Quote:
Originally posted by aephi alum
I think Hufflepuff's reputation is that they will take anyone not suited to any of the other three houses. Gryffindors are brave, Ravenclaws are smart, Slyterins are sneaky and underhanded - so if you're not particularly brave, smart, or sneaky, you go to Hufflepuff.
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I don't think its quite that cut and dry -- if for no other reason than first years have to be divided among the houses pretty evenly.
I think it is more that three of the founders looked for a particular trait above, though not necessarily to the exclusion of, all others:
Slytherin looked particularly for cunning. While this word often (usually) has a negative meaning ("skill in deception; guile"), it doesn't have to. (It can also mean "skill or adeptness in execution or performance; dexterity." Thanks, Dictionary.com.) I think Hagrid is exaggerating when he says that all Dark Wizards came from Slytherin, or that the whole house is sneaky. Nevertheless, the values of Slytherin certainly can lean that way. Remember too that Slytherin wanted only "purebloods," and the pureblood vs. half-blood mentality seems to lie at the root of much Dark Wizardry.
Gryffindor looked particularly for bravery. (Hermione I think ended up here because, while smart and cunning, she also shows herself to be most "powerful" when required to be brave.)
Ravenclaw looked particularly for intelligence and mental accuity.
Hufflepuff on the other hand, seemed to take a much broader view: it's almost as though she said "Give me anybody and I can make a good witch/wizard out of them." She seemed to look more for balance than for a particular outstanding trait.
I don't think there's any suggestion that Hufflepuffs are losers, left-overs, or the like. Remember that Cedric Diggory was a Hufflepuff, and he was honorable (he tried to "uncatch the snitch" when Harry fell from his broomstick in PoA) as well as brave, cunning and smart enough to be selected as Hogwarts champion in the Triwizard Tournament, a role that we see he deserved.