Slughorn /Heroes or not

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 145157

 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> HAHAHA. Indeed, BUT I definitely think that Harry and Neville would 
> have preferred Snape NOT knowing their names at all, if it meant 
> leaving them alone. As in " if you cannot tell something nice to 
the 
> person, do not talk to this person at all". :-)

Potioncat:
I was actually thinking about this before this thread came up. If I 
were a WW kid, which of these two teachers would I prefer? Snape or 
Slughorn? Of course, everyone still has Snape if they are taking 
DADA, so it really isn't an either/or situation.

I actually had a Slughorn in high school and I didn't like it at all. 
Of course, I don't think I'd like Snape either. (I shouldn't have 
said that.)

 
> Alla:
> 
> When did Snape save Ron? Just curious.

Potioncat:
I don't recall Ron ever needing Snape's help. In CoS when Harry 
caused potion to splash over the students, Snape kept the class calm, 
treated the immediate injuries and sent the injured students to the 
hospital wing for further treatment. OK, so he had the appropriate 
antidote ready and Slughorn had no reason to expect poison. But 
Slughorn had been teaching the NEWT students about poisons and 
antidotes and should have recognised poisoning. Snape wasn't 
expecting the injuries he would see as DADA teacher, but he was ready 
with a rapid response.
> 
> 
> Alla:
> 
> I would phrase it differently - he favored those with real talent 
> AND therefore they would achieve a lot and return favors to him.

Potioncat:
Well, if Slughorn had organized an Outstanding Potions Maker club, I 
wouldn't mind. But he chose members for one reason: they would be 
able to help him one day. His club members were either those with 
talent (Ginny and Hermione) or those who were connected to important 
families (Cormac, Blaise) But he wasn't rewarding talent so much as 
using it. It's called networking in our world and seems a very 
Slytherin thing to do.
> 
> Alla:
> You know, it is strange, I am  still trying to work out why 
Slughorn 
> club gives me creeps and really cannot, because I don't see 
anything 
> inherently bad in the Slughorn way of doing things .


Potioncat:
Networking is supposed to be a normal part of life in today's world, 
but Slughorn has twisted it to his own needs. For example, inviting 
Harry to a party in front of Ron, but not including Ron.(I can't cite 
the exact scene.) I don't blame him for excluding Draco, but what if 
Theo is a good kid who happens to have a jerk for a Dad? I think it's 
the exclusivity of his club that bothers me. (I don't really blame 
him for excluding DEs'kids in this case.) Or think of the meal on the 
train. There was one kid who turned out not to be so connected, and 
that kid was snubbed for the remainder of the event.

>Alla: 
> I mean you probably remember that sometimes I have doubts about his 
> loyalties, but assuming that they are not true and they are 
probably 
> not and I HOPE they are not, I think Slughorn is fun, A LOT of fun.

Potioncat:
 I think he's a fun character to read about. You asked why I wouldn't 
want to see him as Deputy or Headmaster. He accepts favors. Just who 
might be calling in favors of their own? His way of doing business 
would not be good for the students. One of my concerns is that he 
might be selected over McGonagall as Headmaster. He is more 
experienced than she is. He is well connected, and there are a number 
of MoM staff who do not care for Minerva.