Hogwarts Houses: A Sorting guide

[Dominique Weasley]

So as we all know from the seven books in the series, Hogwarts School has four Houses that divvy up the students according to similar personality type. I'm sure that for some people, there is nothing more frustrating than someone who applies for one House because it's "cool" and their character's personality doesn't fit. Depending on the time period of the board, certain traits are present or absent and a note will be made later on.

What makes a Gryffindor

Gryffindors are generally noted for their bravery/daring and a sense of honour/chivalry. Some are also instinctive in their actions. Their negative aspects are hotheadedness and recklessness. Some would go as far as say that they can be attention seeking. Some of the subtler traits would include having a reserve of inner strength and being able to persevere despite events and dedication to a cause. Like the Hufflepuffs, many are loyal, but not to the same degree. Gryffindors are also known for championing "lost causes" like elf rights or (Anything set during or before the Potter era) active tolerance for muggles and muggleborns.

What makes a Hufflepuff

Alright, it would be really easy to say "whatever doesn't fit anywhere else." However this should NEVER be the case. I play a Hufflepuff on one of my other boards and have found that she's a great character. Hufflepuffs are most noted for being patient, hardworking, fiercely loyal, valuing fair play and are the most tolerant and mellow students in the school. People often look down on the House as a whole, thinking them to be unremarkable, but in reality, some may just be a jack of all trades. (Like Cedric Diggory.) You will very rarely see a rude/disrespectful or mean Hufflepuff. Pompous yes, but that's usually how far they will go.

What Makes a Ravenclaw

The house of intelligence. These students are generally the top students, unless you get one or two students from other houses who could have been Ravenclaws, but were pulled elsewhere. The students aren't just book smart either. Some, like Luna Lovegood, just have a different way of thinking that helps them consider a situation from a different perspective. They aren't usually crazy, most are too rational to consider doing any kind of "Gryffindor" stunt...unless they like to experiment...then don't let those ones get bored. In a pre-Potter board, you'll get a mix between muggle tolerant and muggle prejudiced.

What makes a Slytherin

In my experience, this house is the one where profiles are missorted. Slytherins are not the "cool, mean kids." They have reasons to be there. Slytherin's original and basic attributes are cunning, ambition, determination and a very healthy dose of self preservation. These students will think about how an action will benefit them before they do it. Because of the founder's attitudes, most members are pureblooded, though halfbloods will make it in. If you are Potter Era or Pre-Potter, there should be NO muggleborn Slytherins, no matter how ambitious they are. They wouldn't last. Post Potter era may have a few, but they must be very ambitious and driven individuals. However it can be claimed that those whose families have firmly placed anti-muggle prejudice into their child's head, they are placed here for their own safety. In a post DH era, depending on your plot, muggle tolerance has increased, and Slytherin meerly becomes a home to the ambitious.

Exceptions do happen. Petter Pettigrew is one of the big ones. However, the person claiming to be an exception had better have a spectacular application or very good reason for being so. The board realistically should not be littered with Sorting Hat mistakes.

This was written by sarahdoll ! of Potterwatch, RPGD, RPGU and WLW (as SJ).