What I Would do if I Had to Choose a Hogwarts House

Mark may have done this one already, but I wanted to give it a try myself!

Like a lot of kids of my generation, Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood. It took up a lot of space in my imagination and inspired many of my games. And, as I think is probably pretty common, I definitely daydreamed about getting to go to Hogwarts. You'd get to learn magic, live in a dorm in a CASTLE, and automatically live with people who are like you. Sorting ensures that, right? You're automatically put with compatible people.

I took the sorting quiz on Pottermore and got Ravenclaw. However, technically, don't you get to choose your house? So, on that note, I'm going to weigh out my option here.

1. Slytherin. Okay, this is obviously not my choice. It's the house of bullies! Ambition seems like a positive quality, but not when you achieve your goals at another person's expense. Plus, I don't want to be in a house of people who are mean and would expect me to be mean as well. Beyond that, they have a creepy thing with snakes. I don't mind snakes at all, but, still. Worst of all, though, they live in a freaking dungeon. I am cold all the time! Plus, as a music student, I already pretty much live in a  dungeon (aka a windowless practice room) and I wouldn't want to do that full time. Then, there's the fact that it's underneath the lake. I like lakes as well, but I believe I read that the dorms have windows out into the lake. I like swimming in lakes. However, I hate oceans. I hate freaky things that live in lakes. I would hate peeping Tom mermaids/mermen. No, no, no. Slytherin is not my house of choice.

2. Gryffindor. Everyone seems quite nice here. However, there are definitely some things that annoy me about this house. First of all, some of them seem quite attention-seeking. Bravery is wonderful, but I think that there is something to be said for thinking before you act. Also, I'm not sure that I would consider myself hugely brave. I like manners, which is maybe good for the whole "chivalry" thing, but am I brave? It seems a little bit immodest to assume as much. I can be brave, but I like to think that my risks are calculated. So, I'm not sure I'm brave to the point that it's a defining trait. I do things that frighten me, but I avoid being frightened if possible. I hate scary roller coasters, for example. Also, red is a little bit too flashy. Finally, I think that maybe I feel like I know Gryffindor too well. It's kind of the "average" house, at this point (sorry!). I don't think I desire heroism or the attention that comes with it. I would want to help people, but I'd rather stay in the shadows to do it. I have a feeling that's not very Gryffindor-ish.

3. Hufflepuff. I find the fact that they have to crawl through a barrel to get into their common room a little bit disconcerting, to be frank. It's basically claustrophobia, scraped knees, splinters, and men potentially seeing up your skirt every time you go into your common room. I feel like Hufflepuffs take a lot of flak, which isn't very fair. I like and admire Hufflepuffs because they seem generally kind. They're loyal and hardworking, correct? Loyalty is wonderfully important, so even if I wasn't in Hufflepuff, I feel like I would have many good Hufflepuff friends. I feel like I'm a very loyal person myself. I've also been told I'm very hardworking, and I think I am. So, maybe I am suited for Hufflepuff. However, I hate the colour yellow (sorry!). Also, I think having to be happy and friendly all of the time might be a little bit difficult for me. I mean, first of all, there's the depression. Then, there's the fact that I can hold grudges and have trouble hiding it when I dislike someone (although it's hard for me to dislike them in the first place). Anyway, I'm not sure I'm nice enough to be in Hufflepuff, to be frank. Kindness is something I definitely value, and I'd like it to be my defining trait. However, I also value other things equally. I also feel like I'm selectively hardworking, and I definitely value my alone time. In short, I'm torn on this house. I feel like I could be happy here, so it's definitely in my top two.

4. Ravenclaw. Let's talk about the downside first: that damnable common room entrance. I would hate to have to answer a riddle when I just wanted to go to bed!! I'm not sure I would ever leave my common room. I'd definitely go with a house buddy everywhere I went so that I would never be a crying wreck stuck outside of my common room at all hours of the morning. I think I'd enjoy the challenge, but I'm not sure how great I am at riddles! Agh! However, I do value knowledge. I think it's so important to learn as much as you can so that you can understand other people and treat them empathetically. I love writing. I love thinking. I love imagining. For this reason, I am drawn to Ravenclaw. I've also always had a fairly easy time with academics, so maybe I'd be well-suited to the house for that reason. I would be scared of being just "smart", though, and not having anything else. Knowledge is important, but only if it's supplemented, right? Blue is also my favourite colour. The thing that appeals to me most about Ravenclaw, though, is that it attracts all types. As a result, Pottermore tells me that Ravenclaws are very acceptant of each other, regardless of differences or what may appear to be odd. I love that! Celebrating differences is such a great attribute. It means that no one can be an outsider. Everyone must be accepted, particularly because they'd all share this lovely insatiable desire for knowledge in one area or another.

Sigh. I think Pottermore was right. Ravenclaw just feels right for me! I may have to just deal with those irritating riddles. However, I definitely wouldn't object to Hufflepuff (even if I would find the continual friendliness and happiness overwhelming after a while).

-Laura