What If What if Harry Potter was in Slytherin?

[Kyng]

If you've read the Harry Potter books, then you'll know about the Sorting Hat, the sorts new Hogwarts students into their houses. In Harry's case, it tries to put him in Slytherin; however, since he's heard bad things about that house, he explicitly tells the Hat not to put him there - and, ultimately, he instead gets put in Gryffindor.

But, what if this didn't happen? What if he either didn't meet Ron Weasley on the train, or simply dismissed Ron's anti-Slytherin sentiments as product of an inter-house rivalry (after his parents and all of his older siblings had already been sorted into Gryffindor?). Or maybe Harry had accepted Draco Malfoy's initial handshake - with the aim of keeping his options open?

Whatever path leads Harry into Slytherin, the following video, by "Harry Potter Theory", explores this scenario:



Here's a summary of the main points of this video:

• The first major difference would be Harry's group of friends. He probably wouldn't form long-term friendships with Ron and Hermione (since they're both in a rival house) - and instead becomes friends with Malfoy. This likely pushes Crabbe and Goyle out of Malfoy's own circle of friends (because, who needs bodyguards when you have the famous Harry Potter?)
  
  
• Harry probably still plays Quidditch in this universe. Maybe he replaces Slytherin seeker Terence Higgs in his first year - or maybe he waits until his second year, when Lucius Malfoy donates Nimbus 2001 broomsticks to the entire Slytherin team. (Presumably, Draco is still on the team - but he'd probably be in a different position!)
  
  
• Over the course of his education, Harry's main mentor is probably Severus Snape - who, in this universe, likely sees less of James in him, and more of Lily (and indeed, he might reveal his past connections to Lily sooner!). On the other hand, there's less of a reason for Dumbledore to get so involved in Harry's life - and since Malfoy looks down on Hagrid, Harry probably pursues no further interactions with him.
  
  
• As Harry grows older, his romantic interests are also impacted. It's hard to see Harry and Ginny forming a relationship - and while it's possible that he still has one with Cho Chang, even this seems less likely. Instead, he's probably more interested in someone more ruthless, such as Pansy Parkinson (who may well get involved in a love triangle with Malfoy)

The final matter, however, is left unresolved. One possible path is that Harry becomes the main villain of the series, in place of Malfoy (and he even ends up being sought out by Voldemort to assassinate Dumbledore - while the other Gryffindors go out and destroy Horcruxes). However, another possible path is that some of Harry's innate positive traits rub of on Malfoy and the rest of his house - and he ends up influencing Slytherin for the better.

So, by the end of the Deathly Hallows, will Harry become this universe's version of Malfoy - or will he still resemble the Harry we know from the books that were actually written - or will he be something in between?

[JHG]

I’d think Harry would try to break wheels rather than run with Slytherin’s reputation and Voldemort would still try to kill him.

[Kyng]

I’d think Harry would try to break wheels rather than run with Slytherin’s reputation and Voldemort would still try to kill him.

Yeah, that's entirely possible too.

(Indeed, that made me think: why don't we see more in-fighting among the Slytherin staff and students? After all, Slytherin values ambition - and, if you put a load of ambitious people together, then their ambitions are going to conflict with one another ...)

[Moonface]

(Indeed, that made me think: why don't we see more in-fighting among the Slytherin staff and students? After all, Slytherin values ambition - and, if you put a load of ambitious people together, then their ambitions are going to conflict with one another ...)

Likely because Slytherin's focus their ambition on being better than those in other houses that in their eyes weren't worthy enough to be put in Slytherin, and/or for not being of pure blood. Recall there was the one scene in Deathly Hallows where that entire house turns on Harry when Voldemort demands that Hogwarts hands him over, and they are all promptly sent to the dungeons by McGonagall for it and remain there during the Battle of Hogwarts, so I think that shows they band together against "outsiders" rather than against themselves.

[Moonshroom]

He would be a lot less lame, I'll tell you that!

This actually reminds me a bit of Emily McGovern's "My Life as a Background Slytherin", which observes how an outsider to that house would behave while trying to fit in and kind of explains the inner workings of their system.

[Shiny Star]

Interesting concept. I guess Harry’s personality would also depend on his upbringing. He was still brought up unaware of the Wizarding world so it’s likely he would have been unaware of the drama between the houses. Plus, when he met Ron initially he wouldn’t have known what house he would’ve ended up in himself. I do agree that their friendship wouldn’t have been as close but I feel like they could have had a mutual level of respect if Harry didn’t get caught up in the Slytherin reputation. Then again, Ron’s strong opinion on Slytherin people would’ve caused a rift.

He definitely would have played Qudditch still. His dad was a big player but how he got discovered by the coach or gotten into it may have been different. After all, Harry was very interested in his parents and their history. I can imagine even as a Slytherin he would be too, although there could be tension knowing that they were the ‘opposite house’.

I feel that Snape would have still held some bitterness over the fact that James got Lily regardless. It’s too deep rooted. Snape did basically give up being a death eater after what happened to Lily. 

Would this mean that Neville would become the protagonist? I’m pretty sure that the myth of this special child also could have been Neville but Voldemort assumed it was Harry.

So yeah, I’d guess somewhere in between. It depends on the fate of his parents. I also still see some sort of tension with Draco as they do clash anyways. After all, Draco has those two friends who are pretty dumb with sheep mentality. I don’t see Harry being manipulated in the same way.

[JHG]

I still honestly don’t see Harry even as a Slytherin have romance with Pansy Parkinson.

[Kyng]

I still honestly don’t see Harry even as a Slytherin have romance with Pansy Parkinson.

Yeah, to be honest, it's hard to imagine such a romance getting anywhere, because they have such different personalities.

I think "Harry + Pansy" might have happened - but if it did, then it would've been more like "Harry + Cho" than "Harry + Ginny" .

[JHG]

Maybe instead Harry romances with someone never seen before...Morrigan McAleese! A bright minded girl determined to become the world's best beastmaster who is also bi and once had a fling with Susan Bones(because Wynaut) and wishes more people would view Slytherin better.

[slooroo]

Yeah, that's entirely possible too.

(Indeed, that made me think: why don't we see more in-fighting among the Slytherin staff and students? After all, Slytherin values ambition - and, if you put a load of ambitious people together, then their ambitions are going to conflict with one another ...)

Apologies for answering a three year old post but this one actually I know. In lore JK Rowling makes it pretty clear that while Slytherin values ambition they also have a value of working together and forming tight knit cliques (usually with a strong leader figure) that achieve a shared goal according to JK Rowling. This makes a lot of sense since in the early books Slytherin tended to dominate in house points and other things. In fact this is likely the exact pattern Voldemort followed when setting up the Death Eaters. It actually makes Slytherin possibly the most organized house in ways which is interesting to think about.