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"You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart
"
The Sorting Hat[src]

Gryffindor is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Godric Gryffindor. Godric instructed the sorting hat to choose a few particular characteristics he most values. Such character traits of students Sorted into Gryffindor are courage, chivalry, and determination. The emblematic animal is a lion, and its colours are scarlet and gold.[1] Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, also known as "Nearly Headless Nick" is the house ghost.

Gryffindor corresponds roughly to the element of fire, and it is for that reason that the colours scarlet and gold were chosen to represent the House[1]. The colour of fire corresponds to that of a lion as well, with scarlet representing the mane and tail and gold representing the coat.

Traits

Wallofportraits

Gryffindor's founder, Godric Gryffindor

The Gryffindor house emphasises the traits of courage as well as "daring, nerve, and chivalry," and thus its members are generally regarded as brave, though sometimes to the point of recklessness. They can also be short-tempered. Notably, Gryffindor house contributed many members to Dumbledore's Army and the Order of the Phoenix, although this may have been because the main members made it a point not to associate with other houses.

According to Phineas Nigellus Black, members of other houses, particularly Slytherin, sometimes feel that Gryffindors engage in "pointless heroics." Another Slytherin, Severus Snape, considered many Gryffindors to be self-righteous and arrogant, with no regard for rules.

Reputation

"The House of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries."
— Minerva McGonagall regarding Gryffindor's reputation[src]
Lion

The lion, symbol of Gryffindor House

Gryffindors and Slytherins have shared a fierce house rivalry since their founders, Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin, respectively, had a severe falling out over Slytherin's emphasis on blood purity which Gryffindor felt was wrong. There might also be an element of feeling wronged, as Harry and his fellow Gryffindors tend to win in a lot of circumstances which, when viewed from a neutral point of view, may be considered unfair. Examples of this include the last-minute points awarded by Headmaster Dumbledore at the Leaving Feast, which conveniently put Gryffindor ten points ahead of Slytherin in the 1991–1992 school year, the fact that no points were deducted for the rule breaking that happened during that night and Harry being permitted by Professor McGonagall to have his own broomstick for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, even though first-years are not normally permitted their own broomsticks because of danger.

Nearly Headless Nick

House ghost, Nearly Headless Nick

Members of other houses might have felt that Gryffindor received favouritism, considering that many saw Harry Potter being chosen as the fourth competitor in the Triwizard Tournament as an unfair stealing of Hufflepuff student Cedric Diggory's thunder.

Overall, however, the houses of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tended to side with Gryffindor in its rivalry with Slytherin. This was particularly notable during the Second Wizarding War — the members of Dumbledore's Army were from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw, but the Army lacked any Slytherins. (This, however, could also have been because news of Dumbledore's Army was passed by word of mouth, and Harry, who had initially raised it, did not associate with any Slytherins.) During the Battle of Hogwarts, the Slytherin students left, while senior students from the other three houses remained behind to fight against Lord Voldemort and his army - however, it is also worth nothing that while Head of House Professor Slughorn left with his students, he then returned to the castle with reinforcements (possibly including senior students) and with Professor McGonagall and Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, personally duelled Lord Voldemort. Most of the known Death Eaters (besides Peter Pettigrew, Quirinus Quirrell, and possibly others) have been Slytherin House members, and that might have been another reason as to why the other two houses sided with Gryffindor over Slytherin.

Common Room

Gryffindor common room

The Gryffindor common room

The Gryffindor Common Room is located in one of the castle's towers (Gryffindor Tower), the entrance to which is located on the seventh floor and is guarded by an oil painting of the Fat Lady, who is garbed in a pink silk dress. She permits entry only after being given the correct (regularly changing) password. Behind her painting is a large common room, with a fireplace, and two staircases leading up to the girls' and boys' dormitories.

There is a spell on the girls' staircase that prevents boys from using it; however, there is no such enchantment on the staircase to the boys' dormitory, allowing girls to use it whenever they wish, due to the founders' belief that girls were more trustworthy. The common room is very comfortable, and members of the Gryffindor house meet there for study groups, celebrations, or relaxation. The walls are lined with portraits, each one depicting a previous or current Head of Gryffindor.

Head of House

The head of house before and during Harry Potter's time was Minerva McGonagall. Minerva became the head of house possibly in 1956, when she was appointed Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, taking over Albus Dumbledore's previous teaching position when he became Headmaster. It is unknown who later became the head of house when she was made Headmistress in 1998 following the end of the Second Wizarding War.

Known Gryffindors

Gryffindor Period attending Hogwarts Notes
Sir Cadogan Middle Ages Sworn Knight of the Round Table in King Arthur's royal court, known for his defeat of the Wyvern of Wye. Now has a portrait on the seventh floor landing of the Divination corridor, which for a while guarded Gryffindor Tower from November 1993 to February 1994.
Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington[2] 15th century Knight and courtier in Henry VII's royal court, who was improperly beheaded for a magical attempt to straighten a lady-in-waiting's crooked teeth which instead made her grow a tusk. Later became the house ghost.
Albus Dumbledore 1892 - 1899 Prefect and Head Boy, Winner of the Barnabus Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell-Casting in his fifth year, and British Youth Representative to the Wizengamot in his seventh year. Eventually became Gold Medal Winner for Ground-Breaking Contribution to the Cairo International Alchemical Conference in 1901, Transfiguration Professor of Hogwarts from 1911 to 1965, Winner of the Order of Merlin (First Class) for his duel with Gellert Grindelwald in 1945, Headmaster of Hogwarts from 1965 to 1997, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot from 1978 to 1995, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards from 1983 to 1997, and founder of the Order of the Phoenix. Killed on his own orders by Severus Snape in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower.
Fleamont Potter[3] 1910s Skilful duellist in his year with dexterity attributed in fights over the teasing his first name received. Eventually married Euphemia and became Potioneer inventor of Sleekeazy's Hair Potion in 1926, father of James Potter and grandfather of the famous Harry Potter. Died of Dragon Pox in 1979.
Celestina Warbeck 1928 - 1936 Later became known as the "Singing Sorceress"
Rubeus Hagrid[4] 1940 - 1943 Half-Giant expelled in his third year for Tom Riddle's first opening of the Chamber of Secrets. Eventually became Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts from 1968 onward, and Care of Magical Creatures Professor of Hogwarts from 1993 onward.
Minerva McGonagall[2] 1947 - 1954 Prefect and Head Girl, Winner of the Transfiguration Today Most Promising Newcomer award in her seventh year, and Animagus in the form of a silver tabby cat. Eventually became Head of Gryffindor House, Transfiguration Professor and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts from 1956 to 1998, Winner of the Order of Merlin (First Class) for her leadership in the Battle of Hogwarts, and Headmistress of Hogwarts from 1998 to 2019.
Fat Lady Unknown Now has a Portrait that guards the Gryffindor Tower.
R. J. H. King 1960s Member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1969.
Arthur Weasley 1961 - 1968 Eventually married Molly Prewett and became Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office from 1970 to 1996, Head of the Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects from 1996 onward, and a member of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix.
Molly Prewett Eventually married Arthur Weasley and became a member of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix.
M. G. McGonagall 1960s-1970s Member of the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1971.
Mary Macdonald 1970s Was once victim of a curse used on her by Mulciber in her school years.
James Potter 1971 - 1978 Head Boy, Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Leader of the Marauders under the alias "Prongs", and Animagus in the form of a white stag. Eventually married Lily Evans and became a member of the original Order of the Phoenix from 1978 to 1981, and father of the famous Harry Potter. Murdered by Lord Voldemort in the first attack on Godric's Hollow.
Lily Evans Head Girl, member of the Slug Club and Winner of the Medal for Magical Merit in her seventh year. Eventually married James Potter and became a member of the original Order of the Phoenix from 1978 to 1981, and mother of the famous Harry Potter. Murdered by Lord Voldemort in the first attack on Godric's Hollow.
Sirius Black Only member of the House of Black to be sorted outside of Slytherin, Muscle of the Marauders under the alias "Padfoot", and Animagus in the form of a black dog. Eventually became a member of the Order of the Phoenix from 1978 to 1981, first unassisted escapee of Azkaban as the dog "Snuffles" from 1993 to 1996, member of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix from 1995 to 1996, and godfather of the famous Harry Potter. Murdered by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.
Peter Pettigrew Less-than-average learner and hopeless duellist, Rookie of the Marauders under the alias "Wormtail", and Animagus in the form of a grey rat. Eventually became a timidly loyal Death Eater spy within the original Order of the Phoenix from 1979 to 1981, spy within the Weasley family as the rat "Scabbers" from 1981 to 1994, and full-time Death Eater from 1995 to 1998. Died when his Silver Hand turned on him in the Skirmish at Malfoy Manor.
Remus Lupin Prefect, Brains of the Marauders under the alias "Moony", and first Werewolf to attend Hogwarts with his monthly transformations spent in the Shrieking Shack (accessible via a tunnel guarded by the Whomping Willow). Served as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts in the 1993-1994 school year and member of the Order of the Phoenix from 1979 to 1998, in which he married Nymphadora Tonks. Murdered by Antonin Dolohov in the Battle of Hogwarts.
William Weasley 1982 - 1989 Prefect and Head Boy, and Winner of the Medal for Magical Merit in his seventh year. Eventually married Fleur Delacour and became Curse-Breaker for Gringotts Bank from 1989 onward, and member of the reinstated Order of the Phoenix.
Charles Weasley 1984 - 1991 Prefect, Honorary Care of Magical Creatures participant, and Seeker and Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Eventually became a Dragonologist at a dragon sanctuary in Romania.
Oliver Wood 1987 - 1994 Keeper and Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and Winner of the Award for Effort. Eventually became Reverse Keeper for Puddlemere United.
Percy Weasley Prefect and Head Boy. Eventually married Audrey and became Junior Assistant to the Minister for Magic from 1995 to 1998 and Head of the Department of Magical Transportation from 1998 onward.
Alicia Spinnet 1989 - 1996 Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of Dumbledore's Army.
Angelina Johnson Chaser and Captain on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and member of Dumbledore's Army. Eventually married George Weasley.
Fred Weasley Beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of Dumbledore's Army. Eventually left before the end of his final year and became co-founder of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Killed by an explosion in the Battle of Hogwarts.
George Weasley Beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of Dumbledore's Army. Eventually left before the end of his final year, married Angelina Johnson and became co-founder and owner of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Kenneth Towler  
Lee Jordan Commentator of the Hogwarts Quidditch games and member of Dumbledore's Army. Eventually became the host of Potterwatch.
Patricia Stimpson (possibly)  
Andrew Kirke 1990s Beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1995.
Eloise Midgen Began at Hogwarts between 1990 - 1993
Geoffrey Hooper Tried out for Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1995.
Jack Sloper Beater for the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1995.
Ritchie Coote Beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1996 and 1997.
Vicky Frobisher Tried out for Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team in 1995
Edward Duelling Club member.
Emily
Stewart
Aamir Loonat  
Andrew Cleveley
Angus Matlock
Anna Mirfield
Carl Hopkins
David Nolton
Iain Claverdon
Jason Swann
Kenny Markham
Michael Karume
Nandini Johar
Natalie Fairbourne
Neil Randall
Rachael Codnor
Raza Mohammad
Roderick Seaton
Sean Ogbourne
Terrence Fogarty
Thelma Holmes
Thomas Paley
Wayne Portchester
Yuvraj Suri
Julie Parkes
Michael Member of Dumbledore´s Army.
Cormac McLaggen 1990 - 1997 Temporary Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of the Slug Club. Had to repeat his final year.
Katie Bell Chaser on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of Dumbledore's Army.
Harry Potter 1991 - 1997 First known survivor Lord Voldemort's Killing Curse, youngest Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Leader of Dumbledore's Army and member of the Slug Club. Did not attend final year. Defeated Lord Voldemort, and was a Master of Death. Eventually married Ginevra Weasley and became a professional Auror from 1998 to 2019, Head of the Auror Office from 2007 to 2019, and Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement from 2019 onwards.
Ronald Weasley Prefect, Keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and Deputy Leader of Dumbledore's Army in his fifth year; did not attend final year. Eventually married Hermione Granger and became a professional Auror from 1998 to 2000, and co-manager of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes.
Hermione Granger Prefect, Founder of the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare in her fourth year, Deputy Leader of Dumbledore's Army in her fifth year, and member of the Slug Club in her sixth year; did not attend final year and therefore had repeat it in order to get N.E.W.T.s[5]. Eventually married Ronald Weasley and became a Office for House-Elf Relocation employee in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures from 1999 to 2000, Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement from 2000 to 2019, and Minister for Magic from 2019 onward.
Dean Thomas Temporary Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and member of Dumbledore's Army. Did not attend final year.
Neville Longbottom 1991 - 1998 Average underachiever in his first four years, Rookie of Dumbledore's Army in his fifth year, and Leader of the D.A. in his seventh year. Eventually married Hannah Abbott and became an Auror from 1998 to 2010, and Herbology Professor of Hogwarts from 2010 onward.
Lavender Brown Member of Dumbledore's Army; Died during the Battle of Hogwarts.
Parvati Patil Members of Dumbledore's Army.
Seamus Finnigan
Bem  All 3 witches were in Harry Potter's year at Hogwarts.
Fay Dunbar
Fay Dunbar's friend
Kellah
Colin Creevey 1992 - 1998 Member of Dumbledore's Army; died in what would have been his sixth year. Harry thought he was a bit annoying in his second year.
Ginevra Weasley 1992 - 1999 Only female member of the Weasley family to attend Hogwarts in centuries, Chaser and temporary Seeker on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Muscle of Dumbledore's Army in her fourth year, Member of the Slug Club in her fifth year, and Deputy Leader of the D.A. in her sixth year. Eventually married Harry Potter and became Chaser for the Holyhead Harpies from 1999 to 2004, Senior Quidditch Correspondent for the Daily Prophet from 2004 to 2018 and Sports Editor for the Prophet from 2018 onward.
Romilda Vane 1993 - 2000 Tried to give Harry Potter a love potion.
Demelza Robins 1994 - 2001 Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Dennis Creevey Member of Dumbledore's Army.
Natalie McDonald  
Jimmy Peakes c. 1994 - 2001 Beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team.
Nigel Wolpert Member of Dumbledore's Army.
Euan Abercrombie 1995 - 2002  
Girl who tested Fainting Fancies
Astrix Alixan Unknown Captains of the Gryffindor Quidditch team
Concepta Battista
Filemina Alchin
Oona Ballington
Abigail Nicola  
Alexander William
Brandon Angel
Christian Alexander
Erica J.
Ethan Gerard
Haley Dakota
Jackson Sheppard
Jada Angela
Jennifer Dawn
Owen Anthony
Remy Olivier
Richard Sky
Riley Frazer
Ryan Henry
Satoru Iida
Sage Kelleen
Tanner Van Burm
Toad Toazer
Trev Mallory
Trinity Lynn
Nick Alas
Rosalyn Ewhurst
Anjali Kapoor
Hisana Malachela
Ruth Mina
Tatsuya Motoyama
Kieran Muirhead
Edith Newton
Kaori Shimizu
Chie Shinohara
Sujita Tande
Naoki Tsuchiya
Pauline Yarrow
Dinaz Zac
James S. Potter[6] 2015 - 2022 The first child and son of the famous Harry Potter.
Rose Granger-Weasley 2017 - 2024 First and only daughter of Ron and Hermione
Yann Fredericks Students in Albus Potter 's and Rose Granger-Weasley's year
Polly Chapman
Karl Jenkins (possibly)
Lily L. Potter[7] 2019 - 2026 The third child and only daughter of the famous Harry Potter.

Behind the scenes

Screenshot 882
  • J.K. Rowling was once asked in an interview into which House would she sort British politician and former Prime minister Gordon Brown, were she the Sorting Hat. She jokingly responded that she would sort him into Gryffindor, because of the red colours of his political party, which match the colours of Gryffindor.
  • Rowling herself was sorted into Gryffindor House on Pottermore.[8]
  • Many members of the Gryffindor House seem to have a gift for Transfiguration; Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall were both Transfiguration professors, while the latter was the Head of this House. There are four known Animagi from Gryffindor house: James Potter (a stag), Sirius Black (a dog), Peter Pettigrew (a rat) and Minerva McGonagall (a cat). Gryffindor Hermione Granger was noted to be very talented in Transfiguration from her first class. James Potter's wand was also noted to be good for Transfiguration.
  • In the films, Padma Patil, Parvati Patil's twin sister, is seen as a Gryffindor, while in the books she is a Ravenclaw.
  • Based on their portrait hanging in Gryffindor Tower, Valeria Myriadd, Oracutus Spheer, Damara Dodderidge, Percival Pratt and several other unknown individuals may have been Gryffindors.
    Screenshot 722

    Gryffindor Quidditch tower

  • Rubeus Hagrid stated in the first book that all the wizards who went bad were from Slytherin, however, Peter Pettigrew, who was in Gryffindor disproves this. At this point, Hagrid was unaware that Pettigrew was still alive, or that he was working for Voldemort. (It should also be noted that Quirinus Quirrell, a Ravenclaw, was working for Voldemort at the time, although Hagrid was unaware of this as well.) Another reason why this is odd is that, at the time, Sirius Black was believed to have gone bad (Hagrid's comments in the Three Broomsticks prove that he knew nothing of the truth in this instance), and he was also a Gryffindor. So Hagrid would have known of at least one Gryffindor who had 'gone bad'. He most likely did not mention this so that Harry would not try to find out more about his godfather, or it could have been 'Gryffindor propaganda' since Slytherin and Gryffindor are known rivals. It is also possible that Hagrid did not remember these exceptions at the time.
  • Evanna Lynch, the actress who portrayed Luna in the films, was sorted into Gryffindor house on Pottermore.[9]
  • Bonnie Wright, the actress who portrayed Ginny Weasley in the films, was sorted into Gryffindor house on Pottermore
  • Tom Felton, the actor who portrayed Draco Malfoy in the films, was sorted into Gryffindor house on Pottermore.
  • It should be noted that the colours and emblems of Gryffindor resemble the historical English coat of arms. Whether this was intentional on Rowling's part is unknown.
  • Gryffindor House won the second House Cup in Pottermore; their reward for winning was Gryffindor-related downloadable material.
  • The Sorting Hat considered placing Filius Flitwick in Gryffindor before choosing Ravenclaw.
  • Gryffindor's entrance changed locations once throughout the film series. In the first film, the students go down a long hallway to reach the entrance portrait. In the third film, the portrait is located very close to the Grand Staircase. It can only be assumed that this is its location for the rest of the series as the outside of the entrance would not be seen again for the rest of the film series.

House Cup 

  • Gryffindor came second for the first house cup with 74,069,919 house points.
  • Gryffindor won the second house cup with 48,538,348 points.
  • Gryffindor came third for the third and fourth house cups with 26,740,444 and 24,610,105 points.
  • Gryffindor came fourth for the fifth house cup with 27,299,570 points.
  • Gryffindor came second for the sixth house cup with 32,279,991 points.
  • Gryffindor came fourth for the seventh and eighth house cups with 49,335,378 points.

Etymology

Screenshot 848
  • Gryffindor could possibly be derived from griffin, which is a creature in mythology with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle.
  • In Old English and Old High German dor means gate or door.
  • In French "d'or" means "of gold," one of the Gryffindor House colours, though it can also come from the Greek word "dora" meaning "gift".
  • A combination can be assumed; "Golden Gift of the Lion".
  • "Griffe" is the French word for "claw", which could refer to the claw of the lion.
  • "Gryffindor" could very well be explained by heraldry: "Gryffin" would then stand for the griffin beast, and the "[d]or" would refer to the metal tincture "[d'] or" (Middle English for "[of] gold", derived from French; corresponds to yellow).
  • Gryffindor is also a pun on the golden gryffin, which is a lion that only has eagle wings, so it has the head and front paws of a lion, and has golden fur and feathers. Even the French for Griffindor, Griffondor is a French homophone for the actual beast, Griffon d'Or.

Appearances

See also

Notes and references

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hogwarts Houses
Gryffindor ClearBG
Hufflepuff ClearBG
RavenclawCrest
Slytherin ClearBG
Namesake Founders
Godric Gryffindor · Helga Hufflepuff · Rowena Ravenclaw · Salazar Slytherin
Heads of House
Minerva McGonagall · Pomona Sprout · Filius Flitwick · Horace Slughorn
House Ghosts
Nearly Headless Nick · Fat Friar · Grey Lady · Bloody Baron
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