A very bookish year

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September 1960

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Professor Albus Dumbledore sighed and looked happily over the four House tables in the Great Hall, finally filled again with chatting, laughing students. Summers in Hogwarts were always too quiet.

As Head of Gryffindor House, he was as always particularly interested in the Sorting Ceremony, and as he looked at his colleagues, he had the impression, they were, too. Horace Slughorn, Head of Slytherin, was combing his hair with his fingers, Filius Flitwick, this year newly appointed Head of Ravenclaw, spoke excitedly with his current girlfriend Pomona Sprout who happened to be the Head of Hufflepuff. Every year new students would join their houses and it was the teachers' job to help them in any way possible.

While the students continued to tell each other their summer's adventures, the door of the Great Hall opened a gap and Professor Minerva McGonagall made a hand gesture to let them know that the first years were ready now.

Headmaster Armando Dippet nodded and a moment later his voice, magically raised, sounded through the Hall. "It is time to meet our new students," he simply announced but it was enough for everyone to become quiet and look at the door expectantly.

Suddenly, the double-wing door swung open and Minerva strode proudly through the middle corridor, a flock of 23 new students behind her. They were not so many this year due to the aftermaths of Grindelwald's defeat where the Magical world still hadn't been sure to live their lives normally. This meant that theoretically, each house would get about five or six students. Not many at all…

They get younger every year, Albus mused as he observed the boys and girls admiring the ceiling of the Great Hall or the thousands of floating candles.

When the first years arrived at the front of the Hall, Armando welcomed them briefly, and Minerva explained the function of the Sorting Hat. It was the same every year but even the seventh years were still attentive to see who would join their house.

"Alden, Lara," Minerva announced the first name on her list, and a shy girl stepped forward.

The Hat contemplated her mind for a while before he solemnly shouted: "RAVENCLAW!"

The entire Hall clapped but the Ravenclaws cheered in particular.

"Abernathy, Thomas."

This boy seemed more confidant than Miss Alden and strode forward obviously comfortable in his shoes.

Albus had fun guessing the house of the students from only these little encounters and often he was correct. This time he believed the boy would end up in Gryffindor but again the Hat shouted: "RAVENCLAW!"

Well, Albus admitted his defeat in his mind. Interesting choice. But Mr Abernathy was probably fond of books and confident.

"Bones, Clara."

She has to be a Hufflepuff, Albus thought instantly. Her whole family consists of Hufflepuffs.

But yet again the Hat chose Ravenclaw.

This time Albus frowned and looked at his colleagues who also wore miens of confusion. It was always an off start when one house got all the children. Merely, Filius clapped in a carefree manner and smiled at his new students.

And further, every student that sat down on the three-legged chair was sorted by the Hat into Ravenclaw. The reactions of staff and students became less jubilant and more confused and incredulous from first year to first year. Even Filius and the rest of the Ravenclaws seemed taken aback by this procedure of events.

Finally, there were only three students left and everyone looked anxious. The House teachers of Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff wanted at least one new student this year, and the first years looked anxious because they didn't want to be the only one from their house in their year. It was bad enough that they would have to be the only boy or girl in their dormitory but to be the only Slytherin or Hufflepuff or Gryffindor in their entire year was unimaginable.

So, it was to at least the first years a great relief when all three of them joined Ravenclaw as well.

When "Walters, Caroline" had joined her new House, there was a shocked silence in the Hall. All first-year students in Ravenclaw? Had something like this ever occurred before in the long history of Hogwarts?

There was an uncertainty of how to proceed and the House teachers looked at Headmaster Dippet for guidance. He, apparently also dazzled, finally stood up and approached the Hat. Albus was luckily sitting nearby to overhear their hushed conversation.

"Are you sure they all belong in Ravenclaw?" Armando asked at once.

"Of course," the Hat replied firmly. "I never make a mistake. There were a few I considered putting into another House but in the end, Ravenclaw just fits best."

Armando looked around the Hall and then went towards the Ravenclaw first years. "Are you all happy with the choice the Sorting Hat made?"

They nodded and some exclaimed proudly how much they appreciated books and knowledge.

Now the Headmaster seemed at a loss of what to do; surely something like this couldn't work. "Um," he started and seemed uncomfortable. "Would anyone of you consider going into another House?"

Albus frowned and decided to step in. This was a chance of 0.00000000000000142 but it was still accurate. He stood up and spoke loudly: "Why should they? If Ravenclaw is the best choice for them, let them be in Ravenclaw and achieve their full potential."

"But we don't have enough rooms," Filius remarked.

"I'm sure we'll find a solution."

"But isn't this kind of unfair regarding the House Cup?" Minerva added, luckily only loud enough for the teachers to hear her.

Albus smiled slightly. "Isn't it always a bit unfair?"

Armando finally nodded and addressed the whole Great Hall. "This is, of course, a bit unusual but we will manage. Please, everyone, applaud for your new fellow students, 23 proud Ravenclaws."

The Hall obliged and most of them laughed. This was so unbelievable their grandchildren would not believe it.