Peeves

[Brooks A. Rowlett]

No: HPFGUIDX 193

Peeves is described as
1) a poltergeist, and 
2) not strictly a ghost, according to Nearly Headless Nick

I don't know why i didn't catch on to this before, but the thread made
it pop into my head. Poltergeists are reported far more frequently
around dwellings with adolescents.  Sometimes hidden observers actually
cacth the kids themselves throwing things around and then they claim it
must be ghosts.  Others assert that poltergeists are not ghosts proper
but rather 'excess psychic energy' being blown off by kids with hormone
surges, manifesting itself in uncontrolled telekinesis.

Can you imagine all the excess psychic energy all these generations of
adolescent witches and wizards have flowing around Hogwarts?

I suspect that Peeves is a composite being of all that excess energy,
with enough magical power built up that he became 'manifest' and
sentient, and utterly thoroughly annoying - as teenagers can be.  

This might make a good fanfic by the way - Peeves gains so much power as
a result of the strong energy flowing around Harry & Co. and the enemies
bringing the fight to Hogwarts, that he becomes an actual threat rather
than an extreme annoyance.

-Brooks