Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban discussion

So, in Philosopher's Stone at one point Hagrid says the following:

"Everyone says Hufflepuff are a load of duffers but..."

I've never been too bothered about this quote or took it very seriously as I thought JKR did a good job throughout the series of proving it is not necessarily true. But then I realised the quiet ways in which JKR proves this quote right. Such as; they are always last in the house cup and quidditch cup, when Cedric Diggory (a Hufflepuff) proved he was an exceptional student and person everyone made a big deal about it because he was a Hufflepuff ... Etc

My problem is that it felt like bad planning to me that Ravenclaw, Griffindor and Slytherin were always consistently better at qudditch than Hufflepuff were. I understand the former three share the traits of determination and perhaps competitiveness, but Hufflepuffs have; fair, hard-working, patient, unafraid of toil etc. Surely these are the traits of great qudditch players!!!

As a proud Hufflepuff (as I'm sure you've guessed from my profile pic) I was kind of offended that JKR always seems to show Hufflepuff as the least skilled house. If I was her I'd least make the Hufflepuff team better than the Ravenclaws, because judging by their traits they would be more interested in academic achievement?

Thanks :)

I don't know. I'm a proud Ravenclaw and they would probably be better at strategy. And I'll admit that Ravenclaws are generally not as nice as Hufflepuffs so that has something to do with it. Quidditch isn't exactly the best test for what makes a good house. Hufflepuff doesn't get recognized as much. That's what the quote means. Still, this doesn't mean they are less. People just don't notice.

I guess we can call them quiet achievers? They excel in their own ways, like indie witches/wizards, & that's something.

Like Beatriz said, Hufflepuffs are more quiet about their achievements. As a Hufflepuff, I can attest to the fact that we don't flaunt our achievements, whatever they may be.

Hmm, I guess, you're right. I like what you said about the Ravenclaws being good at strategy Dramapuppy.

I always think that Ravenclaw should be better at competing for the House Cup because surely they would be paying attention in class and there for earn house points. Griffindor and Slytherin are better at everything for NO apperent reason other that the main character (Harry) and his school enemy (Draco) are in those two houses.

Never the less once school is over I imagine that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff would do better in the real world and lead happier lives.

I second that Sophie, apart from I'm not exactly sure that Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs would necessarily lead happier lives . . . ?

Yes, Sophie. Ravenclaw really should do better. But, another thing, everyone stereotypes slytherins. Yes, some of them will grow up to be involved in crime but not all. Slytherin is my second choice house. yes, some of them are a**holes. people forget, though, that slytherin's trait is not meanness. It's cunning. a lot of people who cunning are mean but not all.

I agree, Dramapuppy. If I could choose Ravenclaw would be my second choice (after Hufflepuff) and then Slytherin. I think I wouldn't fit into Griffindor at all.
It's a shame that J.K. Rowling never wrote in a likeable character from Slytherin, because you're right, being in Slytherin does in no way necessarily make you a bad person. Look at Snape, he was a Slytherin and he is a lot of people's favourite character because of his loyalty, bravery and unrequited - but never given up on - love. Then there's Quirrel, who was a Ravenclaw, not a Slytherin, and didn't really turn out to be the nicest person.

Daisy wrote: "I agree, Dramapuppy. If I could choose Ravenclaw would be my second choice (after Hufflepuff) and then Slytherin. I think I wouldn't fit into Griffindor at all.
It's a shame that J.K. Rowling neve..."

Yes. I love Slytherin. I would probably make a lot of friends there. Just not with the jerks Rowling actually introduced.

I agree with what you both said. Order of houses I would choose would be Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Griffindor. :p