Hogwarts is a real haunted castle. At least many ghosts haunt its halls. But who were the eerie figures in their lifetimes?
What are ghosts? As in many other stories, ghosts in Harry Potter are deceased individuals who remain in the world of the living as incorporeal beings after their death.
- Only witches and wizards can become ghosts, no Muggles.
- Ghosts can hardly interact with their physical environment.
- Passing through a ghost as a living person feels very cold.
How do you become a ghost? After death, witches and wizards can choose to remain in the world as ghosts. However, since this state between life and death is very unsatisfactory, few choose to do so.
Reasons for an existence as a ghost include a fear of final death, unfinished business, or a strong connection to a particular place.
Spoiler alert: The article contains spoilers about Harry Potter books and movies.
Rank 7: The Fat Friar
The Fat Friar is the house ghost of Hufflepuff. True to his house, he is very peace-loving and wants to get along well with everyone.
He even defends Peeves the Poltergeist when he gets into trouble again. The “poor, thoughtless poltergeist” should, just like everyone else, have the opportunity to participate in the feasts.
During his lifetime, the Fat Friar healed diseases with the mere touch of his wand. He also had the habit of pulling rabbits out of the supper cup. His inattention eventually led to his downfall. Other church members noticed the witchcraft and executed him.
Rank 6: Moaning Myrtle
Moaning Myrtle died during her school years, in 1943. She was a Ravenclaw student by the name of Myrtle Elizabeth Warren. She fell victim to the basilisk’s deadly gaze from the Chamber of Secrets, as we learn in part 2.
In her early days as a ghost, Myrtle spent time haunting her former classmate Olive Hornby out of revenge. Olive had always bullied Myrtle. However, the haunting ended quickly when Olive involved the Ministry of Magic. Since then, Myrtle has to spend most of her time in a girls’ bathroom, where she also died.
Here, the eternally whining Myrtle still haunts during Harry’s school years, which is why the bathroom is shunned by most.
Rank 5: Professor Binns
Professor Cuthbert Binns teaches the subject of “History of Magic” at Hogwarts. He did not let his death deter him.
One day, he nodded off in the staff room. The next morning, he got up to start his class as always with meticulous punctuality – but left his dead body behind. It’s rumored that he didn’t even realize he had died.
Although Binns possesses a lot of knowledge in his field, he presents it so monotonously that everyone, except Hermione, immediately falls asleep.
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