At first glance, Harry Potter and Eternals have next to nothing in common. Where one is a story about magic and destiny, another is about sci-fi and forging a new path. That said, that hasn’t stopped fans from placing their favorite Eternal in any of the four Harry Potter houses that best fit their character. One that has been unanimously decided is the placement of Ikaris in Slytherin, a house notorious for spawning villainous characters. But is Ikaris an honest representation of the house’s traits and a good fit amongst them?
In Eternals, Ikaris stands by his belief that the Earth must die for a new Celestial to be born, as he knows that he would be denying the birth of countless other planets if he tried to stop it. As a result, he falls back on a belief system he has always known and is willing to sacrifice anyone who stands in his way. However, even though polls and articles say otherwise, aside from his determination and ambition, these convictions actively go against what Slytherin House has represented.
Slytherins are often considered to be cunning, shrewd and prideful of what they accomplished. These traits can be seen perfectly in the Malfoy family, who care more about their status than they do the protection of others or preservation of a belief. However, Slytherins can also be selfish and do anything to get ahead. Of all that have joined the house, Lord Voldemort is a prime example due to his ability to fracture his soul to cheat death. In comparison, Ikaris is the last person to carry these traits.
Ikaris is a born leader and will do anything he can to protect his family. In their first few centuries on the planet, he tries to understand the cultures being created and loves the people he keeps safe. Although he’s made aware of the Emergence and becomes bitter, he never wavers in his faith. In fact, he maintains his chivalry and courage even when others don’t believe in his stance. Ultimately, he maintains the traits of a Gryffindor, or even a Hufflepuff, due to his loyalty to Arishem.
While it’s been shown that Gryffindors often breed more heroic characters, others take a much darker path. For example, Peter Pettigrew’s loyalty to Voldemort keeps him from joining others against him. However, Dumbledore has also shown that he can make hard choices even when others disagree. Even Neville Longbottom tried to stop Harry, Ron and Hermione from breaking the rules in their first year. Needless to say, while he may appear villainous, Ikaris still acts heroically in his own eyes.
Ikaris’ conflict and hesitation permeate his choices in the film. He may be manipulative like a Slytherin, but it was only to bring his family together. Ultimately, when it was time for him to complete his mission, it was love that kept him from killing Sersi. He never cared about himself, only the cause he believed in. But because he was more devoted to his love of the Eternals, his walls quickly crumbled. And that inner warmth helps show that he’s far from a Slytherin.
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