Why Gryffindor Is the Best Hogwarts House

Note: Are you not a Gryffindor? Not to fear! A post for each Hogwarts House will be published this week. Your time is coming!

In this fourth and final installment, I’m going to show the world that Gryffindor is the best House. “Take it away, Ernie! It’s going to be a bumpy ride!”

As a Ravenclaw who was forced as a child to choose between Gryffindor merch or no Harry Potter merch at all (because merch for the other Houses wasn’t available), I have to admit that Gryffindor has not always been at the top of my list. “No, no, definitely not! No matter…” And as a wannabe champion of the underdog, I have to also admit that sometimes I felt annoyed at just how important, just how talented, and just how crucial every Gryffindor seemed in the series. J.K., “I thought you ought to know” (I’m killing it with these references today) that I felt super snubbed when Hermione said that bravery was more important than cleverness. This Ravenclaw is a wimp, okay? I get scared by Scooby-Doo.

So Gryffindors, even though I feel like you already get alllllll the appreciation, in an effort to let go of my bitterness, I’m still going to highlight who you are and what I love about you.

Both Minerva McGonagall and Rubeus Hagrid were Gryffindors in their youth, and – one might argue – once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor. As far as the adult characters go, McGonagall and Hagrid are hands down my two favorites. (I’m not sure that I can choose between them.) And just the fact that both are Gryffindors shows, I think, just how amazingly diverse this Hogwarts House can be. They have such different personalities, but the most important trait in each of them is their courage.

Minerva is stern, just, brilliant, hardworking, and brave. She stands up for her students. She stands up for her co-workers, like when Umbridge tried to throw Trelawney out of the castle. She is always standing up for what is right, no matter the consequence.

Rubeus is a gentle (half-)giant: sympathetic, loyal, kind, and brave. He stands up for animals that can’t stand up for themselves. He protects his half-brother (full-giant) from others who are bullying him. He may be large in stature, but his heart is even larger because Hagrid is always standing up for what is right, no matter the consequence.

It’s pretty hard to imagine a world in which a Gryffindor is not good, but Peter Pettigrew does give us a glimpse of that (even if he was a Hatstall). In the end, however, in typical Gryffindor fashion, Peter redeems himself by saving Harry’s life. Way to go, Peter. You ruined my one bad (in more ways than one) example.

Gryffindors tend to be natural-born leaders with good reason. I’d compare them most to a “red” personality: action-oriented, assertive, confident, decisive, determined, disciplined, pragmatic, proactive, productive, responsible, and task-dominant. Now, who wouldn’t want a leader like that?

I could probably write a book about all of the great things that Gryffindors have done. I could certainly write a book on all of the Gryffindors that we meet in the series. And honestly, I can’t get mad at the fact that everyone wants to be a part of Godric’s House. Courage, bravery, and nerve are the kind of characteristics that encompass many other positive traits. Plus, Neville Longbottom is a Gryffindor. *mic drop*

*picks up mic* You want to be around Gryffindors because above all, they aren’t afraid to be themselves. Even if they can get a little spooked trying to ask you to the Yule Ball, their bravery makes Hogwarts – and the world – a better place. I don’t want to even try to imagine a world without chivalry and the courage to stand up for what’s right. This one’s for you, Gryffindors.