Houses in Harry Potter

There are four Houses dividing the fictional school of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter Book Series. Each has a separately dormitory and common room, history and distinct ideology. Students are separated into the houses in their first year by the Sorting Hat, and remain there for the rest of their schooling. Students attend classes based on their house (although often houses are combined for larger classes) and eat at separate tables in the Great Hall, however students from different houses are often seen socialising without boundaries.

The four houses are:

Gryffindor

Gryffindor is the focal house of the series, being home to the protagonist, Harry Potter, as well as many of his friends. It is named after Godric Gryffindor, one of the four co-founders of Hogwarts, and values bravery and chivalry. The head of the Gryffindor house is Minerva McGonagall, and its alumni includes Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, James and Lily Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, Albus Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom. Its symbol is a lion, its house ghost is Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington), and its colors are scarlet and gold.

Slytherin

Slytherin is often considered the rival house to Gryffindor, and is portrayed as the darker of the four houses, having produced more dark wizards and witches than any other house. It is named after Salazar Slytherin, one of the four co-founders of Hogwarts, and values cunningness. Its members have included Horace Slughorn, Phineas Nigellus Black, Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Black Lestrange, and Tom Riddle, who later became Lord Voldemort. Professor Snape was head of house until year six, when he was forced to flee from Hogwarts. Professor Slughorn then took over the position. Slytherin's colors are green and silver, its house ghost is the Bloody Baron, and its symbol is a snake.

Ravenclaw

Ravenclaw was named after Rowena Ravenclaw, one of the four founders of Hogwarts, and values wisdom and rationality. Its symbol is an eagle, its colors are bronze and blue, and the house ghost is Helena Ravenclaw (The Grey Lady), who was the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw. The Head of House is Professor Filius Flitwick, the charms teacher.

Hufflepuff

Hufflepuff is the house which values academic strength. Its founder was Helga Hufflepuff, its symbol is the badger, its colors are yellow and black, and the house ghost is the Fat Friar. The current Head of House is Professor Pomona Sprout, who teaches Herbology. .