[HPforGrownups] Sorting and Choice (was:Snape's reaction to Harry in Slytherin )

[bufo_viridis at interia.pl]

No: HPFGUIDX 93376


> Dharma writes:

> Often arguments about the Hat's interpretation of Harry strengths are 
> pursued without reference to the fact that the Hat is enchanted to 
> find out which students fit best where, not to exercise its own 
> will.  If it went about placing students in houses they would 
> actively choose not to be part of, would it really be doing it's 
> job?  How good of a match could Harry have been to other students in 
> Slytherin house, if he'd already decided he did not like them or what 
> their house stood for?  He was prejudiced to the idea before putting 
> the Hat on his head.
> 
> The fact that Harry chose not to be a Slytherin is ignored by many 
> people as it relates to the Hat's enchantment.  The Hat is obligated 
> to try to place students as they best meet the criteria of the 
> founders.  Harry's personality had to be a good match for Godric's 
> and Salazar's criteria, or neither would have been an option.  But, 
> since Harry had not prejudice against Gryffindor house, is it not a 
> better match the Slytherin?

I repost here my opinions from FA, since they sum up my thoughts on the subject.

I guess the Hat first examines the personality traits, balances them and chooses. Now, how many eleven years old have good idea of their own potential? Very few. So if they were chosing their Houses, they would most probably go after parents advice or gossip, etc. If we were the students, looking through the boards, ratio would be something like this: 
G 50% - R 30% - S 15% - H 5%.
This won't work well at all.
Actually if it was not for rather prejudiced Hagrid's remark, Harry wouldn't oppose his Slytherin appointment so vehemently.

So Hat reverses his (ok, I treat him as a male being; named Boris) idea if a kid has strong enough will - which is also not very common - to argue with the Voice of Authority Presented In Solemn and Stressfull Situation. 
E.g. I am pretty sure Neville didn't argue with Hat - so the Hat used his power to check his potential - definitely potential, not the abilities at the very time. 

Second possibility is that he does not reverse his choices as much as he uses kid's choice to topple the scales in very balanced situations. If (s)he fits well here or there, why not play long? It'll only makes the kid happier. 

It also protects the children of being pushed into wrong Houses by parents, eager for their prodigy to follow their steps. But, since most of the personality traits are learnt from the parents, it's not surprising we have "House dynasties".

Cheers, Viridis
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