7 Harry Potter Characters Who Were ALMOST Sorted Into A Different House

The Sorting Ceremony is an intimidating prospect for everyone who enters Hogwarts. First Years must sit on a stool in front of hundreds of other students and wait for the Sorting Hat to place them in one of four houses – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin.

The Hat’s decision is influenced by the individual traits of the student being sorted. Gryffindors are usually brave. Hufflepuffs are often kind and loyal. Ravenclaws are usually the most intelligent. And Slytherins are often ambitious and hungry for power.

Over the years, most people didn’t cause any problems for the Sorting Hat. Draco Malfoy and Tom Riddle, for instance, were sorted into Slytherin at once.

But sometimes it took much longer for a decision to be made. Indeed, there were a number of students who almost ended up in different houses because the Hat was so conflicted about where to place them. And this is understandable given J.K. Rowling’s ability to create complex and interesting characters.

Whilst the majority of students were sorted correctly, some of the following characters still ended up in the wrong house despite how much time they spent with the Sorting Hat on their head...

Minerva McGonagall was one of the best teachers in the Harry Potter series. She was strict, powerful, and surprisingly kind when she wanted to be. She was also Head of Gryffindor and later became Headmistress of Hogwarts following Voldemort’s downfall.

When she arrived at Hogwarts as a student, the Sorting Hat spent a very long time deciding where to place her. Due to her magical ability and impressive intellect, the Hat seriously considered placing McGonagall in Ravenclaw. Indeed, it took more than five minutes to make a decision.

Given her remarkable abilities, McGonagall would have flourished regardless of which house she was sorted into. But it’s rather ironic that the Head of Gryffindor was almost sorted into Ravenclaw.