The Dark Mark - You've Got Dirt Under Your Nose, by the way,

[tigerpatronus]

No: HPFGUIDX 130049

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "tinglinger" <tinglinger at y...> 
wrote:
> <snip> 
> I wonder if Ron's smudged nose is an omen of death,
> a la the Dark Mark, or just as a symbol of being
> below ground....
>> tinglinger
> 

I think it's more likely that it's an excellent example of continuity. 

TK -- TigerPatronus