Slytherin

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Slytherin (斯莱特林)
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Status	Active Hogwarts house
First Appearance	10
House Emblem	Serpent 15
House Colors	Emerald green and silver 15
Head of House	Professor Severus Snape 20
Prefect	Gemma Farley 14 15
Common Room Passwords Documented	“Desire”; “Glory” 15 48

House Identity

Slytherin is one of Hogwarts’ four houses. Its culture emphasizes ambition, cunning, victory, glory, dignity, and solidarity among housemates. Gemma Farley describes its members as able to “trust[] our brothers with our backs” in pursuit of a common goal. 10 15 41

The house has a poor modern reputation because Lord Voldemort attended it and because it has produced Dark wizards. Its prefect rejects the idea that house affiliation determines morality, noting that every house has produced Dark wizards and that Slytherin includes students with Muggle parentage. 13 15

Merlin is identified in the Slytherin welcome letter as a former Slytherin. The letter also compares Slytherin and Gryffindor as houses with similar potential, despite their rivalry. 15

Common Room

Slytherin’s common room is located in the dungeons beneath Hogwarts, at the bottom of the lake. Its hidden entrance opens when the password is spoken, revealing an iron serpent that forms a stone archway. 15

• Long, narrow stone chamber with dim green illumination. 15
• Furnished with black-and-green leather armchairs. 15
• Windows look onto the lakebed; students may see giant squid and other creatures outside. 15
• Decorated with medieval tapestries of notable Slytherins and silver lanterns. 15
• Passwords change every two weeks and are not to be shared. 15
• Peeves generally avoids Slytherin territory because he fears the Bloody Baron, Slytherin’s ghost. 15

Reputation and Inter-House Relations

Slytherin has a longstanding antagonistic relationship with Gryffindor and is viewed warily by the other houses, particularly over blood-status prejudice and associations with Dark magic. Hufflepuff and Slytherin are described as having fundamentally conflicting educational values: Slytherin values bloodline and honor, while Hufflepuff favors equality and pragmatism. 15 20 25

During the 1991 school year, Glenn Howard’s conduct begins to improve perceptions of his house. His cooperation with Hermione Granger, Anthony Goldstein, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and Ernie Macmillan challenges expectations that Slytherins avoid other houses. 23 24 25 26

• Padma Patil reconsiders her prejudice after Glenn shares White Fresh knowledge with Anthony. 24
• Ernie Macmillan initially suspects Glenn of improperly sharing Herbology answers, but Glenn shows him a prepared White Fresh plant instead. 25
• Slytherin first-years become less openly hostile toward other houses, though Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle continue targeting Harry Potter. 26
• Hagrid remains personally cordial to Glenn but is less warm toward him than toward Harry, Ron, and Hermione due to his broader distrust of Slytherin. 33

Quidditch

Slytherin places considerable importance on Quidditch, treating victory as an expression of house honor. Before the 1991 Gryffindor match, it had won the Quidditch Cup for seven consecutive years and sought an eighth championship. 19 33 36

• Madam Hooch offers Glenn an exceptional opportunity to join the Slytherin team as a first-year after witnessing his flying ability, but he declines. 19 20
• Draco Malfoy seeks the Seeker position and eventually receives Snape’s approval to train with the team. 36 41
• Gryffindor defeats Slytherin 170–20 when Harry Potter catches the Golden Snitch. 38

Notable Members

• Glenn Howard — First-year who personally chooses Slytherin out of nostalgia for his previous time in the house; his inter-house friendships and academic accomplishments improve the first-years’ reputation. 13 14 26
• Draco Malfoy — First-year Slytherin whose pure-blood prejudice and hostility toward Harry frequently damage the house’s image; later approved to train as a Quidditch Seeker. 15 20 41
• Blaise Zabini — First-year who befriends Glenn and often provides a more observant perspective on Slytherin’s social dynamics. 14 16 31
• Theodore Nott — Quiet first-year Slytherin who socializes with Glenn and Blaise. 36 41
• Pansy Parkinson — First-year associated with Malfoy’s circle. 22 41
• Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle — Malfoy’s close followers, involved in his bullying of other students. 9 41
• Gemma Farley — Fifth-year prefect who guides incoming Slytherins and stresses the house’s values of honor, unity, and dignity. 14 15 41
• Severus Snape — Head of Slytherin and Potions professor; openly favors Slytherin in classroom competition while offering Glenn advanced private Potions instruction. 20 30 41
• The Bloody Baron — Slytherin’s ghost; his presence is enough to drive Peeves away. 15

Story Role / Major Events

Glenn Howard’s Sorting

The Sorting Hat finds Glenn difficult to place, judging that he possesses traits suited to all four houses. After being offered the choice, Glenn selects Slytherin because of his favorable memories of Slytherin students from his earlier Hogwarts life, including Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt. 13 14

His sorting disappoints Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, who associate Slytherin with Voldemort, and unsettles Draco Malfoy after he had spread rumors that Glenn would cost any house ten points. 13 14

First-Year House Dynamics

Glenn’s strong flying performance makes him a prominent figure among Slytherin first-years, prompting students to seek his advice and connection. He refuses to compete with Malfoy for the Quidditch team, instead advising Malfoy to curb behavior that harms Slytherin’s reputation. 19 20

He also disciplines Malfoy with a Tongue-Locking Charm after Malfoy makes insensitive remarks concerning Blaise Zabini’s recently deceased stepfather. 43

Academic Reputation

Glenn earns recognition for his Herbology work, particularly his cultivation of White Fresh. Professor Sprout praises his work, and his willingness to share knowledge allows Anthony Goldstein to succeed on a Ravenclaw Herbology assignment. 16 24 31 32

His actions earn Slytherin points through academics, troll-defense spells, and homework, leading Blaise to describe him as a “merciless point machine.” 30 40

Trivia

• Glenn is assigned a single Slytherin dormitory room because there is one student too many in the first-year accommodations. 15
• Although Slytherin’s welcome letter praises unity, it explicitly recommends defeating Gryffindor rather than becoming friendly with them. 15
• Glenn regards Slytherin’s modern reputation as worse than it was during his earlier time at Hogwarts. 14 20