There are four Houses at Hogwarts, each named after the founders of the school -- the four greatest witches and wizards of the age.   At the beginning of the year, the first year students place the Sorting Hat on their head and it will sort them into the House they will belong to for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.  The four Houses are: Gryffindor, named after Godric Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, named after Helga Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, named after Rowena Ravenclaw and Slytherin, named after Salazar Slytherin.  This page will give you a little more information on them. First is Gryffindor.  Founded by Godric Gryffindor, this is the House that most Hogwarts students would prefer to be in.  Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are all in Gryffindor and it would appear that Albus Dumbledore himself was a Gryffindor.  The resident ghost of Gryffindor Tower is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington.  In the first book, the Sorting Hat proclaims that Gryffindors are brave at heart.  'Their daring, nerve and chivalry set Gryffindors apart', it says.  Gryffindor is headed by Professor Minerva McGonagall, who is also the Transfiguration teacher and the Deputy Headmistress.  If I had to choose a house to put myself in, I think I'd have to choose Gryffindor.  It seems to me to be the best of the Houses. Founder: Godric Gryffindor Head: Professor Minerva McGonagall -- Transfiguration Colours: Scarlet and Gold Ghost: Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington Mascot: The lion Gryffindor's Shield Next is Slytherin.  There's already a bit about Slytherin on the first page, so I won't put all that again -- I'll just say that the resident ghost is the Bloody Baron and that Draco Malfoy (indeed the entire Malfoy family) is in Slytherin.  It is also said that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was a Slytherin too.  Not a dark witch or wizard in the world wasn't in Slytherin.  This is the House that I happened to get sorted into.  I don't mind -- it means I get to play around with some dark magic!  *evil grins*  The Sorting Hat tells us that 'those cunning folk use any means to achieve their ends'.  Harry Potter was very nearly put into Slytherin.  The only reason he wasn't was that he asked the Sorting Hat not to.  Slytherin is headed by Professor Snape, Potions master. Founder: Salazar Slytherin Head: Professor Severus Snape -- Potions Colours: Green and Silver Ghost: The Bloody Baron Mascot: The serpent Slytherin's Shield Ravenclaw was founded by Rowena Ravenclaw and is the other House that students generally don't mind being put in.  Cho Chang is the Seeker on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.  Aside from that, there's really not much said about Ravenclaw.  Hermione names it as her second choice House.  I don't know who the Head is -- it's not mentioned.  The Sorting Hat describes Ravenclaw as wise.  'If you've a ready mind, where those of wit and learning will always find their kind'.  'For Ravenclaw, the cleverest would always be the best'.  I'd have to say that like Hermione, Ravenclaw would probably be my second choice if I had to put myself in a House.  But since I've already been sorted into Sytherin by harrypotter.com, I guess it doesn't matter. Founder: Rowena Ravenclaw Head: Professor Flitwick (?) -- Charms Colours: Blue and Bronze Ghost: The Grey Lady Mascot: The eagle Ravenclaw's Shield Founded by Helga Hufflepuff and Headed by Professor Sprout, Hufflepuff would normally be a Hogwarts student's last choice of House.   Hagrid tells Harry they're seen as a 'bunch of duffers', but Hagrid disagrees.   Perhaps he was a Hufflepuff himself?  The Sorting Hat says that Hufflepuffs are just and loyal.  'Those patient Hufflepuffs are true and unafraid of toil'.   'For Hufflepuff, hard workers were most worthy of admission' is also said.  Cedric Diggory (who you'll meet properly in Book 4, The Goblet of Fire, so I won't reveal much about him here) is one of the Hufflepuff crew.  Although Hufflepuff is usually a student's last choice, I don't think I'd mind being put in there.  They're apparently honest, fair and hard working and even that sounds good to me! Founder: Helga Hufflepuff Head: Professor Sprout -- Herbology Colours: Yellow and Black Ghost: The Fat Friar Mascot: The badger Hufflepuff's Shield   That's it for the Houses.  Perhaps you'll be able to choose from those which of the houses you'd like to be in?  If you can't choose for yourself, head over to harrypotter.com and get yourself Sorted there.   All you have to do is answer a few questions and you'll be put into the House that you're most suited for judging by your answers.  It's easy!  If you'd like to submit anything, please feel free to do so, otherwise click on one of the buttons below to either go back to the main Harry Potter page, or back to the Study's main page.  Have fun whatever you do!  *g*