There has been some controversy around this topic, and some fans ask, why is Hermione not in Ravenclaw? Some people say that she lacks the creativity to be in Ravenclaw, therefore, she does not belong in Ravenclaw(mugglenet.com). Some say that in the end, she is more brave than smart, so she belongs in Gryffindor. And I’d like to say to you that JK Rowling should’ve put Hermione in Ravenclaw, because it would be better for the story and it would fit more with Hermione’s character.

I’d like to first refute the fact that she lacks the creativity to be in Ravenclaw. According to the Harry Potter Wiki, Ravenclaws are defined by the following traits. Wit, learning, wisdom, acceptance, intelligence, and creativity. However, we can also look at the official Wizarding World site itself and see that Ravenclaws are only defined by wit, learning, and wisdom. Nowhere on that page does it say the word “creative”, or anything deriving from that word. Therefore, the argument saying that Hermione doesn’t belong in Ravenclaw because she is not creative, is pointless. Ravenclaw is not defined by creativity.

Here is why she belongs in Ravenclaw. On the very Wikipedia page, they say the following: “Hermione's most prominent features include her prodigious intellect and cleverness. She is level headed, book-smart, and always very logical.” I’m not saying the Gryffindors can’t be smart, I’m just saying that there is no mention of bravery once in this paragraph. In fact, I’d go as far to say that some Gryffindors are reckless and thrill seeking. Hermione is logical, meaning that she is not as reckless. Her courage derives from her logicality; she can logic her way out of situations and make herself brave. She is not brave because she does not fear the things, she is brave because she convinces herself that she is brave, which is more Ravenclaw than Gryffindor. Her personality completely lines up with that of a Ravenclaw, and if you need more evidence, “the brightest witch of her age”.

I find it quite insulting that “the brightest witch” is put in a house that isn’t known for being “bright”, so to speak. JK Rowling establishes this house to be super smart and super witty, only to make the smartest character… a Gryffindor. Why establish the house anyways? Just because you want them all to be in Gryffindor? That’s a stupid reason. In fact, putting Hermione into Ravenclaw would’ve been a much better choice!

Putting Hermione into Ravenclaw would be better because it would do three things: Show that Gryffindor isn’t the best house and the only house, bring us through more Ravenclaw things so they don’t have to be explained in the last book, and give us a better theme that shows that good and bad can come from all houses. Putting Hermione in Gryffindor is an obvious bias from JK Rowling, who has even made a statement that she hates Slytherins. Putting Hermione in Ravenclaw could show to younger kids that you don’t have to be a Gryffindor to be good. We would also get to see more Ravenclaw things that wouldn’t have to be explained by Luna in the later books, we could meet Luna earlier, and be able to get her more pages or screen time. It also puts a better theme. Good can come from any place, and so can bad. Putting Hermione in Ravenclaw shows that good people don’t just have to come from Gryffindor, they can come from other houses!

So there you have it. Putting Hermione in Ravenclaw would make more sense logically and thematically.

Cinnamon Salem, Writer for HDN