Small talk with Mr. Foxton

Dear Mr. Foxton,

The other day in the corridor, a Slytherin fifth year started antagonizing my little brother, a Hufflepuff second year. He threatened physical violence, and although I managed to find a teacher before any altercation took place, it got me thinking- what do you do when pacifism conflicts with loyalty? Those traits are two of the most important things to both me and the vast majority of Hufflepuff House, and should I ever be put in a situation where I have to choose between the two, I’d want to know what you’d advise before making my choice.

Thanks,

Wondering

Dear Wondering,

This is a superb inquiry. In an ideal world, such moral dilemmas would never occur, but as it is, people such as this dastardly Slytherin exist. You were absolutely right to find a professor. However, if your brother had been in immediate physically danger, the correct response would’ve been to place yourself between him and the Slytherin. This gives your brother a chance to get away, and gives you a chance to either talk the bully down, or practice self-defense should you need to. I’d warn you against injuring your attacker for fear of harming your Hufflepuff lifestyle, but the fact of the matter is, as a Hufflepuff, you probably couldn’t hurt him if you tried.

All the best,

Mr. Foxton