peeves poltergeist meaning

Harry Potter: Who Is the Hogwarts Poltergeist?

Peeves the Poltergeist was cut from the Harry Potter films despite being involved in all seven books, but who, or what, exactly is he?

The Harry Potter universe is full of wondrous and fascinating magical creatures and beings, many of which have received the silver screen treatment in either the original franchise or the Fantastic Beasts films. However, there is one interesting character who was completely omitted from the movies: Peeves, the Hogwarts Poltergeist.

Peeves the Poltergeist is an equally humorous and malicious entity that has lived in the Hogwarts castle since the school's founding in the year 993. He is known for tormenting students and especially the castle's caretakers in a variety of different ways that range from literally threatening the lives of children with miniature canons and crossbows, to blowing raspberries and making silly jokes.

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A Poltergeist is not the same as a ghost. Hogwarts' many ghosts have varied relationships with him. The Bloody Baron is the only being Peeves has ever listened to or respected, likely out of fear of the blood-soaked and menacing specter. Over the course of the series, The Fat Friar has suggested the ghosts grant Peeves some leniency and allow him to participate in school events like feasts. He is always outvoted in this regard.

Peeves' opaque form can interact with objects, unlike the ghosts of the castle. He uses this ability to throw things at people and write rude words on classroom chalkboards. He has mischievous orange eyes and he wears a silly bow tie and a jester's hat on top of his jet black hair. A bright and vivid being most of the time, he also has the ability to make himself invisible, doing so on several occasions in order to play a prank or joke on an unsuspecting Hogwarts resident.

British actor Rik Mayall was cast as Peeves and even shot a few scenes for the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the end, all of his scenes were left on the cutting room floor and have not been publicly released. After being cut from the first film, Peeves never made a big-screen appearance despite his regular presence in the books.

In the first book, it was Peeves who nearly got Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville discovered by Filch after Malfoy tricked them into breaking curfew. In the second book, he was present at the Death Day Party, and discovered Harry over the body of a petrified Justin Finch-Fletchley.

In the third book, he explained to Dumbledore that Sirius Black had attacked the Fat Lady's portrait on Halloween to gain access to the dormitory. In the fourth book, Peeves has a less substantial role, but he is part of the reason Hermione discovers there are house-elves in the Hogwarts kitchen, leading to the creation of S.P.E.W.

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The fifth book contains a few notable moments where he actually worked alongside the Hogwarts students. Peeves receives a parting request from the Weasley twins Fred and George to give Professor Umbridge hell in their absence, to which he salutes them and very much obliges. He worked alongside the notoriously strict Professor McGonagall to torture Umbridge. McGonagall lent her cane to Peeves and also helped him to unscrew a chandelier.

In the sixth book, his participation in the plot dramatically decreases and he has a less substantial role, just turning up on occasion to serve as an annoyance or temporary obstacle. He makes something of a return in the last book, where he participates in the Battle of Hogwarts and does his duty to protect the school and his home.

It makes sense that the filmmakers decided to remove Peeves from the film adaptations. While he does bring personality and color to the Hogwarts castle, the visuals of the film are able to achieve that added sense of personality through visual representation of the castle without his help. Peeves' rare moments of plot significance were easily re-assigned to other characters in the film. The films didn't need additional comic relief or yet another CGI character inflating the budget. However, Peeves is still one of the treats in reading the book series as opposed to watching the films.

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Hogwarts Legacy: The Lore Behind Peeves

Hogwarts Legacy players may have encountered a particularly pesty ghost named Peeves, and big Harry Potter fans know he's been around for a while.

Much like Star Wars , Star Trek , Marvel, DC, and just about any other big franchise like it, the Wizarding World has a lot of lore already pre-established, dating all the way back to the very origin of magic itself and going right up until Harry Potter's children arrive at Hogwarts. But while the basis is there for many lore elements, the Harry Potter books and movies don't reveal everything, and it's now up to pieces of media like Hogwarts Legacy to flesh out the Wizarding World's lore properly. But there's one character that's somehow managed to appear across the franchise, in just about every time period, and that's Peeves the poltergeist.

One of Hogwarts' oldest ghosts, Peeves practically came with the school when it first opened, and he's spent 1000 years tormenting both students and staff alike. While Peeves doesn't have any screen-time in the Harry Potter movies , with his original scenes being cut from the first movie, he crops up plenty throughout the books and makes multiple appearances in Hogwarts Legacy .

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Peeves - Hogwarts' Mischievous Poltergeist

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was first founded around the year 993, and it's widely believed that Peeves the poltergeist was there on opening day. While most of the Harry Potter universe's ghosts are souls trapped halfway between the mortal plane and the next due to their extreme fear of death or their affinity for a particular location, Peeves is a little different. The stories say that Peeves was never actually living at all, and that he's somehow the ghostly manifestation of childhood mischief.

Often appearing in brightly colored finery and a top hat, Peeves is Hogwarts' biggest, and longest-running troublemaker. Peeves delights in playing pranks on students and staff, but he has a particular penchant for teasing the schools' various caretakers over the years, beginning with Hogwarts' very first caretaker, Hankerton Humble.

In the 1870s, Hogwarts' caretaker Rancorous Carpe had grown sick of Peeves' antics and decided to trap the ghost once and for all. Carpe crafted a brilliant trap of countless weapons and a jar, all jinxed with containment charms. However, this did little to trap Peeves, who quickly broke out of the jar and turned those enchanted weapons on Carpe instead. Hogwarts had to be evacuated following this attempt, as Peeves continued to threaten students with various enchanted weaponry, from swords to canons and blunderbusses. Eventually, Peeves was calmed down by headmistress Eupraxia Mole , who agreed to sign a contract with Peeves that granted several wishes, including access to the boys' toilets on the ground floor of the castle for a weekly swim, a selection of stale bread to throw at students, and a brand-new custom hat.

20 years later, Peeves can be seen in Hogwarts Legacy scaring students outside Hogwarts' ground floor toilets. As well as general hijinks, Peeves also loves to get students in trouble, and Hogwarts Legacy players can see this behavior on full display in the game's opening hours. When Sebastian Sallow and the player-character are caught by Peeves in the library's restricted section, the poltergeist quickly dashes upstairs to alert the librarian.

Peeves is seen throughout the Harry Potter series, with the first mentions of him coming all the way from the first book, just before the first Hogwarts great hall feast. Here, ghosts like Nearly Headless Nick and Fat Friar question whether or not Peeves will be allowed at the feast after all of his antics. Peeves takes great pleasure in taunting Harry and his friends during their time at Hogwarts, telling teachers that they're sneaking around after curfew, waking Harry up prematurely before a big Quidditch match , and generally mocking the chosen one whenever he gets a chance.

Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. PS4 and Xbox One ports are scheduled to release on April 4, whereas the Nintendo Switch version is arriving on July 25, 2023.

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Peeves was a poltergeist at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry , since c. 993 . Fond of mischief and chaos, he was a constant pain to the school and its inhabitants, especially Argus Filch , the caretaker , as the only ones able to control him were the Bloody Baron and Albus Dumbledore .

In 1995 , Peeves, along with most of the Hogwarts residents, opposed Dolores Umbridge , the High Inquisitor, and pranked her until she was kicked out of the school at the end of the school year. In 1998 , Peeves fought at the Battle of Hogwarts against Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters . After the Second Wizarding War , Peeves continued making trouble at Hogwarts.

1.1 Founding of Hogwarts
1.3 1991–1992 school year
1.4 1992–1993 school year
1.5 1993–1994 school year
1.6 1994–1995 school year
1.7 1995–1996 school year
1.8 1996–1997 school year
1.9 Battle of Hogwarts
2 Physical appearance
3 Personality and traits
4.1 Fred and George Weasley
4.2 Argus Filch
4.3 The Bloody Baron
4.4 Albus Dumbledore
4.5 Hogwarts students and staff
5 Etymology
6 Behind the scenes
7 Appearances
9 Notes and references

Biography [ edit | edit source ]

Founding of hogwarts [ edit | edit source ].

Peeves has lived at Hogwarts Castle since its founding in c. 993 . He "came with the building", [2] and came into existence with the founding of an institution containing a large number of children. Peeves has wrought havoc upon Hogwarts for centuries, and was often the cause of ire for various teachers and staff. Starting with Hankerton Humble , who was appointed by the Founders themselves, Peeves has traditionally been a pet peeve of every caretaker the school has seen.

1876 [ edit | edit source ]

In 1876 , caretaker Rancorous Carpe devised an " elaborate trap " in an effort to remove Peeves from the Castle . The trap was comprised of a bait of assortment of weapons and a vast enchanted bell jar, reinforced by various Containment Charms , which he intended to drop over the poltergeist once he was in place. This did not go as planned, as Peeves easily broke through the bell jar and was left armed with several cutlasses, crossbows, a blunderbuss and a miniature cannon. The Castle had to be evacuated for three days as Peeves amused himself by firing randomly and threatening the students with death.

Professor Eupraxia Mole , Headmistress of the day, agreed to sign a contract with Peeves, so that he relinquished the weapons in exchange for additional privileges (a once-weekly swim in the boys' toilets on the ground floor, first refusal on stale bread from the kitchen for throwing purposes, and a new custom-made hat by Madame Bonhabille ). This was the last and most disastrous attempt to get rid of Peeves. These events forced Mr. Carpe to take early retirement "for health reasons".

1991–1992 school year [ edit | edit source ]

Peeves was a topic of discussion before the Start-of-Term Feast of 1991. Hogwarts' ghosts debated whether or not Peeves should be allowed to attend the feast. While the Fat Friar was willing to give Peeves another chance, Nearly Headless Nick felt Peeves did not deserve to be even considered; ghosts had been given a bad name because of him. [3]

After the Start-of-Term Feast, Peeves appeared to torment prefect Percy Weasley as he led the Gryffindor first years to Gryffindor Tower . Peeves threw walking sticks at the prefect , disregarded Percy's threat to tell the Bloody Baron, responded by blowing a raspberry, dumped even more walking sticks onto Neville Longbottom 's head and left. [3] Peeves wrote rude words on a classroom blackboard when Professor McGonagall surprised Harry with the position of Gryffindor Seeker. [3]

Later in the year, Peeves caught Harry Potter , Hermione Granger , Ron Weasley , and Neville Longbottom sneaking around the school after curfew. He teased them and then loudly alerted Filch to their presence in the halls. However, once Filch arrived, Peeves did nothing but antagonise him. [3] In October, Ron suspected Peeves to have been the one who released the troll but in truth, it turned out that Professor Quirrell had done it.

Harry, Ron and Hermione once again encountered Peeves in the hallways during their quest to save the Philosopher's Stone . Without Peeves' knowledge, the three of them were concealed under Harry's Invisibility Cloak from which Harry impersonated the Bloody Baron, warning Peeves to stay away from the third floor that night. [3]

1992–1993 school year [ edit | edit source ]

In the autumn of 1992, Peeves crashed a vanishing cabinet over Filch's office, after being persuaded by Nearly Headless Nick , saving Harry from one of Filch's punishments. Wearing a bright orange party hat and a revolving bow tie, Peeves attended Nearly-Headless Nick 's deathday party , where he appeared to be civilised, even though he taunted Hermione Granger for gossiping about Moaning Myrtle . He later pelted mouldy peanuts at Myrtle, mocking her spots. [4]

Some time later, Peeves appeared in a hallway with Harry, where he noticed the two new basilisk victims, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick. He loudly alerted the faculty and students of Hogwarts of the attack. He performed a song to taunt Harry over the fact that students though he was the one releasing Slytherin's monster and petrifying the muggle-born students. Peeves soon added a dance routine for the song. [4]

1993–1994 school year [ edit | edit source ]

In 1993, Peeves appeared before Remus Lupin and his third year Defence Against the Dark Arts class when they were entering the teacher's lounge for a practical lesson. Peeves stuffed a keyhole with chewing gum when he noticed Remus. He began singing the phrase "Looney, loopy Lupin" over and over again. Professor Lupin asked him to remove the gum, but Peeves' only response was a loud raspberry. To this, Remus cast a simple spell, Waddiwasi , which shot the gum up Peeves' nose. [5]

On 31 October , Peeves informed Professor Dumbledore of the Fat Lady 's location after her portrait was attacked. He also revealed that her attacker was the escaped prisoner, Sirius Black . [5] At half past four in the morning, Peeves woke Harry Potter up by blowing in his ear, disregarding the fact that the Gryffindor versus Hufflepuff Quidditch match was to be that day.

Peeves was shown on the Marauder's Map to entertain himself by bouncing around the trophy room. He also displayed quite an amount of glee at the prospect of the Dementors using the " Kiss " on Sirius Black. [5]

1994–1995 school year [ edit | edit source ]

His first appearance was before the welcoming feast in the entrance hall, where he dropped water balloons on the students. During the feast, Gryffindor ghost Nearly Headless Nick stated that Peeves was enraged at being unable to attend the feast, as decided via ghost's council , and therefore had caused havoc and mayhem in the kitchens, terrorising the house-elves .

When Harry was practising the Summoning Charm with Hermione, Peeves appeared and started chucking chairs across the room under the pretence that Harry wanted things thrown at him.

Around the time of the Yule Ball, Peeves frequently hid in a suit of armour and sang rude songs and was also accused of stealing Harry's golden egg the night Harry worked out the clue. [6]

1995–1996 school year [ edit | edit source ]

Peeves was in the classroom where Harry, Ron and Hermione were situated shortly after conversing with Sirius about forming Dumbledore's Army . He threw ink pellets at the trio and others, including Katie Bell , who he emptied an ink bottle over.

Peeves was not completely without loyalties, though; during Dolores Umbridge 's attempts to take control of Hogwarts in 1996 , he showed respect for his fellow troublemakers, Fred and George Weasley . Taking their words to heart as they fled the school, this marked possibly the only time Peeves knowingly obeyed a student.

After the Weasley twins' departure, Peeves began a rampage of ceaseless mayhem by juggling burning torches over the students, dumping a bag of tarantulas onto the Great Hall , and destroying property like never before. It appears that Peeves was actually on friendly terms with the strict Professor McGonagall during this time, due to Umbridge. Professor McGonagall went as far as telling him he was unscrewing the chandelier the wrong way, and apparently she later allowed him to borrow her walking stick to hit Dolores as she fled from Hogwarts.

1996–1997 school year [ edit | edit source ]

When Harry asked Luna Lovegood to attend Professor Slughorn 's party , Peeves overheard and started singing a song of his own composition describing the situation.

Shortly after the Apparation lessons, Peeves blocked a door to the Gryffindor Common Room, and wouldn't let anyone pass unless they set fire to their own pants. Only Neville Longbottom fell prey to this prank.

During 1996, when Harry Potter was admitted to the hospital wing after suffering a cracked skull when Cormac McLaggen hit him with a bludger, Harry summoned Kreacher to have him tail Draco Malfoy around the castle. Kreacher apparated there along with Dobby , with whom he was fighting after Kreacher insulted Harry Potter. A moment later Peeves apparated, saying that he was watching the fight. Then Peeves egged them on verbally, then throwing chalk at them to enrage them further. He only left when Harry used Langlock to glue Peeves' tongue to the roof of his mouth. [7] In April 1997 , after attending the burial of Aragog and getting an important memory from Horace Slughorn , Harry Potter could feel the effects of Felix Felicis wearing off as he escaped back into the castle. He encountered Peeves, but managed to escape detection by taking a shortcut. [8] It is unknown if Peeves attended Dumbledore's funeral.

Battle of Hogwarts [ edit | edit source ]

During the Battle of Hogwarts in 1998 , Filch (albeit forcibly and only after he was persuaded by Minerva McGonagall ) invited Peeves to take part in the defence of the castle. Peeves delightedly caused chaos among the Death Eaters by dropping Snargaluff pods on them. After the battle, he was heard singing a victory song to celebrate winning the battle. [9]

Physical appearance [ edit | edit source ]

Unlike the overwhelming majority of his colleagues, Peeves has a physical form, though he was able to become invisible at will.

Peeves appears like a little man with wickedly slanted, orange eyes, dressed in loud, outlandish clothes including a bell-covered hat and an orange bow tie. He had black hair and compared to the Hogwarts ghosts, he was solid-looking, not pearly white and transparent. [10] He was capable of flight and intangibility, like a ghost, but could also affect solid objects and make himself invisible.

Personality and traits [ edit | edit source ]

Peeves was the most notorious and troublesome poltergeist in British history. His looks were said to reflect his nature, which "those who know him would agree was a seamless blend of humour and malice". [11]

Peeves was more of a chaotic spirit rather than a physical being, but highly different from the other school ghosts . Peeves was essentially an embodiment of disorder, and took great pleasure in constantly causing it.

At times, Peeves could be legitimately dangerous. Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch waged a constant war with Peeves, and year after year requested the poltergeist be thrown out of the school.

Peeves further annoyed and bothered the Hogwarts community by joining in with whatever current gossip was circulating among students. When Harry Potter was suspected of being the "Heir of Slytherin " in 1992, Peeves taunted him in the hallways for "speaking in tongues." [4]

Students were known to allow Peeves to take the blame for their own mischief. [6]

Peeves did not heed commands from Hogwarts prefects or professors , though Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was an exception. The Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall , was probably another. The one Hogwarts ghost that struck fear in Peeves, in addition to controlling him, was the Bloody Baron . [3] His fear of the Baron was so well known, that in their first year, Harry Potter , under his Invisibility Cloak , was able to drive him away by pretending to be the Baron.

Overall, Peeves did not seem to care who he annoyed. If students were late to class, he would, among other things, drop wastepaper baskets on their heads, pelt them with chalk , or pull the rugs out from under them. The worst case involved him sneaking up invisible, grabbing the person's nose and screeching "GOT YOUR CONK!" However, Peeves was loyal to Hogwarts and proved this in the Battle of Hogwarts where he dropped Snargaluff pods on Death Eaters in mid-air, causing general chaos among their ranks, later showing evident joy when Voldemort was defeated.

Relationships [ edit | edit source ]

Fred and george weasley [ edit | edit source ].

Though he never hesitated to prank them, Peeves appeared to genuinely like Fred and George Weasley . Peeves shocked everyone in 1996 when he actually listened to the twins' words, causing countless problems for Dolores Umbridge . As the twins left Hogwarts, Peeves saluted them in front of the student body.

Argus Filch [ edit | edit source ]

Peeves and Argus Filch were sworn enemies for over twenty-five years. Filch never ceased his futile efforts to get Peeves banished from the castle, and Peeves never stopped taunting Filch. To annoy Filch, Peeves trapped Mrs. Norris in a suit of armour twice, dropped chandeliers and caused general mayhem, which Filch was later responsible for cleaning. It is presumed that this on going war between them continued after the Battle of Hogwarts.

The Bloody Baron [ edit | edit source ]

The Bloody Baron is the only being that Peeves takes orders from. Peeves has a large amount of respect for the Bloody Baron, for unknown reasons, likely because he is afraid of him. During his first year, Harry imitated the voice of the Bloody Baron to chase Peeves away so Harry could get around Hogwarts without Peeves in the way.

Albus Dumbledore [ edit | edit source ]

Apart from the Bloody Baron, Albus Dumbledore was the only being in Hogwarts who Peeves was known to have shown any respect for. In Dumbledore's presence, Peeves adopted an oily voice in an attempt to be polite to the headmaster, likely out of fear that Dumbledore could have him expelled from the school if he angered him.

Hogwarts students and staff [ edit | edit source ]

Peeves enjoyed taunting all the students and staff members of Hogwarts . Most people were infuriated by him but on one occasion Minerva McGonagall told Peeves that he was unscrewing a chandelier the wrong way when Peeves attempted to create as much trouble for Dolores Umbridge as possible. Peeves obeyed Fred 's command to give Umbridge hell and caused her a great deal of trouble. Most of the students and teachers were on Peeves' side on this occasion due to their hatred of Umbridge. Umbridge had previously asked Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge to sign an order for the expulsion of Peeves , but it is uncertain if he ever actually signed such an order, nor how the order could have been enforced had he done so.

Peeves also happened to enjoy tormenting Harry Potter , Ronald Weasley , and Hermione Granger . He tried to get them in trouble with Neville Longbottom when he found them out of bed late in their first year, but was once beaten by them that same year (excluding Neville) when Harry impersonated the Bloody Baron, telling him to go away from the third floor so they could save the Philosopher's Stone without any interference. (Although, he was unaware of this). The next year, Peeves made a foolish alarm that Harry had Petrified two more people (Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick) and shouting that no humans or ghosts are safe.

Peeves has directly clashed with other past Hogwarts caretakers, including Hankerton Humble and Rancorous Carpe . An attempt by Carpe to remove Peeves by luring him into a trap featuring weapons and trapping him with Containment Charms instead resulted in Peeves seizing the weapons and then subjecting Hogwarts to a three-day standoff. The standoff was only ended when then Headmistress Eupraxia Mole drew up a contract that granted him special privileges, including a once-weekly swim in the boys' toilets on the ground floor, first refusal on stale bread from the kitchen for throwing purposes, and a new hat – to be custom-made by Madame Bonhabille of Paris . [1]

Etymology [ edit | edit source ]

Peeve means little devil or something that is personally annoying; a personal dislike (like a pet peeve ). Peevish means disagreeable and bad tempered.

Behind the scenes [ edit | edit source ]

According to J. K. Rowling 's website, Peeves was "an indestructible spirit of chaos."
Peeves has appeared in all of the books, but none of the films. A scene with Peeves was filmed for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , but was left on the cutting room floor and to date has never even been released in any form, (even the Ultimate Edition box set). Peeves was played by Drop Dead Fred' s Rik Mayall . According to Harry Potter Limited Edition , Peeves was conceived as having a consistently devilish grin, though there was a question of whether or not he would have hair.
The only on-screen reference to Peeves occurs in the short film The Queen's Handbag , during which Harry Potter describes Peeves using the Queen's Birthday as an excuse to drop coloured eggs on Hogwarts students at breakfast.
In the video games, Peeves is battled several times. For example, he randomly pops up out of boxes. In the PC game of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , Peeves is defeated with the Flipendo Jinx . In the PC game of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , he is defeated with the Ectoplasm-Cleaning Charm . In the PC game of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , he is defeated with the Rictusempra Jinx . Also, in the DS versions of LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 and LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 , he is somewhat of a boss.
Peeves was voiced by Chris Crosby in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Video Game , Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Video Game and the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Video Game .
Although in the third book Peeves shows a bit of respect for Albus Dumbledore, it is noted in the fourth book that the Bloody Baron is the only one really able to control Peeves.
Peeves is Oliver Phelps 's favourite character in the Harry Potter series . [12] .

Appearances [ edit | edit source ]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 [13]
The Queen's Handbag
Harry Potter LEGO Sets
J. K. Rowling's Official Site
Harry Potter Trading Card Game

Notes and references [ edit | edit source ]

↑ 1.0 1.1 Pottermore - Book 2- Chapter 8, Moment 1 - New from J. K. Rowling - Peeves
↑ Anelli, Melissa and Emerson Spartz. " The Leaky Cauldron and MuggleNet interview Joanne Kathleen Rowling: Part Two " The Leaky Cauldron, 16 July 2005
↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
↑ 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , Chapter 23 - ( Horcruxes )
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - Chapter 12 ( The Triwizard Tournament )
↑ http://insider.pottermore.com/
↑ LeakyNews - MegaCon Q&A with James & Oliver Phelps
↑ Peeves is available in the "Downloadable Character Pack" DLC for the game.
Battle of Hogwarts participants
British individuals
Order of the Phoenix allies
Poltergeists
Mischief makers

Poltergeist

View history

A poltergeist was an "indestructible spirit of chaos". [3] They haunted one specific location at time, generally those inhabited by a large number of adolescents, [4] and either "[came] with the building", [5] or chose to enter it at some point. [6] They occasionally haunted the homes of Muggles. [4] They were among the creatures classed as Non-Human Spiritous Apparitions , and as such, they were amortal . [7]

Poltergeists generally did not have a physical form, with two notable exceptions being Peeves [4] and Fastidio .

1.1 Abilities
1.2 Behaviour
1.3 Comparison to ghosts
3 Known poltergeists
4 Etymology
5 Behind the scenes
6 Appearances
8 Notes and references

Abilities [ ]

Poltergeists could fly , become invisible at will, [8] and they were selectively tangible, meaning that they could pass through walls like the spectral creatures they were, but they could also exert physical force on objects in order to move them.

Poltergeists were also able to use magic; Peeves was able to use the Curse of the Bogies to make students sick, [9] and was even able to create food out of thin air, a direct violation of one of the five Principal Exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration , this could mean that poltergeist magic might have had otherworldly powers. [ citation needed ]

Behaviour [ ]

Poltergeists were notably unruly and delighted in vandalism, malicious mischief, and the general aggravation and embarrassment of living persons. They would unscrew chandeliers, [10] write rude words on chalkboards, [11] throw water balloons at people, [12] throw walking sticks at people, [8] stuff keyholes with chewing gum [13] and other such acts, simply for their amusement.

It was inevitable that, in a building bursting with teenage witches and wizards, a poltergeist would be generated; it was likewise to be expected that such a poltergeist would be noisier, more destructive and harder to expel than those that occasionally frequent Muggle houses.

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. [5] Additionally, despite their chaotic nature, poltergeists were known to sometimes sign a contract and it seems that once they did, they were bound by its terms. [4] [14]

Poltergeists had developed a misconception that there was no way to get rid of a poltergeist once it had moved into a location. [5] [6] More destructive poltergeists who had inhabited a location for a longer period of time were harder to expel, but it was not impossible to do. [4] 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 might 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 was likely the only known exception to this course of action. [4]

Comparison to ghosts [ ]

Whilst similar, poltergeists differed from ghosts in a number of ways. Firstly, ghosts were incorporeal, whereas a poltergeist, despite not normally having a physical form, [4] was solid enough to move objects with physical force. Poltergeists with form had enough physicality that they could have gum fly up their noses, [13] and they were vulnerable to some of the same jinxes as humans, including Langlock [15] and Waddiwasi . [13] It is also possible that they could feel pain, but still not be physically injured.

Another difference is that ghosts used to be living humans , whereas poltergeists had never been alive in the first place. [3] This trait indicates amortality , the condition of never having died and being unable to die, as one was never alive to start. [16]

Additionally, ghosts' spectral bodies had a greyish-pale appearance, whereas poltergeists spectral bodies had actual colours.

History [ ]

Peeves , the poltergeist that haunted Hogwarts Castle , was considered "the most notorious and troublesome poltergeist in British history". [4]

The Sunday edition of The New York Ghost published on 28 November 1926 reported a poltergeist havoc wreaking a diner in Nashville . [17]

During the 1990–1991 school year , a troublesome poltergeist began haunting a Muggle family in Great Britain , which caused problems for the British Ministry of Magic . Arthur Weasley assigned Jacob's sibling with dealing with this issue as part of their work experience at the Ministry . They reviewed poltergeists with Bill Weasley in an evening Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson to learn defensive techniques to be used against them. [18]

Known poltergeists [ ]

Handsome Poltergeist
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". [19]

Behind the scenes [ ]

It may be possible that poltergeists form from (and consequently feed on) the chaos of an area. If so then it may also be possible that - if their home were to be left desolate for long enough - a poltergeist would not die but simply cease to exist, at least until the locale became more active again.
Fleur Delacour once stated that if a poltergeist was ever discovered in the Palace of Beauxbatons , it would be immediately expelled, however, as J. K. Rowling has stated Peeves cannot be driven out by any means. As such, Dolores Umbridge 's request to Cornelius Fudge to sign an Order for the Expulsion of Peeves from Hogwarts was also a complete waste of effort on her part.

Appearances [ ]

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film) (Cut from final edit (Peeves))
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only) (Peeves is mentioned)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mentioned only) (Peeves is mentioned)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Mentioned only) (Peeves is mentioned)
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (film) (Mentioned in a newspaper)
J. K. Rowling's official site
Wizarding World
LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
LEGO Harry Potter
The Queen's Handbag (Mentioned only) (Peeves is mentioned)
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 (DS/PSP versions only)
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7
LEGO Dimensions (Mentioned only) (Peeves is mentioned)
Harry Potter: The Character Vault
Harry Potter Trading Card Game
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
Hogwarts Legacy

Quotes By and About Peeves

By Steve VanderArk • January 5, 2020

“Subtlety has never been Peeves’s strong point” -- Nearly-Headless Nick ( OP14 )

Quotes from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (UK ed.) Compiled by Lori Damerell

‘My dear Friar, haven’t we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he’s not really even a ghost…’ ( PS7 )
‘Peeves,’ Percy whispered to the first-years. ‘A poltergeist.’ He raised his voice, ‘Peeves – show yourself.’ A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered. ‘Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?’ There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks. ‘Oooooooh!’ he said, with an evil cackle. ‘Ickle firsties! What fun!’ ( PS7 )
‘You want to watch out for Peeves,’ said Percy, as they set off again. ‘The Bloody Baron’s the only one who can control him, he won’t even listen to us prefects…’ ( PS7 )
Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on Neville’s head. They heard him zooming away, rattling coats of armor as he passed ( PS7 ).
Peeves the Poltergeist was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class. He would drop wastepaper baskets on your head, pull rugs from under your feet, pelt you with bits of chalk, or sneak up behind you, invisible, grab your nose, and screech, ‘GOT YOUR CONK!’ ( PS8 )
‘Wandering around at midnight, ickle firsties? Tut, tut, tut. Naughty, naughty, you’ll get caughty.’ ‘Not if you don’t give us away, Peeves, please.’ ‘Should tell Filch, I should,’ said Peeves in a saintly voice, but his eyes glittered wickedly. ‘It’s for your own good, you know.’ ‘Get out of the way,’ snapped Ron, taking a swipe at Peeves – this was a big mistake. ‘STUDENTS OUT OF BED!’ Peeves bellowed. ‘STUDENTS OUT OF BED DOWN THE CHARMS CORRIDOR!’ ( PS9 )
‘Which way did they go, Peeves?’ Filch was saying. ‘Quick, tell me.’ ‘Say “please”.’ ‘Don’t mess about, Peeves, now where did they go? ‘ ‘Shan’t say nothing if you don’t say please,’ said Peeves in his annoying sing-song voice. ‘All right – please .’ ‘NOTHING! Ha haaa! Told you I wouldn’t say nothing if you didn’t say please! Ha ha! Haaaaaa!’ ( PS9 )
Professor McGonagall pointed them into a classroom that was empty except for Peeves, who was busy writing rude words on the blackboard. ‘Out, Peeves!’ she barked. Peeves threw the chalk into a bin, which clanged loudly, and he swooped out cursing. Professor McGonagall slammed the door behind him and turned to face the two boys ( PS9 ).

Quotes from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (UK ed.) Compiled by Lori Damerell

‘PEEVES!’ Filch roared, flinging down his quill in a transport of rage. ‘I’ll have you this time, I’ll have you!’ ( CS8 )
‘That vanishing cabinet was extremely valuable!’ he [Filch] was saying gleefully to Mrs Norris. ‘We’ll have Peeves out this time, my sweet.’ ( CS8 )
‘I persuaded Peeves to crash it right over Filch’s office,’ said Nick eagerly. ‘Thought it might distract him –’ ( CS8 )
‘Nibbles?’ he [Peeves] said sweetly, offering them a bowl of peanuts covered in fungus. ( CS8 )
‘Heard you talking about poor Myrtle,’ said Peeves, his eyes dancing. ‘ Rude you was about poor Myrtle.’ He took a deep breath and bellowed, ‘OY! MYRTLE!’ ( CS8 )
‘Miss Granger was just talking about you –’ said Peeves slyly in Myrtle’s ear. ( CS8 )
Moaning Myrtle burst into anguished sobs and fled from the dungeon. Peeves shot after her, pelting her with mouldy peanuts, yelling, ‘ Spotty! Spotty! ‘ ( CS8 )
‘Why, it’s potty wee Potter!’ cackled Peeves, knocking Harry’s glasses askew as he bounced past him. ‘What’s Potter up to? Why’s Potter lurking –’ Peeves stopped, halfway through a mid-air somersault. Upside-down, he spotted Justin and Nearly Headless Nick. He flipped the right way up, filled his lungs and, before Harry could stop him, screamed, ‘ATTACK! ATTACK! ANOTHER ATTACK! NO MORTAL OR GHOST IS SAFE! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! ATTAAAACK!’ ( CS11 )
‘Oh Potter, you rotter, oh what have you done? You’re killing off students, you think it’s good fun –’ ( CS11 )

Quotes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (UK ed.) Compiled by Lori Damerell

‘Loony, loopy Lupin,’ Peeves sang. ‘Loony, loopy Lupin, loony, loopy Lupin –’ ( PA7 )
‘This is a useful little spell,’ he told the class over his shoulder. ‘Please watch closely.’ He raised the wand to shoulder height, said ‘ Waddiwasi! ‘ and pointed it at Peeves. With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peeve’s left nostril; he whirled right way up and zoomed away, cursing. ( PA7 )
‘You’ll be lucky!’ said a cackling voice. It was Peeves the poltergeist, bobbing over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry. ‘What do you mean, Peeves?’ said Dumbledore calmly, and Peeves’s grin faded a little. He didn’t dare taunt Dumbledore. Instead he adopted an oily voice that was no better than his cackle. ‘Ashamed, Your Headship, sir. Doesn’t want to be seen. She’s a horrible mess. Saw her running though the landscape up on the fourth floor, sir, dodging between the trees. Crying something dreadful,’ he said happily. ‘Poor thing,’ he added unconvincingly. ‘Did she say who did it?’ said Dumbledore quietly. ‘Oh, yes, Professorhead,’ said Peeves, with the air of one cradling a large bombshell in his arms. ‘He got very angry when she wouldn’t let him in, you see.’ Peeves flipped over, and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. ‘Nasty temper he’s got, that Sirius Black.’ ( PA8 )

‘ Peeves! ‘ Harry muttered, grabbing Hermione’s wrist. ‘In here!’ They tore into a deserted classroom to their left just in time. Peeves seemed to be bouncing along the corridor in tearing spirits, laughing his head off. ‘Oh, he’s horrible,’ whispered Hermione, her ear to the door. ‘I bet he’s all excited because the Dementors are going to finish Sirius…’ ( PA22 )

Quote from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (UK ed.) Compiled by Lori Damerell

‘PEEVES!’ yelled an angry voice. ‘Peeves, come down here at ONCE!’ … ‘Peeves, get down here NOW!’ barked Professor McGonagall… ‘Not doing nothing!’ cackled Peeves, lobbing a water bomb at several fifth-year girls, who screamed and dived into the Great Hall. ‘Already wet, aren’t they? Little squirts! Wheeeeeeeeee!’ And he aimed another bomb at a group of second-years who had just arrived. ‘I shall call the Headmaster!’ shouted Professor McGonagall. ‘I’m warning you, Peeves –’ Peeves stuck out his tongue, threw the last of his water bombs into the air and zoomed off up the marble staircase, cackling insanely. ( GF12 )

Quotes from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (UK ed.) Compiled by Lori Damerell

‘Why, it’s Potty Wee Potter!’ cackled Peeves, allowing two of the inkwells to fall to the ground where they smashed and spattered the walls with ink; Harry jumped backwards out of the way with a snarl. ‘Get out of it, Peeves!’ ‘Oooh, Crackpot’s feeling cranky,’ said Peeves, pursuing Harry along the corridor, leering as he zoomed along above him. ‘What is it this time, my fine Potty friend? Hearing voices? Seeing visions? Speaking in –’ Peeves blew a gigantic raspberry ‘– tongues ?’ ‘I said, leave me ALONE!’ Harry shouted, running down the nearest flight of stairs, but Peeves merely slid down the banister on his back beside him.
‘Oh, most think he’s barking, the potty wee lad, But some are more kindly and think he’s just sad, But Peevesy knows better and says that he’s mad –’ ‘SHUT UP!’ ( OP12 )
Fred and George : ‘Give her [Umbridge] hell from us, Peeves.’ And Peeves, who Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about… ( OP29 )
But not even the users of the Snackboxes could compete with that master of chaos, Peeves, who seemed to have taken Fred’s parting words deeply to heart. Cackling madly, he soared through the school, upending tables, bursting out of blackboards, toppling statues and vases; twice he shut Mrs Norris inside a suit of armour from which she was rescued, yowling loudly, by the furious caretaker. Peeves smashed lanterns and snuffed out candles, juggled burning torches over the heads of screaming students, caused neatly stacked piles of parchment to topple into fires or out of windows; flooded the second floor when he pulled off all the taps in the bathrooms, dropped a bad of tarantulas in the middle of the Great Hall during breakfast and, whenever he fancied a break, spent hours at a time floating along after Umbridge and blowing loud raspberries every time she spoke ( OP30 ).
… Harry witnessed Professor McGonagall walking right past Peeves, who was determinedly loosening a crystal chandelier, and could have sworn he heard her tell the poltergeist out of the corner of her mouth, ‘It unscrews the other way.’ ( OP30 )
Hermione : ‘They could tell her – I don’t know – that Peeves is up to something awful as usual…’ ‘I’ll do it,’ said Ron at once. ‘I’ll tell her Peeves is smashing up the Transfiguration department or something, it’s miles from her office. Come to think of it, I could probably persuade Peeves to do it if I met him on the way.’ ( OP32 )
‘So, Potter,’ she [Umbridge] said. ‘You stationed lookouts around my office and you sent this buffoon,’ she nodded at Ron – Malfoy laughed even louder – ‘to tell me that the poltergeist was wreaking havoc in the Transfiguration department when I knew perfectly well that he was busy smashing ink on the eyepieces of all the school telescopes –’ ( OP32 )

Pensieve (Comments)

Who is Peeves from ‘Harry Potter’ and why was he cut from the movies?

Peeeeeevvvvvesssss!

With source material as large and expansive as the Harry Potter novels, it was practically guaranteed that certain parts of the J.K. Rowling books wouldn’t make it into the movies.

Harry Potter readers especially held a sliver of hope that fan favorite character Peeves would find his way into the movies somehow. Alas, upon the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001, Peeves the Poltergeist was nowhere to be found. When Chamber of Secrets released the following year, still, there was no Peeves.

It quickly became clear that the pesky poltergeist would never fly off the page and onto the silver screen as hoped. As it turns out, it wasn’t for lack of trying. The Harry Potter filmmakers did indeed find an actor to play Peeves, but the character never lived to see the light of day.

Who is Peeves the Poltergeist?

Peeves the Poltergeist was introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as a noisy, raspberry-blowing nuisance who flew over the heads of students and caused mayhem and ruckus. While he didn’t propel the plot along in any substantial way, by the end of the series Peeves became as much a staple of Hogwarts as the moving staircase.

In J.K. Rowling’s 2016 e-book Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists , Rowling describes poltergeists in a similar fashion to traditional folklore (ie: having a strong association to adolescents and teenagers). It only made sense that Peeves would be generated at Hogwarts, given how many teenagers came in and out of its halls over the centuries. Keep in mind, the word generated is the operative word.

Peeves is not actually a ghost, but a physical manifestation of all the mischievousness and trickery that happened at Hogwarts over its hundreds of years in session. In other words, he was created, and not a transparent imprint of a deceased witch or wizard as is the case with ghosts.

Sounds like a fun character to play, wouldn’t you say? That’s exactly what legendary British comedian Rik Mayall thought too when he was presented with the opportunity to bring the annoying poltergeist to life.

So, why was Peeves cut from the Harry Potter movies?

As it turns out, there was every intention in the world to have Peeves in the movies. Leading up to the first film’s release, respected British actor and comedian, Rik Mayall, was announced to play the part. Anyone familiar with his iconic catalog ( The Young Ones , Bottom , and Drop Dead Fred to name a few) knew that Mayall would do the character justice, as his snarky wit and mischievous grin matched Peeves’ to a T.

When Sorcerer’s Stone released in theaters, however, Mayall was nowhere to be found. As it turns out the film’s director, Christopher Columbus, was reportedly unhappy with the overall look of Mayall as Peeves, likely due to the lack of visual effects technology available at the time.

Years after the release of Harry Potter and it’s unprecedented fame, an interview surfaced in which Mayall was asked about the best film he’d ever been in. In true Mayall fashion, he said Harry Potter because he never actually appeared in it.

Mayall goes on to describe his time on set, explaining that he was thrown off the set multiple times for causing a severe case of giggles among the child actors. Wiping his hands clean and calling in a good day’s work, Mayall returned home only to find out three weeks after filming that he’d been cut from the movie.

Unfortunately, after all these years, behind the scenes footage of Mayall as Peeves never emerged from any featurettes or DVD releases. Even more devastating, Mayall passed away on June 9, 2014, 14 years after causing a case of the giggles on the Harry Potter set.

About the author

Cody raschella.

Cody Raschella is a Staff Writer and occasional Editor who has been with WGTC since 2021. He is a closeted Swiftie (shh), a proud ‘Drag Race’ fan (yas), and a hopeless optimist (he still has faith in the MCU). His passion for writing has carried him across various mediums including journalism, copywriting, and creative writing, the latter of which has been recognized by Writer’s Digest. He received his bachelor's degree from California State University, Northridge.

Poetry and Peeves in Harry Potter

Aeschylus, the Libation Bearers

J. K. Rowling starts the seventh and final volume ‘Deathly Hallows’ in the Harry Potter series with an introductory epigraph from the Greek poet and playwright Aeschylus (525/524 – 456/455 BCE) The Libation Bearers .

Oh, the torment bred in the race,

The grinding scream of death

And the stroke that hits the vein,

The haemorrhage none can staunch, the grief,

The curse no man can bear.

But there is a cure in the house

and not outside it, no,

not from others but from them ,

their bloody strife. We sing to you,

dark gods beneath the earth.

Now hear, you blissful powers underground-

Answer the call, send help.

Bless the children, give them triumph now.

“Once you start looking for ancient Greek parallels in Harry Potter, they show up everywhere”. Alicia Aho https://www.overthinkingit.com/2011/09/28/harry-potter-odyssey/

The following quotes by and about Peeves the Poltergeist are from the books. If you have not yet read the books I would strongly urge you to do so, as there are many characters and incidents that had to be omitted from the films.

Fred and George Weasley are given far less prominence in the film and also the ghosts such as Nearly Headless Nick (Sir Nicholas de Mimsy Porpington) who inhabit Hogwarts. Peeves is seen as a thorough pest throughout the books, although he steers well clear of the Bloody Baron.

“A bundle of walking sticks were floating in mid-air ahead of them and as Percy took a step towards them they started throwing themselves at him.

‘Peeves,…a poltergeist.. Peeves show yourself’.

…a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.

‘Oooooh!’ He said, with an evil cackle. ‘Ickle firsties! What fun!’.

He swooped suddenly at them… Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished dropping the walking sticks on Neville’s head. They heard him zooming away, rattling coats of armour as he passed.

‘You want to watch out for Peeves,’ said Percy, as they set off again. ‘The Bloody Baron’s the only one who can control him…’” (Philosopher’s Stone, 96)

“’PEEVES!’ Filch roared, flinging down his quill in a transport of rage. ‘I’ll have you this time, I’ll have you!’

Peeves was the school poltergeist: a grinning, airborne menace who lived to cause havoc and distress” (Chamber of Secrets, 97)

“Peeves was bobbing overhead, now grinning wickedly, surveying the scene; Peeves always loved chaos… broke into song:

“Oh, Potter, you rotter, oh, what have you done,

You’re killing off students, you think it’s good fun'” (Chamber of Secrets, 152)

’I’d take that gum out of the keyhole, if I were you, Peeves,‘ he said pleasantly. ‘Mr Filch won’t be able to get in to his brooms.’…Professor Lupin…raised his wand to shoulder height, said ‘Waddiwasi!’ and pointed it at Peeves.

With the force of a bullet, the wad of chewing gum shot out of the keyhole and straight down Peeves’s left nostril; he whirled right way up and zoomed away, cursing. Prisoner of Azkaban p.99

It was Peeves the Poltergeist, bobbling over the crowd and looking delighted, as he always did, at the sight of wreckage or worry…Peeves flipped over, and grinned at Dumbledore from between his own legs. Prisoner of Azkaban p.121

‘Why, it’s Potty Wee Potter!’ cackled Peeves, allowing two of the inkwells to fall to the ground where they smashed and splattered the walls with ink; Harry jumped backwards out of the way with a snarl.

‘Get out of it, Peeves.’

‘Oooh, Crackpot’s feeling cranky….

‘Oh, most think he’s barking, the potty wee lad,

But some are more kindly and think he’s just sad,

But Peevesy knows better and says that he’s mad-‘

‘SHUT UP!’ Order of the Phoenix p.222

Peeves, who was hanging upside-down from a chandelier and grinning maliciously at them.

‘Potty asked Loony to go to the party! Potty lurves Loony!

Potty luuuuuuurves Looooooooony!’ And he zoomed away, cackling and shrieking..

Half-Blood Prince p.292

They passed Peeves near the turning into Gryffindor Tower, but he was streaking happily towards the source of the yelling, cackling and calling,

When there’s strife and when there’s trouble

Call on Peevsie, he’ll make double!’ Half-Blood Prince p.381

‘Look at the ickle creatures squabbling [Kreacher and Dobby] bitey bitey, punchy punchy…kicky, scratchy! Cried Peeves happily, now pelting bits of chalk at the elves to enrage them further. ‘Tweaky, pokey!’….’Stick your fingers up his nosey, draw his cork and pull his earsies‘ Half-Blood Prince p.393

‘STOP THEM!’ Shrieked Umbridge, but it was too late…Fred and George kicked off from the floor, shooting fifteen feet into the air… Fred looked across the hall at the poltergeist bobbing on his level above the crowd.

‘Give her hell from us, Peeves.’

And Peeves, who Harry had never seen take an order from a student before, swept his belled hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George wheeled about to tumultuous applause from the students below and sped out of the open front doors into the glorious sunset. Order of the Phoenix p.595

Peeves…chased [Umbridge] gleefully from the premises whacking her alternately with a walking stick and a sock full of chalk. Order of the Phoenix p.755

Somewhere in the distance they could hear Peeves zooming through the corridors singing a victory song of his own composition:

We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter’s the One

And Voldy’s gone mouldy, so now let’s have fun! Deathly Hallows p.597

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View history

Peeves the Poltergeist is a spirit haunting Hogwarts and its inhabitants. He frequently causes trouble and is at constant war with the caretaker Filch . He enjoys getting students into trouble.

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Discovered in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1.3 Discovered in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
1.4 Discovered in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2 New from J. K. Rowling
3 References

From the Story [ ]

Introduction [ ], discovered in harry potter and the chamber of secrets [ ].

Peeves is to be found in Zoom 3 of this moment, hiding under the table in the middle.

Discovered in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban [ ]

Discovered in harry potter and the goblet of fire [ ], new from j. k. rowling [ ], references [ ].

↑ Peeves (as of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , Chapter 8) on Pottermore
↑ Peeves (as of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , Chapter 8) on Pottermore
↑ Peeves (as of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Chapter 12) on Pottermore

Poltergeist

View history

A poltergeist is an "indestructible spirit of chaos." [1] . They haunt one specific location at time, generally those inhabited by a large number of adolescents [2] , and either "[came] with the building," [3] or chose to enter it at some point. [4] They are among the creatures classed as non-beings .

Poltergeists generally do not have a physical form, with one notable exception being Peeves , the poltergeist that haunts Hogwarts Castle . [2]

1.1 Abilities
1.2 Behavior
1.3 Comparison to ghosts
2 Known Poltergeists
3 Etymology
4 Behind the scenes
6 External links
7 Appearances
8 Notes and references

Abilities [ ]

Poltergeists can fly and delight in vandalism, malicious mischief, and the general aggravation and embarrassment of living persons. They could unscrew chandeliers, [5] write rude words on chalkboards, [6] throw water balloons at people, [7] throw walking sticks at people, [8] stuff keyholes with chewing gum [9] and other such acts, simply for their amusement.

Behavior [ ]

Poltergeists are notably unruly - there was no way to get rid of a poltergeist once it had moved into a location. [3] [4] Some people could get it to settle down for a while, though it would inevitably start acting up again. [3] Dolores Umbridge claimed that the Minister of 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.

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 [2] , is solid enough to move objects with physical force. Poltergeists have never once been living humans either. [1] The latter trait may indicate amortality , the condition of never having died and being unable to die, as one was never alive to start. [10] Poltergeists with form have enough physicality that they can have gum fly up their noses [11] , and they are vulnerable to some of the same hexes as humans, including Langlock . [12]

Known Poltergeists [ ]

Handsome Poltergeist

Etymology [ ]

"Poltergeist" comes from the German, poltern , meaning "to make (loud) noise" and geist , meaning "ghost" or "spirit." The German plural form is "Poltergeister." [13]

Behind the scenes [ ]

It may be possible that poltergeists form from (and consequently feed on) the chaos of an area. If so then it may also be possible that - if their home were to be left desolate for long enough - a poltergeist would not die but simply cease to exist, at least until the locale became more active again.
Fleur Delacour once stated that if a poltergeist was ever discovered in the Palace of Beauxbatons , it would be immediately expelled. This is impossible, however, as J. K. Rowling has stated a poltergeist cannot be driven by any means, from a location it has decided to haunt. As such, Dolores Umbridge 's request to Cornelius Fudge to sign an Order for the Expulsion of Peeves from Hogwarts was also a complete waste of effort on her part.

Appearances [ ]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (First appearance)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (film) (Cut from final edit)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (video game)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Mentioned only)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Mentioned only)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play) (Mentioned only)
LEGO Harry Potter: Building the Magical World
LEGO Harry Potter: Characters of the Magical World
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 [14]
LEGO Harry Potter
LEGO Dimensions (Mentioned only)
The Queen's Handbag (Mentioned only)
J.K. Rowling's official site
Harry Potter Trading Card Game
Wizarding World
Harry Potter: The Character Vault
Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Harry Potter: Magic Awakened

Notes and references [ ]

↑ 1.0 1.1 F.A.Q. question on J. K. Rowling's Official Site (text only)
↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Pottermore - Book 2, Chapter 8, Moment 1 - New from J.K. Rowling - Peeves
↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 2005 Leaky Cauldron interview with J. K. Rowling
↑ 4.0 4.1 2007 Bloomsbury Live Chat with J. K. Rowling
↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Chapter 30
↑ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , Chapter 9
↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Chapter 12
↑ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , Chapter 7
↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban , Chapter 7
↑ Second W.O.M.B.A.T. test
↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
↑ " Poltergeist " on the Online Etymology Dictionary
↑ Peeves is available in the "Downloadable Character Pack" DLC for the game.
1 Tom Riddle
2 Bartemius Crouch Junior
3 Regulus Black

Screen Rant

Harry potter: why peeves wasn’t in the movies.

Why wasn't the poltergeist Peeves in the Harry Potter movies? The actor cast for the film role, Rik Mayall, once provided insight into the cut role.

Peeves the poltergeist was a prominent character in the Harry Potter book series, so what's up with the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence? The mischievous poltergeist of Hogwarts appeared in all seven novels as a truly disruptive force, but he was notably left out of the film franchise. Throughout the books, Peeves caused constant trouble for Hogwarts students and staff alike, blocking corridors with his hijinks and coming up with a ton of nasty songs to boot. However, his exclusion from the Harry Potter films wasn't always the plan, with actor Rik Mayall filming never-seen scenes as the ghoul for the first Harry Potter movie.

The Peeves Harry Potter movies absence was glaring among fans. The character of Peeves was a constant trouble-making presence in the halls of Hogwarts throughout the books, teasing the students and often targeting Filch. He craved chaos and wasn't opposed to vandalism or throwing tangible objects at the living. During the Battle of Hogwarts , Peeves fought to defend the school by attacking Death Eaters. He even created a victory song to praise Harry and the demise of Lord Voldemort. While he was left out of the films, the upcoming Harry Potter TV reboot at HBO Max has a chance to rectify this.

Peeves Was Supposed To Be In The Harry Potter Movies

The ghost, known for his hijinks and brightly colored Jester clothing, was a fan-favorite among book readers, so the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence was a huge surprise and displeasure among many fans (although he did make it into the tie-in games). Fitting of the poltergeist, the truth behind that wasn't exactly simple; while English actor Rik Mayall was cast as Peeves the poltergeist for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , all of his scenes were cut without his knowledge.

Mayall was revered as a British comedy legend before his untimely death in 2014. Outside of the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence, he's best known for his work in The Young Ones, Blackadder, Bottom , and Drop Dead Fred , among many other projects. The brilliant comedian was often praised for his creative approach to humor, helping jumpstart the alternative comedy movement in the 1980s. Mayall's career continued through the 2000s, which is when he was cast as Peeves the poltergeist for the Harry Potter films.

Mayall later opened up about the experience and the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence to InternetGore.com (via YouTube ) , revealing an honest account of what happened. He ended up playing Peeves the poltergeist despite limited interest in the Harry Potter books (he described the resulting film as " sh*t ") and spent three weeks filming on location. It wasn't until much later that he learned all of his scenes had been cut, and his children didn't find out until after seeing the movie, in which they'd believed that he played the role of Hagrid.

In the interview, he didn't have great feelings about the movie, but it seemed like there was no malice behind his words. Instead, he was poking fun at the situation in his typical style of humor. Although Mayall didn't explain the reasoning behind the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence , he did mention how his jokes caused distractions on set, with him causing the child actors to break character every time cameras rolled. Given that, it's a shame that the filmmakers cut Mayall's portrayal as Peeves, because all the evidence proves that he would have done a fantastic job at playing Harry Potter 's master of mischief.

Peeves Is In Hogwarts Legacy

The Peeves Harry Potter movies absence aside, he does make an appearance in-game in the latest Wizarding World venture Hogwarts Legacy . Peeves the poltergeist appears various times throughout the narrative, all in his book accurate jester-style clothing, and causes nothing but disruptions as is his fundamental right as a poltergeist. The Hogwarts ghost was a huge character in the books, and it came as a massive surprise that the trouble-making spirit didn't make it into the Harry Potter movies in some capacity.

While many of the Hogwarts ghosts' best stories were cut from the feature films, Peeves the poltergeist was a much more boisterous presence in the novels than the other ghosts, making his cut appearance nearly inconceivable among fans. Either way, at least his antics are present in Hogwarts Legacy, even if he was nixed from the Harry Potter movies.

HBO's Harry Potter Series Needs To Include Peeves

With the announcement that a Harry Potter reboot television series is on the way for HBO Max, a live-action Peeves the Poltergeist could be making his way to the screen. HBO Max announced via Twitter that a scripted television show that remains faithful to J.K. Rowling's prolific book series has been ordered, and the show is in its earliest development. The TV show seeks to adapt one Harry Potter book per season, which means that the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence can finally be rectified. Though not a large character, Peeves was a standard presence throughout all seven books, and had some of the funniest quotes in the HP series.

The Harry Potter films did a disservice to fans and audiences alike by excluding Peeves from the final cut. He's one of the odd characters that makes Hogwarts such a special place from the regular world. Due to Rik Myall's passing, he won't be able to reclaim the iconic role of Peeves the Poltergeist. Though, showrunners have a wealth of options to choose from in the world of British comedy to portray the character. The casting process has yet to begin for the Harry Potter reboot , and there's no word yet if Peeves will be included. However, if studios want to remain faithful to Rowling's work, Peeves must be included.

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Peeves is the cheeky poltergeist that you will meet in Hogwarts Legacy. Read on to learn Peeves's role in the story, character profile, and more!

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Peeves's Character Profile

Peeves's story role in hogwarts legacy, mischievous poltergeist of hogwarts.

Peeves is a ghost known for causing trouble for students and ratting them out to the teachers and staff of Hogwarts. You will mostly encounter him tormenting students when you explore the halls of Hogwarts.

Peeves also plays notable roles in various quests, such as the Secrets of the Restricted Section quest where he catches you and Sebastian sneaking around.

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Harry Potter: Peeves the Poltergeist's Life

Can you pick the events in peeves' life associated with the right school years at hogwarts.

This quiz is based on the british version of the books. Years mentioned are based on Harry, Ron and Hermione's school years (including their seventh year in which they weren't at Hogwarts).

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Harry Potter: Who Is the Hogwarts Poltergeist?
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Peeves
English Peeves Sign in to edit Peeves Biographical information Born Amortal Died Amortal Also known as Peevsie Peevesy Physical information Species Poltergeist Gender Male Hair colour Black Eye colour Black Skin colour Pale White Affiliation Loyalty Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Order of the Phoenix (during the Battle of Hogwarts)
How Peeves the poltergeist wreaked havoc at Hogwarts
Published on Nov 6th 2015 W ith his wicked eyes, wide mouth and evil cackle, Peeves the poltergeist was a 'seamless blend of humour and malice', according to J.K. Rowling. Here are some of the ways Peeves wreaked havoc at Hogwarts. 'Ickle firsties! What fun!'
Peeves
Peeves is a poltergeist — not a ghost, but an "indestructible spirit of chaos" that haunts the halls of Hogwarts ( JKR ). He is a little man dressed in loud, outlandish clothes including a bell-covered hat and an orange bow tie. Compared to the Hogwarts ghosts, he is solid-looking, not pearly white and transparent ( CS8, GF12 ).
Peeves
Originally published on on Aug 10th 2015 T he 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.
Harry Potter: Who Is the Hogwarts Poltergeist?
Peeves the Poltergeist is an equally humorous and malicious entity that has lived in the Hogwarts castle since the school's founding in the year 993.
harry potter
23 Peeves was never a person, therefore it never had a job of work assigned to them. JKR spoke to this issue directly on the FAQ on her old website Q : Peeves chews gum, how can he when he is a ghost? (Nearly Headless Nick can't eat). A : Peeves isn't a ghost; he was never a living person.
The Hogwarts ghosts
A fifteenth-century nobleman who went to Hogwarts. His real name was Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. How did he die? Nick, a wizard at the royal court of Henry VII, fell in love with Lady Grieve. After trying to magically fix her crooked teeth, the spell backfired, Lady Grieve grew tusks, and Nick was sentenced to death for his actions.
sentence meaning
The ghosts didn't help, either. It was always a nasty shock when one of them glided suddenly through a door you were trying to open. Nearly Headless Nick was always happy to point new Gryffindors in the right direction, but Peeves the Poltergeist was worth two locked doors and a trick staircase if you met him when you were late for class. He would drop wastepaper baskets on your head, pull ...
Hogwarts Legacy: The Lore Behind Peeves
Peeves - Hogwarts' Mischievous Poltergeist Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was first founded around the year 993, and it's widely believed that Peeves the poltergeist was there...
Peeves
Peeves was a poltergeist at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, since c. 993. Fond of mischief and chaos, he was a constant pain to the school and its inhabitants, especially Argus Filch, the caretaker, as the only ones able to control him were the Bloody Baron and Albus Dumbledore .
Poltergeist
Poltergeist. A poltergeist is a magical creature created from rampant and uncontrolled emotion — not a ghost, but an "indestructible spirit of chaos" (JKR). Poltergeists manifest themselves by moving or throwing objects around the place where such emotions are found. Poltergeists are often found where there are children or teens due to ...
Poltergeist
Distinction Causes chaos Similar to a ghost, but solid and can move objects Was never a living human being Ministry of Magic Classification Non-being Status Extant [Source] "The name 'poltergeist' is German in origin, and roughly translates as 'noisy ghost', although it is not, strictly speaking, a ghost at all.
Quotes By and About Peeves
'A poltergeist.' He raised his voice, 'Peeves - show yourself.' A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered. 'Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?' There was a pop and a little man with wicked dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.
Why wasn't the poltergeist Peeves in the Harry Potter movies?
A description of Peeves' behavior after Fred and George's departure. However, when the first movie began filming, many of the long-term implications of the ghost characters definitely weren't published.
Who is Peeves from 'Harry Potter' and why was he cut from the movies?
Peeves is not actually a ghost, but a physical manifestation of all the mischievousness and trickery that happened at Hogwarts over its hundreds of years in session. In other words, he was created ...
Poetry and Peeves in Harry Potter
The curse no man can bear. But there is a cure in the house and not outside it, no, not from others but from them, their bloody strife. We sing to you, dark gods beneath the earth. Now hear, you blissful powers underground- Answer the call, send help. Bless the children, give them triumph now.
Peeves
Peeves the Poltergeist is a spirit haunting Hogwarts and its inhabitants. He frequently causes trouble and is at constant war with the caretaker Filch. He enjoys getting students into trouble. The Deathday Party, Nearly Headless Nick's Party Peeves is to be found in Zoom 3 of this moment, hiding under the table in the middle. Flight of the Fat Lady, The Slashed Painting The Triwizard ...
Poltergeist
Handsome Poltergeist; Peeves; Etymology [] "Poltergeist" comes from the German, poltern, meaning "to make (loud) noise" and geist, meaning "ghost" or "spirit." The German plural form is "Poltergeister." Behind the scenes [] It may be possible that poltergeists form from (and consequently feed on) the chaos of an area. If so then it may also be ...
Peeves the Poltergeist EXPLAINED
Peeves the Poltergeist is a manifestation of pure mischief within the school of Hogwarts#harrypotter Support me on PATREONit would mean so much to me and all...
Harry Potter: Why Peeves Wasn't In The Movies
The ghost, known for his hijinks and brightly colored Jester clothing, was a fan-favorite among book readers, so the Peeves Harry Potter movies absence was a huge surprise and displeasure among many fans (although he did make it into the tie-in games).Fitting of the poltergeist, the truth behind that wasn't exactly simple; while English actor Rik Mayall was cast as Peeves the poltergeist for ...
Why Peeves Wasn't in the Movies
Hey everyone,Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In today's video, we're going to be discussing none other than Peeves the Poltergeist. No...
Peeves Character Profile and Story Role
Peeves is a ghost known for causing trouble for students and ratting them out to the teachers and staff of Hogwarts. You will mostly encounter him tormenting students when you explore the halls of Hogwarts. Peeves also plays notable roles in various quests, such as the Secrets of the Restricted Section quest where he catches you and Sebastian ...
Harry Potter: Peeves the Poltergeist's Life Quiz
1. Find the US States - No Outlines Minefield. 2. Sunday Crossword: Can You Solve This Now? 3. Countries of the World. 4. Batch Blitz: Asian Flags II. Literature Definition.

Harry Potter: Who Is the Hogwarts Poltergeist?

Hogwarts Legacy: The Lore Behind Peeves

Peeves - Hogwarts' Mischievous Poltergeist

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1876 [ edit | edit source ]

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Who is Peeves from ‘Harry Potter’ and why was he cut from the movies?

Who is Peeves the Poltergeist?

So, why was Peeves cut from the Harry Potter movies?

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Poetry and Peeves in Harry Potter

Aeschylus, the Libation Bearers

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Peeves Was Supposed To Be In The Harry Potter Movies

Peeves Is In Hogwarts Legacy

HBO's Harry Potter Series Needs To Include Peeves

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