Step Aside, Hufflepuff: There’s a New Least Popular Hogwarts House
During the hottest years in the Harry Potter fandom (2005–2010), it was difficult – to say the least – to find any fandom merch that wasn’t labeled for Gryffindors or the occasional Slytherin. Slowly but surely, Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs have risen to accept the recognition – and merch – that they deserve. Regardless, for many years, Hufflepuff was seen as the underdog. They weren’t special or cool, and the only notable Hufflepuff (Cedric Diggory) died shortly after we got to know him. With the more recent release of the Fantastic Beasts series, starring the lovable Newt Scamander, Hufflepuff House’s popularity has skyrocketed, deservingly so. Even J.K. Rowling says that Hufflepuff is her favorite House. It has produced the fewest Dark wizards of all four Houses, and Newt Scamander is the Hufflepuff hero we’ve needed all this time.
Well, I guess it’s true: You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Step aside, Hufflepuff: There’s a new least popular Hogwarts House – and I belong to it. I’m sorry, fellow Ravenclaws. There will never be a day when Gryffindor is not the most popular Hogwarts House. And Slytherin seems to always have its place among the outcasts and the rebels. Hufflepuff is increasingly popular in a society that is striving to be accepting of all. And while our Hufflepuffs are finally getting the attention they deserve, I can’t help but feel pushed aside as a Ravenclaw.
It’s not that Ravenclaws are rare. I know quite a few proud members of the House. But nobody thinks being a Ravenclaw is anything exciting or special. And I can almost hear the eye-rolling when I tell people that I’m a Ravenclaw because now they think that I think I’m smarter than them. (News flash: I only do, like, 53% of the time.) As time goes on, Ravenclaw seems to become more and more irrelevant. “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things – friendship and bravery…” (SS 287).
Sure, we got to know Luna Lovegood through the last three books of the series. We had a glimpse into Helena Ravenclaw’s life in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And we got to know Professor Flitwick just a little bit throughout the books. But other than those instances, what has J.K. Rowling done to show us that Ravenclaw is special? I’m not sure I can complain since Hufflepuff has gotten the short end of the stick for so long, but I’m good at complaining, so here I am. I’m just a girl, tweeting to J.K. Rowling, asking for more Ravenclaw heroes.
I don’t think there’s such a thing as a best or worst Hogwarts House because that’s the point of the Hogwarts Houses. Everyone values personality traits differently. So I’m not saying that Ravenclaw is now the worst. If you ask me, it’s the best. (But then again, there’s no best.) I guess I just have to remember that there are many people who do value wit, wisdom, and learning above all else. And I’m one of them. It’s just good to feel appreciated sometimes. Hug a Ravenclaw today!
