After the war, Hermione spent a lot of time wondering how different her life would've been if only the sorting hat had put her in a different house. What she couldn't wrap her head around was the idea that her life could be decided by a battered old hat.
If she had been a Hufflepuff, would she have been best friends with Hannah Abbott? Hermione would've spent late nights sneaking snacks from the kitchen elves and comforting her friends during exam week. Perhaps she could've had a few more laughs and a lot fewer death threats over the years. Her favorite color might have even been yellow.
However, even if she had been a Ravenclaw, she still wouldn't understand Luna Lovegood and her foolishness. Hermione would have most definitely been the best at solving entrance riddles to the dorms. She probably would've started the peer-tutoring program she'd dreamed of since her second year. Perhaps she would have had more friends that understood her to need to learn. Her favorite teacher might have even been Professor Flitwick.
While, at first, the thought of being Slytherin left a bad taste in her mouth, she realized the house was probably the most suited to her. She could have fallen in love with Draco Malfoy, and put to rest the house's reputation for evil. Her days would be spent listening to he housemates debate the legitimacy of blood purity. She would have provided an invaluable insight to them that could dispel that myth. Who knows, perhaps she might have even grown fond of the dungeons.
Hermione shook the disruptive thoughts out of her head and went to join Ron in the kitchen of the Burrow.
"I really need to brew another batch of Draught of Peace." She thought to herself.