Myrtle Warren

Myrtle
Biographical information
Born	c.1930
Died	June, 1943 (Aged 12-13) A Bathroom in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Blood status	Muggle-born
Also known as	Moaning Myrtle
Physical information
Species	Ghost (formerly human)
Gender	Female
Hair colour	Dark Brown
Skin colour	Pale and acne-ridden
Family information
Family members	Father Mother
Affiliation
House	Ravenclaw
Loyalty	Somewhat loyal to Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Girls bathroom

Hermione Granger: "We wanted to ask you if you've seen anything funny lately. Because a cat was attacked right outside your front door on Halloween."

Harry Potter: "Did you see anyone near here that night?"

Myrtle: "I wasn't paying attention. Peeves upset me so much I came in here and tried to kill myself. Then, of course, I remembered that I'm—that I'm—"

Ronald Weasley: "Already dead."

— Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley ask Myrtle on the attack on Mrs. Norris

Myrtle, more commonly known as Moaning Myrtle, was a muggle-born witch who attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and was sorted into Ravenclaw house. She was killed in 1943 by Salazar Slytherin's Basilisk, under Tom Riddle's orders. Now, she is a ghost who haunts the second floor girl's bathroom (and occasionally other bathroom facilities) at Hogwarts.

Biography

Hogwarts years

Myrtle was a witch born to a muggle mother and father, making her a Muggle-born. She started her education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sometime around the 1940s. When she arrived at Hogwarts she was sorted into the house of Ravenclaw. While at Hogwarts she was unable to make any friends and would constantly be teased and bullied because of this, and her physical appearance by her fellow students.

Opening of the Chamber of Secrets

Myrtle as a ghost.

"Ooooh, it was dreadful, it happened right in here, in this very cubicle. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. I was crying, and then I heard somebody come in."

— Myrtle telling Harry, Ron and Gilderoy Lockhart about her death.

In 1943, some time into Myrtle's education, the Chamber of Secrets was declared open for the first time. The Chamber of Secrets was a legendary chamber believed to have been built by Salazar Slytherin when he left Hogwarts and inside was believed to be a beast that only his heir could control. It was to be made out that Gryffindor student, Rubeus Hagrid had opened the chamber, but in fact it was Tom Marvolo Riddle, a Slytherin student. Hogwarts was soon under threat of facing closure as Muggle-born students were being mysteriously attacked by the mythical beast thought to be down inside the chamber.

Death

""Nobody missed me even when I was alive. Took them hours to find my body- I know, I was sitting there waiting for them. Olive Hornby came into the bathroom- 'Are you in here again, sulking Myrtle?, she said, 'because Professor Dippet asked me to look for you-' And then she saw my body...ooooh, she didn't forget that until her dying day, I'm sure of that..."

— Myrtle to Harry Potter

After her murder Myrtle returned as Ghost to haunt Hogwarts and Olive Hornby.

On her final day of being alive Myrtle was teased by student Olive Hornby, she had made fun of Myrtle's glasses and as a result left Myrtle sobbing, Myrtle then ran into one of the bathroom's stalls, took off her glasses and started crying. Shortly after Myrtle had entered the bathroom, Riddle entered and started speaking in Parseltongue in order to open the Chamber of Secrets, which entrance was hidden behind the bathroom sinks. The Monster of Slytherin (a Basilisk) then emerged from the Chamber of Secret's entrance.

Myrtle, still on one of the stalls, recognized the voice as being from a boy. Opening the stall's door, she yelled at Riddle to go away. On Riddle's command, the Basilisk stared at Myrtle, and her eyes met with the monster's. Looking at a Basilisk's eyes being a fatal act, Myrtle's body fell to the bathroom floor. Her death was the murder that Tom used to make his first Horcrux: the Diary.

Post-Mortem

Following her death Myrtle chose to return as a ghost so she could haunt student Olive Hornby in revenge for bullying her. Olive soon recruited the help of the Ministry of Magic to get rid of Myrtle, who was thereafter obliged to remain at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now having to stay at Hogwarts, Myrtle chose to haunt the bathroom where she had died and was rarely seen outside of it. As a result of her haunting this bathroom, the room was hardly ever used by students, unless they wanted to go unnoticed or were desperate.

Myrtle: "Come to throw something else at me?"

Harry: "Why would I throw something at you?"

Myrtle: "Don't ask me, here I am minding my own business and someone decides to throw something at me."

— Myrtle and Harry in 1993.

Myrtle speaking with Harry in her bathroom about her murder.

In the 1992–1993 school year the Chamber of Secrets, which was located in Myrtles bathroom was opened again, multiple times, 50 years after it was open for the first time, which resulted in the death of Myrtle. This time it was being opened by a Gryffindor First year, Ginny Weasley who was being possessed by Tom Riddle's Diary, which had took soul form after the defeat of Lord Voldemort and the end of the First Wizarding War. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger used Myrtle's bathroom in 1992 to brew Polyjuice Potion that was used to disguise Harry and Ron as Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle so that they could sneak into the Slytherin Dungeon to interrogate Draco Malfoy about the Chamber of Secrets, to see if he was the heir or if he had any information on it, which he did. He told them that his father Lucius Malfoy told him that the last time the chamber was open a "Mudblood" was killed, referring to Myrtle's murder.

In 1993, Myrtle helped Harry and Ron to find out about the monster inside the Chamber of Secrets after their friend Hermione Granger, a muggle-born had been attacked. When Harry asked her about how she died, Myrtle surprisingly was actually flattered, and acted as though she had never been asked this question before and happily told her story, but soon after she started wailing for reliving her death. She also flooded the bathroom after "somebody" attempted to flush Tom Riddle's diary down her toilet to dispose of it.

During the Triwizard Tournament Myrtle spent some time in the Prefects bathroom, spying on students bathing.

"Oh, hello Harry, long time - no - see, hmm, I was circling a blocked drain the other day and I swear I saw some polyjuice potion. Not being a bad boy again, are you Harry? ...I'd put it in the water if I were you."

— Myrtle to Harry in 1994.

During the 1994–1995 school year Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was the holding grounds to the Triwizard Tournament. Before the second task the champions had to solve the mystery behind their Golden egg, which was a message hidden inside that can only be understood under water. One champion Cedric Diggory decided to think things over whilst taking a bath in the Prefects' bathroom, Myrtle was spying on Cedric whilst he was doing this and admits that it took him a long time to figure it out, as nearly all the bubbles in the bath were gone by the time he cracked it. Cedric later recommended to Harry Potter that he take a bath in the Prefects' bathroom. Harry took his egg in the bathroom with him and thought things over in the water. Despite this, Harry had no clue what to do next, but then Myrtle arrived and through talking to her, he solved the clue by opening the egg under water.

Myrtle speaking to Harry whilst he takes a bath and helping him solve the task.

After solving the task Harry now had the location and an understanding of what to do for the second task of the Triwizard Tournament. The egg told Harry that he had something taken from him that sits at the bottom of the Black Lake. Myrtle also appeared before Harry whilst he was in the Black Lake, and pointed him in the right direction of the captives of the Merpeople during the Triwizard Tournament, helping him to reach them before anyone else in the tournament did. That year also Myrtle briefly stumbled across some Polyjuice Potion and questioned Harry if he had been a "naughty boy" to which he declined, Myrtle could have potentially solved that Barty Crouch Jr. had been impersonating Alastor Moody all year had she looked into her suspicions further.

"…he's sensitive, people bully him, too, and he feels lonely and hasn't got anybody to talk to, and he's not afraid to show his feelings and cry!"

— Moaning Myrtle about Draco Malfoy

In 1997 Draco Malfoy confided in Moaning Myrtle about his assassination attempts of Albus Dumbledore. Myrtle comforts him, and feels that she understands him. However when Malfoy and Harry engage in an intense duel, Myrtle does cry out for them to stop, but it is clear to Harry that she enjoys the excitement. Previously, when Harry had asked Myrtle about who the boy she has been seeing is, she does not tell him but states that she has 'learned not to expect too much from boys', as Harry has never once visited her bathroom as she'd asked him to. The last time Myrtle is seen by Harry Potter is when she is ordered to leave the bathroom by Severus Snape. It is unknown whether she returned in 1998 to participate in The Battle of Hogwarts or indeed whether she returned at all. She possibly returned and continued haunting the girls' bathroom.

Relationships

Myrtle acting perverse towards Harry Potter.

Harry Potter

"Harry, if you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet."

— Myrtle to Harry before he enters the Chamber of Secrets

During his education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Harry was nice to Myrtle, and she developed a crush on him. Whilst at Hogwarts Harry wasn't exactly known to stay out of life-threatening trouble, and Myrtle offered to share her toilet with Harry if the event of his death occurred. She also was more than happy to help Harry during his studies at Hogwarts, with any task, during his Second year she helped him solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets and in his Fourth year she helped him solve the mystery of the Triwizard Tournament's second task. During his fourth year Myrtle acted, to a level, sexually towards Harry whilst he bathed in the Prefects' bathroom, causing him to feel uncomfortable as he did not reciprocate her feelings of attraction. She does however act coldly sometimes towards Harry after he rarely ever visits her.

Draco Malfoy

Draco Malfoy feeling the strains of life as a Death Eater.

Myrtle also got on well with Draco Malfoy, who in turn was Harry Potter's enemy whilst at Hogwarts. Despite Draco being prejudiced against Muggle-borns and constantly bullying and threatening Hermione Granger for being muggle-born, the two managed to become close as both needed company for comfort. She and he became friends whilst she comforted him during his Sixth year at Hogwarts; that year Draco had become a Death Eater and was feeling the strains of it as he was required to murder Albus Dumbledore. He shared his feelings and thoughts with Myrtle, who listened and comforted him. Also she seems to have taken preference of Draco to Harry as Harry never visits Myrtle when she asks him to. Some time during 1997 Harry and Draco duelled one another in the bathroom and it resulted in Draco being seriously injured.

Olive Hornby

Olive Hornby and Myrtle were very much enemies. Olive teased Myrtle about her glasses during school and was constantly bullied by her. When Myrtle was crying in the bathroom and then got killed by the basilisk, it was Olive who first saw her dead body. Myrtle wanted revenge on Olive so bad she stalked her where ever she went reminding her that it was her fault she was dead and how horrible she was. Myrtle even went so far to interrupt her brother's wedding, though that was enough for Olive who went to the Ministry of Magic who demanded Myrtle stay at Hogwarts. Myrtle claimed she didn't forget until her dying day.

Peeves

Both Peeves and Myrtle lived at the school and were known as bothersome. Although Myrtle did not like Peeves who took enjoyment in bothering her as he did to everyone. At Nearly Headless Nick's Death day party both Peeves and Myrtle attended, when Peeves heard Hermione Granger complaining about Myrtle he found it as the perfect time to cause trouble. Peeves called Myrtle over, Myrtle did not look happy to see him but Peeves informed her that Hermione was talking about her. Myrtle assuming she was talking behind her back ran off crying, Peeves seemed to enjoy her pain and began pelting her with peanuts. Myrtle later told Harry, Ron, and Hermione that Peeves made her so upset she wanted to kill herself but then of course she reminded herself that she's all ready dead.

Ron Weasley

Ron and Myrtle seemed to not have a very good relationship. Ron was very blunt to her in which she would usually get upset and start to cry. An example of this is when she tells them that someone threw a diary at her in which he reminds her it can't hurt her and she yells at him. Ron seemed to think Myrtle was weird but was kind of scared of her when she stood up to him and punched threw his belly and head to prove her point. Ron also bugged her about keeping a secret for a guy (Draco Malfoy) claiming where would she take it to the grave or the sewers. Ron also made a comment saying Tonks was starting to look like Myrtle since Sirius died this was probably not a complement to Tonks.

Hermione Granger

It was shown that Myrtle did not like Hermione in the least. At Nearly Headless Nick's death day party Hermione told Harry and Ron how horrible and whiny Myrtle was. Peeves who over heard this called Myrtle over. Peeves told Myrtle that Hermione was talking about her. Myrtle knew she must be talking about her meanly like most students did, Hermione however who never wanted to hurt Myrtle's feelings tried to tell Myrtle how she was only saying how pretty Myrtle was looking tonight. However Myrtle did not by this and yelled at Hermione for lying to her and leaved the party crying. To brew the poly juice potion Hermione was in Myrtle's bathroom quite a lot as she knew nobody would want to go there because of Myrtle's presents, Myrtle seemed cold to Hermione probably because of Hermione talking bad about her at the death day party. Myrtle did take great enjoyment in Hermione being upset though (also probably because of her talking behind her back at the party) when Hermione's potion turned her into a cat, Myrtle teased and laughed at Hermione only making Hermione feel worse about her cat like appearance. Harry had never seen Myrtle that happy then teasing Hermione.

Nearly Headless Nick

It is unknown Myrtle's relationship with Nick, though it is known that he invited her to his Death day party. Nick probably invited her because either he liked her, felt bad for her or the fact that she is also a ghost and dead. Nick and Myrtle seem not to have the same point on death Nick who celebrates it and Myrtle who is highly offended and touchy about it although sometimes likes to talk about it.

Etymology

• Myrtle' is a type of evergreen shrub that is often overlooked because of its plainness, native to southern Europe and north Africa.
• Myrtle is a variety of the colour green. It is immoderately dark, slightly more so than the colour spinach.
• It is possible she was named "Myrtle" to continue J.K. Rowling's tradition of naming characters after flowers.

"Moaning" Myrtle.

Character attributes

Myrtle was a squat student with dark lank hair, pimples, and thick glasses. She died in 1943 and became a Ghost, wearing her school uniform for eternity. Myrtle was constantly bullied during her education at Hogwarts for both her physical appearance and her personality. Myrtle hardly ever smiles and takes great offence at the smallest excuses, crying rivers of tears and wailing. She does however seem to warm to some male students, including Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Myrtle also appears to be a desperate flirt, she constantly flirts with Harry Potter and shows her desperation to find love by spying on students such as Cedric Diggory whilst he bathed in the Prefects' bathroom, which required her to leave her stall which she usually would never do. Myrtle liked to take bubble baths when she was alive, due to "all those pretty bubbles".

Behind the scenes

Shirley Henderson playing teenager Myrtle.

• The myrtle tree is a close relative of the willow tree. "Moaning Myrtle" is a similar phrase to "weeping willow." Her name is also possibly related to the "Moaning Minnie," the British name for a German WWII artillery shell that made a distinctive moaning whine before it hit.
• Moaning Myrtle was portrayed by Shirley Henderson in the film adaptations of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Being 5' 0½" (1.54 m) and 37 years old when she first played Moaning Myrtle, she is the oldest actor to play a teenage Hogwarts student in the Harry Potter films.
• The myrtle ("Myrtus") is a flowering plant of southern Europe and north Africa. In Greek mythology, it was sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, and to Demeter, goddess of grain and fertility; Pausanias relates it to the tragedy of Adonis. Romans, through Virgin, relate the myrtle to Venus and used them in wedding rituals, something that Jewish liturgy, which deemed it sacred, also used. Myrtle has also uses in Wiccan rituals, and was considered medicinal by the ancients, including Hippocrates, Pliny, Galen and Arabian writers.
• Myrtle's surname is not known, as it has never been said in the canon.
• In one scene of Chamber of Secrets, Ron jokingly suggests that Tom Riddle earned his Special Award for Services to the School for killing Myrtle; this foreshadows the fact that Riddle did indeed kill her.
• Hermione says Moaning Myrtle haunts the bathroom on the first floor. However, when Harry sees the writing on the wall outside her bathroom, he is on the second floor. This may be attributed to the English/European manner of naming the Ground Floor as the one usually with the main entrance, and the First Floor as one floor up from the Ground Floor.
• Myrtle is shown to have a crush on Harry throughout the series. In the Goblet of Fire film, the bathroom scene shows her acting sexually towards Harry.
• Myrtle was also the first person to be killed by Lord Voldemort.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance) (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (film) (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Appears as a ghost or a spirit)
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Voice only)