kerravonsen | Pondering Pondering

Had a thought as I was getting dressed (as one does). In my Draco-time-travel-AU (which, when I get back to it, I am going to have to throw away everything but the prologue) I originally had both Draco and Harry sorted into Slytherin; Draco wanted to go into Ravenclaw, but the Hat also considered Gryffindor (due to the circumstances of Draco travelling back in time).

Anyway, it occurred to me... what if Harry were in Slytherin, Draco was in Gryffindor... and Ron was in Slytherin? That would certainly put the cat among the pigeons! But I'm not sure if I dare.

Here's my reasoning, though:
* Harry could be in Slytherin, that's canon.
* Draco, yes, he's a coward, but in travelling back in time he did something brave, and the Sorting Hat could point out that bravery isn't not being afraid, but going ahead and doing something even when you are afraid. (This could be very interesting character development for Draco)
* Ron is lazy, yes, but he also wants to prove himself different from his brothers. He also might want to be in Slytherin because Harry is - though that might be a problem too, since Ron will be jealous of Harry's fame. On the other hand, if Ron is in the same House, he might be able to see that Harry doesn't like his fame. Also, getting Ron out of Gryffindor when Draco is in Gryffindor would remove a source of friction which Draco doesn't need. (Draco is going to have enough trouble as it is)

So... what do y'all think? Stupid idea?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Might be interesting to see what sort of problems Ron would have with his brothers (especially Percy) if he were in Slytherin. And if it was partly because Harry was there, how would his parents feel about that? How would they feel toward Harry?

Indeed. Though I think Ron would have more trouble from the twins, in the sense that they would prank him mercilessly, I think.

As for Molly and Arthur, I'm not sure what their reaction would be to either Ron or Harry. Molly might feel she'd failed as a parent, for having a child sorted into Slytherin... 8-/

I've always considered the defining trait for sorting into Slytherin as being ambition, not cowardice. So what you way about Ron wanting to prove himself would fit well with that.

I also think that people who overcome fear are braver than those who don't have that personal struggle. Neville's a good example. So Draco could certainly go into Gryffindor if he did something brave.

But would they be friends? It seems that only in senior years do people make friends outside their houses. If they were all in Slytherin though...

I've always considered the defining trait for sorting into Slytherin as being ambition, not cowardice.

Oh, agreed. But there's also "cunning" too.

But would they be friends? It seems that only in senior years do people make friends outside their houses. If they were all in Slytherin though...

Hmmmm. I just kind of think that the universe would implode if Draco and Ron were in the same House...

I agree about the cunning too.

I'd like to read about Harry and Draco in the same house, and Draco not making that mistake when they first met so they'd be friends.

Ron's too easy going for Slytherin. He doesn't desire power.

Ron doesn't desire power, he desires fame. Remember, he wanted to be the Quidditch Captain, winning the Quidditch Cup, and be Head Boy, according to the Mirror of Erised.

Fair point, but that still doens't feel Slytherin.

I always thought the Weasley twins could be great in Slytherin. There ought to be an angle why Ron was. Canon: He's good at chess. Even though JKR dropped that immediately, doesn't that somehow translate into cunning, or couldn't it?

Even though JKR dropped that immediately, doesn't that somehow translate into cunning, or couldn't it?

Certainly I've seen others use that as a basis for Smart!Ron in fanfic... and chess isn't necessarily an academic!smarts thing. The thing that holds Ron back is that he doesn't seem to apply his brain to anything other than chess; and the way some authors have brought out his smarts is to get him to think outside the chessboard.

Actually, I could see it as possible if set up correctly during the Sorting Hat.

New to everything still, Harry doesn't argue with the Sorting Hat, rather shocked that it considers him for Slytherin he's too late in "voicing" his objections until it announces him.

Malfoy is next in the alphabetical list. As the Sorting Hat ruminates on him, he finds himself rather flattered to find it thinks he could be brave, but he is surprised that the Hat actually puts him in Gryffindor. Now he is the shocked one as he imagines his father's reaction.

Ron is shocked when Harry is sorted there. He sees Harry looking stunned and upset over how he's been placed, and notices other Slytherins sneering at Harry, which rouses Ron's anger at poor Harry being stuck alone among the horrible Slytherins. Then Malfoy, whom he detests ends up in Gryffindor. I can see him going to the hat thinking it's made a mistake, and wishing he and Harry could be together--and when the Hat dithers about placing him in Hufflepuff (because his loyalty to a new friend is roused) it ends up granting his wish to be with Harry by putting him in Slytherin as well.

I can now imagine that the three Gryffindor friends will be Neville, Hermione and Draco, once Draco begins to realize his "pureblood" ideals will do him no good. Will they also befriend the two who I can imagine will not fit in well with their housemates? Ron will be scorned for being from a "blood-traitor" family, and Harry for being Muggle-raised...

I would love to see just how Snape will deal with having Harry and Ron in his house, and how Ron's brothers would also react to the situation. Will they support him even though they tease him, or would they try to distance themselves?

I'd read the heck out of a story like that...

I'd read the heck out of a story like that...

Aw shucks. 8-)

New to everything still, Harry doesn't argue with the Sorting Hat, rather shocked that it considers him for Slytherin he's too late in "voicing" his objections until it announces him.

It doesn't even have to be like that; one of the reasons Harry didn't want to go into Slytherin was the way that Draco behaved when they met; this Draco (who has travelled back in time) even if he doesn't like Harry, realizes that he doesn't want to make an enemy of him, so he behaves with less idiocy.

One of my favourite bits in the original version (which I hope I can keep in the rewrite) is Draco being totally flabbergasted that Harry is sorted into Slytherin after Draco's mental commentary that Potter is so Gryffindor he should be painted red and yellow... yeah.

I can see him going to the hat thinking it's made a mistake, and wishing he and Harry could be together--and when the Hat dithers about placing him in Hufflepuff (because his loyalty to a new friend is roused) it ends up granting his wish to be with Harry by putting him in Slytherin as well.

I like that.

I can now imagine that the three Gryffindor friends will be Neville, Hermione and Draco, once Draco begins to realize his "pureblood" ideals will do him no good.

Mmmm, I like that too.

I would love to see just how Snape will deal with having Harry and Ron in his house

(smirks at the thought)

I was thinking more of Ron's revelation on the train that "all the dark wizards were Slyterin" and "You-Know-Who" was Slytherin. I'd almost forgotten about Draco's idiocy, LOL!

Well, I would! It sounds like a great AU!

If you can think up a good enough reason for Ron to be in Slytherin is the crux. A desire to be with a new friend is too Gryffindor or Hufflepuff than Slytherin. After all as the youngest boy in the Weasley household he might harbour hidden ambitions, or resentments brought about by being the youngest and by the sound of it teased a lot by Fred and George.

I would dearly love to see Lucius' reaction when he learns his son has been Sorted into Gryffindor.

"Forge?"

"Yes, brother dear?"

"Can it, you twit. We've only got a few moments before they come to get the Sorting Hat. What was that spell again?"

"Confundo"

The hat shuddered, opened its eyes, and stared at the two redheads in front of it. "Eh? Weasleys? What are you two up to?"

"Er ... nothing. Nothing at all. We have a dinner to go to, don't we, Gred?"

They made it out and the door closed behind them. Not 30 seconds later, Dumbledore bustled in and lifted the hat. "First night sorting. Are you ready?"

Already been done.

Oh my. Yes. But hey - that makes it Fanon, surely?

Pondering Pondering

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