The Sorting Hat's Defence
Chapter 1 of 1
peskipiksiThe Hogwarts Governors are not happy with The Sorting Hat.
ReviewedA/N: This is a sequel to Phoenix’s ‘The Sorting Hat’ (with her kind permission) based on an old SND prompt: “The Sorting Hat defends its fairness and accuracy to the Governors. Everyone is astonished.” All lines in italics are Phoenix’s.
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‘Bee in your bonnets, esteemed Governors?’
Representative Governors from the four Houses looked up at the high shelf on which the Headmaster kept the Sorting Hat. ‘We want a word with you about the wisdom of your Sortings,’ said Lucius Malfoy smoothly.
The Sorting Hat sounded impassive. ‘Pray voice your concerns.’
‘You are staining the fine old Gryffindor escutcheon!’ burst out that House’s representative. ‘Sullying our good name!’
‘How so, Mr McLaggan?’
‘Where do I start? Sirius Black! The whole family has been in Slytherin, and quite rightly so, in my opinion.’ He cast a nasty look at Lucius Malfoy.
If a hat could have shrugged, the Sorting Hat would have done so. ‘I told him, “To have one from such a pure-blood family not in Slytherin would be scandalous.” But the boy pleaded with me. Offered to go into any other house. I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.’
‘The man’s a Death Eater!’
‘Technically not.’
‘He’s serving a life sentence in Azkaban!’
‘Then only consider how much worse things could have been had I put him in Slytherin.’
Lucius Malfoy’s usually pale face developed two pink spots on his cheeks, but he preserved a dignified silence.
‘Then there’s Neville Longbottom,’ continued McLaggan loudly. ‘Do you… er…’ He faltered, glancing at the formidable grey-haired woman beside him. ‘Do you really believe he is Gryffindor material? Surely Hufflepuff would be more suitable?’
At this, both Augusta Longbottom and Amelia Bones interrupted vociferously.
‘My grandson has just as much right as the rest of his family to be in Gryffindor!’
‘I resent this implication that Hufflepuff is a dumping ground! We would be proud to house any member of the Longbottom family!’
‘Ladies and gentlemen, please. I offered Mr Longbottom Hufflepuff, but he wished to follow his relatives into Gryffindor. The boy has gumption. I stand by my decision. I believe we have not seen the best of your grandson yet, Mrs Longbottom. He will grow into his Sorting.’
McLaggan snorted. There were mutinous faces all around the Headmaster’s office.
‘I am surprised at your disgruntled air, Mr McLaggan. I would have thought Gryffindor would be satisfied with Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore.’
McLaggan had the grace to look sheepish; it was Malfoy who snorted now.
‘Oh, now, Lucius, your House had its chance. I offered Dumbledore Slytherin; he had the ambition for it,’ commented the Hat, managing to smirk at the stunned look on Malfoy’s face. ‘I considered in the end however that Gryffindor would be of more assistance to him. He hadn’t had many friends, and I thought that was something he would come to value. Of course, he found his own friends, irrespective of my choice for him,’ it added cryptically.
The Governors were looking distinctly confused now. Having successfully taken the wind out of their sails, the Hat delivered its coup de grace. ‘I did make one mistake. Only ever one, mind you. Severus Snape should have been a Gryffindor. Much could have been avoided. I hold my hands up, or I would if I had any; I did not even consider it. Ravenclaw I offered him, but not Gryffindor.’
McLaggan was looking apoplectic again, and at this, Simon Davies, father of Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, Roger, joined him.
But the Sorting Hat seemed to have fallen into a reverie. ‘I warned him to take care not to fall to darkness,’ it muttered to itself, then snapped its attention back to the stunned Governors. ‘So, ladies and gentlemen, for that mistake alone, I accept your admonition. I will take more care in the future.’
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Latest 25 Reviews for The Sorting Hat's Defence
7 Reviews | 8.57/10 Average
Who knows what would have happened had Severus been sorted into Griffindor. he would have been happier no doubt, and perhaps we would have read about Harry Snape 
, no seriously, Peter Pettigrew was a Griffindor { the slimy little rodent } it teaches us not to judge a book by it's cover, {or house}
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
I agree; he wouldn't have been drawn into the Death Eater circle for one, and I'm sure he would've been happier. I forgot about Peter (!), but actually, the Governors wouldn't have known the truth about him, as this is set just after Harry's Sorting, so I think I'm off the hook!
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
I agree; he wouldn't have been drawn into the Death Eater circle for one, and I'm sure he would've been happier. I forgot about Peter (!), but actually, the Governors wouldn't have known the truth about him, as this is set just after Harry's Sorting, so I think I'm off the hook!
I've said more than once that the Sorting Hat must have considered putting Dumbledore in Slytherin before it (or he) chose Gryffindor. Someone as cunning as Albus and as good at keeping secrets -- never mind someone who to some extent held the notion that "the end justifies the means" -- would probably have felt quite at home in Slytherin House.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Oh, yes, you're quite right. Phoenix's line about friends being important was actually said to Hermione, but I reckoned it worked just as well for Albus - he had a tough time as a teenager.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Oh, yes, you're quite right. Phoenix's line about friends being important was actually said to Hermione, but I reckoned it worked just as well for Albus - he had a tough time as a teenager.
What a lovely little story. I love how you incorporated the little snippets from my story into this. I can see how the hat would feel that it made a mistake with Severus. I do agree with Albus that I think kids are sorted too soon.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
I'm so glad you liked it! I think that line of Albus' in GoF is very telling - he thought the Hat had made a mistake too.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
I'm so glad you liked it! I think that line of Albus' in GoF is very telling - he thought the Hat had made a mistake too.
Even the Sorting Hat itself persists in insulting the Head of Slytherin House by implying that Slytherins are incapable of possessing courage. Severus is a brave and honorable Slytherin dammit! That is NOT a contradiction in terms.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
The Sorting Hat is agreeing with Dumbledore's view that 'sometimes we sort too soon'. It thinks that if Snape had been put in Gryffindor, his continued friendship with Lily could have been closer and he would not have been able to fall in with Avery et al. I agree that he is an honourable Slytherin, but imo, that is in spite, not because, of his House.
Response from Very Small Prophet (Reviewer)
Honorable in spite of his House? You really think one-quarter of the wizarding world is innately lacking in honor, starting at age eleven? Because they want the achieve big things? And another one-quarter is innately honorable, because they don’t scare easy? There’s really nothing I can say to that.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
The Sorting Hat is agreeing with Dumbledore's view that 'sometimes we sort too soon'. It thinks that if Snape had been put in Gryffindor, his continued friendship with Lily could have been closer and he would not have been able to fall in with Avery et al. I agree that he is an honourable Slytherin, but imo, that is in spite, not because, of his House.
Response from Very Small Prophet (Reviewer)
Honorable in spite of his House? You really think one-quarter of the wizarding world is innately lacking in honor, starting at age eleven? Because they want the achieve big things? And another one-quarter is innately honorable, because they don’t scare easy? There’s really nothing I can say to that.
Go, Hat! You tell 'em! :)
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Exactly! Thanks :)
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Exactly! Thanks :)
Applause for the Hat! and for the author!
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Thanks very much!
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Thanks very much!
This is very interesting. I'm not sure I agree that offering Severus Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor was a mistake. Severus possessed his own house prejudices "Sure, if you'd rather be brawny than brainy". Ravenclaw seems like it would have been the choice that would have fostered his intellect, shielded him from the darkness, AND been pallatable to the ego of an 11 year old who wanted to prove his worth and valued intellect. That being said, I can understand why the hat still felt some remorse at not throwing EVERY option at the boy. Especially if it didn't consider it. But I don't think Severus would have accepted that choice at 11. Though I guess, if the sorting was alphabetical (?), Lily would have already been in Gryffindor by the time he was sorted, so perhaps that would have swayed him. Slytherin did contribute to his demise. Without bashing the house in general, I think we can all acknowledge that AT THE TIME, Slytherin was a very dark place to be. And Severus' insecurities (well acknowledged in the original piece) made him an easy target for seduction by the darker elements of Slytherin. Well done.
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Offering Ravenclaw was phoenix's decision. I've always taken Dumbledore's line in GoF: 'Sometimes I think we sort too soon' to mean he thought Severus should have been in Gryffindor. He was certainly brave enough, and personally, I think being in the same house as Lily would have done him good, although sharing a dorm with James and Sirius would probably have undone that good!
I can see Dumbledore pacing his office fretting about Snape and wishing things could have been different. Maybe he talked about Lily, and said they sort too soon, and the Hat thought it was its own fault for not offering Severus the chance to be with Lily. Or not seeing his bravery earlier, or not seeing he was friendless and easily lead at 11... or... or... :)
Response from peskipiksi (Author of The Sorting Hat's Defence)
Offering Ravenclaw was phoenix's decision. I've always taken Dumbledore's line in GoF: 'Sometimes I think we sort too soon' to mean he thought Severus should have been in Gryffindor. He was certainly brave enough, and personally, I think being in the same house as Lily would have done him good, although sharing a dorm with James and Sirius would probably have undone that good!
I can see Dumbledore pacing his office fretting about Snape and wishing things could have been different. Maybe he talked about Lily, and said they sort too soon, and the Hat thought it was its own fault for not offering Severus the chance to be with Lily. Or not seeing his bravery earlier, or not seeing he was friendless and easily lead at 11... or... or... :)