Newt Scamandar Is A Proud Hufflepuff

There's something completely addicting about the Harry Potter universe that makes fans eager to know every single detail and build the most fully realized world they can. This means reading up on history and backstories, scrutinizing every image, assessing every statement made by J.K. Rowling, and eagerly learning what patronus they have and what Hogwarts House they belong in. Fortunately, there's tons of new details about Rowling's magical world out frequently, especially now that new movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them — and its many sequels — are on the way. Fantastic Beasts introduces viewers to a protagonist, played by Eddie Redmayne, who we may only have known by name before: Newt Scamandar. Questions abound regarding our new hero, not least of which is what Hogwarts House Newt was in.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Scamandar was a member of the noble House of Hufflepuff while attending Hogwarts. Hufflepuff House, as explained on official Harry Potter digital compendium Pottermore, is home to those who are "just and loyal." The song sung by the Sorting Hat in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone continues, saying, "Those patient Hufflepuffs are true/And unafraid of toil." That description sure seems to fit with many of Hufflepuff House's most famous members. Pottermore describes how House Founder Helga Hufflepuff welcomed all students — and made some delicious recipes with food charms. And in the Potter books, readers meet Hufflepuffs and fan-favorites Nymphadora Tonks and Cedrick Diggory. Tonks was brave and fought for what she believed, and also always took time to comfort and cheer up people who needed it. Cedrick did the same, helping out Harry and refusing to sink to the level of talking trash about his opponent.

Newt Scamandar follows nicely in the Hufflepuff tradition. Readers know that in the Harry Potter universe, Scamandar is a magizoologist who was active in the early 20th century and authored Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, which describes and classifies many of the magical world's most important and interesting magical creatures. Hufflepuffs have a history of succeeding in fields such as Herbology (hi Professor Sprout!) and Care of Magical Creatures, perhaps due to their hardworking, loyal natures.

Scamandar being a Hufflepuff is an exciting opportunity for the Fantastic Beasts film series. In the Harry Potter books and movies, protagonists Harry, Ron, and Hermione were all Gryffindors, and few would argue that the most notable traits of Gryffindors are the ones that would lend them to being the classic heroes of any story: daring, bravery, chivalry, and nerve. From Godrick Gryffindor himself to Dumbledore to the Potter family, these are the people we expect to root for: they are exceptionally talented in their fields and are fighting heroic fights all the time. Their symbol is even the Lion — not exactly the quietest or most humble animal.

Newt Scamandar can be a new kind of hero in the Harry Potter universe, succeeding with a set of traits that often go under-appreciated in traditional stories. Scamandar may not be giving grand speeches or charging into battle at every turn; rather, he may thrive by developing positive and supportive relationships with people, by working hard to observe and study the world around him, and by never giving in to temptations of power or glory. Hufflepuffs deserve to be the protagonists in their stories, and Newt Scamandar is a great character to start with.

Images: Warner Bros. Pictures