Those sound like some interesting books. Do you remember the author?

The key to understanding the nature of Slytherin and Hufflepuff lies in divining the methods of their particular founders, as well as the nature of their totem animals.

Slytherin's emphasis is more on political maneuvering; not what you know but who you know. Witness Draco Malfoy's early statement to Harry in the first book, "You'll find that some wizarding families are better than others." Furthermore, his insistence on special treatment and favoritism from his teachers, and his use of Crabbe and Goyle as hired muscle. Disregarding his thuggish attitudes, Malfoy could have been a medieval nobleman; his father certainly acted like one.

The Slytherin emblem of the snake is a misleading one. Too many people make the association of the serpent along the lines of Judeo-Christian theology, but the symbolism of the snake is much, mouch older than that. In Ancient Greece the snake was a symbol of healing, a tradition that is still carried on today with the medical caduceus, now known worldwide. In China the snake is a symbol of good luck and fortune, and is celebrated in the form of the dragon, considered by many to be the ultimate symbol of the reptile family. The dragon is also considered a symbol of power , and dragon and snake tattoos traditionally anoint the biceps or legs of athletes in the Far East.

Hufflepuff by contrast has a much more workmanlike attitude toward its members. The Sorting Hat's song in Sorcerer's Stone commends Hufflepuffs for their diligence, sense of fair play, and the fact that they are "unafraid of toil". Consider, too, that the ghost of Hufflepuff is that of a friar, a divine order dedicated not only to ecclesiasticism, but also plain food, hard living, and toiling in the pursuit of a noble goal. Cedric Diggory was the epitome of a Hufflepuff: despite winning a Quidditch match against Gryffindor (POA), he declared that he wanted to call it off when he found out Harry had been hurt. A year later (GOF), after Harry has told him about the dragons, he repays Harry's kindness by giving him a clue about the egg, and then later nobly offers Harry the award he himself wants so desperately because he feels that Harry has been more fair-minded. Hufflepuffs care more about the form than about the glory. To those of a more mercenary bend, Hufflepuffs would seem foolish; hence, the Hufflepuff reputation for being--as Hagrid calls them in Sorcerer's Stone--"a lot o' Duffers".

The Hufflepuff mascot is a badger, and there is a great deal of wisdom in the animal. The badger, despite its somewhat harmless appearance, is in fact a fierce creature, capable of fighting off animals many times its own size, including bears! Badgers are omnivorous, as well as being highly prolific and widespread and are found all over the world. They are popular characters in folklore, as well as other literature including Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl, Brian Jacques' Redwall series, and of course The Wind in the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame.

Most interestingly, some badgers are actually immune to snake venom! Being burrowing creatures by nature, this immunity serves the mammals well when combating vipers in their own dens, and allows badgers to safely devour snakes that might otherwise threaten their families. Hufflepuffs also seem to be immune to the machinations of Slytherins, for if you go back through the books, you will notice that the Slytherins never directly challenged the Hufflepuffs, nor do the two of them appear in combat in any of the Harry Potter movies to date. The only direct infighting that I have been able to find was when several Hufflepuffs came to Harry's defense at the end of OotP, when Harry is ambushed by Malfoy and his cohorts, and is rescued by several DA members. In that particular battle, the Slytherins are soundly defeated.

Do Slytherins love Huffies, as you say, Supreme Mugwump? Not that I can see, though they certainly seem to stay out of their way!