Is the Soritng fair?

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 88733

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tlpbupu" <tlpbupu at h...> wrote:
 
> Tlpbupu:
>   I didn't even think about the houses being "quartered" until I 
> read this post, but it got me thinking.  If each year is quartered 
> then the students at the end of the alphabet are basically put into 
> what ever house needs spots filled. 

<snip>
 
> I just don't think that it seems 
> right that the children who get sorted last are just used as 
> fillers. I just took a look at Harry's sorting and just to 
> contradict myself, there are I count 5 male Gryffindors, 5 male 
> Slytherins (assuming that Nott is in Slytherin since there is a 
Nott 
> who is a DE - father?) there are not enough people left in his year 
> to make 5 male Hufflepuffs or Ravenclaws.  Now I am confused. Any 
> thoughts?

Geoff:
(1) Why assume that if some people are used as fillers, they are the 
folk at the end of the alphabet anyway?

Folk have pointed out in the recent past that the Hat seems to look 
at students and consider their possibilites, taking into account that 
a new pupil may carry qualities which would fit more than one house - 
it has been postulated that Harry could have been a good Slytherin, 
that Neville might have fitted quite happily into Hufflepuff. I 
remember having a discussion with a teacher when I was about to enter 
the Sixth Form as to whether I should follow Maths and Science or 
consider languages as I have a fairly natural ear for them. These are 
in some ways diametrically opposed choices. (I went for Maths etc 
because I could see better career prospects at the time). If the Hat 
is sentient, it must know how many pupils are entering. It may not 
quarter exactly. An odd one or two extra will not incredibly upset 
the balance and it can be redressed at a later date.

(2) In message 83113, I mentioned the Sorting Ceremony in PS because 
someone pointed out that Goyle wasn't mentioned and a second 
contributor suggested that there were about 40 new pupils. I wrote in 
that message:

"Crabbe isn't mentioned either. But, come on folks, let's be 
reasonable. If I count correctly, there are 22 names mentioned in
the Sorting Hat piece. There are things going on, people applauding,
Harry worrying in between. Haven't you ever been in a situation
where a list is being dealt with and your attention wanders for a
moment and you miss a name or an item?"