The Sorting Hat: Where does Tom Riddle belong?

[bugaloo37]

No: HPFGUIDX 46515

I have read the posts concerning Tom Riddle's house placement and 
wanted to put in my thoughts.  As I have made clear previously, IMO, 
freedom of choice and the consequences of those choices are the 
central themes of the HP series.  Having said that, I would like to 
go on record as saying that I believe Tom Riddle must have been in 
Slytherin house.  Here is my reason:  Tom Riddle calls himself and 
seems very proud of the fact that he is a descendent of Salaazar 
Slytherin.  Now let me clarify this:  I do not believe for one minute 
that the fact that Tom Riddle was related to Slytherin had anything 
to do with his placement in that house.  My believe is that because 
Tom Riddle wished to be placed in Slytherin house- he was.  This 
theory of mine complies exactly with what Dummbledore says to Harry 
about NOT wanting to be in Slytherin.  Dumbledore uses this as an 
example of how Harry and Tom are different.  IMO, the Sorting Hat 
would never place anyone where they did not want to go-since, IMO, 
the Hat obviously pays attention to the wants of the student - as in 
the case of Harry.  I believe-and JKR has hinted-that there is more 
to the Sorting Hat than we suspect.

bugaloo37-who believes that any student placed in Slytherin-including 
Tom Riddle and Draco Malfoy-never loses the option or the ability to 
choose to do the right thing.