Hogwarts House Ghosts- A Reading Group Poll, What makes THEM so special? |
 Sep 5 2008, 06:23 PM
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Pimply  Posts: 37 Joined: 12:08am October 29, 2005 Location: Watching Harry Take a Bath   |
Four houses … four ghosts. And those Innkeepers asked me to tell you about them! What about me? What about my *splutters* f-f-feelings?! *sobs* Oh FINE!
So we have Sir Pompous himself - Nearly Headless Nick. Ghost of Gryffindor tower and oh so poshly clothed. *sniggers* Posh, indeed, his ruff is like one huge cobweb it's so old! He was struck 45 times in the neck with a blunt ax but never has been able to get free of that last half inch. His Bloodyness the Baron. Ghost of Slytherin dungeons – good thing he's but a ghost or he'd smell of the dungeons too with all that blood. Killed himself after he killed his great love, Helena Ravenclaw (Granted, when he's around I'm at least free from that menace, Peeves.) Her snottyness herself the Grey Lady, known to the living world as Helena Ravenclaw. The sly ghost from Ravenclaw tower who was murdered by the Baron himself. But she never took any pity on ME, a member of her own house who was also murdered hideously! You'd think she'd at least come to visit me, but oh no! And little happy Fat Friar. Can you imagine him in those little Hufflepuff tunnels? hmmm … that sounds so like my pipes … wonder if they have a U-bend over there *drifts off* This post has been edited by Peeves: Oct 25 2008, 04:07 PM --------------------  |
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Sep 6 2008, 09:16 AM
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Stocking Snitches at Quality Quidditch Supplies  Posts: 692 Joined: 6:51pm November 1, 2005 Location: The Rare Books section in the Hogwarts library |
QUOTE Nearly Headless Nick. A Gryffindor too scared to die properly? I thought they were all brave You know, Myrtle, you raise an interesting question there! Why was Nick unable or unready to die? Maybe he was so frustrated with his...ahh...semi-beheading that he committed himself to this world, as if he needed to convince people that he really was executed. As to why he was beheaded--well, there were such strong political quarrels in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries (when ruffs were in style) in Britain that more than a few people were beheaded for being on the "wrong side" rather than for doing something felonious. I suspect that Helena Ravenclaw is quite lonely as a ghost. In nearly all her appearances in the series, she's seen at a distance, wrapping herself in her grey shadows, not really mingling with living or ghostly company--more a wishful observer than a participant. Perhaps she regrets that she was standoffish, but doesn't know how to remedy it by starting to be more personable. -------------------- Avatar by tonksgirl |
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Sep 6 2008, 10:28 AM
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Official Grandmother at the Lily and Stag Inn Posts: 2,723 Joined: 4:33pm February 27, 2007 Location: Having tea with Minerva McGonagall at Hogwarts |
This poll is hilarious and so well thought out. I do feel as though I know Nick extremely well, and I am fond of him. The Bloody Baron is just yuck. The Fat Friar doesn't do anything, but his cheerful disposition does represent Hufflepuff House very well. The Grey Lady is very mysterious. We see just enough of her throughout the series to remind us that she exists until Boom! she is the key to that final unidentified Horcrux in DH. As for Myrtle, I can't help feeling sorry for her being caught in the most miserable stage of human development that there is.
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Sep 6 2008, 10:40 AM
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#4
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Butterbeer Connoisseur Posts: 1,465 Joined: 1:16pm April 18, 2007 Location: Horcrux hunting... |
The ghost we know the least is the Fat Friar, what's his story? Why would a Friar wish to remain at Hogworts? Was he there to give "spiritual" (no pun intended) guidence to the founders and decided to stay? Did he attend as a Hufflepuff and after serving in a monastary, came back to Hogworts? Why would a Friar be at a school if not for religious reasons?
This post has been edited by Gilleyweed: Sep 6 2008, 10:41 AM --------------------  |
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Sep 6 2008, 11:53 AM
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Wielder of the Truth Stick (Obfuscators Beware!)  Posts: 1,219 Joined: 1:16pm June 7, 2005 Location: Getting bumped off Oceanic Flight 815 while trying to return to my job at Primatech Paper |
Like Gillyweed, I'd like to know more about the Far Friar. We so rarely encounter him and have no backstory about him. Granted, we have only a little from the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly-Headless Nick, but at least we interact with him more.
I actually picked Myrtle as the most important ghost to Harry's story. Yeah, I know she's not a house ghost, but she did help him figure out where the Chamber of Secrets was, which lead to him saving Ginny and defeating the Basilisk. Plus, she helped him learn what he would have to do for the Second Task in the Triwizard Tournament. Perhaps neither of these things was as impactful as the Grey Lady confirming in Harry's mind that the Lost Diadem was a Horcrux, but Myrtle has been a more consistent presence in the story. Anyone know why the Bloody Baron never speaks? The other house ghosts all talk. I wonder what it was like for the Slytherins to have a mute house ghost. -------------------- I may be blond with great cans, but I'm pretty smart when I've had my eight hours. ~ Francine, American Dad  Avi and siggy by fw00per Keep your friends close...and people who can make siggys even closer! - JaneMarple9 |
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Sep 6 2008, 12:05 PM
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Pimply Posts: 37 Joined: 12:08am October 29, 2005 Location: Watching Harry Take a Bath |
QUOTE(Granjo Granger @ Sep 6 2008, 03:28 PM)  As for Myrtle, I can't help feeling sorry for her being caught in the most miserable stage of human development that there is. TELL me about it! *wails* I'll never be rid of these pimples!And thank you to everyone for recognizing that I AM important to Harry! He never would have made it through the Triwizard Tournament or the Chamber of Secrets without MY help! *snickers* -------------------- |
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Sep 6 2008, 07:57 PM
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Hitchhiker's Guide of Harry's Alchemical Journeys Posts: 2,870 Joined: 9:08pm March 20, 2006 Location: In the Alchemy Lab |
QUOTE(Amontillada @ Sep 6 2008, 09:16 AM) QUOTE Nearly Headless Nick. A Gryffindor too scared to die properly? I thought they were all brave You know, Myrtle, you raise an interesting question there! Why was Nick unable or unready to die? Maybe he was so frustrated with his...ahh...semi-beheading that he committed himself to this world, as if he needed to convince people that he really was executed. As to why he was beheaded--well, there were such strong political quarrels in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries (when ruffs were in style) in Britain that more than a few people were beheaded for being on the "wrong side" rather than for doing something felonious. Hmm a translucent question indeed MM. I suspect Nick got a bit suspended between worlds when his head didn't come off properly. I sincerely don't think that it was lack of barvery that was Nick's choice of becoming a ghost. It was more that he got confused as to which world he was to belong to. Gryffindors may be brave but sometimes a bit thick  .-------------------- Sorting begins soon for HBP! Follow the Lily and Stag on twitter, too! Thanks twiddlethosedials for the Siggy! |
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Sep 6 2008, 10:36 PM
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Official Lily and Stag Inns of Court Barrister  Posts: 2,510 Joined: 8:28pm June 4, 2006 Location: Staring at the Sea-Miami, Fla |
Unrequited love has played an important role in this series [sorry, Myrtle, but you're just too, too, mopey to have an unrequited love; and let's face it, you'd likely be a stalker].
Snape's unrequited and obsessive love for Lily led to tragic results. Meanwhile, before either Snape or Lily, we have the Baron and Helena Ravenclaw. Because of unrequited love, and I would say obsessive love, he kills her and then himself. Perhaps he doesn't speak because he can't get over the horror of his actions? He doesn't go on because he is trying to make up for his murder. Ravenclaw doesn't go on because, what? What reason can she have for not going on? Did she need to make up her betrayal to her mother? She didn't strike me as being all that apologetic for the pain and anguish she caused her mother. Can we vote Ravenclaw as the most self-indulgent of the ghosts, or does Myrtle swoop in and take that prize? This post has been edited by Expelliarmas: Sep 6 2008, 10:40 PM --------------------  All Aboard! |
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Sep 7 2008, 06:16 AM
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#9
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Chief Raspberry Technician Posts: 176 Joined: 5:52pm November 28, 2006 |
Pimply Myrtle! HAHAHAHA!
Oh yes, ol' mopey is sooooo special! Heheheeee. But what about me? Isn't Peevsey allowed on the list, too. After all with my good aim and skills the students learn how to defend themselves. Who cares about Herboloonery, History of Lethargic and Transfigurewhatsits, prepare em for the real world I say! *starts loosening rugs* |
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Sep 7 2008, 08:32 AM
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#10
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Transfiguration Today's Star Reporter Posts: 2,011 Joined: 3:59pm May 15, 2008 Location: Sunny Phoenix, Arizona("It's a Dry Heat!")  |
A very Spectral poll, indeed!
Favorite House Ghost-- I voted for Nearly Headless Nick. He tries to help the Gryffindor students avoid Filch and that wretched Mrs. Norris. I don't know how much the students in other houses interacted with their ghosts, but considering in DH the Ravenclaws didn't know much about Rowena's Diadem, I would guess not much in their case, and The Bloody Baron doesn't talk, so the Slytherins don't get much out of him, either. The Fat Friar might win the Mr. Congeniality award, but how much does he actually interact with the students? Therefore, I think Sir Nicholas, to give him his proper title, is my favorite Hogwarts House Ghost. (I haven't forgotten you, though, Myrtle!--watch for the third question!) Which of the House Ghosts is most intriguing? My choice is The Grey Lady. She's a figure of mystery--we don't find out who she is as far as what her name is, until the last book, Deathly Hallows. Which of the House Ghosts was most important to Harry's story? In my view, this is between Sir Nicholas and Mrytle. Sir Nicholas does introduce himself to the Gryffindor students in the first year, true, and we find out about the headless hunt in the second year. He also helps out Harry at certain opportune times. However, even though she is not techincally a "House" Ghost, I think Mrytle is the most important to Harry's story. It's through her that Harry learns about the basilisk. We find that the original opening of the Chamber of Secrets led to her murder. She also helps Harry with the second task in Goblet of Fire. If you could learn more about one of the House Ghosts, which one would it be? I think all of the Ghosts in Hogwarts are interesting, and merit more attention. I don't know why someone has not written a book about them--perhaps Hermione will, someday. But since I have to pick one, I will say--The Grey Lady. We find out that Rowena Ravenclaw is her mother--but who's her father? Why did she have the last name of Ravenclaw--she should have had her father's last name, unless Rowena is one of the original "unwed mothers"! Did she have any siblings? Was she raised on the grounds of Hogwarts? How did she meet the baron? Were they students together? How did she come to hide the Diadem in a forest in Albania? So many questions, but so few answers. For a few comments to Peeves--you are not a ghost, you are a poltergeist! That's why you are not included in this poll. Furthermore, don't you think it is about time that you left Myrtle alone? *Ducks down by the statue of the one-eyed witch* Why don't you go check on the Fat Friar and find out just why he became fat in the first place--better keep him away from the kitchen area! Oh wait, I think I hear Filch coming! Here's your chance to kick that awful Mrs. Norris, Peeves! Go to it! *slips quietly away* -------------------- "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phoenix avatar courtesy of ofenjen; thanks to atschpe for help |
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