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Summary
Besides Gryffindor , Slytherin is the most commonly watch and mentioned Hogwarts house in theHarry Potterfranchise — and though Slytherin is recognise for " bad " whiz , not all Slytherin traits are regretful . Hogwarts mansion founding father Salazar Slytherin was responsible for selecting the traits that kick in to those chosen for Slytherin house . Unfortunately , he was a blood purist who design the Chamber of Secrets , which bear the basilisk employ by Voldemort , and was defeated by Harry inChamber of Secrets . Throughout the series , Slytherin induce a big rap for housing some of the dark wizards , but its reputation is arguably unjust .
Watch on Max
Despite oblige some of the darkest wizards in history , Slytherin has also contained some of the brave , like Severus Snape and Andromeda Tonks née Black . The hallmark of all Slytherin traits is ambition and a hungriness for something big can be a trait of the good and the bad likewise . Othermajor Slytherin traitslike slyness and shrewdness are twice - border swords in their own right , and it is n’t arduous to see some of the best Slytherin traits become the worst if claim too far . Here are some of the best and spoiled Slytherin trait exemplified through the most iconic Slytherin character inHarry Potter .
The Most Admirable Slytherin Traits
Goal-Oriented
As with most characteristics regarding success or achievement , this is a plus quality that can be taken too far . But , in moderation , it ’s arguably one of the good Slytherin traits . Being able to set end and take the step necessary to forgather them is n’t always easy , but the ability to do so give up a somebody to achieve the things they require in life and be successful .
Goals do n’t always have to be about life history or money either , they can also be centered around bettering health , kinship , or something of that like . After the expiry of Lily Potter , Snape was individual - tending in achieving his only goal : to keep Harry Potter secure . While he was an straight-out rowdy to the son , he tried to keep Quirrell from bewitch his heather inSorcerer ’s Stone , and risked his sprightliness as a twofold - agent to give for his sin . Snape finally deliver the goods in his goal , even though it was Dumbledore ’s intention for Harry to front death anyway .
Ambition
One ofthe defining trait of Slytherinas a house is ambition , and it ’s one of the best Slytherin trait when used for good . While not every single student in the house is as challenging or intelligent as others , overall they are a rather achieving bunch . These are people who need to do well and want to be perceived as successful . They also want to get deference in lifetime , and this repel them onwards to be the best at everything they can .
Of course , ambition can sometimes go too far , but having a healthy amount can be a majuscule matter . Slytherin house pride was a Brobdingnagian element of theHarry Potterseries , and every yr Slytherins contend ruthlessly to be the best of the safe in terms of the house cup competition and the schooling Quidditch conference . Before Harry joined Hogwarts inSorcerer ’s Stone , Slytherin had won the house cup seven years in a quarrel , evidence they ’re an challenging clump .
Self-Confident
While Slytherins might get a bad reputation because they can seem self - center , they can also be self - positive in a good means , making it one of the best Slytherin traits . While there are times when being focalize on self - preservation can go too far , caring about one ’s well - being is great , and sincerely yours like oneself is even good . Self - care is all-important to all people , and learning to fuck yourself and have confidence is something that many multitude can learn from Slytherins .
People from this house usually are n’t as insecure , and even when they are , they counterfeit it until they make it . Snape and Draco may have had their fracture and insecurities , but Snape was extremely confident in his intelligence and straightaway to guard himself when Harry call him a coward inHalf - stemma Prince . Draco , though constantly disparaged by his father for fail to tucker out Hermione Granger in term of grades , never made a single derogatory remark about himself or his lack of ability .
Cunning
Cunning might seem like a bad thing , as it ’s often associated with negativity , but in fact , it can be one of the good Slytherin trait and incredibly utile under the right circumstances . obliqueness talk to intelligence service , which is something that many Slytherins have in spades . Although many the great unwashed would n’t like to acknowledge it , the ability to lead on and knowing just how to do it can be an essential part of success .
After all , if it were n’t forSeverus Snape ’s guile , then the Dark Lord would n’t have been kill . Severus used his cunning to act as a double agentive role and played a immense part in Voldemort ’s fall . Another Slytherin that had a major impact on Voldemort ’s defeat who often goes unmentioned is Narcissa Malfoy . She used her cunning to observe her son after the Battle of Hogwarts by dwell and say that Harry Potter was dead when he was still live .
Natural Leaders
This is one of the positive Slytherin trait that does n’t get talked about byHarry Potteraudiences enough . leading is something mentioned by the Sorting Hat and that also comes across to any witness that is paying attending . While not all Slytherins make great leaders , the other core traits of the house lend to leadership positions .
Being challenging , wily , and resourceful are all crucial quality that can aid someone achieve the top of their chosen force field . Sirius ' ancestor Phineas Nigellus Black was a Hogwarts headmaster , albeit unpopular , and a Slytherin . Snape led his menage to triumph several eld in a run-in in the house cup competition before Harry Potter joined the schoolhouse . The famed Merlin was also a Slytherin , create the purchase order of Merlin and achieving countless other exploit .
Shrewd
Although being shrewd is n’t necessarily good in the eyes of some , it can be used in a very positive means and is arguably one of the best Slytherin trait . The ability to stay serene under pressure and see advantages in a situation that most people might lose is an fantastically powerful talent that many of Salazar ’s educatee seem to parade . The Slytherin characteristic of an astute intellect allows them to measure spot with the brainstorm to make quick decisions .
These are masses who are sharp and aware of what ’s going on around them . Snape ’s conclusion to makean Unbreakable Vowwith Narcissa Malfoy was definitively one of his shrewd decision inHalf - Blood Prince . Dumbledore ’s circumstances had been sealed , and Snape needed to try his commitment to Voldemort in a major way of life to keep the act hold out . The Unbreakable Vow did the whoremonger , and effectively retain his true loyalty hide until the end of the series .
Loyal
This trait is often associated with Gryffindors or even Hufflepuffs , but it ’s a strong panorama of Slytherin ’s ideals as well , and one of the best Slytherin trait . While Gryffindors are very steadfast and true , this is another example of how they and Slytherin are two face of the same coin . Slytherins can be quite devoted and dedicated too , but they be given to be more dutiful towards particular people or more ardent about certain beliefs that might not adhere to the distinctive average and standards .
Gryffindors are idealist who tend to cleave to the same nonsuch , while Slytherins often select their own paths . Despite his previous itinerary , Snape continue fast to Dumbledore until the very oddment , even if he did n’t like or correspond with his ultimate plan of rent Harry die,“at the right moment . “In stark contrast , Bellatrix displayed unyielding dedication to Voldemort , searching fruitlessly for him even after Harry had bested him the first time around .
Self-Reliant
The authority of most Slytherins could be restrain to most , but the truth is that they just have faith in themselves above almost all others , and it can be one of the best Slytherin trait . They ’re not the eccentric to waitress for someone else ’s help or permission , and they live by the adage " if you need something done right then do it yourself " .
They ’re also not afraid to go it alone , sometimes they even look for out situations where they can accomplish something strictly by themselves , and that self - reliance is pretty admirable . While it was the wrong affair to do , Draco act almost altogether alone in mending the vanish Cabinet inHalf - rake Prince , refuse Snape ’s service at every round . Snape too often acted alone , keeping his true motivations faithful to his pectus so as not to betray his role .
Pragmatic
The typical Slytherin ’s power to keep their emotions out of any situation ( or at least hold back their emotion more skillfully than most would be up to of ) is a Brobdingnagian strength and one of the best Slytherin traits . Sure , they can carry onto a grudge like no other , but they are ultimately pragmatic and will operate with citizenry that they dislike to attain their great goals .
As quite a few Slytherins demonstrate throughoutHarryPotter , they had no love lost for Harry but were still willing to team up with him or help him if it was to their reward . Pragmatism is best expose in the Malfoy family . Voldemort ’s second coming turned out to be a swearing on their family . InThe Deathly Hallows , they realized they were on the incorrect side and Draco refused to discover Harry to Bellatrix when they were caught by abductor . Narcissa lie in to Voldemort ’s expression to find her son , and it was her actions that kept them out of Azkaban .
Strategic
Slytherin may have a bad reputation , but it ’s no co-occurrence that the Wizarding World was nearly conquered by Voldemort , andhis plan was foil by Severus Snape , two of the most iconic Slytherins of all meter . The natural hang for strategical mentation that can be found within this Hogwarts theater probably explains why that is , as their scholar seemingly have a natural gift for planning and sussing out what moves their adversary will make before they make them .
Being strategic is arguably one of the good Slytherin trait , but it can be used for the dark side . Snape ’s scheme is leagues above anyone else in theHarry Potterseries , as he managed to keep Harry safe unnumerable times and endue him the brand of Gryffindor through his Patronus inThe Deathly Hallows . Narcissa was also strategic in backing Snape into a corner to make the Unbreakable Vow to ensure Draco ’s condom in luminousness of Voldemort ’s programme .
The Worst Slytherin Traits
Rule-Breakers
It ’s been take note by manyHarry Potterfans that in many waysSlytherins and Gryffindors have a lot in common , which unfortunately leads to many of the worst Slytherin traits . While they might have a large competition and seem like total opposites , this is n’t really the typesetter’s case . Slytherins and Gryffindors are the two houses that are most prostrate to rule - breakage . While Gryffindors might be more brazen in how they go about it , Slytherins tend to be more underhanded in their flouting of rules .
They run to fly under the microwave radar and demote normal restfully and discreetly without getting caught . Draco broke a myriad of schooling rules during his meter at Hogwarts , and most of the time it was to make Harry ’s life miserable . He mother the favorable ternary ( and himself ) catch for being out after curfew inSorcerer ’s Stone . He also let a lot of Death Eaters into Hogwarts inHalf - Blood Prince , which sure enough must ’ve been against the rules .
Judgmental
Each house has its ways in which they can be judgmental , and they run to judge based on dissimilar thing . For example , Ravenclaws can be rather judgmental of those who they do n’t consider are impudent enough . However , Slytherins , along with Gryffindors , are in all probability some of the most judgmental of all , making it one of the unfit Slytherin traits .
They can be a rather proud sign , which makes them await down on the great unwashed who they reckon do n’t measure up to their standards , which can be quite severe and exacting . Lucius was judgmental of his son , Draco , for not being able to best a muggle - hold at school inChamber of Secrets . However , the Malfoys in general were supremely judgmental of those who were less well - off and not of pure blood line .
Haughty
Slytherin is a house that is associated with being proudand take a lot of self - assurance . While these are n’t of necessity bad things all the time , they can lead them to be nonplus - up and haughty , and being haughty is one of the bad Slytherin traits . Many members of this house will plow other people with disdain or think they are inherently superior to them , and unluckily , they tend to opine that they are better than almost everyone .
This can leave to Slytherins being pitiless to others in general because they tend to vex to themselves , or it can end with even more serious and dangerous consequences . The Malfoys and the Blacks were supremely haughty toward others , with Lucius Malfoy image himself as superior to Arthur Weasley , a fellow pure - blood , because of his wealth and Arthur ’s interestingness in Muggles . Tom Riddle also build his entire movement on being superior to Muggles , and was so scornful of them that he even murdered his own Muggle Fatherhood .
Vindictive
Salazar ’s students are sure as shooting recognise for being proud , and that unluckily often means being narcissistic to a break . They do n’t take any slight easy , and they never forget being despise either , make their vindictiveness one of the worst Slytherin traits . Everyone can hold a grudge sometimes , but the fact thatSeverus Snape punished Harry Potter for the thing James diddecades ago is over the top .
The same goes for the fact that Harry ’s chance insult inSorcerer ’s Stoneseemingly made a rival out of Draco Malfoy for his remaining time at Hogwarts . Both Snape and Draco went to extreme lengths to bully Harry for these slights . Draco never turned down an opportunity to make Harry look like a fool , whether it was faking Dementor attacks inPrisoner of Azkaban , using his affluence to fund the integral Quidditch team with new ling just to best Harry inChamber of Secrets , or making the " Support Cedric Diggory , Potter Stinks " badges inGoblet of Fire .
Prejudiced
Although not every scholar in Slytherin is a pure - blood , one of their meat values is focalize on keeping wizard bloodlines together and excluding even Muggles from the Wizarding World , making clear prejudice one of the risky Slytherin traits . This is n’t a good reflection upon Slytherin students under any circumstances , but this prejudice can have disastrous consequences in the tenacious ravel .
It should come as no surprise that many of Voldemort ’s followers were Slytherins , simply because their thought about wiz superiority were already baked into the foundation of their Hogwarts sign . Pure - origin supremacy was breed into Draco Malfoy from birth thanks to his parents , and Hermione was ordinarily the target of his bigoted insults , first calling her a Mudblood inChamber of Secrets . However , it ’s worth note thatSalazar Slytherin himself did n’t want to accept muggle - borns into Hogwarts .
Elitist
There is nothing unseasonable with aiming high in life , but sometimes the students and alumni of this special house take it to an unnecessary extreme , nominate elitism one of the worst Slytherin traits . Many Slytherins seem to think of themselves as better than everyone , and thus only need to socialise or surround themselves with those that they trust are on their level .
They will also sometimes go out of their path to leave off the great unwashed that they do n’t retrieve are worthy of them . Horace Slughorn was a prime example of this . The Potions master and his titular " shelf " was know for favor scholar of high accomplishment or wealthiness and position . Despite Harry , Ginny , and Hermione being in the Slug Club , Slughorn never trouble oneself to learn Ron ’s last name , and often called him the wrong thing for the entire year inHalf - Blood Prince .
Arrogant
This is another direction in which Gryffindors and Slytherins are quite similar ; they are both houses that are known for having a good trade of arrogance , and it ’s one of the bad Slytherin traits . The conflict is the way this attitude is presented and perceived by others . While Gryffindors are more probable to be outwardly cocky , Slytherins have a more introspective smugness about them .
They think they ’re the best house , just like the Gryffindors do . It ’s no wonder the two house ca n’t abide each other . Lucius Malfoy was possibly one of the most arrogant characters in theHarry Potterseries . He foolishly believe that his wealthiness , status , and connections could protect his fellowship , even from Voldemort . alas , he found out this was n’t the causa inThe Deathly Hallows , which saw the syndicate alternate sides at the very last .
Selfish
This is one of the spoilt Slytherin traits , and it ’s an arena where they differ greatly from Gryffindors . While other house such as Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are known for wish about others and being oriented towards other people , Slytherins are a more self - preserving house . They are more self-governing and out for themselves , and they are n’t very likely to play the hero or put their own life on the line .
Tom Riddle , aka Voldemort , embodied selfishness to the highest degree . He tortured and pour down innumerable masses , some of them being his follower , to achieve his selfish ends of rule the world and living forever . The Malfoys had their selfish reasons for joining him , namely mogul , and Draco display nothing but disregard for others as he bullied Harry from the get - go up untilThe Deathly Hallows .
Sneaky
Considering that the mascot of Slytherin is a snake , it ’s no wonder that the bookman sorted into this business firm are tie in with furtiveness . As a whole , many of the students who were separate here tend to be good at getting out of trouble and not getting caught . They are rather good at evading and pussyfoot around . This is not a gravid timber , as it often mean they throw other people under the bus , andSlytherins are also prone to lying .
This is probably one of the worst equipment characteristic of the house that comes out the most often . Draco snuck around often to get Harry in trouble , bewitch him for break down curfew inSorcerer ’s Stoneand also used the furthermost discretion when repairing the Vanishing Cabinet inHalf - Blood Prince . His multiple failed try at kill Dumbledore also talk of a furtiveness bar , as none of the attempts were able to be tied back to him .
Cruel
This is by far one of the sorry Slytherin traits inHarry Potter . While not all the scholar in the house are cruel , there are a few who are truly uncaring and nasty . It ’s a fleck unfair how some Slytherins are viewed , but the bad eggs in the group aresobad that it gives the eternal rest a interchangeable report . People like Malfoy and his Quaker were quite fell .
They did n’t care much about what happened to the citizenry around them , and they even hurt and attempted to kill other Hogwarts students and teachers inThe Deathly Hallows . Voldemort was the cruelest of them all , unafraid to torture and kill his followers for their bankruptcy , and Lucius Malfoy by choice put the diary in Ginny ’s caldron inChamber of Secretsknowing that it would unleash a monster on the schooltime ( but not experience it was a Horcrux ) . All in all , Slytherins are a complex bunch and have a number of skilful and bad traits .
