I often watch tour groups walk by and listen as the guide attempts to describe the Commons system with a "Harry Potter" analogy, noting how each student is "sorted" into a Commons upon entering their first year. Admissions likes to reference the Commons dinners in Atwater, which look "just like" a scene from "Harry Potter." Did you know intercollegiate Quidditch was started at Middlebury, too? "Harry Potter" undeniably has a presence on this campus, but few have ever ventured as far into the depths of exploring the relationship between Midd and Hogwarts that the situation requires.

Please enjoy this analysis of why each Commons parallels a Hogwarts House, which might make you thrilled or slightly disappointed to rep your Commons from here on out. Due to the fact there are five Commons and only four Harry Potter dorms, Cook and Wonnacott will be grouped together for the purposes of this article, seeing as they are combined to live together in Battell for the first year. (Spoiler alert: If you haven't read "Harry Potter," you might want to stop reading here...)

Brainerd = Ravenclaw

Ravenclaw is known as the smart house at Hogwarts, valuing intellect and brains. Similarly, Brainerd's mascot is an owl, a universal symbol for wisdom. Ravenclaw's eagle mascot also belongs to the bird family. Brainerd members live in Stew and Hep in their first two years, which sometimes are thought of as "lame" dorms, with a lack of rowdiness and partying. Ravenclaw members would be into this, as a little peace and quiet would be highly conducive to the advancement of their studies. As a clear display of superior intellect and wisdom, Brainerd puts on Bite of Brainerd every year, a stroke of genius even Hermoine Granger (a near-Ravenclaw member) wouldn't have thought of.

Atwater = Slytherin

It's an obvious choice. Atwater's color is green; Slytherin's colors are green and silver. The Atwater mascot is a frog, which is not a far cry from the cold-blooded serpent of Slytherin. Slytherin is known for the cunning and deceitful qualities that its members exemplify, which are not much different from expectations during an Atwater night out. Atwater's sophomore dorm Coffrin is comprised of almost all singles, which would be highly compatible with the lifestyle of secrecy and lies that many Slytherin members possess.

Ross = Gryffindor

Ross's color is red; Gryffindor's colors are red and gold. Both have fierce mammals as their mascots, and a battle between Gryffindor's Lion and Ross's Rhino would have no clear victor. You just kind of want to root for Ross, whether you love the dining hall, have aspirations to live in the Tower senior year or love Viva Ross Vegas way too much. Harry Potter would have lived it up in Hadley during his first year, always returning home to the comfort of his Had single after fighting the dark arts.

The Ross Fireplace hosts many events, just as Harry's room in Gryffindor constantly has the fireplace burning to give it homey vibes, as well as to burn top-secret materials. Gryffindors are fiercely loyal, much as "Ross rats" never venture out of their premises, eating, sleeping and taking classes within the Commons and confining themselves to working solely in the nearby BiHall.

Cook and Wonnacott = Hufflepuff

You kind of got swept aside when you entered Midd, having to stick it out for a year in a tiny double in Battell. While Ravenclaws are brilliant, Slytherins are slick and Gryffindors are brave, Hufflepuffs get Battell. The Hufflepuff mascot is a badger, which is similar to Wonnacott's squirrel mascot (don't really know what to do with Cook's flying pig here). Hufflepuff members are praised for their patience, which is a necessary attribute to get through the first year in the hopes of getting a nicer room in Forest, Pearsons or Gifford as a sophomore. Cedric, a star Hufflepuff member and tragic champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, famously figured out he had to put the golden egg underwater to learn about the Second Task of the tournament. Battell is notoriously home to one of the only bathtubs on campus, which would have helped Cedric greatly in deciphering this clue.