There are four houses in the Harry Potter series, and they are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house was founded by one of the four most brilliant witches and wizards of their time: Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin. The Sorting Hat assigns students to their houses based on their personal attributes. Here is a brief description of each house:

• Gryffindor: Those in this house are well known for their bravery and courage. Their house animal is the lion, and their house colors are scarlet and gold. Some of the most famous Gryffindors include Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore.

• Hufflepuff: This house is where you will find the most trustworthy and hardworking students. Their house animal is the badger, and their house colors are yellow and black. The Head of House is Professor Pomona Sprout, and the common room can be found near the kitchens in Hogwarts.

• Ravenclaw: Those in this house are known for their intelligence and wit. Their house animal is the eagle, and their house colors are blue and bronze. The Head of House is Professor Filius Flitwick, and the common room can be found in Ravenclaw Tower.

• Slytherin: This house has an unfortunate reputation, but not all who belong to this house are bad. Those in this house value cunningness and ambition. Their house animal is the serpent, and their house colors are green and silver. The Head of House is Professor Severus Snape, and the common room can be found down in the dungeons under the lake.

Each house has its strengths and weaknesses, and the students in each house have similar traits or qualities as the original founders.