Sorting out the Sorting Hat haha

[n_longbottom01]

No: HPFGUIDX 143303

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "truthbeauty1" <rh64643 at a...> 
wrote:
>
>  There has recently been some discussion of the sorting hat as a
> horcrux. I have to say that I see this as a distinct possibility.
> Further, I would bet that there is SOME connection between the hat 
and
> Voldemort. There are several good arguments against this theory.
> However, I believe that there is plenty of good canon evidence for 
the
> theory. First of all, the hat has been tinkered with by all 4
> founders. Keeping in mind Riddle's obsession with artifacts of the
> founders, I do not see how he could leave the sorting hat alone. 
There
> is also the fact that this is perhaps the most protected wizarding
> artifact in all of Britain. Voldemort wouldnt have to take any extra
> precautions with the hat. It is already in Dumbledore's office. I
> believe that even as a horcrux, the hat would still have to serve 
the
> purpose it was originally designed for. The magic of those 4 wizards
> is too strong for Voldemort to interfere with. Not that he would 
want
> the hat to quit serving it's purpose of dividing the magical
> population of Britain. One final thought . In C.O.S, Arthur makes a
> very profound statement that is Italicized by Rowling."Never trust
> anything that can think for itself (if you can't see where it keeps
> its brain.)" ()=italicized I think that this is a fairly 
hypocritical
> statement considering that everyone in that room puts faith in an
> object that fits this description. Why did J.K.Rowling include this
> statement and why did she italicize it if is not important. I belive
> she is making a subtle hint here about the sorting hat, which 
figures
> very strongly into this story. If anyone has any thoughts on this I
> would love to hear them.
>

n_longbottom01:

The evidence you present makes sense, and maybe the sorting hat will 
turn out to be a horcrux... but I just don't see how this squares 
with what we have seen of the hat so far.  

If the hat is being controlled or influenced by Voldemort, why is it 
among the things that come to Harry's aid as he battles the Riddle 
Diary Horcrux in the Chamber of Secrets?  Would one of Voldemorts 
Horcruxes aid in the destruction of another of his Horcruxes?  Also, 
after Voldemort returns, the sorting hat advises the school to stand 
united.  Nearly Headless Nick tells Harry that the Hat feels honor 
bound to give such warnings... I don't think the hat would tell the 
students to stand united if Voldemort's soul piece was influencing 
its behavior.

These words of wisdom do cast some doubt onto the sorting hat: "Never 
trust anything that can think for itself (if you can't see where it 
keeps its brain.)"  But, I don't think this good advice from Mr. 
Weasly means that there can't be a good magical object.  I take the 
advice to mean that an object like the sorting hat is only as 
trustworthy as it's creators, and since you can't be certain of who 
created a given magical object, it is a good idea to be wary of it.  
Supposidly we do know who the creators of the sorting hat, and what 
their intentions were when they made it.  So, unless the hat starts 
showing signs that it has been tampered with, I think it is ok to 
trust it.    

Instead of a Horcrux!Sorting Hat, I would rather see the Sorting Hat 
take on more significance on the side of the good guys.  I'd like to 
see Harry armed again with Gryffindor's sword, wearing the Sorting 
Hat, with Fawkes at his side.  Plus, the Sorting Hat might be able to 
offer some suggestions about what the other founder related Horcruxes 
might be.

--n_longbottom01