Things that you wish were in the Harry Potter novels

[rtbthw_mom]

No: HPFGUIDX 192043



--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Geoff" <geoffbannister123 at ...> wrote:
>

> 
> Andy:
> > > This is kind of a difficult one. There's probably no notably "good"
> > > Slytherin because that is the house where that sort of person is sorted
> 
> Geoff: 
> How do you square that with the Sorting HAt wanting to put
> Harry in Slytherin?
> 
> OK, he turned it down but suppose he hadn't?
>

Pat:

First, I want to make certain you understand that I feel there are definitely "good" Slytherins. Having said that, I'd like to address Geoff's question. I have always felt that the Sorting Hat wanted to put Harry in Slytherin because it sensed what no one knew at that point - that Harry's scar was a repository for part of Voldemort's soul. And sensing that that was in Harry was the stimulus for wanting to put Harry in Slytherin. But I totally admit that this is only my opinion. The Sorting Hat actually sees *this* in Harry's head:

"Hmmm," said a small voice in his ear. "Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes -- and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting. . . . So where shall I put you?"

Whereupon Harry thinks, "Not Slytherin. . . " and the Sorting Hat continues -

"Not Slytherin, eh?" said the small voice. "Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that -- no? Well, if you're sure -- better be GRYFFINDOR!" (PS/SS Ch. 7, The Sorting Hat, p. 131, American edition)

So there are no "Slytherin" traits mentioned, at least not the things the Sorting Hat mentions later in its songs in subsequent books. 

My two cents worth - again, I feel it was sensing the part of Voldemort that was in Harry, and thus the attempt to push him into Slytherin. 

Pat