Theo Nott Re: The good Slytherin (mild TBAY)

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 131490

Potioncat:
I've jumped into this post, snipping here and there, responding to 
both Betsy and to Neri.
  
> > Betsy Hp:
> >
> > As to the basilisk, no one really knows *why* Salazar left the 
> > basilisk behind.  Oh sure, *Tom* had his theories, but are we 
really expected to trust the word of a murderer?

Potioncat:
I know better than to do this, especially this late in the game, but 
I have a question: Do we really "know" that Salazar left the basilisk 
in the Chamber? I'm tired, it's late; if this is an incredibly stupid 
question will someone gently direct me to the correct canon?

 
> Neri:
> In the HP saga, if you're half giant or a werewolf or the son of 
Dark
> wizards or whatever, you are supposed to show in some way that you
> aren't bound by your unfortunate ancestry. If Theo had done the
> smallest thing to indicate that he doesn't like his ancestry, I 
would have gladly given him a T. Until now he hadn't, so I gave him a 
P. If you insist on a T it would still hardly change the picture of 
the whole house. 

Potioncat:
I've no concern for the rest of the House. But I will stand up for 
Theo, at least until JKR gives us more info. And I really, really 
would have liked it better if she had actually given us the deleted 
scene between Draco and Theo. What were these kids taught about 
Harry? I mean, just look at the different spin you get from history 
depending on whether the writer was York or Lancaster (waves to 
Carol); or whether you learned American history in the South or in 
the North. (The name Sherman still gives the chills and I was born 90 
years AFTER the War of Northern Agression.)

But consider this about Theo. Although Draco's gang, or Draco's 
cronies (can't actually remember the phrase) is mentioned from time 
to time, it's very vague as to who is in that group. At the time, it 
is usually during a class. Neither Theo nor Blaise are ever described 
as coming to class with Draco. While Pansy and Milicent are mentioned 
along with specific behaviors, Theo and Blaise aren't. So, once in 
class the Slytherins, much like the Gryffindors, gather together, 
they don't seem to hang out together out side of class. 

Theo is named once with Draco; when they are reading the article 
about DEs in the library. Later, when Draco, Crabbe and Goyle come 
upon Harry in the Entrance Hall, Theo isn't with him. And on the 
train, Theo doesn't join in on the attempted revenge. So he doesn't 
seem to show enough loyalty to the Sons of DEs to earn a P. I'd 
suggest a D or T.

A Fiodor Knott, used in harness making, is a very difficult knot to 
learn. I'd say Theodore Nott may be a difficult Slytherin to to know.

 
> Neri:
 She *can* introduce additional "good
> Slytherins" just to make a point about prejudice or school unity or
> second chances. But changing the whole role that Slytherin house, 
with
> its dogma and values, has been playing in the series would be lousy
> writing.


Potioncat:
Not is she's had it planned all along. Although I have a 
certain "feel" for the outcome, it could go either way. 

If the ultimate theme is that courage is good and ambition is bad, 
then there probably won't be any "good" Slytherins in the current 
bunch. If the ultimate theme is prejudice (or depending on 
stereotypes) is bad, then there will be "good" Slytherins. I lean 
toward the latter. 


Neri:
 Surely this is what Slytherin house was invented for? So we
> can have a pureblood mania and school rivalry and evil enemies and a
> convincing war. And if that doesn't seem fair, well that's fiction.
> Invented characters don't get human rights.

Potioncat:
Well, if she goes with the Ambition as Bad, you're right. And we all 
have to remember: no real child was actually harmed by being sorted 
into Slytherin. Either way, I can't wait!