Gryffindor
Essays by Gryffindor students
There are four Houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. So what makes a Gryffindor different from the other three Houses? As the sorting hat tells us, Gryffindor is ‘where dwell the brave at heart’. But I assure you, there is a lot more to Gryffindor than being brave.
People assume that the courage that dwell in Gryffindor is the courage to jump into an icy river because you were dared to do so. However, bravery of that sort is not what makes a Gryffindor a true lion, even if we are competitive and will probably jump into that icy river anyway, only because we wouldn't want to back down on a dare. Gryffindors have the courage to stand up for what they believe in, especially their friends. The bravery to not dwell in the past, and to see the better side in things. Neville Longbottom, who is scared of a rather large amount of things, was placed into Gryffindor because his inner bravery was more important than the bravery to talk back to Snape, or fight Malfoy (although he eventually did).
Aside from being courageous, Gryffindors are also extremely loyal. Whether it’s loyalty to your House, friends, or Quidditch Team, we have loads of pride. Some of us do tend to be quite judgmental. We should probably remember that we shouldn’t judge before we know. But in all sense, we are really quite good natured. Gryffindors tend to be rash. We hardly ever think before we take action, especially in a crisis situation. Gryffindors go with their gut feelings, whatever first comes to mind. This House is full of wonderful people who knows how to have fun, and aren’t afraid to bend a few rules. We are a mischievous lot. We seek adventure and thrill, and live for the hell of living.
There are several stereotypes of Gryffindor. First, we are ‘stupidly courageous’. This one might be true, but it all comes out from good intentions. Ron’s been kidnapped by a giant dog, and Harry immediately goes after him without thinking about his own safety. Another stereotypical view of Gryffindor is that we are judgmental, which can also be true sometimes. (Especially when it comes to judging the Slytherins). I suppose Gryffindors can also be arrogant, which comes with the large amount of pride that is attached to us. It is also said that Gryffindors have short tempers, thanks to Ron Weasley. However, saying that all Gryffindors are loudly obnoxious, teachers’ pet, and self-righteous is not true. Rather, we have strong opinions, we get along with teachers, and we stand up for our beliefs. Admittedly, Gryffindor probably contain some of the most stubborn people.
What does this House mean to me? Well, it means quite a lot to me, if I say so myself. As a true Gryffindor with perhaps too much pride, I think Gryffindor is one of the best Houses at Hogwarts. We stick together no matter what. We are quite the bold and fierce group, and we are proud of that. For it’s our daring, nerve, and chivalry, that sets Gryffindors apart.
By misspotter
Gryffindors are notorious around fandom for being brave. Students of other houses think we're "stupidly brave," jumping into situations without thinking. It's like there are set stereotypes for each house. We're brave, Slytherins are cunning, Hufflepuffs are loyal, and Ravenclaws are brilliant, and none of the other houses can possess these qualities. I don't think so. I've been placed into Gryffindor. I just finished my freshman year in high school with a 4.133 GPA (on a 4.0 scale, pre-ap classes), so shouldn't I have been put into Ravenclaw? Earlier last year someone was spreading rumors about my friend, and I stood up for them. Should I have been placed in Hufflepuff? I helped my friend get revenge on said person. Should I be in Slytherin? The point is, the house stereotypes aren't always true. Hufflepuffs aren't all idiots, Ravenclaws don't all think they're above everyone, not every Slytherin is the child of a Death Eater, and not every Gryffindor will jump off of a bridge just to proof that they aren't scared.
By pumpkins_n_pups
First, I would like to begin saying that a person is not judged by what he or she says about himself, but how one would truly react in a situation, and what the motives truly are. Though we can't always tell how one would react, his or her heart can tell you from beginning to end--I believe the Sorting Hat, unlike us, has the ability to reach in a truly see a person.
"You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart..."
- (The Sorting Hat's first song, Philosopher's Stone)
The house of red and gold stands for many respectable characteristics in a person. Courage, honesty, loyalty, and strength of mind are the most positive traits of a Gryffindor. In this way, the lion is a very accurate representation of the house traits. A Gryffindor is not afraid to "take the plunge", or take the most direct route to solving a problem; sometimes this leads to worse, but other times it shows true bravery.
A true Gryffindor proves to be courageous in the face of danger, especially when his loved ones are on the line. For example, Harry conjures an extemely powerful patronus in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban" not only to save himself, but to save Sirius, the closest person to family. This example needn't be explained; Often times, a Gryffindor's true power actually shows through when courage is needed most. However, not all cases are as obvious as this: many question Neville's suitability for Gryffindor because he is somewhat cowardly. Neville proved in "The Order of the Phoenix" he was ready to battle at his friends side--to save them and to avenge his parents. If Neville really belonged in another house, he would suggest seeking help from someone more experienced or turning away at that point, but he continued on and fought for himself and his friends. Courage separates Gryffindors from the other houses.
While Hufflepuffs can be classified "loyal", Gryffindors are equally attached to their true friends. In the first installment, Hermione and Ron sacrifice themselves in the obstacles in order for Harry to reach the Philosopher's Stone. Similarly, Lily sacrifices herself--and actually dies--to save Harry. Once you become the friend of a Gryffindor, you are their friend for life unless you do something to betray their trust. Friendship is one of the strongest bonds for Gryffindors--look at the relationship between Harry and Ron or the Marauders (save Pettigrew, the bastard)!
Motives play a key role in defining one house versus another. Gryffindors are by far the most noble house: their deeds are not for personal gain, but rather, to heighten the quality of life for another, setting them apart from other houses. On the other hand, a Slytherin might do something simply for gain in power; a Ravenclaw would strive for acheivement. Harry does not battle Voldemort five different times to gain more power, nor does he fight him for self satisfaction; he fights him to abolish evil, hate, and prejudice from the world.
"If there were a treasure at the bottom of a scalding spring, how would someone from each house try to get it?" I asked my sister when we were discussing true characteristics of a house. "A Slytherin would not want to hurt themselves; they would use someone of lesser status to get the treasure for them by enforcing their power," She replied. "A Ravenclaw would carefully consider various ways of obtaining the treasure, and probably resolve to build something." For a Gryffindor, she answered, "A Gryffindor would just dive in to the bottom."
Gryffindors quite rash at times; though smart, they do not always consider the possible outcome. For example, Harry thoughtlessly rushes to the Department of Mysteries in an effort to rescue Sirius--who isn't even there! Later, he realizes his carelessness and regrets not thinking through the situation and confirming that Sirius has left. In this way, Gryffindors can also be destructive. Sometimes they do not realize their own power in their actions.
Furthermore, Gryffindors are chilvalrous. "...and the next thing she's crying all over me--I didn't know what to do--" (459, Order of the Phoenix) admits Harry regarding his kiss shared with Cho Chang. Though he knew he was sort of being used, he continued to treat her with kindness, a polite and gentlemanly thing to do. This instance alone proves Gryffindors are kind and respectful to others.
I also feel a lot of Gryffindors are true to themselves. They don't change themselves to fit a certain way--they are who they are, and that's very respectable. They're leaders rather than followers, and they have a natural tendency to set themselves apart from others. Aside from that, they are also very energetic. You will often find that most of the other houses are very reserved, but Gryffindors wear their colors proudly and boldly.
I was really glad to be sorted into the house, because I think I fit in it better than I do any of the other houses. People tell me I'm smart, so they place me in Ravenclaw; others tell me I'm selfish, so they place me in Slytherin; and a few think I'm one of those who fits best in Hufflepuff. However, like I said, it's the motives in the end and the way you act in situations that really determine which house you best belong in. This story best describes why I fit in this house:
My sister, my neighbor, and I were sitting in my bedroom, around 11 o'clock at night, talking about random things, making jokes, and what not. Suddenly, my friend's phone rang. Her older sister, who was home alone, called. Her voice sounded frightened as she told us, "I think someone's trying to get into our house!" A Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff might say, "Hold on...I'll call for help", and I'm not entirely sure how a Slytherin would act, but my sister and I grabbed the closest thing to a weapon we could find--huge walking sticks--and dashed to our friends house to search the area, shouting, "No bastard messes with your sister."
There are many stereotypes that come with the Gryffindor house. One of them being our rash behavior. I certainly confirm this! Any Gryffindor I really know thinks on impulse--especially when it's for a good cause. I won't deny that this trait can sometimes be negative, because it can certainly lead to bad things, but it can also be good! I guess that's about the only /real/ stereotype. Another is our self-righteousness, to which I concur. Many Gryffindors are very proud of themselves as well as their house; as I said earlier, we wear our colors proudly and boldly. This doesn't mean we always think of ourselves better than others--as I've said before, a lot of Gryffindors put their lives on the line for others--we just have moments of House pride. :)
So there you have my very lengthy analysis of what it means to be a true Gryffindor. From characteristics to stereotypes, I hope I covered pretty much everything.
By haruha
We know from the Sorting Hat that first and foremost, Gryffindors are brave, daring, chivalrous, and possess nerve. I would further add that they are, for the most part, adventurous, passionate, loyal, social, warm, and proud. Of course, we aren't exactly perfect. I don't want to play the arrogant part the other houses think we are. These negatives, however, are only a minor consequence of our positive traits. It can be argued that on the negative side we are impatient, impulsive, restless, stubborn, and reckless. Our negatives are also most often the traits that become our biggest stereotypes.
The overall impatience and restlessness is a result of our unending passion. We throw ourselves whole-heartedly into what we feel passionate about. In many cases, this means our family or friends. We are, of course, passionately loyal. I think we are mostly forgiven our small trespasses of impatient and restless moments by those whom we stand solidly by.
Our impulsive nature is the result of our confidence in courage. Taking a moment to think things over isn't always possible, necessary, nor the best decision. Some of the best things in life happen due to rash/reckless and impulsive behavior. I've heard it argued that this trait borders on stupid. I would disagree. There is a world of difference between impulsive courage and stupidity. Perhaps one could argue that it was impulsively stupid for Harry to rush to the MoM to try and "save" Sirius, but what would you have done as a Gryffindor? From past experience (Arthur), Harry knows that what he sees has been real. It's easy to judge this blind courage when we aren't in the situation. If you were Harry, and you have every reason to believe Sirius is going to be killed, wouldn't you do whatever it took to get to him? What if Sirius really had been there and he had waited to confirm everything somehow back at Hogwarts? Would you wait and think things over if you thought a friend were about to die? I don't think the impulse to help is stupid.
The stubbornness comes from our pride, and why shouldn't we be proud? We believe in, act on, and possess traits anyone should be proud of. Our stubborn pride, however, has people believing we are far more arrogant than I'd say we are. I don't think it's a blind, overwhelming pride. I don't think it's the result of some presumed arrogant superiority complex. We aren't claiming to be better than everyone else. We are only passionate about being who we are, and I think that's something to be proud of. Besides, when it comes to arrogant pride, I think of another house.
According to Merriam-Websters dictionary, arrogance implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted. Synonyms: haughty - suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position, disdainful - mean showing scorn for inferiors, lordly - implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power, insolent - implies contemptuous haughtiness, overbearing - suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence, supercilious - implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness, and disdainful - suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness. Rather than being an overwhelming trait of Gryffindor, don't you think this reads more like an advertisement for Slytherin?
Being a part of Gyffindor is important to me because it's just about being true to myself. I feel and know in my heart that I am a Gryffindor, and embracing such a wonderful house only makes me appreciate more the traits I carry that put me here. I adore the loyalty, camaraderie, friendship, courage, and adventure of our house. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else!
By ur_xgrlfriend
To start off my mini essay, I think it would be wise to look at what JK Rowling says Gryffindors are. The Sorting Hat is the obvious place to look, seeing as it is the one that sorts people into the different houses and therefore must know what the qualities of each house are.
You might belong in Gryffindor
Where dwell the brave at heart
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart –pg 88, tPS, UK edition.
‘Bold Gryffindor, from wild moore,’
‘By Gryffindor, the bravest were,
Prized far beyond the rest.’
‘Twas Gryffindor who found the way…’
–pg 157, GoF, UK
We Gryffindors are described mainly as bold, daring, brave, chivalrous, and the fandom seems to stick very close to it. However though the stereotypes are the main foundations of the houses, they are by no means completely accurate and the rule book of sorting.
I believe that Gryffindors do possess bravery; however there is the problem of Bravery having a stereotype attached to it, and that is the one of someone taking on a giant spider, or jumping over a very large river of some kind that if you fell would most certainly mean your death. This is most certainly a form or bravery, though there are many forms. One other being: having the courage to look like a fool to protect a friend, or have the strength to say no under peer pressure.
Gryffindors are also very loyal, and clever, and cunning. I believe that every house has a bit of all the other houses in it. Certain Gryffindors may be inclined to Slytherinesque tendencies or Ravenclawish tendencies, however that does not make them less of a Gryffindor.
I think a Gryffindor is kind-hearted, loyal and brave. We may seem extremely arrogant, and at times, I have to say we probably are. Honestly, who doesn’t think their house is the biggest and the best?
They have a certain way of phrasing their opinions which may either make them seem too opinionated or just quiet confident of themselves. Many Gryffindors have either a lot of Ravenclaw in them, or much Hufflepuff. There are rarely Slytherin-Gryffindors. However I am not denying their existence!
To me, my house is very important. It gives me a feeling of unity and, in a way, self-pride. I love being a Gryffindor, even the fact that I am often associated as stubborn and rash. They are traits that I have learn’t help me much in life, not only hinder me, and I hope that everybody else feels that even though faults should try to be dealt with, they are not always the evilest things.
By tragicamente
There are many ways to describe a Gryffindor. The first adjective that comes to mind when one mentions the house of the lions is, usually, bravery. I won't deny the fact that courage plays a vital role in the personality of Gryffindors, but it's the form of bravery that most people don't seem to realize.
Let's take Neville Longbottom, for example. In the beginning he showed hardly any signs of bravery; in fact, people quite often wondered why he wasn't sorted into Hufflepuff. He was a shy, timid young man who was quite content to study Herbology and keep far away from dangerous situations. Later on, however, he shocked readers when he stood up to Harry, Ron, and Hermione and took on Crabbe and Goyle all by himself. The fifth book, though, was his true time to shine. The release of his parent’s killer from Azkaban put him into a whole new mind set, allowing him to excel in Dumbledore's Army, mastering spells almost as fast as Hermione Granger, all the while determined to avenge his parents. Later on, in the Department of Mysteries, he showed true bravery, standing along side Harry and battling the Death Eaters.
Therefore, somebody could appear to be blundering and meek at first glance, but still get sorted into Gryffindor because they have true bravery inside them, but need to be placed in the right circumstance for it to show.
Another common misconception about Gryffindor's bravery is that the occupants of this house are only brave when it comes to facing a terrifying monster, or running into a burning house and rescuing a baby. Sure we Gryffindors are brave in the face of danger, but that isn't the only scenario in which courage plays a part in our lives. A Gryffindor's bravery is not only for battles and emergencies, but also for standing up for their family and friends, and of course, themselves.
Gryffindors have the courage to stick up for their friends at any cost. No matter what their friends may have done, who they have to stand up to, or what the consequences are. They also have the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Gryffindors are not ones to back down from anything, or let somebody else's opinion override their own.
Another way one might describe Gryffindor is that is isn't a house of great intelligence. It's true that this house's main characteristic isn't its smarts, but that doesn't mean that all its occupants are half-witted nincompoops.
Take Hermione Granger, one of the main characters in the novel as well as the brightest witch of her year. Of her year. That includes all the Ravenclaws, who are presumably the most intelligent house. She does exceptionally well in all her classes, even when taking a handful more then the rest of her classmates, and has been studying for her O.W.L.'s practically since she arrived at Hogwarts. I'm willing to bet a few galleons that she's even read about as many books as Madam Pince. So why did the Sorting Hat place her in Gryffindor, rather than Ravenclaw? Because, along with her intelligence, she also exhibits an immense amount of bravery, chivalry, and independence that are primary traits of the red and gold house.
She's not the only intelligent Gryffindor that we've encountered in the series, however. Take a look at Percy. While his morals and allegiance may be questionable, one trait that isn't debatable about him is his obvious academic strength. He was prefect for two years, and Head Boy for one, beating out the Ravenclaws of his year for that position. But he isn't the only Gryffindor that we know of who has achieved the honor of being one of the Heads of the student population, beating out the stereotypical "smart" house. James Potter and Bill Weasley were also Head Boys, and Lily Potter was Head Girl. There is also a certain current headmaster of Hogwarts who is not to be left out. Professor Dumbledore is one of the most intelligent wizards out there today, yet is a proud Gryffindor alumni. Same goes for Professor McGonagall.
Let's examine Ron Weasley as well, another main character who was sorted into Gryffindor. It's true that he isn't in the top of his class, far from it, but that doesn't mean that he's a dimwit either (as much as the movies want you to believe). Ron is an outstanding chess player, as was shown in the first book when the trio came face to face with McGonagall's transfigured chess set. Chess is not a dimwit's game. It requires an immense amount of skill, logic, and strategy to become a great chess player, all three qualities of which Ron Weasley possesses.
Continuing on with my example of everybody's favorite red head, let's delve into his sense of humor. Ron has been known in the books to possess a very quick wit, and is able to dish out sarcastic and witty comments at the drop of a dime, in any type of situation. He's not like the average, run of the mill class clown who relies on pitiful knock-knock jokes to get a weak laugh out of people. So just because Ron isn't book-smart like Hermione, doesn't mean he doesn't possess skill, logic, and wit, which are all varying characteristics of intelligence just as well as getting all O's on your O.W.L.'s is.
To summon up, Gryffindors may not be the brainiest people out there, but that doesn't mean that the occupants of this house don't possess varying degrees of intelligence. In fact, those degrees of intelligence are what makes Gryffindor personalities stand out.
Yet another way somebody might describe Gryffindor is a house that's all about acting first and thinking second. That trait is true... for the most part. When it comes to emergencies, a Gryffindor's first thought is helping the people who may be/are in danger. They don't have time to think about their plan of attack, they just run over and rely on instinct to help settle the problem.
If a Gryffindor's friend was being attacked by somebody or something, then they would rush in and save their friend, fighting off the attacker as they do so. They won't give a second thought to their own safety, or what the person or thing may be capable of doing to them. Their only thought in those precious few seconds is getting to their friend as soon as possible. But, contrary to popular belief, it's only in extreme situations that Gryffindors tend to act extremely rash. In a much milder case, a Gryffindor would generally think things over a bit before making their decision.
Another trait that one usually associates with Gryffindor is mischief. Unlike the other traits that I've mentioned previously, this one is both completely correct and right on the money.
All of the most famous mischief-making people in the books came from Gryffindor; the Weasley twins and the Marauders. The Marauders, especially James and Sirius, were legends in their time for pulling pranks and bringing mischief to the school. Three of the members even learned how to become Animagi so they could pursue their practical jokes and explore the world outside of Hogwarts as animals. They even left behind a map, which is an extreme aid to fellow trouble making generations. It is a map of Hogwarts that shows where any person is at any time; highly useful if one wished to sneak out of their dormitory but didn't want to get caught by a teacher.
The Weasley twins seemed to follow in the Marauders' footsteps. They were always getting in trouble by Filch for one reason or another, sneaking off into the kitchen's to nick food, and pulling pranks on their fellow housemates during all seven years that they attended Hogwarts. They also came up with ingenious products such as fake wands and extendable ears, not to mention their whole Skiving Snackbox line. They have plans to open a store called Weasley's Wizard Wheezes; a business similar to Zonko's dedicated to stocking essential items to fans of practical jokes and mischief making.
However, despite the aforementioned rulebreakers, Gryffindor is generally a rule abiding house. They believe that rules are there for a reason, and obey them during their everyday lives at Hogwarts. But there are certain circumstances in which rules are meant to be broken. If not broken, then loop holes are to be found and/or created in order to deal with the circumstance which has arisen.
Another adjective one might list when asked to describe Gryffindor is chivalrous. A trait taken right from the Sorting Hat's mouth, but a true one nevertheless. Gryffindors are people who believe in fighting fair, whether it be during a Wizard Duel or just a random fight that brakes out. However, there are certain times where a Gryffindor has to throw all chivalry traits out the window and fight for all you've got, i.e., finding yourself face to face with Voldemort and/or his Death Eaters.
When one hears the trait of loyalty, they automatically assume Hufflepuff. However, Gryffindors are an extremely loyal lot, more-so than a few Hufflepuffs. Gryffindors are loyal to their family and friends to the point where they would take a bullet and/or an Unforgivable Curse for them, depending on the situation. They also exhibit a huge amount of loyalty to their house, wearing red and gold proudly.
Gryffindors are known in the books for having the best personalities. All occupants of this house are fun-loving, know how to have a good time, have good sense of humors, and are willing to try anything once. They can be real party animals, especially after a huge Quidditch or House Cup win, and are able to let loose and enjoy life every once in a while. They're also natural born leaders, and find that being in charge of a group comes natural to them. Gryffindors are proud to be who they are, and aren't ashamed to hide their true selves.
So, while most people go by what the Sorting Hat says when it comes to Gryffindor, remember that there is a lot more to these red and gold lions than just mere bravery, boldness, chivalry, and daring.
By irishkitten441
Gryffindor is of course the house founded at Hogwarts by Godric Gryffindor. A very common stereotype among Gryffindors is bravery. But bravery is not the only trait in Gryffindor. Being a Gryffindor to me though, is not just being brave. There is so much about being a Gryffindor.
A very common stereotype is that people want to be in Gryffindor because Harry, Ron and
Hermione are in it. That is FAR from the truth. Of course there is many try hard Gryffindors who say things like “I am SO brave, I would do anything to protect my friends and family… Did I mention I’m brave!?” These people are annoying and give Gryffindors a bad name. We might not want to be in Gryffindor just because the characters we love are in it (Although it is much incentive). Gryffindor has respectable qualities (As do each house), they might be just more suited to the person. Being in Gryffindor is not about being in the same house as Harry, Ron and Hermione.
One of the most common qualities found in Gryffindor house is of course bravery, but this is not the only trait. Gryffindor people are often a lot like Hufflepuffs I reckon, they’re the house, I think, that if you’re not a Gryffindor it’s often “You are a Hufflepuff” (NOT all the time okay! Just it’s very common.). Bravery is a common trait, but there are many minor characteristics that I think can be found among many people in Gryffindor. This may not count for all, but I think procrastinating and laziness is very, very common, usually in the homework department. Gryffindor’s also have a rebellious spirit deep down I think (If it’s not on top that is). They can be very defensive of friends and family, they just naturally want to protect them. But then there should also be a desire to be in the house. Dumbledore says in The Chamber of Secrets that you choose your house (In similar wording). I think if you were meant to be in Gryffindor there would be a desire to be in it also, not just certain qualities that place you there.
Being a Gryffindor to me is not about being the bravest person I can be. Bravery again is the main trait to look for, but it’s not like I run around going “Look at me! I’m so brave and I’m in Gryffindor!” and rescuing random people from harm. But then again there are different types of bravery, like perhaps speaking out about how you feel about something that may controversial or getting up in front of people and performing. Being a Gryffindor to me is just being myself. I’m not going to try and live the way of my house, I’m going to be myself. It is important to remember that not every individual is the same, not all Gryffindors are going to be exactly alike. Being a Gryffindor is being yourself; the house lives by you.
There is depth in being a Gryffindor. It’s not all about being in the same house as Harry, Ron and Hermione. Although bravery is the characteristic most searched for in Gryffindors, it’s not the only one. Being a Gryffindor is being yourself, not trying to be like the house stereo type. Each house is different, each has much depth, Gryffindor just happens to be mine.
By rikku_aeris
When you hear Gryffindor, you immediately think-brave. But what is bravery? The ability to stand up for your friends. Speaking in front of a large group of people. Fighting an enemy. Take into consideration that bravery can hide behind many situations. The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes a Gryffindor so versatile, and so respectable. But there's more to a Gryffindor then just being brave. Gryffindors are born leaders. Tried and true, a Gryffindor can lead like no one's business. Take the most obvious example, Harry. How many times has he led the unstoppable trio, and sometimes others, with unwavering solidity and bravery? More often then not, you will find a Gryffindor taking charge of a worthy cause. Gryffindors can be arrogant, but that is just because they are so confident. Don't be confused though, they show respect when respect is needed. (Unless, of course, you are Professor Snape, and no respect is really needed there anyway...) Gryffindors are also intelligent, but not completely engulfed in learning. A Gryffindor is more likely to spend time hanging out with friends, seeing as they are quite sociable, rather then spend countless hours studying. In no way does this mean Gryffindors are lacking in the intelligence department, though. Gryffindors are loyal, as well. Think of how well the trio has stuck together through everything-the friendship between the three has only had one or two minor cuts, but all has been mended. So, what exactly should you look for in a Gryffindor? Bravery, confidence, leadership, loyalty, and intelligence. Think of Gryffindors you already know much about. Harry. Ron. Hermione. Fred. George. Neville. Ginny. Dumbledore. Gryffindors are a cut above the rest, and proudly so.
By gangsta_kizaye
There is a certain inclination that most, if not all, human creatures share; the need to discover oneself, and then subsequently define who they are and what they stand for. The House System at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with the traits and attributes associated with each particular house make it accessable, appealling and even developementally important to 'Generation HP'. As part of GenHP, I propose an introduction; my name is Frances, and I am a Gryffindor.
Gryffindors, in all their audacious, impetuous acts, are motivated by things which are quite divergent from their neighbouring house members. Indeed, it is not so much that Gryffindors are characteristically bold, brave, and noble, but that they are motivated and provoked by issues and actions that require the acts of bravery and the attributes of chilvary to be present.
Gryffindors are undoubtedly idealistic, and as any connoisseur of personality tests and groupings (most specifically Keirsey Temperaments) knows, idealists are a rare breed. Making up 8%-10% of the population, the affects of their acts are second only to the entertainment of their artisan friends (the wonderful Slytherins, naturally). Ghandi was an idealist. So was Eleanor Roosevelt. While trivial and unimportant, as far as we know, in the Wizarding world, their impact on Muggles was profound and can still be felt to this day. As far as Wizards go, it is safe to assume that a certain Albus Dumbledore is an idealistic. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if his picture was listed in the dictionary under the word 'Idealistic'.
Lastly, Gryffindor is cool because lions are cool. (Look at me, being all witty.)
By starspectere
When people think Gryffindor, they think brave. However, there is a lot more than being brave to qualify for being in Gryffindor. The main thing to focus on is being "brave at heart". Gryffindors don't always show their bravery outward, rather they show it in important situations. They stick up for their friends, they fight for what they believe in, and use their intuition to do the right thing.
They are also very loyal. They are loyal to their house, their school, etc. They are proud to be in their house. They aren't stuck-up, but just appreciative.
They are also usually kind and nice and respective of other people and the other houses. They have a bold, funky personality. Gryffindors are usually very outgoing. This is reflective in their house colors, Scarlet and Gold.
I see Gryffindors of being a good combination of all the houses. They have a lot of the wit of Ravenclaws, a lot of the loyalty and kindness of Hufflepuffs, and a hint of the rebellious slyness of Slytherins.
Yet, the difference is Gryffindors are bolder and more defensive than Hufflepuffs, not quite as booky as Ravenclaws, and not as cunning as Slytherins.
When sorting people into Gryffindor, I look for people that are strong, defensive of family and friends, loyal, kind, opinionated, bold, witty, brave, and fun-loving.
I see Gryffindor as the best house and I'm proud to be in it. I'm a Gryffindor. Hear me roar.
By tiffione
I am a Gryffindor. It's one of those things; I've always been a Gryffindor from the start, and I don't think I could be sorted anywhere else. I'm not exactly the bravest person myself, in the traditional sense of the word, but I know I fight for what I believe in. That's what a Gryffindor does: fight for what they believe in, and Merlin help them if it's a worthy cause, because... well... I don't think someone wants to get in the way of a Gryffindor with a plan. We Gryffindors have a tendency to jump into things without thinking. It's not my fault that I've been burdened with such a trait, I just ... erm ... do it.
We Gryffindors believe (as much as the Hufflepuffs would hate to attest to) in loyalty. Though it isn't valued the most in Gryffindor, loyalty is very much a presence in major Gryffindor characters. Sirius Black, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley. They're loyal to their friends, their families, everyone. In fact, would Harry have pulled the sword out of the hat if he wasn't loyal to Albus Dumbledore? It is a strong characteristic, and one other Gryffindors should possess.
The mascot of Gryffindor is a lion: clearly, we're a force to be reckoned with, seeing as not too many people really want to face a lion on a daily basis. We're strong, powerful, and the most wicked ever. I love being a Gryffindor.
By laizeohbeets
Being there are four different houses within Hogwarts, there are different qualities that distingush the differences between each house. As a [proud] member of Gryffindor house, it would be wise to understand which traits my house posesses.
The first and most important factor Gryffindor represents is, of course, bravery. if you lack courage, you, obviously, can not belong to this house. Many wondered how Neville managed to be sorted into Gryffindor. Well, the sorting hat sees all and so did we as we all read through the Order Of The Phoenix. Neville knows he isn't a powerful wizard by any means, nor is he even close, but he still would not abandon Harry down in the Department of Mysteries. Harry is facing some of the most vicious Death-Eaters; Neville is well aware of this, but still, he comes to Harry's side. Neville does have the ability to do well, even Professor McGonagall says so, he just underestimates himself greatly, for he just lacks confidence.
Of course, Gryffindor shields many arrogant, conceited individuals. Harry and Hermione being prime examples of those traits. Hermione knows she's beyond intelligent and she has a great problem in concealing that, for she speaks when she isn't even called on. However, she doesn't flash it around 24/7 because when she receives a compliment about her intelligence, she blushes with pleasure, rather than gloats and responds with, "yeah! that's right. i'm a genius." Harry is conceited as well, he is beyond angry that everybody knows about the Order and what's going on and he's just stuck at Privet Drive. He knows all that he's done in the past and he's pissed off that he's being kept in the dark when he knows he's, to put it blunt, better than everybody else. I don't think I need to go into details about just how arrogant he is because we've all read book 5.
In my opinion, no one in Gryffindor would stand back at using an Unforgivable curse. Harry is one of the ideal Gryffindor members and he's already attempted to use it on Bellatrix. And I'm sure that won't be the last time he tries to use it. They like to abuse their powers, just for fun, perfectly portrayed by Sirius and James in Snape's worst memory. They continuously jinxed him just for fun. No one in Gryffindor has a problem with jinxing and cursing other students, prime examples: the amount of times they curse Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle.
We tend to be stubborn and thus, hold grudges upon one another. Because of his pride, Harry wouldn't talk to Ron and force him to believe he didn't put his name in the Goblet of Fire, regardless of how much Hermione pleaded with him. Ron wouldn't talk to Hermione until she apologized on behalf of Crookshanks murdering Scabbers. We are very stubborn and do not give in easily to anything, well, except one thing.
And that is, as mentioned before, helping others. It's obvious Ron doesn't want to go follow the spiders, but he doesn't abandon Harry. He knows he has to help, so he does it as he tries to ignore his fear. When Sirius drags Ron into the Whomping Willow, Harry dives after him, without thinking. Without thinking, Harry goes after Sirius to try to save him from the Dementors down by the lake. Clearly, without thinking of all the logic [as we all did], he tries desperatly to go to the Department of Mysteries to save Sirius as soon as possible. Gryffindor's do things on impact, without thinking them through.
Gryffindor house does hold many noble traits and many faulty traits. Overall, the members mean well. It would be ideal to take on friendships with these students for they'll always have your back, even if they do involve you in some rule breaking. We are not always the nicest people and have no problem in embarassing you in front of a crowd of people, but that's only because we don't like you.
By wakeofurdesign
What does it mean to be Gryffindor, you ask?
According to the Sorting Hat, a Gryffindor is brave. They are daring, chivalrous, and ready to stand up for what they believe in.
I also believe that we are extremely headstrong. We are loyal, we are caring, we are passionate, we have un-changing pride, and we are probably one of the more opinionated houses. We have our general beliefs, and we also have our general prejudices. We stick together through thick and thin, because that's just how we are.
However, Gryffindors are far from perfect, even though we'd like to tell you different. Sometimes, we rush into things without thinking them through. Sometimes, that gets us into a lot of trouble. And sometimes, we overlook the smaller, more important details while trying to find the bigger and better picture. Sometimes we have opinions about other houses that aren't exactly nice, even though we know that sometimes they definitely aren't correct. Sometimes we tell a few white lies, even though it isn't really the right thing to do, because we want to protect people from the cold, hard truth. And sometimes we play ourselves out to be bigger and better than we actually are, all because we like to think we're heroes while playing along with the brave and daring role.
Nonetheless, even with its faults, our house is a lovely sort to be in. Our pride and our strength keeps us unified, even when there is turmoil in every other direction. We're always on top of things, or trying to be, and that gives us a reason to get up in the morning, even though things aren't going the way we want them to. Normally, we don't stoop to petty tricks (don't flame me, I didn't say we never do), and that keeps our dignity in tact.
So while one house relies on its knowledge, one relies on its cunning ways, and one relies on its un-faltering loyalty and love, our house rely on our bravery and our pride to keep us together and to pull us through. That's what makes us Gryffindors, and we're proud to wear our red and gold.
The Sorting Hat has told us all we need to know about Gryffindors – they are the brave at heart, and their daring, nerve and chivalry sets them apart. Too many people, though, take these statements at face value. Being sorted into Gryffindor does not mean you would have to save the world if the opportunity was placed at your doorstep. Being brave extends so much further than the typical knight-going-into-battle stereotype. It means staying true to yourself, no matter how scared you are of other people’s opinions, or your own doubts. It means having the courage to remain loyal at all times, despite situations. And more than anything, it’s a longing to be brave. Neville and Ron are great examples of Gryffindors who long to prove themselves – it’s not just Slytherins – and they do prove themselves by remaining loyal to their friends, and in many other ways. In the same way, the words “daring,” “nerve” and “chivalry” give off that false bravery-stereotype. Daring and nerve means taking risks – including risks of the heart – and going after your goals (a perfect example of this is Hermione’s determination with her schoolwork). Chivalry means being kind and courteous to other people – it’s not just the Hufflepuffs who do that. If the Sorting Hat ever needs replacing, and you’re the one called up, keep in mind that the traits associated with each house, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin, are just the ones that set them apart. Ravenclaws can be loyal, Hufflepuffs can be determined to succeed, Gryffindors can be smart, and Slytherins can be brave. But, like the Mirror of Erised, you have to look deep within a person to find their deepest desires – and those who desire more bravery and more personal strength are the Gryffindors at heart.
By intotheheart