Hufflepuff is the most underrated house at Hogwarts. Gryffindors may have the confidence to ask people out. Ravenclaws can charm their dates with witty banter over a Butterbeer. Slytherins can impress their paramours with their ambition. But we reckon Hufflepuffs might make the ultimate companions. Here’s why...

The Sorting Hat says so

Many of us probably have a checklist of characteristics that we’re looking for in a partner. Maybe we’d like to find a witch or wizard who is charming, clever and successful.

So, does that mean you should go out with someone who embodies Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Slytherin qualities? Hold your Hippogriffs, everyone. Those qualities alone aren’t enough, if your partner isn’t also kind and loyal. Take it from The Sorting Hat: ‘They are just and loyal / Those patient Hufflepuffs are true / And unafraid of toil.’ Sounds ideal.

Hufflepuffs aren’t just nice

Nobody would dispute that Hufflepuffs are the ‘nice’ house. But isn’t 'nice' usually another way of saying that someone has no other personality traits? Hufflepuffs are so much more.

Case in point, one of the coolest characters in the wizarding world: Nymphadora Tonks. A kind Metamorphmagus with bubblegum-pink hair, a young Auror and a key member of the Order of the Phoenix. Being nice doesn’t mean boring.

Ah, Cedric Diggory

Let’s just do a quick comparison between Cedric Diggory and Cormac McLaggen. When Gryffindor Cormac went on a date with Hermione, he put her off by talking about himself, boasting about his prowess on the Quidditch pitch, and being rather, ahem, forward.

Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory had just as much reason to brag: he was a Prefect, Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and was selected as the Hogwarts Champion in the Triwizard Tournament.

He was humble and kind but plenty of others noticed his good qualities. Angelina Johnson called him ‘that tall, good-looking one’ and Katie Bell quipped that he was ‘strong and silent’. So there might’ve been a queue for Cedric, but there are plenty more desirable Hufflepuffs.

Hufflepuffs won’t turn into a Dark wizard after a bad break-up

Hufflepuff has the fewest Dark wizards of any house at Hogwarts – which we take to mean that they act decently when confronted with difficult circumstances. Ever been through a break-up where the other person turned into a total Dementor? Not a problem when you’re going out with a Hufflepuff.

They’re accepting of everyone

When the founders of the other Hogwarts houses were explaining what types of students they most wanted to teach, they picked very specific qualities. Said Helga Hufflepuff: ‘I’ll teach the lot, and treat them just the same.’

Hufflepuffs accept everybody. They’ll probably invite you round for a home-cooked dinner. The Hufflepuff common room is right next to the Hogwarts kitchens, after all.

Hufflepuffs don't need to show off

In the past, J.K. Rowling has said, ‘In many, many ways, Hufflepuff is my favourite house.’

Why? J.K. Rowling says to look at how they act during the Battle of Hogwarts. ‘The Hufflepuffs, virtually to a person, stay – as do the Gryffindors. Now, the Gryffindors comprise a lot of foolhardy and show-offy people... You know, there’s bravery and there’s also showboating, and sometimes the two go together. The Hufflepuffs stayed for a different reason. They weren’t trying to show off, they weren’t being reckless. That’s the essence of Hufflepuff House.’

If you can’t be a Hufflepuff, be with a Hufflepuff.