HP Questions Upon Re-reading: Book 1 Chapter 7

House sorting ceremony, the first memorable event for all Hogwarts students. Isn’t it bewildering that no one knows (at least the book did not mention) about its details? It is understandable to keep it a secret verbally to new students for the mysterious feel. But why is it not written in “Hogwarts: A History”? Legend says that the sorting hat once belongs to Godric Griffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts. Why is its existence not recorded in the history book that introduces the school despite being passed down for ages? Considering Hermione’s attitude and behaviour, she must have tried her best to find out the truth of sorting ceremony but her action of memorizing spells suggested that she did not discover the truth as well.

Next, is the seating for the long table in the Great Hall fixed by House? If Hogwarts truly promotes unity amongst all four houses, shouldn’t they encourage the students to mix together at their leisure period such as mealtime? Considering they have their house common room before going into the dormitory, I think they have plenty of chances to know and spend time with people from the same house. I wonder if the sense of enmity between houses especially Griffindor and Slytherin was a result of lacking in understanding. There was a line in the fan fiction that moved me, “After we graduated, regardless of the house we were in, Hogwarts we all were.”

I also wondered why Professor Dumbledore specially mentioned about the room hosting Fluffy the three-headed dog in the school opening feast? With his skills and power, surely, he can cast a powerful protection spell over the entrance and stop any underage students from getting past. Of course, all that effort could just be him setting a training adventure game for Harry. If he truly wished for a foolproof security system, what could be better than him carrying it all the time? As the most powerful wizard of the century who is alive, we can safely assume none would dare to attack or steal things on him personally.

Lastly, I wonder how are the students notified about their dormitory password. The password changes often according to the Portrait’s will and to me, the system is not very efficient if we were to speak about the security. For Griffindor and Slytherin, anyone can enter their house common room if they obtain the password, regardless of the method (Legillimency, truth potion, overhearing it etc.); anyone could enter Hufflepuff common room if tapping on the correct barrel with correct rhythm; and for Ravenclaw, anyone who can answer its riddle shall enter. Did the founders think all graduates are kind-hearted and will never sneak into school for sabotage or destruction?

3/9/2020 9:05:58 PM