Persons of Simultanious Heritage (was Re: Slytherin Purebloods?)

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 88190

> <severelysigune at y...> wrote:
> <snip> as far as we know 
> > from the books, there are less than ten pureblood families left 
in 
> > all <snip>
> 
> filoroll:
> No wonder the kids turn out bad, there's too much in-mixing within 
a 
> family.  Must be due to genetic defects.

Ginger:

Please, filoroll, don't take this as though I am responding to you 
alone.  It is not at all meant to be personal.  There have been 
several comments since the tapestry was revealed in OoP implying or 
stating that being of simultanious heritage produces undesirable 
offspring.

As we discussed the Slytherins that are or may be half blood, I 
wonder if the criteria for being "pure enough" is to be born of a 
witch and wizard, regardless of their birth circumstances.  It seemed 
to be enough for Draco when he met Harry in Madame Malkin's.  Draco 
asks about Harry's parents by asking if they were "our kind".  Harry 
replies that they were a witch and wizard.  Draco continues by saying 
that he doesn't think they should let the other sort in.  It is kind 
of implied that he was satisfied with Harry's answer as he didn't 
press further.

Nowhere in canon does it state or imply that being of pure blood is 
inferior.  It just implies that being of Muggle heritage is *not* 
inferior.  It also does not state or imply that the pure bloods are 
impaired by their geneology.  

Of the known pure bloods, only Crabbe and Goyle (both generations) 
are the type of people that fit in with the stereotype "inbred", that 
is to say:  stupid, dull, gormless cretins.  I would guess in those 
cases that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Malfoy Sr, Sirius, James, Crouch, the Boneses, Ernie M. and the 
Weasleys are all pureblood without the negative "inbred" stereotype.  
Neville is (according to McGonnagal) only lacking in confidence.  The 
same can be said of those who we can assume to be pure, but have no 
canon proof: Dumbledore, Snape, Olivander (what a memory!), many of 
the teachers, decent members of the MOM, (ie Perkins, Shacklebolt).

While many may have less than desireable characteristics (Umbridge 
comes to mind), they are traits found amongst humans in general, and 
not due to "breeding".

Sorry for the rant, but canon simply does not reinforce this 
stereotype, which recent studies have found is not as accurate as 
previously thought when viewing marriage of first cousins and further.

So, that said, must we reinforce it here?

Thank you for your time, Ginger
who is her own 3rd, 4th, 6th, 6th once removed, and 7th cousin and 
has 2 extremely intelligent sisters