Sorting Hat for a Day

[potioncat]

No: HPFGUIDX 188507

 Happy Smiley 
> 
> I think Snape can be a *role model* for Slytherins to show how their cunning and ambition should be used for good causes but I don't think he *exemplifies* Slytherin. 
> 

snip
he was quite ambitious when he was young, yes; of course, he is a pure blood. 
> 
> 
> Yet Phineas Nigellus also said, "We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For instance, when given the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks." and I think *that* does not suit Snape. 
 
Potioncat:
Do you think he wasn't ambitious when he was older? I think his ambition took a turn in a different direction. He acted like a Pure-blood, but remember, his father was a Muggle.

For my purposes in this exercise, I was only using the Sorting Hat's descriptions of the houses. We get quite a few different views from the various characters. Young Snape, for exeample says Gryffindor is brawny while Slytherin is brainy. 

I'd to hear what others have to say about Phineas Nugellus's little speech to Harry. His comments were made with a specific outcome in mind. It seems to me that anyone, given a choice, would rather live than die, but sometimes there is no choice. Like when Harry didn't want to face the troll, but he felt he had no choice. Well, yes, he did--but not in his own mind.