Gryffindor's often thought of as the best house, as it's the focus of Harry's time at Hogwarts. Hufflepuff is stereotyped as a house for pushovers and Ravenclaw for bookworms. Finally, Slytherin is thought of as the 'evil' house.
Hufflepuff's unjust reputation is apparent in the very first installment of Harry Potter when Draco Malfoy remarks before the Sorting Ceremony: “Imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?” Even Rubeus Hagrid goes as far as to say that the house just consists of “a lot o' duffers”.
If you have qualities of Gryffindor and Slytherin, but you care more about being brave than ambitious, choose Gryffindor. If you're intelligent and loyal, but you care more for intelligence, choose Ravenclaw. Meanwhile, Helga Hufflepuff has the right idea and she'll treat you all the same.
Hufflepuff values kindness and hard work, Gryffindor values bravery and boldness, Slytherin values ambition and cunning, and Ravenclaw values wit and wisdom. So it's no big surprise that Ravenclaw house has the reputation of being the smartest house in the world of Harry Potter.
Slytherin is also the best house due to their house quality: ambition. With this trait, Slytherin people make sure that they stay alive unlike their counterparts in Gryffindor. Gryffindor's characteristic is bravery. Bravery might not seem terrible, but it is possible to be too brave (which countless Gryffindors are).
Slytherins in love
Look at Lucius and Narcissa – a total power couple. After a fellow Slytherin, the next best match for this shrewd house would probably be Ravenclaw. A Slytherin could use Ravenclaw's intellectual and inquisitive nature to their advantage, plan their world domination in minute detail.
You can be creative rather than academic and be a Ravenclaw
While there are plenty of Ravenclaws who fit that description, there are many others who demonstrate that cleverness doesn't just apply to book learning. In fact, intelligence can mean being creative and Luna Lovegood is certainly one example of that.
Ravenclaw is famous for welcoming eccentric people
Ravenclaw hasn't half produced a band of fascinating minds, many of whom touched Harry's life: from Cho Chang and Moaning Myrtle, to the never-ending abstract charms of Luna Lovegood. Intensely intelligent, Ravenclaws are also unique and think outside the box.
The Hufflepuffs readers meet are sometimes pretentious, rude, and unsupportive. Members of the worst Hogwarts house tend to stick closely to their own kind, rarely deviating from other members of their house circle.
Although there are strengths to every house, Hufflepuff house in particular often comes up short. While the other houses seem cool and invite a certain allure, Hufflepuff is a little different. Often considered the least desirable of all the sorting options, here are some reasons why Hufflepuff house is the worst.
RELATED: Things Hogwarts Legacy Players Might Have Missed In Slytherin's Common RoomFounded by Salazar Slytherin, this particularly snakey house has a very bad reputation throughout Harry Potter. It's even been considered the evil house. The reasons for how other houses perceive them are complicated.
Hufflepuffs are basically a better version of Gryffindors.
During the battle of Hogwarts, virtually all Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors chose to stay and fight Voldemort. So basically, Hufflepuffs have all the bravery of Gryffindors with none of the boast and bluster.
Hermione Lacked Some of Ravenclaw's Ideals
One example is creativity. For Ravenclaws, finding creative out of scenarios was second nature to them, but Hermione relied on procedures and rules to guide her when she was lost. She also has a drive to be the best, which Ravenclaws aren't known for.
Harry would have been internally conflicted if he had been Sorted into Slytherin. Although he still would have felt that Hogwarts was the only place he had ever belonged, he might have felt wary forming relationships with the children of Death Eaters.
Slytherins and Hufflepuffs share a bond that is nothing short of being platonic soulmates. Hufflepuffs are the only ones patient enough to really get to know someone without any judgment. Since Slytherins are often on edge, they truly appreciate the safe space that Hufflepuffs create.
Worst: Lucius Malfoy
Lucius Malfoy is pretty clearly a bad person, but he's a perfect example of how banal cruelty and evilness can be. Lucius likes to control, humiliate, and cause people pain, but he's also too weak and self-absorbed to really become one of the evil "greats," so to speak.
With their sinister green ties and black robes, they nail the dark academic aesthetic, making them appear as though they know the most forbidden magic. It is hard to not be drawn in when Slytherin house allows its members to bend the rules, seize power, and know more than they were ever supposed to.
Harry Potter came very close to being sorted into Slytherin before he persuaded the Hat to sort him into Gryffindor. Yet the spectre of Slytherin haunted him for some time afterwards, becoming particularly potent in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when he was rumoured to be the heir of Slytherin.
As the sorting hat's song in The Order of the Phoenix explained, Hufflepuff believes in “teach[ing] the lot and treat[ing] them just the same.” A Hufflepuff's patience, kindness and reliability make them excellent people. They're the Cedric Diggorys of this world, humble to a fault, and loyal to a tee.
Tom Riddle/Voldemort
Professor Dumbledore once said that Tom Riddle, a.k.a. Lord Voldemort, a.k.a. "He Who Must Not Be Named" (Ralph Fiennes/Hero Fiennes Tiffin/Christian Coulson), was the most brilliant student that Hogwarts has ever known.
Slytherins are hardworking and desire success. They are known to achieve great things (even if not always good things). They are the kind of people who make you want to be better just by being around them. They are determined and resourceful.