Why Hermione Granger is in Gryffindor (and not Ravenclaw)

Dumbledore and Snape stood over the dead, mangled bodies of Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. Snape stepped over them disdainfully.

“I don't think this is working sir. Perhaps the Longbottom boy-” Snape began.

 “Nonsense. Harry IS the chosen one. Let me review the prophecies! I shall consult my pensieve,” Dumbledore replied quickly. Snape pressed his fingers together.

“Yes, about that. I've been worried about what the continual use of that contraption might be doing to your-” Snape began again.

“Come Snape. The time turner. We must go back again!” Dumbledore cried. Snape sighed heavily.

They stepped into Dumbledore's study. Snape looked at the calendar on the wall.

“Their first year. Again...” Snape noted. Dumbledore nodded happily.

“We'll figure it out soon enough my old friend,” Dumbledore said happily, popping a lemon candy in his mouth. Snape rubbed his temples.

“They've been killed by the basilisk. They've been killed by 'Fluffy'. They've been killed by Quirrel, and some random werewolf, and centaurs they pissed off. They're like stress dolls for the Fates,” Snape groaned.

“We must be overlooking something...” Dumbledore muttered, looking through a tome laying out on his desk. Snape shuffled some papers.

“What are those?” Dumbledore asked.

“Oh, nothing. I was reviewing test scores from the NEWT's of the seventh years in the future. You know, the grade that Potter and Weasley never make it to,” Snape replied in stoice cadance.

“I was just noticing that the Granger girl, the one from Ravenclaw, she scores perfect marks in nearly every category. She did the same in her OWL's in the fifth year. The other year the boys never survive to,” Snape continued in his insistently droll tone. Dumbledore looked up.

“Yes, yes. Hermione Granger. Exceptional witch. The brightest student of Hogwarts this generation,” Dumbledore murmured in reply.

“Why can't she be the 'chosen one'!” Snape hissed.

“You know Trelawney's prophecy,” Dumbledore answered sagely.

“Of course. She's so spot on the rest of the time. Let's entrust the fate of the world on her tea infused tie-dyed rantings...” Snape grumbled.

“Now now Severus. We will see this through,” Dumbledore said consolingly. Snape pressed his lips together and nodded.

“What about the Longbottom boy? He's at least staying alive til graduation,” Snape suggested.

“No no. It's definitely Potter,” Dumbledore replied, not looking up from another book in his hand. Snape nodded.

“Of course.”

The time turner dangled from it's chain, spinning on Dumbledore's desk. Snape gasped.

“The Granger girl!” he began.

“She can't be the chosen one,” Dumbledore refuted.

“No. But she can keep the other two alive. Or, Potter at least,” Snape offered.

“What are you suggesting?” Dumbledore asked.

“We have to make them friends. Make Granger an ally of theirs early on,” Snape pressed.

“How do suggest we do this Severus?” Dumbledore asked.

“We...and I know I will regret this, get her sorted into Gryffindor,” Snape suggested.

“But, manipulating the Sorting? That would have grave affects on the future of the wizarding world. That could be unethical,” Dumbledore protested.

“You have that Hat put every mouth breather that walks through the door put into Hufflepuff and you know it,” Snape accused. Dumbledore was silent a moment. He cleared his throat. He took a sip of water. He looked back at Snape.

“I suppose it couldn't hurt. You know, this one time,” Dumbledore conceded.

“Yes... this single, solitary time...” Snape answered. He stifled a smirk. Dumbledore pretended not to notice. He held out a jar to Snape.

“Lemon drop?”