House assumptions

[pennyspace]

No: HPFGUIDX 45306



Barb said:

Hagrid also would be unlikely to say to Harry, 'There's only one 
wizard who went
bad who wasn't in Slytherin, and he's the one responsible for your 
parents'
murders.'  Harry's just recently learned of the true nature of his 
parents'
deaths.  Hagrid has a low opinion of Slytherins.  He's unlikely to 
qualify his
statement at this time and unduly distress Harry.  Just because 
Hagrid says
something doesn't make it so.  Hermione said there were only seven 
Animagi in
the last 100 years, but she didn't know about the illegal ones.  I 
doubt that
Hagrid knows about EVERY dark wizard who's ever gone to Hogwarts and 
what house
they were in.  (The Ministry could have had it much easier during 
Voldemort's
first reign of terror if all they had to do was look up former 
Slytherins and
keep an eye on them.)  Hagrid made a blanket statement that shows his 
prejudices
as much as Malfoy's statements show his.  Hagrid just happens to be 
more
likable.  It still doesn't mean that he knows what he's talking about.
 
me:

Hagrid's quote about Dark Wizards coming from Slytherin has been 
cropping up in this topic, but I feel this quote from CoS should also 
be considered.

"Harry well remembered putting it on, exactly one year ago, and 
waiting, petrified, for its decision as it muttered aloud in his 
ear.  For a few horrible seconds he feared that the hat was going to 
put him in Slytherin, the house which ahd turned out more dark 
witches and wizards than any other-" 

(chapter 5 The Whomping Willow pg. 61 aussie edition )

According to Harry, Slytherin has turned out *more* dark wizards, 
than any other, not *all* of them.  I think this is a very important 
distinction, and allows that some dark wizards do come out of other 
houses, just not as many as Slytherin.  Sirius could indeed be in 
Gryffindor and thought of as a dark wizard.

I think it would be too simplistic, and easy, if all dark wizards 
came from one house.  I believe one of the themes of the book is 
making choices, and creating who you are.  

This is my first post, so howdy :)

PennyR