Slytherin's Reputation was Re: CHAPDISC: DH, EPILOGUE

[a_svirn]

No: HPFGUIDX 185645

> > a_svirn:
> > Which, in turn, would mean that Slytherin House is a very 
> > bad proposition. Dumbledore is basically saying, "We wrote 
> > you off too early, Severus. You are not all that rotten we 
> > shouldn't have lumped you with all the other baddies after
> > all". Whether Rowling shares his opinion on both Slytherin
> > and Severus is debatable; however if Dumbledore himself 
> > felt this way, the question is why on earth did he tolerate
> > the existence of this house of baddies much less expose 
> > students in his care to its corrupting influence. 
> 
> 
> Cyril:
> 
> My thoughts on this are slightly different - and it links 
> back to the qualities Gryffindors and Slytherins as per the 
> Sorting Hat.
> 
> Do not have the books for exact quotes, but essentially, 
> Gryffindors are brave at heart, and should fight on behalf 
> of their fellow men.
> 
> Slytherins however, are more of the nature to fight only for 
> their own benefit, and not for others or for a common good.
> 
> However, Snape was actually fighting in the background for 
> the destruction of Voldemort, and in the bargain was putting 
> his own life at stake, demonstrating a courageous quality 
> expected from Gryffindors, and not Slytherins.

a_svirn:
Um, but wouldn't that imply that Slytherins are wusses? At best? You 
are so brave, Severus, you deserved better than Slytherin, we were 
too hasty to sort you. No one says that Hermione was sorted too early 
or wasted her intelligence on Gryffindor. Her brains are credit both 
to her and her house. Just like her ambition, just like Harry's 
ambition and "certain disregard for rules".  No one is surprised 
about a Hufflepuff being brave or a Ravenclaw being loyal. Yet, by 
Dumbledore's reasoning a brave Slytherin is clearly an anomaly. And 
there is general consensus among non-slytherins that a good Slytherin 
is a near impossibility. 
a_svirn.