Stop the House Hate

One problem that I have noticed in the Harry Potter fandom is the issue of house hate. Sometimes it seems that people don't like a certain house for whatever reason. The two houses I feel get the most dislike are Hufflepuff and Slytherin.

First is Hufflepuff. It feels like this is the least popular house. Is it because it's not mentioned much in the series? Is it because the actor who portrayed Cedric Diggory in the movies also plays Edward Cullen in Twilight? Or do people just not see what Hufflepuff has to offer?

I am a Hufflepuff myself, and normally people making fun of Hufflepuffs annoys me. A lot. I don't see what's so bad about being a loyal, kind, hardworking person. Just because we possess those qualities doesn't mean we completely lack the traits of the other houses. I may not be a Ravenclaw, but I'd consider myself to be a smart person.

If you want more evidence of what makes Hufflepuffs great people, look at the Triwizard Tournament. Out of all the brave Gryffindors, cunning Slytherins, and intelligent Ravenclaws, who did the Goblet of Fire choose as the most worthy Hogwarts student to compete? Cedric Diggory - a Hufflepuff.

So please, don't underestimate us Badgers. We're capable of much more than people think we are.

Next is Slytherin. The most common label to be put on Slytherins seems to be that they are evil. Yes, there have been plenty of Dark wizards to come out of Slytherin, but that doesn't mean that they are all bad people. One of my friends was just sorted into Slytherin on Pottermore, and she is not evil.

There are several examples of Slytherins who aren't evil. I feel that one of these people is Draco Malfoy. I believe that he wasn't truly a bad person. If he was really evil, wouldn't he have killed Dumbledore when he had the chance? Wouldn't he have identified Harry at Malfoy Manor? Sure, he was a bully to Harry and his friends, but so was James Potter in his Hogwarts days. Everyone makes mistakes. Draco Malfoy has honestly become one of my favorite characters.

Another example is Severus Snape. He may have been on the wrong side initially. He may have been horrible to Harry and the other Gryffindors. But in the end, he turned out all right. He started to go against Voldemort and support the other side. That must have taken a lot of courage and strength to go against the most evil Dark wizard of all time.

Slytherins are described as ambitious and determined. Since when is "ambitious" synonymous with "evil"? When you hear that someone is a Slytherin, you can't automatically assume they're a bad person.

Really, I don't see the point of house hate. The Hogwarts houses are supposed to be united, not divided. Each house has unique qualities that make it special, but that doesn't mean they can't work together. Keep an open mind, and you just might see how awesome the other houses can be.