Hey everyone,
Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re going to be discussing one of the staples of Hogwarts- the sorting hat.
The sorting hat at Hogwarts is first introduced to students at the sorting ceremony- a riteof passage where students are assigned to the house that will be their family for the duration of their time spent at the school.
The role of the sorting hat is simple: Assign hogwarts students to their houses. There are four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, and each of these 4 houses value different qualities in people.
The hat is a sentient being that originally belonged to Godric Gryffindor. Before being sentient however, it was just a regular hat- then it was enchanted by Godric and the other 3 founders of Hogwarts: Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff & Salazar Slytherin.
It has been speculated that the hat has a tendency to place students in houses based on the qualities they value, and not necessarily the qualities that they actively personify. Additionally, the hat can detect nascent qualities in a student, and generally places them in the House that will challenge them the most, putting their character to the test.
But one thing that I’ve often asked myself is- is it possible to BEAT the sorting hat? Since it uses legilimency, are you able to influence the decision that the sorting hat ultimately makes? Or is it left entirely up to the hat? Pottermore gives us a little more info on this:
The Sorting Hat is notorious for refusing to admit it has made a mistake in its sorting of a student. On those occasions when Slytherins behave altruistically or selflessly, when Ravenclaws flunk all their exams, when Hufflepuffs prove lazy yet academically gifted and when Gryffindors exhibit cowardice, the Hat steadfastly backs its original decision. On balance, however, the Hat has made remarkably few errors of judgement over the many centuries it has been at work.
So, the hat is stubborn- and IT knows best, this leaves little room for the hat to consider what YOU want, or where you feel YOU fit. This means that no, you cannot influence the hats decision in any way. I would imagine that if you were an older witch or wizard, and practiced occlumens, then you could somewhat influence the hat’s decision (since it uses legilimency)- but I’m willing to bet that no brand new students at Hogwarts are experienced occlumens’.
Additionally, there are several indicators from the text which seem to suggest that once the hat has made its decision, there is no available recourse. First, when Ron discusses what he would do if he were sorted in to Slytherin:
"I always knew Salazar Slytherin was a twisted old loony," Ron told Harry and Hermione as they fought their way through the teeming corridors at the end of the lesson to drop off their bags before dinner. "But I never knew he started all this pure-blood stuff. I wouldn't be in his house if you paid me. Honestly, if the Sorting Hat had tried to put me in Slytherin, I'd've got the train straight back home....”
And next, when Draco discusses his recourse if he were somehow sorted in to a house other than Slytherin:
"Well, no one really knows until they get there, do they, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been – imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
Since both boys mention ‘leaving’ the school altogether, this tells me that once the hat has made up its decision, there is no turning back. That is your house- whether you like it or not.
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