Slug Club: Term XXIV, Activity 6: Better Be

[pretty-panther.livejournal.com]

banner by flyingharmony

Activity Name:Better Be
Deadline:29th November 11.59 UTC
Points: Participations only: 10pts
Details:Write a 150 word argument for Horace being sorted into a house other than Slytherin.




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Comments

[flyingharmony.livejournal.com]

Of course, Professor Slughorn belongs in Ravenclaw! Just look how smart he is; he's a brilliant potions teacher (maybe not *quite* as brilliant as Snape, but on the other hand he's not even half as grumpy as him), knows how to teach his students very well and also knows how to get them to understand what he's actually talking about. This requires great skill and feeling, and is a very eagle-like trait. But all in all, he knows very well how to present himself and what to do to get what he wants or at least open more doors for himself, which again requires a lot of cleverness! There is also this loveable strangeness he radiates a bit, that, again, is a very Ravenclaw-ish trait. He is definitely an eagle, in every way! Even though he has a small Hufflepuff side too, looking at how he cares about his students, but... No, definitely a Ravenclaw.

Avi//Hufflepuff//156

[bergeronprocess.livejournal.com]

I was going to argue for Slughorn the Hufflepuff, but then I recalled that he showed extreme favoritism to the kids in his Slug Club but ignored kids he didn't find good enough for Slug Club inclusion, though he did give them a fair enough shake in the classroom. Plus, he was less selective for his post-OWL classes than Snape. However, I keep coming back to the favoritism. That's not a very Hufflepuff trait because it's unfair and we Puffs are very fairness- and equality-minded. However, he did have to be quite smart to take notice of kids when they're just teenagers, see their potential greatness and then come back later to benefit when his Slug Club members did become well-known. (He tended to have a pretty good batting average when it came to that, too.) Plus, he had to be very clever to know about the process of creating Horcruxes and he rewarded Harry's ability in creating a difficult potion--even though Harry did get a big assist in so doing. Therefore, I too present an argument for Horace Slughorn the Ravenclaw!

Emma//Hufflepuff//182

[storminmay]

Accidentally posted this as a reply to another comment, whoops! xD

I would certainly argue for Professor Slughorn to be in Ravenclaw. He’s extremely fond of his Slug Club, and while Ravenclaws can definitely lean towards being on the loner side of the social equation, when they socialize they DO like to surround themselves with other like-minded people. Also, Professor Slughorn greatly values witches and wizards who have accomplished great things, regardless of their age, gender, House, physical appearance, and so on. Ravenclaws are usually very welcoming to all people who have something interesting and unique to share with the world, and Professor Slughorn possesses this trait exactly. I also think that his intelligence is something to behold; to be a Potions master takes a great deal of patience, intellect, and revere for the subject. When Ravenclaws study, they STUDY, and throw themselves completely into whatever it is they’re researching or working on. I can see why Professor Slughorn was Sorted into Slytherin, but his rational thinking, his passion for his research, and his affinity for surrounding himself with like-minded people make him a great fit for Ravenclaw!

Emma//Ravenclaw//177

[caitieness.livejournal.com]

I see an argument for sorting him into Huffelpuff. I know Emma has a problem with his favoritism and while it is a big part of his personality, I argue that he shows favoritism in the way a Hufflepuff shows loyalty. He rewards his best (or richest!) students because he is loyal to them and they are loyal to him (by granting him favors and giving him gifts). A Hufflepuff must be loyal but how they choose their loyalty is up for discussion. He does care greatly about all of his students and creates a great learning environment through encouragement. This nurturing aspect of him is quite a Puff. Slughorn places a lot of emphasis on his personal relationships, which is always a key point for Hufflepuffs. Just because he thinks some people are better than others doesn't mean he can't be a Hufflepuff. Remember Zacharias was a bit condescending, too.

caitie/hufflepuff/152 words

[gryffinwhore.livejournal.com]

If Professor Slughorn could not be in Slytherin (which, I'm sorry, is SO his house) then I would have to place him in Ravenclaw. Part of me wants to try and sort him Gryffindor just to be contrary, but I really can't bullshit enough reasons to justify it. But as for Ravenclaw, he is obviously very intelligent as illustrated by his proficiency at potions, and he seems to display an aptitude for thinking outside of the box, a trait which I associate with the eagles. He thought to transfigure himself into an armchair when Dumbledore came looking for him. Most people would cast a spell to simply make themselves invisible. He went for furniture. He also is considered an excellent professor, which requires you to be able to look at things from many views to get different people to learn the same material. Since not all students respond to the same teaching methods, you need to be able to switch things up and try new things.

Alex.Gryff.166

[amaranthine3.livejournal.com]

If Professor Slughorn is to be sorted into house other than Slytherin, I think I would put him in Ravenclaw. At the beginning, I wanted to sort him in Gryffindor, because even though he was afraid, he overcome his fears and first agreed to return to Hogwarts and then helped in the battle for Hogwarts, but unfortunately, bribes of some sort were involved in it. As for why Ravenclaw, I believe that he definitely possessed a huge knowledge, since he was a Potions Master, and he also knew how to use it. He dedicated his whole life to this particular subject and studied every aspect of it. For me, the devotion he had for it is very eagle-like. I also think that everyone will agree that he had this originality about him that distingished him from other teachers and you cannot say that his way of hiding from the Death Eaters wasn't creative, and I identify both features with Claws.

Izabella/Hufflepuff/160

[slumber.livejournal.com]

I actually think an argument can be made for Slughorn fitting in Hufflepuff. I think his way of accepting people, regardless of their background and based primarily on their merit and ability to look past everything else just to recognize talent. I think that could be considered similar to a Hufflepuff ethic of treating everyone equally (at least to a certain extent, but I feel like every time Slughorn meets someone they are, to him, a blank slate until they show him what he can do). He does, so long as they've proven themselves to him (similarly, Hufflepuffs don't just give their loyalty to anyone, even though that happens to be a trait they have. They're very big on earning things and working for them) and sure, Slughorn sometimes takes family ties into account, but he'd just as easily disregard them when it looks like the student isn't as promising talent- or skill-wise. Afterward, Slughorn kind of takes on the role of a nurturer and mentor. He provides a supportive environment for the Slug Club members to help them succeed, and focuses on the good they can do when he does it.

Evyclaw//194 words

[wasureneba.livejournal.com]

I agree that Slughorn is a Slytherin at heart, but if he were to be put into another house, I think I might actually go with Gryffindor. Although he's undoubtedly smart, we don't seem him focused a lot on learning for learning's sake; there's also nothing to suggest that he's particularly hard-working or loyal.* First, although he is not overly courageous, he's certainly not a snivelling sniffpot, either. He eventually gave Harry his memory, even though he was deeply ashamed of it---something that takes a great deal of courage, especially for someone who is very concerned about his image and connections; additionally, he fought at the Battle of Hogwarts. Second, he seems to have a real passion for experience, which I've always felt is a very Gryffindor taste. Sure, a lot of his favorite experiences seem to involve comfort. But he seems to genuinely enjoy and take pleasure in lived experience, whether it's eating crystallized pineapple or going to Harpies matches.

Anie//Ravenclaw

*Since he's a teacher, he's obviously not a duffer, but I have a sneaking suspicion that getting a teaching job in the wizarding world is a lot more about knowing the Headmaster and being competent, and a lot less about academic brilliance and toil.

[pretty-panther.livejournal.com]

I think that Slughorn would do very well in Hufflepuff house. He doesn't seek confrontation but is still able to defend himself if the need calls for it. I think a lot of people underestimate his abilities in this sense in the way that Huffelpuffs can be looked over. He was able to evade the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters for a long time and while yes, this showed a great deal of cunning and intelligence I think a lot of peopled doubted his ability to do it. Though he chooses who gets his loyalty carefully, he is loyal to his causes. When push came to shove, he did stand and fight. He remained a teacher at Hogwarts and didn't flee after Dumbledore's death and played an important role in the final battle, even dueling Voldemort himself. He got the students to safety, showing care for others and then put his life on the line to return and fight. He was willing to duel his own past pupils to the death and I think that a lot of people forget that and doubt what he is capable of but he shows himself to be a very capable wizard when put under the spotlight. While he seeks to make connections for his own purposes, he shows an ability to make friends with anyone which I think many people associate with Hufflepuff house and though he is a Slytherin at his core, everyone has another house in them and for Horace I think the badger lurks within.

Sam/Puff