"Would" versus "Was"

[prefectmarcus at yahoo.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27447

The recent discussion about CoS has brought to mind something that 
has often bothered me.  It seems that many of us take the words of 
the Sorting Hat, "...you [Harry] *would* have done well in 
Slytherin." to mean that the Sorting Hat WAS going to put him there 
but was stopped because Harry requested not to.  The belief seems to 
be that Harry only missed getting placed there by his strong 
opposition.

Can we really say that?  It seems to me that while the Sorting Hat 
was having its internal debate where to stick him, Harry steps right 
into it with his strong opposition to Slytherin.  The Hat, IMO, very 
properly challenges him. 

One of the main themes in these books is the fallacy of prejudice and 
bigotry.  So here we find the main hero being prejudice against one 
of the houses.  The Hat, which is supposed to represent the 
cumulative wisdom of the founders, challenges that prejudice.  It 
points out to Harry that Slytherin DOES have good points, points that 
would be personally beneficial to him.  Would we expect less?

Thoughts?

Marcus