Jim, Leticia and Shondo

"May I go first?" asked Jim eagerly. "I'm probably the biggest Harry Potter fan here, and I've always wanted to be Sorted into a Wizarding House, especially if it's my dream House."

"Of course you may go first, Paladin Jim," said Crio. "Incidentally, which House is your dream House, by the way?"

"Hufflepuff," said Jim with a grin.

"Indeed," Crio replied.

So Jim sat on a chair in the room not far from the chest, and Crio took the Hat, taking care not to crumple it or get his hands too filthy, and placed it on Jim's head.

The Sorting Hat did not disappoint. It came to life, wrinkling its "face" up and moving its "mouth" up and down. "Ah, an interesting young fellow here," it said, "You have plenty of loyalty and willingness to work hard, yet you also possess great courage. I do not feel much ambition within you, however, and while you are intelligent, you are inexperienced in wit and creativity. Hmm, which one to put you in?"

Jim was both excited and nervous at the same time. It was his dream to be a Hufflepuff ever since he first became acquainted with Harry Potter. "Make it Hufflepuff," he whispered, "Make it Hufflepuff, make it Hufflepuff!"

"Make it Hufflepuff, eh?" said the Hat. "Sounds like you have made up your mind. Just a minute, allow me to make up mine. Hmm… All right, then… HUFFLEPUFF!"

Jim's eyes, which had been clenched shut, opened wide. "Yes!" he cheered.

The other Paladins applauded his Sorting. Crio applauded with them. Then he lifted the Hat from Jim's head, and Jim rejoined the others.

"Paladin Leticia," said Crio.

Leticia, the largest and strongest of the female Paladins, stepped forward. "I hope I get in a House that reflects me well. I could sure use some encouragement."

Leticia sat down, and Crio lowered the Hat onto her head. It was barely perched there when the Hat quickly shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Leticia jumped up, almost crushing the Hat against Crio's arm and hand, and let out an enthusiastic cheer. "YEAAAHHH! I'm going to rock this Quest!" The others applauded again.

Crio smiled in amusement. "I don't know what it means to 'rock the Quest,' but it sounds like you have a great desire to conquer this Quest!"

"Absolutely!" said Leticia, "I didn't know before this that I was so brave."

The Sorting Hat said suddenly, "Do be careful not to squash or crunch me when you get excited. I am not very… durable, you know."

"Oh, but of course, Sorting Hat," said Crio, "Sorry. We'll be more careful in the future."

"Paladin Shondo," Crio proceeded as Leticia went back with the others again.

Shondo, the big, black MMA fighter came forward and sat on the chair to have himself Sorted. "This is going to tell me what kind of a hero I am," he said with anticipation.

As it was put on his head, the Hat mused again on the possibilities. "Ah, yes. This young man wants to be the ultimate hero. I can sense he has much courage in his heart, and he's loyal to his friends and respects his enemies. But I also sense his ambition, which is needed to compete to become the greatest hero. And while he doesn't care about self-preservation, he treats his friends and neighbors like brothers."

Shondo waited, wondering what the point of the Hat's chatter was.

"Well, don't you worry, Mr. Shondo," it said, "Even a Slytherin can be a great and brave hero sometimes. And I can tell you wonder what my point is. Well, this is it. SLYTHERIN!"

"Damn, yes!" Shondo barked, "I'm going to be the One True Hero now!"

More applause.

Paladin Lina chuckled. "I don't normally think of heroes as ambitious, but I suppose that Shondo might have the right heart to pull this off."

Crio laughed. "I feel the same way."

To be continued…