before Goodwitch could even think to grab the Hat from her head, Yang stood up and lifted the Hat off her head, giving a dramatic bow- the Gryffindor table roaring with laughter as she turned to present the Hat to an unamused Goodwitch.

"The Hat says sorry Professor, something about 'having your work cut out for you' or something?" She sent off her most facetious grin, "I don't have a clue what it could possibly mean." Knowing exactly what the Hat had meant she went on her way and sat down amongst her new housemates.

The blonde boy from before her reached across the table first.

"Sun Wukong, Muggleborn and uh- I don't really know what else to say here. This whole wizard thing kinda came outta the left field."

As he scratched the back of his head a familiar looking ginger girl, who was sitting next to him looking rather glum, gave a commiserating sigh.

"I get what you mean, I'm Nora and-"

Yang suddenly realised where she'd seen her before.

"You threw that firework at Weiss Schnee on the train!" She leant across the table to raise her hand for a high five, "That was hilarious- I can already tell we're gonna be good friends."

Pyrrha Nikos- the Pyrrha Nikos sitting right next to Yang, incredible- was startled by the sudden change in the topic.

"I'm sorry, what?"

Nora grinned.

"To be fair, I didn't exactly know it was a firework," she shrugged her shoulders and smiled, "Wizards should name things better- that's how people get hurt."

Suddenly a boy sitting slightly further along the bench turned into their conversation.

"Hi, the name's Fox Alistair, a third year who is clearly going to have a great time this year." Nora, Sun and Yang cheered in unison while Pyrrha looked like she was slightly regretting some of her life choices.

Ozpin looked down at all the first years settling into their new places amongst their peers- they were certainly an interesting bunch this year. From Miss Valkyrie waving at Mr Lie across the room to Miss Nikos happily sitting at the Gryffindor table while Miss Schnee looked slightly lost at the Slytherin table without her. The sister act of Miss Xiao Long and Miss Rose were happily integrating with their respective houses as the Ravenclaw first years sat quietly, taking in their surroundings.

Yes, this group will be a group to watch.