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A guiding principle in series is voiced by Dumbledore: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Although another character, such as [[Muggles' Guide to Harry Potter/Characters/Percy Weasley|Percy Weasley]], speaking those words would seem overly sententious, Dumbledore can utter this without pontificating, partially, perhaps, because he is considered an eccentric. It is perhaps worthwhile to review just what choices Harry has been given, and which decisions he made. Harry has seldom taken the easy path, often choosing the more difficult route because he believed it was right. It will be instructive to see if Harry maintains this course.
This particular instance is interesting in another direction. Throughout this book, we have seen Harry's increasing doubt that he was meant to be sorted into Gryffindor House. When he meets Tom Riddle, this doubt again is echoed again, though curiously it has no affect on his course of action. It is Dumbledore's pronouncement about making choices, coupled with the Sword being Gryffindor's, that finally removes Harry's uncertainty about the Sorting Hat's decision. We can safely assume that Harry will never be troubled by this matter again.
It apparently never seems to occuroccurs to Harry that many students are probably suited to more than one House. Hermione, for instance, seemedwould seem destined for Ravenclaw. However, the Sorting Hat, detecting her strong personality and inherent courage to act upon her beliefs, instead placed her in Gryffindor where, influenced by other Gryffindors, she developed abilities she might otherwise have underutilized or completely ignored. Likewise, Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff student who plays an important role in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire'', possessed many Gryffindor traits, particularly bravery. Harry also failed to consider that even if he was Slytherin's descendant, then so was one of his parents, yet they were both sorted into Gryffindor. Just how and why the Sorting Hat makes the final determination regarding which House is the most suitable, is not entirely understood, although the students' individual preferences are considered. It does appear that students are generally satisfied with theirthe Sorting Hat's Houseschoice. Whether or not someone can change Houses after being sorted is unknown.
== Questions ==
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