OOP:Sorting and the Sorting Hat (Was: Re: OOP: Zacharias Smith)

[M. J. Pascual]

No: HPFGUIDX 65043

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "jmgarciaiii" <jmgarciaiii at y...>
wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "andromeda7_4" 
> <75211.522 at c...> wrote:
>  
> > Well, this helps my theory that the Sorting Hat reads emotions,
and 
> > not minds-  and that the whole Sorting process comes down to
personal 
> > inclination.
> 
> I am struck by the fact the SH wanted to put HP into Slytherin, 
> especially since HP is considered to be a half-blood. Did this 
> strike anyone else as a bit unusual?
> 
> -Joe in SoFla

Not especially, given that Big V was Slytherin and half-blooded.
It's been my view that the Sorting Hat takes into account numerous
qualities that the Founders were looking for in their students,
and the lack of any single quality was not enough to disqualify
them.

As Dumbledore points out, Harry possesses many of the qualities
that Slytherin are known for.  Ambitious.  Willingness to assert
his agenda over any rules.  Parseltongue.  Let's not forget a
talent to back it all up.  Harry's character, however, made him
an ill choice for Slytherin, as he genuinely cares for others.
This last quality is a decidedly unSlytherin, as most Slytherin
presented in the books are ambitious for their own power.

On a tangental note, I'm wondering how many other students 
experienced conversations with the Sorting Hat where multiple
Houses were a consideration? Although speculated on this list
before that Hermione should have been in Ravenclaw, we find 
out conclusively that she was, in fact, considered.  We know
Harry was considered for Slytherin.  Does Sorting always come
down to personal choice (as in Harry's case) or does the Sorting
Hat have some other way to choose when there are multiple 
possibilities?

--Mark