Term Forty-Four: Year of the Poltergeist
| House Point Totals |
| Slytherin | 2318 |
| Gryffindor | 2041 |
| Ravenclaw | 1992 |
| Hufflepuff | 1836 |
Plot summary by MadMadamMalfoy
Love is in the air at Hogwarts! Peeves and Miffy, the school’s resident poltergeists, decided to marry, and in true Piffy fashion, the couple announced their engagement in the most irritating way possible: by crashing the start-of-term feast. The Bloody Baron called the couple over to the Hufflepuff table, interrupting a toast to former Hufflepuff and school Headmaster Abraham Botros who passed away over the summer. The Baron was offended when the Hufflepuffs asked him to leave, and a points war soon broke out between Professors Paul Myers and Justin McLeod, heads of Hufflepuff and Slytherin respectively. The Baron forbid the marriage, and soon after the feast, the ghosts held a meeting on the subject. Sir Nicholas and the Friar supported the poltergeists’ union while Lady Helena joined the Baron in opposition. With the ghosts at an impasse, the Baron’s decision was, for time being, upheld.
Peeves and Miffy quickly sought revenge for not being allowed to wed. While most of the pranks were relatively harmless – such as turning students’ laundry pink, setting pixies loose, and trapping people in the corridors – others proved dangerous. One such incident had Miffy sending knives flying at one of the new professors in the kitchens, but the worst prank occurred when the polterpair waxed the moving staircase, turning it into a slip-n-slide. Several students fell down the stairs but walked away relatively unscathed; the most dramatic injury occurred when Ravenclaw Jacen Reed slammed into the wall. Professors Raphael Carraro, Felicity Riveroll, and Gaston Marchand arrived on the scene, but the poltergeists continued to terrorize the staff and students. When Professor Marchand tried to restore order, Peeves retaliated by yanking him down the stairs and sending him to the hospital wing along with Mr. Reed.
Soon after the stairs incident, the Board of Governors was called to determine what should be done about the poltergeists. It was decided that Peeves and Miffy would be allowed to wed, under the condition that the pranks stop; failure to comply would mean Miffy’s containment. It was Ravenclaw prefect Kitty Valentine who told the couple the good news, and soon plans for the wedding were in full swing. Miffy held auditions for potential bridesmaids in the entrance to the Great Hall and chose Slytherin Rula Botros as her maid of honor and Gryffindors Charlotte Kettleburn and Olivia Phillips as bridesmaids; The Sirens were chosen as the musical act. Meanwhile, Peeves enlisted the boys’ help in finding the perfect ring for Miffy. It was Gryffindor Tenacius Salander who came up with the winning idea (a fish skull), and as a reward, Peeves named him is best man. Fellow Gryffindor Blaise Bellaire and Hufflepuff Carl Leonard were selected as groomsmen.
A medieval-themed reception for the newlyweds was held in the Room of Requirement; all the students, staff, and ghosts were invited. It wasn’t long before shenanigans ensued. The couple demanded presents and were appalled when no one had any to give. After Head Girl Hadleigh Lynch caught the bouquet (which turned out to be poison ivy, it was time for speeches and entertainment. Sir Nicholas and Lady Helena wished them well, but Peeves heckled their speeches. Even Moaning Myrtle made an appearance. It was only The Sirens’ performance that the poltergeists seemed to like; they even cheered and applauded afterwards. Soon the poltergeists wanted cake, not to eat but to throw at their guests! The celebration turned into a literal wedding shower with torrential rain as its finale.
All seemed quiet for a while after the reception, but soon weird things were happening in the castle. Mysterious giggling was heard in the corridors; a plate of cookies was broken in the kitchens and several trophy cabinets were smashed. Everyone suspected the newlyweds, but Peeves and Miffy proclaimed their innocence. Further chaos ensued when someone – or something – set all the owls in the owlery loose in the school. The culprit remained a mystery until the end-of-term feast. Shortly after Headmaster Sahnoun’s parting speech, yet another poltergeist, this one only a child, appeared throwing water balloons at the students and staff. A vindicated Peeves and Miffy introduced him as Storm and announced they’d adopted him as their son.
Now what will become of Hogwarts with not one, not two, but three poltergeists roaming the castle?
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