[HPforGrownups] Slytherins and the MoM

[manawydan]

No: HPFGUIDX 51383

Pip:

> The idea that adults outside the Hogwarts environment share
> Hagrid's "all dark wizards come from Slytherin" bias, or consider
> it when deciding whom to trust, is not supported in the text.
> When Arthur Weasley is introducing his co-workers, he doesn't
> say a word about which House they belonged to.

Which I think is a very important point when you think about what sort of
occupation Slytherins might gravitate towards when they leave Hogwarts. If
you're ambitious in the WW, then _the_ place to go is the Ministry - it's
the sole source of political power and control-freakery. Must be _crawling_
with Slytherins. But although we know that Voldemort has his agents within
the MoM, if _all_ the Slyths were supposed to be bad guys, then they'd
pretty much be running the operation. Instead, the picture we get of
Ministry wizards is that they have a strong sense of purpose and mission
together with a great deal of personal loyalty.

> It's true that Arthur has evidently influenced his children against
> Slytherin. But that could be because he doesn't like the Malfoys,
> and doesn't want his children influenced by them. That would be
> reason enough to shun Slytherin without believing  that all dark
> wizards come from that House.

Bearing in mind Arthur's department within the MoM, it was going to be
inevitable that he would come into conflict with the Malfoys at some point.
And clearly the Malfoys' prejudice is based on _wealth_ as well as lineage.

BTW, has anyone else noticed the fact that MoM wages must be really low (a
bit like the muggle civil service - guess where I work!). Despite his
seniority, Arthur's lack of money is a standing joke, and even with both his
and Percy's salary coming into the household, they are still badly off.
Possibly Bagman's inability to pay his gambling debts is connected too!

Cheers

Ffred

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