The Sorting Hat doesn't sort /WAS The sorting hat seems to think Harry...

[delwynmarch]

No: HPFGUIDX 105802

happybean98 wrote:
> I think the sorting hat is simply "sorting" students by reading their 
> thoughts and placing them where they want to be placed.

Del replies :
Could be, but then there would be no need for the Hat at all. All that
would be necessary would be to ask the first-years in which House they
want to go, and put them there.

Moreover, considering the reputation of Hufflepuff House (a load of
duffers, if I'm not mistaken), I doubt many people would *want* to be
Sorted there.

And finally there's of course the problem of the Muggle-borns : how
are they supposed to make their choice ? Just by talking with other
students, like Harry did ? Sounds quite risky and downright
irresponsible to me : what if a perfect Gryffindor ended up in a
compartment full of enthusiastic Slytherins (not all of them are bad)
? Then he would choose Slytherin, even if his natural place was in
Gryffindor.

At least, if it's really what the students want that counts, I would
expect the first-years to receive an additional leaflet in their
Hogwarts letter, presenting them each of the four Houses, so they
could make up their mind in peace.

Del, who doesn't think Neville would have dared *asking* for Gryffindor.