Like Salazar Slytherin, its founder, Slytherin house values ambition, cunning, resourcefulness, and pure blood heritage. The animal representing Slytherin is the serpent, and the house's colours are green and silver. The Bloody Baron is the house ghost. Slytherin corresponds roughly to the element of water.

Ravenclaw values intelligence, creativity, wit, and wisdom. Its animal is an eagle, the house colours are blue and bronze and its ghost is the Grey Lady. Ravenclaw corresponds roughly to the element of air.\

Hufflepuff, founded by Helga Hufflepuff, values hard work, loyalty, tolerance, and fair play above all else. Its animal is the badger, and canary yellow and black are its colours. The Fat Friar is its ghost. Hufflepuff corresponds roughly to the element of earth.