That's much the way I saw it. I think Lily's sparkling personality was part of her charm as well as her Potions genius. I don't even know if Snape was in the Slug Club, even if Slughorn at one point seems to say, "Why, even Severus..." about Lily's Potions making. It seems like Snape, frankly, is the kind of kid who might be turned down despite talent or even connections. Neville is invited early on but I don't think he continues to be.
Not to make Snape sound like a poor victim here. It's just that I don't think Lily and Hermione's being included in the Club really prove that Slughorn doesn't have a lot of Prejudice. He does seem to consider Lily's status a big deal, and he may reach out to Hermione partly because she's Harry's friend (thus connected) and partly because she's Harry's Muggleborn friend (whom Harry brought up himself). He may notice her not only because of her skills but because he's making a point to Harry and luring him in. It works, too, in terms of the fact that Hermione tries to get Harry interested in the meetings.
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Date: 2005-09-08 03:55 pm (UTC)Not to make Snape sound like a poor victim here. It's just that I don't think Lily and Hermione's being included in the Club really prove that Slughorn doesn't have a lot of Prejudice. He does seem to consider Lily's status a big deal, and he may reach out to Hermione partly because she's Harry's friend (thus connected) and partly because she's Harry's Muggleborn friend (whom Harry brought up himself). He may notice her not only because of her skills but because he's making a point to Harry and luring him in. It works, too, in terms of the fact that Hermione tries to get Harry interested in the meetings.