Why Hufflepuff Is the Best Hogwarts House
Note: Are you not a Hufflepuff? Not to fear! A post for each Hogwarts House will be published this week. Your time is coming!
This post actually began as “Why Ravenclaw Is the Best House,” and then I had to admit to myself… Sometimes, I really wish I were a Hufflepuff.
Despite my deep, undying love and pride for my Hogwarts House, I’m here to say what we all know deep down to be true (some deeper down than others): Hufflepuff House is the best.
Helga Hufflepuff did not care about your bloodline. She didn’t want to know about your immense bravery or your smarts. Helga Hufflepuff recognized that everyone deserves an education. Everyone deserves the chance to learn, no matter their weaknesses. And everyone should feel like they belong.
Hufflepuff House is the underdog. Its members are constantly underrated, underestimated, and undervalued. When Cedric and Harry were both Hogwarts champions, Hufflepuffs arguably got cheated out of one of their – few and far between – chances at glory.
But not to fret, dear badgers. I think that you have more notable House alumni than my own House: Nymphadora Tonks, Hannah Abbott (whom Neville later married – sorry, but it still should’ve been Luna), and Newt Scamander, to name a few.
Just think of the qualities that you’d like in a friend or partner: For me, the first that comes to mind is loyalty.
They are just and loyal,/ Those patient Hufflepuffs are true/ And unafraid of toil.” (SS 118)
Their common room is right next to the Hogwarts kitchens. I’m just saying, Ravenclaws can keep their great views because I’d rather be close to the food.
As Head of Hufflepuff, Professor Pomona Sprout is a freakin’ boss. You could argue that she single-handedly saved the lives of those who were Petrified by the Basilisk through her growth of mandrakes. She knew that having Hogwarts as a safe place for the students was more important than just about anything. She recognized talent in students (e.g., Neville Longbottom) even when they weren’t in her House, and she made sure that they knew what was special about them and encouraged their interests and success. After Harry’s Rita Skeeter interview in The Quibbler, Professor Sprout awarded him points for passing her a watering can (a.k.a. for his bravery in telling the truth of what happened the night that Cedric died without getting either of them in trouble with Umbridge). She stayed at Hogwarts during Voldemort’s “reign” to protect the students. Pomona showed brains, bravery, and resourcefulness (the qualities admired by the other Houses) alongside her Hufflepuff traits.
Even J.K. Rowling says that Hufflepuff is her favorite House. It’s produced the fewest Dark wizards of all four Houses. Hufflepuffs are down-to-earth. Literally, their House colors represent wheat and dirt, symbolizing their humility (rather than the precious metal secondary colors of the other Houses). Their mascot is cute and simultaneously terrifying (not something you want to underestimate). I can’t wait to see more of Hufflepuff Newt in the next Fantastic Beasts movie.
Plus, yellow is my favorite color.
