Order Beneath the Façade of Chaos

A/N: This is a response to the "For the Love of a Poltergeist" challenge.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow:

Shortly before midnight Peeves was found placing rows of water bombs on an outside ledge of Hogwarts castle. The early November air would chill the bombs to perfection. Floating back and looking at the ledge, Peeves admired the art that was the havoc he wrought. He made himself translucent and floated through the walls back inside the castle. He lowered himself onto a window ledge and sat cross legged. Tapping his index finger against his lips, he pondered the list of things he wanted to get done before the start of the next day. The priority was to get the dung bombs set outside the doors of the Carrow's quarters. The corner of his mouth twisted up into an impish half grin as he thought of the plumbs of putrid gas floating around the Carrow trolls all day. Peeves more than anyone could appreciate a chaotic mind but… Peeves shook his head they were a sort that Peeves couldn't understand. He was sure that he didn't want to understand.

"Dung bombs away!" Peeves squealed as he slid off window ledge onto the floor. Thinking he would walk for a bit and see if he could get Mrs. Norris' attention, it's been awhile since he rode on her back. As Peeves rounded the corner he saw her. She towered over him and didn't notice him standing next to the wall as she walked by. As the moonlight filtered through the glass in the windows it shone through her webby blond hair, giving Peeves the perfect shiny distraction.

He floated up behind her and made his hand solid enough to move her hair but still have his hand pass through it. He managed to lift it enough to make the moonlight reflect off it more and give it an ethereal glow. Peeves never had anything that could be described as impulse control but in that moment her hair went from shiny to glowing he knew he had a new toy.

His actions didn't go unnoticed by the hair's owner. She shivered at the first touch, Peeves took it as fear or repulsion but that wasn't the energy he felt coming off her. She slowly turned around and gave him a warm smile.

"Good evening, Peeves," she said in a wispy sing song voice. She then turned around and left Peeves floating stunned behind her. Peeves gave a mischievous smile and narrowed his eyes. He understood that, while his small stature gave him the advantage of sneaking into small places, he wasn't very imposing.

"No, no, no this will never do," he floated after her. He became translucent as he changed form. Ah, ginger, he thought. Making himself taller, younger, and with red hair stuck out every which way off his head. While it was her hair that he was interested in, Peeves never had someone react to him in a friendly way and that only motivated him to terrify her. Speeding up, Peeves went through her body. Knowing it was uncomfortable for the living to feel and he was rewarded when he felt her sharp intake of breath as she came to a stop. Peeves materialized in front of her, understanding he was well in her personal space. "Loony Lovegood, not so little sixth year," Peeves looked her over, though his eyes never straying too far from her hair. "Loony Lovegood wandering around without fear, doesn't she know the Bogle is near?" His voice was deeper in this form and he liked that Lovegood took a step back when he spoke to her. He stepped forward to maintain the lack of space between him. He liked this form Loony had to tilt her head back to look at him. Yes, this form would do nicely.

"Luna," she quietly corrected. "Is there something you need Peeves?" Luna spoke to him like he was a long time friend. Peeves didn't like the lack of strong emotion. After the initial flush of discomfort from the close proximity, Luna's aura maintained the calm she often had around her.

"Why out so late ickle girl," Peeves dropped his voice enjoying how deep he could make it. "You'll have more than points taken off if they catch you." He looked back at her hair wanting to continue to play with it. Luna smiled up at Peeves like she was indulging a child's silly question.

"Tonight is the night that the Crumple-Horned Snorkacks do their mating dance," Luna answered very matter-of-factly. "It's very coordinated and intricate. You should come watch." Peeves threw his head back and laughed. One not tinged in chaden freud or maliciousness but one that was genuinely surprised and tickled at what she said. Luna tilted her head to one side at this unusual change in Peeves behavior. "Are you feeling well?"

"Oh my, you are an odd bird aren't you," Peeves answered with a warm smile, he felt the concern come off her. While not as strong as anxiety or fear, it would do.

"Who's down there?" Filch's voice bellowed from around the corner.

"Oh, you're in for it now," Peeves said, now able to feed off the energy coming from Luna's discomfort. He debated if he should call out to Filch and tell him where the student was but as Luna turned her head the moonlight glimmered on her hair. He was struck with a brilliant idea. "Come here," he said as he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down the hall into an empty classroom. "Stay here," he commanded and went back out in the hall.

Mrs. Norris came around the corner a few minutes ahead of Filch. She started hissing at Peeves, who made faces back at her.

"Yes, my sweet." Filch said to Mrs. Norris, and then suddenly noticed Peeves. "Who are you?"

"Wouldn't you like to know," Peeves used his usual squeaky high pitched voice. Filch's initial confused look melting into realization as it dawn on him who it was.

"What have you done with yourself now?" Filch looked over the tall red headed man in front of him. "What are you playing at?"

Peeves shrugged.

Filch looked around the hall not seeing anything amiss and not able to find anything immediately to yell at Peeves about. "Well, move on with you," Filch finally said before he started to move on down the hall muttering sweet nothings to Mrs. Norris. When they were out of sight Peeves rolled his eyes and went back into the class room. Luna didn't move from her spot but she looked off into the darkness with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Thank you Peeves, I'll be on my way," Luna said and started for the door. Peeves moved in front of her and put his hand on her shoulder.

"No no no," Peeves looked down at her with an impish smile. "Time to pay the piper, Loony." Luna started to step backward and bumped into the desk behind her, Peeves fed off the panic rising in the girl. "You owe me," he said trying to draw out the maximum amount of emotion from her. Peeves grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him, still smiling. He reached out and ran his fingers through her hair. He was hit with a wave of pure fear. Pulling her over to one of the window he sat down on the ledge, never letting go of Luna. He moved back until he was right next to the glass and the moonlight was shining over his shoulder. Peeves smacked the ledge between his legs, "sit here with your back to me." When she hesitated giving him a confused look, he turned her around and lifted onto the ledge. Luna sat stiffly at the very edge; he was surprised she wasn't struggling. "No here," he pulled her back until she was almost on his lap. Luna started to shake waiting for what would happen next. Peeves removed her wand from behind her ear reaching around setting in on her lap. She started to nervously twist her wand in her fingers. Peeves lifted up all of her hair and let it fall slowly, fascinated by the color and shine in the moonlight. Frequently changing the solidity of his hand and the motion of her hair, he played with Luna's hair for the remainder of the night.

As the moonlight began to fade, so did Peeves' interest. It was only then he noticed Luna was leaning against him asleep. Tempted to do something rotten to wake her up, it was he who was startled when as he shifted his weight, Luna took his arm and wrapped it around her. Peeve froze in his spot, not sure how to react. Then he watched her sleep. Only when Professor McGonagall came in to set up for her first class did he disappear.