Gryffindor. Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw. Slytherin. These are the four houses of Hogwarts named in honor of the four founders of the magical school from J.K. Rowling’s popular Harry Potter novels and films. The four houses represent characteristics such as bravery, loyalty, wit and ambition. Last December, Pottermore, the official Harry Potter fan website, created four Facebook profile filters to represent each Hogwarts house for fans to show their Hogwarts pride. Many students from Blackburn College participated in this new filter feature. What is it about Harry Potter that remains so appealing to fans?
These fans who have a passion for Harry Potter are known as “Potterheads.” Several Potterheads attend Blackburn.
Sophomore secondary education major Zane Crawford identifies as a Gryffindor, representing “courage, bravery and determination” (as defined by Pottermore’s Facebook filters). Crawford believes the series remains appealing to fans due to “J.K. Rowling herself. She is so interactive with everybody, and it was more than a book series. It was almost a way of life.”
Sophomore communications major Sebastian Hitzelburger represents the Hufflepuffs who are “loyal, patient and fair” above all. Hitzelburger, who has read the seven books and watched the eight films, said “Fandom culture [is the reason the fandom has continued]. People continuing to create things,” he said. Harry Potter fanfiction and fanart are just two of the many examples.
Senior psychology and creative writing major Katie Payne delivered some Ravenclaw enlightenment being in the house of “wit, learning and wisdom.” Payne is well-versed in the Harry Potter universe and is taking an independent study with Dr. Naomi Crummey on Harry Potter this semester. Payne stated, “Many grew up with the story. The series has a great storyline and has a very expansive universe.” The expanded universe includes “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” which was released in theaters last November.
Sophomore graphic design major Ryan Kachuba spoke for the “proud, ambitious and cunning” Slytherins. Kachuba explains the fandom continues because “There is so much content there. For a lot of people it’s a really big part of their creative lives.”