CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Chapter 12: The Pat

[willsonteam]

No: HPFGUIDX 189946

> 
> Pippin:
> According to Snape, the ghost is an "imprint" of the departed soul. It seems to be made of the same quasi-material silvery stuff that composes patronuses and extracted memories. To me, it sounds as if the wizard's actual soul may eventually "go on" -- but the ghost self never can.
> 

Potioncat:
I found Snape's explanation confusing when comparted to Nick's explanation. If the ghost is an imprint, then it is similar to a portrait. I had thought the ghost was the soul that had not gone on. So, is it an imprint, with a sort of memory and a false sense of self? or is it real? I feel better thinking that the real Myrtle exists in an afterlife, perhaps joined by her parents, than to think the poor child will haunt Hogwarts forever.