by Allison
Note: This was written for a role play. It is the house welcoming speech by an RP character, Devin Kadlo, who is a Hufflepuff in his seventh year. (Seating info: Devin was given permission to head into the common early as to push all the couches and chairs turned towards and against the walls, leaving the floor to be the only seating area.)
return to essay menu
".. First years, if you would, take a spot up front.. Give me some prowlin' space though. Yeahh.. that's right.. the floor."
Ah, starting was always the most difficult part. ".. Bravery.. Cunning.. Witt." A pause. "Suppose those all sounded more attractive then where you ended up, mmm?" Face drawn.
"But Dear Hufflepuff, you are a breed apart. And in each of you.. In each of us.. Lay something rare… Lay something.. unique.. But easily over looked. It isn't something each of YOU.. needn't search very far to find. It is nothing you've yet to discover. In fact.. it isn't anything you stumbled along at all.. And it is something our other three houses find alack and need to grow… Not you though.. To you, inborn. Dear Hufflepuff.. You've had what so many seek all along.. But could never fully obtain." He spoke in riddle on purpose of course, to hook and sink the attention of his listeners, whose faces he scanned slowly, meeting eye for eye as if he'd next words could be found there.. And they certainly could be.
"No.. It isn't one quality. Tis a number.." His lips came together and his jaw balled and the silence that followed seemed to be a final one, rather.. "Faith." Abrupt. Timber boomed effortlessly as he continued the slight pace; with face turned to his humble and most noble company.
"Redundant.. or.. Perhaps not.. for I hadn't known it when I first arrived.." His chest expanded a tad notably for his breath was deep, sudden but silent preparing him for his continuance. "So many a year ago had this school been found. Rowena Ravenclaw sought only the keenest of minds. While intellect honorable, where did it leave empathy? Godric Gryffindor pined only those with hearts who told of courage, like his own, ruled pure on pride and the same emotion lacked by the house mentioned prior.. Where did that leave the Just? Who placed the welling being of others above their own being and took time to seek the answer that'd best suit all instead of those in their direct favor. The Lion, he is fickle. At least his intentions were pure though. "Two remain.."
The lines about his eyes seemed to have deepened, with mouth a tad agape, bracing himself for the next bit. "Slytherin saw the world and its inhabitants with eyes far more narrow. Who wanted for but one. Those who found satisfaction in corner cutting and those whose blood was purest found a haven under his wing. But where.." Lips bottom lip was momentarily tucked in as so his tongue could moisten before he continued. " Where did that leave the hard worker? Who found self ratification with what they earned, no matter if the quality was poor, it was by their hand that it had been achieved. Equality was a laugh, and equality is a virtue of the Just. Ambition, powerful, good and well in small dosages. But tell me, with a being who is over run with it, where does his loyalty lie? Loyalty to that man, and I use the term 'man' in the general sense to imply BOTH.. sexes.. did not exist, for the one he loved just days ago would be replaced with a new that would better further him. Where was the home for the loyal then?" The corner of plush slabs went to a faint upturn, that perhaps only the first year seated close by could catch. Or by those who knew his face all too well.
"We're left with one now, aren't we?" And suddenly, that smile could no longer be repressed, immediately it spread to his oculars and he had to wait for it to pass before he could continue. ".. That leaves us with, yes, the fourth and final Madam Helga Hufflepuff. A woman whose heart so large could not put restriction on those she nurtured. Blood? That word hadn't been in her vocabulary, I suppose." Temporarily had his attention been caught by on particular first year who sat with a certain something stirring, burning within her eyes. And once again his gaze had been lifted and directed about the "Set" once again. "For she had Faith. A very.. very.. special brand of it that can only be found in those who were TRULY.. daring. Faith in her fellow man. Trust.. in her fellow man. She saw, unlike her other three peers unfortunately, the potential that stir deep within every being. For a human is a truly amazing creature who can't quite be matched by any other in all their glory and complexity. But we're all linked by certain things that we indeed all share no matter your blood, no matter your sex, no matter you skin tone and no matter your sexuality." His voice had grown steadily sterner throughout, wanting direly for his words to sink in, deeply to the many pairs of ears about him.
"And all it takes.. Is some work. Certain things come effortlessly to others, and some it's much more of a task to achieve. But, to quote a man I greatly admire.. 'It is not the critic who counts.. But instead the man who is actually in the arena.. Whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood.. Who strives valiantly. Who errs and falls short again.. and again..' To work steady though, one must have another virtue. Patience. As long as you have a bit, it can grow and it something that can only serve you. Never regret the tolerance you own and for others, I can only promise you it will bloom.." Once more did his lips twitch to a grin and this time it stayed as he spoke. ".. This is what allows us to top those Ravenclaw, 'suppose. Cause trust me, arithmoblahblah doesn't come naturally to all. But it still can come if you care enough to try.. To dirty your hands a bit."
"Dear Hufflepuff.." he began once more.. "You are the future. You above all else will have the hand in progression, for you above all else realize more than any other.. How HUMAN.. we all really are. Taking a look at.. all these faces, I can guarantee we are by far the most diverse of all the houses. This will only strengthen us. There is more to learn , more to understand and more to adjust to. But what you are understanding is not just the words written in a book.. Or spoken by a professor, although, those are important as well. You will also strive to understand your fellow man, who you know so well already.. Because you understand.. that you are one as well. Stupid and obvious, no? No.. It really isn't.. Because.. Some.. A lot actually.. Aren't nearly as fortunate to grasp such a simple concept. Dear Hufflepuff.. You are the brightest jems for the future.. You are that yellow.. against the sea of black.." And for a moment his stare had drifted to a banner so proudly displayed dead center upon the wall directly across from him.
With a sigh so gentle, it hadn't at all been audible he continued. "But you must not forget.. Each of the other three houses have their worth as well.. And we alright live in unity. Equality.." A slight chuckle.. perhaps.. now they understood why he requested they ALL sit upon the floor. "The others sometimes dwell in quarrel amongst themselves. We, sometimes are guilty of such foolishness we.. ARE human after all. But I warn you.. Forgive. Because stewing in resentment shall only set our great house and our great school back two steps father than we had even reached. This does not make you a floor matt for all to wipe their feet across, please, please don't take it this way either. But you must remember.. The betterment of the whole is far more worthy than the betterment of a few.. And it is with that.. I ask you never to fear offering your hand to any in need of it." His breathing had quickened a tad.. That fist sized muscle that resided deep within his torso, snug safe behind rib cage fluttered uneasily. "It matters not what house they're in. Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Slytherin. If it is in your ability to help, please, I beg you do.. Madam Hufflepuff had and still offers her hand to all of us.. In house is one of a awesome opportunity. A gift, if you will. And selfish we are not.. Selfless.. Indeed we are.. I believe that was implied through out."
His closing lines marred with such a nature that was unmistakably upbeat, the same he began with. ".. So.. When you walk, you do it with your back straight and your head up. And Dear Hufflepuff, when you speak you do so calmly but firmly. Remember always that YOU are that yellow against the sea of black. The light the beckons all who wish to learn and all who crave betterment in the darkness. Just. Loyal. Patience. Faith. Selflessness. Effort. Compassion. And the amazing ability to make and find a friend in any corner of this vast world.. never fear to use this either, for it too can only help to strengthen you…These all live in the soul of the Badger. Yesterday, today, tomorrow.. An ounce of my pride belongs to each of you.. Welcome Dear Hufflepuff.. Welcome."
Beaming down upon the newest badgers he uttered for their ears alone, kneeling to be eye to eye with them. "'Sides.. A Gryffindor caught me fancy." A dry chuckle before he rose to his feet once more.. ".. Stage is open.. if any care to speak. You're all entitled to as much.. If not.. Might as well move the furniture back n'.. start exchanging names a bit better, Mmm? .. First years.. I'm open to any questions you may have.." And with that he stepped down rather meekly from the spot light he.. not so briefly owned.
return to essay menu
URL: http://www.hufflepuffpride.com
Please view disclaimer
site created February 4, 2004
last modified: May 26, 2006
