NeutiquamErro:
Hufflepuff didn’t only take the rejects. They specifically chose those who were loyal/hard-working. They just also took the rejects. So it’s not quite as bad as you make it out to be. I would probably rather be in Hufflepuff than Gryffindor (except that Gryffindor has a better view), and I would certainly rather be in Ravenclaw. I also view Slytherin as better than Gryffindor, but in practice there might be good reasons to avoid going to Slytherin.