Yes, I agree; there are a lot of things that seem to have become accepted traits in Slytherin and Gryffindor despite not ever being mentioned in canon. We don't really know anything about the Slytherin students that are not Harry's enemies.
Harry is both cunning (mostly when dealing with the Dursleys and has to bring forward that trait) and ambitious; he uses whatever it takes to achieve what he wants; he's very resourceful. He's also very brave, which is probably why he could be sorted in Gryffindor.
and he does so for reasons other than enlightened self-interest, as a Slytherin would.
Actually, I think this is a misconception many have about Slytherin. They are human after all, and are presumably able to care for other people. Also, are you really sure about Harry's reaons? It's always seemed to me that he acts out of need to keep his friends and to avenge his parents' death, not to fight Voldemort because he's evil or any other lofty reason.
Also, acting rashly and unplanned is not the same thing as being brave, and therefore not really a Gryffindor trait, even though bravery makes it easier to behave that way.
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Date: 2005-06-30 09:29 pm (UTC)Harry is both cunning (mostly when dealing with the Dursleys and has to bring forward that trait) and ambitious; he uses whatever it takes to achieve what he wants; he's very resourceful. He's also very brave, which is probably why he could be sorted in Gryffindor.
and he does so for reasons other than enlightened self-interest, as a Slytherin would.
Actually, I think this is a misconception many have about Slytherin. They are human after all, and are presumably able to care for other people. Also, are you really sure about Harry's reaons? It's always seemed to me that he acts out of need to keep his friends and to avenge his parents' death, not to fight Voldemort because he's evil or any other lofty reason.
Also, acting rashly and unplanned is not the same thing as being brave, and therefore not really a Gryffindor trait, even though bravery makes it easier to behave that way.