If Harry had been a Slytherin.....

[yarvelling]

OK, a 'what if' scenario...I just want to see a few opinions and ideas!
If Harry had let the Sorting Hat put him in Slytherin, how would this have affected Harry's chances of his having several face-offs with Voldemort? Also, how would Snape regard "the Famous Harry Potter"...? Would his attitude be any different do you think, having found out Harry's strengths on the Quidditch pitch, and his determination against Voldemort? Or, would Snape have ensured that Harry was expelled well within his first term?!
Would Harry have been a total 'outsider' in the house, shunned by his fellow students, or would Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle have actually learned a different set of virtues by being with Harry, and worked along side him, almost in place of Ron and Hermione?
Curious....it could have made an interesting, if difficult to write, slant on the story....
Plus, it's just a little 'diversion' from the terrible anticipation surrounding HBP ;)

[Fortescue]

OK, a 'what if' scenario...I just want to see a few opinions and ideas!
If Harry had let the Sorting Hat put him in Slytherin, how would this have affected Harry's chances of his having several face-offs with Voldemort?

Harry would have probably succeeded in the same way as the Sorting Hat said he had the characteristics to be successful in Slytherin, but he also had to have the characteristics for Gryffindor or he wouldn't have been placed there. I think the difference in the two houses would have to do with cunning on the Slytherin part, which is an aspect that Harry has used subtly on different occasions. It's only my opinion, but I think the reason Harry fit into Gryffindor is the fact that he doesn't worry about his own self first when in a dangerous situation. According to Phineas, that is the difference in a Slytherin; a Slytherin is brave, but will always watch out for their own skin first. Note how on more then one occasion, Harry has been accused of acting the hero because of his concern for others.


Also, how would Snape regard "the Famous Harry Potter"...? Would his attitude be any different do you think, having found out Harry's strengths on the Quidditch pitch, and his determination against Voldemort? Or, would Snape have ensured that Harry was expelled well within his first term?!
Would Harry have been a total 'outsider' in the house, shunned by his fellow students, or would Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle have actually learned a different set of virtues by being with Harry, and worked along side him, almost in place of Ron and Hermione?
Curious....it could have made an interesting, if difficult to write, slant on the story....
Plus, it's just a little 'diversion' from the terrible anticipation surrounding HBP ;)

If Harry had been forced into Slytherin his attitude toward them would not have changed in the least. I think he would have been very alone there, and definitely would have been, not only an outcast in the dormitory, but would have been in considerably more danger. Can you imagine Harry sharing a dorm with Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle after announcing to the world that their fathers are Death Eaters???? I don't think that would happen :D

Very good thread Yarvey :D

[Sirius Potter Fan]

If things had been different, if Harry hadn't met Draco in Diagon alley, and if he hadn't sat with Ron on the train, in otherwords, If Harry had made it to the sorting hat not knowing what a "Slytherin" was, then he might have let it put him there. Although I am shure that Harry would not have been comfotable there, I think most of them would have liked having the "famous" Potter in their house at first, and tried to befriend him. I think Snape would have looked at him differently, he may have even been pleased that James son didn't make Gryfindor. On the quidditch aspect. . . The Slytherin team was not at that time looking for a seeker, so if he did get on the team, he would have had to wait till 2nd year, and well. . . Malfoy's money would still have won out I think. I think Harry's life would have been quite different indeed, and I think he would have felt much like he always did at the Dursleys, a fish out of water.

[Hermione]

I am very uncomfortable with the idea since we have always known Harry in Gryffindor.

If Harry had been in Slytherin, I don't see how the prophecy could have worked out. It would have had to switch and become Neville.

I really don't see anyway of this working out at all. Harry would have had to deny his roots, Snape forget the past, and everything would be so different. It would alter the entire series.

Argh, the idea of this is giving me a headache.

[Aurora]

Well it definitly would have been a different series... however I think if circumstances would have ended up placing him in Slytherin I think we would have seen some changes in him. If he had joined with Malfoy, I think they would have "hung out" together for a time, perhaps Malfoy and Harry would have become best friends. I think Slytherin would have had some influence on Harry overall. He might not have become an evil wizard, but he also wouldn't be the hero we know him as. He would probably be more into dark arts, more rebelious towards Dumbeldore. I am not saying he would have sided with Voldemort, but perhaps more, in time, looked to "overpower" the dark lord in his quest to avenge his parents and in doing so walk down a darker path.

Hmm... not sure if I am making sense to anyone but that's what I think.

[Fortescue]

Meredith, I don't think Harry's being put into Slytherin would have changed the prophecy. The prophecy is a set thing - he was pretty much bound to ride it out once Voldemort marked him.

I don't think Harry's being in Slytherin would have changed the way Snape looked at him either. It would have taken more then Harry helping to win the House or Quidditch Cup for Snape to forget about his hatred for James.

I do think Harry's had a lot more advantages in Gryffindor simply because the Gryffindor's had been the underdog for many years and Harry came along and did all of his amazing things. If he'd have been put in Slytherin, I don't think he'd have stood out as much simply because the opportunity and the encouragement would not have been there for him, but I still believe what Dumbledore said about choices. Harry's environment at the Dursley's didn't turn him into a Dark wizard - if he could survive Privet Drive and still turn out caring and compassionate, he could survive being a Slytherin. :D

[Hermione]

Harry's environment at the Dursley's didn't turn him into a Dark wizard - if he could survive Privet Drive and still turn out caring and compassionate, he could survive being a Slytherin. :D

That does raise a very valid point. Harry has a resilent set of values, moral compass, and character. But I think Privet Drive was annoyances and childhood cruelty, versus Slytherin raising dark wizards is evil on a large scale. Like compairing the class bully to Hilter. But if he survived one, there is no reason to say he could not have survived another.

[CrookshanksKitty]

I think with Harry's sense of right and wrong he would have been a total outcast in Slytherin. I figure the poor kid would end up suffering in Slytherin, and probably would not have gone on to be the hero he is today. It does make for some thought about how his relationships would have turned out. With the Dursleys he wouldn't be taking all the garbage they throw at him and what about Sirius? How would he have felt coming from a Slytherin family (whom he really hated) only to find out his Godson was a Slytherin. I wonder would he have been as warm and loving with Harry. How would Harry have taken the difference?

[Alz]

See I cant go along with this -


'Not Slytherin, eh?' Said the small voice. 'Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness, no doubt about that - no?
Well if you're sure - better be GRYFFINDOR!'

See - the hat doesnt see your cases as open and closed.
The hat see's inside a person - and in this case he felt it would help Harry on his path to Greatness ..
Could it be because Harry would be so out of place it would raise him hard - just like living with the Dursley's - or could the hat be genuine and see that perhaps being a Sly would have done Harry the world of good in his fight against Voldemort?
Open and closed things in Potter are a rare deal - JKR writes in a manner than allows for us to view different perspectives on the matter - as such I think it is legitamate that Harry could have thrived and survived in Sly - the hat thought so ;)

[Fortescue]

Based on what the Sorting Hat said, and the way it said it, it sounds as if "greatness" could be taken as good or bad. Maybe the hat told Tom Riddle the same thing. Voldemort and Dumbledore are great wizards, but of course, one is good and one is bad, so I think Harry made the right choice by asking to be put in Gryffindor - I guess I'd want to know what aspect the hat saw that made him good for Slytherin. Maybe it's the connection to snakes he shares with Voldemort.

I don't think the story could be possible and be half as good if Harry hadn't ended up in Gryffindor.

[Boing]

Yeah, I think "greatness" in this scene is similar to when Ollivander says that Harry's wand's brother achieved "great things." He goes on to say "terrible, but great." So, in a manner of speaking, I think that the Sorting Hat was simply saying that Harry could have achieved power within Slytherin - it could have helped him on his way, but it might have steered him down the wrong path. And, perhaps the Sorting Hat doesn't know about the prophecy . . . so, in that case, it was just looking at raw talent and personality - it saw he was already powerful relative to others his age, and saw some other signs of Voldemort, so it offered Slytherin . . .

[Sirius Potter Fan]

one thing just hit me, if Harry had been put in Slytherin, that would certainly added an interesting twist to him being the "heir of Gryffindor" as is suspected :D now there's a bit of inner conflict! :evil1:

[Alz]

In essence Boingy made a good point that is worthy of note here ...
It is quite possible, and offered as the most plausible, why the hat saw Sly in Harry was because of how Harry absorbed some of Voldemort the night of the attack.
It would have been really freaky if the hat didnt see past the Voldemort influence and condemned Harry to a life of Slytherin.
I think the hat was kind of confused when it looked at Harry - because his head was awash with 2 presences in effect - I think it was only Harry's desire to be in Gryffindor that sealed it for him - all about choices you see ;)