Evil Hufflepuffs

[Sushi]

No: HPFGUIDX 49853

	Hey, all.  Just some thoughts I've had on the most neglected of our 
beloved Houses.

	In canon, Hufflepuffs are described as loyal and hard-working.  This may 
be my natural cynicism talking, but doesn't that mean that if any 
Hufflepuffs were swayed to Voldemort's side, they could easily become some 
of his most dangerous weapons?

	Hufflepuff does not have to mean "good", just as Slytherin does not have 
to mean "evil" (IMO).  It means nothing more than being wholeheartedly 
devoted to whatever cause one might have, and being willing to work for 
that cause.  If a Hufflepuff is passionate about rabbits, he or she would 
spend hours studying them, taking care of several pet rabbits of various 
shapes and sizes, go rabbit-watching, and generally retain that passion for 
a long time.  If a Hufflepuff decides he or she is passionate about 
Voldemort, I see that person becoming one of the staunchest Death Eaters in 
the ranks.  This is the person who would rather die than betray the Dark 
Lord, and will do anything in his or her power to forward his reign.  It's 
a frightening thought, a selfless, devoted, self-sacrificing minion of 
evil, especially when you take into account the idea that these are 
"supposed" to be among the good guys.

	I know that, at least in fanfic, Slytherin and Ravenclaw are usually 
attributed as the Houses For Those Most Likely To Go Over To The Dark 
Side.  However, I'm not so sure this ought to be the case.  I don't think 
any one House is more likely than any other to go either way (there's 
nothing inherently evil in cunning or ambition).  However, with 
Hufflepuff's ingrained loyalty I think they'd be most likely to *stay* on 
the Dark Side once there.  They're not all Muggle-born, and at least some 
of those pure-blood families are going to have, ah, ideas most often 
attributed to families like the Malfoys.  Show a good, ambitious Slytherin 
that he or she can gain more when not on LV's side and he'll defect if 
already there; show a Hufflepuff the same thing, and you'll have one Hell 
of a fight on your hands.

Sushi