The Overarching message (of the HP books)

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 191644

 
> Julie:
> I've always imagined Umbridge as a Hufflepuff. She puts a 
> premium on her loyalty to Fudge and the Ministry. Granted
> it is a twisted loyalty, but loyalty nonetheless. I also
> see her as too stupid and single-minded to be a Slytherin. 
> She is a follower, IMO, not a leader, and she is cunning
> only in her own mind.
> 
> Julie, who thinks every house has the potential to have
> its primary traits twisted toward evil.
>
Potioncat:
Umbridge in Hufflepuff--oh I hope not. That's my House of choice.
But I see how you get it.

I do agree that every set of House Attributes has a set of vices. Gryffindor courage becomes recklessness; Ravenclaw wit becomes learning for its own sake, a detachment; Hufflepuff loyalty becomes blind obedience: Slytherin ambition becomes a drive to prove oneself. (Oops, the last one was a vice turned attribute.)

It seems to me that JKR has ranked the attributes into Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and a trailing Slytherin.