[HPforGrownups] Re: How Riddle Knew He Was A Descendant of Slytherin (WAS: Heir defined)

[Taryn Kimel]

No: HPFGUIDX 58897

Innermurk
Here's an idea, what if the Sorting Hat told him? 

Phyllis:
I actually did consider that option, especially in light of JKR's 
statement that there's more to the Sorting Hat than meets the eye.  
However, what gave me pause was the fact that the Sorting Hat was 
once Godric Gryffindor's hat, and given the enmity between Gryffindor 
and Slytherin, I suspect the Hat would not have divulged Riddle's 
Slytherin ancestry to him (assuming the Hat knew about it in the 
first place, that is).  Also, it's the Sorting Hat that Fawkes brings 
to Harry's aid in the Chamber when Harry is fighting against both 
Memory!Riddle and Slytherin's serpent, so I really see the Hat as 
being part of the fight against the evil Slythierin and Voldemort 
represent.

Me:
I'm among those who think that Salazar Slytherin was /not/ evil and that his ideals have been twisted HEAVILY by TR/VM. And, IMO at least, Godric Gryffindor sounds like the kind of person who would at least give someone that information and let them make a CHOICE on how to follow it. Being the Heir of Slytherin didn't even guarantee a person would take on ANY of Salazar's ideas.

I think the idea the Sorting Hat told him is very interesting, indeed.

--Taryn

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