7 Book Characters That Are Hufflepuffs

Though it's often overlooked, Hufflepuff is the best Hogwarts house, in my opinion. Even J.K. Rowling has said Hufflepuff is her favorite, and has gone on to declare this the age of Hufflepuff. There were very few characters in the Harry Potter books that were in Hufflepuff: Cedric Diggory, Tonks, and Teddy Lupin. But with the new Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie featuring a Hufflepuff alumnus, now is our time to shine.

Many people mistakenly think that Hufflepuff is the house for cast-offs and dingbats, the people who didn't fit in any of the other houses. But in fact, Hufflepuff has its own set of characteristics and values that, in my humble opinion, are far nobler than the other houses. Hufflepuffs are kind, loyal, and hardworking people who believe in fairness and equality. As the Sorting Hat puts it:

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil.

I mean, with those characteristics, who wouldn't be proud to be a Hufflepuff? While we haven't had many Hufflepuff idols yet in the Harry Potter series, there are plenty of wonderful, kickass characters in literature who have shown their true Hufflepuff colors. Characters who sacrifice everything they have for the ones they love, who don't think twice about doing what's just. I don't know about you, but that kind of person is someone I love to read about.

1. Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Though he starts out as a simple gardener, Sam literally goes to the end of the earth and back for Frodo. A champion of loyalty and perseverance, Sam perfectly characterizes all that Hufflepuff stands for.

2. Grover from Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

As a satyr, Grover is literally a protector. What could be more Hufflepuff than that? But Grover goes above and beyond his call of duty, standing by Percy and Annabeth's side through misadventure after misadventure, even when he's scared out of his wits. As Percy's an obvious Gryffindor and Annabeth is certainly a Ravenclaw, the trio make a wonderful example of house collaboration.

3. Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

While Katniss's house may be a little ambiguous, Peeta is hands-down a Hufflepuff. After all, Katniss' first encounter with him (when he gives her the bread) is an act of kindness. Plus, Peeta is loyal (almost a fault), sacrificing himself for Katniss time and time again.

4. Samwell Tarly from A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

Sam is my favorite character in A Song of Ice and Fire. Though his smarts could make him a candidate for Ravenclaw, his shining loyalty to Jon and Gilly and his tireless work ethic are a sure sign that Sam's a Hufflepuff.

5. Beth March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Beth is endlessly kind and heart-wrenchingly loyal. While she's often overlooked as her sisters run off on their grand adventures, Beth stays by her mother's side, putting in hard work day after day to help her family. A beacon of compassion in the face of all odds, Beth waves the badger banner high.

6. Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Endlessly faithful, Lucy is a prime example of Hufflepride. Unlike many of the characters on this list, Lucy is far from being a sidekick in her story. Even though she's the youngest, she's the first of the siblings in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe to discover Narnia, diving into the adventure with a full heart. Even as her siblings lose their belief, Lucy remains unflinchingly loyal to Aslan and Narnia.

7. Fezzik from The Princess Bride by William Goldman

The kind-hearted giant in The Princess Bride would do anything for his friends. His biggest fear is "being alone with everyone going BOO at him forever," which is a very Hufflepuffian thing to be afraid of. In a world that has so often bullied him, he still approaches every person with kindness (and sportsmanship).

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