Being a Hufflepuff in this day and age is like being one of the few who actually enjoyed Jar-Jar Binks in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise: everyone thinks of you a bit less when you tell them.

Since the beginning of the life-changing adventure that is the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, one of the most fan inclusive aspects has been the ability to sort everyone and their mother into one of the ‘Harry Potter’ houses. Growing up, the houses had simple definitions: Gryfifndor, the house for the brave, popular people. Slytherin, the house for the sinister (or at least people who believed they were sinister/mean). Ravenclaw, the house for the smart kids. And Hufflepuff, the house where you go to when you don’t fit into any of the other ones. Me, I loved reading. I felt reading made me smart; after all, Hermione read a lot and because of it, she was one of the brightest witches of her age. With this thought, and the fact that I did well in school, I was set on belonging to Ravenclaw. What made you look better than being able to tell people that you were a Ravenclaw, one of the smart kids?

In 2012, J.K. Rowling released her idea for Pottermore, and the ‘Harry Potter’ fandom went into a frenzy. How do you become a beta tester? Would I be able to grab one of the riddle answers fast enough to gain early entry? Long story short, I did, and the excitement was palpable. Weeks later it felt, I was given early entry into this website that was supposed to engage me even more into this series. The very first thing you did was sort into a house—and from there, my life has changed drastically.

I was sorted into Hufflepuff—not Ravenclaw.

At first, I lived in denial because my childhood was built on the idea that I deserved to be wearing a blue and silver tie. I felt like I had it made at a small ‘Harry Potter’ camp where I had been sorted into Ravenclaw—it’s where I belonged!

So, I used another email, and tried again.

Still Hufflepuff.

No one should go through an identity crisis at such a young age. I couldn’t be Hufflepuff—Hufflepuff was the loser house, no one wanted to be a Hufflepuff. I didn’t belong in that house, I had felt cheated.

But, after a while, I came to terms with the new identity given to me. Even more, I learned that, of course, I was a Hufflepuff. How did I go a day thinking I wasn’t a Hufflepuff? There was no reason to be ashamed, I just had to embrace it.

“Where they are just and loyal, those patient Hufflepuffs are true, and unafraid of toil.” J.K. Rowling writes of the house who isn’t afraid to wear yellow and proudly accepts a badger as their house emblem. In the Welcome Message on Pottermore, they say, “Our emblem is the badger, an animal that is often underestimated, because it lives quietly until attacked, but which, when provoked, can fight off animals much larger than itself, including wolves.” I don’t know about you, but reading that is already a scene stealer. Who would be ashamed of being likened to such an interesting animal?

Hufflepuffs are known for their loyalty, trustworthiness, and hardwork ethic. We don’t boast like many houses we know (I’m looking at you Gryffindor and Ravenclaw) and we’re ready to take a stand to protect ourselves and families and friends when need be. Like during the Battle of Hogwarts, where every Hufflepuff stayed back to help fight.

Online, Hufflepuffs are made fun of through entertainment (in ‘A Very Potter Musical’, they are just considered “particularly good finders”, “spares”). But, it doesn’t bother us when we’re able to admit that our house has doled out the least amount of Dark Wizards.

Most of all, being a Hufflepuff makes you proud. Once you admit to being a Hufflepuff, you don’t say it like it’s a curse, you say you’re a Hufflepuff with a big smile, and a puffed out chest because heck yes, you’re a nice person, heck yes, you’re great, and heck yes, you are proud.

Just look at the recent play, “Puffs”, currently playing in New York City. A story of the 7 years Harry Potter spent at Hogwarts, all from Hufflepuff perspectives. Nothing makes you a proud Hufflepuff than watching the group of actors show you that it’s okay if you don’t come out first—as long as you don’t come out first in a sneaky way. #thirdornothing!

But, the struggles of being a Hufflepuff are still pretty hard, even if you’re proud of your house. For example, people hear you’re a Hufflepuff and automatically assume that you’re some pushover, that you’re just too nice and that’s why you’re in Hufflepuff. You were only nice, you weren’t smart, or sneaky, or anything. It’s offensive.

Even worse, because Harry Potter was a Gryffindor, and because Gryffindor is seen as a popular house where people can say they’re brave, people tend to choose that. Or Slytherin, because Slytherin is the dark cool house. Because of this, and two of the most popular characters being in these houses, finding Hufflepuff gear is the ultimate struggle. I hate pointing out names (not really), but Hot Topic is the most house-ist establishment to date—always creating Harry Potter merch, repping both Gryffindor and Slytherin—but hardly anything Hufflepuff.

Just a couple weeks ago they introduced Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff sweaters. After years. YEARS, of nothing but Gryffindor and Slytherin merch.

How are you supposed to show off your great Hufflepuff pride when all you can get is a pair of socks and maybe a shirt. I do have pajama pants.

The struggle of being a Hufflepuff in this Gryffindor ruled world is the fact that you are looked down upon by many of the Harry Potter fans because they still see Hufflepuff as this lesser house. If you’re not brave, then you don’t belong in Hufflepuff. You’re only in Hufflepuff because you’re a coward. You’re only in Hufflepuff because you’re dumb. Gryffindors, with their big egos, and Slytherins, with equally big egos, are ready to squash your attempts at just trying to help out to show they’re better than you.

Cedric Diggory would be completely unamused by all of this.

I am a Hufflepuff, and I am proud of it.

Keep your bravery, keep your slyness, and definitely keep your dorm rooms that can only be opened with riddles. I’m going to keep Helga Hufflepuff, who was the one founder who decided that she didn’t care what type of person you were, she was ready to embrace everyone. I’m going to keep the Fat Friar who doesn’t try to scare away students, but who will help them when needed. And I’m definitely going to keep the dorms in the basement, because nothing identifies with me more than the fact that our dorm is right next to the kitchens.

Hold that Puff Pride banner high.