Fans of Harry Potter often want to join Gryffindor, and with good reason. This Hogwarts house values courage, bravery, and nerve. Plus, the book’s heroes are associated with this house. Even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff consistently choose to side with Gryffindor whenever it’s feuding with Slytherin. But not so fast, even though many evil wizards come from Slytherin, not everyone is evil. This house values leadership, ambition, and cunning. Yes, it’s associated with hatred toward Muggles, but you can’t deny that some of the wizards associated with this house are talented and even stylish.
So what’s a Harry Potter fan to do? Gryffindor is the obvious choice for most people because Harry Potter was a member of this house. He was the chosen one according to the prophecy, but we’re here to show you that there are perks to joining either of these houses. Should you get your Hogwarts acceptance letter via owl, just remember that all four houses may have their pros and cons. Being a Slytherin or a Gryffindor might not be so different after all—especially if you love a good Quidditch rivalry.
We looked at every possible pro in each house in order to show you that it’s not your house that makes you good or evil. It’s what you do with the circumstances the Sorting Hat throws your way. Here are 10 reason why it’s great to be a Gryffindor. But if the sorting hat finds you ambitious and you end up a Slytherin, you have 10 great reasons to be proud too!
Gryffindor: Home Of The Marauders
James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Remus Lupin were four friends who formed a bond at an early age. They were definitely a cliquish bunch, but they came up with the Marauder’s Map.
They probably did this to facilitate their pranks and mischief, as you have to say “mischief managed” when you want the map’s pages to go blank. Besides making an artifact that turned out to be useful to Fred and George Weasley, and later Harry, they formed friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Except for Peter Pettigrew, who later became a Death-Eater and traitor to his friends. We’ll ignore this for now.
Slytherin: A House That Values Cunning Wizards
Cunning is often seen as a bad thing. There were many moments when we noticed Draco Malfoy was always able to get what he wanted, even if this seemed unfair.
Some people would call that cheating, but that only shows you have a different perspective. Slytherins are known to bend the rules in their favor or even create new ones when necessary.
This isn’t so different from their Gryffindor counterparts, except that their motives often seem more selfish. Regardless, knowing how to get what you want is a valuable skill and it’s not something taught at any school. All the magic in the world can’t give you a Slytherin’s confidence.
Gryffindor: Already Owns Dumbledore’s Heart
In the Harry Potter books and films, we quickly notice Dumbledore seems to have a soft spot for Harry and others in Gryffindor. He was a Gryffindor while a student at Hogwarts, so it’s obvious that he’d always be loyal to the house he got to live in during his younger days.
That means you don’t really need to suck up or do anything extra to win over Dumbledore. As the books mention, your house is like your family. Being a Gryffindor means that Albus Dumbledore always has your back and reprimands you with kindness when things go wrong for you.
Slytherin: It’s Okay To Be A Rebel
If you’re a bit of a misfit or outsider, Slytherin is definitely the house for you. In Slytherin, it’s okay to focus on yourself a little bit and break the rules—as long as you memorized them first.
With their love for green, silver, and black, Slytherin seems to be the most punk rock of all the houses. Sure, being a rebel often means you will have awkward moments and a few beefs here and there, but they’re nothing you can’t deal with.
Plus, Salazar Slytherin was never afraid to speak up about his beliefs. Were some of them wrong—yes, but Slytherins know no fear.
Gryffindor: Quidditch Champions
Gryffindor’s quidditch team had a rough start in the 1600s, but they even got their act together.
First off, the Minerva McGonagall was in the team during her tenure as a Hogwarts student. She was a Gryffindor who turned out to be quite good at her post.
James Potter was also a part of the team when he was a student in the 1970s. But the 90s are when Gryffindor’s quidditch team truly shined. With the Weasleys and Harry in the team, there was no stopping this determined group of magical athletes. The team even won the Quidditch Cup two years in a row before the war with Voldemort.
Slytherin: Emerald And Silver Are Fashion Forward
Each Hogwarts house has its own colors. Gryffindor’s colors are maroon and gold, and while this is great, there’s less attitude in this combo. Silver and emerald seem classic, though. Coupled with the Slytherin’s love for things that are a bit macabre, if you’re a Slytherin you’d probably be proud of using a bright green robe whenever you had a chance.
That, or you could always wear black in order to compliment your house’s colors. Plus, did you ever notice how Slytherins dressed in the films? Sure, not all of them were the greatest people, but they were always well-dressed.
Gryffindor: You Are Brave, Noble, And Have Some Spine
No one in the wizarding world is perfect. We got to see our beloved Gryffindors commit many mistakes over the course of the Harry Potter books.
But being a Gryffindor means you get to make these mistakes because they’ll result in some serious personal growth. It takes bravery to stand up to your friends, and even more of a spine to confront evil in its face.
Many Slytherins feel Gryffindor wins too often and they can be arrogant—and we can see that sometimes. Most people in the Gryffindor house are simply trying to make a difference, and it takes a lot of courage to try!
Slytherin: The Coolest Common Room
Also known as the Slytherin Dungeon, the Slytherin common room is known for its locale and interesting sights. It’s under the Hogwarts Lake, and Slytherins get to see squids and other sea creatures pass by on a daily basis.
Slytherins have to go through Hogwarts’ dungeons in order to get to their living quarters. Though they don’t get their share of vitamin D like other houses might, they get to live in what is essentially an all-natural aquarium.
Their common room is meant to evoke how mysterious they can be. Since Slytherin’s element is water, it makes sense that they live under a lake.
Gryffindor: An Aptitude For Transfiguration
What makes you more naturally inclined to excel at something? We’re not sure, but if you’re a Gryffindor you might be more in touch with your animal side, which may make you talented at Transfiguration.
Many of the wizards we saw who could transform into animals quickly were once in Gryffindor. Minerva McGonagall turned into an adorable cat, Sirius Black turned into a dog, and Peter Pettigrew was able to transform into a rat at will.
When the Marauders went to school they decided to focus on transfiguration so that Remus Lupin wouldn’t feel alone whenever the full moon turned him into a werewolf.
Slytherin: You Never Take No For An Answer
If you get sorted into Slytherin, you’re probably an ambitious person with a lot of drive. In fact, Hermione Granger would’ve probably excelled at Slytherin because she was always so determined, don’t you think?
We often relate ambition to negative things, but let’s remember that it’s one thing to set goals and another thing to go after them.
Slytherins are probably great at keeping up with their New Year’s resolutions, learning instruments, and even getting a date. They don’t seem to let their failures define them and they work hard to achieve what they believe they deserve. That’s actually pretty cool.
Gryffindor: Godric Gryffindor Was Quite Something
One of Hogwarts’ founders, Godric Gryffindor was a great duelist during his time. He also owned a really cool sword that can get rid of Horcruxes. His hair also seemed to look like a lion’s mane, which explains why he probably chose that as his house’s symbol. A determined man, he was very careful about who he let into Gryffindor.
He’s also responsible for the Sorting Hat, which helped students at Hogwarts find their way for centuries after he died. He was known for being fair and to accept Muggle-born wizards as equals. He wasn’t perfect, but he left a great legacy for people who would later join his house.
Slytherin: Merlin Was A Slytherin
Merlin was a famous wizard even before J.K. Rowling wrote Harry Potter and made him a part of Hogwarts’ history. Even in Harry Potter lore, he is recognized as probably the greatest wizard ever.
A member of King Arthur’s court, records show that Salazar Slytherin may have been one of his teachers too. He was known to be great at charms, and he supported the rights of Muggles.
In fact, the whole point of his Order of Merlin was to make sure wizard and Muggles could coexist peacefully. Many Slytherins are still proud of Merlin’s legacy, but other houses gloss over this fact.
Gryffindor: J.K. Rowling Is A Gryffindor
You’d think that J.K. Rowling simply decided which house she belongs to by decree. She did create Harry Potter, after all. But she chose to find out the house she belongs in an old-fashioned way.
First, she took a quiz created by a fan that sorted her into Hufflepuff. When Pottermore was created, she took the quiz and was sorted into Gryffindor.
Gryffindors consistently excel in their pursuits and at winning people over. They tend to face tough odds and do well even if they seem to be on the losing side. This seems to go well with J.K. Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter when she was down on her luck.
Slytherin: Snakes Are A Symbol Of New Beginnings
Many fans probably want to be Gryffindors. That’s where our favorite trio is from. They get to be a part of the most popular kids, right?
But Pottermore explains that fans who are sorted into Slytherins should be proud of being sorted there. Snakes can be scary creatures, and some of them are venomous. It’s easy to judge a snake and judge them thanks to our preconceived notions.
Snakes are resourceful; however. They’re also good at starting over again. They shed their skin when they start to grow, and this lets them have a new beginning. Being a Slytherin means constant growth.
Gryffindor: You Get To Live In The Tower
Gryffindor’s live in one of Hogwarts’ towers. They have a view of everything around them, and they get a lot of wind. Even though they get many cold nights, they have a beautiful fireplace to keep them warm. Their common room is red and gold, and they get cozy blankets to help them sleep well when it gets drafty.
Gryffindors are known to celebrate their victories there, and the common room is said to have many comfy chairs where they can relax when they don’t have to study. An underwater dungeon seems cool, but a tower with a stunning view sounds awesome too.
Slytherin: You’re Probably Good At Mind-Melding
Magic is tough to master, and mind-melding is one of the more difficult things Hogwarts students can learn. Basically, students have to try to learn to read another person’s thoughts and get in their heads.
Voldemort was actually excellent at this and he was able to manipulate Harry Potter. Potter wound up having to do some training sessions with Professor Snape to shield his mind.
As it turns out, even Slytherins who can’t read your mind can prevent you from entering theirs at will. Something about being that house and its mystery, or the cunning they already show, seems to make them great this.
Gryffindor: Fire Is Your Element
As elements go, fire is warm, useful, and symbolizes passion. If you look at well-known Gryffindor alumni, you’ll notice that they were passionate until the end.
Fred and George were so great at their jokes that they became legends and made a living out of their passion to make others laugh. Professor McGonagall turned out to be much stronger than many others took her for.
Hermione Granger was passionate about school and her constant studies helped her overcome whatever got in her way. Let’s not forget Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, and Albus Dumbledore. Everyone in Gryffindor has a fire in them.
Slytherin: Awesome Survival Skills, And Foresight
Harry Potter fans probably think that Slytherin’s penchant for self-preservation is selfish and cruel. But this also means that they take a lot of time to calculate their next moves.
One example of this is Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange made Snape do an unbreakable vow to finish Malfoy’s task so Voldemort would let Draco live. Let’s remember Voldemort saw it fit to ask Draco take Dumbledore’s life, and he wasn’t even 18 years old yet!
Though the unbreakable vow wasn’t made for the best reason, it showed even the Malfoys love Draco very much. They’re willing to do what it takes to survive.
Gryffindor: The Respect Of The Magical Community For Ten Centuries
Building a legacy and a good reputation is hard. But keeping it is even more difficult. Somehow, the Gryffindor house and its many standout members made sure to protect their house’s legacy.
Students who are sorted into this house often command everyone else’s respect immediately. Yes, Gryffindors can sometimes interpret the rules in ways that favor them, but they also know how to gain other people’s trust.
Many Gryffindor members are known to be chivalrous, funny, and to excel in their studies. Even when they mess up, they learn how to step up and own up to their negative actions.
Slytherin: Your Rivalries Are Always Epic
Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin had a falling out, and their houses continued in this rivalry. Then again, you do need a good rivalry in order to prove yourself once in a while. If you’re a Slytherin, you get to be rivals with the popular house.
Every win and victory over Gryffindor is to be savored. You could even say that Slytherins and Gryffindors kind of need each other. Having competition means you consistently have to improve your skills. If you’re a Slytherin, you get to be the underdog at all times. People might not like your success, but the process of winning will always be epic.
