Hogwarts House Basics Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Professor Cuthbert Binns, who teaches History of Magic, explains some of the history behind the school in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" (1998). Hogwarts Castle was built by the four greatest witches and wizards of the time. This was over a thousand years previously. The house names at Hogwarts are taken from the surnames of the four founders: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff.

The emblems and house colours chosen reflect to some extent the values of their founders. Gryffindor's lion is matched with red & gold, representing courage, chivalry, nerve and determination. Fire is possibly the closest element. Minerva McGonagall is the head of Gryffindor and teaches Transfiguration.

Ravenclaw is the seat of wisdom coupled with wit. Air is possibly the closest element. Ravenclaw's eagle is coupled with blue & bronze. In the film adaptations, the colours are changed to blue & silver. The house ghost is the Grey Lady. We learn in the seventh book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (2007), that she was Helena Ravenclaw, daughter of the house founder. Professor Filius Flitwick is the Charms teacher and Head of Ravenclaw House.

Hufflepuff is more earthy in nature, having a badger as the emblem and 'earthy' colours of yellow and black. Inclusive in nature, the values include hard work, patience and loyalty. We learn in "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" (1997) that the ghost the Fat Friar used to be a student of Hufflepuff. Professor Pomona Sprout is head of house and, in keeping with the house values, heads up the Herbology Department.

Finally, the characteristics valued in Slytherin students include cunning, ambition, leadership and resourcefulness. Students with a pure wizarding background were selected. Water is the closest element with the emblem being the snake along with the colours green & silver. The Bloody Baron was a former member of the house. Severus Snape is Head of Slytherin House before stepping up to fill Dumbledore's shoes. At different times he teaches Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts.

As for the wrong answers, Professor Binns is a ghost although not one of the house ghosts. He continues to teach History of Magic, usually arriving in class through the blackboard. Strictly speaking, Peeves is not a ghost but a poltergeist. A force of mischief, particularly where the caretaker is involved, he has been around a long time. He appears in all seven books but not in the film adaptations. Poppy Pomfrey is the matron and Guilderoy Lockhart appears in "The Chamber of Secrets" as a substitute Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.

The flying horse is the emblem of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic along with the colours blue & silver. For Durmstrang Institute, the colours are red & gold with a dragon as the emblem. The grey & brown and indigo & orange colour combinations are made up.