The trouble with Neville

[Fred Waldrop]

No: HPFGUIDX 54611

imamommy wrote:
 
Doesn't it seem odd that Ron and Neville, who seem more loyal than 
courageous, and Hermione, who has cleverness in spades, were placed 
in Gryffindor?  I think they must be there to help Harry; I think 
also that they each will have further tests of courage to come.  
After all, the Sorting Hat is an impartial judge.  Does anyone have 
any ideas on this, or can tell me if it has been discussed before?

Mr. Ed replies:
 
That theory has a loose end:  Hermione was sorted before Harry was.  
Only if the Hat was playing with Harry about considering Slytherin 
(which is entirely possible) will that make sense.  Of course, Ron 
was sorted after Harry.


Now me, Fred Waldrop replies;

I don't know if this will answer your question (or if you will except 
this answer), but this is how I see it: 
(HP CoS page 333, US) "So I should be in Slytherin," Harry said, 
looking desperately into Dumbledore's face. "The Sorting Hat could 
see Slytherin's power in me, and it - "
"Put you in Gryffindor," said Dumbledore calmly. "Listen to me 
Harry". "You happen to have many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized 
in his hand-picked students". <snip> "Yet the Sorting Hat put you in 
Gryffindor. You know why that was? Think."
"It only put me in Gryffindor," said Harry in a defeated 
voice, "because I asked not to go in Slytherin...."
"Exactly," said Dumbledore, beaming once more. "Which makes you very 
different from Tom Riddle. "It's our choices, Harry, that show what 
we truly are, far more than oure abilites."
 
So, if it is the "choices" that one makes instead of their abilities, 
it really does not matter that Neville was a "Great Wizard" or "not", 
but that he had the Griffindor Want, for lack of another word, inside 
him. He wanted so much to be in Griffindor, the Sorting hat knew he 
would only Bloom proper in this house.
If you are put in a house you do not want to be in, even if you are 
better suited for it, you will not do well. What did Ron say? "If 
they put me in Slytherin, I would go back to the train." (I do not 
have the book right here, but it is close to what he said) And what 
good would it be to put someone in a house when all they will do is 
sulk and not even try?
Also, Neville shows bravery when he stands up to Crabbe & Goyle,
(chapter 13, pg 224) by himself no less(while Ron fought Malfoy)at 
the Quidditch match; "Ron snapped. Before Malfoy knew what was 
happening, Ron was on top of him, wrestling him to the ground. 
Neville hesitated, then clambered over the back of the seat to help." 
<snip> "She didn't even notice Malfoy and Ron rolling around under 
her seat, or the scuffles and yelps coming from the whirl of fist 
that was Neville, Crabbe, and Goyle."
Another example of Nevilles courage is when he stood up to HHR, when 
they went to stop Quirrel/Voldermort. 
And Ron shows great courage when he is willing to sacrafice himself 
during the chess game when HHR went down the trapdoor to stop 
Quirrel/Voldermort also.
So, maybe they do have some of the stuff needed to be in  Gryffindor.

Fred