Ghosts and things related to them

Andrela · Jun 26, 2015

I think that the ghosts of the Potterverse are often overlooked and underestimated in fanfiction.

As such, I'm creating this thread to give them more attention.

What do we know about them, really?

Some information from Pottermore for reference:

In the world of Harry Potter, a ghost is the transparent, three-dimensional imprint of a deceased witch or wizard, which continues to exist in the mortal world. Muggles cannot come back as ghosts, and the wisest witches and wizards choose not to. It is those with 'unfinished business', whether in the form of fear, guilt, regrets or overt attachment to the material world who refuse to move on to the next dimension.

Having chosen a feeble simulacrum of mortal life, ghosts are limited in what they can experience. No physical pleasure remains to them, and their knowledge and outlook remains at the level it had attained during life, so that old resentments (for instance, at having an incompletely severed neck) continue to rankle after several centuries. For this reason, ghosts tend to be poor company, on the whole. They are especially disappointing on the one subject that fascinates most people: ghosts cannot return a very sensible answer on what it is like to die, because they have chosen an impoverished version of life instead.

Ghosts can pass through solid objects without causing damage to themselves or the material, but create disturbances in water, fire and air. The temperature drops in the immediate vicinity of a ghost, an effect intensified if many congregate in the same place. Their appearance can also turn flames blue. Should part or all of a ghost pass through a living creature, the latter will experience a freezing sensation as though they have been plunged into ice-cold water.

Witches and wizards are much more susceptible to what Muggles call paranormal activity, and will see (and hear) ghosts plainly where a Muggle might only feel that a haunted place is cold or 'creepy'. Muggles who insist that they see ghosts in perfect focus are either a) lying or b) wizards showing off - and in flagrant breach of the International Statute of Secrecy.
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You know what I'm curious about? Two things:

1. How does a ghost react the presence of a dementor?

2. What would happen if a ghost passed through the Veil?

Wynter · Jun 26, 2015

For Question 2: The Ghosts are still are in a state of living as dictated by the Wiki. Which means that I assume the veil would remove them from the world, pretty mich what happened to Sirius again.

Question 1: I'd envision Dementors could feed off ghosts actually, but in saying that rather than chase Harry, would you not chase the hordes of entities with a lifetime of hatred, greed, despair/whatever made them stay?

wordhammer · Jun 26, 2015

Ghosts are mostly a visual thing- they have almost no substance, no life to feed from. Given that Dementors are blind, they wouldn't even recognize ghosts as much more than a noisy breeze. No nutritive value but they make fun noises when you chew on them: ghosts are the flavorless bubblegum of Dementor cuisine.

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Ghosts and things related to them

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DLP Flash Christmas Competition + Writing Marathon 2024!

Hi there, Guest

Ghosts and things related to them

Andrela Plot Bunny DLP Supporter

Wynter Order Member

wordhammer Dark Lord DLP Supporter

Wizarding Equivalents of Muggle Things - 2020s

Things You Like

Help deciding a few things for an AU fic

Strange/interesting things you found yourself researching for a story

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