<P> Rowling has described death as the most important theme in the books . Consequently, as Dumbledore states in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there is no spell that can truly bring the dead back to life . While corpses can be transformed into obedient Inferi on a living wizard's command, they are little more than zombies with no soul or will of their own . However, there are some methods of communicating with the dead, though with limited results . For example, all Hogwarts headmasters appear in a portrait when they die, allowing consultation by future generations . It is also possible through the rare Priori Incantatem effect to converse with ghost - like "shadows" of magically murdered people . The Resurrection Stone also allows one to talk to the dead, but those brought back by the Stone are not corporeal, nor do they wish to be disturbed from their peaceful rest . Throughout the series, this limit is continually mentioned, and wizards try to transcend it at their own peril . </P> <P> Likewise, it is not possible to make oneself immortal unless one makes use of an object of great power to sustain life, such as the Philosopher's Stone or horcruxes . If one were to possess the three Deathly Hallows, it is fabled that they would possess the tools to become the "master of death". However, it is hinted that to be a true "master of death" is to be willing to accept that death is inevitable . Other methods of extending life include drinking unicorn blood, which will keep a person alive even if death is imminent, but at the terrible 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 (such as Griselda Marchbanks, who was an invigilator during Albus Dumbledore's O.W.L examinations). It is revealed by Nearly Headless Nick in the fifth book that all witches and wizards have the choice of becoming ghosts upon dying; however, it is described as "a pale imitation of life". Snape states that a ghost is merely "the imprint of a departed soul left upon the earth". </P> <P> Death is studied at the Department of Mysteries in a chamber containing an enigmatic veil, which Rowling has described as "the divide between life and death". With regard to what is on the other side, she elaborated: "Do I believe you go on? Yes, I do believe you go on . I do believe in an afterlife, although I'm absolutely doubt - ridden and always have been but there you are ." Sirius falls through this veil in Order of the Phoenix after he is hit with a curse from Bellatrix . </P> <P> The Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration is a magical theory mentioned by Hermione and later repeated by Ron in the final book . She explains that food is one of these: witches or wizards can cook and prepare food using magic, and even multiply it, but not create it out of nothing . There are numerous examples in the series of food appearing to have been conjured from nothing, such as the sudden materialisation of ingredients in the pots of Molly Weasley's kitchen and when Professor McGonagall creates a self - refilling plate of sandwiches for Harry and Ron in Chamber of Secrets . In all cases, these events can be reasonably explained as food either being multiplied or transported from elsewhere . One example of the latter is banqueting at Hogwarts--the food is prepared by elves in the kitchens and laid onto four replica tables, directly below the actual house tables in the Great Hall . The food is then magically transported to the tables . </P>

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