[HPforGrownups] Choosing Your Own House (WAS: Thoughts and Predictions-discuss (a bit long))

[Sherry Garfio]

No: HPFGUIDX 48500

Anne U wrote:
> Percy is wound soooo 
> tight, I'm almost surprised he got into Gryffindor (but he probably 
> got in because he told the Sorting Hat that's where he wanted to be). 

The idea of people telling the Sorting Hat which House to put them in has come
up a number of times on this list.  I just don't buy it.  I am convinced that
Harry is unique in this respect.  The Sorting Hat was indecisive about where to
put Harry; it never would have put him in Gryffindor if he didn't also have
Gryffindor qualities.  I think that the Hat's comment in CoS (something like "I
stand by what I said last year - you would have done well in Slytherin") was
meant to goad Harry, or to remind him that Gryffindor was his own choice.  If
everybody got to choose their house, then Hufflepuff would be pretty empty,
wouldn't it?  What 11-year-old in his/her right mind would *ask* to be in the
"losers'" House (which is the reputation it has, after all)?

I just don't see anybody but Harry getting a choice in the matter.  The Hat
simply reads their predominant characteristics and then Sorts them accordingly.
 The choices they make within that framework are what make each student unique.
 The only reason Harry got a choice (and it *wasn't* a choice among all four
Houses; it was simply a choice *against* Slytherin, after which the Hat chose
to put him in Gryffindor) is because of the ambiguity created by Voldemort's
legacy.  If it hadn't been for Voldemort's failed attack on him, the Hat
probably would have put him in Gryffindor without reservation.  There is also
the theory that has been proposed that Harry is heir to both Slytherin and
Gryffindor, which is only a theory, but it would also explain the Hat's
indecisiveness.

My guess is that Harry simply displayed the potential for both Slytherin and
Gryffindor characteristics, and both were predominant enough to qualify him for
either House, so the Hat allowed Harry's input rather than just tossing a
proverbial coin.

Sherry


=====
"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers."

      -Dave Barry, "Things That It Took Me 50 Years to Learn"

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