======Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington======
=====Introduction=====
Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, more commonly known as **Nearly Headless Nick**, is the resident [[ghost]] of [[Gryffindor Tower]] at [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]]. A wizard from the 15th century, he was executed by a botched beheading that left his head hanging on by a small flap of skin, earning him his famous nickname. In his afterlife, Sir Nicholas is a friendly, if somewhat pompous, guide and confidant to generations of [[Gryffindor]] students, most notably [[Harry Potter]]. His primary personal ambition is to gain acceptance into the ranks of the [[Headless Hunt]], an exclusive club for decapitated [[ghosts]].
=====Biography=====
Sir Nicholas was a wizard who, in life, was a courtier in the royal court of King Henry VII (Pottermore). His life came to an end on the night of October 30th, 1492, after a magical mishap. He attempted to use [[magic]] to straighten the teeth of a lady-in-waiting, Lady Grieve, but the [[spell]] backfired and caused her to grow a tusk. He was immediately stripped of his [[wand]] and sentenced to death (Pottermore). The execution, carried out with a blunt axe on October 31st, 1492, was poorly done; after forty-five hacks, his head was still not completely severed from his neck.
Fearing death, he chose to remain on earth as a [[ghost]] and took up residence at [[Hogwarts]], becoming the official [[ghost]] of [[Gryffindor]] House. Over the centuries, he became a familiar and welcoming presence for new students.
During [[Harry Potter]]'s time at [[Hogwarts]], Nick played a notable role. In Harry's second year, he celebrated his 500th Deathday with a large party in one of the dungeons. It was while leaving this party that Harry first heard the voice of the [[Basilisk]]. Later that year, Nick himself became a victim of the [[Basilisk]], whose lethal gaze caused him to become Petrified. As he was already dead, he could not be killed again, but he was left immobile and smoke-coloured until the [[Mandrake Restorative Draught]] was administered at the end of the school year. His petrification provided a crucial clue that the monster in the [[Chamber of Secrets]] did not kill by sight alone.
Following the death of [[Sirius Black]] in Harry's fifth year, Nick provided Harry with a sombre explanation of the nature of [[ghosts]]. He explained that very few wizards choose to return as imprints of their living selves, usually doing so because they are afraid of what lies beyond. He confirmed that [[Sirius Black]] would not have returned as a [[ghost]].
=====Physical Appearance and Personality=====
As a [[ghost]], Sir Nicholas is pearly-white and semi-transparent. He typically dresses in the fashion of his time, wearing a doublet, breeches with a ruff around his neck, and a plumed hat. The ruff serves to hide his most distinguishing feature: his nearly-severed neck. His head lolls to one side, attached by a mere half-inch of skin and sinew, a gruesome injury he is often morbidly eager to demonstrate to the shocked or curious.
Nick is generally affable, dramatic, and enjoys the attention of the living. He is a proud [[Gryffindor]] and offers help and guidance to students of his House. However, he is also quite sensitive, particularly about his "nearly headless" status. His inability to fully detach his head is a source of great personal shame and the sole reason for his repeated rejection from the [[Headless Hunt]], a fact that causes him considerable anguish. He can also be pompous and long-winded, but his intentions are almost always good.
=====Magical Abilities and Skills=====
As a ghost, Sir Nicholas possesses the standard abilities of spectral beings.
  * **Intangibility:** He can pass through solid objects and people, an act which creates an intensely cold sensation for any living being he moves through.
  * **Flight:** He can float and drift through the air.
  * **Limited Interaction:** He cannot physically interact with the world, and any food he attempts to "eat" by passing through it will taste bland and unsatisfying.
  * **Petrification Immunity:** While he cannot be killed again, he can be affected by powerful [[Dark Magic]]. The stare of a [[Basilisk]] did not kill him but instead rendered him Petrified, a state from which he had to be revived by magical means.
=====Possessions=====
A ghost's possessions are mere imprints of what they had in life. Nick's form is always seen with his 15th-century attire, including his plumed hat, doublet, and ruff. He does not own or carry any other physical objects.
=====Relationships=====
  * **[[Harry Potter]]:** Nick acted as a friendly guide to Harry from his first night at [[Hogwarts]]. He offered advice and, in a moment of great emotional distress for Harry, provided a clear and compassionate explanation about death and the choice to become a [[ghost]].
  * **[[The Headless Hunt]]:** Nick's greatest aspiration is to join this club of decapitated [[ghosts]], led by [[Sir Patrick Delaney-Podmore]]. However, Sir Patrick and the other members consistently mock and reject him because his head is not fully detached, which is a source of deep insecurity for Nick.
  * **Other [[Hogwarts]] [[Ghosts]]:** Nick maintains a civil, if sometimes strained, relationship with the other house [[ghosts]]. He has a particular dislike for the [[Bloody Baron]], the [[ghost]] of [[Slytherin]] House. He is generally on good terms with the [[Fat Friar]] of [[Hufflepuff]] and the [[Grey Lady]] of [[Ravenclaw]].
  * **[[Peeves]]:** Like most [[Hogwarts]] residents, Nick is often annoyed by the antics of [[Peeves]] the [[poltergeist]]. However, [[Peeves]] shows a rare sign of respect by addressing him as "Sir Nicholas," though he once dropped a bag of mouldy nuts through him to get his attention during his Deathday party.
=====Etymology=====
  * **Nicholas:** A traditional English name, derived from the Greek //Nikolaos//, meaning "victory of the people."
  * **de Mimsy-Porpington:** This surname is whimsical and quintessentially British in its sound. The word "mimsy" was coined by Lewis Carroll in his poem "Jabberwocky," meaning "flimsy and miserable," which could be a subtle nod to Nick's ghostly state and his perpetual disappointment regarding the [[Headless Hunt]].
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * J.K. Rowling wrote a song, //The Ballad of Nearly Headless Nick//, which detailed the story of his life and death. It was intended for //Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets// but was ultimately cut from the final version of the book (J.K. Rowling).
  * In the film adaptations, Sir Nicholas is portrayed by actor John Cleese. His role is most prominent in the first two films and is significantly reduced thereafter.