Why Zayn Malik is the walking embodiment of a Ravenclaw: a doctoral thesis
now if any of you know me you know that I would sell my soul for a quality written hp au, but one thing that’s been a constant for me when starting a fic is the question of whether or not the writer will categorize zayn as a ravenclaw or a slytherin (there’s no other option besides these two). Well I’m here to hopefully end that century long debate and give it to you straight (not quick): zain javadd malik is UNQUESTIONABLY a ravenclaw.
brace yourselves. - also you should right click open links in new tabs for evidence/best experience-
ok, so like niall, I think a lot of people associate zayn with surface qualities and truth be told I don't blame them because unless you take the time to get to know who he is beyond the small talk in interviews and making sure liam didn't fall off the stage half the time, I can totally see why people put him in slytherin - stereo typically moody, mysterious, and loves to cause ruckus with louis.
HOWEVER, people need to look into the quietness and notice that he's not sitting there like a hufflepuff and taking what's being said as is, even though he does get talked over a lot, he's making sure that if he has something to say, it's because he's got everyone's opinions and a full picture of all arguments/facts before he's giving his witty two sense and that's even if he feels overly moved to express that ‘no, you're all wrong it's actually this’ or ‘well you've forgot about this pov’. but make sure you know your place bc even if you directly talk to him about something he may not talk to you about it bc he's a reserved ravenclaw, not willing to openly talk like most social gryffindors or not so humble slytherins would. It's rare that he's actually saying something to brag about himself or talk about himself because that's neither here nor there and most of the time he won't even speak up about the previously mentioned things bc as a true ravenclaw, he knows what’s right and he doesn't need to boast about it like a slytherin; he's confident enough in his own intelligence - sometimes misconstrued as ravenclaw arrogance! but is it really? bc if you're right you're right.
let's also talk about his antics with louis (and the occasional harry - also see: VERY rare liam occurrences). yes, using one's wit to their advantage is textbook slytherin, which is why zayn can share this trait, but also notice who's instigating the pranks (correct answer: louis) and how zayn would carry them out. always calculated, always waiting to hear instructions fully instead of running full force ahead with it all bc 'you guys are fucking idiots if you think I'm going to do this and run the risk of getting caught - take the time to plan this shit out and make it worth while. I'm not gonna half ass a prank, if they're gonna cry, they're gonna bawl.'
how about his love for english? a typical ravenclaw characteristic? perhaps, but it's so important to see how he views the world through the wording and thoughts/philosophies of othersin order to influence his own being. I’m dizzy on how much he speaks in interviews about how much he wants to go back to school and do a proper english degree, wanting to learn beyond the books he can buy on his own. be careful though! zayn will say what he thinks and believes no matter what!!! so while he loves english and the words (such a shame he wasn’t allowed to speak more about urdu and his culture while in the band), and the books he reads, it's how he compartmentalizes that alongside his own beliefs and thoughts that makes his favouritism notable. also slight note at how he values intelligence in others and seeks that out from there. Need I use his quote on education: “one of the most important things you can have”. I mean, that in itself should be enough for this post.
moving on to his confusing loyalty! I've yet to see zayn categorized as a gryffindor or hufflepuff, but many overlook his soft nature and caring side - ziall anyone?? it's innate for him to be caring towards those he loves. let's not forget that "zayn wears his heart on his sleeve" bc HE DOES! as caring as a hufflepuff and as loyal as a gryffindor, but what sets him apart is his raging ability to cut off people or stop contact with them after a while because they've done him wrong (if they listened to him the first time or actually paid attention to what he said then they wouldn't be in this situation) and no, I'm not just referring to post 1D zayn mess. and no, I do not agree with the statement that zayn can do no wrong - though as a ravenclaw he might disagree with you on that bc when he’s in his element he’s always right. it's important to also note that sometimes he just needs a nudge, he hasn't forgotten about you, he's just bad at texting back - cue the on and off liam friendship post band break up. It's clear when it comes to some old interviews that he cares about these people but let's not forget that he has a temper and can let that sometimes cloud his judgement. now would be a good time to ask if anyone knows if he has a new manager yet after that fiasco.
can we back track a second on his need for personal space to think and caring nature because of it? self proclaimed introvert, I think a lot of people misconstrue what they saw of him in the band as temperamental and stuck up, when in reality he was simply someone who enjoyed the banter with others until he needed to go away and rejuvenate by himself for a little bit (tbt toddler zayn who needed to play with his toys by himself for a while after being around too many people). are there introverts in every house? without a doubt, however they’re most commonly found in ravenclaw, specifically the core trait of needing to gather their barrings and recharge before going back to join in on the fun. you see, unlike best mate slytherin louis, zayn mostly holds back his bitterness from the others, making sure that he doesn’t say anything that might hurt them too badly - something that I greatly attribute to him knowing when he needs to go away for a bit before getting annoyed. those of you who know, know. soft zayn hours are intense! honing in on his own needs of space to establish a calm demeanor in order to give others the attention and care he thinks they AND THEIR THOUGHTS deserve (namely crinkly eyed leeyum). you’ll know it when you see it: the chin hook hugs, back rubs, and closed mouth smiles scream ‘I appreciate you and am here in the moment’. it’s here where he shares a lot of caring (even if he mistakes what’s going on as something he actually needs to be concerned about but better safe than sorry!), nurturing traits with hufflepuffs. having this social awareness also allows for him to clock important info that others might think he’s overlooking by not speaking - a ravenclaw? as if.
speaking of personal space, we got a glimpse into his house from TIU documentary, but his solo interviews have given us a chance to read (and if we’re lucky, see) how he transforms his houses into his own sanctuary. now, each house can debate on their own about the purpose of their common room to instill an element of comfort and while no, zayn doesn’t publicly have a library or reading nook like a typical ravenclaw might have, I think a PERSONAL ART/GRAFFITI ROOM SUFFICES. we’ll get to his art later, trust me. there are other spaces documented too though: his pirate theme shed in the backyard, tepee, room made up of entirely collaged walls in his old LA house, and let’s not forget about how strongly he felt towards the old tour bus that he felt compelled to get a tattoo reminder (#zouis). his need to make a sanctuary out of any space he inhabits for longer than a week confirms how important individual comfort is to him and again, how in touch with this he is (I see a good debate here on whether or not this could be a hufflepuff trait as well). little boy from bradford who’s smashing it buying his Mum and family a house?? wants them to have that comfort too!!! the “gift” was also probably one of his most humble moments ever documented, so let’s not forget he’s a lil humble ravenclaw
and what would a zayn ravenclaw analysis be without picasso!zayn? ravenclaw's are not only intelligent - please note that I didn't use the word smart bc there IS a difference to them - but they're also creative, both in the conventional and unconventional sense. Of course we know of zayn's killer high notes (ask if me if I'm over the high note in If I Got You. hint: I'm not) and drawing abilities (zayn, will you draw a picture of me? no, I don't liek you) but it's the passion and WHAT IT IS that he's singing and drawing that matters. yes, comics, album sticker packs, very bland 'A' for a certain band member - but note the enthusiasm and NEED to talk about ‘who Harry? tell them WHO drew that A tattoo for you!’ ‘you, it was you zayn.’ SMUG AF SMILE and tell me what other topic zayn talks about with that much enthusiasm and outspokenness other than liam payne. there are many instances however where someone (usually brother niall) needs to coax him out to actually display this individualistic personality and I’m not gonna hide the link in the underlines this time because it’s SO IMPORTANT to watch this video of him wanting to sing drake (note the complete opposite genre of their published music) but nervous on getting lost in himself bc ‘don’t start something if you don’t want me to finish it’ and Niall knows this. liam knows this the most, but niall’s outward with it and literally has to softly start siNGING IN ORDER FOR ZAYN TO KNOW ‘YOU’RE NOT IN THIS ALONE AND OTHERS WILL APPRECIATE WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT TOO, LOOK LIAM WILL EVEN BEATBOX FOR YOU’. EXTREMELY CONFIDENT IN HIS ELEMENT. don’t mistake that for 24/7 slytherin confidence. in fact, pause. ravenclaw’s when in their element will have surging confidence and might boast to the level of slytherin’s but they’ll wait for the right moment to show you up and pay attention because when they do they can get very competitive. was him getting a tattoo first out of the band at age 16 something worth overlooking? absolutely not! by now I’ll personally hand deliver you an award if you can give me an accurate count of his ink, but hello??? is this artistry? duh. is this him saying what’s important to him in art form? warmer. are these passionate things he cares about but sometimes won’t find necessary to speak about out loud? on fire! another shameless you-must-look-at-this-post link HERE of me talking to him about his art in the midst of 5,000 screaming girls who all wanted to talk about his looks. LOOK. AT. HIS. APPRECIATION! WHO HE IS AND OTHERS RECOGNIZING THAT BASED ON HOW HE PROJECTS HIMSELF IS SO IMPORTANT TO ZAYNIE. Look, if zayn’s not authentic to himself or exuding individuality then even he would tell you that he’s failing himself. we can see this also in his fashion choices (there have been a few questionable moments, but over all, ace outfits). nowadays harry tends to get a lot more in your face fashion press, but do I need to pull out receipts on how many best dressed lists zayn has been on SOLELY because he thinks outside the box and doesn’t give a fuck? listen to me when I say that ravenclaw’s will die without originality/individuality and the ability to take control of theirs
perfect segue to his exit of the band. was it bc of mental health issues, I mean yeah, he’s written such, but were those spurred on bc he didn’t have his space to be an individual and do his own thing? obviously. and before anyone says anything about him taking control of his future being an ‘I don’t take bs and will stand up for it’ decision as a slytherin trait, let me remind you how long it took him to actually do it. imo a slytherin would have stood up from the start if they were that unhappy about it. again, he looked at things from all angles for a long enough time to be able to understand what was going on before doing something he’d regret. sadly if it did affect his mental health that much maybe he took a little too long in making the decision but ‘we do it all for the fans’ and while I appreciated that, I also appreciated him writing an entire song about wanting to take off clothes and the love of being pushed up against the wall soooooooooooo. his songwriting skills: they're definitely getting there, but the amount of songs (TWENTY SEVEN) he felt he NEEDED to put on Icarus Falls because he didn't want to just let those stories NOT be told, it was IMPERATIVE that people hear those thoughts stuck in his head. unfortunately his tongue got the best of him - as it does for most ravenclaws! - and his passion did not catch up with his patience, so now many won't even get my previous IIGY high note reference bc of the sales flop that was Z2 - something spurred on by him calling out the record label for not letting him release it. can they be blamed though, because zayn, again, the ravenclaw poster boy, allegedly doesn't want to do promo for his music because to him it's not about the sales, instead, the music. should. speak. for. itself! ‘if 10 people listen, cool. if 10 million people listen, also cool, but I'd rather 10 people ACTUALLY LISTEN and appreciate the art versus 10 million people listening bc I look good in an interview’ and if that doesn't say artistic ravenclaw passion, idk what does
