[HPforGrownups] The hardest parts

[Kemper]

No: HPFGUIDX 173562

> SSS:
> ... snipped ...
>
> Now on to the hardest part of the book. For me it is one that has
> proven to be hard for many. It's the Slytherins.
>
> I've never been a 'fan' of the Slytherins. I've never comprehended
> those who adored people like Draco. I saw some growth in him, I
> pitied him, too, in HBP, but I've never *liked* him or felt
> tremendous respect for the presented worldview of Slytherins.
>
> But I wanted to see *some* House unity. I wanted to find *some*
> good Slytherins, even if they were not the Dracos and Goyles but
> were unnamed Slytherins.
>
> So I share some of the disappointment that many feel over the lack
> of blatent, overt signs of the above.
>
> ... snipped ...
>
> At this point, there may be people who say, "Then how can you be
> happy with the book, content with the story??" And it's hard to
> know how to answer that. Except that in spite of what *more* she
> could have done, I also feel that she *did* include some things
> which showed us progress.
>
> ... snipped examples of good Slytherins ...
>
> Yes, there was that bit there at the end, about how one's own
> preference gets counted by the Sorting Hat, but I believed Harry was
> sincere when he reminded Albus about Snape's bravery, when he said
> Slytherin would simply be gaining an excellent student, when he said
> his house selection *doesn't matter* to him & Ginny.
>
> Doesn't all of this show progress?

Kemper now:
I agree.  It shows progress.  And to add... yes, all of us wanted to
see house unity.  We thought it was even foreshadowed by the Hat.  But
if the great House Unity would have occurred, would we have believed
it?  I don't think so even though we hungered for it.

One of the characters (Nick?) said that the Hat has advocated for
house unity in the past during difficult times with little results.
Its just an effing hat.  Why should this time be any different?

On September 1 following the Battle of Hogwarts, I wonder how many
first years were sorted into Slytherin.  As JKR's central theme is
choice, which of those 11 year olds would choose that particular house
knowing what it has been a symbol of?  I think very few as I imagine
many kids would want to be associated with Gryffindore or Hufflepuff
(wtf Ravenclaw?!), and therefore choose those over Slytherin even
though they would do well there.

The House Unity shouldn't come from the students necessarily.  It
should come from the students' parents/guardians.  Harry and Ginny and
probably Hermione have shifted their views, and Ginny came from a
family culture of kids being in Gryffindore.  Her parents placed that
pressure and therefore division on her and her brothers.

Does Draco put pressure on his son to be in Slytherin?  He has been
disillusioned.  He must have heard of Voldemort's plan to kill him
after duelling Harry when he thought Draco was the proper possessor of
the Elder Wand.  Yes, nineteen years later he exchanged a curt nod,
but it wasn't a hateful glare. (I know, the absence of evidence is not
the evidence of absence.)  He may not want his boy in Gryffindore, but
I bet Hufflepuf would be ok.

> SSS:
> I feel like JKR *did* take steps in that direction, of showing some
> change for the good and towards acceptance, and I felt like the
> scene at Platform 9 3/4 was intended to provide hope for continued
> change.
>
> Am I the only one?

Others may say you are a dreamer, but you aren't the only one.

Change is a process (Nineteen Years Later) not an event (Battle of Hogwarts).

Rambling on,
Kemper