Maybe there was another way into the Ravenclaw tower.

"Which came first the phoenix or the flame?"

"Which hurts more, Cruciatus or a sledgehammer?"

"All right, fine, go in. Bastard."

"Who would win in a fight: pirate or ninja?"

"Batman."

"Well done. You may enter. Nerd."

I hope the door asks easier questions of the poor little first-year Ravenclaws.

And I am trying to parse why Hermione is in Gryffindor and Luna in Ravenclaw.

I think it is a question of what qualities you value as well as what you possess. Luna's explanation of the Ravenclaw password - that you wait until someone has an answer, that's how you learn - was what made me think she really belonged in Ravenclaw.

Hermione, while definitely being clever, is most defined by a kind of chivalry, defending the weak. Not that I can recall any specific examples besudes SPEW, but I think there were some.

Eta: I'd be in Hufflepuff

I think having the bravery to still throw her hand up in the air every time Snape asked a question, knowing what a prat he was going to be, qualifies her more as Gryffindor.

Not really sure about the essentialism of the sorting hat.

There's been a lot of talk out there about the Sorting Hat, and it seems obvious that a lot of characters could have been in more than one house. It told Harry he'd do well in Slytherin, and Hermione in Ravensclaw, and it seems their own inclinations went a long way toward where they ended up. I'm sure Cedric or Luna would have done fine in Gryffindor, or Neville or Ron in Hufflepuff, but personal inclination seems to go a long way with the hat. (And you never really hear about anyone complaining about which house they've been sorted into, do you?)

"If Superman and the Hulk got in a fight..."

"Happened twice, once in a big special tabloid sized crossover and once in the Marvel vs. DC limited series."

"...Goddamn do you belong in this House."

You want him in Ravenclaw. Admit it.

Well yeah, but to be honest he seems like either a Gryffindor or Slytherin. Probably Gryffindor, as he's not particularly sneaky, subtle, or manipulative about trying to get his way.

Of course, despite my own preference for Ravenclaw, I'd probably end up in "More Balls Than Brains" Gryffindor too.

Hermione's always seemed more of a Ravenclaw, but she is brave, and given that fewer Ravenclaws stayed to fight than Hufflepuffs, JK may think brains are somewhat craven. Or that Ravenclaws are the complete pocket-protector types, always wearing high-water robes. Plus, Hermione couldn't figure the basics out enough to keep the 200 Pages of Solitude from happening.

And McGonegall, who is clearly very smart, is a Gryffindor.

I think it is a question of what qualities you value as well as what you possess...Hermione, while definitely being clever, is most defined by a kind of chivalry, defending the weak.

She could have also been in Slytherin since arguably intelligence ranks more highly there than Gryffindor as well. However, ambition and/or an independent streak seems more important there, neither of which really defines her.

And you never really hear about anyone complaining about which house they've been sorted into, do you?

Dumbledore's comment to/about Snape, that maybe they Sort too early, was telling.

And MM nails who the true Ravenclaws are.

And McGonegall, who is clearly very smart, is a Gryffindor.

Because she's got balls of steel.