Character Summary: Hermione Granger

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 15199

> 
> 3. Any new thoughts on why she was sorted into Gryffindor rather 
than
> Ravenclaw?

One of the things a well-rounded education should provide is make you 
aware of and allow you to develop those aspects of your character 
which have gone hitherto unnoticed (or under-noticed) by you. I think 
that reason Hermione is in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw.  Hermione 
is a natural-born scholar, and she will always study relentlesly no 
matter where she is placed – be it Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Harvard 
Medical School, Podunk County Community College, etc.  In other 
words, what could Ravenclaw offer her that she does not already have?

As Penny points out in her admirable essay, Hermione has displayed a 
considerable degree of growth during her first four years at 
Hogwarts, in terms of her moral character, social maturity, and even 
in her attitude toward authority (which she is now willing to 
question, although she usually respects it).  Could she have achieved 
such growth outside of Gryffindor? Certainly, her friendship with 
Harry has led her to a many a "real-life" application of what might 
otherwise be mere classroom exercises. 

Hermione needed to go to Gryffindor because she needed to learn to be 
courageous. Or more properly speaking, her inner courage was latent 
and under-utlilized within her, and she needed to be in Gryffindor 
for her to become aware of this aspect of herself and develop it. 
Being sorted to Ravenclaw would probably have only augmented 
Hermione's bookish, introverted, and arrogant tendencies. Similarly, 
a student of high intelligence but rather lazy habits might be best 
sorted to Ravenclaw, in that the peer pressure would encourage his 
intellectual growth.

     - CMC