Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, never have.
Snakes.
When I was little I used to be scared of them. I bought into the whole "snakes are slimy and gross" thing.
For years, I hated snakes. I remember a time when I saw one while playing with friends and they decided to throw rocks at it for self-defense. We thought it was going to attack and I was so scared all I did was scream.
I never felt sorry for the poor snake. I never thought it was cornered; that if it had attacked it would've been self-defense. All I thought was that it was evil.
Then one day I went to the zoo. It was animal show and tell day. Today's day there was a snake. At first I was scared it was going to bite me, but then the zookeeper allowed me to touch it. It was so soft and smooth.
Since that day, I've had a sort of liking for snakes. I didn't assume they were all evil.
They've become my favorite types of animals.
Slytherins.
When I first came to Hogwarts, I used to hate them. I bought into the whole "Slytherins are slimy gits" thing.
For years, I hated them all. I remember a time when one called me a "mudblood" when I was talking to friends and they decided to fight back in my defense. We thought he was evil and I was so upset all I could was cry.
I never felt sorry for the poor Slytherin. I never thought he was cornered; that if he hadn't said that, his friends and family would've called him a "mudblood-lover". All I thought was that he was evil.
Then one day it was summer vacation. I heard someone crying by the lake. There was a Slytherin there. At first I was scared for my family, but then he talked to me. He was so scared of what his father could do to him.
Since that day, I've had a sort of liking for Slytherins. I don't assume they were all evil.
They've become some of my best friends.