Broomsticks And Owls

by **highsorcerer** » Tuesday 24 June 2003 1:14:40am

JKR has stated that the sorting hat is more important than it seems in the first four books. This year we saw it give a warning, and not for the first time (according to NHN). With that, plus additional evidence provided in the book (particularly Neville), does it seem unlikely that the hat is something of an oracle?

The first time we say the hat debating a placement was with Harry, where it offered him Slythern power, which Harry rejected. Perhaps it saw two possible destinies for Harry; in both cases defeating the dark lord, but in two different ways. In one he destroys him for the common good (a Gryffandor destiny); in another he destroys him and takes his place (a Slythern destiny). Harry made his choice.

Next, Hermoine confessed the hat seriously considered putting her in Ravenclaw (and some Ravenclaws apparently have their own attitude problem, as expressed to her as to why she wasn't in their house). However, in the end, it decided her bravery was the overriding choice... or perhaps the hat let her decide as well. She did prefer Gryffindor, as expressed to Ron and Harry on the Hogwart's Express.

This brings us to Neville Longbottom, which the hat took nearly 5 minutes to decide on his sorting. It seemed like an odd choice at the time, as he's only shown brief flashes of bravery up to now (in book one he stood up to Ron, Hermoine, and Harry when they were going after the stone). However, the hat must have seen it in him and realized there would be a trigger point which would change him dramatically. I think we've seen it; and it all ties in with his parents. Once afraid to wield powerful magic because of what happened to his parents, he's now afraid of being defenseless knowing what is out there. He's improving dramatically.

Finally, there was the hat's warning this year. While it was speculated by the student's it was a result of living in Dumbledore's office, I think the evidence is pointing to it being able to predict the future. That would tie in neatly with it's ability to sort correctly.

by **Holly Golightly** » Tuesday 24 June 2003 4:49:04am

I dont' really think that it can predict the future... I tink more like... well, it sees into everyone's minds when it sorts them, so has a fair idea what is happening around the place. So it knows who Voldie is, and that he's returned... Also, it's a fairly smart hat, so it's just telling everyone taht they woudl be stronger united then seperated into houses...

it just seems like a very intelligent hat, with the ability to see into people's minds to me...>?

by **Neo** » Tuesday 24 June 2003 9:12:06am

Yeah, up to now that is the sortinh hat Holly. But Jo said that the sorting hat was more important, and I'm sure she mean more than just giving advice in the song. In this moment can't think of anything though.

by **HuffleDuck** » Monday 30 June 2003 11:26:08pm

The hat was created by Gryffindor( i think) and combine with all the other creators of Hogwart, the hat might have some power. But who knows. All of our questions will be answered in the future book :razz:

But right now each other opinions, some might be right like JK says last time. Some of her readers have the right idea and heading down the same path as she did.. :grin:

by **zledm007** » Tuesday 1 July 2003 4:15:58am

didn't harry pull the sword out of the sorting hat in CoS? I don't know bout you, but that seems like a little bit of power to me.

by **Violet** » Tuesday 1 July 2003 10:55:59am

I dont think that the sorting hat can exactly predict the future, more that it can see the qualities that a persons mind posesses and thus the possible routes that they could take.
i think that with some people the reason that it took longer to decide was because there are 2 very different paths the person could chose, and so both it and the individual have a bigger choice about the house they wanna be in.
I think that it is in many ways just highly perceptive of situations and people, and it does also contain some other form of power.

by **HuffleDuck** » Thursday 3 July 2003 12:32:35am

Nope the Sorting hat can't predict the future. it's merely telling what it knows base on facts from Dumbledore.( I think) :typing:

by **Holly Golightly** » Saturday 12 July 2003 7:27:35pm

Hrmm, I forgot about the producing the sword part...

Well, there are two things I see... the sword lives in DD's office, so maybe it is able to make things from there accesable by need and reaching into it...

And the more likely, Harry is a true Griffindor, and since it's Griffindor's hat, it allowed him to retrieve the sword from it...

I know the first idea is a bit strange/far-fetched, but I just keep coming back to it... I go to delete it, becuase it's a bit stupid... but jsut can't!

Oh wel, I'm strange, everyone knows that!!! hehehe :grin:

by **Eol** » Sunday 10 August 2003 4:31:45pm

That hat has got to be pretty wise, seeing as it is as old as Hogwarts itself. Maybe it will be able to provide some advice in the future for Harry and/or the Order.

by **Hermione Weasley** » Sunday 10 August 2003 11:39:23pm

I think that the hat can see what type of person everyone will turn out to be. so i think that it can also tell when everyone should be united, b/c united we stand divided we fall or something like that but I think it can tell when there will be times of suffering and times of happiness.

by **Devinci** » Monday 11 August 2003 2:35:58am

I think the sorting hat just says the obvious. If the four houses start fighting, the school will be a crappy place to be. Well, that's not obvious! But, then of course, it's a common theme for people not to follow the obvious. He's kind of the little voice in the back of everyone's head saying "stick together"....that's the part when everyone splits up.

I don't think the hat has any special powers, I think it's more of, storboard of a persons self....

As for CoS, I think the hat having the sword was more of a DD thing than a HAT thing...

by **gecko** » Monday 11 August 2003 7:36:19am

I like your little voice of reason theory! The hat indeed tries to make them all see what is the best way of handling things. The sad thing is, we don't always listen to good advice or if we do listen, we don't follow it.
What do you mean with the CoS thing? The sword Harry took out of it? I think I've read somewhere that the hat was originally Godric Gryffindor's, so that would explain why Harry could have pulled out his sword. And if that's not true (so if the hat wasn't Gryffindor's) I still think it's not something Dumbledore did with the hat, but the 4 founders of Hoggy Warty Hogwarts :razz:

!

by **highsorcerer** » Tuesday 12 August 2003 6:07:27pm

No, it was help Harry got because he was loyal to Dumbledore to the end. Fawkes knew the loyality, and send him the weapons he needed. It wasn't the absolute solution, just what Harry needed. Because Harry has always gotten what he needed, not the full solution.

A songbird and a old hat? Yes. That was all Harry needed to defeat Tom Riddle. Even Dumbledore knew it. He said help would always be given at Hogwarts to those that needed it. Harry needed help badly, and got it, but only because he remained loyal to Dumbledore. Fawkes knew, and brought him the help he needed. Just is in OotP, Fawkes gave his life for his master.

by **Colin** » Tuesday 12 August 2003 6:42:54pm

THe Sorting hat came from the head of Godric Griffendor. It was HIS hat. THe hat said it had some "Brains" stuffed into it. Perhaps it was stuffed with the essence of Godric?

Griffendor might live on in the hat. His "essence" might have some surporises in store for us. Like maybe Godric in the Flesh when he is needed.

by **Eol** » Tuesday 12 August 2003 7:38:29pm

In the hat's song, it says that all 4 founders put some brains in him.

Broomsticks And Owls

The Sorting Hat

The Sorting Hat

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