Why is Percy in Gryffindor?

[montavilla47]

No: HPFGUIDX 144611

> "esmith222002" <c.john at i...> wrote:
> > Shouldn't he be in Slytherin? Thirst for power? Abuse of 
> > power? Ability to befriend those in power? Lack of family 
> > loyalty? Attempts to divide family?
 
> Magpie:
> Slytherins aren't loyal to family?  Could have fooled me!:-D
> 
> I think Percy makes a perfectly believable Gryffindor.  He 
> rushes in to dangerous situations at times, and seems to 
> *think* he's acting in the right.  He also seems to like to 
> study boring subjects and work hard, which could put him in 
> Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff. <snip>
>
> Also, I think it's important to remember that one's house 
> doesn't mean that you always act on the things the house is 
> known for.  I'd bet that often if someone is the opposite of 
> something that's their house as well, because they're still 
> ruled by a devotion to that idea. <snip> But we do know that 
> Neville, who at first seems timid, is in Gryffindor--as is 
> another boy in fifth year who looks very scared that Harry 
> watches at the Sorting. <snip> Crabbe and Goyle appear to be
> the opposite of cunning but are in Slytherin.  Luna appears 
> to reject a lot of intelligent things (Hermione does seem to
> be right when she says Luna only believes things because 
> there's no proof), yet still seems to belong in Ravenclaw. 
> Zach Smith seems to have trouble trusting people and is
> naturally suspicious, but that makes him perfectly Hufflepuff 
> to me.:-)


Montavilla (Magical me!):

JKR has said that she based the Houses on the four elements: Fire (Gryffindor), Water (Slytherin), Air (Ravenclaw), and Earth 
(Hufflepuff). 

If you look at the elements instead of relying solely on the buzzwords of "brave" and "cunning," it might help explain a bit 
more what the Hat looks for in each student it sorts.  For this, 
it's good to look at a basic astrology book (as it also uses the 
four elements), or the Tarot (which bases its four suits on the 
four elements).

Fire:  Inspiration.  Energy. Rashness.  Action (not always well directed).  Think of all the forms of fire that exist.  They 
illuminate, they warm us, but they can be destructive as well.  
The Hat would look for charisma (flames draw attention), 
physical courage, powerful instincts, and probably independence.  
Percy had a certain charisma (even if the twins didn't appreciate 
it), he seems to have been a good prefect and Head Boy.  There's 
nothing shown to be lacking in his courage, and he's shown more 
independence *from* his family than any of the other children.  
It's not directed in a positive direction, but it's still there.

Water:  Emotions.  Sexuality.  Adaptability.  Mutability.  Water 
is cunning in that it can find its way around obstacles and 
through the tiniest openings.  It exists on our planet in solid, 
liquid, and gaseous forms, which makes it a very adaptable and 
flexible element.  For Slytherins, the Hat looks for people who 
can adapt themselves to various situations, moving always toward 
their own objective, and overcoming, going around, or otherwise 
bypassing whatever obstacles stand in their way.  It looks for 
strong emotional feelings that may or may not be apparent on the 
surface.  (Malfoy is emotional; Crabbe and Goyle do not appear 
to be, but possibly we just don't see it.)

Earth:  Steadiness.  Materialism.  Fertility.  Humility. Earth 
is the basis for everything we make or grow.  It nurtures.  It 
is humble.  Think of phrases like "salt of the earth."  Think 
of the solid permanence of rocks and mountains.  The Hat looks 
for consistency in Hufflepuff students, plus generosity, warmth, 
humility, loyalty.  These are all qualities that Cedric had.  Zacharias Smith doesn't seem to display much generosity or 
humility, but he is consistent. :) And, even if he challenged 
Harry, he wasn't the D.A. who betrayed him.  Also, he isn't 
going to base his decisions on abstract values, instinct, or 
emotion.  He wants to see, touch, and know what he's doing.  He 
wants Harry to tell him exactly what happened in the Graveyard--
not because he wants the thrill, but because until it's *real* 
to him, he can't commit to it.

Air:  Intelligence.  Transparency.  Vision.  The Hat looks not 
just for book smarts in Ravenclaws, but an inclination to think 
things through, rather than to go on instinct.  (Which may be 
the reason Hermione is in Gryffindor--she thinks more than Ron 
or Harry, but ultimately, Hermione makes gut decisions).  Luna 
is so completely in her head that you wonder if her feet even 
touch the ground.  It doesn't matter that her ideas are insane.  
She's the perfect Ravenclaw.  Also, Luna is transparent.  She 
doesn't bother to hide what she's thinking or feeling.  Cho is 
much the same way.  Maybe it would be smarter if she hadn't 
cried all the time she dated Harry, but she *couldn't* hide how 
she felt, nor could she play down her feelings for Marietta.  
Nor could Michael Corner, for the sake of his relationship with 
Ginny, hide his disappointment at losing the Quidditch game.

Now, I'm basically riffing on the elements here--so I could be 
way off base.  I'm sure you could find more information if you 
consult any basic astrology text.  The signs are grouped this 
way:  Aries, Leo, Sagittarius are fire signs;  Cancer, Scorpio, 
and Pisces are water signs; Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are 
earth signs; and Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are air signs. 
 (Incidently, Luna is not only a Ravenclaw, but a classic 
Aquarius.  I would have thought Snape a classic Scorpio, but 
JKR made him a Capricorn.  Go figure. And yep, Harry is the 
quintessential Leo.)

What I like about working from the elements is that it moves 
away from the good/evil paradigm we now.  Slytherins do have 
good qualities.  Or at least, they have qualities that can be 
used toward good ends, as well as evil ones.