Would You Stay to Fight the Battle of Hogwarts? You Answered!

by · June 1, 2018

Slowly, the four tables emptied. The Slytherin table was completely deserted, but a number of older Ravenclaws remained seated while their fellows filed out: even more Hufflepuffs stayed behind, and half of Gryffindor remained in their seats, necessitating Professor McGonagall’s descent from the teachers’ platform to chivvy the under-age on their way.

In the chaos and impending danger of Voldemort’s final threat, the students of Hogwarts prepare to defend their school. We know the numbers that J.K. Rowling said would stay from each House, but do those translate into real life?

A few days ago, MuggleNet’s Creative and Marketing Manager, Kat Miller, and I were talking when we landed on the subject of whether we would stay to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts or not. As a 51/49 Hufflepuff/Gryffindor split, I am fairly confident that I would stay. I don’t know if I would have stood up immediately, however. After some time and reflection, and thinking through just how dangerous Voldemort was and what there was to lose, I would have joined the fight (though maybe in a more stealth capability; I’m not quite sure if I would have charged Death Eaters head-on). I know a Twitter poll isn’t necessarily the most scientific of studies (and looking at the number of respondents, that is very clear), but I decided to throw the question out there to see where others stood, especially those in other Houses.

The results were fascinating to me. First, the general poll:

 

 

 

Most people who voted, it seems, decided they would stay and fight. I was interested to find out that the group with the highest percentage of leaving was actually the Ravenclaws, not the Slytherins, as Rowling wrote.

I invited those who responded to say what they would have done and why, and your reasons for staying or leaving were intriguing, touching, and overall thought-provoking. Here is a selection, broken down by House.

Gryffindor

Most of our Gryffindors were vocal and ready to jump right into the fight. There was some admission to fear - but isn't being a brave Gryffindor all about facing your fears head-on?

 

 

https://twitter.com/savlaflammin/status/998410573653028872

 

Hufflepuff

The Hufflepuffs who weighed in were a bit more split than our Gryffindors. Most said they would stay with the right motivation, and most who said they would leave mentioned that they would help with evacuations or work in a healing or protection capacity.

 

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/bunnylop_/status/998381781924560897

 

https://twitter.com/fmrw55/status/998644915910336512

 

Some Hufflepuffs, however, were honest and fair enough with themselves and admitted that they would have left.

 

Ravenclaw

Ravenclaws were more split, with some jumping at the chance to show off their skills, while others decided they would logically think themselves out of being in such a dangerous situation.

 

 

 

https://twitter.com/HermioneNetanis/status/998390920834842627

 

https://twitter.com/madsVII/status/998431038098427906

 

 

https://twitter.com/RubyWizard24/status/998403462315610112

Slytherin

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry sees all of the Slytherins leave. Later, Rowling explained that some of the Slytherins went to gather reinforcements. However, it seemed most of the Slytherins in the poll determined they would stay to fight.

 

https://twitter.com/moosetresofevil/status/998573264581681152

 

https://twitter.com/jjxscott/status/998498408963850241

Overall, the majority of respondents seem to be in favor of staying to fight for their beloved school and the wider wizarding world. The results of this poll seem to show that no matter which House we might be Sorted into, loyalty to our school of magic is what really matters in the end.

Would you have stayed and fought or left? Let us know in the comments, or join the conversation on Twitter!