Deathly Hallows Reaction - Could do Better, Sorry

[randomfrog26]

No: HPFGUIDX 172738


> Bart:
> Well, we actually know of 3 "good" Slytherins: Snape, Slug, and 
Phin. Based on what we've learned from them, a major trait they have 
is a belief that the end justifies the means. Consider that, with 
only a few exceptions, none of the Slytherins fought on the side of 
the DE's, either. It wasn't whether they were good or evil, it was 
that they figured that whichever side came out on top, they would 
ally themselves with it. Gryffindors fight for their goals, 
Hufflepuffs work for them, Ravenclaws think their way through, and 
Slytherins look for a shortcut. 
> 

randomfrog26:

Also, we know of Regulus Black (pointed out by others) and Andromeda 
Tonks nee Black (the latter isn't directly stated, but Slughorn in 
HBP tells us that all the other Blacks were in Slytherin) - both of 
whom are definitely good.

I think your post hit the nail on the head. Slyths are not defined by 
cowardice and cruelty, but by cunning, (usually) self-interest or at 
least personal motivations, and (usually) pure-blood bias. Sure, the 
Malfoys, Slughorn, and Phineas Nigellus are not "brave" or 
chivalrous - but neither is the Ravenclaw Marietta or the Hufflepuff 
Zacharias Smith. 

Regulus, Phin, and (to a milder extent) Slughorn buy into blood 
prejudice, but aren't whole-hearted Death Eaters determined to kill 
for their cause.  

In general, the "good" Slyths were probably motivated by personal 
reasons to choose the side of good - Snape by his love for Lily, 
Regulus by personal horror at the evil of Voldemort and affection for 
Kreacher, (possibly) Andromeda overcoming her family's ingrained pure-
blood prejudice because her love for Ted, Phineas's horror at the 
death of Sirius Black, his last living descendant, Slughorn's 
affection for Lily persuading him to give Harry the memory. But so 
what? They may not be as "noble" as Gryffs in the reasons for their 
choices, but their choices to work for good were theirs to make and 
should reflect positively on them.

I would understand belittling someone who chose the side of Good for 
an *evil* personal reason - e.g., somebody bullied by Draco who 
wanted the chance to torture the Malfoy family SHOULD be looked down 
on.   But if you look at the personal reasons for the good Slyths to 
turn, they are love, friendship, affection, and a sense of 
decency/horror at what Lord Voldemort is doing -- and I don't think 
that's a reason to diminish their contributions.

This isn't incompatible with bravery. Snape, Regulus, and even 
Bellatrix are incredibly brave and put their lives on the line for a 
cause -- but a different cause than "I want to save the world from 
evil!" 

Additionally, the Malfoys, while nasty, prejudiced, elitist, and 
cruel, do play an essential role in the downfall of Voldemort 
motivated  by their love for one another (which Voldie never 
understood. I thought it was great that love of all kinds brings him 
down - Lily's sacrificial love, the Malfoys' selfish love, Snape's 
unrequited love for Lily, the Trio's platonic love for each other). I 
honestly think the Malfoys embody the "ends justify the means" belief 
of many Slyths - as long as their family was safe, they didn't care 
about who they betrayed or who suffered from their actions.  Nor were 
they wholly, irredeemably evil - Draco has twinges of conscience when 
he spares Dumbledore, and we see how sickening it is for him to be 
forced to torture people on Voldemort's orders. (Of course, if he 
were less of a coward, he might have out-and-out defied the orders to 
use Crucio, like Neville. Draco is definitely a coward, but not 
rotten to the core.)