Harry Potter: Slytherin Traits, Explained

One of the most iconic moments in the Harry Potter saga is when Harry first enters the Hogwarts castle, and he and all the other first-year wizards get sorted into their respective houses. Each of the four houses carries a unique set of traits, values, history, and a reputation that precedes it. Slytherin is, without a doubt, the one most impacted by said reputation. One of the most common misconceptions in the saga is that wizards who get sorted into Slytherin are inherently evil. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Not all Slytherins are evil, in fact, many have made invaluable contributions throughout history, and not every evil wizard gets into Slytherin. Reducing this misunderstood house to the dark wizards it has produced negates the depth and complexity it can have, its traits and values that go far beyond the stereotype, and the positive impact many Slytherins have left on the wizarding world.