Hmmm those are v interesting thoughts, Jess. I'm also wondering whether it's one of those things where they say the hat takes your choices into consideration, but really it's kind of like your choice actually reveals more information about who you are which in turn helps the hat choose so really it is still the hats choice at the end of the day #meta.

I also wonder whether the hat sorts based on where a person has the most potential for growth? So like, with Neville he asked for Hufflepuff but the hat might've seen more potential for growth in Hufflepuff and therefore overrode the request. Whereas for Harry, Gryffindor would've aided in his process for growth and therefore the hat was like "i mean i guess you can have it"