SHOULD Harry Have Been In Slytherin? | Harry Potter Film Theory

[@jonbilgutay2]

Personally, I think the reason Hermione wasn't put in Ravenclaw was despite being smart, she is also suborn and closed minded. To her, if it's written in a book, it's written in stone, otherwise it's not true or doesn't exist. Frankly, I think the reason she hated the half-blood Prince's book was because she was jealous. This was someone who could not only learn from the book, but build on it, experiment, innovate, try something new; something we never see Hermione do.

[@Dusxio]

Yep. She eventually learns to be more creative with her intelligence, but it was all very Rote Knowledge in the beginning. And not to mention, she was very brash with her intelligence in the beginning, and throughout most of the story. She learns something and thinks her opinion is the best and charges forward on it. From her stance on homework to her SPEW attempts and even her very drastic memory work on her parents.

[@RevaloNodriana]

Wonder if Ravenclaw would have done Hermione good instead, the house promotes an open mind for creativity and experimentation, something mixed with Hermione's brilliant mind could have made for a powerful combination.

[@KingLerm]

I think it also has to do, not with what trait you excel at, but which trait you value more and she values bravery more than knowledge “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things like friendship and bravery!” Edit: I wrote this in like the first minute of the video and thought I was being soooooo smart and ahead of the curve and then Ben just said the same thing and sheesh

[@Ismail-kv3ex]

I always took Crabbe, Goyle, Pettigrew and even Lockhart to an extent to prove the theory of values. The hat does not sort based on existing qualities, but rather what each student values the most in their heart. Neville wasn't exactly the most self-confident lad but he always took pride in who his parents were and aspired to be like them. Draco lacks all people-reading skills and makes an enemy of Harry immediately upon being rejected despite his fathers advice to at least play nice around him. He lacks all cunning but makes up for it tenfold in his blood racism, which he shares with Crabbe and Goyle (which I believe J.K confirmed to be a hidden trait of Slytherin). Hermione said it herself at the end of the first book: Yes she prides herself on her intelligence and hard work to get there (taking a time-turner for a whole year) but she *values* bravery and courage more, admiring Harry for facing Quirrell alone. She considered Gryffindor the best house before arriving at school, just as Malfoy and his goons also knew they just had to be in Slytherin because of their family values.

[@bluelemon243]

​@@Ismail-kv3exwell, i would argued that her valueing bravery and courge more than books was her entire arc in the first book

[@alecsmith3448]

Ever since I heard that Nevil requested to be put in Huffelpuff I have been convinced that the sorting hat was not persuaded by anything Harry said but by the bravery of making the request

[@tformerdude6788]

Honestly, same here.

[@najrenchelf2751]

Oooh... interesting. Just like: you dare to challenge me? Off to Gryffindor you go. :)

[@Ismail-kv3ex]

If Crabbe or Goyle ever presented an ounce of cunning, I'll eat my wand

[@BowsandAros]

⁠@@najrenchelf2751I mean the same thing kind of happened to Sirius but with an extra step

[@xxXButterflyXxx]

@@Ismail-kv3exSame here

[@Tephr1te]

1:05 "not bad" is more of a positive description in the UK than it is in the US

[@jenniferdaniels701]

A new theory just popped into my head while watching. What if Harry is the 'Hufflepuff' and Ron the 'Slytherin' of the trio. Harry wants to be loved and accepted, which Hufflepuff would do. Ron's vision in the Mirror of Erised shows him as head boy and quidditch capitan, two positions of leadership. His ambitions aren't to rule the world, it's just to be noticed, which is hard when you're one of seven kids.

[@crow_g1639]

Creepy

[@biancabrooks280]

Also, ambition doesn’t necessarily equate to hard work.

[@jesbury6597]

I agree!!

[@Thunderbender18830]

I think the fact the sorting hat overrode Neville’s request for Hufflepuff but didn’t deny Harry’s request not to be put in Slytherin proves it as well. If the Sorting Hat truly believed Harry was a true blue Slytherin he would have placed him in Slytherin regardless of what he wanted. After all the Sorting Hat has a reputation of never being wrong so he’s not going to put someone in a house he thinks they shouldn’t be in and sully his reputation.

[@ugolomb]

On the other hand, Harry might have been a potential hat-stall (like McGonagall, who was very nearly placed in Ravenclaw); in which case, his request for Not Slytherin might have been decisive.

[@MegaLokopo]

@@ugolomb He wasn't going to be a hat stall. No matter what harry said, the hat would put him in Gryffindor shortly after responding to what harry said.

[@maddenboseroy4074]

@@ugolomb Harry being a hat-stall was what Harry was actually afraid of - not because he would have stalled the sorting, but because McGonagall would have said it meant the book that finds wizards for Hogwarts had been wrong.

[@munjee2]

The choice you make is taken into consideration, doesn't mean its the only factor

[@Zeke_O3773]

I always thought that Harry’s alternate house should’ve been Hufflepuff and Ron’s should’ve been Slytherin. Harry is humble, hard-working and loyal, while Ron craves glory, doesn’t mind taking unethical shortcuts against people he doesn’t like, and is pretty self-interested. I see it like this - their behavior when they were living in the tent in Deathly Hallows is the clue…. Hermione is researching and planning (Ravenclaw), Harry was the workhorse who is guilt-riddled for dragging his friends with him (Hufflepuff), and Ron always saw things exclusively from the lens of his own needs (Slytherin). I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the locket affected him worst-it was probably reinforcing all of Ron’s most negative emotions.

[@DeadSezSo]

I agree, I think the only reason the hat saw slytherin is because of the piece of voldemorts soul. I don't consider Harry at all ambitious or self-motivated. Harry had to be pushed to take up a leadership role in order of the Phoenix and he wasn't at all interested in the slug club and the connections it could provide for him. He also never really cared to be a top student beyond just getting by before OWLs. He wanted to be a great quidditch player but not for adoration or status, he just loved the game and it made him happy. I'm not saying Harry has no ambition, just that he's no more ambitious than the average person. He just wants to live his life and be happy, like most people. I think you're spot on that Harry is gryffindor with more hufflepuff than Slytherin in him. And I also agree with your assertion that Ron is more slytherin than Harry is, even though I'll admit I'd never thought about it before.

[@lmungillo]

This. I came here to say it. Harry is loyal, hard working, and humble

[@kirstyowens1865]

I don't think Ron craves glory, he craves recognition. Two very different things. He tends to fliunder a bit under the spotlight, and only really blooms when he's being praised for something he succeeds at. That's something that kind of irks me about Goblet of Fire. People assume that Ron gets pissy because he wanted a slice of that 'glory', that he wanted to put his name in the Goblet as well. But actually it's because he thinks Harry purposefully kept the information from him. Harry is one of the only people who always tells Ron whats going on, he's the first person Harry goes to, and that's something Ron has become used to. The idea that his best friend is suddenly hiding such important things from him is what really tips Ron over the edge, and he lashes out in an attempt to hide the betrayal he feels. Ron has always been loyal to Harry, and his negative reaction is because he thinks Harry has stopped being loyal to him. Ron is a far more complex character than people give him credit for. Then again, Hermione is also far more complex than people seem to realise, so I guess it's not too surprising.

[@DeadSezSo]

@@kirstyowens1865 no, Ron never actually thought Harry put his name in the Goblet. He was resentful of the attention Harry was getting and how he once again managed to find the spotlight again. He didn't care that it wasn't Harry's fault, he was just jealous and it was easier to act like Harry was doing it on purpose to justify his anger and resentment towards Harry at that moment in time. But once he saw what Harry was facing in the first task, it all put things into perspective and he realized he had nothing to be jealous about because it was a seriously dangerous situation for Harry. It was completely fueled by his insecurities and had nothing to do with anything Harry did or anything Ron actually thought Harry did.

[@Arcananine77]

Could you give an example of Ron taking an unethical shortcut against someone he doesn't like? I can't recall anything particularly egregious.

[@daredarrow6704]

I think the hat saw Harry's appitute for Harry to be in both Slytherin and Griffindor were high and about equal. that's why it was having a hard time picking between the 2. So when Harry said "Not Slytherin" it should've been easy. But the hat was taken aback that Harry is denying a house he would honestly excell in. So he defended the choice... but would have ultimately pick the house Harry would excell in the most if not the next best choice.

[@cl8733]

Exactly how I always understood it.

[@jshooa4840]

Tbh, i always found that while yes, Harry does have aptitude to be in Slytherin, i always thought it was Voldemort's soul in Harry that the hat looked at too

[@MikeSiegert]

I really love that minor detail that Harry probably could have commanded the basilisk, because of his heir of Slytherin Horcrux, but took Tom’s word about not being able to

[@tasmiatahia_write_dream_change]

For me, the ultimate reason Harry is a Gryffindor is because when faced with a terrifying situation, his first instinct isn't self-preservation. Every occasion where Harry decides to risk his life or limb, there are more practical solutions. There was a popular clip from some podcast where the author herself said that the Slytherins didn't run away from Battle of Hogwarts, rather, they actually went to get reinforcements first (although some consider that a retcon, but hey that's a whole other debate). Harry, however, never really thinks of this - his instict is to charge into whatever battle he is about to face, and Hermione and Ron (and later the DA) all follow him to because they know he's not going be putting himself first (ironically, that means they too are abandoning self-preservation for their friend).

[@quinnworthington3306]

I agree. Harry may have a lot of Slytherin characteristics but the dude is a TEXTBOOK Gryffindor.

[@crow_g1639]

Nah just how the plot had to go😂

[@anawieder5003]

Good point. Sometimes it seems he should have had a better sense of self preservation, it might have helped, but no doubt he belongs in griffyndor

[@tasmiatahia_write_dream_change]

@@crow_g1639 from a writing perspective, the plot is simply the journey the character needs to take to unlearn their misbeliefs and achieve their character goal. For example, Quirrel has to let in a troll so Ron and Harry can learn that they were wrong about Hermione and then proceed to be friends with her. The Sorting Hat has to appear in the Chamber because Harry needs to learn that he is a true and worthy Gryffindor. Character-driven writing is what makes stories worth revisiting again and again be cause more than the plot, it's the characters we want to relive and follow

[@andreijohnson3953]

I loved the theory of Harry being able to control the Basilisk. I never even thought about it, but honestly it makes sense.

[@spencerthefrankenstein8291]

Considering that one Slytherin values is cunning, the meaning of which is having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion. There have been times where Harry did show. The best possible response is that he can be either in Slytherin or Gryffindor house.

[@laulaurenni]

I want to see the rest of: what if Neville had been the chosen one. The start you gave it was brilliant and I need more!

[@Miss_Myth]

Absolutely agree! It was so amazing & I want SO MUCH to see the take of a friendship/platonic love as the mark of protection, it's such a completely brilliant thing and I want the entire series so much!! 🥰😍🤩

[@bethbayless5652]

Yes. I am dying to see more.

[@keziagroesbeek9935]

What about a "WHAT IF" video about if Lily Evans hadn't sacrificed herself for Harry? Sure, Harry's dead and Voldemort's got all seven horcruxes but now Lily Evans is still alive and part of the Order and also dealing with the guilt of not standing up to Voldemort when it mattered most... How does she deal with James being dead? Does she ever find out what Snape did/asked to save her and does she then forgive him??

[@keziagroesbeek9935]

Further point: What if Snape and Lily go undercover together under the guise of them both being grateful to Voldemort for saving Lily's life... Also: Sirius and Lupin hating Lily for letting James and Harry die but having to work with her for Dumbledore's sake?

[@codys1826]

Possibly unique take but when the sorting hat stated that Slytherin would help Harry towards greatness, I think it's possible the hat could have meant that him overcoming his bias towards Slytherin house. We also see Draco and Professor Snape both help Harry on his journey throughout as well. I'm wondering if that could have been what the sorting hat was referencing.

[@rhydonbeacham]

My theory of what would happen if Harry was put in Slytherin instead of Gryffindor is that he would eventually befriend certain Slytherins who are more neutral from Malfoy, and with their support, Harry would begin to make changes in Slytherin House to make it more acceptable to the other three Houses, and use his heritage as a child to a Muggle-born Witch to befriend other Muggle-borns in Hogwarts

[@arinerm1331]

Also relevant to that piece of Riddle in Harry, Professor Trelawney's mistaken perception that Harry was born at the end of December. Tom Riddle was born on December 31.

[@cl8733]

Good you came around in the end. As much as I truly loved your “what if Harry was in Slytherin” series, I never agreed with the premise “as the Sorting Hat wanted”. I always understood its “you could do great there” more like a comment or reaction to Harry’s “not Slytherin” thought, more like a “I wasn’t gonna, but it’s the second on my list”.

[@sebastiaanbom9633]

Idea for a theory: Is the sword of griffindor literally excalibur from Arthurian legends. We know for a fact that Merlin went to Hogwarts while the founders were still there, it stand to reason that Arthur would've excisted in the wizarding world as well. And I'm pretty sure the sword is at least based symbolically on Excalibur (The whole pulling out of the stone to prove worthiness). Could Gryffindor have lend the sword to Merlin/Arthur? Was King Arthur a true Gryiffindor? Or even a wizard at all?

[@matthewbates9629]

Wouldn’t work the sword shows itself to any Gryffindor that needs it Excalibur only can be pulled out by the true king of Camelot

[@caylik9766]

@@matthewbates9629 Or! Just an idea, that's what muggles think, when in reality it does only show itself to gryfinndors and Arthur was somehow a gryffindor. It's a long shot, but who knows.

[@spriken]

*shrugs* Merlin was good in both HP and Muggle legends (for the most part) but in HP he was a Slytherin so I'm not sure it would have been able to be used by him in that way. I mean Snape was able to keep it and place it in the water but magically sticking it in a stone as a worthyness challenge feels like it would be a bit different.

[@msk-qp6fn]

This could be the case!! Also I think in the HP universe the Arthurian legend is actually wizardry history and the reason muggles know of it is because muggles and squibs were also huge part of the events.

[@matthewbates9629]

Wouldn’t he need magic to go though in Hogwarts legacy and in the books it’s explained muggles see nothing but ruins where Hogwarts is

[@gwentaylor6830]

A thirst to prove yourself is one of those traits that can heavily apply to either Slytherin or Gryffindor. Harry only ever seems to have a “Slytherin” trait when that trait is also applicable to Gryffindors.

[@billysmith5409]

Yet another excellent video from the Super Carlin Bros. But your what-if Harry was in Slytherin series is my favorite hands down.

[@Beeba10]

"What If" idea - what if Voldemort did as Snape asked, and spared Lily? We know that although Harry didn't fully/permanently die in the Forest, the fact that he was willing to die for everyone in the Battle of Hogwarts did the same as what his mother did; it protected them all. So what if Voldemort Stunned Lily or something instead of killing her, but since she thought she was giving her life to protect Harry it still protected him. How different would Harry's life turn out if she was still around?

[@amymelsoner5775]

Voldy gave Lily the chance to save herself, but she chose death to hopefully save her son. It’s basically the basis of the entire series.

[@Beeba10]

@@amymelsoner5775 Yeah, he gave her a choice in order to honour Snape's wish, but then killed her when she refused to step aside. But he easily could have done something like Stunning her; Lily wouldn't have expected that and would have thought he was going to kill her, so the love protection still takes effect.

[@speedingcomets5549]

@@Beeba10I really like this idea and I think one thing right off the bat that would happen in this theory if Lily was stunned and not killed is that Serius wouldn’t be sent to Azkaban because Lily would tell Dumbledore and the ministry that Serius convinced them to use Peter as the secret keeper instead which would mean that the ministry would probably be non-stop searching for Peter because Serius would probably reveal that Peter, James, and himself were animagus. I’m not sure where else the story would go after that and I find it unlikely that Harry would end up with the Dersleys seeing as how his god father would be proven innocent, and his mother would still be alive. I’d like to see the Carlin Brothers possibly tackle this intriguing theory that you’ve devised.

[@PriyaPans]

​​@@Beeba10I don't believe the love protection would take effect. I think part of that protection is sacrifice and believe you're sacrificing yourself. She gave her life for Harry and that gave him protection. Harry wanted to give his life at the battle of Hogwarts. And he sort of did. Except he sacrificed the voldy part of his soul. But in each case a sacrifice was given. I think the universe with a form of give and take makes more sense. I also think that love protection would've been more common if that was the case, as I bet in the first wizarding world loads of being stood in front of others or protected others only to be petrified or stunned and those likely didn't provide the same protection. I doubt all people in the first wizarding world using spells for killing, lots might've just been hexes and such

[@imaginepageant]

Easiest way to accomplish this is to have Lily stand up to Voldemort first, he stuns her to honour Snape’s request, then James dies to protect Harry and supplies the love protection. I’d love to see SCB’s theory on Harry’s life if Lily had lived!

[@lynkingg]

Make If Neville was the Chosen one part 2

[@Roid33]

Yessssss

[@ChanaRaskin-c1w]

Please!

[@Viper_2312]

no

[@coolnerdlll6053]

✋️

[@blazimus_studios]

Yesss

[@crimtanecreature8903]

I've come up with a What If that I think would be very interesting. "What If Harry Potter Was A Squib" I really want to see how you flesh out the story. Would Dumbledore still bring Harry to Hogwarts to learn about Magic and teach him to defend himself? Would Harry still have some of Voldemort's powers such as parseltongue? Would Harry still get a wand and would his original wand choose him?(Even though he wouldn't be able to use it). Would it be public knowledge that "The Boy Who Lived" was a squib? Would Harry still be put in Gryffindor? Would Harry have more Astronomy, Herbology, History of Magic, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination(Maybe?) or Study of Ancient Runes classes instead of classes that involve using magic. Would Harry be taught how to fight without magic like with a sword, using potions or having pet magical creatures? Would Harry still go into the chamber of secrets and save Ginny? Would Harry still runaway from home and call the knight bus or meet Sirius? Would Harry still need to save Sirius from the Dementors? Would Harry still be entered into the tri wizard tournament? Would Voldemort still take Harry's blood and return? Would Harry be able to save himself and Dudley from the dementors? Would Harry still be allowed at Hogwarts when Umbridge becomes Headmistress? Would Dumbledore get Slughorn's memory? Would anything in The Deathly Hallows be the same?

[@Cailus3542]

The answer to all those questions is "no". Without magic, Harry couldn't be the Chosen One of the prophecy, which means that there is either no prophecy or it's different. He certainly wouldn't be exposed to the magical world. The Dursleys would likely have been more tolerant when it became obvious that Harry had no magical powers. That "abnormality" was the main reason that they abused him and let Dudley bully him.

[@birdbrain833]

He wouldn't get accepted into Hogwarts anyway

[@DBArtsCreators]

The Boy Who Squibed

[@nancyhinkul]

Would be fun if everything was the same as in the books, but when a horcrux in Harry is destroyed, he’d lose the ability to perform magic

[@satsujin-shathewitchkingof6185]

A nice thirst to prove yourself could also refer to Hufflepuff since one of their traits is hard working

[@coolnerdlll6053]

I think SCB should do the ultimate What If: a universe where Harry is in Slytherin, Draco is in Gryffindor, Hermione is in Ravenclaw and Ron is in Hufflepuff. The possibilities are pretty much endless.

[@fedeeeeee]

Draco is the least Gryffondor character in the whole story

[@ahtiulanen6122]

​@@fedeeeeeewho

[@fedeeeeee]

@@ahtiulanen6122 Joe

[@coolnerdlll6053]

​@@fedeeeeeeThen explain why every other What If has been about his redemption arc.

[@w0t3rdog]

​@@fedeeeeeeI dont know about that... Peter Pettigrew?

[@BIGBL4NC0]

ive come to the conclusion that J is better at Harry Potter memory but Ben is a shark of an advertiser

[@williamlonghitano6101]

Personally I feel the hat was leading it's thoughts towards Hufflepuff until Harry pooled the courage and piped up because he thought it was leaning Slytherin.

[@Voxdalian]

In the main trio Harry represents Slytherin, Ron represents Hufflepuff, and Hermione represents Ravenclaw, but each of them value bravery the most, and what they value is what really determines their house, so all three of them being in Griffindor makes sense, though the story would have been very interesting with Harry in Slytherin. I do agree with your previous theory that Ginny should have been a Slytherin though, because she is just way too ambitious and naturally gifted to not be a Slytherin.

[@saradeandres2131]

I LOVE all your Harry Potter videos please never stop you make my day. It would be epic if you’d make a video on this what if: What if Sirius never told Kretcher to get out and so Kretcher could never tell Voldemort all he did? Thank you so much guys I really glad I get to watch the video so soon after it came out! Like and subscribe guys, these brothers are for real :)

[@Livelongwforce]

Face it, who you meet on the Hogwarts Express is super important. I think the Hat knew about the golden trio from Hermione and put them together on purpose.

[@zackatk77]

Cue the Basilisk portraits! 🐍 Seeing what people drew for each of those scenarios when the Basilisk would have come in super handy was fantastic.❤

[@CosplayingwithChad]

6:21 fun fact, when Matthew Lewis swung the sword of Gryffindor to kill Nagini the blade broke free of the handle and he stood there with the broken handle hoping that the blade wouldn’t impale somebody when it landed.

[@bryannewton6440]

I always thought that yes the hat wanted to put Harry in slythern because of his scar. And yes the 2 members of the trio were to reflect the other houses but Harry seems like a hard worker, when motivated, but mostly super loyal, almost to fault and Ron always had the want to be more important more powerful, thus flipping what most people think they reflect.

[@Acuas]

I always thought that the hat wanted to put Harry in Slytherin because of the piece of Voldemort he had inside him, because if we remove it, Harry has way more of Griffindor than any other house, so it's not that the hat was wrong, but because he had a bit of someone else's soul inside him, it gave him a bit more of Slytherin, so because the hat did see both Slytherin and Griffindor on him, he did have in mind his choice.

[@nancyhinkul]

It was one of the last horcruxes, a very tiny bit of a soul, I believe, it could affected hat’s decision only slightly

[@TheMuffinManREAL]

Though your point makes sense, the only reason harry can speak to snakes it the horcrux, all the slytherin characteristics were influences by the horcrux though harry may of had some

[@rainynight02]

Right at the 10 minute mark "Voldemort's soul went into Harry because it had nowhere else to go." What would the story be like from that soul fragments point of view?

[@imaginepageant]

Ooooh, theory idea: if the Potters were Crookshanks’s original owners, as SCB has already theorized, then there might have been somewhere else for that bit of soul to go! What if Crookshanks had become the horcrux instead of Harry?

[@danniellefenton-johnston8123]

yes to harry potter being in slytherin also yes to Ginerva Weasley beingin slytherin in the books fred and george say they always thought ginny was gone to be in slytherin but where happy to be wrong

[@dmidkif]

Thank you, I fully support the idea of Ginny being a Slytherin. She certainly possesses some Gryffindor traits, but ultimately she seems to value Slytherin traits above all. This would have fully proven JK’s point that Slytherin is not the “evil” house above anything else that she did. I really disagree with the choice to make every Weasley a Gryffindor: Percy should have been a Slytherin, and I think it would have been really interesting and really inspiring if either Fred or George was a Slytherin, and yet they still were brothers, friends, and business partners.

[@Chrischi3TutorialLPs]

"Not bad" is actually a pretty big compliment in Germany when it comes to food, as is "You can't complain"

[@agnieszkaponka2305]

There was a quora answer somewhere that Hermione should represent Slytherin (she's really doing anything to achieve her ends, like keeping Rita Skeeter in a jar, she's ambitious and makes all these very detailed and sometimes scary plans), Ron - Ravenclaw (he's so good at chess, figures out the whole getting into the Chamber of Secrets thing in book 7, and generally has a lot of effortlessly brilliant moments he doesn't even care about that much), and Harry - Hufflepuff (after a life of not belonging anywhere he just cares about friends and family). I kind of agree with that one.

[@imaginepageant]

Ron is nooooooooot a Ravenclaw. Ravenclaw isn’t about being inherently smart, but about having a love of learning. Ron might have had a few clever moments, but he spent most of his time at Hogwarts trying to get out of learning anything. He copied from Hermione, took shortcuts with homework, and rarely paid attention in class, and his OWL grades prove he didn’t learn much that way.

[@patrickmohr6985]

I always wonder how cathartic it must have felt for Harry when Voldemort’s soul fragment was finally out of his body. I imagine it even influenced Harry’s own personality (we know it but Harry is god at resisting). To finally know that you are free and yourself!

[@cuentascosas-o2f]

I never listen to podcasts BUT YOURS IS AMAZING I've listened to it all the time these days

[@serenitysilvermoon]

One other thing as far as the Heir of Slytherin goes, there's a pretty good chance Harry is related to Voldemort, too. They're both decended from the Peverell family, just different branches of it at this point, Voldy through the Gaunts (Decendants of the 2nd brother) and Harry through the Potters (obviously) who are decendants of the 3rd brother

[@Danielpeter2344]

14:16 That isn’t bravery, that’s courage. Bravery IS the absence of fear.

[@itsdantaylor]

While I've always liked the idea of a slight change having huge ramifications to a story, it seemed clear to me that the only reason Harry MAY have been sorted was his Horcrux connection. From what I recall of the books (it's been a while) he doesn't possess a GREAT deal of cunning, often stumbling into traps and typically having the machinations of others bail him out. Not to mention his willingness to sacrifice himself instead of others doesn't seem to gel with EVERY wizard sorted into Slytherin. He also seems to be unwilling to take a 'ends justify the means' approach to problem solving which even the most 'good' slytherins tend to adopt. Snape willing to kill a dying Dumbledore to solidify his cover with Voldemort, being a prime example.

[@Davidlyv1]

I got chills when the hat said "it is all here in your head," and connecting it to when Harry asked Dumbledore when he was in limbo, "professor is this real or is it just in my head" (I don't remember the exact words). How could I have missed this !!? Lol, am I freaking out for nothing? Possibly.. .but I thought it was neat 😊

[@SpeziFischDE]

with the hat seeing characteristics of every house in harry, it would be interesting to see similar stories to your what if harry was in slytherin one for the other two houses^^ i would guess they would not change as much as slytherin, but it might be worth a single vid for each^^

[@broccolihighkicks708]

People misunderstand the sorting. The hat, wasn’t taking Harry’s request, it was testing him: ‘Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness.’ Anyone who was truly ambitious would have jumped at the offer but Harry declined, which a Slytherin would not do. If the hat took requested Neville would be a Hufflepuff.

[@philippschwarz4539]

Harry does have Slytherin qualities. He does a certain disregard for the rules. That said Harry has too much empathy to put his ambitions above everyone else.

[@klaudiagrob]

I think Harry is a true Gryffindor. He has demonstrated a lot of courage through his years at Hogwarts.

[@matthewbates9629]

I don’t know he showed a lot resourcefulness throughout the books

[@frogboy2002]

I would want to say that when you mention Harry knowing nothing of the Houses themselves, he was given enough context to know he did not want to be in Slytherin due to his life experiences. I think Harry would have been just fine in any other house, but again those life experiences shaped who he became, and that is likely what the Sorting Hat saw in him. Also I think the line about the Sorting Hat taking into consideration Harry’s ability to choose his House lends itself to Harry being the Chosen One. Something Neville would have struggled with. Harry had the ability to shape his own destiny, while everyone else just had roles to play.

[@kielsonelnikos8589]

The Sorting Hat said Harry should be in Slytherin, and your counter was "nah, we knew better than that silly hat." The Sorting hat reads minds and look the the child's character and interests there's absolutely no proof that the Sorting hat can detect a pieces of soul inside someone. Also this entire "theory" hinges on the fact that Harry constatnly demonstrated being brave. Ever think that that's because that's what was required in those situations and that's what's expected of him, and therefore what he chose to be? If Harry had been sorted in Slytherin how would we know that he wouldn't show more of Slytherin's traits like being cunning and resourceful throughout the series? We wouldn't. In Harry's second year, the hat said it stood by its decision that Harry SHOULD have been in Slytherin. Even Dumbledore listed what makes Harry very suited to be in Slytherin. In the very same conversation, Dumbledore told Harry the one thing that actually mattered to the hat's decision above all else: Harry's choice. Leading to my favorite quote in the series: "It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities." It's Harry choosing to demonstrate bravery that made him worthy of wielding the sword. It's Harry choosing to prioritize the horocrux's hunt more than the Deathly Hollows, as demonstrated by him visiting Griphook before Ollivander, which I have always viewed as Harry choosing to fulfill responsibility over the quest for power, that's why Dumbledore said this to him: 15:28 Therefore this, "Harry is brave, therefore he shouldn't be in Slytherin Theory" is annoying af. It's annoying because it discredits harry and made him simplistic. "Harry chose to be brave," is infinitely more profound than, "Harry is brave." Thus the wisdom of Dumbledore's quote about choices. In conclusion, if the Sorting Hat ITSELF told Harry that he should be in Slytherin, then maybe we shouldn't question the hat that has only one job, and who has been doing it for literal millennia. P.S. I love the thumbnail art..

[@BowsandAros]

3:45 yes, we are cool. Olivander himself was a ravenclaw and this guy’s a genius

[@Doomzdeh]

I believe that the Sorting Hat considers how well someone would do in a specific House. In this case, Harry would make more friends as a Gryffindor and would have a significantly easier path to success by learning how to be brave and being surrounded by those who are brave and honorable. That is why Harry was not placed in Slytherin. He had the ambition and the cunning, but he also had bravery and chivalry. He was a Gryffindor because he would simply do better there than in Slytherin. Of course, I love the If Harry Was in Slytherin story, so I seriously have to question the Sorting Hat’s judgment.

[@johng482]

I always assumed the sorting hat was more or less trolling Harry about Slytherin while it made up its mind.

[@UHHHHHH4229]

I wonder if the sorting hat was able to detect voldemort's soul in harry and maybe that is why it was considering Slytherin.

[@hdtheduck2293]

I have a what if idea for you guys: What if Cedric came back as a ghost?

[@ArtsySinger]

3:26 Oops! Forgot to update the book and chapter reference.

[@radcircles9865]

We can speculate all day if and should Harry be in Slytherin, but I just cannot see Harry in Ravenclaw. He just isn’t the most sharpest tool in the magical shed

[@brenthock5307]

I find it funny that the only thing that seems to make Harry angry is being ignored. Friends dying, parents being mocked, they irk him but Dumbledore not talking to him or the daily prophet not making fun of him, oooooh boy

[@OliviaBolger]

I don’t think it’s being ignored exactly but more of being kept in the dark, no one is giving him any sort of information on what is going on

[@morrigankasa570]

Yep, Harry is a True Gryffindor. However, another potential thing to put him in other houses is the "Deathly Hallows" & the 3 Brothers. Voldy & Harry are both distant descendants of that family and are distant cousins because of that. Similarly the 3 items each can technically tie to different houses; The Elder Wand=Slytherin, The Resurrection Stone=Hufflepuff, The Invisibility Cloak=Ravenclaw. Unfortunately that leaves Gryffindor without a "Deathly Hallow". Although, "The Veil" could be considered something similar to a Hallow that could tie to Gryffindor. Anyhow, Harry can use all 3 Hallows with minimum effort so what if the Sorting Hat could somehow sense his potential to use such items like that and thus was debating each House related to that & Harry's other Traits?

[@farazzahmedx]

Can you please do a what if the Golden trio was in the their second house choices? Harry being in slytherin, Ron being in Hufflepuff and Hermione being in Ravenclaw.

[@gregorymeyer1798]

If not for the scar the Sorting Hat wouldn’t have had such a hard time placing him, it was Harry having a piece of Voldemort that caused it to go the way it did.

[@jmace2424]

15:50 A red-blooded Gryffindor if you will.

[@Tasha9315]

Harry's a true Gryffindor. One thing many fans seem to get wrong is that the hat sorts on "values" NOT traits. So it doesn't matter if Harry has Slytherin traits or not. What matters was that he valued Gryffindor traits. He had traits of both houses (though maybe ore Gryffindor) but the fact that he didn't want to be in Slytherin is symbolic of him not valuing the traits of that house.

[@derekstein6193]

9:19-9:21 One of the most dangerous moments for Harry in all the films. By Dumbledore handing the Sword of Gryphindor to the Boy Who Lived in such a way as he had to grasp it by the end portion of the blade, all it would've taken is one tiny slip of the hand to put basilisk venom back into him. Yes, Fawkes was there, but as far as I know, there is no precedent in the Wizarding World of anybody benefiting from a phoenix's tears twice to overcome supernatural venom. Maybe it would work, maybe not, but should Dumbledore have even taken the chance? If nothing else, it would definitely have killed the mood.

[@OliviaBolger]

Or it could of killed Harry. It’s common sense not to hand a sharp object to someone with the sharp end pointing towards them

[@ashleighmarine7333]

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…Hermione’s first solution to a problem as an eleven year old was to set her teacher on fire. Ladies and gentlemen, that’s not a Ravenclaw. I rest my case. As for Harry, movie Harry is 100% Gryffindor, book Harry is 50% Gryffindor, 50% Slytherin, running on sass and spite and 100% Causing Problems On Purpose. Ron in my mind is a pretty classic Gryffindor but I think Petigrew was also a pretty classic Gryffindor. (No insult to Ron, I love his character)

[@BowsandAros]

5:32 I don’t think flunking an exam would someone less ravenclaw. Ravenclaws feel like the students who cram for a test because they spent all their time learning mythology. I always thought ravenclaws valued knowledge for the sake of it. Luna isn’t at all the studious type. Ravenclaws love knowledge, but they focus on the freedom to choose what to study, the creativity to think of unique ways to use their smarts, and the individuality to learn your own way.

[@billysmith5409]

One thing I noticed after Riddle tells Harry “Parceltounge won’t help you now the basilisk only obeys me.” Harry says help me and the basilisk sweeps the hat right into his arms.

[@littlefoot5013]

I thought of an interesting what if. It's a sort of universe flip where heroes and antagonists are flipped. An example would be having Sheev Palpatine and Hugo Demask (Plagius) be two Jedi, the only two left, trying to defeat a Sith Empire on Courascant run by Darth Yoda, Darth Kenobi, Darth Windu, Darth Jinn, etc in Star Wars. In this one, a young Slytherin student named Tom Riddle would face off against an evil dark wizard from Gryffindor house by the name of Harry Potter. We could still have Riddle be an orphan of sorts (mother died when he was young, father abandoned him) and the dark wizard Harry Potter lost his mother and father to a Muggle attack when he was young and then was raised by his only family left, his Muggle aunt Petunia, uncle vernon, and cousin Dudley Dursley, where he was abused for years. After graduating Hogwarts, Harry Potter returned to the Dursley house and murdered his aunt, uncle, and cousin and became a dark force in the wizarding world known as Lord Voldemort who waged a campaign against Muggles and Muggle Borns. What could be more interesting here is that Ron and Hermoine and Neville could all be Death Eaters in this universe and Tom Riddle's school friends, the good guys, could be Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, Peter Pettigrew, etc.

[@DJay157524]

We need a part two to "If Neville was the Chosen One". Though i really would like to know how year 4 would've gone had Barty Crouch Jr been discovered sooner? What Snape instead chose to investigate further into what we happening to his storage? How would the rest of the series go from there?

[@ugolomb]

I'd like to see a reverse scenario: what if Barty Crouch Jr. had never been caught in the first place and, instead of going to Azkaban and then being imprisoned by his father -- would have joined the Ministry under his father as Minister? (If Crouch Jr. hadn't been caught, there would have been no scandal, and Crouch Senior would most likely have been elected Minister). One thing I see happening, in such a case, is Crouch Jr. becoming DADA teacher under his own true identity -- but still secretly being a Death Eater

[@Boundwithflame23]

@@ugolombOkay but now I’m picturing David Tennant as Barty Jr teaching DADA but it’s just the Tenth Doctor being himself. (I don’t know the exact timing on if he was Ten before Barty Jr or the other way round)

[@ugolomb]

@@Boundwithflame23 from what I could see, the 10th Doctor first appeared in 2005 -- same year the Goblet of Fire was released. I somehow suspect that Tenant filmed his scenes for that film before he started filming Doctor Who, but maybe he did both in tandem. His role in the Goblet of Fire is quite small, anyway -- only two scenes (one in the Pensieve, the other when he's interrogated by Dumbledore)

[@KathyJ4563]

Video idea. Could you please do a video where ALL of them are different houses? Maybe not too many things would be different but i think itd be cool to see how ghings would turn out with Harry in Slytherin, Hermione in Ravenclaw and Ron in Hufflepuff. I know one of the main things would be that they would no longer be able to use the sword of Gryffindor.

[@vivekvs1992]

Do you think by the time the sorting hat reaches the last few first years it thinks, oh I have put too few children in hufflepuff this year.. Let's just put the rest of them there??

[@inkaviolet]

I think this talent Sorting Hat was talking about was a reference to Harry's greatest weapon. Love is ultimate goal of every Hufflepuff - that's why Helga wanted everyone in her house, and Harry basically saved everyone - including people he never liked, Filch, Draco, Zacharias Smith, Umbridge, the list goes on, because he sacrificed for everybody, not only those present in Hogwarts at that moment.

[@missynnifer]

Harry is a Hufflepuff. Ron is Slytherin. Harry is loyal, befriends outcasts etc and sees everyone as equal and values friendship. Ron cares so much about status and validation, is kind off cruel or mean to outsiders and I think this is why he’s so affected by the horcrux. Just my thoughts.

[@Miss_Myth]

LOVE this take! I've never liked when people call Ron a Hufflepuff; it always feel like they only say it to make the other two work, but his actual character, actions, and drives just. don't. fit. At least not to me.

[@missynnifer]

@@Miss_Myth agree! I think the only reason Ron is categorised as Hufflepuff is because he’s not in the limelight the way Harry and Hermione are. The same way that Hufflepuff get hardly any mention and are discounted as the ‘other’ house. Ron is wildly ambitious (Mirror of Erised, his feeling about Slugclub and the tournament) but has very little confidence. The only Slytherin thing about Harry IMO is his relationship with Voldy.

[@brandonhelcher3691]

Yeah, he wants to stand apart from his family, surpass them if possible.The hat even says: "Another Weasley! I know just what to do with you." As if it decided to simply place him with his family rather then examine him too closely.

[@chokemewithmydiamonds9456]

not you putting negative traits as being exclusively slytherin's

[@jesbury6597]

Thank you, Ben! I LOVE this explanation and how even though he was foolhardy and sometimes a dope, Harry was always brave.

[@biancabrooks280]

I really would like to see a saga length version on what HP would be like if Harry had been sorted into Ravenclaw. I just think that would have been neat!

[@jeffscott5684]

I always took the "thirst to prove yourself" as his desire to belong and prove he's worthy of being a part of the magical community. There are a lot of references to Harry's insecurity about how little he knows about the magical world.

[@richhonican1457]

I told my mom about the What if harry was in Slytherin videos yesterday, and she said "What if Harry had met, and befriended Malfoy instead of Ron?"

[@blossombelle]

But he did meet Malfoy and basically thought of him and a wizard version of Dudley soo he already didn't like him.

[@gregormehn]

I said it once and will say it all over again: The trio represents the other houses, just in a different combination: Hermione - is smart, yes. But being smart is not the main trait of Rawenclaw: Everyone can be smart if they read textbooks nonstop like Hermione. But why does she do it? Because she wants to be the best, she`s ambitious. You don`t see Rawenclaws surpass all other students because they are supposed to be "the smart house". The motto is "wit beyond measure is mans greatest treasure." Wit, aka wisdom, not being booksmart. Hermione is definitly the amibtious one, the most Slytherin-like of the Trio. Harry - is most likely placed in Slytherin because, you know, a part of Voldemort, THE most Slytherin-guy (next to Salazar himself) lives inside of him. Apart from that, Harry is not very ambitious apart from Quidditch, and sorry - when we see him using the map or the cloak, he is not so clever either. His defining characteristic is his love - his love is so great that Voldemort can`t stand it, Harry is probably one of the most loyal persons in the canon. He is the most Hufflepuff-like. Ron - is difficult. He is always put in Hufflepuff because he is Harry`s best friend, but he breaks with Harry AND Hermione on different occasions in the books (he did come back to his senses altough). And as you said, looking into is school career, he is not very hard working or ambitious. But I would say Ron is the most clever out of the three: In times of pressure, he came up with lighting a place up with magic (book one), he is extremly good at chess, something were you have to outthink your opponent, he had the idea about the basisilk fangs (book 7), he fought his way back to Harry and Hermione alone (book 7), he is the one to come up with the idea that Sturgis Podmore was trapped (book 5) - the list goes on and on. That shows that Ron might not be as (book)smart as Hermione, but he is definitly more witty. He is the most Rawenclaw-like.

[@jameskirk4692]

I agree. Thank you for this video and especially very much so for the what-if Harry was in Slytherin story. I enjoyed that what-if enormously.😊

[@richardchisenhall387]

Just my personal wishes for who is in what house. Harry is slytherin to foster a relationship with draco and actually have him turn to the good side, Hermione ravenclaw to have her and Luna be friends from earlier on, ron is Hufflepuff and is at first very sensitive about being the only Weasley not in Gryffindor especially in the second book when Ginny arrives, this lead to Cedric taking Ron under his wing and being a good influence on him. This would double down on the hurt when Cedric dies bc it's not just Harry's crushes ex, it's Ron's mentor essentially. Neville is the Gryffindor and he still doesn't really feel like he fits in well, but now that Fred and George don't have Harry or Ron around as much, they take on a bit of a fraternal role for Neville helping him build confidence so it doesn't take as long for him to get over his shyness. These changes lead to some alternative pairings, namely, Harry and Hermione being a couple, Ron and Luna ( go red moon!) And Neville and Ginny. Also maybe make another prominent Hufflepuff girl character who ends up with Draco, balancing his upright attitude with a certain laid back feeling

[@TRDPaul]

I always tied these two lines together "You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on your way to greatness, no doubt about that" - The Sorting Hat "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things - terrible, yes, but great." - Ollivander

[@Quintzal]

Submitted for your consideration: Perhaps the Sorting Hat's assertion that he could achieve greatness by going to Slitherin was, in and of itself, the test of Harry's priorities. If his need to prove himself motivated him to question his bias, that would demonstrate a different set of priorities. At the same time, taking a stand to assert a position against a talking, mind reading hat demonstrates courage. Or blind stubbornness, which also works for Griffindor. Re: The heir of Slytherin - after over 500 years of intermarriage within a limited community, I would think every student from a Wizarding family in the UK would be a descendent of Slytherin.

[@CheshireCat-cm1si]

Hey guys, are you taking requests for videos? I found a theory for an older Pixar movie if you're interested. This one concerns Monsters, Inc: What would actually happen if the humans discovered the Monster World (post the first movie, when they're using laugh power). There are a couple of ways I feel things would go should the monsters ever be exposed: 1) The humans freak out and declare all out war on the monsters (accessing the Monster world by keeping the closet doors open once they've been activated, thus making it impossible for the monsters to turn it off), likely killing/locking up the monsters they find, 2) the humans find a way to block the monsters out (maybe by boarding up all of the closets), thus draining their energy supply until they either lose power entirely or find a new source of energy, or 3) monsters and humans simply find a way to co exist (best case scenario) like what happened at the end of Luca. I'm really interested in seeing what you guys do with it if you're interested.

[@Kumquat9701]

3:41 Why, thank you! I am so cool!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Its always appreciated how much effort and passion it goes into thesw videos guys! You're awesome 🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️

[@hnnh621]

In my head the sorting hat and olivander have the same chaotic neutral/good vibes and spookiness

[@chedvarose2064]

Could you make a theory of if Sirius had actually killed Peter after he knew that Peter told Voldermort about James and Lilly?

[@Chewys_Travels]

ok those 4D puzzles look amazing. its been a while since a sponsor product caught my eye and now i have to give these a try.. good job Ben on selling it to me.. lol

[@MumboJ]

As a British person, describing someone's food as "not bad" is one of the highest compliments you can possibly give.

[@bordomgirl5]

Honestly I've always wanted to see how things would've been with Harry as a Hufflepuff!

[@chequesaurus]

I feel like the hat asking Harry if he was sure, was the hat testing Harry’s courage and conviction; as I am sure not many student tell the hat what to do and that takes a lot of courage.

[@christianatunni]

4D Build are the BEST sponsors you've had all year!

[@j.carlos3980]

Nicely said Ben about courage. But is Harry brave or courageous? Harry is written to be a self-sacrificing hero. He does brave and wise things like changing the Boggart from Voldemort to a Dementor. It was hate and anger that drove him down through the trap door in The Philosopher's Stone. It was a thirst to prove himself that pushed him to find the Chamber of Secrets. It was loyalty to his father's memory that stopped Sirius and Lupin from killing Wormtail, but he was driven again by anger to hunt down Sirius (a normal reaction from any loved one). Though it was bravey that kept him faltering in the Tri Wizard Tournament. In the Order of the Phoenix it was Harry showing both Gryffindor and Slytherin traits, but it was barvery boarding on stupidity facing off against Fudge and Umbridge who had all the power at the time. Anger and hate drove Harry in the Halfblood Prince. It didn't have to be just the 'Golden Trio' who hunted down the Horcruxes. It was his loyalty to Dumbledore and a thirst to prove himself. For me to sum up Harry Potter's character is the self-sacrificing hero trope. Ps. Super Carlin Brothers could you do a What If of "What If Voldemort Did Not Believe The Prophecy"?

[@scottr2314]

In the movies when Harry questions which house he really should have been in, Doubledore says "it is not our abilities that show what we truely are, it is our choices". In the books, "it is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities". The Sword of Gryffindor presented itself to Harry, their is no way that it could have been the case unless hen was a Gryffindor.

[@notme6753]

I have a feeling that JK initially wanted the tres amigos to be each in different houses like Harry in Slytherin, Hermione in Ravenclaw and Ron in Gryffindor. Would've been cool to see them from different houses hanging out together and become best of friends.

[@KudaKeileon]

The "talent" and "thirst to prove yourself", otherwise known as ambition, are solidly traits attributed to Slytherin. Given that Hufflepuff is a bit of the leftovers/"other" house, it makes more sense that the hat was pointing out traits of the other houses. Which means that Harry has one point to Gryffindor, one to Ravenclaw, and two to Slytherin. Thus, he WOULD have been placed in Slytherin if he hadn't requested not to be.

[@Keyboardje]

I think that if you watch and really listen to that scene with Tom Riddle and the basilisk, Harry *DID* try to use parseltongue to stop the basilisk. That is why Tom states it only listens to him. At least in the movie. Not sure about the book version.

[@bw1678]

I think "talent" refers to Ravenclaw, and "not a bad mind" can be interpreted as "not an evil mind", therefore Hufflepuff.

[@corellonable]

The thing that would make him fit for Hufflepuff is his overwhelmingly loving nature, i think. He had every reason to be a "ruined child" because of his upbringing but he wasnt. But id have loved to see a Harry in Slytherin, specifically for the "Slytherin can help you achieve great ambition" part.

[@lizzietizzy]

Your podcast sounds awesome! 🦉