The Houses of Hogwarts

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry was founded by four great wizards: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin.  The magical school is broken down into four houses, each named after one of its founders. Students are sorted into these houses based on their personalities and the qualities they valued, rather than those that they exhibited. Each house has different qualities that suit specific types of students.

         Gryffindor- The Gryffindor house emblem is a lion, and it's colors are red and gold. The most recent Head of Gryffindor is Minerva McGonagall and the corresponding ghost is Nearly Headless Nick, also known as Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. Gryffindor house was created for students that value bravery, daring, nerve, and chivalry.

          Hufflepuff-  The Hufflepuff house emblem is a badger, and it's colors are yellow and black. The most recent Head of Hufflepuff is Pomona Sprout and the corresponding ghost is the Fat Friar. Hufflepuff house was created for students that value hard work, patience, loyalty, and fair play.

          Ravenclaw- The Ravenclaw house emblem is an eagle, and it's colors are blue and bronze. The most recent Head of Ravenclaw is Filius Flitwick and the corresponding ghost is The Grey Lady. Ravenclaw house accepts students who value intelligence, knowledge, and wit.
                       Slytherin- The Slytherin house emblem is a serpent, and it's colors are green and silver. The most recent Head of Slytherin is Horace Slughorn, who replaced Severus Snape (may he rest in peace), and the house's ghost is The Bloody Baron. Slytherin house welcomes students who value ambition, cunning and resourcefulness.
               

Students are sorted into their houses at the Sorting Ceremony, which is held on the first night of their seven years at Hogwarts. First-years are called by name to sit on a stool in the Great Hall, and place the Sorting Hat on their heads. The Sorting Hat looks at the qualities that a student possesses, and the qualities they most value in friends and peers. When the Sorting Hat has made his decision, he will call out the house with which the student is to be placed, and that will be that new student's house for the rest of their time at Hogwarts.