Editing Magic in Harry Potter (section)

===Death===
In ''Goblet of Fire'', Albus Dumbledore tells Harry that magic cannot truly and permanently bring dead individuals back to life. However, there are methods of communicating with the dead in a limited way. For example, all Hogwarts headmasters appear in a magical portrait when they die, which allows future generations to consult with them. However, the portrait is a reflection of who the wizard was, and is not a link to their spirit. The [[Deathly Hallows (objects)#Resurrection Stone|Resurrection Stone]] allows the bearer to speak with the dead, but it cannot bring the dead back into the living world.

Likewise, it is not possible to make oneself immortal unless one uses an object of great power to sustain life, such as the [[Magical objects in Harry Potter#Philosopher's stone|Philosopher's Stone]] or a [[Horcrux]]. If one were to possess the three [[Deathly Hallows (objects)|Deathly Hallows]], it is fabled that they would possess the tools to become the "master of death". Other methods of extending life include drinking unicorn blood, which will keep a person alive even if death is imminent, but at the price of being cursed forever. Being magical can contribute to one's longevity, as there are several characters in the series who are unusually long-lived. It is revealed by [[Nearly Headless Nick]] in the fifth novel that all wizards have the choice of becoming [[Ghosts (Harry Potter)|ghosts]] upon dying; however, it is described as "a pale imitation of life". Rowling has stated that death is the most important theme in the novels.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Harry Potter and Me |series=BBC Christmas Specials |network=[[BBC]] |date=28 December 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Anelli |first1=Melissa |title=More About that Veil |url=http://www.harryahistory.com/2008/09/more-about-that-veil.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120023032/http://www.harryahistory.com/2008/09/more-about-that-veil.html |archive-date=20 November 2008 |access-date=8 May 2017 |website=Harry, A History}}</ref>