Did Pottermore Mis-Sort Us?

You’ve been wondering whether I put you in the right House,” said the hat smartly. “Yes…you were particularly difficult to place. But I stand by what I said before”—Harry’s heart leapt—“you would have done well in Slytherin—”

Harry’s stomach plummeted. He grabbed the point of the hat and pulled it off. It hung limply in his hand, grubby and faded. Harry pushed it back onto its shelf, feeling sick.

“You’re wrong,” he said aloud to the still and silent hat. It didn’t move. Harry backed away, watching it. ~ CoS

If you’ve been Sorted on Pottermore, you know that there is no Hat to scream “Not _______!” into. There are no arguments or discussions or choices to be taken into account when being Sorted. So how do we know we’ve been placed into the right House?

Recently, Eleanor, a fellow MuggleNet staff member, and I had a discussion about our Sortings. On the MuggleNet Creative Team we compete monthly for points; the winning House gets their banner displayed on our private group page. I kept listing Eleanor as a Ravenclaw—wishful thinking because she always gets a ton of points—when she is actually a Slytherin according to Pottermore. I think she exhibits Ravenclaw tendencies, but I respect her choice (most of the time).

I know several people who have taken the Sorting quiz more than once. Some of them are Sorted into the same House, while others change Houses. Eleanor brought up a very good point: If you know the books well enough, you can choose the responses that get you the House you want. She broke down the elements for me (another reason you’re a Slytherclaw, Eleanor).

Back to my original premise: Did Pottermore—Does Pottermore mis-Sort us?

If I had a choice at the time of my Sorting, I would have chosen Ravenclaw. But now, I don’t know. I think I am a Ravenpuff—or at least, I aspire to be. But what about those who are Sorted into a House (Tom Felton) they do not care to join? Should they be strapped to that House, or should the Pottermore Sorting Hat have given them a choice?

After all, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” ~ Dumbledore, CoS

If you could have chosen during your Sorting Ceremony, what House would you be?

Me: I really want to be a Puff.

Eleanor: If you really want it—then you are.