Slytherin Treachery ?

[pippin_999]

No: HPFGUIDX 191520


> Otto:
> Severus does not die in the battle, but is killed by Voldemort's snake. Admittedly he was Dumbledore's spy, but his loyalty is always questionable as to motive. Besides  he has nothing to do with the question which is the source of this present discussion between you and I, which is-- the mass treachery of Slytherin at the moment of decision at the Battle of Hogwarts. Snape did not, indeed could not stand up and lead his house to side with the others because he had to seem to be Voldemort's man. His treachery to Voldemort would, therefore, be revealed. But at the same time, it is to be noted that NO house leader urged their charges to fight. 

Pippin:
Okay, since that's our main point of disagreement, I'll drop the other points for now and  work on that. 

 In chapter   30 of DH, McGonagall is with  Slughorn and the other heads of house and tells them  that Voldemort is coming. 

 "I suggest we establish basic protection around the place, then gather our students and meet in the Great Hall. Most must be evacuated, though if any of those who are over-age wish to stay and fight, I think they ought to be given the chance." 

Slughorn says that Voldemort is bound to get in and anyone who has tried to delay him will be in most grievous peril and he wonders if this is wise. 

"I shall expect you and the Slytherins in the Great Hall in twenty minutes, also," said Professor McGonagall. 

Then she says, " If you wish to leave with your students, we shall not stop you. But if any of you attempt to sabotage our resistance, or take up arms against us within this castle, then, Horace, we duel to kill."
 
Horace is aghast. 

 "The time has come for Slytherin House to decide upon its loyalties," interrupted Professor McGonagall. "Go and wake your students, Horace." 


With me so far? 

Now, Minerva hasn't already decided that they're traitors. Their choices will show what they truly are. But it's not the same choice she stated before. Her words now exclude the possibility of  Slytherins fighting for the school. There's no option stated of joining the defense.  

If Slughorn follows orders, he must tell the Slytherins that  their choice is to leave or be prepared to duel  the defenders to the death.  So by the time Minerva tells the students that those who wish to fight for the school may do so, the Slytherins already know it doesn't apply to them. 


In the Great Hall, Minerva tells the prefects to escort the students who wish to leave to the evacuation point. So, besides the Slytherin students being excluded from  the invitation to fight,   six older students from their House have just been *ordered* to leave. 

Then Voldemort speaks, throwing everyone into a panic once again (the word panic is used to describe Minerva herself earlier) and Pansy screams and points out Harry. The Gryffindors and then the other students draw wands on the Slytherins. 

With all hell about to break loose, and   the enemy  at the gates, Minerva orders Pansy to leave with Filch, and  says, in a clipped voice, "If the rest of your house could follow." 

The Slytherins get up and go, *as they've just been ordered to do* leaving their table empty.  It looks bad, but what choice did they have? 
 
What possible justification could even the most loyal Slytherin have for not leaving? The evacuation and the organization of the defenses will most certainly be hindered if they try to protest. 

JKR is expert at making the Slytherins look bad, when on closer examination it would have been impossible for them to make what looks like the obvious good choice. 

Joining the DA, for example. 

No Slytherin banners in the Room of Requirement. But how could there be, when Hermione had made sure that  those who attended the original meeting couldn't tell anyone else what they were doing? Neville can write "Join Dumbledore's Army" on the walls, but if he actually tells anyone how to do it, he'll have "SNEAK" written on his face. 

It looks as if the Slytherins  excluded themselves, when actually others had  chosen to exclude them first. 

Your argument is that if JKR makes them look bad, they must be bad, because hers is the only narrative we have, but the conflicting narrative is built into the story. Symbols and mythic references make them look like villains, but  their choices show a much more nuanced view. 

Pippin