I’m a Slytherin, apparently. I think creating houses that people can align
themselves with is the coolest thing J. K. Rowling did. If you had asked me a year ago if I would
ever have a Harry Potter related costume, I would have smiled benevolently and
said ‘I’m not into it enough.’
Potterverse has never qualified as a major fandom for me. I came into it late enough (after the fifth
book) that I’ve always thought of it as belonging to someone else. I can say without too many qualms that I
haven’t had anyone else direct me into a fandom and guide me through it. That doesn’t mean I can’t take a
recommendation, but I can’t have someone who’s going to watch every bit of
something with me or ahead of me.
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Pottermore's Slytherin Welcome |
Harry just always
seemed to be for other people. I want to
live with
the things I love, and if I already see them existing, or know too much about
what happens ahead of time, then the thing doesn’t become real anymore. It flattens back out into just a story, or
movie, or television show. (Side note-
is that how “normal” people experience these amazing books, films, and
series?) If I’ve already seen pictures
Lois & Clark’s first kiss on Smallville, how can I be as thrilled as if it
was finally happening, right then, in that exact moment? If I see a million people quoting “Don’t
Blink!” on Pinterest before seeing the episode, how can it have a gripping,
ominous feel, as though I am in danger from the weeping angels in that exact
second?
As much as I can
appreciate it and enjoy Harry Potter, I haven’t ever found a way that I can
actually live in it.
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My Slytherin outfit for
the Renaissance Festival |
Then came
Pottermore.com. Just get sorted. If it feels right, like you’ve found your
people, then it’s done. I proudly claim
the Slytherin House. (Just for the record, I am SURROUNDED by Hufflepuffs.) Now I have a seriously Slytherin inspired Ren Faire
outfit. It’s awesome. I am able to see myself in the Potterverse,
and it’s a fun place to be. I’m not living the existing stories; I’m living my
own. It’s still a bit of a challenge to
have Slytherin pride while watching the films.
There isn’t a lot of gray area shown among the Slytherin characters on
screen, but I’ve read the books. I know that there’s more to the Slytherins
than being the House of Bad People. There
are so many admirable qualities, along with a couple of faults. This is the case with all the houses. Now, if you remain unsorted, and especially
if you aren’t sold on loving Harry Potter, that is easy to fix! Head to Pottermore and let J. K. Rowling find
your home.
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