There's a long, long story behind my answer.
When I first read the Harry Potter books, I decided I'd be in Slytherin House. I love the Water element (their glassed in rooms look out into the Forbidden Lake), I identified with the outcasts/loners, and I love Professor Snape. I felt as if I belonged there because I wasn't brave or smart or hard-working. But I have a little cunning (Ask Stu about the sulfuric eggs).
In reality, I really do like Slytherin House but at the time I also felt as if that was the only house that would accept me like I was -- I wasn't worth as much as a Gryffindor or Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff was too warm and friendly.
The cold dungeons and darkness fit how I felt and I reveled in the thought that at least there, I wouldn't go unappreciated (plus, I think I might have been good at Potions) -- they would understand how I felt.
When the time came for me to be sorted on Pottermore, I had no doubt that I'd be a Slytheirn. I'd be welcomed into the arms of my sly, power-hungry housemates and we'd have each other, even if the rest of the school was against us.
Imagine my surprise when the Sorting Hat placed me in HUFFLEPUFF.
I'd always liked Hufflepuff (more than Gryffindor, actually), but it was the house that least fit me. Then I read the description and it was a spiritual experience.
Loyal. Patient. Hard-working.
All the good things I wished I could be. And it was like God reached down and patted my shoulder and said, "See, Kaitlin? I see this in you. You are valuable to me."
(Not that Slytherins aren't, but because I didn't feel valuable I identified with that house the most)
Being sorted as a Hufflepuff changed my life. I felt, for the first time, that God could use me, even if it was in a small way (and for a Hufflepuff, it usually is a small way. We are there, in the background, working quietly, making sure we are doing our best).
I began to see that if I did work hard, and was patient, I could accomplish things -- and already had been doing that!
And when I read our House Letter, I really felt like I had been put in the perfect house.
So -- I know what I am. I'm a Hufflepuff, through and through. A proud Badger.
(But if I couldn't be in Hufflepuff, I'd still pick Slytherin. Somebody needs to set a good example in that house)
While Hufflepuffs often get made fun of, it isn't true that they're a large, dumb lot. They are mentioned much more in the books than you think they are, even before Goblet of Fire (the first student ever recorded Sorted in the books is a Hufflepuff -- Susan Bones. Her parents were killed by Voldemort because they refused to support him -- so they must have been of good quality, and it's likely one or both of them was a Hufflepuff).
Also -- Tonks was a Hufflepuff (and an Auror -- how cool is THAT?).
I'm doing research right now throughout the books and writing down every instance of Hufflepuff activity. It's amazing how many of them are mentioned by name, and often supporting Harry/Gryffindor.
So that's my long-winded answer.
Here's some art that I dearly love having to do with my house:
Yay for Hufflepuff! I really thought that's where I'd get sorted. I was kind of worried that my perception of myself--that I'm smart but offbeat--was just an illusion...recent experiences had sapped my confidence in myself. But I knew I was hardworking and loyal, so hey, why not Hufflepuff. But when I was sorted into Ravenclaw it was validation. Ravenclaw was the school I was sorted into and the school I would pick. I love the air, the abstract, the theoretical, the openness, the nerdiness, the uniqueness. It is my house, and no one can take that from me. Pottermore is canon, after all. :-)
ReplyDeleteI also get super pissed when people are mad that they were sorted into Hufflepuff. How dare they! That's JK's house!
Yeah -- you're definitely a Ravenclaw! :) I love that Rowling has touched so many lives (spiritually and emotionally -- the books helped Evanna Lynch, who played Luna, through depression. Though she got sorted into Pottermore as a Gryffindor!). That's what's so nice about all the houses is that if you answer the Sorting Hat honestly, you get put into the house where you really fit in, and since a lot of us don't feel like we do, it's a very freeing, liberating experience. Being in Hufflepuff has made me want to be a better person -- someone who IS a Hufflepuff whether it's "real" or not. AND it IS JK Rowling's house!!!! YAY! :D Also, I'm all about House unity -- I have friends from all houses and it's a great experience. So glad we can participate just a wee bit in the Potterverse. :)
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