If I were a sorting hat...

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 132175

"davenclaw" roleplayed Sorting Hat:
> 
> - Hermione: She says (I think in OotP) that she was considered for 
> Ravenclaw.  And while she's no coward (and I have a feeling that 
HBP 
> is going to showcase a particularly brave action), let's face it: 
> her over-riding personality characteristics are intelligence and 
> studiousness. I say, put her in Ravenclaw.

Finwitch: 

She's studious, yes. Why? To satisfy her ambition but more 
importantly, because she's afraid to fail. No - as much as she 
studies and appreciates academical knowledge, she's not really, deep 
inside, all *that* fit for Ravenclaw. A typical Ravenclaw, I believe, 
enjoys studying for the sake of studying... not Hermione. (they say 
it's the best...)
 
> - Percy: His priorities in life are:
> 1. Percy
> 2. Percy
> 3. Percy
> 4. Ministry of Magic
> 5. Percy
> 
> Not only have we never seen him act bravely, we've never seen a 
boot 
> that he wouldn't lick or a back he wouldn't stab to get ahead.  How 
> he got into Gryffindor, I've no idea, other than being a Weasely.  
> To me, Percy is all Slytherin.

Finwitch:

Well, yes he *does* have one quality that Slytherin valued. He's 
certainly ambitious. However, as Ron put it, Percy loves rules. He 
would not 'use any means to achieve his goal' even if he would (and 
has) sacrificed his family. And as others have pointed out, turning 
against his family, even moving out - it is brave.

> - Peter Pettigrew: I don't think we are ever told what house he was 
> in, but it was probably Gryffindor, given the crowd he hung out 
> with.  And it almost definitely wasn't Slytherin, which means that 
> whatever it was, it was a mistake: clearly, the Rat is a Snake.
 
Finwitch:

Snakes eat rats. Pettigrew has the Slytherin quality of saving his 
own skin first (rats ARE survivors), BUT of course, he definately 
lacks ambition. His lazyness, deviousness and disloyalty exclude 
Hufflepuff, and he seems to have been pretended to be stupid-- he 
doesn't fit. Besides, I'd say that cutting off ones own a hand IS a 
brave thing to do.
 
> - Neville: Neville is certainly developing into a strong character, 
> and I'm confident that the next two books will dispel any doubts 
> that he should be in Gryffindor.  But from what we know from books 
> 1 - 5, I'd say the preponderance of evidence suggests that 
> Hufflepuff is a better fit.

Finwitch:

Dear Neville is anything but a coward. To me, his bravery and 
chivalry are exemplary.

Courage is not lack of fear, it's about doing what's right despite of 
it. Lack of fear is called foolhardiness or stupidity - Neville is 
neither. Being someone who regularly faces his worst fears (Snape, 
flying, whatever) just to get an education, stands up to his friends 
(who have more skill and might than he does on top of that), 
confesses to writing the passwords knowing he'll be in big trouble 
for it etc. There's no need to risk one's life or break rules to do 
brave deeds. Not that Neville would hesitate to take the risk when 
needed -- he just hasn't hasn't seen the need until OOP where he 
fought by Harry's side in MOM against Death Eaters (and Neville 
certainly knows what they can do).

As I see it, if Neville's not brave enough to be in Gryffindor (as 
the inconfident Neville says himself) the house would have been empty 
since the founding of Hogwarts, because Neville has always, in every 
single book, done ALWAYS what he deems right despite of his fears or 
to avoid the upcoming unpleasantness - he only showed poor judgement 
in writing down passwords (a lesson he's learned now - never write 
down the secret unless you plan to reveal it)...

Now - I see Neville as the examplary Gryffindor - Luna Lovegood as 
the exemplary Ravenclaw as her desire and love of learning goes way 
beyond school-books and common opinions (no one's proven that crumble-
horned Snorkacks don't exist. Not that they do, either, BUT - it is 
not logical to assume without proper evidence. You get the evidence 
THEN conclude. Besides, I think that Lovegoods DO take the principle 
of assuming innocent until proven guilty to the heart). Besides, Luna 
did beat Hermione in a battle of wits... (I loved that 'Excuse me. My 
father is the editor') - and Hermione's very careful not to express 
her negative opinions to Luna... OR her attitude about her lost 
(stolen) stuff: 'never mind, they always show up anyway'. She's not 
spending her time freaking out over mere objects...

Cedric Diggory was the exemplary Hufflepuff (as Dumbledore said)... 

Now: who's the examplary Slytherin? Tom Riddle, a Malfoy (father or 
son, take your pick) or Severus Snape? Or Phineas Nigellus? Or have 
we yet to see this person?

Finwitch