or would she answer this in the HP Encyclopedia or that PotterMore…fingers crossed

“A little nonsense now and then
Is relished by the wisest men.” ~ Willy Wonka

I think this may also be JKR’s way of having a little dig at people who make formal, long-winded speeches full of esoteric vocabulary and allusions…that ultimately mean very little.

Clearly Ravenclaw’s element is air since the symbol of the house is an eagle. No surprise, the Ravenclaw common room has huge windows and must filled with light during the day. Ravenclaw’s colors are blue and bronze (blue for the sky, of course, through which eagles love to soar). Naturally, the first spell Ravenclaw head of house Flitwick teaches his charms class is wingardium leviosa using a feather as the charmed object. At the Battle of Hogwarts Flitwick stands at a smashed window murmuring “incantations of great complexity. Harry heard a weird rushing noise, as though Flitwick had unleashed the power of the wind onto the grounds.”

Just as clearly, Hufflepuff must be earth since badgers are extremely strong and can generally outmatch their few predators by digging fast and taking refuge deep underground. Hufflepuff’s colors are black and yellow (in addition to their black and white head stripes, many badgers have yellow-gold chest fur). It’s not surprising that Pomona Sprout, earthy, wise in the ways of plants and herb-lore, heads Hufflepuff house. Badgers are associated as totems with healing and the knowledge of herb, roots, minerals and deeply buried secret knowledge.

Gryffindore’s symbol is the lion and the house colors are red an gold. The astrological sign of Leo (the lion) is a fire sign. Further, Chimeras, which have a lion’s head and body, breathe fire, while Gryfons in ancient mythology, were thought to be guardians of gold. Dumbledore, whose familiar is a phoenix (forever reborn of fire and ash), is the quintessential Grffindore. Fire is the agent of change, so it’s no surprise that both Dumbledore and McGonagall are experts at Transfiguration and that McGonagall is an animagus. No question, Gryffindore is fire.

By process of elimination that leaves water to Slytherin. Not so surprising when you think about it. Many snakes are excellent swimmers and either live in water most of the time or take refuge there when danger threatens. Sytherin and Gryffindore are natural antagonists, like water and fire. The Slytherin colors of green and silver suggest water’s natural colors. Slytherin’s common room is down in the damp dungeons under the lake where the light is all greenish. The basilisk unleashed by Slytherin’s heir traveled by water pipes.

Snape, the double agent, understands that like water, “The Dark Arts…are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal.” The only way to trap or hold water is to lock in in impenetrable containers (a good description of occlumency). Perhaps it was because Lily’ eyes were green that she was able to touch something in the deepest depths of Snape’s soul that he normally kept locked away.

I disagree with the opinion that Hufflepuff is for leftovers (in some instances).
=====================================================
“For instance, Slytherin
Took only pure-blood wizards
Of great cunning, just like him,
And only those of sharpest mind
Were taught by Ravenclaw
While the bravest and the boldest
Went to daring Gryffindor,
Good Hufflepuff, she took the /rest/