chapter discussions, SS/PS, chapter 5, Diagon Alley

[dumbledore11214]

No: HPFGUIDX 187888




Zara:
<SNIP>
> In answer to your question, Potoincat, I was absolutely convinced by DH that Slytherins as a group were not "bad guys". It's not just Slughorn and Snape and their roles in the final battle, to me anyway. Phineas, helping Snape by spying on the Trio so Snape could bring them help. Regulus, like Harry himself willing to die in the hope that as a result, when Voldemort meets his match, he will be mortal once more. Andromeda (Black) Tonks, opening her home to Harry/the Order as a refuge form the Death Eaters. Draco, failing to identify the Trio for the Death Eayters (and showing himself a brave and loyal friend to Goyle). Narcissa, hiding Harry's survival from Voldemort out of love for her son. To me, DH was an avalanche of revelations about Slytherins, capped off, of course, by the quotes from the Epilogue posted by Pippin in her response to your question.
>

Alla:

I agree with everything you wrote in this paragraph, except your first sentence :)

Of course I agree that she showed plenty of Slytherins doing brave things in the name of good. However, did it do to me the reversal of the House as a group? No, unfortunately not. Somebody and I honest to goodness do not remember who it was wrote soon after DH that despite all of those contributions when time passes, what readers will remember the most about Slytherin will be that it was the house of Pansy Parkinson.

I did not want to agree with that at all. I mean, really Regulus's story touched me on very deep level and I adored that Slughorn came to fight. And even with Snape, even if I hate him for what he did to Harry, how can I argue with the fact that he fought for the Light?

But now when two years passed, when I am thinking about it, I am forced to agree and want to give that person his or her dues if this person steps forward of course.

The episode that for me packs the most emotional punch is disgusting Pansy wanting to sell Harry to Voldemort and a lot of her house supporting her, this picture just stands out the most vividly for this particular reader.  I think that showing Slytherin student **fighting** in the battle may have countered it, or not, I don't know. I have no problem with it whatsoever, but that's how I will remember Slytherin house first and foremost, the general idea of who they are did not change for me that much, even though I know this house had several members bravely fighting for Good, just as the general picture of who Gryffindors are did not change for me just because Peter was the member of that house.

JMO,

Alla