In the Harry Potter universe, the students donning yellow and black scarves at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry were sorted into the Hufflepuff house. Every young witch or wizard is sorted into a house on the first day of their first year based on their most dominant personality traits. A pupil’s house becomes their family, a sort of fraternity or sorority, on which they rely on during their years at the institution. Hufflepuffs are known for their kindness and acceptance of others and value patience, loyalty, fairness, and hard work. They are also very humble, so many in the wizarding world think Hufflepuffs are not very accomplished, but nothing could be further from the truth. The 10 alumni on this list prove that Hufflepuffs are just as talented as all those big-mouthed Gryffindors, they just don’t shout it from their broom sticks.
Bridget Wenlock
While you may have never heard of Bridget Wenlock, you have definitely benefited from her way with numbers. Bridget lived in the 13th century and was an Arithmancer. This means she used complicated number charts to predict the future. Bridget was best known for unlocking the magic of the number seven, so if you have ever used it, you owe her. Bridget’s impressive career helps dispel the notion that intelligent students do not come from Hufflepuff.
Helga Hufflepuff
Helga Hufflepuff was one of the founders of Hogwarts and the creator of her namesake house. She did not feel the need to have her students fit into a special mold. She welcomed all who were hard-working and loyal. This speaks volumes about her confidence in her ability to teach anyone who was willing to learn. Helga had a knack for food-based spells and many of her recipes are still used at Hogwarts to this day.
Hengist of Woodcroft
This medieval wizard founded the village of Hogsmeade. Everyone who has enjoyed a butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks or candy from Honeydukes owes him a debt of gratitude. He studied at Hogwarts under Helga Hufflepuff herself. He founded Hogsmeade after he was cast out of his own home by a mob of angry muggles. He wanted to create a place where witches and wizards could live safely. In the films, we see him immortalized in a chocolate frog trading card.
Artemisia Lufkin
Artemisia Lufkin was the original boss girl. She broke the glass ceiling in the wizarding world, becoming the first female Minister of Magic at the turn of the 19th century. Some of her accomplishments during her tenure as Minister include establishing the Department of International Magical Cooperation and hosting the Quidditch World Cup in Britain. She also appears in the films on a chocolate frog trading card. She proves remarkable things are accomplished by Hufflepuff students.
Nymphadora Tonks
Don’t call her Nymphadora. She prefers Tonks. Although under-utilized in the films, Tonks is an impressive character. She is a metamorphmagus, which is rare in the wizarding world and means she can change her physical appearance with her thoughts. Most witches and wizards have to use a potion or a spell to do that. In her professional life, she became an Auror and worked under Alastor Moody. She fought bravely in many battles against Voldemort, including the Battle of the Astronomy Tower and Battle of the Seven Potters. She would be slain in the Battle of Hogwarts, along with her husband Remus Lupin, thus leaving behind a son named Teddy.
Teddy Lupin
Teddy Lupin is the son of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, who both died in the Battle of Hogwarts when he was just one month old. He inherited his mother’s metamorphmagus abilities. He was raised by his grandmother, but spent a substantial amount of time with his godfather Harry Potter and his family. He was named Headboy in his seventh year, so it can be inferred that great things are to come from him.
Cedric Diggory
Cedric Diggory was a young man full of potential who, because of the darkness of Lord Voldemort, never got to fulfil it. He was popular and beloved among his fellow students. During the Triwizard Tournament, he displayed a mastery of magical skills on the same level as Harry Potter. Unfortunately, he got in Lord Voldemort’s way and was killed because of it. Even in his death, Cedric was noble. With the help of Priori Incantatem, Cedric and others — including Harry’s parents — held off Voldemort and the Death Eaters long enough so Harry could get back to the portkey. Harry took Cedric’s body back to his father just as Cedric requested.
Pomona Sprout
During Harry’s tenure at Hogwarts, Professor Pomona Sprout was the head of Hufflepuff House and the Head of the Herbology Department. She was responsible for growing the mandrakes that would restore the petrified victims of the Heir of Slytherin. She worked hard to keep Dolores Umbridge from ruining the school. After Dumbledore’s death, she advocated for the school to remain open. “I am sure Dumbledore would have wanted the school to remain open. I feel that if a single pupil wants to come, then the school ought to remain open for that pupil,” she argued. She fought bravely in and survived the Battle of Hogwarts, after which she eventually taught alongside Neville Longbottom before retiring. She is another shining example of the intelligence of Hufflepuffs.
Newt Scamander
Newt Scamander is a famous author and Magizoologist, which means the study of magical creatures. Harry and the gang used his Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them as a textbook in their Hogwarts studies. This best-selling book opened the hearts and minds of the wizarding world to the wonders of magical creatures around them. Beyond his work with creatures, Newt fought bravely against the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald and was instrumental in bringing him down. Newt’s accomplishments are even more impressive when one accounts for his naturally introverted demeanor. Some fans even speculate he is on the autism spectrum.
Hannah Abbott
Hannah Abbott was in the same year as Harry Potter at Hogwarts. In her fifth year, she was made a prefect, a student leader with authority and responsibilities. She was a member of Dumbledore’s Army, even after her own mother was killed by Death Eaters. She fought bravely in the Battle of Hogwarts, and ater her time there, she became the landlady of the Leaky Cauldron and married Neville Longbottom.
Here’s a bonus tip for all your Hufflepuff supporters. Although not an official part of the Harry Potter cannon, the comedic play Puffs by Matt Cox can further your appreciation for the house and all its wonderful qualities. Gryffindors can be so loud Hufflepuffs need all the good public relations they can get.