Peeves

**Peeves** is a character in the *Harry Potter book series*. He is a poltergeist who inhabits Hogwarts Castle. He is considered a nuisance for the chaos and mischief he causes.

## Biography

### Early history

Peeves first appeared when Hogwarts Castle was built. It is thought that he is generated by the energy that the young witches and wizards bring to the school. Being a poltergeist, he is noisy, destructive and very difficult to get rid of. Peeves brings even more trouble than the average poltergeist because of the magic in the school he inhabits. He is considered the most notorious and troublesome poltergeist in British history.

Like his name suggests, Peeves is a nuisance to the staff, students and other inhabitants of Hogwarts. He likes to cause havoc and brings plenty of mischief to their daily lives, with the poltergeist known for hiding in suits of armour, dropping things on people's heads, breaking vases and throwing books. There are students and teachers who have somewhat of a fondness for him, but he was the pet peeve of every Hogwarts caretaker throughout the history of the school. They always have to clean up the mess that Peeves likes to create, leading to some failed efforts to get rid of him.

The first caretaker he ever interfered with was Hankerton Humble. In 1876, caretaker Rancorous Carpe tried to trap Peeves with a bait of weapons and a giant bell jar to drop over him which was enchanted with Containment Charms. However, the poltergeist broke through the jar and escaped with cutlasses, crossbows, a blunderbuss and a small cannon. After leaving an entire corridor with broken glass, Peeves led a three-day standoff with his new weapons which involved firing randomly out of the windows and threatening everyone with death. Eupraxia Mole, the Headmistress, had to evacuate the school until she signed a contract with Peeves to get back in. She granted him additional privileges including a new hat custom-made by Madame Bonhabille of Paris. Carpe had to take early retirement for health reasons after the ordeal.

### 20th century

In the 20th century, the Head of Hogwarts was Albus Dumbledore. Peeves recognised his authority and to a certain degree, Dumbledore could control him. He was also known to be intimidated by the Bloody Baron but was a nightmare for the current caretaker, Argus Filch.

Before the Sorting ceremony for Harry Potter's year, they overheard the Fat Friar talking about Peeves with the other ghosts. He thought they should "forgive and forget" Peeves' recent behaviour but the others pointed out they had given him enough second chances. They also thought that Peeves was giving them a bad name even though he wasn't a real ghost. After the Start-of-Term Feast, Peeves interrupted the first year Gryffindors on their way to their common room. He threw walking sticks at Percy Weasley who demanded that Peeves show himself. When he did, he was delighted by the "firsties" and swooped at them. Percy warned Peeves that if he didn't leave, he would tell the Bloody Baron. Peeves vanished after poking out his tongue and dropping walking sticks on Neville Longbottom.

Peeves lived up to his name during Harry's first days at school. Whenever students were late to class, he threw waste paper at them, pulled rugs, pelted them with chalks or grab their noses while invisible and screaming that he had them. Minerva McGonagall shouted at Peeves to get out of a classroom where he was writing rude words on a blackboard to talk to Harry in private. Peeves did not like it and threw the chalks before storming out while cursing.

One evening, he caught Harry, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom in the Charms corridor after curfew. He was delighted to catch them breaking the school rules and cackled. They begged him not to tell anyone but he started shouting that there were students out of bed to draw the attention of Filch. They ran away into a nearby room before they were caught. Filch appeared and asked Filch which way they had gone but he refused to tell him without hearing the word "please". Filch gave in and asked politely but Peeves started laughing and whooshed away.

After a troll appeared in the castle during the Hallowe'en Feast, Ron considered whether it was Peeves who let it in for fun. In the New Year, after hearing Quirinus Quirrell argue with Severus Snape, Harry checked whether Peeves was in a classroom before telling Ron and Hermione about it in private. In April, Harry and Hermione were sneaking out the castle to get to Hagrid's Hut and had to wait for Peeves to stop playing tennis in the Entrance Hall and get out before walking through it without getting caught.

One evening in June, Peeves was loosening the carpet on stairs to the third floor when he sensed Harry, Ron and Hermione up under the Cloak of Invisibility. He asked who was there and told them he would tell Filch someone was creeping around. Harry pretended to be the Bloody Baron and told Peeves he had business in that part of the castle and he should stay away. Being afraid of the Bloody Baron, he nearly fell out the air in shock and apologised for threatening him. Peeves then scooted away.

## Appearance

He has a physical form, which reflects his humour and inner nature, with the ability to turn invisible at will. He was little, with wicked dark eyes and a big mouth.

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 *Wizarding World*, Writing by J.K. Rowling: Peeves
2. ↑ "The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part Two," *The Leaky Cauldron*
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 7
4. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 8
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 9
6. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 10
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 13
8. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 14
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 16