Ilvermorny vs Hogwarts Houses: Discover Your Magic School Match | Harry Potter Quiz

January 26, 2026 | By Felix Pemberton

Ever wondered where your Hogwarts house would land you across the pond in North America's top wizarding school? The Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, featured in the Fantastic Beasts films, sorts its students into four distinct and magical houses. These houses often reflect different aspects of a witch or wizard's personality compared to their Hogwarts counterparts.

Are you curious about where you'd belong across the pond? Whether you're a die-hard Potterhead diving deeper into lore or a newcomer just discovering the Wizarding World's global magic, this guide is your ticket to unlocking your magical identity. Before we explore the American school, it's essential to know your foundation. The first step is always discovering your Hogwarts placement with an accurate Hogwarts house quiz.

This guide will help you understand how your magical identity might manifest across continents, linking the familiar halls of Hogwarts with the mysterious chambers of Ilvermorny.

Hogwarts and Ilvermorny crests with a sorting quiz

Understanding Ilvermorny's Magical Houses | Harry Potter Lore

While Hogwarts was founded by four powerful wizards, Ilvermorny’s history is rooted in a family’s dream. This fundamental difference shapes the very core of its houses and sorting ceremony, creating a unique experience for young witches and wizards in North America.

The Four Ilvermorny Houses and Their Founders

Ilvermorny was founded by Isolt Sayre and her No-Maj (Muggle) husband, James Steward. They named the four houses after their favorite magical beasts, with each house representing a different part of the ideal witch or wizard.

  • Horned Serpent: Founded by Isolt Sayre herself, this house is said to favor scholars. The Horned Serpent has a jewel in its forehead that is believed to grant the power of invisibility and flight. Students of this house are often considered the "mind" of Ilvermorny.

  • Wampus: Named by Webster Boot, one of Isolt's adopted sons, the Wampus is a magical panther-like creature that is fast, strong, and nearly impossible to kill. This house favors warriors and represents the "body" of a witch or wizard.

  • Thunderbird: Chosen by Chadwick Boot, Webster's brother, the Thunderbird is a legendary creature that can create storms as it flies. This house represents the "soul" and favors adventurers.

  • Pukwudgie: Named by James Steward, the No-Maj, after a fiercely independent magical creature. The Pukwudgie is known for its cunning and healing abilities. This house favors healers and represents the "heart."

Illustrations of the four Ilvermorny house mascots

How Ilvermorny Sorting Differs from Hogwarts

The Hogwarts Sorting Hat makes private decisions for each student. In contrast, Ilvermorny's sorting is a public and interactive ceremony. Students stand in the entrance hall, surrounded by four large wooden carvings of the house mascots.

Students gather in the entrance hall. Four large wooden carvings of the house mascots watch over them. These enchanted carvings react when they wish to claim a student. When the carvings react, each shows its unique sign: the Horned Serpent's jewel lights up, the Wampus roars, the Thunderbird beats its wings, and the Pukwudgie raises its arrow. If more than one carving reacts, the rare honor of choosing falls to the student. This method emphasizes that the houses choose the student, not the other way around.

Hogwarts Houses Through an Ilvermorny Lens

So, how do the familiar traits of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw align with their Ilvermorny counterparts? The connections are not always direct, as each school values slightly different qualities. Your journey to understanding starts by confirming your core identity through a reliable sorting quiz.

Gryffindor's Ilvermorny Counterparts: Thunderbird and Horned Serpent

Gryffindors are known for their bravery, nerve, and chivalry. These traits find a home in two Ilvermorny houses.

  • Thunderbird: The adventurous spirit of a Thunderbird aligns perfectly with a Gryffindor’s courage. Both are driven by a desire to do what is right and explore the unknown. Harry Potter himself, the quintessential Gryffindor, would likely feel at home among the Thunderbirds.
  • Horned Serpent: While Horned Serpent represents the mind, a Gryffindor's bravery is often guided by a strong intellect and strategic thinking. Hermione Granger, a Gryffindor with a Ravenclaw mind, would almost certainly be chosen by the Horned Serpent.

Slytherin's Ilvermorny Reflections: Wampus and Horned Serpent

Slytherins are defined by their ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness. This complex combination also resonates with two powerful Ilvermorny houses.

  • Wampus: The warrior spirit of Wampus house appeals to a Slytherin’s drive and determination. Wampus students are strong and results-oriented, traits that ambitious Slytherins possess in abundance. They fight to win, a core tenet of Slytherin house.
  • Horned Serpent: A Slytherin’s cunning is a form of sharp intelligence. The scholarly and clever nature of Horned Serpent students matches the intellectual side of Slytherin. They appreciate knowledge as a tool for power and influence.

Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw: Direct Parallels in Pukwudgie and Wampus

The connections for Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw can seem more straightforward, but there are still fascinating nuances to explore.

  • Hufflepuff and Pukwudgie: Hufflepuffs value dedication, loyalty, and fair play. This aligns beautifully with Pukwudgie, the house of the heart. Pukwudgies are fiercely loyal and often act as healers, reflecting the compassionate and steadfast nature of Hufflepuffs like Cedric Diggory and Newt Scamander.
  • Ravenclaw and Horned Serpent: This is perhaps the most direct comparison. Ravenclaws prize wit, learning, and wisdom. Horned Serpent, the house of the mind, explicitly favors scholars. A true Ravenclaw would find a welcoming home among those who value intellect above all else. However, a Ravenclaw with a warrior's spirit might also be chosen by Wampus.

Which Ilvermorny House Matches Your Hogwarts House? | Sorting Quiz

Figuring out your magical identity across continents is a fascinating exercise in self-discovery. It requires understanding the core values that define you. The best way to begin this journey is by solidifying your Hogwarts placement with a detailed Harry Potter house quiz.

The Cross-Sorting Algorithm Explained

There is no official "cross-sorting" calculator, but fans have developed a strong consensus based on the known traits of each house. The logic works like this:

  1. Identify Your Core Hogwarts Trait: Are you driven primarily by bravery (Gryffindor), ambition (Slytherin), loyalty (Hufflepuff), or intellect (Ravenclaw)?
  2. Match It to an Ilvermorny "Part": Does your core trait align more with the soul (Thunderbird), heart (Pukwudgie), mind (Horned Serpent), or body (Wampus)?
  3. Consider Secondary Traits: A brave Gryffindor who is also highly intelligent might lean toward Horned Serpent over Thunderbird. An ambitious Slytherin who values strength over cunning would likely be a Wampus.

Interactive Guide: Find Your Ilvermorny House Based on Hogwarts Traits

Use this simple guide after you've taken the Harry Potter house quiz to find your most likely Ilvermorny placement.

  • If you are a Gryffindor:

    • Do you act first and think later? You are likely a Thunderbird.
    • Do you plan your brave deeds carefully? You might be a Horned Serpent.
  • If you are a Slytherin:

    • Is your ambition fueled by a desire for power and victory? You are likely a Wampus.
    • Do you use your intelligence to achieve your goals? You are probably a Horned Serpent.
  • If you are a Hufflepuff:

    • Is your defining trait loyalty and a desire to help others? You are almost certainly a Pukwudgie.
    • Are you also fiercely protective of your friends? The Wampus warrior spirit might also call to you.
  • If you are a Ravenclaw:

    • Do you seek knowledge for its own sake? You are a clear Horned Serpent.

    • Do you use your wisdom to seek new experiences? You could be a Thunderbird.

Interactive quiz interface for Harry Potter houses

Discover Your Magical Identity Across Wizarding Worlds

Your magical journey doesn't stop at Hogwarts! Understanding how your house identity translates across wizarding schools reveals new dimensions of your personality. It shows that whether you value courage, ambition, loyalty, or wisdom, there is a place for you throughout the global magical community.

Ready to unlock the full extent of your magical destiny? Take our free quiz to confirm your Hogwarts sorting, then apply these insights to explore where you might be placed at Ilvermorny. Whether you're a brave Thunderbird, a loyal Pukwudgie, a wise Horned Serpent, or a mighty Wampus, your magical identity is waiting to be discovered!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hogwarts and Ilvermorny Houses

What are the main differences between Hogwarts and Ilvermorny sorting methods?

The biggest difference is agency. At Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat delves into your mind and makes a final decision (though it considers your choice). At Ilvermorny, the house mascots choose you publicly, and in rare cases of a multiple-house selection, the student makes the final choice.

Can a person be in different houses at Hogwarts and Ilvermorny?

Absolutely. The two schools value slightly different aspects of a person's character. For example, a cunning Gryffindor might be sorted into Horned Serpent at Ilvermorny, while a brave Ravenclaw could end up in Thunderbird. It all depends on which of your traits is most prominent.

Which Ilvermorny house is most similar to Gryffindor?

Thunderbird is most similar to Gryffindor, as both houses favor adventurers and those with a brave spirit. They both represent the soul and the drive to explore and do what is right, making them natural counterparts.

How accurate are Ilvermorny house quizzes compared to the Hogwarts sorting?

The accuracy of any quiz depends on the quality of its questions. While there is less official lore about Ilvermorny, a good quiz can still provide insight. However, the most established path is to first determine your Hogwarts house with a well-designed sorting hat quiz and then use that knowledge to understand your likely Ilvermorny counterpart.