Jasmine, Andrew and Adria
"Paladin Jasmine," said Crio, "Do you wish to go next?"
"Sure, Crio," Jasmine, the smallest Paladin, replied. She stepped forward and sat down on the chair, and the Hat was placed on her head.
"All right," said the Hat slowly, "This little lady has some good experience as a mother back where she comes from, so I suppose she's a likely candidate for Hufflepuff." Jasmine smiled. "Of course," it continued, "You also have an affinity for knights in shining armor on horseback, and you desire to be one yourself, deeply. It takes courage and nerve to be a knight on horseback, particularly when he or she goes into battle. So maybe you would make a good Gryffindor, instead."
"I like the sound of that," said Jasmine aloud.
"Then again, it also takes cunning to become one of the best fighters in the kingdom, and you would like nothing more than to be the One True Hero, wouldn't you?" the Sorting Hat suggested. "That might make you a Slytherin."
"Oh, please," Jasmine responded, shutting her eyes tightly, "Don't make me a Slytherin! Make me a Hufflepuff, or a Gryffindor!"
"Hmm, another Paladin with preferences and prejudices, I see," the Hat said back. "Still, you can be part of only one House, and I believe I've chosen yours."
Jasmine held her breath.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief and put her hand to her heart. The usual applause sounded from the other Paladins. Some cheered and whooped.
"Oh, good!" Jasmine said. "I think a mom like me belongs in Hufflepuff."
"I'll say," said Adria, "I feel the same way."
"Paladin Andrew."
Andrew, the wrestler, walked forward and put on the Sorting Hat. When it came to life, it sounded like it was keenly interested in him.
"Hmm, another person who wants to prove himself as a big, strong hero," it said. "Well, I know just what to do with you, my friend. GRYFFINDOR!"
"Yes!" said Andrew, as he got up and shook his fist. More applause. "This is gonna be good!"
"Paladin Adria," said Crio.
Adria, the oldest Paladin, came forward with a smile of her own. "This is going to be awesome," she said quietly to herself.
When the Hat was on her head, it sounded more intrigued than it had with Andrew. "Hmm, unique. You are over forty, yet you have the heart of a child. I can sense great wit and originality in your personality, and you are very logical, as well. You are chivalrous, too, and have the nerve to take perilous chances. And you love your little son back home, with whom you play a lot, as well as take good care of him. But where to put you?"
"I want to have fun in this Quest," whispered Adria, "no matter how dangerous it is."
"Yes," said the Sorting Hat, "a unique trait for a chosen one. And it takes wit and individuality to have fun among the typical collective who take adventure too seriously. So I say… RAVENCLAW!"
Adria opened her mouth and gave a gaping smile, looking up as the Hat was removed from her head. She, too, was cheered on by the others.
"I always have said that it would be wonderful, living out the games I play at home," she said. "And now, I have my chance. FOR EVEREALM!"
Crio and the others laughed. "That is certainly witty, Paladin," Crio said.
Adria grinned again. "And all of you are going to underestimate my worldly, Ravenclaw knowledge that will teach me everything there is to do in this Quest!"
To be continued...
