The Hufflepuff Mystery
J.K. Rowling designed four houses of Hogwarts but only told readers something about three of them. Harry visits the Common Rooms of Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Ravenclaw, the charming house of Hufflepuff was left out of the text.
So after the series was complete, Rowling filled in one blank by writing more about Hufflepuff on Pottermore, and letting those sorted into the house see what the Common Room was like. She packed a ton of information into the Hufflepuff Welcome Letter. Unfortunately some were disappointed in being sorted into the Hufflepuff, maybe because characters in the books from Hagrid to Ron made fun of it (thanks JKR).
In a webchat in 2012, JKR tried to soothe the fans: and perhaps she bent over backwards by stretching the truth a little and saying it was her "favorite house" - who would believe that when she sorted herself into Gryffindor? Even Scholastic didn't believe her! And it's unclear why she picked the scene from Deathly Hallows to discuss when it's controversial enough that all the Slytherins were treated as criminals thanks to Pansy Parkinson, a girl bully.
Young student: What would you say to people who are disappointed that they’ve been Sorted into Hufflepuff on Pottermore?
J.K. Rowling: That is actually my favorite question so far because this is a very sore point for me. This may surprise people, but it is the truth. In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favorite House. Here’s my reasoning. Bear with me. Again, I don’t want to spoil things too much for people who haven’t read the whole series, so I’m going to say what I’m about to say quite carefully. There comes a point in the final book where each House has the choice whether or not to rise to a certain challenge - and that’s everyone in the House.
The Slytherins, for reasons that are understandable, decide they’d rather not play. The Ravenclaws: some decide they will, some decide they won’t. The Hufflepuffs, virtually to a person, stay - as do the Gryffindors. Now, the Gryffindors comprise a lot of fool-hardy and show-offy people. That’s just the way it is. I’m a Gryffindor, I’m allowed to say it. There’s bravery and there’s also showboating, and sometimes the two go together. The Hufflepuffs stayed for a different reason. They weren’t trying to show off. They weren’t being reckless.
That’s the essence of Hufflepuff House. Now my oldest child, my daughter Jessica, said something very profound to me not very many days ago actually. She said to me - and she, by the way, was not Sorted into Hufflepuff House - but she said to me, “I think we should all want to be Hufflepuffs.” I can only say to you that I would not be at all disappointed to be Sorted into Hufflepuff House. So I’m a little upset that anyone does feel that way.
Scholastic: But you’re a Gryffindor.
J.K. Rowling: Yeah, I am a Gryffindor, but that’s not all good. I know Harry’s a Gryffindor, but Harry’s a Gryffindor for the same reason I’m a Gryffindor. I’ve got a short temper. Harry’s got his issues. I’m just saying. Also Gryffindor hasn’t , despite the way it thinks of itself, it’s turned out the odd dark wizard. Hufflepuff’s got pretty much a clean record. As, indeed, Slytherin has turned out more than one hero.
And now JKR has added one more "gem" to the Hufflepuff canon - literally. She has finally described what type of stones reside in the Hufflepuff House Point Hourglass in the Entry Hall at Hogwarts.
JKR on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/with_replies
This particular tweet is Here
So the house stones are as follows:
Slytherin - Green Emeralds
Gryffindor - Red Rubies
Hufflepuff - Yellow Diamonds
Ravenclaw - Blue Sapphires
More about the hourglasses here:
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/House_...ourglasses
