HP161

2018

Harry Potter

Salazar Slytherin was one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Renowned for his cunning, ambition, and resourcefulness, Slytherin valued these traits in his students, leading to the creation of Slytherin House.

A Parselmouth, capable of speaking to snakes, Slytherin’s origins trace back to the marshlands of Britain. He believed in the purity of wizarding blood and distrusted those of Muggle parentage. This belief created a rift between him and the other founders, particularly Godric Gryffindor.

Prior to his departure from Hogwarts, Slytherin constructed the Chamber of Secrets, a hidden room within the castle. Inside, he placed a Basilisk, a monstrous serpent intended to purge the school of students deemed unworthy, specifically those of Muggle birth. The chamber remained sealed for centuries, awaiting the return of Slytherin’s heir to unleash the Basilisk.

Slytherin’s legacy continues to influence Hogwarts, particularly through his House and the enduring prejudice against Muggle-borns held by some. His actions and beliefs cast a long shadow over the wizarding world.