Ernie MacMillan and Zacharias Smith

[TeamSirius]

Does anyone else hate them too?

I despise the way Ernie branded Harry the Heir of Slytherin in Chamber of Secrets. It was unjust, all because he was a Parselmouth, which I get is considered a dark ability. For a Hufflepuff, he wasn't exactly fair about it. Then there was the Triwizard Tournament and he shunned Harry, even though he should know that Harry would never enter himself in just to steal Hufflepuff's glory.

As for Zacharias Smith, he was such an arrogant idiot in OotP. He couldn't even perform a competent Expelliarmus yet he had written it off as not being able to help if ever coming face to face with old Voldy.

[GoddessofWeird]

Agree. I really can't stand Smith, I don't know why he was even in the D.A. he just complained a lot. I thought Smith would be better in Slytherin with his attitude. I don't know what J.K. Rowling was thinking when she put Umbride in Hufflepuff.

[physicssquid]

IMO Smith was the Hufflepuff version of Malfoy, and not just because he was blond. He spent most of his time sneering at everyone and seemed to look down on things he considered beneath him, like the disarming charm.

[melodypottersnape]

I heavily disliked Ernie and dislike how easily Harry forgave him. I can understand fearing for his life, but my first suspect ,no matter the parseltongue, would have been an adult or a higher year.

Smith I'm on two sides. He is not mentioned much and I really only remember one conversation in OotP.
I don't like how he seemed to snub Harry though I could understand his increduality about being taught by another student. Though Harry had more experience than most of the previous DADA teachers.

He seemed very snobby and I do admit when I first read the book I thought the one who betrayed them to Umbridge was Smith. Though I would love to read some fics were he actually realises how bad he acts and such and tries to redeem himself

[lrthunder]

Has it been confirmed that Umbridge was in Hufflepuff? I thought only Point Given's stories mentioned that.

[SkullAuror107]

Ernie comes off as an unlikable character. He sort of reminds me a bit of Percy with his pompous attitude and wanting to follow rules. And while his actions towards Harry are unfair I think they're understandable.
In CoS Ernie was only 12 years old and his classmates were being attacked and one of his friends was a potential target. He was obviously scared of what would happen (his reaction to Harry in the library kinda showed that). All he saw was that Harry had an uncommon ability that is considered dark and reacted with what he knows. And given the prejudices we see in the wizarding world among many pure-bloods he probably fell back on what he was taught growing up. You also have to add in the fact that he doesn't really know Harry well enough to judge his character.
I don't really remember GoF much. I'm pretty sure he wore the badge but I don't recall him actually saying anything about it. But even Harry admitted that Hufflepuff had there own champion to support so he really wasn't expecting much support from them anyway.
I think Ernie redeemed himself in OotP. He believed in Harry before all the proof started coming out that Harry was telling the truth and joined the DA even though he knew it put his prefect status at risk.

As for Smith...I find him to be a very detestable person. I think the person who said he was the Hufflepuffs version of Malfoy said it best. He looks down on things he doesn't consider worth his notice. His attitude in OotP only made me dislike him, but it was his actions in DH that make him detestable. I get that he didn't want to fight but to shove first years out of the way to get out? I find that unforgivable. Makes me think he was one of the students who wouldn't mind practicing the Unforgivables on those who gave the Carrows a problem if it saved his own skin.

According to the HP wiki Umbridge's house is unknown. I would say based on her ideals and character that she was more of a Slytherin then any other house.

[physicssquid]

Umbridge may have been either a Hufflepuff or a Slytherin, she certainly couldn't have been a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. She displayed traits from both the badger and snake houses, with her prejudice against beings she considered half-breeds, her constant attempts to get power over the school, her loyalty to the Ministry, the fact that she worked extremely hard to silence Harry.

[G. Novella]

Well, I like Ernie to be honest. I see him as another Percy-type fellow, but more loyal to those he cares about. Besides, he was never a close friend of Harry's either way so I can't see why he wasn't allowed to change his mind. He had, what, two conversations with Harry that weren't based on fear? Not to mention in all his pompousness, he's never afraid to come out and apologize, or tell Harry what he thinks. I just like him for being direct.


Smith, Ugh.

[Kitty279]

Agreed.
Um ... if we need some guys on the good side to die in a fic, then I'd say, Smith would be a good candidate O:-)

[kumainpink]

I neither like nor dislike Ernie, because I agree that he seems like a Percy-like person. Not fond of him myself, but I see a lot of room for improvement. I loathe Smith though. I mean, he's rude, annoying and a coward. No thanks.

[codygotkilld]

I despise both and believe them too be the lord (Smith) and prince (MacMillan) of douche-baggary. Smith because he is even more of a self-rightous asshole then Malfoy and is to stupid to know that he is in the wrong. MacMillan because he is one of those pompous asses who blindly follows the majority or if it helps him advance in the future.

[KellBellx]

I really didn't like Ernie in CoS, but I understand where he was coming from since he had grown up to believe that being a Parselmouth was a bad thing. In the later books, his character was tolerable at least.

But Smith, I just despise him.

[TeamSirius]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere (not in fan fiction) that Umbridge was in Hufflepuff, but I can't remember where that was...

It might be wrong. It might be right. Idk. I checked the wiki too and it says unknown, so while it's unconfirmed, I've gotten rid of it.

[Miss Wings]

This site states Umbridge's house as unknown:
harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Dolores_Umbridge

[kumainpink]

I assume that Umbridge was in Slytherin. I can't see her in Gryffindor because she isn't brave, she doesn't seem smart enough to be a Ravenclaw and she's only loyal to herself, so Hufflepuff is out of the question. She is ambitious, however, which is a Slytherin trait.

I know not everyone is sorted based on their traits, but with what we don't know, this was all I could come up with.

[Ithiarel]

Although, you have to admit, it would be great irony if she had been in Hufflepuff.

And her loyalty might just have become turned around in a freaky way while she grew up. (Like Pettigrew's potential for bravery was.)

[G. Novella]

I can see both the Hufflepuff angle and the Slytherin angle, but I can also see a Ravenclaw angle. She must have been book smart enough to get the credentials to be an Undersecretary, and she was smart enough to create an entirely new department (Muggle-Born Registration Committee) and I bet she ran a few articles. So I can see that angle working as well.

[kumainpink]

Perhaps...

The sad thing is that her matter of house is more interesting than she is... ;D

[Miss Wings]

Hufflepuff-Loyalty to the Ministry
Slytherin- Pureblood Supremecy etc
Ravenclaw- Muggleborn Regestration commity (research)
Gryffindor- Fighting Dumbledore etc..

[G. Novella]

Basically, but then, any of the characters can fall into those categories, even say, Wormtail or Fudge.

Wormtail

Hufflepuff- Hardworking and Dedicated in any task of his (i.e Convincing Remus and Sirius against each other, working for Voldemort for a year)
Slytherin- All about Power
Ravenclaw- Framing Sirius took some serious brain work, especially since he did it in less than 24 hours
Gryffindor- Betraying his friends takes some courage, plus he was placed there, so young Pettigrew must have courage


Fudge

Hufflepuff- Loyalty to idiots like Malfoy
Slytherin- Power hungry, desire to stay Minister, ambition to get there
Ravenclaw- Book smart enough to get there, created an entire story to frame Harry
Gryffindor- (Was he an Auror? I remember him being on site to arrest Sirius), Stands up to Dumbledore

[Miss Wings]

I'm sure he worked in magical catastraphies.. (?)

[physicssquid]

According to the HP Wiki, Fudge was a low-level flunky in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophies.

[Kouji-Wolf]

I actually rather like Ernie. He showed character progression. In CoS, he was jumping to conclusions without actually trying to get more information. In GoF, he never actually talked to Harry even though he wore a Cedric badge, so I would consider him more neutral here. In OotP and DH, he made it clear he supported Harry and was willing to risk his life for him. So yeah, I like Ernie.

I think Smith may have chosen Hufflepuff, even though Slytherin is a much better fit for him. I dislike him, I don't actually hate him.

Umbridge wouldn't be the first DADA teacher that seems like a Slytherin but actually isn't. As nothing has been confirmed, it's hard to tell. However, Quirrel and Lockhart were both Ravenclaws.

[KellBellx]

A low-level flunky... how in the world did he ever become Minister? They just give the job to anyone apparently...

[kumainpink]

Anyone that wants it, anyway...

*sigh* They reaaally need to up their standards!

[Kouji-Wolf]

They probably did once Kingsley became Minister. Particularly with Hermione as Head of Magical Law Enforcement and Harry as Head Auror.

Edit: I was rereading PoA, and Fudge said he had been Junior Minister in the Department of Magical Catastrophes in Marauder's Map.