The Epilogue

[Janette]

No: HPFGUIDX 174094

OK - I have finished rereading DH again, and realised upon rereading the
epilogue that I have been debating a strawman on the Slytherin/Gryffindor
issue.

In PS, we see primarily a sporting rivalry, led by their domineering heads
of house - McGonagall is even willing to break rules to ensure that
Gryffindor win back the Quidditch Cup after several years.

Twentyfive years later, we see that the Hat still Sorts, but what else do we
see?  The railway platform, and two quarrelling Potter boys, one of whom is
a Gryff.  The Potter family has been Gryffs at least as far back as his
great grandfather.  Another family, the Weasleys, have all been Gryffs for
at least three generations.  The parents are all renowned for having fought
and beaten, as Gryffs, enemies who were predominantly Slytherin, in the last
great Wizarding War, and their headmaster through their school years was a
Gryff, opposed to the most infamous Slyth.  The children of the Potter and
Weasley families would have grown up with these facts and allegiances, and
James teases Albus that he would be Sorted as a Slyth - a House that none of
the family has ever belonged to, in anyone's memory.

And what does Harry say to Al?  "- then Slytherin house will have gained an
excellent student, won't it?  It doesn't matter to us."

*It doesn't matter to us*.  So where is the evil I have been reading about?
The intense house hatred and divisions?  The "Slytherins are bad,
Gryffindors good" depiction that is supposed to be there?  The idea that
Slytherins are being portrayed as inferior or lesser, that I have read
expressed so passionately in this thread?  Where in canon?

montims


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