Hogwarts houses

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In the Harry Potter series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is divided into four houses, each bearing the last name of its founder: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. The houses compete throughout the school year, by earning and losing points for various events, for the House Cup. Each house also has its own Quidditch team that competes for the Quidditch Cup. These two competitions breed rivalries between the houses, the greatest of which is that between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Houses at Hogwarts are the living and learning communities for its students. Each year group of a certain house shares the same dormitory and classes.

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[edit] House system

The house system is not unique to Hogwarts. It is a feature of many real schools in some English-speaking countries today. As with many other features of Hogwarts, J.K Rowling has adapted features of real-world boarding schools to add verisimilitude to the Harry Potter universe. House rivalries, separate dormitories, and the point system are all features of the real house system. The house system at Hogwarts may pre-date the earliest house system in the real world.

[edit] Sorting

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.
Harry and the Sorting Hat
Harry and the Sorting Hat

In the Hogwarts' early days, the four founders handpicked students for their Houses. When the founders worried how students would be selected after their deaths, Godric Gryffindor took his hat off and each "put some brains" in it, allowing The Sorting Hat to choose students. Now, at the beginning of each school year, the magical Sorting Hat is placed on each new student's head, during the Sorting Ceremony. The Sorting Hat announces the house the student is bound to join. Before beginning the Sorting ceremony, it sings a short song about the founding of the school and the four houses; The Sorting Hat's songs are different every year, and the Hat is said to take all year composing the next one (according to Ron Weasley, at least). The songs tends to give advice in troubled times[HP5].

The Hat sorts by judging each student's qualities and placing them in the most appropriate house. The student's own choices may affect the decision: the clearest example is the Hat telling Harry Potter that he would do well in Slytherin in the first book, but ultimately selecting Gryffindor after Harry asks it not to put him in Slytherin. Another example is in the fifth book when Hermione Granger states that The Sorting Hat considered sorting her into Ravenclaw, but after she clearly stated in a previous chapter that she wanted to be in Gryffindor, her choice probably ultimately overrides The Sorting Hat, resulting in her placement into Gryffindor. Albus Dumbledore later explains to Harry that this is how it should be, when one considers how a person's choices define them more than their abilities. It is in fact likely that the Hat selects houses according to the predetermined decisions of an informed student, and only genuinely selects those who have no preconceptions or expectations (according to Horace Slughorn, house affiliations tend to run in families, and it is notable that Ron Weasley could not consider being in any house other than that which every other member of his family had been in; however, when Harry mentions this, Hermione points out that Parvati Patil and Padma Patil, who are twins, are sorted differently, into Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, respectively). For example, every member of the Black family had been sorted into Slytherin, with Sirius Black being the sole exception, which was remarked upon by Slughorn, its Head. On the other hand, many House members appear to share common traits: it is unknown if these are present before Sorting and used as criteria, or if they are inculcated into students through their presence in the House.

The hat does not just consider the student's most obvious strengths; it also sees a student's potential qualities. "You could be great you know, it's all here in your head, and Slytherin will help you on the way to greatness", it says to Harry when it suggests Slytherin as the best house for his future. Similarly, Hermione and Neville Longbottom do not immediately jump out as prime examples of Gryffindor courage in the beginning of the series, but they have both gained a tremendous amount of courage as they have grown. Hermione is even asked point-blank in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix why the Hat didn't put her in Ravenclaw, considering her intelligence. Her answer is that the Hat "considered it, but decided on Gryffindor in the end" (notably, she wanted to be in Gryffindor before even arriving at the school). Similarly, Neville may have a number of qualities suggestive of Hufflepuff, yet was sorted into Gryffindor.

[edit] House dynamics

The four houses are rather separate entities. Each has its own common room and dormitory, its own table in the Great Hall, and students mostly share lessons with classmates of their same house. There is no rule against students from different houses mingling, but in practice, a good majority of social interactions occur within the same house. Each house has one teacher who acts as its Head of House. Each house also has a house ghost. The function they serve (if any) is unknown, although they might be like house mascots. Each Head of House and house ghost was previously a pupil within that house.

A great deal of rivalry exists between the houses, not always friendly. This rivalry is demonstrated in the Quidditch matches and the annual school competition for the House Cup, which is determined by the number of points earned or lost by each member of the rival houses. These points are awarded or taken based on students' conduct throughout the school year. All members of the faculty, and the Head Boy and Girl have the authority to grant and deduct points as they see fit in each instance. [1] Some, like Severus Snape, the former Potions master, tend to favour their own house, but that does not seem to be against the rules. He is despised by many students, other than those in Slytherin, where he is very popular. We do not know how much favouritism the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw Heads show, although it can be deduced that it's minimal or non-existent, as both Professor Filius Flitwick (of Ravenclaw) and Professor Pomona Sprout (Hufflepuff) are kind, lighthearted people, who obviously want to win the House and Quidditch Cups but are not as vindictive as Snape in going about it. It is known that Professor Minerva McGonagall, the stern head of Gryffindor, does not show much favoritism towards her house. In fact, she deducted 50 points apiece and awarded detentions to three students in her house (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom) when they were caught out of bed after hours in the first book, and supported Professor Snape wholeheartedly in giving Harry detentions for the rest of the school year, even on overlapping Quidditch matches, after Harry used the Sectumsempra spell on Draco Malfoy in book six.

According to Rubeus Hagrid, "every wizard that's ever gone bad was in Slytherin," (though this is for the most part correct, there are a few exceptions, former Gryffindor Peter Pettigrew the most notable of them; Hagrid's statement here is also interesting, as at that time he surely would have thought Sirius Black, an ex - Gryffindor student, to have been a Dark wizard). None of this necessarily means, however, that all Slytherins are evil. Slytherins are chosen for their cunning and pure-blood heritage (although blood purity does not appear to be essential - Lord Voldemort and Snape were half-bloods, though they both are prejudiced). It has also been said that all four houses must band together and fight as one if Hogwarts is to stand. It must be remembered that all of the Houses have their virtues and flaws: none are inherently good or evil. Slytherins may have earned their reputation as evil because they show such contempt towards Gryffindor, the protagonist house. They also don't show much generosity towards other houses either, whether those in them are pure-blood or not. This is probably because many students from other houses are prejudiced against Slytherin students.

House rivalry is most seen between Slytherin and Gryffindor ("Gryffindor and Slytherin students loathed each other on principle"[HP6]). This rivalry likely to goes back to the days of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin after they founded Hogwarts, because the Sorting Hat said that they were the best of friends before they founded the school.[HP5] While it is not clear if there is a similar rivalry between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, it seems very much unlikely due to the cheerful disposition of the Heads for said Houses, as opposed to the contempt of Professor Snape and the passion of Professor McGonagall (Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff, however, once great friends, are documented as having had a severe falling out at some point by the Sorting Hat's song in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix).

Usually, though not always, the other two houses appear (in Harry's eyes) to support Gryffindor in its rivalry with Slytherin, which again is reminiscent of how Slytherin was in the end opposed by all three other Founders. One exception to this occurred when Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin all initially supported Hufflepuff's Cedric Diggory instead of Gryffindor's Harry Potter in the Triwizard Tournament.[HP4] Also in the first Quidditch match of book 6, it is said that many of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had "taken sides" in the Gryffindor vs Slytherin match, but does not specify which Houses took which side.

[edit] The houses of Hogwarts

[edit] Gryffindor

Gryffindor crest

Gryffindor values courage, chivalry and boldness. Its emblematic animal is the lion and its colours are scarlet and gold. Minerva McGonagall is the most recent Head of House. Nearly Headless Nick is the house ghost. The founder of the house is Godric Gryffindor.

As this is the house to which Harry Potter belongs, its private quarters are the only ones that have been described in any detail (though Slytherin's common room was described briefly in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), and its members tend to get the most attention. These are located in one of the castle's towers, the entrance to which is located on the seventh floor and is guarded by a painting of the Fat Lady, who is garbed in a pink dress. She permits entry only after being given the correct (regularly changing) password. Behind her is a large common room, with a fireplace, and two staircases leading up to the boys' and girls' dormitories.

According to J. K. Rowling, Gryffindor corresponds roughly to the element of fire, which may partly be the reason for its colours.

It must be remembered that since Harry Potter is a Gryffindor, it receives the most favourable depiction.

Gryffindors are disliked by Houses such as Slytherin, according to Phineas Nigellus Black, because they apparently engage in pointless heroics. There might also be an element of jealousy; since the arrival of Harry Potter, Gryffindor has received a certain amount of publicity that they hadn't had before. Harry and his fellow Gryffindors tend to win in a lot of circumstances which, when viewed from a Slytherin's point of view, may be considered unfair. Examples of this include the last minute points awarded by the Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore, at the end of term feast, which conveniently put Gryffindor ten points ahead of Slytherin or when Harry gets special permission from Professor McGonagall to have his own broomstick for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, even though first years are not permitted their own broomstick (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone). Another example is when Harry Potter is chosen as the fourth competitor in the Triwizard Tournament, and is accused of cheating, stealing Cedric Diggory's thunder and craving attention.

A few notable Gryffindors (for a complete list, see List of characters in the Harry Potter books):

[edit] Hufflepuff

Hufflepuff crest

Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, is the most inclusive among the four houses, valuing hard work, patience, friendship and fair play rather than a particular aptitude in its members. Its emblematic animal is the badger, and yellow and black are its colours. Pomona Sprout is the Head of Hufflepuff. The Fat Friar is its ghost. According to Rowling, Hufflepuff corresponds roughly to the element of earth. The Hufflepuff dormitories and common room are located somewhere in the basement, near the castle's kitchens.

Perhaps as a consequence of the broad principles of acceptance upon which it is founded, Hufflepuff has been stereotyped as the house of the unexceptional (or, more unkindly, as "a lot o' duffers"). In book one, Professor McGonagall stated that all four of the Houses had produced exceptional witches and wizards in their time, so, though the House is said to have forgone glory for centuries,[HP4] it is not without its share of exceptional individuals. One Hufflepuff of note is Cedric Diggory, who brought his house rare glory as its Quidditch captain and later as Hogwarts' champion in the Triwizard Tournament in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

A few notable Hufflepuffs (for a complete list, see List of characters in the Harry Potter books. Also see Minor Hufflepuffs):

[edit] Ravenclaw

Ravenclaw crest

Ravenclaw values intelligence, knowledge and wit. Its emblematic animal is the eagle, and its colours are blue and bronze. The Ravenclaw Head is Filius Flitwick. No Ravenclaw house ghost is directly mentioned in the books; however, the Harry Potter movies name her as the Grey Lady. The house was founded by Rowena Ravenclaw. According to Rowling, Ravenclaw corresponds roughly to the element of air. The Ravenclaw common room and dormitories are located in Ravenclaw Tower on the west side of the school. Very few Ravenclaw members are specifically mentioned, and, in general, they are not seen much in the Harry Potter books.

Ravenclaw house may also have an element of beauty within it, since Rowena Ravenclaw is described as being fair (pleasing to the eye), and that nearly all Ravenclaws are described as being handsome or beautiful and have had success in relationships.

A few notable Ravenclaws (for a complete list, see List of characters in the Harry Potter books. Also see Minor Ravenclaws):

[edit] Slytherin

Slytherin crest

Like Salazar Slytherin, its founder, Slytherin house values ambition, cunning and resourcefulness. Its emblematic animal is the serpent, and its colours are green and silver. Professor Horace Slughorn is the Head of Slytherin, replacing Severus Snape, who as well, replaced Slughorn when he retired for the first time several years ago. The Bloody Baron is the house ghost. According to Rowling, Slytherin corresponds roughly to the element of water[citation needed]. The Slytherin dormitories and common room are reached through a bare stone wall in the dungeons. The Slytherin common room is a long, low underground room (probably under the Hogwarts lake, thus Slytherin house's affiliation with water) with rough stone walls and round greenish lamps hanging from the ceiling.

The Sorting Hat claims that blood purity is a factor in selecting Slytherins, although this is not mentioned until the fifth book. This suggests that it bases its decisions more upon the views of its members, than directly on any accurate test of blood. There is no reason to believe that muggle-born students are not sorted there, merely that pure-blooded students are more desirable to that house. There are definite examples of half-bloods in the house (Snape, Voldemort), and one notable example of a non-pureblood who was nearly sorted into the house (Harry Potter). The fact that Rowling intended to place a character named Mafalda, a half-blood who was the daughter of a Squib and a Muggle, in Slytherin, suggests that Rowling at least does not view the Slytherin House desire for blood-purity as particularly influential upon the Sorting Hat. Mafalda, intended to be a cousin of the Weasley children, was ultimately cut from final edits of the book, to allow for more room to develop other plot lines[2].

According to Albus Dumbledore (in 'The Chamber of Secrets'), the qualities which "Slytherin prized in his hand-picked students" include "Parseltongue...resourcefulness...determination...a certain disregard for the rules": which Dumbledore notes are qualities possessed by Harry Potter.

Contrary to the wishes of the other founders, Salazar Slytherin wanted a stricter policy of admittance—one limited to pure-blood students. The controversy this created apparently led to Salazar leaving the school and the Chamber of Secrets behind. A millennium later, the house's students are still considered affiliated with Salazar's reputed views although some half-bloods, most notably Voldemort and Snape, have been in Slytherin. "Pureblood" lineage is certainly one of Voldemort's public goals. It is often mentioned in the novels (especially in Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets) that most of the dark wizards were in Slytherin (though how many were from this house before Tom Marvolo Riddle began recruiting there is unstated: as his own House, it was certainly most easy for him to recruit there). However, good Slytherin wizards also exist: most notable in the canon is Horace Slughorn, a member of the House prior to the entry of Tom Riddle. Cunning and ambition are easily turned towards ill purposes, but are not inherently negative; furthermore, daring, intelligence, and loyalty can as easily become negative. A reason Slytherins may not be thought of as the best kind of people is because they value their own lives more than the lives of others. When Harry is trying to run away, because he is afraid that his presence is putting his friends' lives in danger in Chapter 23 of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Phineas Nigellus sees him and says, "We Slytherins are brave, yes, but not stupid. For instance, when given the choice, we will always choose to save our own necks." Rowling herself has defended Slytherins, claiming that while most Dark wizards are Slytherins, most Slytherins are not Dark, and smaller groups of Voldemort's supporters are aligned with other Houses.

A few notable Slytherins (for a complete list, see List of characters in the Harry Potter books. Also see Minor Slytherins):

Spoilers end here.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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