Born during the 10th century to Helibad and Proswetel Hufflepuff, Helga Hufflepuff was the younger of two children. She was born in the hills of Wales, in a very remote area. It was said her family lived in seclusion because her father was wanted by the law, although if this is true or not, we do not know.
Helga had one older brother, by the name Bavo. He was, by all accounts, their parents' favorite child. The two siblings were opposites in almost every way. Helga had red hair and blue eyes, while Bavo had dark brown hair and brown eyes. Bavo strove to be the best at everything, and often succeeded. Helga, meanwhile, was content to just simply be. She was all about being fair, while Bavo strove to be the best, no matter what.
It soon became apparent to Helga that her parents preferred her brother over herself. This greatly offended her, since she believed there should never be a favorite child, friend, or anything. Everything should be equal and that was the end of that.
Other than this, little is known about her family life- mostly because, as stated before, the Hufflepuffs lived in seclusion, about 15 miles away from their nearest neighbors. Maybe this is why Helga traveled later in life. However, she did have one friend, who she saw about once a month, by the name of Rowena Ravenclaw. Her family was not one of wealth or prominence, unlike the other founders. She was not pureblooded, since her mother was a halfblood. This was a sore point with her father. Helibad appears not to have loved Proswetel, although she loved him dearly. Maybe that was why she married him, despite his shady past. He undoubtedly married her because no one else would have him.
When she turned 9, Proswetel bought Helga her first wand. The type is unknown, although it's suspected to have had a core of unicorn hair. Her father, however, refused to teach her magic, believing that women were inferior to men, despite the fact his own wife could do magic. Bavo also scorned her, believing the same as his father. So Proswetel began training her in secret.
This appears to have been more beneficial to Helga than if her father had taught her. Proswetel was the hidden talent in the family, especially adept at Charms. She taught her daughter everything she knew, and as a consequence, Helga became one of the brightest witches of her age.
When Helga was 16 years old, her mother passed away quite suddenly, thanks to a deadly infection of dragon pox. Helga was, naturally, devasted, but her father and brother did not seem to feel the effects of Proswetel's death as much as she did. This angered her, of course, but she stayed with the two men. Things quickly turned sour between them, however, as Helibad and Bavo degraded her more and more each day. Finally, when Helga came of age, she and Rowena decided to leave and take a trip around the world. Helga never saw her father or brother again, and they apparently died in poverty.
Together, Helga and Rowena traveled throughout Europe. Along the way, Helga apparently made her famous two-handled cup, thought to have magical powers. The cup was later passed to Helga's descendants until one Hepzibah Smith gave it to Tom Riddle. Riddle later turned it into an evil device and was destroyed by Hermione Granger with a basilisk fang.
The two women met friends Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin in Nice, France sometime during this trip. The four became fast friends, and began to travel together. They were soon known as "the brightest witches and wizards of their age".
When Helga was about 24, the four decided to create a school for magical learning, after seeing the deplorable teaching children were receiving. They began building their school and named it Hogwarts. Among her many contributions to the school, she was the hardest worker. Helga also hired a band of house elves, wishing to give them a safer and kinder working environment. She personally taught them all the cooking charms her mother had taught her, and her recipes are still used at the school.
While the other founders looked for specific traits in the students they chose for their house, Helga remembered the unfair treatment she had grown up with. She vowed to take everyone and treat them fairly. After a while, her house became known for their loyalty and hard work.
It is unsure what position Helga taught at Hogwarts, although due to her aptitude in charms, we can think she might have taught that subject.
After 4 years of teaching, Helga met her husband, Gerbald Smith. It was a whirlwind courtship, with both falling in love very quickly. They married in a quiet service, with only close friends and family invited. Helga's father and brother did not attend. She did keep her maiden name after the service, however, because it was the most well-known. Gerbald and Helga had 3 children, Orion Smith, Teresa Smith and Alexander Smith. Orion became a teacher at Hogwarts as well, married and had 2 children later in life. Teresa died young, at the age of 5, to the devastation of her family. Alexander died in a dual with another wizard when he was 25.
Helga died peacefully in her sleep when she was 134 years old. They held a private ceremony for her, friends and family only, and she was laid to rest beneath an oak tree that stands on Hogwart's grounds, her beloved school. Her line continues to this day, as does her legacy.