A Harry Potter rant
Since I've already broken my promise not to post any new Potterverse content this month, I figured I'd post this. Specifically, a series of mini-rants about the "good" Slytherins in canon. It should be noted that I don't hate any of these characters (heck, Snape and Draco are in a two-way tie for my favorite), just how canon and fandom mistreat them.
Severus Snape
Ah, yes. The quintessential good Slytherin, who ultimately gave his life to help defeat Voldemort. Shame that so many fans refuse to acknowledge this, usually whining about a toad that shouldn't have been in a classroom anyway, a snarky but ultimately harmless remark about Hermione's teeth, or how he only changed sides because of Lily, even though the part that matters is that he did change sides. Naturally, these people are also fans of the Gryffindor Marauders, if you can call the ultra-progressive OCs they create "The Marauders".
Horace Slughorn
Rowling's attempt at creating a token unambiguously good Slytherin… in the penultimate book of the series, where it's too little, too late as far as I'm concerned. However, his cowardice and elitism kind of hinder that, as does the fact that he seems almost ashamed of being a Slytherin to the point of his decorating his Slug Club party in Gryffindor colors, and Harry immediately disliking him because of his house. He's also overweight - not that that's a bad thing, but it tends to be Rowling's shorthand for being a bad person, with the only positively-portrayed overweight characters I can think of being Gryffindors Neville Longbottom and Molly Weasley, and possibly Hufflepuff Pomona Sprout, depending on how you interpret her initial description as "dumpy". He does fight against Voldemort in the final battle, but not until after he's threatened by Gryffindor Minerva McGonagall. He's also arguably a worse Potions Master than Snape, if only because he goes strictly by the book and only pays attention to students he wants to add to his collection. He's definitely a worse Head of Slytherin because he only pays attention to his favorites instead of supporting everyone in his House equally. This is why, while the Slug Club is a good idea for encouraging interhouse friendships and networking and should be continued, it really shouldn't be run by a Head of House.
Regulus Black
Ah, Regulus. A willing Death Eater, complete with a Voldemort shrine in his room, who defected for the house-elf who he volunteered for a DE mission in the first place. However, people won't acknowledge this even as they whine that Snape only defected for Lily. It's been speculated that most Regulus fans only like him because they can't stand Snape being upheld as an example of a good Slytherin. Furthermore, his actions ultimately ended up hindering the Horcrux hunt because he failed to destroy the locket Horcrux, which was then thrown in the trash with the rest of the Black family's heirlooms and ended up in Dolores Umbridge's hands. To add insult to injury, he's also described as less attractive than his Gryffindor brother, and the fact that he decorated his room in Slytherin colors is treated as being as bad as the aforementioned Voldy shrine.
Andromeda Tonks
She barely appears, and is mostly treated as an extension of her dead husband, her wasted-potential daughter who she never interacts with, and her plot-device grandson. To make matters worse, some people don't even acknowledge that she is a Slytherin, especially because her main act of "goodness" is rejecting her Slytherin family members.
Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy
Yes, they are a close and loving family, but two of them were active Death Eaters (albeit ones who defected out of familial love), and they don't actually fight for the right side in the end, just having a "Screw This, I'm Outta Here" moment, albeit a rather heartwarming one. The closest they get to redemption is Draco giving Harry a curt nod in the crapilogue, which Harry doesn't even respond to.
Phineas Nigellus Black
Dead before the start of the series, described as Hogwarts' least popular headmaster, and calls Hermione a Mudblood, although at least he doesn't say it to her face.
Alphard Black
Yes, he left his fortune to Sirius, but isn't given any characterization outside that, and considering how much of an asshole Sirius is, is leaving him a fortune really a good thing?
In addition, none of them (well, except Draco) are Lightning-era characters, which rubs me the wrong way, seeing as adults just aren't the same… they don't have the same association with their houses as students do, even the teachers and heads of houses. So, if these are the canonical examples of good Slytherin representation, is it any wonder that I cling to any positive Slytherin fanon or canonical named background Slytherins I can find, and am somewhat of a Cursed Child apologist?
