Is Peeves a Ghost? was Re: Wizard to ghost?

[quigonginger]

No: HPFGUIDX 86225

Ginger here:
I wrote my junior term paper on poltergeists.  Mind you, that was 
over 20 years ago, so bear with me if I don't remember everything :)

As I recall, there are 2 theories about poltergeists. One is the type 
of ghost theory, the other is the manifestation of psychic energy 
theory.  

Iggy explained both rather well, but I snipped his ghost theory as 
this is the one on which I am expanding.  So, here's Iggy's 
explanation of the psychic thoery:

Iggy:
> In the HP books, on the other hand, Peeves was probably 
inadvertently
> created, and sustained, by all the students who attend, and live at,
> Hogwarts.  All students have a sense of mischief, and pranks that 
they
> wish they could play on their teachers and fellow classmates.  With 
so
> many people in such an area, and for as long as Hogwarts has been
> around, especially considering that the people residing on the 
grounds
> are wizards and witches...
> 
> All of this has either drawn Peeves to the grounds, or even caused 
him
> to be created.  (After all, we have never heard of Peeves ever 
leaving
> the grounds.)
> 
> 
> In more mundane aspects of life in our own world, poltergeists are
> supposed to be either the aforementioned manifestations of a 
pervading
> mischievous emotions, or even unconscious use of innate or latent
> psychic abilities (such as low level telekinesis) in people who 
seem to
> be plagued by them.  (Some others, of course, have been proven to be
> hoaxes.)

Ginger again:
I'd like to add to that.  When I did my paper, I learned that there 
were 3 things that tended to cause a manifestation of a poltergeist:  
Teenagers, females of childbearing years, and epileptics.  The 
research that was done showed that these 3 types of people were 
overwhelmingly more effected by poltergeists.  The theory was that 
they put off more undirected energy.  The females and teenagers due 
to fluxuating hormones, and the epileptics due to the unusual brain 
waves. 

At Hogwarts, we see lots of teenagers and females.  It would stand to 
reason, by this theory, that a poltergeist could survive 
indefinately.  During Harry's time we see him having turns and fits, 
brought on by LV, but nonetheless, excess energy.  

Every new year of students brings in a fresh crop of undirected 
energy, if we assume that magic is an energy.  I've seen that theory 
well expounded upon, but I can't remember where right now.  I know it 
was on this list.  Sorry to whomever it was.  Even the older students 
have misdirected energy when learning a new charm.  

I think Iggy was dead on when he figured that Peeves was created and 
sustained by the energy of the students.  The one thing that wonders 
me is the references to having Peeves expelled. (CoS p.128 US 
paperback, and GoF p.470 US hardcover).  Traditional exorcisms 
generally don't work on poltergeists as, under this theory, they are 
not an incarnation of evil, nor of a deceased person.  Perhaps there 
is a magical way of getting rid of them; after all, Myrtle was banned 
from following Olive.

Ginger, who is going to stop now as this is getting really long.