SOURCE: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling (1998) and sequels.

DESCRIPTION: "The squat ghost of a girl had glided over. She had the glummest face Harry had ever seen, half-hidden behind lank hair and thick, pearly spectacles." (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling)

NOTES: Moaning Mytle is a ghost that dwells in the girl's lavatory on the first floor. She was killed by the Basilisk fifty years before Harry Potter came to Hogwarts. She lives in the u-bend of one of the toilets, causing much water to cover the floor. Because of this, no one frequents her bathroom, which is also the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Myrtle does nothing but complain and whine about her lot. She has a soft spot for Harry which causes him some embarrassment in The Goblet of Fire.

HISTORY: Rowling has fun with the idea of the lamenting ghost, but instead of being Ophelia she turns out to be that annoying girl you knew at school.

 

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