send me ‘ hc ‘ + a word and i’ll write a headcanon about it regarding my character.
Xander had never understood why courage had been a trait reserved for Gryffindors. For starters, the house already called for both bravery and nerve- anything more sounded redundant. And, yes, while he knew the trait was only seemingly emphasized or stronger in those sorted red and gold, it still felt limiting to the others. Courage is defined asthe ability to do something that frightens oneself, strength in the face of pain or grief. History would indicate that all houses held that strength, in one form or another.
Now more than ever- as the so-called Gryffindor trait would suggest- Xander held such similarities to the house he had always held judgement against. The war as frightening, Azkaban had been frightening, losing your friends and missing your family was frightening. But he had to endure. He had no other option but to be strong. Courage. Slytherin courage.
Daring was a far better trait, in his opinion. Reckless. Devil-may-care. Impulsive. Audacious. But courage? No. Courage was more than a house, even more than blood.
