“Riddikulus with Elise & Sydney” is a column about the Harry Potter series. A new column is posted every other Wednesday. Columns may contain spoilers.

While all of the Harry Potter main characters may be in Gryffindor, all of the fans are not, even if they dress like it. When attending the midnight release of the sixth movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, it astounded us how many people were decked out in the Gryffindor colors as compared to the other houses.

Because Gryffindor is home to the series’s most prominent characters, it is easily the most well-known. Even without the help of Harry, Ron and Hermione, most Gryffindors’ bold attitudes get them noticed easily.

Founder: Godric Gryffindor
House Mascot: Lion
House Colors: Gold and Scarlet
Sorting Hat Song: “You might belong in Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart. Their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart.”

Members of the Gryffindor house are characterized by their courage, chivalry and frequent disregard for rules, especially if said rules are not to their liking. When things go badly in the books, the Gryffindors are usually first to rebel.

However, being a Gryffindor means more than engaging in daring acts of heroism. As with the other houses, a Gryffindor is more than capable of possessing traits of others. Characters such as Hermione Granger and Percy Weasley are just as academic as any Ravenclaw.

Most of the students in this house are set apart by their courageous and chivalrous hearts. As Ravenclaws value knowledge, Hufflepuffs value loyalty and Slytherins value ambition, Gryffindors put bravery and chivalry above all other traits.

Hermione Granger is well-known throughout Hogwarts for being a know-it-all. However, despite her studiousness and love of knowledge, she is sorted into Gryffindor instead of Ravenclaw. This happens because she values friendship and bravery over her talent for learning, as she profoundly states in Harry Potter and the Sorceror’s Stone.

One of the most noted aspects of the Gryffindor house is its never-ending rivalry with Slytherin. Because these two houses are easily the most egotistical, they often step on each other’s toes.

We think the reason for the conflict is the houses’ similarity. They are both prideful and determined to win. However, while Gryffindors often aim to do the “right thing,” Slytherins generally do what they see as best for them and those they care about. This difference of opinion is probably the cause of most of the discord.

Because Gryffindor is by far the most glorified house (and therefore the most popular and relatable), most fans would consider themselves to be Gryffindors — they all want to be like their favorite main characters. However, Harry Potter could have been in Hufflepuff and still saved the wizarding world. Fans need to realize that no house is superior to another, and that not every fan is a Gryffindor.

Students who would most likely be sorted in to Gryffindor are senior Sydney Carlson, senior Justin Wilson and freshman Chloe Duerr. Their willingness to face their fears and do what is best for those around them mark them as strong and reliable friends.

For the previous installment, read the Oct. 13 column, Riddikulus with Elise & Sydney: The mind of a Ravenclaw.

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