Gah. Potter Plot Bunny.

[DHBirr]

---

I do wonder, though, if JKR actually thought of that when she designed the houses. Probably not.

---

There was almost certainly supposed to be more to it, although I'm not sure what. I recall the Sorting Hat saying (I forget in which book) that Godric and Salazar were best friends before the founding of Hogwarts, so presumably Slytherin had some virtues the others appreciated. Or maybe they just realized that, if you're going to keep wizards secret, you need people who are good at doing sneaky.
On another note:
"Do you know, Prime Minister, in dealing with these 'wizards', I believe it's time we take a leaf from the Americans' book. They have a superb program called 'Project Wideawake'."
(That's not a quote from a fic; it's a quote from a very nasty portion of my mind.)
-----
Big Brother is watching you.  And damn, you are so bloody BORING.