Dark Magic

[rowena_grunnionffitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 176678

> lizzyben:
> 
> This is coming from a big Slytherin defender here - Yes, I believe 
JKR
> created Slytherin as the House of Evil. I agree w/Prepostrus-
> everything, everything JKR associated w/Slytherin is bad & negative.
> JKR also associates "anti-Muggle" & "pure-blood" prejudice
> w/real-world bigotry (via over-the-top Nazi & Klu Klux Klan
> references). That's the connection to racism. And then she creates a
> house whose *founder* insisted on accepting only those "whose blood 
is purest", and used a monster to kill Muggle-borns. No, I think it's
> safe to say that Slytherin was bad from the get-go. 

  Rowena:

  As I have said before I disagree with this, nor do I think JKR 
intends to suggest any such thing. According to the Sorting Hat 
itself Gryffindor and Slytherin started out as good friends and why 
on earth would the other three founders have teamed up with a 'Dark 
Wizard'? Clearly Slytherin did not insist on 'purebloods' only 
otherwise there would have been no half-bloods like Riddle and Snape 
in his house. Nor do we really know why he concealed the Basilisk, 
later legend is not necessarily accurate. It seems to me quite 
probable that it was intended as a defense againsst a possible Muggle 
attack on the school aided and abetted by Muggle born students. 
  
> lizzyben:
> 
> Yes, the mascot of Slytherin House is a murderer. This shows
> Slytherins aren't bad because...? I mean, their own ghost is "bad" -
> a symbol of obsessive love, yet! 

  Rowena:

  A *REPENTENT* murderer a very important point. Does the fact 
Ravenclaw's ghost was a thief make them 'bad' too?