Neville's Sorting

[Lupin_Lady]

In PS/SS, it says that the Sorting Hat hesitated with placing Neville before it placed him in Gryffindor.
It's been annoying me for ages. Can anyone think where else he should be?
I thought Hufflepuff as his magic is not great, but he is so brave, and he has been from the start.
In PS/SS he tried to fight Harry, was with them when they met the 3 headed dog.
He shows braveness again and again, the strength of the Gryffidors... so why did the hat hesitate?

[Nick]

Intelligence? Or maybe .. evilness?

[mirandam]

Hufflepuff would have been my choice for him too. I think maybe the hat see's that maybe his bravery and loyalty are there even if his magic is weak.

[Regulus]

Most people believe, as do I, that Neville not only is psychologically scared from his parent's insanity but that he may be magically scared. Someone may have put a memory charm on him to keep certain memories from haunting him (perhaps he witnessed their torture?) because he show signs of this. I have to assume that there are many a thread on this somewhere. I think the sorting hat is powerful enough to see through all this damage to determine that deep within Neville is a true Gryffindor.

[rotsiepots]

Where does it say that students in Hufflepuff aren't as skilled, magically, as those in other houses?

Besides, the Hat didn't hesitate it just took a long time to decide, as it did with Harry. The Hat was probably having a good chat to Neville about his Uncle Algie and his mum and dad and how they were all (probably) Gryffindor material too. That hat only comes out once a year so s/he/it probably makes the most of it.

[TheFifthMarauder]

Where does it say that students in Hufflepuff aren't as skilled, magically, as those in other houses?

Besides, the Hat didn't hesitate it just took a long time to decide, as it did with Harry. The Hat was probably having a good chat to Neville about his Uncle Algie and his mum and dad and how they were all (probably) Gryffindor material too. That hat only comes out once a year so s/he/it probably makes the most of it.

I think that's probably the case. Also, my theory is that every student has a say/chooses what house they will be in, like Harry did. Maybe Neville wasn't sure about which house he belonged in..?

[Puffskein]

Neville was very nervous so the hat might have spent a while calming him down. His Gryffindor qualities were quite hard to see at first and it might have taken some time for the hat to find his bravery. Hermione took a long time to sort as well - either because she was asking to be put in Gryffindor or because the hat had to dig out her courage under all the bookishness.

[Cat]

Besides, the Hat didn't hesitate it just took a long time to decide, as it did with Harry.


I agree. Harry is a blatant Gryffindor as well, but the Hat took some time with him.

I think, though it's ridiculous to talk about 'what if?', that he would have been a Hufflepuff if he wasn't a Gryffindor. No, not because he's a 'duffer' - will people get that out of their heads, Hagrid basically said that's not what they are, Cedric was a Hufflepuff and he almost won the Tournament - but because, although he's not very skilled at some subjects, he always tries his hardest to do his best.

[Jaenelle]

I think that the Hat weighs all of the issues before it makes a decision, not just the immediately apparent ones. Somehow it knows about Neville - probably because it lives in the Headmaster's office - and what has happened to him and knows that he can overcome his past with the right surroundings and influences. The Hat has hesitated before with deciding on a House, which is probably SOP (standard operating procedure), rather than immediately calling out a House, like with Mr. Malfoy.

[Mirtilla]

Hufflepuffs are good wizards, just look at Cedric, hew was an Hufflepuff however he was also a Triwizard Champion which means that actually he should have been a great wizard so I don’t see why it seems to be common knowledge that all the no talented people should be in Hufflepuff

About Neville, it’s open to speculation why the hat took time with him, it could have speak about his parents telling him that he has the same Gryffindor’s qualities, or perhaps the hat was insecure of the choice and so asked Neville where it wanted to go, a lot of things could have happened in that moment what we know for sure is that the hat could read the mind of whom is under its an answer his/her question, perhaps Neville *asked* only some questions, just like Harry did in CoS when he wanted to know why the hat wanted to put him in Slytherin, what we know for sure it’s that Neville is in Gryffindor and that he demonstrate his bravery. I don’t think that the choice is often so automatically especially if you have qualities from all of the Houses.

I don’t think that the fact the Hat took some time with Neville mean that there’s a mystery, it did it even with Harry however we can’t say he isn’t a Gryffindor.

I think, though it's ridiculous to talk about 'what if?',

Yes, you’re right there, we should ask us why Rowling write scenes in that particularly way or why Rowling chooses to write that scene because knowing that she usually don’t waste he paper it’s consequently that every each scenes are written for a purpose that could be more or less important.

Cheers,
Mirtilla

[Pegasus]

If Hufflepuff were for people who were talentless, it would be called "Squib house." We need Hufflepuffs in life to balance out the equation, just as we need every other house.
I'd never really thought so deeply about Neville before. Ooh, new angle--maybe it's time for another full five-book reread! Nah, not just yet--my kids are probably still recovering from the last one.
The Sorting Hat seems to take time with a lot of people--I don't think that either slow or fast is the norm--there was no hesitation with Ron, either, it wasn't just Draco. And people tease Neville so mercilessly that of course it bothers him. The only reason Hermione hasn't been bothered by it is because she considers the Ravenclaw hesitation a compliment.
I like the idea of Neville 's memory problem being a side effect of Memory Charms. Have you noticed how hard he's been working to overcome this weakness? I was so proud of him in OotP. A true Gryffindor indeed.

[OrbitingElle]

Where does it say that students in Hufflepuff aren't as skilled, magically, as those in other houses?

Didn't the sorting hat's song name all the good qualities the other houses were looking for, and they say something like "Hufflepuff will take the rest"?

I've always had the impression that Hufflepuff was for the students who didn't stand out in any other area.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by OrbitingElle
Didn't the sorting hat's song name all the good qualities the other houses were looking for, and they say something like "Hufflepuff will take the rest"?

Yes it said that but that doesn’t mean that Hufflepuffs aren’t good wizards or haven’t good abilities in performing magic, Cedric is the greatest example of this.

Mirtilla

[strwznbrry]

I kind of like the idea that the hat had a little conversation with Neville while he was sitting on his head. He probably did a little search like he did with Harry. The hat may have even picked up on Neville's kind of aggressiveness towards the subject of his parents. Maybe he had a little debate about where to put Neville or maybe he just wanted Neville to hear why he put him in Gryffindor to boost his esteem a little.

[phoenixsong]

Didn't the sorting hat's song name all the good qualities the other houses were looking for, and they say something like "Hufflepuff will take the rest"?

I've always had the impression that Hufflepuff was for the students who didn't stand out in any other area.I took this to represent Hufflepuff's fair and unbiased outlook, one that doesn't over-emphasize one or two personality traits to the exclusion of the rest.

Of course, Neville does seem quite fair-minded in this way, he seems rather unswayed by popular opinion, which might make him well-suited to Hufflepuff (as does his strength in Herbology), but I quite agree with Mirtilla that it is normal for the Hat to take some time to consider the placement of the student below it, which is only right: most people are complicated, and have a whole range of personality traits, strengths and weaknesses.

[strwznbrry]

In PS/SS the sorting hat says,
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true,
And unafraid of toilI can see Neville as being just and loyal look at the way he stood up for the house in the first book and he has to be patient and because he has to deal with himself messing up in Potions and stuff but he still works hard to do everything the best he can so yeah he does have some Hufflepuff qualities.

[GryffindorGr]

Intelligence? Or maybe .. evilness?
I dont know....Nick's reply sort of gave me some thought. :D

I can see how the sorting hat chats with Neville and how he is doing and coping (would the sorting hat know all the personal going ons in a persons life?)
Or...because Neville is always unsure himself, that the sorting hat took a bit of time because of his unsureness. Maybe, they argued back and forth and finally the sorting hat said, alright wise guy, go in Gryffindor!

In all seriousness, he is very brave and I think he has a lot of qualities in him that probably aren't shown to the rest of the world yet.

[gred&forge4ever]

I think that some characters are just stronger more blantant characters, like Draco. Neville, however, is very deep and does not reveal a lot of himself. This is evident by the fact that he did not tell any of his "friends" about his parents. Neville plays it close to the vest, probably due to his past. I do think however, that he is simply a late-bloomer, he became MUCH better at magic and did let his Gryfindor qualities shime through in OoTP. Watch out for Neville folks, slow but steady wins the race.

[padfootgrim]

i thnk he would have been in hufflepuff... but i thik the sorting hat realized his bravery so it stuck in in griffindor

[Cat]

I do think however, that he is simply a late-bloomer, he became MUCH better at magic and did let his Gryfindor qualities shime through in OoTP. Watch out for Neville folks, slow but steady wins the race.

Neville proved his Gryffindor qualities before then. He has to be brave, because of what happened to his mum and dad. You don't have to combat Death Eaters to be brave. There are tougher battles.

Of course, combating Death Eaters brought his inner self to the surface. I suppose that was necessary even for the fans because there are always people who can't understand subtle characteristics and wondered why, oh why, he was a Gryffindor.

*
I agree with Mirtilla and phoenixsong about that particular rhyme. I also think that line in the song wasn't entirely accurate - the Sorting Hat has said what Hufflepuff represents a couple of times before and it wasn't just 'the rest'. I don't think 'the rest' is a very flattering description, although I'm sure it was used with good intentions.

[mirandam]

Where does it say that students in Hufflepuff aren't as skilled, magically, as those in other houses?

I guess I should have explained further, I did not mean that Hufflepuffs magic was weak at all. I meant that Neville does have some of the traits for a Hufflepuff . He does seem loyal and true, but he also has a bravery in him that the hat saw. I also think his magic although weak then will become much stronger.

Besides, the Hat didn't hesitate it just took a long time to decide, as it did with Harry. The Hat was probably having a good chat to Neville about his Uncle Algie and his mum and dad and how they were all (probably) Gryffindor material too. That hat only comes out once a year so s/he/it probably makes the most of it.

No, the hat did not hesitate, but I think some people as Neville and Harry are more complex, therefore harder to place. Harry had Slytherin qualities because of Voldy, but Harry said "not Slytherin". So the hat sorted to the best suited house for Harry after that. Neville also has qualities for both houses, the hat may have given him the choice too, or the hat saw further into Neville than we know.

[springthing4]

hufflepuff does sound like the house for neville but hes in gryffindor so don't worry about it...i heard that there was going to be a switching of houses or something along those lines, in book 6, but i can't remember where i read it, maybe it was just at a rumor site,or maybe it was in a Rowling interview. but has anyone else heard about this?

[mirandam]

Not worried about it. Just felt I needed to explain what I posted earlier to not offend any Hufflepuff fans. I did not here anything about changing houses. That could throw a good twist on things, but I don't think it will happen.

[Puffskein]

Neville proved his Gryffindor qualities before then. He has to be brave, because of what happened to his mum and dad. You don't have to combat Death Eaters to be brave. There are tougher battles.

Of course, combating Death Eaters brought his inner self to the surface. I suppose that was necessary even for the fans because there are always people who can't understand subtle characteristics and wondered why, oh why, he was a Gryffindor.

You're right there, but it's been obvious that he's got some courage ever since book 1! He could stand up to his enemies (Draco) and to his friends, which not even all Gryffindors can do. Dumbledore spelt it out, and yet people still wondered why he's there! :huh:

[onetruegryffindor]

maybe neville expected to be in hufflepuff because of all he heard of it so when the hat spoke of gryffindor he was a bit taken aback. just a thought

[Marvolo]

Maybe J.K Rowling just needed a person of his personality.
In every plot there is a Neville. It is most likely there is no reason at all
for her to put him in that house.

I think Neville will be the person who will develop the most in the upcoming
books. You allready see this in book five. He goes to the
department of Mysteries and face those Death Eaters who totured his parents.
My guess is that we will se more of the "true" Neville Longbottom.

[Inkheart7890]

I think the hat might of put in Hufflepuff

[koli]

Well he obvoiusly is brave, due to how many times he's stuck by Harry, but that also desplays all that loyalty jazz that Hufflepuff prides itself on, however in the 5th book it says Hufflepuff would just teach whoever Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Slytherin woudln't teach... not really a confidence boost for them Hufflepuffs.

[rotsiepots]

Didn't the sorting hat's song name all the good qualities the other houses were looking for, and they say something like "Hufflepuff will take the rest"?

I've always had the impression that Hufflepuff was for the students who didn't stand out in any other area.

The Sorting Hat's song was this:

..."Said Hufflepuff I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same...

There's nothing implied about Helga Hufflepuff taking the "left overs", simply that she doesn't care to discriminate against her students. Slytherin only wanted pure-bloods, Ravenclaw only valued intelligence and Gryffindor bravery. Hufflepuff (bless her) said she didn't care who she taught so long as they were magical.

She had the right idea out of all the founders, in my opinion.

[mirandam]

Your right, it isn't a confidence boost at all for Hufflepuff. That was the last thing Neville needed was any less confidence than he already has. I believe each house looks for the one or two strong factors that makes them right for that house. If they don't meet any for Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Gryffindor then yes they go to Hufflepuff, but that does not make them any less of a wizard or witch. They just have different qualities.

[Pegasus]

Here here, Rotsiepots! Who would want to be in a school where everyone wasn't treated just the same? Come to think of it, usually people aren't treated the same, and that's part of why school can be so unfair...Enough of that train of thought. Anyway, isn't it great that one of the founders wanted to "take the lot"--don't all wizards deserve a Hogwarts education? I'll be quiet now:)

[Cat]

I've just thought of something about Hufflepuff.

The Sorting Hat contradicts itself in its descriptions of who goes into Hufflepuff. It says they're patient and unafraid of toil, then it implies they were not chosen for any characteristics at all.

But if Hufflepuff, the woman not the house, said she'd take anybody under her wing then she was a fair soul and she had to be unafraid of toil if she was prepared to teach anybody. So that's what Hufflepuff came to represent.

Salazar Slytherin favoured pure bloods, but now it's not only pure bloods that go into that house.

I think the Sorting Hat put its own spin on things. Or they put a spin on the Sorting Hat.

Maybe J.K Rowling just needed a person of his personality.
In every plot there is a Neville. It is most likely there is no reason at all
for her to put him in that house.

I think Neville will be the person who will develop the most in the upcoming
books. You allready see this in book five. He goes to the
department of Mysteries and face those Death Eaters who totured his parents.
My guess is that we will se more of the "true" Neville Longbottom.

He was already brave, a proper little Gryffindor, before he faced those Death Eaters. Of course there was a reason for her to put him in that house.

[Pegasus]

But if Hufflepuff, the woman not the house, said she'd take anybody under her wing then she was a fair soul and she had to be unafraid of toil if she was prepared to teach anybody. So that's what Hufflepuff came to represent.
I love that, Cat:) I have a friend who teaches Special Education in Elementary who would heartily agree.
However, I think I have a slightly different spin on things, reading through the thread: Some people are especially good at math, others writing, etc. Yes, they get noticed for their outstanding talent in one or two areas. However, those who are good at everything are the ones I've always envied. The one who has perfect grades, gets all the dates (has the good looks as well as the winning personality), excels in every endeavor. This is my picture of Hufflepuff. As mentioned before, picture Cedric.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by Marvolo
Maybe J.K Rowling just needed a person of his personality.
In every plot there is a Neville. It is most likely there is no reason at all
for her to put him in that house.

I think she had her reasons, an author has always his/her reasons is not causal how she characterizes a character or how she wrote a scene, an author has to have the character’s personality clearly in his/her heads, in this case Rowling decided to put Neville in Gryffindor, because perhaps Neville is someone that Harry needs, what I mean is that even Harry could have gone in Slytherin and Hermione in Ravenclaw instead these three becomes Gryffindor, though they could have belonged to other houses, it’s also interesting that more then once Rowling has put these three together, from PS/SS in the forest with Malfoy and again in the little adventure with Norbert, in ootp we’ve again the three of them together fight together, these are all quite interesting coincidences.

Mirtilla

[Pegasus]

Yes, Neville is an important figure, as we've seen from these instances, and I think we just got a peek of how important at the end of OotP. I just had a wonderful thought, put together by other people's comments I've read on various topics--Lucius Malfoy wends his influence around Ministry officials through generous contributions, including St. Mungo's. It has been suggested that Malfoy may be paying to keep the Longbottoms in St. Mungo's. This is very Matlock, I know, but what if the Longbottoms are somehow being kept in their state of mindlessness through some sort of nefarious scheme involving a well-placed healer and Malfoy bribery money? Perhaps involving Memory Charms. Then when the Ministry of Magic is cleansed and all the evil plots come down, Neville would have his family back again. (Am I on the wrong thread for this?)

[tiggs]

i know this may be far fetched but please bare with me this is my first post since i introduced myself but could niville have been considered for ravenclaw as he does excell at herbology or have i mistaken ravenclaws have to be brilliant in all subjects

[mirandam]

No, it isn't far fetched. I guess most people will have qualities that may fit them to many of the houses as Neville does. He is pure blood (slytherin), he is true (hufflepuff), he is smart in herbology (ravenclaw) and I am not sure if they need to be smart in all or some, and he is brave (gryffindor). Maybe the hat had to see what the strongest quality is in that person and place them there.

[Lupin_Lady]

Very well said Mirandam! I love it!
He does possess the qualities required to be in each house. No wonder his sorting took a while.

[GryffindorGr]

No, it isn't far fetched. I guess most people will have qualities that may fit them to many of the houses as Neville does. He is pure blood (slytherin), he is true (hufflepuff), he is smart in herbology (ravenclaw) and I am not sure if they need to be smart in all or some, and he is brave (gryffindor). Maybe the hat had to see what the strongest quality is in that person and place them there.

Maybe it's only a couple choices. I think Ravenclaw would be too far fetched for him if he's only good in herbology. You can have a good skill and talent at plants but if you can't hold on to concentrate on the other areas of the other classes, it wouldn't make up for it. I rather thought you'd excell in all areas, especially if you have a good detail in study skills and analysis (just like Hermione who was almost placed in Ravenclaw herself.) Although there's probably more to Neville than meets the eye and we're not going to find out till later. We've found that he has excelled a bit more in 5.
Maybe those choices he had were Slytherin and Gryffindor. Some here say because he's pureblood, yes, but so are many students at Hogwarts but they aren't all sorted in Slytherin. Maybe he had a bit of ambition in him but because of his outward personality he's withdrawn and afraid? There's probably a bit of want of power in him that as a person who's been teased and considered not likely to pass without some help desires power? But power in a way that is good, if that's possible to explain without the power that Slytherins in general want to achieve.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by GryffindorGr
Maybe it's only a couple choices. I think Ravenclaw would be too far fetched for him if he's only good in herbology. You can have a good skill and talent at plants but if you can't hold on to concentrate on the other areas of the other classes, it wouldn't make up for it. I rather thought you'd excell in all areas, especially if you have a good detail in study skills and analysis (just like Hermione who was almost placed in Ravenclaw herself.) Although there's probably more to Neville than meets the eye and we're not going to find out till later. We've found that he has excelled a bit more in 5.

:tu: on this I've to agree with you, I would only like to add that being Ravenclaw means that you've a smart mind, a brilliant mind not that you're good at studying, being good at studying it's only a consequence of your smartness, about Neville yes we've more to see about him, he has to become a bit more secure of himself, and I think that the Dumbledore's Army helped Neville in this. I don't think that Neville is ambitious I personally see him as a proud boy, and his proud of the things that he can do, I think that perhaps power is not what Neville want I tend to think that what he would like to have is respect something that not everyone shows to him (Snape is still humiliating him) and a bit more of consideration.

Mirtilla

[OrbitingElle]

The Sorting Hat's song was this:

..."Said Hufflepuff I'll teach the lot,
And treat them just the same...

There's nothing implied about Helga Hufflepuff taking the "left overs", simply that she doesn't care to discriminate against her students. Slytherin only wanted pure-bloods, Ravenclaw only valued intelligence and Gryffindor bravery. Hufflepuff (bless her) said she didn't care who she taught so long as they were magical.

She had the right idea out of all the founders, in my opinion.

That's just the impression I got at first. But I guess JKR couldn't have named specific traits for all 4 houses, because it would be unrealistic for every single student to fit one of only four traits. I think Hufflepuff just made it more convenient.

[Cat]

...because it would be unrealistic for every single student to fit one of only four traits.


Well, they don't for a start. Harry doesn't fit only one of them (Dumbledore even said that he has traits that are more 'Slytherin'). It's what you are the most that counts. You're never completely one thing or another, unless you're a very obvious sort of person like Draco.

And she has made specific traits for Hufflepuff. Read the Sorting songs in the first book and the fourth.

[Pegasus]

And Dumbledore also said that our desires have weight. Harry didn't want to be in Slytherin, so it was kind of a tie-breaker in his case.

[mr.berts'n'botts]

hah i think neville is awesome
and don't go ppl go around saying he doesn't
belong in gryfinndor cause he's not brave cuz he realli is
believe-it-or-not

[Pegasus]

Just a reminder...Not everyone at Chamber of Secrets speaks English as a first language. I'm not all that familiar with typical chat lingo myself. It's better to type more clearly--and in the COS guidelines.

[Snowangel]

Some people do seem to see the houses in very simplistic terms and tend to question poor Neville's place in Gryffindor. Bravery is simply the ability to face what you fear despite your fear. I think it's very clear that Neville is a very brave individual. Just because he can be clumsy and nervous (especially around Snape) doesn't mean he lacks bravery.

Also, people tend to associate Hufflepuff with those who don't have any abilities at all. That just isn't the case. Working hard and having loyalty are good qualities to have and the Sorting Hat did assign these qualities to those in Hufflepuff. But I tend to agree with those who think that it's really hard to put people into rigid categories and that no one can be that simply pigeonholed.

[Cat]

But I tend to agree with those who think that it's really hard to put people into rigid categories and that no one can be that simply pigeonholed.


That's why they need an all-seeing hat to do the job.

I think the idea of the houses probably started out with the fact that houses in posh schools or boarding schools tend to be attributed with different personalities - or so I believe, anyway, I've never been to a boarding school. So J. K. Rowling took that one step further and made houses that were defined by characteristics. I don't think the categories are rigid at all, they're actually both vague and complex, and it's impossible to tell how the Sorting Hat bases its decisions. There are many traits people have - I'm not talking about personalities - but they tend to be a small part of a big thing. If somebody based their lives around vanity, for intance, they would probably be in Slytherin because beauty is a very personal achievement and vanity is in the same sort of class as ambition. If somebody devoted their life to God, they could still be sorted into any of the houses, depending on how they practise their faith and live their lives. I think every person alive could be sorted into one of these four houses, even though it would often be rather difficult (and nobody said it was easy).

[LuckyPheonix]

I always thought that the Sorting Hat had the ability to look into the future, which I had always implied from the song. Is this foreshadowing that Neville will do something brave and heroic? I think Neville as a character has grown over his years at Hogwarts, becoming stronger mentally. He may not be smart, but it doen't take a smart person to be brave, does it? It certainly doesn't mean he can't make the right choices.

[Cat]

Is this foreshadowing that Neville will do something brave and heroic?


He's already done brave and heroic things!

Sorry, I just think the message needs to be emphasised by underlining and a bold font. If I could make it flash in different colours, I would.

[Jessica]

I'm curious if we're on the wrong track with Hufflepuff. Just to go way out on a limb - Harry and Neville were the two who could have been referred to in the Prophecy. Harry was almost put in Slytherin (I know, I know, the curse that failed but bear with me).

What if the Sorting Hat was considering Slytherin for Neville?

[Cat]

I'm curious if we're on the wrong track with Hufflepuff. Just to go way out on a limb - Harry and Neville were the two who could have been referred to in the Prophecy. Harry was almost put in Slytherin (I know, I know, the curse that failed but bear with me).

What if the Sorting Hat was considering Slytherin for Neville?

Why? Because he was one of the possible candidates of the prophecy for a while? That's not a reason to put somebody in Slytherin.

[Jessica]

No, of course not.

But his parents were very powerful aurors. And Neville has shown traces of that power. So why assume that it would have been Hufflepuff. If someone told you his dad had been considered for SLytherin would you have been surprised? Hufflepuff?

I just don't think we should underestimate Neville.

[Lupin_Lady]

No Neville is not to be underestimated, but I don't think that Slytherin comes in to Neville's sorting. Perhaps Ravenclawe? He is fantastic at Herbology, and good (as far as we know) in all other subjects bar potions, but he enen improved at that when Snape wasn't around in the exam.
His parents can't have been to dull to be great aurors, so it's plausible.

[Gandalf_the_White]

I think that what you need to look at is the people that were quickly sorted and those that were not. Malfoy and Weasley were very quick. Why? They were quick because they fit the criteria perfectly for a certain house. Now Harry, Hermione, and Neville took a long time because they have numerous strengths in them. On an exterior layer one can say that Harry is a Slytherin, Hermione is a smart Ravenclaw, and Neville is the Hufflepuff. However, the hat can see more than a human can. The hat knows that Neville has a seed of courage that just needs watering. Hermione is incredibly intelligent, but she also realizes that there is more important things than being clever and book smarts. I think maybe the sorting hat takes into account what one does in their most testing situation. Malfoy would be worried about Malfoy and try to escape. The 4 Gryffindor kids however I have a feeling would stay and fight until they couldn't anymore. I would be willing to bet the Ravenclaws would try to think their way out of the situation. I have a feeling Hufflepuff would use a little bit of all 3 of the houses.

[Lupin_Lady]

Gandalf, well put!

[Cat]

No, of course not.

But his parents were very powerful aurors. And Neville has shown traces of that power. So why assume that it would have been Hufflepuff. If someone told you his dad had been considered for SLytherin would you have been surprised? Hufflepuff?

I just don't think we should underestimate Neville.

You're underestimating Hufflepuff. Cedric Diggory was a Hufflepuff and he was a perfectly efficient wizard. He was chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the Triwziard Tournament and actually tied with Harry for a win.

You're saying he might have been a Slytherin because he has the potential to be a powerful wizard? Sorry, but.... what?! All the houses are equally capable of producing powerful wizards and witches.

[Snowangel]

I certainly agree that Hufflepuff shouldn't be underestimated. People certainly seem inclined to do that.

Cat, I agree that the categories that the houses embody are not rigid. However, many of Rowlings' readers seem to interpret the houses in this way.

[GryffindorGr]

You're underestimating Hufflepuff. Cedric Diggory was a Hufflepuff and he was a perfectly efficient wizard. He was chosen by the Goblet of Fire to compete in the Triwziard Tournament and actually tied with Harry for a win.

You're saying he might have been a Slytherin because he has the potential to be a powerful wizard? Sorry, but.... what?! All the houses are equally capable of producing powerful wizards and witches.
I don't think that Jessica was saying that Slytherin is the only place that can produce powerful wizards, and if I correctly assume what she is saying, it is meant that we should not underestimate Neville's position to want power. There's a difference in what each house wants. Slytherin admires those who want power and ambition and to acquire greatness. Hufflepuff can produce powerful wizards and so can the other houses but hufflepuff is not known for wanting power and ambition, slytherin is.
We will be surprised later on if JKR decides to place Neville in a situation in which will be something that is completely something that we never thought of. I'm sure the same would have been likened to Peter Pettigrew. I'm not saying that they are the same people but the qualities in both of them are very coincidental. And in the case of Pettigrew, I believe he really meant well and loved his friends but somewhere along the lines, something had happened to him and thus he made his choices. We can call that weakness or that he did it out of want of power. Whatever the case it's still their choices and then again, JKR gives us glimpses that their choices can also be taken away from you with the introduction of the Cruciatius and Imperius curses, even the most killing curse. Those things itself show us that choices to live are taken from them too.

[Mirtilla]

Originally posted by GryffindorGr
I'm sure the same would have been likened to Peter Pettigrew. I'm not saying that they are the same people but the qualities in both of them are very coincidental. And in the case of Pettigrew, I believe he really meant well and loved his friends but somewhere along the lines, something had happened to him and thus he made his choices. We can call that weakness or that he did it out of want of power. Whatever the case it's still their choices and then again, JKR gives us glimpses that their choices can also be taken away from you with the introduction of the Cruciatius and Imperius curses, even the most killing curse. Those things itself show us that choices to live are taken from them too.

Yes I’ve notice that too, however they are at the same time similar and different, what I mean is that from the few interactions that we’ve seen of Pettigrew and the other marauder, it seems that he was somehow the one that has always been left behind, and even they’re friends somehow laughed at him, there’s a passage I believe after the marauder’s owl that show that Pettigrew was a bit “ridicules” by his friends, with Neville is not the case, in fact only Malfoy’s gang and Snape ridicules him and have fun of him, his friends not in fact they’re very supportive of him and I think Harry shows very well what I mean, furthermore we’ve seen Neville in actions in DoM with Harry and Hermione, here he has shown his loyalty to Harry even if Harry wanted Neville to go out with Hermione, he decided to stand by Harry’s side and help him, if he would have follow Harry’s orders then I would say more similarities with Pettigrew because both of them would have follow the orders, the convenient way so to speak, Neville is one of those that has chosen more then one he right path, for example even in PS/SS he chosen to stop Harry from “going out in the night” even if Neville’s actions was disturbing for the Trio because Harry had to find the stone soon, he chosen what was right to do, keep in mind that he didn’t know Harry’s real reason of going out of the Dormitory and breaking the rules. However yes there’s are qualities that are coincidental.

Mirtilla

[Magda Quadle]

I've been thinking about this ever since the sorting hat's song in OotP. It speaks of the houses working together and needing to stand together. With Hermione talking about almost being in Ravenclaw, I figgured that Neville's conversation with the hat had to do with being in Hufflepuff. Then you have Harry almost in Slytherin. That leaves Ron as the only first choice Gryffindor out of the four. How many other students has the hat "rearranged?"

The symbol of Hufflepuff is a badger. Badgers are loyal to their mates and very ferocious when cornered and/or put in danger. I see both of these qualities in Neville. He sticks up for his friends (took on Crabbe and Goyle when Ron fought Malfoy). We also see a terrific badger like temper in the last chapters of OotP.

Mags

[GryffindorGr]

That would also be the same for Ron, Hermione, and Harry, having the qualities of loyalty and fervor to defend eachother and those who deserve defending.
Eagles are loyal to their mates for life, so are wolves, and there are many animals that are loyal to their mates and ferocious. Even the bluejay protects his family to the point of such bravery that it gets eaten by a cat. (I've seen this happened :( ) Serpents have tempers too, or rather they're just touchy lots who feel like they have to strike at anything that disrupts them.

There's no doubt that Neville is very loyal and brave but JKR either probably just wrote in the "pause" there to make us wonder what house he should have been in because of his interesting qualities that are different from the others or that there's really nothing to the sorting hats "pause", maybe it was just that Neville has a terrible memory so therefore the hat decided to decide for him. We'll never know really except that it decided in the end that it was Gryffindor he wanted.

[Cat]

Cat, I agree that the categories that the houses embody are not rigid. However, many of Rowlings' readers seem to interpret the houses in this way.

That's true. Especially the people who say 'Slytherin is for the evil people' and then blame J. K. Rowling on their own misinterpretation. Or when people think Hufflepuff is for 'duffers' when it has been stated and proved that this isn't so.


I don't think that Jessica was saying that Slytherin is the only place that can produce powerful wizards, and if I correctly assume what she is saying, it is meant that we should not underestimate Neville's position to want power. There's a difference in what each house wants. Slytherin admires those who want power and ambition and to acquire greatness. Hufflepuff can produce powerful wizards and so can the other houses but hufflepuff is not known for wanting power and ambition, slytherin is.
We will be surprised later on if JKR decides to place Neville in a situation in which will be something that is completely something that we never thought of. I'm sure the same would have been likened to Peter Pettigrew. I'm not saying that they are the same people but the qualities in both of them are very coincidental. And in the case of Pettigrew, I believe he really meant well and loved his friends but somewhere along the lines, something had happened to him and thus he made his choices. We can call that weakness or that he did it out of want of power. Whatever the case it's still their choices and then again, JKR gives us glimpses that their choices can also be taken away from you with the introduction of the Cruciatius and Imperius curses, even the most killing curse. Those things itself show us that choices to live are taken from them too.

Oh, I see.

But still I disagree. Neville has shown no signs of an ambitious nature - quite the reverse. He's a very modest, very easily put-down boy. Maybe he sometimes dreams of showing Snape or Malfoy up, of being able to do magic without messing up through nervousness, but that is not Slytherinesque ambition. Maybe he keeps a very ambitious nature bottled up inside but there's nothing to go on.

You can compare his personality's to Peter's just because Harry was reminded of Neville before he ever actually saw or met Peter. Neville isn't a tag-along. Peter, if you have to compare him to somebody, seemed a bit more like Colin Creevey when he was little.

Here's a thought - we might never find out what the Sorting Hat said to Neville. It might be just one of them things.

[GryffindorGr]

Yes, I know. I agree but still, the speculation is always going to be there when JKR writes something as a "pause" to the sorting hat. It's because of what happened with Harry himself and Hermione. Although with Hermione we dont really read a pause but the consideration that she was going to be in Ravenclaw was a quick beforethought but naturally she is a Gryffindor with stronger Gryffindor qualities.

Besides, its like I said before in my last post:
There's no doubt that Neville is very loyal and brave but JKR either probably just wrote in the "pause" there to make us wonder what house he should have been in because of his interesting qualities that are different from the others or that there's really nothing to the sorting hats "pause", maybe it was just that Neville has a terrible memory so therefore the hat decided to decide for him. We'll never know really except that it decided in the end that it was Gryffindor he wanted.

And when we compare him to Peter, its not to say that he will become like Peter, besides Peter was in Gryffindor too.
I think what the small implications would indicate is that perhaps Neville is inclined to be susceptible to being influenced and manipulated as what happened to him when he was under the imperius curse.

[Pegasus]

As far as the house the Sorting Hat "should" have put Neville in--that was obviously Gryffindor, because that's where the Sorting Hat did put him in. Isn't everyone inclined to be susceptible to being influenced and manipulated when they are under the imperius curse? Harry was the only one who warded that off very well, and he's the exception, not the rule. I think some of us are too hard on Neville.

[SilverStar]

I think it hesitated, thinking because he was so clumsy and stuff maybe he should be in Hufflepuff (although that doesn't make much sense) but then the hat found the bravery and put him where he belongs; Gryffindor.

Neville is going to kick some serious butt in the next books; he'll have his own wand instead of a hand me down; it broke in the DoM, remember?

[Pegasus]

Aah, broken wands...Don't they come in handy? (If you're Ron or Neville, anyway--if you're Harry, the whole world's in trouble!)

[SilverStar]

Aah, broken wands...Don't they come in handy? (If you're Ron or Neville, anyway--if you're Harry, the whole world's in trouble!)

yeah! Sometimes I wonder why people don't just summon wands and break them...

this is off-topic... :evil:

[Jessica]

I don't think that Jessica was saying that Slytherin is the only place that can produce powerful wizards, and if I correctly assume what she is saying, it is meant that we should not underestimate Neville's position to want power. There's a difference in what each house wants. Slytherin admires those who want power and ambition and to acquire greatness. Hufflepuff can produce powerful wizards and so can the other houses but hufflepuff is not known for wanting power and ambition, slytherin is.
We will be surprised later on if JKR decides to place Neville in a situation in which will be something that is completely something that we never thought of. I'm sure the same would have been likened to Peter Pettigrew. I'm not saying that they are the same people but the qualities in both of them are very coincidental. And in the case of Pettigrew, I believe he really meant well and loved his friends but somewhere along the lines, something had happened to him and thus he made his choices. We can call that weakness or that he did it out of want of power. Whatever the case it's still their choices and then again, JKR gives us glimpses that their choices can also be taken away from you with the introduction of the Cruciatius and Imperius curses, even the most killing curse. Those things itself show us that choices to live are taken from them too.

I just wanted to thank GryffindorGr for explaining my ideas better than I did :)

[Masterfroggy]

Yes, I know. I agree but still, the speculation is always going to be there when JKR writes something as a "pause" to the sorting hat. It's because of what happened with Harry himself and Hermione. Although with Hermione we dont really read a pause but the consideration that she was going to be in Ravenclaw was a quick before thought but naturally she is a Gryffindor with stronger Gryffindor qualities.

Besides, its like I said before in my last post:

There's no doubt that Neville is very loyal and brave but JKR either probably just wrote in the "pause" there to make us wonder what house he should have been in because of his interesting qualities that are different from the others or that there's really nothing to the sorting hats "pause", maybe it was just that Neville has a terrible memory so therefore the hat decided to decide for him. We'll never know really except that it decided in the end that it was Gryffindor he wanted.
.

And when we compare him to Peter, its not to say that he will become like Peter, besides Peter was in Gryffindor too.
I think what the small implications would indicate is that perhaps Neville is inclined to be susceptible to being influenced and manipulated as what happened to him when he was under the imperius curse.

First off people are forgetting that as JK has admitted time and time again, she wrote the first book for herself, she never though that she would have a fan base that stretches into millions so she did not write the pause in so “we” would wonder, she wrote it in because she knew what it meant, we are the ones spending time working out her clues, she had (and no doubt still has) no idea that across the world millions of fans are debating each and every word she has written.

Neville was at the start willing to stand up to his friends and was commended by no lesser person than Dumbledore for that, Later on he helps to fight Draco’s henchmen (with I think Ron, at a Quidditch match or practice) and then at the MoM,

He was put in the right house by the hat, he might not be the atypical Gryffindor, but there again is Crabbe? Who’s one and only ambition is to match his father in his rise to become a half wit, and Percy what did the hat miss from inside his head

All the imperius curse proved is that Neville is more flexible than we give him credit for, no one else in that class resisted the curse other than Harry, but because we know that Neville is not the best of student we automatically assume he is weak, perhaps we the fans are suffering from ‘Malfoyism’ in our assumption that unless you fit in one box or another there is not place for you in the wizarding world or Hogwarts

[Pegasus]

This whole thread makes me glad I'm not a character in my book. Everyone would have a heyday discussing my weaknesses in math and science. But, if you hadn't seen it yet, I would want to yell out, "Hey, just you wait--during my last two years of high school, I'm going to show you all that I'm a fantastic musician, and then in college you'll discover that I could be the greatest editor known to man!" Neville was so great in the last book--give him some credit. (And remember that he excelled in herbology early on.)
I would like to point out--there's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff, plenty of great people were in Hufflepuff that we don't even know about, I'm sure, and if the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor, he's a true Gryffindor.

[CRH_Ravenclaw]

I think Neville is a real bum and full of bad luck. If he was placed in Griffindor because he is the one that would be able to defeat Voldemort, that would be crazy. He would probably kill Voldemort by accident.

[Pegasus]

He wasn't place in Gryffindor because he might be the one to kill Voldemort. Harry wasn't put in there for that reason, either. I repeat my last post.
Not every Ravenclaw is going to be the best Ravenclaw, nor is every Hufflepuff going to be the best Hufflepuff. Everyone is placed where they most belong, and they all start at the bottom and progress at their own pace.

[CRH_Ravenclaw]

I know :)