The real worst teacher at Hogwarts

[Jim Ferer]

No: HPFGUIDX 57077

Indyattic: "An earlier post suggested that Hermione was perhaps better
suited to  Ravenclaw. This post led me 'round to thinking that perhaps
that the  McGonagall relationship is the very reason the Sorting Hat
placed her  in McGonagall's house, instead of the seemingly logical
Ravenclaw."

Linda: "I think Hermione proved why she is in Gryffindor in SS; "Me!"
said Hermione. "Books! And Cleverness! There are more important
things-friendship and bravery and-oh Harry- be careful!"< The books
and cleverness that are so symbolic to Ravenclaw are not the most
important thing to Hermione and the sorting hat was able to discern that."

I think both ideas are good ones - Minerva [goddess of war] McGonagall
["son (sic) of the most valorous one"] is a union of brains and guts
herself, perhaps, and will understand Hermione very well.

But there's another possibility - a higher purpose.  Hermione might
find it out if Dumbledore ever gets around to having a tete-a-tete
with her. It might go something like this: 
[Fic fragment follows]
Hermione blushed - unusual for someone used to praise. "I suppose you
mean Harry, Headmaster," she said. "All I've done is help a friend who
needed it."  

Dumbledore looked back at her over his glasses. "Needed it indeed,
Miss Granger. But I cannot recall a student who was better suited to
render the help Mr. Potter needs, or who benefitted more from giving
help. Miss Granger, have you ever wondered why you were not sorted
into Ravenclaw?"  

"Actually I have." Hermione looked thoughtful. "Books, and cleverness,
and academics - I would have thought so. Do you believe I was sorted
wrongly? Is that what this is about?"  

"Oh, you misunderstand me." The twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes was
dancing now. "There seldom was a better Sorting. What does the Sorting
Hat do?"  

"The Sorting Hat places students in the Houses best suited to the
student's temperament and abilities," Hermione answered. She frowned a
little - wasn't this obvious? Where is he going with this?  

"Not exactly," Dumbledore answered her. "At least, not always. What
does the Hat say? 'Try me on and I will tell you where you ought to
be'. Ought to be, Miss Granger. Have you ever considered that the Hat
might take into account a larger purpose than the student under it?"  

Hermione's face reflected the confusion that filled her. "But,
Professor, you can't mean that I was put into Gryffindor... because of
Harry? He was sorted after me, how could that be? And the Hat almost
put Harry into Slytherin."  

"Even I do not know the limits of what the Sorting Hat knows, or how
it knows it. Or what the Hat sees. But the Hat does know, just as it
knew you. It knew that there was more to you than you knew yourself.
You may have been a Ravenclaw at heart then, but never a truer
Gryffindor now. The need and the person together." Dumbledore was very
serious. "You are not the same person as the day you walked in this
school. Among the great you will be, Miss Granger."