[HPforGrownups] Sorting Hat, was Re: Hagrid in Slytherin??? & in defense ...

[JamiDeise at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 20291

In a message dated 6/6/2001 12:45:01 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
joym999 at aol.com writes:

<< I dont 
 think the Sorting Hat places people in the various houses because of 
 their predominant personality traits.  If so, it would have placed 
 Hermione in Ravenclaw.  I think the Sorting Hat places people 
 according to what, deep in their hearts, each person values and 
 admires the most.   >>


Most people have a combination of all the traits about which the Sorting Hat 
sings. I believe it makes its decision based on which trait will trump at 
decisive moments. We all know Hermione is brilliant. But almost all of the 
time, when faced with a choice, she goes "brave" over "smart" ... lying for 
Harry and Ron over the troll incident in PS/SS, confronting the basilisk 
herself in CoS, etc. etc. The "smart" decision would have been to tell a 
teacher. Likewise, Neville, while definitely a klutz and still coming onto 
his own as a wizard, in PS/SS alone tries to warn Harry about Malfoy, and 
then stop the three from sneaking out of the tower. He is definitely very 
brave! Likewise, in CoS, Harry and Ron fly a car to Hogwarts when they can't 
get through the barrier. Why didn't they just send an owl? "Brave" truimphs 
over "smart."

The Hufflepuffs are "just, loyal and true," according to the Hat in PS/SS. In 
PoA, Cedric wants to play the game over when he catches the Snitch after 
Harry falls off his broom. In GoF, he refuses to beat a hobbled Harry to the 
Cup. 

And those cunning Slytherins use any means to achieve their end. In GoF, 
Malfoy is turned into a ferret when he tries to attack Harry when his back is 
turned. 

I don't know enough about any of the Ravenclaws, except to say that right now 
I'm wondering why Percy wasn't placed in this house. Haven't seen him do 
anything brave yet. Perhaps that's forthcoming.

Jami