There’s a lot of speculation and downright head scratching over why Hermione (#bosswitch) wasn’t sorted into Ravenclaw. Hermione, who worships books and thinks every answer can be found in the school library. Hermione, who read all her school books before even getting on the Hogwarts Express (although, if you just found out magic was a real thing that you were capable of doing, you’d probably do the same thing). Hermione, whose literal worst fear was Professor McGonagall telling her she’d failed all her exams.
So what’s this boss witch doing in Gryffindor? Shouldn’t she be with the other Raven Nerds?
Well, I have a theory that the Sorting Hat looked into the future and saw that the fate of the Wizarding World literally depended on her being in Gryffindor. After all, without Hermione, Harry — the Chosen One, Savior of Wizard-kind — would have died about ten times in his first year alone.
But kidding aside, you have to remember that the houses aren’t really about personality traits; they’re about values. Ravenclaws value knowledge above all else and Gryffindors value loyalty and bravery. So what does Hermione value the most?
Well, just look what she says to Harry right before the climax of Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone, as Hermione sends her friend off to his very possible death, after already saving him several times in that chapter alone.
“Me! Books! And cleverness! There are more important things — friendship and bravery and — oh Harry — be careful!“
Right here, in this fearful and emotional moment, Hermione shows that she has very little regard for her own wit and prolific literacy. It matters more to her that people do the right thing and stick by their friends in the face of danger.
Guess she didn’t need to sort out her priorities after all. The Sorting Hat — who, by Hermione’s own admission, did seriously consider Ravenclaw — saw what Hermione truly valued and decided Gryffindor was the place for her. And thank bajeebus, because we’d have all been toast without her.
