Good

Good is one of the four Houses at Salem Witches' Institute. Founded by William Good, it selects students of great aspirations and commitment with the potential for leadership and ultimately success at any cost.

The animal associated with the House is the Black Bear, and the element of fire is also important imagery in the creation of its coat of arms, which is black and red respectively.

## Traits

This house possesses ambitious students who are destined for success, or so they say. Students of the Good House have the key characteristic of having ambition in spades, and they are willing to do anything to achieve their goals—regardless of how unattainable they might seem to outsiders.

As a result of this extreme attitude, some of the most notable members of this House have schemed their way to top level positions to the detriment of others, and it is these political mavericks who are remembered rather than those who go through great personal sacrifice to fulfill their desires. This has caused a rather negative reputation for alumni of Good House, which is unwarranted for the most part.

Popular rumor suggests that the Sorting Candle searches out for those who are inherently evil and conniving, however, this is a gross misunderstanding of not only the founders' goals but also the nature of adolescents whose personalities are not yet fully developed. Further falsehoods include the opposite yet pervasive idea that living in the House itself *turns* its students evil. Again, when viewed with a critical eye, it crumbles.

It is important to keep in mind that many people outwith the House have prejudices against those who were Sorted there, but Good House prepares its students to deal with these opposing view with a philosophy of self-improvement rather than outward blame.

The traits that the Sorting Candle *really* looks for comes part and parcel with natural cunning––which in a vacuum is a neutral characteristic. Students marked for Good House include those who are eloquent and convincing in manner, and not only do they have the potential for leadership, they are also willing to take the reins when life requires them to. Those who are opportunistic do well with their peers, as unfortunately fellow Good students often fall into an elitist mindset when it comes to those who are not so hands-on. Because of this, the House is rather cliquish even with itself, and sometimes students can fall by the wayside.

## Reputation

Good House is as well-known as its counterpart, Slytherin, in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The reputation it holds is mixed among the alumni of other Houses in Salem Witches' Institute, and as a result, graduates from Good band together and give greater priority to each other in recruitment and hiring practices––something that is often decried as nepotism.

On the other hand, it has produced some of the most memorable witches and wizards in the Republic of Magic, usually those involved with the political system itself. The list includes, but is not limited to:

* Oswald Oppenheimer, Headmaster of Salem Witches' Institute
* Lawrence Jones, Headmaster of Salem Witches' Institute
* Odin Oppenheimer, President of the Republic of Magic
* Adrienne Yaxley, independent political journalist and socialite.
* Mirabelle Martinez, Chairperson of *Lunar Society for Werewolf Protection*

## House Traditions

### Initiation

Good House's annual 'first year initiation ritual' is shrouded in mystery, and alumni are sworn to secrecy––they are not supposed to even tell their future children about it. It takes place at the end of the first week of schooling, when classes have finished for the weekend. Like Bishop House, it takes place at night and makes use of the location of their residential building, which is found near the Kingswood Forest.

The seventh years take over and set rudimentary wards on the outskirts of the forest, and once there, they use the natural darkness of the area and flora to make up a maze to herd the first years through. Those involved in the set-up of this event take on the role of monsters via Transfiguration and Charms. Some years have involved simple hexes and offensive spells like the Jelly-Legs Jinx and *petrificus totalus*.

What the students find at the center of the maze changes each year, and once again, it is a forbidden topic of conversation for those not in the House.