How Slytherin of you to say so...

"Don't be a prat; this whole house rivalry thing is completely pointless. Calling someone Slytherin isn't actually a compliment or an insult."

"What the hell Harry? Everyone knows how they sort the houses, and we all know exactly where the dark wizards get sorted."

"That's absolute bollocks. They're school houses. They don't determine who you are or what you'll do, and for that matter they tell you sweet f.a. about the 'type' of person or wizard that someone is. People don't work that way, it's completely ridiculous to split people up into four categories and pigeon hole them like that."

Ron looked scandalised at the heresy of undermining the house system. "But everyone knows..."

"Ron, you're being an idiot. Everyone knows is the stupidest reason ever. It's what people always say when they're spouting gossip and rumours." Ron spluttered, but Harry stopped him. "Listen, Hermione's pretty smart, right?"

"Of course she is; cleverest bloody witch in our year."

"No, she can't be clever. Gryffindors aren't clever, Ravenclaws are."

"What?! She is so clever, Harry!"

Harry sighed, resigning himself to laying out his point more fully. Ron was a good mate, but not really one for picking up on inferences and hints. "I know, but the sorting hat didn't label her as Ravenclaw because she's more than just school work and books. No one is that... flat." He paused, "I don't know how else to say it, I'm not explaining it right, am I?"

Ron nodded pensively, "no, I think I get what you're saying, but I need to get my head around it. It's like people aren't just one thing? So the house characteristics are only a little bit of who they are?" He looked at Harry questioningly, and the dark haired boy nodded his head enthusiastically, surprised how quickly Ron seemed to be accepting this. "Except Slytherins; they're death eater wannabes Harry, you know they are."

Harry let his head fall forwards on the table with a heavy thunk.