Hermione's Placement

[malady579]

No: HPFGUIDX 43264

All regarding the original question:
>>Why was Hermione placed in Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw?<<

Some have suggested that the students are allowed to chose the house
they are sorted in and the hat generally concurs.  If the student who
is on the three-legged stool essencially is allowed to chose the house
thier placed in, then why use the sorting hat in the first place?
Just seems kind of anti-fanfare really.  These are 11 year old kids
now.  Would they really know enough about themselves to fairly place
themselves beyond hearsay.  If everyone got to be in the house they
wanted to be in, assuming they did thier homework like Hermione or are
from a wizard family and know about the house before McGonagall
explains them, then the houses would be very lopsided.  Some might go
with thier friends or family, others might go where that cute boy/girl
went, while others might want to be in the good quidditch team's house.

Since we are not told what the hat says to everyone, and no one but
the wearer hears the voice in thier head (which I feel the
movie-that-must-not-be-named really, really screwed up), then it is
hard debate how the children are sorted, but hard debated have never
scared me away from imagining wonderously....

Maybe in the case with Harry, the hat actually listened to Harry's
heart by way of his mind which was only to say not Slytherin purely
based on the fact he did not want to have the slightest possibility of
being a dark wizard.  Afterall, Slytherin was not always bad.  Just
elitist.  :)  Sorry to rake that arguement up again.  :P

Ok, the point of this is to get back to Hermione.  I disagree that she
"choose" to be in Gryffindor.  The sorting hat did not place Harry in
Gryffindor because he chose that one.  All he said was not Slytherin.
 So, I assume you can't go to the hat and say "hey, my dad was in
Slytherin, so I will be too."  Not done.  Malfoy is in Slytherin for
his own merits.  As also in Ron in Gryffindor for his.  Which brings
me to the latest post on the subject.

Marcus wrote:

> As to Herminone's placement, it is the same deal with all the other
children.  I have always felt that the hat essentially contains the
essense of the four founders.  When a student is being sorted, the
founders have a debate.  The winner gets the pupil.

 As many things as possible goes into placement.  Potential for growth
and friendships.  Size of placement so far.  Who's been placed
already.  The student's preference.  Personality type does play a
major role, but certainly not the only role.  ***cut*** I suspect it
put her in Griffindor because she admires  bravery and courage above
all else, and we tend to emulate what we admire. <

I like the idea of the founders debating.  Just the image of the four
founders at a card table playing poker deciding who goes where.
Godric has his sword on the table for a bet, Salazar's stroking his
pet snake, Helga brought her famous cookies, and Rowena's lost in a
deep thoughful gaze...sorry, got carried away with the
imagery...anyway...

I do see why the magical sorting hat would explore other ventures in
the student's mind.  Kind of like the Mirror of Erised tell the view
of thier heart's desire the sorting hat tells them of thier potential
in heart, soul, and mind.

The comment about Hermione at the chess board saying friendship,
courage, and bravery are the most important I think is the most
telling for this question.  In all her cleverness, book smarts, and
calm logic, deep down she knows where life reigns.  Really is the
crutch of the stories I guess.  What will you do and not do for the
people you love and love you?

Thanks to all for the help with the question.  I think I have found my
answer.

Melody
Still seeing Salazar in fuzzy socks and a Bloody Mary....hehehe