Why Hermione isn't in Ravenclaw

[milz]

No: HPFGUIDX 6200

--- In HPforGrownups at egroups.com, "Susan McGee" <Schlobin at a...> wrote:
> Well, I was listening to GoF on tape today, and I had a thought
> about sorting.
> 
> We all have wondered why Hermione isn't in Ravenclaw because of her
> focus on scholarship and knowledge (You're the cleverest witch of 
> your age I've ever met..said Lupin). 
> 
> Chamber of Secrets
> "So I SHOULD be in Slytherin." Harry said looking desperately into
> Dumbledore's face. "The Sorting Hat could see Slytherin's Power in 
me 
> and it-----"
> 
> "Put you in Gryffindor," said Dumbledore calmly. "Listen to me, 
> Harry.... "Yet the Sorting Hat placed you in Fryffindor. You know 
why 
> that was. Think."
> 
> "It only put me in Gryffindor" said Harry in a defeated 
> voice. "because I asked not to go in Slytherin..."
> 
> "Exactly" said Dumbledore beaming once more "Which makes you very 
> different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what 
> we truly are, far more than our abilities."
> 
> I think we have all assumed that the sorting hat placed students 
into 
> houses based on their abilities. I would suggest that it places the
> students in part based on their abilities, in part based on their 
> characters, but that the final decision is based on what they truly 
> want. We have been confused because Hermione -- obviously an 
> outstanding student who is bright, is focused and works hard -- is 
> not in Ravenclaw. Well, deep down, Hermione values being brave, 
> daring and chivalrous over being smart -- hence she is in 
Gryffindor.
> 
> There is a big difference between people who want to be scholars and 
> those who wish to be warriors.
> 
> Let's look at Cedric Diggory. At the end of GoF, he turns his back 
on 
> the type of glory that Hufflepuff has not seen for...how many years 
> (when we think about how Harry's choice to share the glory with 
> Cedric ended in Cedric's death, we must also remember that it was
> Cedric's choice as well). Cedric looks pale, yet resolute. When I 
> read that the first time....I remembered..you might belong in 
> Hufflepuff where they are just and loyal......The hardworking 
> citizens belong in Hufflepuff....
> 
> So, my thought is that it's where the students really want to be 
that 
> ultimately determines their house placement.
> 
> What do others think?
> 
> Susan
> 
> (whose 3 year old son says every other day..I put you in prison! I 
> taking you to Azkeban!)

I have the tendency to think that Hermione's "smarts" are acquired and 
not inherent. In other words, she isn't "naturally bright". She is 
constantly studying, constantly memorizing. What if Hermione stopped 
studying as hard for once? Will her grades resemble those of the other 
Gryffindors or will they stay constant? Or maybe Hermione studies so 
much because she's a little miffed she wasn't sorted into Ravenclaw 
and is trying to prove the Sorting Hat wrong? 

Until we get a glimpse on the study habits of the average Ravenclaw, 
we can't really answer those questions, imo. And since the Gryffindors 
don't seem to have classes with the Ravenclaws, that might be 
impossible.

:-)Milz