'It only put me in Gryffindor,' said Harry in a defeated voice, 'because I asked not to go in Slytherin. . . ' 'Exactly' said Dumbledore, beaming once more. 'Which makes you very different from Tom Riddle. It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. '
When you've got something to prove, there's nothing greater than a challenge.