Harry Potter Houses

Entertainment
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Harry Potter houses are called Hogwarts Houses. These houses are a part of a legendary story called Harry Potter. This was the world’s best series written by J.K Rowling. She tried to bring the ideal world into a magical reality. This series became so successful that it becomes more than a story. Children build up by watching these series. Everyone who watched these series could relate to the characters as the characters were evolving together with the character. This endeavor makes possible the unreal world converted into a reality. And the characters are so magical that they become part of the fan’s life. Reading this novel, everyone knows about the Hogwarts houses and their getup.

Characters of Harry Potter Series

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Draco Malfoy, Lord Voldemort, Ron Weasley, Professor Albus Dumbledore, Professor Severus Snape, Luna Lovegood, Rubeus Hagrid, Dobby, Bellatrix Lestrange, Neville Longbottom, Professor Minera McGonagall, Newt Scamander, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Fred Weasley, Sorting Hat, Gellert Grindelwald, Dolores Umbridge, ■■■■■ Parkinson, Ginney Weasley, Lucius Malfoy, Nymphadora Tonks, Hedwig, Peter Pettigrew, Cho Chang, Nagini, Narcissa Malfoy, George Weasley, Dudley Dursley, Winky, Fleur Delacour, Peeves, Alator Moody, Lily Potter, James Potter, Regulus Black, Molly Weasley, Argus Filch, Sybill Trelawney, Moaning Martyle, Oliver Wood, Dean Thomas, Astoria Greengrass Lavender brown, Seamus Finnigan, Nott Sr., Albus Severus Potter, James Sirius Potter, and Blasé Zabini are all the characters that are present in Harry Potter series.

:arrow_right: There are four houses of Harry Potter

From the time Harry Potter has put on the arranging hat in J.K Rowling served, people were very curious about the thinking that which house will be assigned to them when they go to Hogwarts. These four houses are;

:star2: Fire (Gryffindor)

:star2: Earth (Hufflepuff)

:star2: Air (Ravenclaw)

:star2: Water (Slytherin)

All these four houses represent four states of matter. Plasma is represented by Fire, Gryffindor. Air, Ravenclaw represents the Gas. Water, Slytherin represents the liquid state of matter. A solid form of matter is represented by Earth and Hufflepuff.

:arrow_right: Qualities of each house

Fire, Gryffindor is famous for bravery, helping others, and courage. This house is famous for these qualities. Earth, Hufflepuff is famous for work hard, tolerance, devotion, and justice. A third house, values of Ravenclaw are intellect, understanding, and plan what to do next. Fourth house Slytherin is famous in determination, craftiness, and culture and full of sources. In all these four houses Gryffindor is very difficult to find out as it is rare. Technically, when we talk about the traits and values which this house has. Many people are intelligent, craft and fair. So, maybe this house is rare among all. The easiest house we can easily find out is Hufflepuff because when a student wants to get knowledge, this just comes in support.

:arrow_right: Founder and color of houses

Founder of fire, Gryffindor is Godric Gryffindor. The color of this house is Scarlet and gold. Second house Earth, Hufflepuff’s founder is Helga Hufflepuff and the color of this house is yellow and black. The founder of the third house Ravenclaw, white is Rowena Ravenclaw, and the color of this house is Blues and bronze. The fourth and last house of Harry Potter is Slytherin and the founder of this house is Salazar Slytherin and color of this house is Green and Silver. Many animals are found in these houses, and these are lion, Badger, Eagle, and snake. The Head of all these houses is Minerva McGonagall in 1998.

:arrow_right: History

Each house has its own great history and every house has produced great diviners and Astronauts. When you are at Harry Potter houses, you can earn house points and when you will not follow the rules of the house there will be a loss of points that you have earned. At the last of the year, the house which has fewer points will lose and the other which have a huge number of points will be awarded by a house cup. This was a great honor for all the houses who had earned a cup in past and been awarding in present. I hope all of the students of different houses will take part in this activity and will be determinant to win. These were the words to first-year students by Minerva McGonagall in 1991. He encourages all the students to participate.

:arrow_right: Systems of the houses

All the houses at Hogwarts had both living and education groups for the students. Every year’s students share the same residential hall and many classes. The competition of these houses goes throughout the year. This behavior of all the students is counted based on their activities. They earn and lose points as time passes. The house with the highest-earning points wins the cup. All the houses have their own Quidditch team. All of the teams compete with each other and the winning team wins the Quidditch Cup. These two competitions cause conflict between all the students. The huge rivalry was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

:arrow_right: Classifying

In the early days at Hogwarts, the four organizers by themselves invite all the children to their school. The students came and all of the people choose students for their school. When all these organizers were worried that how there will be a selection of students after their death. Then Godric Gryffindor gives the idea by taking his Hat off from his head and these entire four organizers put their brain. They decided to place a Hat on a student who will be selected for their school. Then after many years also this thing was done and this hat was called as a magical hat. There was always a ceremony for giving the hat to a student. This magical hat declares the house that this student is to join. Before starting the ceremony, there is singing of song for all the four houses and founding of the school. The Hat’s songs are always different from the previous year. And the Hat takes the whole next year to make the next year’s song.

:arrow_right: Values

Albus Dumbledore said that ‘these are only our choices that tell the people who we are, not our abilities’. It is not clear that if the Hat that is given to students is inclined to decide students on their abilities they value or if the abilities that they contain. One example of the previous people is Peter Pettigrew that who was chosen for Gryffindor but he was found as a low courage boy who was very shy. Maybe he has been placed there because he has shown his love for brave people like James Potter and Sirius Black. Other examples are also there as Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle these boys were very slow and stupid, Inspite of being thus stupid and lazy both of them were selected for Slytherin that was the house of craft and determined people. They also did the same as Peter Pettigrew, they show their love for Draco Malfoy and he contained Slytherin Qualities so these boys were placed in this house. Hermione Granger was also the girl who was very sharp and has qualities of Slytherin but when she placed courage above all, she was selected for Gryffindor. This was the house she liked the most.

Summary

Harry potter houses are called Hogwarts houses. These are the special series that is written by J.K Rowling. She turned the magical world into reality. There are four houses of Harry Potter. There are specific rules for the houses. Every house has its own owner that deals with all the situations. These owners select students for their houses according to their characters as all houses are connected to specific values. They also discovered the Hat process as this hat can identify the person’s character and decide that to which house this student belongs and the student got selected for that house according to his/her values.

:arrow_right: Hat detect Qualities

The Hat that is given to all students can identify the growing qualities of a person and then it will place the student to the house that will be challenging for his/her and put their own abilities at test. For instance, Neville Longbottom was chosen for Gryffindor. This was because the Hat identifies that he is capable of showing his courage and quality of leadership during his time at Gryffindor’s house. This thing is also to notice that these abilities were not in his behavior until Neville himself got to know about it. This Hat was also useful in getting the wishes of students as this Hat will remind the person’s personality and choices are a reflection of the qualities they contain. This is just because someone is placed in a specific house. This does not mean that they could not show the characteristics of other houses.

For Example

For example, Harry Potter shows different qualities that were appreciated by Salazar Slytherin as he was crafty, sharp, and creative. He was not placed in Slytherin because he did not want to go there and a true Slytherin cannot say that. He does not take any pressure from this. So he was chosen for Gryffindor. One of the best examples was Severus Snape. At times, Albus Dumbledore sees that he is faithful, has courage, and these qualities are associated with Gryffindor. But as a child, he grows up as a crafty sharp, and determined boy which led him to the Slytherin.

:arrow_right: House variability

The four houses are totally different as each house has its own common room. Residential hall, own table in the large hall and most of the students share a lesson with their classmate in the same house. There is no rule that the students from different houses cannot meet. A huge number of students interconnect with each other in the same house. There are no restrictions to it. Every house has its own teacher who represents as a Head of House. Every house also has a house ghost. The part they play in that house is not known. They may be like house lucky charm. Both the Head of House and House Ghost were previously child at that house.

:arrow_right: The conflict between the houses

There is a great conflict that exists between the houses. They are no one who is always very friendly. This conflict started when the Quidditch match was done between all the teams and there was a competition for a House Cup, which was decided by the gaining and losing of points and these points were given based on whole year performance. All members of the committee and Head girl and boy have the power to give and take the earned points as they think is suitable. Some people like Severus Snape, the previous potion masters inclined to favor their own teams, but that does not look like they are against the rules. He was disliked by all the students who were in against teams, except in Slytherin where he was very famous.

:arrow_right: Partiality

The students did not know that how much partiality Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have done as a team. But it was estimated that they did slight cheating because both teachers Filius Flit wick, head of Ravenclaw, and professor Pomona, head of Hufflepuff are very kind and soft-hearted people. They wanted to win, but not as revengeful technique. It is to be noticed that teacher Minerva McGonagall was very strict towards his team and did not favor them but deduct 50 points as a punishment for some children as they broke the rules in the past. These students were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom as in Harry’s first year these students were caught out of bed. She also supported professor Snape as he restraint, Harry Potter, for the whole time when he is at this school.

:arrow_right: Not all Slytherins are wicked

:sweat_drops: Rubeus Hagrid said ‘that there is not a single child who goes badly when he was not in Slytherin’. But few people went badly. Previously there was a student named Gryffindor Peter Pettigrew was able to note as he was not cunning and sharp at all. So this does not mean that all the Slytherins are wicked. But there are also wicked persons such as Horace Slughorn, Andromeda Black, and Narcissi Malfoy. As we know that Slytherins are selected because of their sharp and determined nature. The founder has also supported good students who are good at heart. It was not a specific order to have characters of Slytherins be in that house, as Tom Riddle and Snape were not perfectly Slytherins.

:sweat_drops: It has also been observed that all the four houses are one and they stand as a unity when it comes to Hogwarts. It must be remembered that all houses are rivals when it comes to their own competition. No one in these houses was wicked and wrong from inside. Slytherins were famous as evils as they earned this prestige against Gryffindor, Which was the opposite house. Slytherins are not bountiful towards the other houses as they do not have this character.

:arrow_right: The conflict between Slytherin and Gryffindor

:pushpin: Conflict in the house was mostly between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The students in both of these houses hate each other on rules. This conflict resumes in the days when Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, after when they form Hogwarts houses as the Hat tells that both of them were the best friends before the time they form the schools. As we don’t know if there is any conflict between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It seems slightly doubtful due to gladdening of the Head of the house, as he said to go against the disrespect of Teacher Snape and McGonagall. Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff were great friends at one time. In 1995, there was a song by a Hat that tells that there was a severe quarrel between both of them at some point.

:pushpin: Some people thought that there was disliking between the students of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. As the prestige of Ravenclaw students was very good because of their intellectual support. This thing created jealously among the students of Hufflepuff as they were famous as kind and soft-hearted people. If we talk about the whole thing, there were chances that Hufflepuffs will get along with Gryffindors and Slytherins becomes friends with Ravenclaw. Some specific friendships are beyond these things as Harry was friends with Cho Chang and Luna Lovegood. Both of them belong to different houses as Cho Chang was a Ravenclaw and Cho’s friendship was also with Cedric Diggory who was a Hufflepuff.

:pushpin: Not always but sometimes, all the other houses go against Slytherin and support Gryffindors. Now, this is again similar that how Slytherins were opposed by three teams of the Hogwarts house. The one thing that is noticeable that at the start of all the teams i.e. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, all three teams supported Hufflepuff’s Cedric Diggory not Gryffindor’s Harry Potter in the Triwizard Tournament. Also in 1996 first Quidditch Match, it has been said that many of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuffs have taken sides in the Slytherin and Gryffindors match. But it was unclear that which side these teams were taking.

:wave: Frequently asked questions

1. What are the four houses of Harry Potter?

:star2: From the time Harry Potter has put on the arranging hat in the J.K Rowling series, people were very curious about the thinking that which house will be assigned to them when they go to Hogwarts. These four houses are;

:arrow_right: Fire (Gryffindor)

:arrow_right: Earth (Hufflepuff)

:arrow_right: Air (Ravenclaw)

:arrow_right: Water (Slytherin)

All these four houses represent four states of matter. Plasma is represented by Fire, Gryffindor. Air, Ravenclaw represents the Gas. Water, Slytherin represents the liquid state of matter. The solid form of matter is represented by Earth and Hufflepuff.

2. What are the qualities of Harry Potter/ Hogwarts houses?

:star2:Fire, Gryffindor is famous for bravery, helping others, and courage. This house is famous for these qualities. Earth, Hufflepuff is famous in work hard, tolerance, devotion, and justice. The third house, values of Ravenclaw are intellect, understanding, and planning what to do next. Fourth house Slytherin is famous in determination, craftiness, and culture and full of sources. In all these four houses Gryffindor is very difficult to find out as it is rare. Technically, when we talk about the traits and values which this house has. Many people are intelligent, craft and fair. So, maybe this house is rare among all. The easiest house which we can easily find out is Hufflepuff because when a student wants to get knowledge this just comes in the support.

3. In which house Harry was present?

:star2: Harry Potter was selected for Gryffindor as he was kind and soft-hearted as well as was craft and sharp but he was not placed in Slytherin because he did not want to go there. The Hat also describes that true Slytherin would happily go to that house. As he is not willing to go there so he is a Gryffindor. The head of that house also appreciated that.

4. Why Hermione was not Ravenclaw?

:star2:Ravenclaw students need to be creative by mind and Hermione was not like that. She was fearless, and a very strong-headed girl. She also has thought of what is right and what is wrong. And all these traits are for Gryffindor’s house and so she was placed in that house. As we know that she did not have the characters of Ravenclaw. So, why she would be placed in that house.

5. Which house of Harry Potter is the rarest?

:star2: Gryffindor is a very rare house. If we talk about the characters that a person should have when he is in the house. The characters are intelligent, crafty, and loyal behavior. So, as compared to all the houses these characters in the students are rare. As a result, this house is the rarest of all.

6. What was the reason for the conflict between Gryffindor and Slytherin?

:star2: Conflict in the house was mostly between Gryffindor and Slytherin. The students in both of these houses hate each other on rules. This conflict resumes in the days when Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, after when they form Hogwarts houses as the Hat tells that both of them were the best friends before the time they form the schools. As we don’t know if there is any conflict between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. It seems slightly doubtful due to gladdening of the Head of the house, as he said to go against the disrespect of Teacher Snape and McGonagall. Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff were great friends at one time. In 1995, there was a song by a Hat that tells that there was a severe quarrel between both of them at some point.

7. Are all Slytherins are wicked?

:star2: Rubeus Hagrid said ‘that there is not a single child who goes badly when he was not in Slytherin’. But few people went badly. Previously there was a student named Gryffindor Peter Pettigrew was able to note as he was not cunning and sharp at all. So this does not mean that all the Slytherins are wicked. But there are also wicked persons such as Horace Slughorn, Andromeda Black, and Narcissi Malfoy. As we know that Slytherins are selected because of their sharp and determined nature. The founder has also supported good students who are good at heart. It was not a specific order to have characters of Slytherins be in that house, as Tom Riddle and Snape were not perfectly Slytherins.

8. Are Heads of all the houses are partial to their own house?

:star2: The students did not know that how much partiality Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw have done as a team. But it was estimated that they did slight cheating because both teachers Filius Flit wick, head of Ravenclaw, and professor Pomona, head of Hufflepuff are very kind and soft-hearted people. They wanted to win, but not as revengeful technique. It is to be noticed that teacher Minerva McGonagall was very strict towards his team and did not favor them but deduct 50 points as a punishment for some children as they broke the rules in the past. These students were Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom as in Harry’s first year these students were caught out of bed. She also supported professor Snape as he restraint, Harry Potter, for the whole time when he is at this school.

9. The Sorting Hat can detect all the qualities?

:star2: The Hat that is given to all students can identify the growing qualities of a person and then it will place the student to the house that will be challenging for his/her and put their own abilities at the test. For instance, Neville Longbottom was chosen for Gryffindor. This was because the Hat identifies that he is capable of showing his courage and quality of leadership during his time at Gryffindor’s house. This thing is also to notice that these abilities were not in his behavior until Neville himself got to know about it. This Hat was also useful in getting the wishes of students as this Hat will remind the person’s personality and choices are a reflection of the qualities they contain. This is just because someone is placed in a specific house. This does not mean that they could not show the characteristics of other houses.

10. Who are the owners and what are the colors of houses?

:star2: Founder of fire, Gryffindor is Godric Gryffindor. The color of this house is Scarlet and gold. Second house Earth, Hufflepuff’s founder is Helga Hufflepuff and the color of this house is yellow and black. The founder of the third house Ravenclaw, white is Rowena Ravenclaw, and the color of this house is Blues and bronze. The fourth and last house of Harry Potter is Slytherin and the founder of this house is Salazar Slytherin and color of this house is Green and Silver. Many animals are found in these houses, and these are lion, Badger, Eagle, and snake. The Head of all these houses is Minerva McGonagall in 1998.

11. What is the system of all the houses and how it works?

:sweat_drops:All the houses at Hogwarts had both living and education groups for the students. Every year’s students share the same residential hall and many classes. The competition of these houses goes throughout the year. This behavior of all the students is counted based on their activities. They earn and lose points as time passes. The house with the highest-earning points wins the cup. All the houses have their own Quidditch team. All of the teams compete with each other and the winning team wins the Quidditch Cup. These two competitions cause conflict between all the students. The huge rivalry was between Gryffindor and Slytherin.

:pushpin:Conclusion

:pencil2: Harry Potter Houses are also called Hogwarts houses. These are the series that turned the magical world into reality this is very famous among children till today. This is because people can relate to the characters. In this series, there are four houses named Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw. These four houses compete with each for a House Cup. As certain rules should be followed. If one student breaks the rule, the point will be deducted and if someone follows the rules then points are awarded to a person.

:pencil2: There is one Head Teacher for one house that controls the students. These Heads are the ones who selected the students with the help of a Hat.

:pencil2: According to a student’s character and abilities, he is selected to be in the house. His/her characters and abilities decide which house he/she belongs to. There is also a conflict between all the houses as there is competition between all of them. So sometimes they are not in a good relation. But the thing which has to be noticed is that there is a rule that you cannot connect with the people of other houses. There is great leniency about this. There also exist some friendships with the other houses. But time does not remain the same.

:star2: Related Articles

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In my Hogwarts House Matrix, I defined the core value of Gryffindor as Justice. I think that at their best, Gryffindors give voice to the voiceless through their writing. Of all the Houses, I think Gryffindors tend to be the most passionate about championing causes in literature: diversity, literacy, accessibility, etc. They’re generally the ones at the forefront of hard but necessary conversations, and their books are often filled with characters overthrowing oppressive governments or fighting against prejudice. (Like…all of Harry Potter.) One of the pitfalls of being Gryffindor is that, in your zeal to bring attention to your pet cause, you risk trampling over others. Giving voice to the voiceless is admirable…when you remember to hand the microphone over. As the core value of Hufflepuff is Fairness, I tend to think of writers in this House as the craftsmen of the writing world. They’re the ones who are forever striving to better their craft, to listen and take in everyone’s feedback. I think Hufflepuffs are the most conscientious readers and writers of the four Houses—the ones most likely to hire sensitivity readers, and also the ones most likely to evaluate what they read based on objective ■■■■■■■■■, not personal enjoyment. One of the pitfalls of Hufflepuff is working so much on your craft that you fail to take the next step, believing your work needs to reach an objective idea of “good” before it can be published. There is a difference between Good Writing and Good Storytelling, and in publishing, it is the latter that matters more. (But both are ideal, obviously.) It seems natural that Ravenclaws, whose core value is Knowledge, would probably gravitate towards nonfiction, but there are plenty of Ravenclaws (like myself) who more or less write fiction exclusively. I can’t speak for all other members of my House, of course, but personally, I write to better know myself. Nearly everything I’ve written has involved me trying to work through something—a theme, an idea, etc. Often I figure out what it is I’m trying to work through in hindsight (“Oh, I was trying to examine how colonialism affects feminism!”) because the subconscious brings things to the table that the conscious may not necessarily notice straightaway because it’s too busy trying to resolve plot logistics. Similarly, every book I’ve written has been an amalgamation of things that interest me: German typography, Underworld narratives, goth tropes, etc. One of the pitfalls of Ravenclaw is getting so caught up in research, you never move forward with actual writing. (Guilty as charged.) Ravenclaws can also get lost in the forest because they can’t see it for the trees. Little details matter less than big picture narrative arcs. Slytherins love Success. How they choose to define said success is incredibly individualistic; some believe success means a lot of money. Others believe it is critical acclaim. Still others believe success means they get better with each book. However Slytherins choose to define success is their raison d’être for writing. Now, I’m not one who subscribes to the hybrid House idea, but I think the writing world is weirdly full of Slytherpuffs. Well, maybe not so weird, as I think a lot of writers hunger for success, but also want things to be fair. I think what determines whether or not you are Slytherin or Hufflepuff comes down. If you’ve been writing and writing and writing and writing for years and keep getting close, but no cigar, do you think Maybe someday or What can I change to finally get there? There is no right or wrong answer, only your own subjective response. It comes down to a matter of validation, whether or not you wait for the world to change to meet your writing goals, or whether you change your writing goals to meet the world. The former is Hufflepuff, the latter is Slytherin. One of the pitfalls of Slytherin is that you can end up betraying your personal aesthetic or voice if you think it would help you achieve however you’ve defined Success. Instead of changing your work, maybe changing your definition of Success would better serve you in the long run. I identify as a Ravenclaw with secondary Hufflepuff leanings Pottermore says I’m a Hufflepuff, but, like Harry, I chose with my heart). I love being a Ravenclaw, but until a short time ago, I tended to confine that identity to the fictional world and niche culture.It wasn’t until recently that I realized knowing my Hogwarts house could explain many choices I’ve made as a writer. Additionally, I’m hoping this knowledge will guide me in future career choices. Before we go further, let me clarify that your Hogwarts house shouldn’t be the determining factor in your project selections or career choices. However, knowing you write like a Ravenclaw with Hufflepuff leanings or a Gryffindor with Slytherin leanings can help you understand why you write as you do, which audiences to target, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. We’ll begin with Ravenclaw, the house of the learned, witty, and wise. As a Ravenclaw myself, I’m always eager to help other Ravens find their writing niches. Ravenclaws value intelligence and learning above everything else. They might not be classic academicians, but they crave the experience of learning something new and teaching it to others. Ravens are the “outside the box” thinkers of Hogwarts; in fact, they threw out the box.Luna Lovegood was a wonderful example of this. She, more than any other Ravenclaw and maybe Hogwarts student, knew the best answers sometimes lay outside the expected boundaries. For instance, Luna expected her stolen sneakers to come back to her, and they did—hanging from the ceiling. Yet Luna accepted this as an answer to the dilemma, “Where and how do I get my shoes back?” In so doing, she also found an unexpected way to deal with bullies, in that reacting positively toward their behavior might make them feel foolish. The world, especially the writing world, never runs out of ideas, topics, and possibilities a Ravenclaw can explore. Ravenclaws think like Luna almost unconsciously. If the answers don’t come from expected sources, they’re more willing than the rest to keep looking. They’re often brave enough to eschew the “expert” quote for an interview with a marginalized third party, or clever enough to put their own spin on an oft-used topic. If you are a Ravenclaw, you love writing for its own sake. You gravitate toward fiction, poetry, and memoir because these genres give you a lot of freedom to explore and express yourself. Nothing makes you happier than creating characters, finding perfect phrases, or sharing your experiences with others so they can learn what you have learned. Like your eagle mascot, soar above your topic, looking for niches and trivia that might make it easier to complete the assignment. Write these things within the parameters of client needs. Seek out niche publications, such as websites or magazines dedicated to your love of children’s books or Moroccan cooking. Hone your eagle eye. When you need a break, fly back to the comfy “nest” of your favorite creative projects. Don’t have a nest? Seek out one in the form of a critique group or writing conference. Brainstorm or free-write frequently, and stay away from jobs that depend on strict word quotas and narrow topics. If you must write like this, take frequent breaks and stay close to your tribe. Otherwise, you’ll feel isolated and useless. When Ravens feel like this, we fall apart, and then we crash and burn. My Hufflepuff leanings have served me well as a content writer, and if you’re a Puff too, I bet you can guess why. Hufflepuff writers are the “worker bees,” ones unafraid of toil. You can give us a 5,000-word assignment and end-of-day deadline, and our response will be, “Hold our butterbeer!” As a Hufflepuff, you want the world to be a better, kinder place. You might draw inspiration from Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff who saw the value of competition but, moreover, the value of helping his teammates and school. To Cedric, the Triwizard Tournament didn’t accomplish anything unless it made every student, participant, or spectator, a stronger, smarter, braver, and more compassionate person. That’s why he went out of his way to help Harry, who procrastinated in preparing for the second task and arguably didn’t need or deserve help.Like Cedric with the Tournament, you see writing as a way to help people. To you, it is just and loyal to make all kinds of writing accessible to everyone. You want your audience to come away educated, but also entertained and reassured.Hufflepuffs gravitate toward universal, relatable genres and topics. Like their mascot the badger, they dig, searching for truths that make their audiences say, “Me, too.” Hufflepuffs are the quietly brave, the ones who are unafraid to toil and explore. They like imparting information on cutting-edge topics, or de-mystifying complex topics like law, medicine, or forensics. This interest is often why Ravens and Puffs make great writing teams, or why these complementary houses make one great writer.Hufflepuff writers, more than any others, have to be careful not to burn out. I learned the hard way, a Hufflepuff work ethic didn’t make me a machine. I found myself saying, “If I have to write one more word about X topic, I’m going to give myself the Curse of the Bogies just to call in sick.” I was stuck in a job where quantity was privileged over quality, and I was miserable.If this happens to you, stop right there. Take a personal day, and begin looking for writing gigs that serve your interests and strengths. Hufflepuffs think being informed should be fun, so they gravitate toward fun, light topics such as 1990s nostalgia, new ways to cook a tried-and-true recipe, or the special “trick” plays in their favorite sports. Look for projects like these, and the editors who love them. Always privilege quality over quantity. Five hundred informative words are better than 1,000 written for the sake of meeting a word count. Finally, write in optimum comfort; if you must sit at a desk or in a cubicle, use tools such as your favorite beverage, a soft sweater, or a cheerful art print for inspiration. When you can, put on your headphones and enjoy your favorite podcast or music. Okay, Slytherins, I see you recoiling. You worry your house affiliation makes you evil, suited to write about serial killers. Don’t despair! In reality, you are probably the most versatile writers in our world. Here’s a secret: With your ambition, unfailing tenacity, and resourcefulness, you’re my favorites (well, after my own Ravens, of course).As a Slytherin, you don’t take “no” for an answer, and you know there’s always an answer. If you can’t see it, that’s an opportunity to plumb deeper. You’ll tackle everything from the latest political scandal to removing rats from an attic, because you know each topic holds a clue to the depths of humanity. The topics that scare other houses are the ones you love, because they challenge your cunning and wit. For you, no topic is too complex or obscure. Remember, when Slytherins are backed into corners, they bite. In other words, they vent frustrations on colleagues, bosses, and loved ones. Breaking the rules in the safety of a draft will give you back control and help you feel calmer. When choosing projects, topics, or workplaces, think like your alumni. My absolute favorite Slytherin is Severus Snape, and he has inspired my own writing on tough days. As a teacher, Severus was confronted with a thorny dilemma—protect a student I don’t like, while under cover so deep, one wrong move could cost us both our lives. He treated this mission like you the Slytherin writer can treat your topic. Find what interests you about it, and probe as deeply as you want. Push for answers the way Severus pushed Harry in Occlumency lessons—don’t stop until you have what you want. What happens when you can’t get what you want or write what you think? Start slithering. In other words, don’t break the rules, but look for loopholes, or follow different rules to get the same results. Remember, Severus couldn’t tell Harry, “I loved your mom, and I care about you.” He couldn’t say, “I’m ■■■■■■■ you because being nice would kill you.” But he could give Harry his memories. He could covertly teach him a signature spell. You must do the same. If your editor forbids you from discussing controversial topics, perhaps you can hint at them with a well-placed anecdote or some tasteful snark. If you’re stuck writing about a topic you hate, perhaps you can focus on why it’s useful. I once had a gig that involved writing almost nothing but statistical data. It helped to tell myself that someone, somewhere needed that data, and to mention how that data affected people wherever I could. By Stephanie McCall I identify as a Ravenclaw with secondary Hufflepuff leanings Pottermore says I’m a Hufflepuff, but, like Harry, I chose with my heart). I love being a Ravenclaw, but until a short time ago, I tended to confine that identity to the fictional world and niche culture.It wasn’t until recently that I realized knowing my Hogwarts house could explain many choices I’ve made as a writer. Additionally, I’m hoping this knowledge will guide me in future career choices.Before we go further, let me clarify that your Hogwarts house shouldn’t be the determining factor in your project selections or career choices. However, knowing you write like a Ravenclaw with Hufflepuff leanings or a Gryffindor with Slytherin leanings can help you understand why you write as you do, which audiences to target, and what your strengths and weaknesses are.With that said, let’s put on the writing version of the Sorting Hat and get started.Ravenclaw is “where those of wit and learning will always find their kind.”We’ll begin with Ravenclaw, the house of the learned, witty, and wise. As a Ravenclaw myself, I’m always eager to help other Ravens find their writing niches.Ravenclaws value intelligence and learning above everything else. They might not be classic academicians, but they crave the experience of learning something new and teaching it to others. Ravens are the “outside the box” thinkers of Hogwarts; in fact, they threw out the box. Luna Lovegood was a wonderful example of this. She, more than any other Ravenclaw and maybe Hogwarts student, knew the best answers sometimes lay outside the expected boundaries. For instance, Luna expected her stolen sneakers to come back to her, and they did—hanging from the ceiling. Yet Luna accepted this as an answer to the dilemma, “Where and how do I get my shoes back?” In so doing, she also found an unexpected way to deal with bullies, in that reacting positively toward their behavior might make them feel foolish.The world, especially the writing world, never runs out of ideas, topics, and possibilities a Ravenclaw can explore. Ravenclaws think like Luna almost unconsciously. If the answers don’t come from expected sources, they’re more willing than the rest to keep looking. They’re often brave enough to eschew the “expert” quote for an interview with a marginalized third party, or clever enough to put their own spin on an oft-used topic.If you are a Ravenclaw, you love writing for its own sake. You gravitate toward fiction, poetry, and memoir because these genres give you a lot of freedom to explore and express yourself. Nothing makes you happier than creating characters, finding perfect phrases, or sharing your experiences with others so they can learn what you have learned.Like your eagle mascot, soar above your topic, looking for niches and trivia that might make it easier to complete the assignment. Write these things within the parameters of client needs. Seek out niche publications, such as websites or magazines dedicated to your love of children’s books or Moroccan cooking.Hone your eagle eye. When you need a break, fly back to the comfy “nest” of your favorite creative projects. Don’t have a nest? Seek out one in the form of a critique group or writing conference. Brainstorm or free-write frequently, and stay away from jobs that depend on strict word quotas and narrow topics. If you must write like this, take frequent breaks and stay close to your tribe. Otherwise, you’ll feel isolated and useless. When Ravens feel like this, we fall apart, and then we crash and burn.“Yes, welcome aboard!” My Hufflepuff leanings have served me well as a content writer, and if you’re a Puff too, I bet you can guess why. Hufflepuff writers are the “worker bees,” ones unafraid of toil. You can give us a 5,000-word assignment and end-of-day deadline, and our response will be, “Hold our butterbeer!”As a Hufflepuff, you want the world to be a better, kinder place. You might draw inspiration from Cedric Diggory, a Hufflepuff who saw the value of competition but, moreover, the value of helping his teammates and school. To Cedric, the Triwizard Tournament didn’t accomplish anything unless it made every student, participant, or spectator, a stronger, smarter, braver, and more compassionate person. That’s why he went out of his way to help Harry, who procrastinated in preparing for the second task and arguably didn’t need or deserve help.Like Cedric with the Tournament, you see writing as a way to help people. To you, it is just and loyal to make all kinds of writing accessible to everyone. You want your audience to come away educated, but also entertained and reassured. Hufflepuffs gravitate toward universal, relatable genres and topics. Like their mascot the badger, they dig, searching for truths that make their audiences say, “Me, too.” Hufflepuffs are the quietly brave, the ones who are unafraid to toil and explore. They like imparting information on cutting-edge topics, or de-mystifying complex topics like law, medicine, or forensics. This interest is often why Ravens and Puffs make great writing teams, or why these complementary houses make one great writer.Hufflepuff writers, more than any others, have to be careful not to burn out. I learned the hard way, a Hufflepuff work ethic didn’t make me a machine. I found myself saying, “If I have to write one more word about X topic, I’m going to give myself the Curse of the Bogies just to call in sick.” I was stuck in a job where quantity was privileged over quality, and I was miserable.If this happens to you, stop right there. Take a personal day, and begin looking for writing gigs that serve your interests and strengths. Hufflepuffs think being informed should be fun, so they gravitate toward fun, light topics such as 1990s nostalgia, new ways to cook a tried-and-true recipe, or the special “trick” plays in their favorite sports. Look for projects like these, and the editors who love them. Always privilege quality over quantity. Five hundred informative words are better than 1,000 written for the sake of meeting a word count. Finally, write in optimum comfort; if you must sit at a desk or in a cubicle, use tools such as your favorite beverage, a soft sweater, or a cheerful art print for inspiration. When you can, put on your headphones and enjoy your favorite podcast or music. Write freely, but edit without mercy. Take every opportunity to bounce ideas off colleagues.Slytherin is where “you’ll make your real friends. Those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends.”Okay, Slytherins, I see you recoiling. You worry your house affiliation makes you evil, suited to write about serial killers. Don’t despair! In reality, you are probably the most versatile writers in our world. Here’s a secret: With your ambition, unfailing tenacity, and resourcefulness, you’re my favorites (well, after my own Ravens, of course). As a Slytherin, you don’t take “no” for an answer, and you know there’s always an answer. If you can’t see it, that’s an opportunity to plumb deeper. You’ll tackle everything from the latest political scandal to removing rats from an attic, because you know each topic holds a clue to the depths of humanity. The topics that scare other houses are the ones you love, because they challenge your cunning and wit. For you, no topic is too complex or obscure. Remember, when Slytherins are backed into corners, they bite. In other words, they vent frustrations on colleagues, bosses, and loved ones. Breaking the rules in the safety of a draft will give you back control and help you feel calmer.When choosing projects, topics, or workplaces, think like your alumni. My absolute favorite Slytherin is Severus Snape, and he has inspired my own writing on tough days. As a teacher, Severus was confronted with a thorny dilemma—protect a student I don’t like, while under cover so deep, one wrong move could cost us both our lives. He treated this mission like you the Slytherin writer can treat your topic. Find what interests you about it, and probe as deeply as you want. Push for answers the way Severus pushed Harry in Occlumency lessons—don’t stop until you have what you want.What happens when you can’t get what you want or write what you think? Start slithering. In other words, don’t break the rules, but look for loopholes, or follow different rules to get the same results. Remember, Severus couldn’t tell Harry, “I loved your mom, and I care about you.” He couldn’t say, “I’m ■■■■■■■ you because being nice would kill you.” But he could give Harry his memories. He could covertly teach him a signature spell. You must do the same.If your editor forbids you from discussing controversial topics, perhaps you can hint at them with a well-placed anecdote or some tasteful snark. If you’re stuck writing about a topic you hate, perhaps you can focus on why it’s useful. I once had a gig that involved writing almost nothing but statistical data. It helped to tell myself that someone, somewhere needed that data, and to mention how that data affected people wherever I could. Last but never least, we have venerable Gryffindor. I admit, you guys kind of scare me. You’re the “pantsers,” the writers willing to tackle topics you know nothing about. If someone tells me, “Don’t start a sentence with ‘and’ or ‘but,’” I won’t do it. A Gryffindor will smile and say, “But why not?” They bend the rules, sometimes even more than Slytherins, and their writing is better for it.

As a Gryffindor, you are brave and chivalrous. You want readers to come away from your writing thinking, “I can do that” or “I want to do something with/about what I just read.” You gravitate toward topics that let you experience the world, topics that get you out from behind a desk. Think like the Golden Trio themselves, all Gryffindors. They knew a place for research existed—without Hermione’s help, Harry would never have defeated that basilisk. But all three of our heroes knew, there’s a time to leave the classroom and put theory into practice. Harry probably gave us the best example when he defied Dolores Umbridge to create Dumbledore’s Army, thus giving his classmates the knowledge, skills, and confidence to which they had a right.Think like Harry, Ron, and Hermione on your writing journey. Balance research with practice, and tune in when your body aches, feels tired, or otherwise signals that it needs to move. If you love writing mysteries, ask to go on a ride-along with a local police officer. Are you an athlete like Harry? Go watch a game and interview players. If your client wants 10 blog posts about interior decor, spend a day at the hardware store, curled up with paint samples. If you have to write behind a desk, take a cue from your mascot, the lion. No, don’t roar at or bite anyone. Instead, look for the parts of your topic that require some chivalry. Maybe there’s something no one else is saying about this topic that needs to be said. Maybe there’s an angle everyone else is afraid to cover, such as the implications of child labor in the diamond or chocolate markets. Find those niches and pounce. Gryffindor writers are the type to work on the next Great American Novel one minute and the next, write a piece about cleaning tile grout. This can increase your versatility, but be careful. Commit to a project and stick to it. Take frequent exercise or stretch breaks. If you find yourself procrastinating, it’s a sign you’ve been working on one thing too long. Like Ravenclaw, learn to journal and free-write to combat this. Set strict writing limits, and reward yourself for finishing projects. Maybe you saw yourself in one house right away. Maybe one house is dominant, but you have other leanings, or maybe you’re a Hatstall. If you see your writing style in more than one house, ask where you are most comfortable. Which writing style sounds most like you? Where do you have the most fun, and where do you get bogged down or burned out? Once you know your house, ask yourself with every project, “How would a witch or wizard from my house approach this?” Keep your mascot and alumni at the front of your mind, as well as the positive traits of each house. Your wit might spice up a boring topic; your cunning might help you find a new angle and conquer writer’s block. Knowing your Hogwarts house will improve your writing in many ways, whether you’re a fiction writer, a blogger, or a news reporter. It will help your writing sound more authentic and individual, and give you a unique voice. Knowing your house and the associated strengths and weaknesses will also help you cope when the writing life gets tough, so you can find the joy in writing again. The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year,
the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.Minerva McGonagall to first year) students in 1991, shortly before the Sorting ceremony. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was divided into four Houses: Gryffindor founded by Godric Gryffindor); Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff; Ravenclaw, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw; and Slytherin, founded by Salazar Slytherin.