Would Gellert Grindelwald Be Sorted Into Slytherin or Gryffindor if He Was at Hogwarts?

Witnessing the character of Gellert Grindelwald in the Harry Potter universe, there is a debate among fans regarding which House he would belong to if he was sorted at Hogwarts. Would his ambitious nature and power-seeking mindset place him in Slytherin, or was he more of a risk-taker and idealist, which could lead to a Gryffindor sorting?

Arguments for Slytherin

The character of Grindelwald is indeed characterized by his ambition, cunning, and pursuit of power. These traits align closely with the qualities valued by the House of Slytherin: cleverness, ambition, and the willingness to take whatever means necessary to achieve one's goals.

Grindelwald is known for his intense racism towards muggles (non-magical people). His intense contempt for muggles is a hallmark of Slytherin, which is characterized by its low tolerance for muggles. This factor alone seems to point strongly towards Grindelwald's membership in the House of Slytherin. Furthermore, you might also note that before Hogwarts, Grindelwald attended Durmstrang, another institution that strongly mirrors the values and traits of Slytherin. Notably, he was expelled from Durmstrang for practicing magic too dark for the school's standards, which again reinforces his alignment with dark and powerful magic, a staple of Slytherin.

Arguments for Gryffindor

However, there are also compelling reasons to argue that Grindelwald could have fit into Gryffindor. Despite his monstrous actions, Grindelwald started his journey as a young man with strong ideals about wizard supremacy. His initial friendship with Albus Dumbledore, rooted in a shared vision for the future, is a testament to his capacity for leadership and his adventurous spirit. Additionally, his willingness to challenge the status quo and take risks reflects Gryffindor traits.

Grindelwald’s actions, including his willingness to go against authority and his pursuit of a dark vision for the future, could be seen as making him a true Gryffindor. The house of Gryffindor is known for its courage and daring, and Grindelwald certainly demonstrated these qualities in his fight for belief in his ideals.

Conclusion

While both sides of the argument hold strong points, the prevailing view is that Grindelwald would be more likely to be sorted into Slytherin. The central traits that define the House of Slytherin—ambition, cunning, and pursuit of power—align closely with Grindelwald's character. His profound and persistent hatred towards muggles, his willingness to take any action necessary for his goals, and his expulsion from Durmstrang for practicing dark magic all point towards Slytherin.

However, it is also essential to consider that a balanced view acknowledges the complexity of Grindelwald’s character. His willingness to break rules and violently pursue his ideals, combined with a strong sense of honor (or at least a vision of honor based on his twisted perspective), makes him a fascinating and complex figure in the wizarding world.