The Good Slytherin - Shades of Grey

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No: HPFGUIDX 131424

To this point, JKR's portrayal of Slytherin House verges on
caricature, but in the Potterverse generally, there are many, many
shades of grey -- not least in our hero himself.

Let's recall Harry's first encounter with the Sorting Hat, and why he
was so hard to place:
"Plenty of courage, I see ..." (a classic Gryffindor trait)
"Not a bad mind either ..." (sounds like Ravenclaw)
"There's talent, oh my goodness, yes ..." (probably points to
Slytherin, but not definitive)
"-- and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting."
(ambition = Slytherin).

Talent and ambition are not inherently evil traits, although they
can certainly be misued in pursuit of evil -- just as courage (think
of Bellatrix), loyalty (think of Barty Crouch Jr.) and intelligence
(think of LV) can.

Would Harry automatically have become evil if he had been in
Slytherin? I don't think do. His decision to reject being placed in
Slytherin was a momentous one (as DD famously pointed out). But it
wasn't the only or the last choice that shaped his character. If that
choice had sealed his fate, the books could have ended there.

It's also worth noting that Harry's "Slytherin" traits (ambition,
pride) are prominent -- if sometimes troublesome -- parts of his
character to this day. They are the root of what Hermione calls
his "saving people thing." They are fundamental to his survival and
among the things that make him so engagingly imperfect. (Maybe Harry
is the Bad Gryffindor???!!!)

As for the title "Good Slytherin," I'd award it without hesitation to
Snape -- much as I sometimes despise him. I can't quite envision
Harry becoming reconciled to Draco Malfoy, but I look forward to
Harry and Snape reaching a much better understanding.

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