Weasley family ghoul

The Weasley family ghoul was a ghoul that lived in the attic at the Burrow. Considered to be more of a pet than a pest by the Weasleys, the ghoul is largely ignored, although it does bang on the pipes when it feels the house is too quiet.

1997
In 1997, Ron Weasley came up with a plan to use the ghoul in his plans to assist Harry Potter and Hermione Granger search for Lord Voldemort's Horcruxes. Since he would not be at school and did not want to endanger his family, he convinced his brothers, Fred and George Weasley, to help him transfigure the ghoul so it looked more human and dress it in pyjamas. Arthur Weasley also helped, without the knowledge of his wife.

Ron's plan called for the ghoul to take up residence in his room while he was away. The Transfiguration work also made the ghoul appear to have Spattergroit, a highly contagious disease. It was Ron's hope that this would convince any Ministry officials or Death Eaters that he was seriously ill, since no wizard would risk getting close. The plan worked, to a certain point. After being interrogated following the fall of the Ministry on 1 August, the Weasley file kept by Dolores Umbridge noted that Ron was seriously ill and confined to his bed. He narrowly missed detection when he temporarily abandoned Harry and Hermione and was caught by Snatchers; he told them that he was Stan Shunpike and then managed to escape. Another close call came when Ron, Harry, and Hermione were ambushed at the Lovegood House; Hermione threw Harry's Invisibility Cloak over Ron as they escaped so that Death Eaters Selwyn and Travers did not see him.

1998
However, after Harry accidentally broke the Taboo on Voldemort's name in 1998, the Death Eaters learned that Ron was with Harry; the rest of the Weasleys were forced into hiding and prevented from going to their jobs.

Behind the scenes

 * For lack of a version of this monster in other countries' folklore, the ghoul is often translated as something else. In the Dutch version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, this ghoul is referred as a poltergeist. As for the Portuguese versions of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, both European and Brazilian, this ghoul is referred as a vampire. In the Swedish version of the books the ghoul is refered to as a ghost. However in the Danish version it is still a ghoul.
 * Students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry may take Ghoul Studies, however, this class was only referenced on the official Marauder's Map replica made by the Noble Collection.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
 * Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
 * Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Notes and references
Goule de la famille Weasley