Poltergeist

> "*The name 'poltergeist' is German in origin, and roughly translates as 'noisy ghost', although it is not, strictly speaking, a ghost at all. The poltergeist is an invisible entity that moves objects, slams doors and creates other audible, kinetic disturbances. It has been reported in many cultures and there is a strong association with the places where young people, especially adolescents, are living. Explanations for the phenomenon vary all the way from supernatural to scientific.*"
> ― Description[source]
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A **poltergeist** is an "indestructible spirit of chaos". They haunt one specific location at time, generally those inhabited by a large number of adolescents, and either "[came] with the building", or chose to enter it at some point. They occasionally haunt the homes of Muggles. They are among the creatures classed as Non-Human Spiritous Apparitions, and as such, they are amortal.

Poltergeists generally do not have a physical form, with one notable exception being Peeves, the poltergeist that haunts Hogwarts Castle. He is considered "the most notorious and troublesome poltergeist in British history".

## Nature

### Abilities

Poltergeists can fly and delight in vandalism, malicious mischief, and the general aggravation and embarrassment of living persons. They could unscrew chandeliers, write rude words on chalkboards, throw water balloons at people, throw walking sticks at people, stuff keyholes with chewing gum and other such acts, simply for their amusement.

### Behaviour

Poltergeists are notably unruly and have developed a misconception that there is no way to get rid of a poltergeist once it has moved into a location. More destructive poltergeists who have inhabited a location for a longer period of time are harder to expel, but it is not impossible to do. In more serious cases, some people (notably Albus Dumbledore and the Bloody Baron) could get the poltergeist to settle down for a while, though it would inevitably start acting up again. Dolores Umbridge claimed that the Minister for Magic could sign an order banning a poltergeist, and once threatened Peeves with this action. However, her statement may reflect her belief in the superiority of wizards in general and the Ministry of Magic in particular, rather than specific knowledge of the nature of poltergeists, and that her efforts would be wasted. Peeves is likely the only known exception to this course of action.

### Comparison to ghosts

Whilst similar, poltergeists differ from ghosts in a number of ways. Firstly, ghosts are incorporeal, whereas the poltergeist, despite not normally having a physical form, is solid enough to move objects with physical force. Poltergeists have never once been living humans either. The latter trait indicates amortality, the condition of never having died and being unable to die, as one was never alive to start. Poltergeists with form have enough physicality that they can have gum fly up their noses, and they are vulnerable to some of the same jinxes as humans, including *Langlock* . It is also possible that they can feel pain, but still not be physically injured.

## Known Poltergeists

* Handsome Poltergeist
* Peeves
* Uncle Edward

## Etymology

"Poltergeist" comes from German *poltern*, which means "to make (loud) noise", and *geist*, meaning "ghost" or "spirit." The German plural form is "Poltergeister.