I went to a school in Dubai which had the IGCSE system. We had 4 houses (red, blue, green and red), captains of houses, prefects and a headboy and girl so I was well acquainted with the system before reading HP. I remember that half of my class was in blue because it was somehow their favourite colour.

My opinion about the house system in HP is that we are giving to much credit for JK. The only purpose she made them was as a way to separate the "bad" and "good" characters. Ravenclaw was the only one which actually had a clear definition of which students it accepted (intelligent and wit). Hufflepuff was either the house were the hard-working and loyal go to or the one were all the left-overs go to.

And it wasn't just a PS thing, Dumbledore mentions to Snape at the end of book 7 that they may have "sorted students too early" since Snape was apparently too good and noble to be sorted in Slytherin.

 

Wait I don't remember that, does it actually say that if yes then wow. Just wow.

Also 4 colours red, blue, green and red?

 

I think I remember it saying that, but I'm not sure. ((At least that "sometimes they Sort too soon."))

Until a few years ago, I didn't really know other places actually had a House system in place, either. Oops.

Anyway. The first post was fascinating, but I don't think most 11-year-olds are capable of thinking ahead that far and planning it like that. Particularly anyone who hasn't grown up knowing about Hogwarts because most people aren't like Hermione and didn't immediately read every possible thing they could find about the school.

 

11 year olds are more cunning and devious than you think. They can definitely plan and think far ahead. You just have to get them motivated.

 

So basically the only ones capable of doing it are Hufflepuff? Makes sense. Reminds me of a quote I saved but don't remember where it is from: