[HPforGrownups] Slytherin's Ghost

[TrekkieGrrrl]

No: HPFGUIDX 122799

> This has probably been discussed before, since almost everything has
> as least once. But forgive an old Auror's memory.
>
> I was rereading PS/SS and came to the part just after the sorting
> when they meet the ghosts. Sir Nick says the Bloody Baron is the
> Slytherin ghost. ""Harry looked over at the Slytherin table and saw
> a horrible ghost sitting there, with blank staring eyes, a gaunt
> face, and robes stained with silver blood."
>
> Seamus asks Sir Nicholas "how did he get covered in blood?"  Nick
> answers "I've never asked"
>
> What is the story here? We now know that this is Unicorn blood.  How
> did Harry and Seamus know it was blood when it was silver? I guess
> because of his name. (The narrator told us. And JKR didn't want to
> explain anything more.)  What is the story behind the Bloody Baron??
> Was this explained anywhere else, in the books, interview, etc.?
>
> Tonks_op

Hmm I've never though of it as unicorn blood. Sure it's silver, but isn't 
that because the ghost itself is more or less silver. I've always imagined 
ghosts as somewhat monochrome. So blood on them would also be white. Or 
silver, if you'd describe the ghost itself as silvery.

But if it IS indeed unicorn blood the Bloody Barin is splattered with, it 
sure raises some wuestions as to when and where he died. And why. He must be 
a former Slytherin to be the Slytherin ghost. But we only know that Nick 
died ages ago, the Bloody Baron could theoretically have died recently...

And he must be a pretty powerful ghost since he's the only one that can 
control Peeves.

~TrekkieGrrrl