Order of the Phoenix Spoiler Thread

[aephi alum]

I've been thinking about the idea that the Sorting Hat would want to distribute the first years fairly evenly across the four houses...

I'm wondering if the Hat has an idea, before the Sorting Ceremony, of whom it's going to put where? Sort of how NPC sororities at some schools have a good idea, before round 1 of formal rush even starts, of whom they're going to invite to round 2, just based on their resumes and reputations.

Then, if the Hat sees something during the ceremony, it can make adjustments - like placing Harry in Gryffindor with his friends instead of in Slytherin.

Remember that the Hat didn't even need to touch Draco's head to decide that he was a Slytherin.

If the Hat had no idea what the first years were like before the ceremony, things could go awry. Say a class of particularly intelligent first years comes through - then Ravenclaw might end up with an unusually large class. (Bid matching gone horribly, horribly wrong )

[SoCalGirl]

Since it seems like there's only about 40 first years every year I think that their academic performance and personality traits are taken into account before they even receive the letter. Therefore, the Sorting Hat has had a good portion of its work done already. But I think the Sorting Hat kind senses the kids aura or something. That's how I explain it not taking very long to sort Draco.

[docetboy]

That hat is my favorite character, by far...I love the wisdom it has and the small but important role it has in the books.

[sugar and spice]

Originally posted by aephi alum
I've been thinking about the idea that the Sorting Hat would want to distribute the first years fairly evenly across the four houses...

I'm wondering if the Hat has an idea, before the Sorting Ceremony, of whom it's going to put where? Sort of how NPC sororities at some schools have a good idea, before round 1 of formal rush even starts, of whom they're going to invite to round 2, just based on their resumes and reputations.

Then, if the Hat sees something during the ceremony, it can make adjustments - like placing Harry in Gryffindor with his friends instead of in Slytherin.

Remember that the Hat didn't even need to touch Draco's head to decide that he was a Slytherin.

If the Hat had no idea what the first years were like before the ceremony, things could go awry. Say a class of particularly intelligent first years comes through - then Ravenclaw might end up with an unusually large class. (Bid matching gone horribly, horribly wrong )

I was under the impression that the hat "senses the kid's aura" just like SoCalGirl. I don't think it needs to know anything about grades or behavior or whatnot -- it just KNOWS.

[oceanphi01]

Originally posted by AggieSigmaNu361
This isn't about OoP but just something about Percy turning to the dark side.

I'm rereading all the books now, and am on Chamber of Secrets. When Harry, Ron, Hermione and the group go to get their school books, Fred and George happen along Percy reading a book entitled, "Prefects who have gained Power" or something to that effect.

IMO, it's foreshadowing of Percy's ambition and that ambition may be something that Voldemort plays off of. Also, somewhere in this book the comment is made about Voldemort and how he recruited his followers, that he explained that there was no good or evil, merely power and those who had it or were too afraid to take it.

I can see Percy being drawn to Voldemort for the power he desires.

Kitso
KS 361

You are exactly right. I just realized this! Also, Tom Riddle was a Prefect (I remember someone saying it...but I could be wrong). Quite a bit of foreshadowing if you ask me.

[nucutiepie]

ocean phi, not only was voldemort a prefect, he was also Head Boy - just like Percy! (It was in the second book!)

Originally posted by oceanphi01
You are exactly right. I just realized this! Also, Tom Riddle was a Prefect (I remember someone saying it...but I could be wrong). Quite a bit of foreshadowing if you ask me.

Yeah, i realized where that voldemort quote came from when i was watching sorcerer's stone last night.

he says it to harry to get him to give up the sorcerer's stone.

Kitso
KS 361 times i'd have given Percy a much-deserved wedgie

[DWAlphaGam]

Originally posted by ToBeSororityGrl
Has anyone else wondered how Lily just became a wizard? If her past family had all been muggles, therefore there was not any wizard traits in the family, how in the world did she have that trait to be a wizard?

I read the first 4 books so quickly years ago that it's a blur to me now, but I first thought that the way Hermione was able to attend Hogwarts was because she found out and wanted to, not because she received a letter, but I just read in the thread that this is not the case.

I read a JKR interview somewhere and she said that Prof. McGonagall has a magic quill that automatically writes the names of magical children in a special book when they are born, and then when they turn 11, they all get letters. So, just like the sorting hat "knows" which houses to put the kids in, the quill "knows" the names and locations of the children who will become wizards.


BTW, I think the "puff" part of Hufflepuff is what gives it the impression of the "fat" house. I associate them with Herbology, personally, b/c Gryffindor always has that class with them. Which reminds me, Gryffindor has Herbology with Hufflepuff and Potions with Slytherin, but do they have any classes with Ravenclaw? I don't remember.

[MysticCat]

You know, something that I don't think has been mentioned about Harry's ultimate showdown with HWMNBN occurred to me last night. At the end of PoA, Harry laments that he didn't allow Sirius and Lupin to kill Pettigrew. Dumbledore counters that it was good that Harry prevented the killing, since there is a bond between one wizard and another who saves his life. He states that he doubts that V will be happy to have a servant who is in debt to Harry Potter, and that he thinks that at some point, it will prove to have been fortunate that Harry allowed Pettigrew to live. I remember thinking when I first read this how much it was like Lord of the Rings, where Frodo is sorry that Bilbo did not kill Gollum when he had the chance, and Gandalf replies that it was good that Bilbo began his ownership of the Ring with pity, and that his heart told him that Gollum still had a part to play -- an essential part it turned out.

So should we expect Pettigrew to figure into a showdown (final or not) between Harry and HWMNBN?

Just a thought.

[CutiePie2000]

I finally finished reading OotP and I have to say, this is my least favorite of the Harry Potter books. I feel kind of let down. You know how Seinfeld was a show about nothing. I kind of felt like the book had nothing in it too. Somehow, the first 3 were 'richer' to me.