Can Slytherins be ALL bad?

[Bart Lidofsky]

No: HPFGUIDX 143674

lagattalucianese wrote:
> Which leads me to wonder it the Sorting Hat sometimes sorts students 
> not into the house where they belong, but into the house it's told to 
> sort them into. As for example, if Dumbledore knew he was going to 
> need a distinctly un-Slytherin set of eyes and ears in Slytherin House 
> in the not too remote future, might he not arrange to have Snape 
> sorted there?

Bart:
This brings up a problem with the lack of a 3rd dimension in much of 
JKR's writing. In OOP, I was rather disappointed when no Slytherins 
joined the DA. I had figured that was a good point for JKR to add a 
dimension to the House of Slytherin.

A few years back, I put in a game proposal for a Harry Potter based game 
(it didn't make it, but the design is still a solid one, so I will not 
give the details here, because I may still have some use for it). 
However, I will say it was Quidditch based, and each player chose a 
house, and each house had strengths and weaknesses. Gryffindor was 
strong in offensive moves, Hufflepuff was stronger in defensive moves, 
Ravenclaw was superior in teamwork, and Slytherin's strength was 
deceptive plays.

The point is that in real life, 25% of the population are NOT a bunch of 
worthless jerks, and there are definitely positive aspects of the 
Slytherin personality; JKR just seems to be reluctant to show them.

Consider Aurors. It just seems to me that, out of all the houses, 
Slytherin should put out the most Aurors. After all, the job requires a 
highly skilled witch or wizard who is willing, for the most part, to 
stick in the background. If you look at Phineas Nigellus (who is the the 
best example of a good Slytherin we have), he seems like just the type. 
Do what needs to be done, but don't stand out; let others take the 
credit. Know your advantages and limitations. Think before you strike. 
Don't do anything without knowing in advance what results you are trying 
to achieve. These seem to be Slytherin characteristics, as well.

	Bart