House Traits and Sorting Hat (was extra! extra! "Sorting Hat, never wrong"

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 143407

 
> Magpie wrote:
 
> Actually, I think that the Gryff/Slyth rivalry might be getting 
more 
> damaging by causing people in both those houses to reject the 
qualities 
> associated with it so it goes beyond just being different.  Harry 
had to 
> access his "Slytherin side" in HBP, and it was interesting seeing 
him do it. 
> I think one could read a bit of Draco having to consider reaching 
for some 
> Gryffindor qualities throughout the year as well.  If everybody 
could accept 
> all parts of themselves in all the four houses as a positive thing, 
all the 
> houses might benefit, imo.  There's a difference, for instance, 
between a 
> Slytherin not putting courage above everything else like a 
Gryffindor and a 
> Slytherin being proud about not being courageous, if that makes 
sense.

Potioncat: 
I know I should snip more, I just don't know how. And I know I should 
provide canon...but right now I just can't get to it..so with 
apologies:

I think you are very right. JKR herself has said something along the 
line that Slytherin is a valid, real part of Hogwarts. She's also 
said something about accepting the entire person, and I think she's 
agreed that individuals have traits from each of the Houses. Many of 
us have seen several House Traits in an individual (cunning for 
Harry; bravery for Snape; loyalty for Ron, etc.) 

It seems to me, that denying a part of oneself (particularly for 
Hogwarts) is similar to splitting your soul. So to cut off the 
Slytherin nature or to remove Slytherin House from Hogwarts would be 
like splitting the soul.