What About Us Determines Our Hogwarts House?

An in-depth look into house traits, determinants, with a link at the bottom to the full Wizarding World/Pottermore test, which will give your percentage for each house.

We’re all, or mostly all, a combination of all 4 houses, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, but what is it that determines which comes out on top?

About a year ago, I saw an old boyfriend (I’ll call him M) for the first time after our 1 ½ year relationship ended 8 years before. M INSISTED that I was a Ravenclaw not a Gryffindor. He was convinced that whenever I take the official house test, as I’ve taken it several times, I must answer what I think will give me a Gryffindor result, which I would never do, because what would be the point of taking it at all, then? I’m one of those, “I need to know the truth” people, and I would honestly love to be Ravenclaw, for more reasons than that I would definitely prefer wearing Ravenclaw house colors instead of my bright red and yellow Gryffindor garb. However, M's confidence that I was Ravenclaw disappointed me, because although I recognized his argument for Ravenclaw as valid, I also realized how little he truly understood me. Anyone who knows me well understands that, although Ravenclaw may be a close second, I am a Gryffindor through-and-through.

Similar to M’s opinion, the character of Hermione Granger also faces this question both in the books and by fans in the real world. Why is Hermione in Gryffindor when she is academically brilliant? Further, we might ask this of other characters, like Peter Pettigrew, aka Wormtail, a cowardly and backstabbing Gryffindor, and Gilderoy Lockhart, an inept, yet cunning Ravenclaw… actually I am positive Pettigrew was missorted, but more on that in another post.

First, let’s examine the traits of each house in a bit more depth than the Sorting Hat lists in his songs, then I will sum up what it is that determines our house.

Gryffindor:

“You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart. Their daring nerve and chivalry set Gryffindor’s apart…”

-The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone.

Gryffindor and Hufflepuff make up what I refer to as the “heart houses.” The two are guided more (not entirely) by qualities of the heart than by objective logic and rationality, especially in times of trouble or when making big decisions (this does not mean they are void of logic or rationality). Both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff value loyalty to others, morality, and integrity. The two can be quite selfless at times, prioritizing the needs of others before their own. Though this isn’t true in every circumstance or situation, and I am not saying that Ravenclaws and Slytherins are incapable or absent of selfless acts, but these traits and values are much more deeply rooted in Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, making these values more built into their core identities—their motivations, desires, and self-concepts, rather than being circumstantial choices or abilities; these qualities are a substantial piece of what defines those sorted into Gryffindor and Hufflepuff.

The way loyalty and selflessness present themselves is often different in Gryffindors than in Hufflepuffs. Gryffindors are known for their “daring nerve,” and they are more prone to reckless acts. These may be acts of selflessness and bravery, or in some Gryffindors, recklessness may also present itself as seeking out rushes of adrenaline for pure fun or impulsivity. The bravery demonstrated by Gryffindors is often an “act before thinking” version of this quality, but while many others may regret impulsive acts, Gryffindors don’t usually see an issue in their actions, especially when they perceive the acts to be those of chivalry, another quality the Sorting Hat lists of this house. Chivalry today is thought of as acts of courtesy, thoughtfulness, and respect that men demonstrate toward women. However, chivalry has a broader definition. Chivalry first referred to a knight’s code of honor, and it is still defined as being honorable, noble, just, honest, and courageous.

Though these qualities run true in Gryffindors, Gryffindors are still more likely to desire recognition for their acts than Hufflepuffs. Gryffindors can be show-offs, sometimes demonstrating arrogance. Sometimes their brashness is not so shallow, though. They are less likely than others to hold back or hesitate action when they perceive an injustice or unfairness is being or has been committed--they can be quite confrontational, even when their speaking out will not likely result in any change. They cannot abide staying silent.

The amount or intensity in which these traits show up is determined by the percentage or ratio of Gryffindor in someone compared to other houses. It is perhaps determined even more so by the way these traits interact with each person’s personality. For example, Harry Potter boldly and even recklessly stands up to Umbridge’s lies, where Hemione and many other Gryffindors don’t. But Hermione and some others still speak up in other times of injustice; they just choose their battles more carefully.

Gryffindors are known to be “brave and courageous,” but showing bravery and courage are not a sure thing in every situation for Gryffindors. Neville did not demonstrate courage when bullied by Snape (or other Slytherins, at least most of the time). He never stood up to the professor in the 6 years we see them together (in the books), despite Snape’s constant and malicious picking on Neville. However, in times when the needs or safety of others are at stake, Neville does not hesitate. When Harry, Ron, and Hermione sneak out of the Gryffindor common room to go through the trap door to save the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone in the first book and film, Neville singlehandedly tries to stop them to prevent the trio from losing more points for Gryffindor. And when he is given the option (in several situations) to risk his life to help save the wizarding world and/or avenge his parents, Neville always volunteers without a second thought.

In the books, it is revealed that Neville asked the Sorting Hat to place him in Hufflepuff, convinced that he, Neville, was not brave or bold enough for Gryffindor. The Sorting Hat still placed him in Gryffindor, because despite what Harry thought after wishing for Gryffindor instead of Slytherin, the Hat will not so simply do what a student asks. The Sorting Hat saw that Neville genuinely wanted to be brave; he valued bravery above all else, even if he didn’t think he possessed it, and the Hat knew that whether he was currently capable of heroic acts or not, he would be, because he truly wanted to be. So, it’s not that other houses (including Slytherin) are incapable of bravery and courage, it’s just that with those in Gryffindor, this quality is more engrained in the person’s core values, desires, and motivations. It is not ability; it is our choices.

Hufflepuff:

“You might belong in Hufflepuff, where they are just and loyal. Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil…”

-The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone.

Like discussed above in paragraph one of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff is one of the two “heart houses” (see above if you skipped to Hufflepuff). This house values loyalty, integrity, and altruism. They are guided more by “heart” than logic in important situations and are concerned with honesty and fairness. Fairness is more emphasized in Hufflepuffs than Gryffindors. While Gryffindors value and stand up for fairness, it is less of a priority in more every day, mundane situations. Hufflepuffs are humble in their fairness; they do not seek acknowledgment or praise like Gryffindors may, even if they, Hufflepuffs, appreciate or hope for these. Think of Cedric Diggory, who fairly and humbly offered a rematch in Harry’s 3rd year when dementors entered the Quidditch Pitch and Harry fell of his broom, leaving Cedric to catch the Snitch, or when Cedric paid back Harry for warning Cedric about the dragons in the first task in year 4, by not only tipping Harry off about the 2nd task's egg’s clue, but by even giving Harry the password to the prefect’s private bathroom so Harry could inspect the egg without student's interrupting. Lastly, think of when Cedric insisted Harry take the Triwizard Cup with Cedric, passing on a rare Hufflepuff victory in order to share 1st place with a champion who had already (unwillingly) taken Cedric’s spotlight as the sole champion of Hogwarts. While Gryffindors can sometimes be arrogant or eager for the spotlight, Hufflepuffs are fair and decent for no other reason than because something is right.

I resent one of the Sorting Hat’s songs that refers to Hufflepuffs as “the rest,” meaning the leftovers after the brave, wise, and ambitious had been sorted into Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, respectively. Hufflepuff is not a generic house; it is unique and defined by specific traits. While some also think of Hufflepuffs as people who can be walked all over, this isn’t because they are weak or pushovers; Hufflepuffs are willing to be helpful and accommodating out of the goodness of their hearts, and not because they want something in return. Hufflepuffs are as capable as any other house of drawing a line and standing their ground. Like their mascot, the badger, they are fiercer than they may initially appear. Hufflepuffs are kind by nature, but that doesn’t mean they are incapable of unkindness. Hufflepuffs can be mean, rude, and loud, like Hufflepuff Zacharias Smith, but instances of these are usually more due to issues with impulse and emotional control than they are a part of who they fundamentally are.

Hufflepuffs are considerate and decent at their core. They are tolerant and accepting of people of all sorts—they do not discriminate. And like Tonks, they can be edgy and daring in their willingness to not fit into the norm. As they are accepting of others, they are also accepting of their own unique quirks. As the most decent house, in Harry Potter, Hufflepuff is the only house that never produced a Death Eater.

My 12-year-old daughter is a Hufflepuff, and she is creative and dark, edgy, loud, easily offended, and can be quick to anger worthy of Harry in the Order of the Phoenix novel, but she is also the most accepting, loving, loyal, selfless, and sweet person I know. When at a county fair 6 years ago, she was in a fun house that included climbing a rope-net to a higher level, and she has a very intense fear of heights. She struggled and whimpered, and the man working the attraction had to shut it down while I went in and got her. The next year, she wanted to try again. While slowly, shakily making her way up, she saw a smaller child struggling, and while other kids zoomed around them without a second thought or concern if they bumped or pushed her and the small child, my daughter became intent upon helping this child up the net. I heard her say in her cute and suddenly reassuring 7-year-old voice, “ignore them. You can do this. I was scared too, but it’s ok now. We can climb together.” And she helped that kid up. She is not kind or humble 100% the time, but she’s most the Hufflepuffy-Hufflepuff I know.

The last central trait of Hufflepuff’s is that they are hardworking. I don’t think this means that they are hardworking in all their endeavors. Newt Scamander would not demonstrate a solid work ethic if he were to find himself working in an office, and I don’t think he worked especially hard in all his classes at Hogwarts, but he was absolutely dedicated to his work with magical creatures. So, not every Hufflepuff is going to work exceptionally hard in schoolwork or their jobs, but there is always at least one aspect where a Hufflepuff will apply themselves with dedication. It might be an unappealing task or a hobby or something else they are passionate about, but this trait will appear in some way or another.

Ravenclaw:

“...Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, where those of wit and learning will always find their kind…”

-The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone.

Ravenclaw and Slytherin fall under what I call the “mind houses.” While Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are guided more by heart, Ravenclaw and Slytherin are guided more (not entirely) by their minds. Both are ambitious—Ravenclaw ambitious for the acquisition of knowledge, cleverness, and creativity, and Slytherin ambitious for prestige, power, and success. Again, while these traits exist in other houses (like Percy Weasley, a Gryffindor… who should actually probably be in Slytherin), in Ravenclaw and Slytherin, they are an integral part of identity. These are qualities they value most—what motivates them.

Many consider Ravenclaw the house for the intelligent and academically inclined, but this is not completely accurate. Some of the most intelligent and academically brilliant characters are not in Ravenclaw. Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Hermione Granger are all extremely intelligent and clever. We know from the books and from WizardingWorld.com (formally Pottermore), the Sorting Hat took a longer time than normal placing Hermione, and McGonagall’s sorting was a “hatstall,” a very rare incidence when the Sorting Hat takes longer than 5 minutes to sort a student. But we also have underachievers and those who are not exceptionally book smart in Ravenclaw.

What defines Ravenclaw is not only the value of wisdom and learning but an innovative, beneath-the-surface, and outside-the-box way of thinking. McGonagall once went to the Ravenclaw common room and instead of a password to gain entry, the door gives a riddle to be solved. In reality, this would probably result in many students stranded outside, but the idea is that it is not necessarily book smarts but creative critical thinking that comes into play in true Ravenclaws. Luna Lovegood, while smart, I’m sure, is more Ravenclaw than Hermione because her creatively eccentric open-mindedness, even when that open-mindedness can result in illogical beliefs.

Like Luna, Ravenclaws are often in some form or another, non-conformists. They can be eccentric, insightful, unique, and transformative. They are autonomous freethinkers who seek to understand what lies beneath and beyond the surface. As free-thinkers, not all Ravenclaws can be expected to think, rationalize, or approach knowledge in the same ways, which would contradict the Ravenclaw quality of originality, and sometimes Ravenclaw “genius” is easy to miss. Ravenclaws and professors Gilderoy Lockhart and Sybil Trelawney were two of the most incompetent wizards in Harry Potter, bur Lockhart’s genius lied in the clever (and deceptive) way he utilized his only talent to become a celebrity: diabolically, yet still innovatively using the memory charm to carry out his goals. I would bet his secondary house is Slytherin, but his creativity won out when the Sorting Hat decided where Lockhart would be placed. Trelawney, though incompetent, is ironically right in almost every one of her predictions. However, it isn’t this that makes her a Ravenclaw; it is her unconventional and eccentric quest to look deeper. For Trelawney, this means deeper into the mind, or “the mind’s eye,” accessing hidden or suppressed subconscious “sight,” and to also look deeper into seemingly mundane, meaningless surroundings, so one can spot the “signs” that [she believes] present clues into future events.

Not every Ravenclaw is as quirky as Luna, Lockhart, and Trelawney, but you will still find that Ravenclaws share core qualities of free-thinking, inquisitiveness, imagination, and a desire for knowledge. Ravenclaws primarily seek knowledge and wisdom because they are inquisitive and curious, not because knowledge is required to carry out a task or goal. Ravenclaws need freedom to think, act, and believe as they choose.

Unfortunately, we are not given a close look at many Ravenclaws in Harry Potter, but I know quite a few, and there are defining signs of this house in each one of them. Ravenclaws are concerned with understanding topics of interest thoroughly; they don’t just want all the information, they want to reflect, analyze, categorize, and document the information in, most often, an organized or at least a systematic way that is unique to them (order in what may look to others like chaos). My mother has always (even before the internet) gone out of her way to thoroughly research a purchase or an interest, making notes and charts about every aspect; she is creative, quirky and (to my frequent embarrassment) completely unconcerned with what others think of her funny hats, mismatched clothes, or her dancing in grocery store aisles--not to the music playing in the store--to whatever tune she made up and is humming in that moment. My very eccentric friend Jenn, when not being eccentric, reads novels, applying tabs in certain pages and taking notes on each chapter in her notebook... for fun. My best friend DJ will research in-depth any topic he discusses, searching even for related topics to piece together a full understanding before then analyzing it and presenting his own knowledge in multi-paragraph Facebook comments that examine every angle from objective, logical, and incredibly wise and insightful viewpoints. He considers every possible relevant implication and connection. In his spare time, he reads classical philosophy or classic political books like Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, constantly and curiously seeking out other’s views and experiences to contemplate how it all fits in with or challenges what he currently believes and knows. He wants to understand every angle and why people think and believe the way they do, comparing it all to his own reasons and processes. He has a complex, impressive, and very open mind.

Slytherin:

“...Or Perhaps in Slytherin you’ll make your real friends. Those cunning folks use any means to achieve their ends.”

-The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone.

Slytherin, as said above in paragraph one of Ravenclaw, is one of the two “mind houses,” being concerned more with ambition and strategy than with sentiment and loyalty.

Slytherins in Harry Potter are represented in an imbalanced or skewed way. It is rare that a Slytherin in the books and films is absent of some form of personality disorder. Sociopathy (Umbridge, Crabbe, Goyle), psychopathy (Voldemort, Bellatrix), narcissism (Lucius, Draco…basically everyone else), histrionic personality disorder (Bellatrix), etc. Slytherins who are “good” are seen as outliers, and there is always a catch. Regulus Black, Sirius’s brother, committed perhaps one of the most noble and courageous acts in the series, but first, he was a Death Eater. Snape, while integral to Harry defeating Voldemort and undoubtedly brave, was simultaneously, a horrific bully toward children and also a Death Eater, who would probably not have turned to the good side on his own but only did so out of love for Lily Potter. Slughorn, lovable and accepting of all students, was also a borderline creepy collector of the students with the best connections, talents, and potential, treating each as personal tools for his own various needs or wants, trading his preferential treatment for later favors. Then there are the real villains, almost all of whom are in Slytherin. Bellatrix, a remorseless and enthusiastically violent Death Eater. Dolores Umbridge, a sociopathic sadist who delights in overpowering others and causing pain in the most personal and diabolically creative ways. And of course, Voldemort, himself.

Most Slytherin’s, however, are not society’s “villains.” What defines Slytherin House is not sociopathy, selfishness, or cruelty. Slytherin values cunning, but cunning itself is a somewhat unfavorable term. I prefer, in most cases, calculating and resourceful. Slytherin favors ambition, and ambition can manifest in different ways, like any other quality, depending on the individual. Ambition can mean paving your own way by networking, utilizing resources, strategizing, and striving for high achievement, or it can mean strategically cutting corners, deceiving, or blindly following those with more power, siphoning what success they can from their leader. Crabbe and Goyle, Draco’s sycophantic friends fall into the latter type, as do many others who follow Voldemort.

It is said that the ambitious Slytherins “use any means to achieve their ends,” and sometimes, this could entail unethical acts, but it doesn’t necessarily imply that most Slytherins won’t draw a line of what is too far, immoral, and unethical. In fact, many likely Slytherins have used their ambition and acquisition of power to enforce justice and goodness. You could argue that Queen Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII, and the most celebrated British monarch, was a Slytherin. Elizabeth was calculating, clever, ambitious, resourceful, and fiercely cunning, prioritizing position and England’s welfare over sentiment, even ordering the beheading her own cousin Mary Queen of Scots, who threatened Elizabeth’s rule, even though Elizabeth frequently had social correspondence with Mary and was very fond of her. And Elizabeth’s insistence to never marry was not born of an indifference toward romance but was a strategy to retain her autonomy and power. Her reign is known as “The Golden Age,” under which England prospered.

It is more than likely most political figures fall into Slytherin, but like Slytherin, politicians are stereotyped as inherently corrupt and unconcerned with anyone else aside from themselves. While the idea that Slytherins will use any means necessary to achieve their ends is door to corruption, it does not mean all Slytherin politicians will cross that line. Slytherins are calculating, logical, strategic, ambitious, and they are also concerned with how others perceive them. Their public image is important to them. These are all necessary qualities of any successful politician, including those who not only enter politics for the express purpose of helping their constituents, but who also never end up giving into the temptation of corruption for personal gain.

In fact, Slytherins are often emotionally complex, feeling their own emotions deeply, but they also are likely to have trouble expressing emotions, instead , they put up a metaphorical wall of protection and saving face. This is evident in Snape, Draco, and even The Cursed Child’s Albus Severus Potter, Harry’s Slytherin son.

Slytherin’s are prideful; they value within themselves, talent, singlemindedness, and achievement. So, they can also be prone to feel envy for others, behave arrogantly, and desire to prove their superiority. There is a reason Gryffindor and Slytherin clash, and it is not because one is heroic and the other evil; It is because the two houses are very similar in each’s less desirable qualities. Sometimes what we loathe in others are the very things we (consciously or subconsciously) dislike about ourselves. These two houses are the most stubborn and determined of the four, but they are more alike than they might think.

What Determines Our House?

Dumbledore once said, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” It’s a bit more than that when it comes to our Hogwarts house. What we prioritize, value, and what defines our core identity are all equally important.

Hermione was brilliant, and many Ravenclaw traits fit her well, but her pursuit of justice, like S.P.E.W. in Goblet of Fire, and her daring willingness to break rules when she feels the greater good is at stake, define her just a bit more. She is almost an even split of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, but her core motivation leans a little heavier in courage and boldness than in a quest for knowledge. Hermione said herself, “books and cleverness? There are more important things, like friendship and bravery.” She values both, but what she values most in herself is the willingness and eagerness to do what is right, regardless of consequences.

Many think that if someone is brave, they must be a Gryffindor, if they are smart, they must be a Ravenclaw, if they are humble and kind, they must be a Hufflepuff, or if they are successful or cold and calculated, they must be a Slytherin. This is not always correct, though. If you did not know Luna Lovegood’s house was Ravenclaw, but you knew she had fought with Harry on multiple occasions, you would probably label her a Gryffindor. However, I actually think Luna is one of the rare cases where someone is nearly entirely one house. If we could see the percentages where Luna falls into each of the four houses, Luna's secondary house percentage would be very low. Luna’s brave, but it isn’t what motivates her or defines her core personality. Some, including Dumbledore, might also think Snape might have belonged in Gryffindor, or at least has Gryffindor as his secondary house, but Snape was only brave in a specific circumstance—for a specific person; it wasn’t a core part of him. Snape’s secondary house is Ravenclaw. He is innovative in his invention of many spells, and he is inquisitive and looks deeper into what others do not, like alternative ways to carry out potion making. Snape is definitely a member of the “mind houses,” if I ever saw one.

And like I said at the beginning, I am a Gryffindor, which [only] one person in my life disagreed with. Ravenclaw is my secondary house, because I carry many of its qualities; I am a college professor, incredibly inquisitive, creative, super eccentric, and a free and critical thinker, but what stands out more, because it is more central to who I fundamentally am, is boldness, a bit of recklessness, and a constant seeking out of confrontation and debate in the name of social justice and ethics… I am the one who jumps in the middle of aggressive or violent conflict to break it up if I think one person is at a real risk of being seriously hurt, even if it puts me in danger (as one ex said, I’m stupid to do this); I’m the one who will speak up first and loudest when others are silent. For example, when a preaching man outside the DMV began going from person to person in the outside line, finally resting on a young, vulnerable looking teenager, harassing and touching her, ignoring every nonverbal cue that she was uncomfortable, I jumped in loudly and aggressively while he yelled I was a messenger of Satan and an evil soul. My "daring nerve" is and has always been dominant.

So, yes, I am both, but what really defines me are my Gryffindor qualities, even if I honestly think they are also often a hindrance to being generally content and happy, and that I would be better off with the scales leaning more heavily toward Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff.

Take JK Rowling’s Full Hogwarts Sorting Test

Click here for the full Pottermore sorting quiz. Some questions, through thousands of samples of metadata, have shown to have a primary and secondary house result, so percentages of each house will not culminate to equal 100%. Here is mine as an example:

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