The Slytherin house definitely catches a bad rap. Dolores Umbridge, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and oh, yeah, Tom Riddle were all Slytherins. They certainly were not the best of people, and immediately the reputation of any green and gray scarf wearer is ruined.
It is a true rarity for any Slytherin to be given praise for being a Slytherin. The Harry Potter series follows a boy who, in fact, does not belong to the Slytherin house, but the Gryffindor house. Because of this, Harry Potter convinces the audience to hate the Slytherin house because of the rivalries he builds and experiences with them. However, this does not quite mean that the house itself is a bad one. Yankee fans hate Red Socks fans and Giants fans hate Cowboys fans, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the any of the teams are bad. Besides, healthy competition is something that often blows itself out of proportion in a young child’s mind, and the Harry Potter series is all about a young boy growing up, and making both childish and adult like decisions.
Slytherins are not the worst of the bunch, that is for sure. So without further ado; a tribute to all Slytherins: All the reasons that us Dungeon-dwelling, green-wearing, snake-praising students aren’t as bad as the rest of the Muggle World thinks.
The Qualities
1. Resourceful
One of Slytherin’s most well-known talents is the ability to be resourceful. Resourcefulness comes in handy when solving problems. Slytherin students are easily able to figure out quick and efficient ways to overcome difficulties; a very impressive and useful quality in any workforce!
2. Ambition
“Be ambitious”. The command is given over and over to young kids when their parents or guardians wish for them to grow up and succeed. Ambition is to strive for success and hold a great deal of determination (another Slytherin quality) in your heart and soul. It takes a lot for a Slytherin to give up, and ambition is an amazing quality that drives anyone forward in life to become a better and more successful person.
3. Cleverness
It is true that Ravenclaw’s are the intelligent house, however, Slytherins are known to be very, very clever. Cleverness, though sometimes leading to manipulation, is one of a Slytherin’s strongest qualities, allowing them to know how to appeal to any type of person. Slytherin’s could be the life of the party and tell the best jokes.
4. Self Preservation
Want to survive in a world as dangerous as our own? Befriend a Slytherin. If friends with one long enough, you’ll learn to have the ability to master your personality and self in any difficult situation- a very inspiring quality to possess.
5. Fraternity
Slytherin’s may not be known to be the nicest, but for those they love, they will always stick near their side. Slytherin’s are people of commitment and true bond, allowing their friendships to stay close and true for very long periods of their lives.
Good Examples
Regulus Black
Regulus Black, a lesser-known character in the Harry Potter series, was a very inspiring role. Stepping away from his inherited position as a death eater because of his family line, Regulus sought to hunt down and attempt to destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes when he recognized the barbaric practices that were being pushed forward. It was an attempt to save thousands of lives.
Severus Snape
Severus Snape was capable of so many things throughout the series, although he was quite rude to Harry. Snape had pushed away all of the terrible experiences he bore in his lifetime to devote himself to Dumbledore as a spy, protecting Harry and even dying for him in the end.
Merlin
Merlin, one of the most famous wizard’s of all time, held his place in Hogwarts as a Slytherin. Though Slytherin’s are known to be quite discriminative, Merlin believed that wizards should help Muggles lead a safe and pleasant life and that we should support them and live in harmony.
Horace Slughorn
Horace Slughorn, the potions master after Severus Snape, was a kind and bubbly man always willing to push students to be their best. He enjoyed conversing with friends and students from every house to learn and accept all of them. Slughorn fought in the Battle of Hogwarts against the Death Eaters and remained a dear friend to Albus Dumbledore until the end.
Cool Facts About Slytherins
- Their common room has underwater windows the Black Lake.
- They won the first house cup ever.
- Slytherin's overall best subject is potions.
- Albus Severus Potter is a Slytherin.
- Slytherin, according to J.K. Rowling, is no longer anything close to a pure-blood dominated house.
Enough said.
