CHAP. DISCUSSION: CHAP 11 The Sorting Hat's New Song

[Arya]

No: HPFGUIDX 90829

 "kiricat2001" <Zarleycat at a...> posed these questions:
> 1.	How *does* the Hat get its information?  Is it unbiased or is 
> it a Headmaster mouthpiece?

I think the fact that the Hat has long been around weel before Dumbledore 
precludes it from being his 'mouthpiece'.  I'm thinking there is a certain 
sentinece to it.  It's got knowledge from way back in the Founders' days and I 
think it continues to soak up a bit of all that goes on about it.  
And for what it's worth, I think we'll see another primetime appearance from 
the Hat like in CoS.  It, like the Sword of G-dor, are Godric's relics and I think 
they have a role to play in coutering the Heir of Slytherin.  Again.

> 3.	What does the Hat do with a pureblood child who is brave, 
> cunning and intelligent?  Is this child a Hufflepuff?

Er, you mean like Hermione?  She went into Gryffindor.  
I'd say it comes down to which of these traits they themselves hold most 
prized.  What, among these traits, would they aspire to be?  I think when the 
Sorting Hat told Harry he could be great, it was tempting Harry with that 
greatness to test if to what extent the ambition of Slytherin was in him.  And I 
do think Harry could have 'done well in Slytherin'....*if* Harry was tempted by 
'being great'.  

> 4.	Throughout the series the Hat has used one or two key words 
> to illustrate the main trait of all the houses, except Hufflepuff.  
> They have been described as loyal, just, patient and hard-working.  
> In OoP, Hufflepuffs don't receive a single adjective. They are 
> simply "the rest." Is JKR short-changing the Huffs, or will they end 
> up being the glue that holds Hogwarts together?

I think the OotP song gave us at least a new descriptive to be implied--
TOLERANT.  They're not exclusive in choosing who is worthy.  This, I 
definately feel, is a major plot thread to be played out.  (From muggles/
muggleborns/werewolves/giants/Slytherins...etc.)

> 6.	Some of the teachers are clearly annoyed, perturbed or 
> irritated at Umbridge.  What do you suppose Snape's reaction was, 
> whether it reflected in his expression or not?

Sneering, no doubt.  

> 8.	Was there anything Harry could have said to Seamus to ease 
> his discomfort without making an already tense situation worse?

Definitely.  Seamus was not rude at all (he asked for Harry's side of what 
happened at the end of GoF hesitantly) until Harry snapped at him and 
Seamus reacted to Harry's comment about his mother.  I think Seamus was 
obviously not set against Harry before this--only wary.  He asked a very valid 
question.  Unfortunately, Harry was a bit tetchy and yeah, he should have 
been expecting to have to explain this to people.  I think Hermione or Ron 
(Herm more so because she's the one who sees more clearly how people are 
thinking) could have warned Harry and gotten him used to the idea that he'd 
be asked about this before they returned to Hogwarts.  

Just my thoughts....
Arya