For centuries more than you have known
I’ve lived and seen it all in my life’s span.
Now I sit here on this stool, my throne,
And tell the tale of how it all began.

Now listen well, hear me through and through.
I admit this story won’t be brief.
Trust that I am ever tried and true,
Even though my words defy belief.

From dragon-skin leather I was born,
Bound tight by sinews double entwined.
Atop of heads I have been worn,
And I’m unique – the only of my kind.

My creators and first owner, see,
Such masters of magical talent and skill,
Decided to create a hat: that’s me.
Many months it took for this vision to fulfill.

Each step was done with utmost heed.
They devoted time to make it right.
And with the final stitch they could proceed.
The next phase of the vision did ignite.

A spell was cast, the words were uttered:
“Now come to life and speak to me clear.�
A pulse ran through me and I muttered,
“Who art thou, wizards, who brought me here?�

These sorcerers’ names you surely know,
They’re vital to Hogwarts’ foundation.
And they are the four to whom you owe
Your chance for education.

One man was Godric Gryffindor,
With lion’s heart so steady and brave.
Though life runs through his veins no more,
To one Hogwarts house, his name he gave.

Along with Godric were sorcerers three:
Rowena Ravenclaw, who valued knowledge given.
Salazar Slytherin, most ambitious was he;
And Helga Hufflepuff, who was loyal and driven;

And now their bodies lie in the grave,
Their souls long since departed.
But before they went, one thing they saved,
To speak for them when trouble started.

Upon the founders’ deaths they left me to
The guardianship of the school itself.
Now once every year I am called to you
And moved from my home upon the shelf.

The life they bestowed to me confirmed
That evermore this life I will sustain.
I come back now each start of term.
And sing my song in which I explain.

Though under one roof you learn and grow
To a specific house you will belong.
You’ll be with these students to and fro,
Your classmates and roommates all along.

These houses owe their names to the four
Who came together to found this place
Giving you the chance to reach for more
So revere your house whatever the case.

Each house has a history, you know,
But reputations are surface deep.
Much has changed since decades ago
So upon your Sorting, do not weep.

I make the decision from what I see:
Thoughts from your head, feelings from your heart.
Though if you think you know better than me
Your desired wish I will impart.

Be your character defined by grit
With steadfast nerves, love for excitement
In the house of Gryffindor you will fit
Along with others so valiant.

In his house Godric only wanted
Students cut from cloth so tough
Those that, by fear, were never daunted
And who could face enemies more rough.

If your sword is mightier than your pen,
And your spirit is ever so bold,
You will find yourself in the Lions’ den,
Clad in colors of red and gold.

From this gallant house great heroes rise
To quell injustice, a worthy fight.
And in this quest for the peaceful prize,
Young Gryffindors share a bond that’s tight.

Though if your strength lies not in your gut
But rather inside your active mind,
And if your books are seldom shut,
With scholarly students you’ll be aligned.

Clever Rowena loved learning so
That her house requires high intellect.
Admitted are minds with the brightest glow
And have passion for ev’ry subject.

If education is your true value
And you grasp the power of knowledge,
Then dressed you’ll be in bronze and blue
Until you are ready for college.

You’ll find yourself soaring high above,
Your scores exceeding those of the rest.
If scholarship is your greatest love,
Then you belong in the Eagles’ nest.

For those of you who are ambitious
And seek out ways to increase your clout
Slytherin’s your house. It’s not malicious,
But a haven for you with goals so stout.

What Salazar had valued most
Was a pureblood Wizarding family tree.
If a righteous lineage you could boast,
Then fit for Slytherin you would be.

But those olden days are far gone now.
The house is not just for nobility.
Muggle-borns and half-bloods they allow
To uphold their stance on civility.

So if you are wily and stake out your claim,
Then silver and green robes you will wear.
Along with the others who value the same
Your home is in the Serpents’ lair.

If you do not possess a fearless soul,
Or superior knowledge and wit,
If personal glory is not your goal,
Then what be your house? Hufflepuff is it.

For loving Helga accepted all
Not just the brave or bright or cunning.
The reliable and honest ones will call
Hufflepuff their family these long years running.

If Hufflepuff best suits your breed
Then donned in yellow you will be.
Your house is known for its loyal creed,
Determination like a worker bee.

In this admirable house you will surely find
The Badgers are known to be just and fair.
Others like yourself, both patient and kind,
Will always be welcome and given care.

I will call out your name and sort you into
One of these four ancient houses told.
Thousands of students have gone before you
So be not afraid of what will unfold.

Through these halls many wizards passed.
I have seen them all continue on,
Venturing into the world so vast,
Their schooldays at Hogwarts foregone.

Among those you know that heard my songs,
Both honored heroes and infamous foes,
Sat once where you are, their friends in throngs,
And earned reputations that everyone knows.

Most evil by far is a man named Tom,
Who battled constant personal struggles.
His dark ambitions set off like a bomb,
Beginning the war against Muggles.

You know him as “Lord Voldemort,�
The one whose hate consumed like fire.
Though many refused to pledge support,
The problems grew steadily more dire.

But several decades after learning here,
Tom – “Lord Voldemort� – had met his match.
The Boy Who Lived, aged only a year,
Had escaped Tom’s Curse with just a scratch.

At age eleven he started school,
Oblivious to his fame and fate.
Harry Potter learned to break school rules
With the help of his two best mates.

The young boy never finished his studies;
He left Hogwarts before his seventh year
Embarking on a mission with his buddies.
The Chosen One would end the Muggles’ fear.

Now these two men are not the only
Well-known wizards that Hogwarts claims.
This castle would be sad and lonely
If there were no other names.

But I haven’t the time to muddle through
Each student who sat in this Great Hall
For now it is time that I tell you
That houses divided will surely fall.

Though you’ll be Sorted into a certain section
Wearing colors that set you apart,
Never forget that for our protection
We all must play it smart.

Whether lion or eagle or badger or snake,
Remember that you are Hogwarts students first,
And you must stick together, make no mistake.
United we stand against the worst.

Ever since the defeat of You-Know-Who,
We all could take a breath.
The clouds had lifted, the sky was blue.
We knew no more fear of unjust death.

But now the time has come again
When something threatens our quiet life.
A new regime with a hellish campaign
Has come to cause us strife.

This time it is the Muggles and kin
Who harbor so much anger.
Now everyone with magic within
Are the ones in gravest danger.

Our luck has run out, the tides have turned,
Of us, non-magical folks are suspicious.
The ones who believe have witches burned,
They suppose us to be vicious.

Where magic used to be fantastic
Muggles now have deemed it evil.
They’ve started taking measures drastic
And push for the Wizarding world’s upheaval.

But not all Muggles are so hateful;
Not everyone believes this true.
However, it only takes a handful.
The many can be tainted by the few.

So our goal, now, is to set it right;
Let them know that we mean them no harm.
We’ll combat this problem without a fight,
Just use our wit and our charm.

In order for this master plan to succeed,
Each professor and student shall unite as one,
Together, with caution, we will proceed,
And persist until this conflict is done.

If ever there is to be peace once more
Now is the perfect time to begin.
A successful team must establish rapport
For victories outside must first happen within.

I am finally done; I’ve said all I’ve said.
You know who I am and my purpose here.
So with no more ado, I’ll sit on your head.
Let’s get on with the Sorting and start the new year!