Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today we're discussing why more characters in Harry Potter don't return as ghosts after they die.

Very early on in the series, we are introduced to the concept of ghosts within the wizarding world of Harry Potter--as we meet the many spirits who roam the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry almost immediately upon Harry's arrival to the castle in his first year. These spirits are represented as transparent apparitions who resemble the witch or wizard that they were while they were part of the world of the living. Being that they are transparent, they are able to pass through solid objects, such as walls, furniture and even people. Muggles are unable to see these ghosts as magical folks can, but since they cause disturbances in fire and water and cause the temperature in the air to drop, their presence is typically felt by anyone nearby, regardless of whether they can see them or not. It is said that to have a ghost pass through you feels as though a bucket of freezing cold water has been dumped upon your entire body!

Within the wizarding world, it's also widely known that Muggles are unable to return as ghosts, and that only someone with magical abilities may come back as these shadow versions of their living selves. As described by the Gryffindor ghost Nearly Headless Nick...

"Wizards can leave an imprint of themselves upon the earth, to walk palely where their living selves once trod," said Nick miserably. "But very few wizards choose that path."

Which brings us to the answer as to why more characters don't return as ghosts.

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