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Godric Gryffindor hailed from a moor that is now known as
Godric's Hollow, a small West Country village.Gryffindor is said to have
praised courage, determination and strength of heart above all other
qualities. He also was the most in favour of allowing Muggle-borns into
the school. He was initially a close friend of Salazar Slytherin, but
over time, their friendship deteriorated. "One of the four famous
Founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Godric
Gryffindor was the most accomplished dueller of his time, an enlightened
fighter against Muggle-discrimination and the first owner of the
celebrated Sorting Hat. |
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Helga Hufflepuff came from a broad valley. The Sorting Hat
describes her as "good Hufflepuff" or "sweet Hufflepuff". She favoured
loyalty, honesty, and dedication. In Goblet of Fire, she is
stated as having considered "hard workers most worthy of admission", she
is elsewhere described as taking "all the rest" of the students after
selection by her colleagues. She was a good friend of Rowena Ravenclaw;
their friendship is used to emphasise the failed friendship between
Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. |
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Rowena Ravenclaw
was a witch noted for her cleverness and creativity, and was
described by Xenophilius Lovegood as beautiful. The Sorting Hat
introduced her as "Fair Ravenclaw, from glen", suggesting she was from
Scotland. Ravenclaw devised the ever-changing floor plans and moving
staircases in the Hogwarts castle, and coined the proverb "Wit beyond
measure is man's greatest treasure." Ravenclaw is described by the
Sorting Hat as having selected students according to intelligence and
wisdom. "One of the four famous Founders of Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, Rowena Ravenclaw was the most brilliant witch
of her time, though legend has it that a broken heart - cause unknown -
contributed to her early demise." |
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Salazar Slytherin is described as power hungry by the Sorting
Hat, and was known as "shrewd Slytherin from fen". Slytherin is the only
founder whose physical appearance was ever described in any detail; his
statue in the Chamber of Secrets depicts a man "ancient and monkey-like,
with a long thin beard that fell almost to the bottom of his sweeping
robes." Slytherin was a Parselmouth, a wizard with the rare ability to
speak with snakes. According to Dumbledore, the qualities which
Slytherin prized in his handpicked students included resourcefulness and
determination. He also selected his students according to cunning,
ambition, and blood purity. |
