Private Message to Professor Slughorn

[alt_ginny]

Professor Slughorn,

After receiving a reply from the Head Mistress this morning, I understand that the best that can be achieved in my situation is a mentorship with one of the older students in your house. Please Sir, may I request a meeting with you during your earliest opening next week so that we may sit and discuss the situation at hand.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Ginny W.

Comments

Private Message to Ginny Weasley

[alt_horace]

Miss Weasley

As the Headmistress has stated, the decision of the Sorting Hat is final. It has only been overturned once, in the most exceptional of circumstances, the like of which I doubt we will ever see again. You are far from the first student to feel she has been mis-Sorted, and I fear you will not be the last. Like all the others, you must stay where you are and do the best you can with it. As the Headmistress correctly said, the Hat would not have placed you in Gryffindor House were it not an entirely appropriate fit, whatever you may feel at this present time.

If you wish to form friendships with members of Slytherin House, you are of course entirely welcome to do so in the usual way. Inter-house friendships have been the foundation of Hogwarts, and indeed wider wizarding society, for many, many years, and are certainly encouraged.

If you wish to seek a mentor from among the older students, I suggest you engage one of the Prefects and seek their guidance, but I fear you will be hard pressed to find a student willing to give their time and effort for such an endeavour unless it provides them with some tangible benefit. That is, after all, the Slytherin way.

I myself can offer no further guidance than that.

I must say, you may indeed find yourself relieved that you were not Sorted into Slytherin House, as were I your Head of House, I would find myself compelled to have strong words with you regarding the way you have conducted yourself on this matter. You are, of course, always encouraged to speak to your teachers about any concerns you have, but publicly approaching the school Governors with such a request was brash, ill-considered and inappropriate. And decidedly Gryffindorish.

The friendships formed within ones House can certainly be an important part of ones experience here at Hogwarts, but your overall school experience is what you make of it. Your interest in Slytherin House and the qualities associated with our students is admirable, as is your desire to expand your skills and start considering your future. However, while I am of course biased towards the benefits of my own House, there is much to recommend Gryffindor House also. The skills you will learn and develop in your own House will be just as valuable to you in the future as those you might seek to improve through greater association with Slytherin House.

I hope you will take this advice in the spirit in which it is intended, and use it to go forth in a more positive way as you return for the new school year. I believe you have potential to be a great student, and an asset to your House and your family, but you must consider more carefully both the consequences of your actions, and their appearance to others.

I will see you in your Potions class when you return in September.

Regards

Professor Slughorn

Re: Private Message to Ginny Weasley

[alt_ginny]

Yes Sir, thank you Professor.

I look forward to seeing you next week in class as well.