Why one belongs in Gryffindor

[slgazit]

No: HPFGUIDX 82525

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Aesha Malikah Takreem 
Williams" <a_williams1 at p...> wrote:
> I would argue that Dean, Hermione, Colin and Dennis are brave just 
> for stepping out of a world they've known for 11 years and jumping 
> into one they knew nothing about!

Except that this applies equally well to Justin Finch Fletchly (hope 
I spell his name correctly) of Hufflepuff or to Penelope Clearwater 
of Ravenclaw. I am sure there are several others.

I don't think there is enough data to answer the question. Surely 
Luna Lovegood (Ravenclaw) has shown more courage than many of the 
Gryffindors. My guess is that the determining criterion when there is 
no clear differentiator is what the student wants (or does not, as 
was the case for Harry who was put in Gryffindor, against the Sorting 
Hat preference for Slytherin, because he (Harry) did not want to go 
to Slytherin). Hermione says already on the train in SS/PS that she 
wants to be in Gryffindor, so I imagine that was the determining 
factor in her case. It would fit well with JKR's philosophy that it 
is our choices that really determine who we are.

Salit