“Riddikulus with Elise & Sydney” is a column about the Harry Potter series. A new column is posted every other Wednesday. Columns may contain spoilers.
At every school there a select few students labeled as “the smart” kids. If you attend Hogwarts, those kids are probably Ravenclaws.
The house of Ravenclaw is renowned for its students of superior intellect. Ravenclaws typically value intelligence over all other traits.
However, this does not necessarily make them studious or hardworking — that is a Hufflepuff trait, after all. The academically strong Ravenclaws can often just ride on their intelligence, while Ravenclaws with other strengths and weaknesses display their knowledge outside of the academic field.
Founder: Rowena Ravenclaw
House Mascot: Eagle
House Colors: Blue and bronze
Sorting Hat Song: “Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw, if you’ve a ready mind, where those of wit and learning, will always find their kind.”
Similar to Hufflepuff, Ravenclaws rarely seek out conflict; they are usually on very good terms with all of the houses. However, because they value intelligence above all, they typically make friends with people of equal intellect.
As with most generalizations, there are exceptions. Luna Lovegood is close friends with Neville Longbottom, who is definitely not at the top of his class.
If you think there is little said about Hufflepuffs, try finding information on Ravenclaws! There are only two prominent students of this house: Luna Lovegood and Cho Chang.
While Luna is a fairly well-developed character, she does not exemplify a typical Ravenclaw — or a typical anything, for that matter. In fact, she should probably just have her own house.
Though most of her friends are Gryffindors, and she is very brave, she exhibits a strong love of knowledge. While her logic is very different and not well understood by her peers, her odd insight always proves to be wisdom in the end. Luna most definitely lives in her own head, and her overactive mind even creates fictional animals from time to time.
While Cho’s character is important, we learn very little about her personality. All we know about her is that she is a little shy, good-natured and beautiful. She even manages to capture Harry’s heart in the fourth book.
The main misconception about this house is that all of its members are top students. Yes, those who highly value knowledge are definitely most likely to receive the highest scores, but valuing knowledge does not mean that you always do your homework or receive the highest scores in class. Most Ravenclaws are secure enough in their own unique intelligence, and do not need perfect grades to be confident in themselves.
While most of the house common rooms can be entered only with a password, a Ravenclaw must answer a riddle to be permitted entrance. In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry and Luna need to gain entrance into the Ravenclaw common room. The door asks “Which came first, the flame or the phoenix?” to which Luna replies, “I would say that the circle has no end.”
Students from Fresno Christian who would fall into this house include Elise Porter, ’11, and Lizzie Williams, ’12. Their thoughtful nature and quick wit stand out among their peers.
For the previous installment, read the Sept. 15 column, Riddikulus with Elise & Sydney: Slytherin’s venom.
