No canon!! Re: Dumbledore in Gryffindor?

[sistermagpie]

No: HPFGUIDX 144593

> Ceridwen:

> No canon, of course, just my take.  But I think it could be 
supported 
> by Snape being both Potions Master and Head of Slytherin, which we 
> see in canon were both Slughorn's positions.  We don't know when 
> Slughorn retired, or at least I don't remember the cite.  But we do 
> know he was there at least through the Marauders', Lily's and 
Snape's 
> sixth year.  It isn't hard to stretch it out, that Snape took both 
> positions upon Slughorn's retirement, which is when Dumbledore would 
> have hired him on.


Magpie:

I wonder if there's also an alchemical connection as well.  We know 
Gryffindor=fire, Slytherin=water, Ravenclaw=air and Hufflepuff=earth.  
I think their traditional subjects maybe reflect that as well.  

Charms=air--this one isn't obvious but it still seems right that this 
is the "airy" subject of all the basics.  Neville's Gran even seems to 
view this negatively, that it's too light.  Or else I'm just thinking 
of Flitwick flying across the room when Neville is learning to Accio.

Herbology=earth--This one is a lot more direct.

Potions=water--Liquid--If there's one thing we know about Slytherin is 
that it's so much the water house it's got liquid coming out of its 
ears, be it Potions, water, blood or tears.

Transfiguration-fire--I believe fire is supposed to be the 
transforming element in alchemy.  It seems to fit to me anyway.

In general, I think we're meant to take Hermione seriously there.  It 
hink it was something JKR wanted to get in without making it a known 
fact that Hermione read, because that might make Dumbledore less 
mysterious.  I could be wrong, of course.  Hermione isn't always 
right, and this line of hers is sort of halfway between her guesses 
(which can be wrong) and spouting of exposition (which is usually 
right).

-m