Harry Potter discussion forum for movies, books, and more! - The Leaky Lounge: September's Contest - Harry Potter discussion forum for movies, books, and more! - The Leaky Lounge

As summer wanes and the tonic effect of family vacations start to fade we look forward to the return to school (well, the parents do). Some who have never been before may feel a little anxious, naturally. Others with more experience often grow excited at the new prospects before them; some more than others, of course. September’s contest is about two characters who find themselves in just such a situation: Albus Severus, nervous about his first year at Hogwarts, and Peeves, ever thrilled to harass the “ickle Firsties.” It’s time to sharpen those nibs and refill the inkwells in preparation for our back to school contest!



Your homework assignment: take out parchment and quill and in 500 words or less compose a story about Albus Severus encountering Peeves for the first time. Will Peeves show him mercy in deference to his dad, or will he remain true to his poltergeist form and plaster Al head to foot with ink pellets? Please write the story from Al’s point of view.


General Guidelines:

Anyone 13 years of age and over may enter the contest, including staff members who are not involved in the judging process.

One entry per person.

500 word limit.

All submissions must be the original work of the contestant. Any assignments found to contain the work of another author will be disqualified (and have a note sent home to your parents!).

All decisions by the judges are final.

All entries must meet PG-13 standards of decency and good taste.

The first place winner will receive a custom made wand donated by Wizard Wood Wands and 200 MyLeaky points.

Please refer to our FAQ if you are not sure of something.

If you have any questions not answered on the FAQ, or would like to discuss this Contest, please come to the Contest Corner Forum of The Leaky Lounge.

All submissions must be e-mailed to contests@the-leaky-cauldron.org by 11:59 pm (EDT) on 30 September, with "Albus meets Peeves" in the subject line of the e-mail. Any late homework will result in automatic detention!

Please copy-paste your story into the body of the e-mail and include a name to be used for authorship (real name or Leaky Lounge name).

The judges will be looking for creative, interesting and cannon correct stories that are well written. You may find the "tips and hints" located below the FAQ helpful.

The winners have been picked! Please help us in congratulating the following winners.

First Place: KatetheKeeper
Second Place: Patricia Goodsell
Third Place: CharlieNevin

You can scroll down to read their winning stories about Albus Severus first encountering Peeves or you can click on their name.

If you entered the contest and would like to share your entry, please feel free to post it in this thread.

This post has been edited by mjk: 09 October 2009 - 01:02 AM

First Place: KatetheKeeper


He couldn’t believe Rose had ditched him. Again. Albus Potter dashed through the halls of Hogwarts, occasionally stopping to peek through a keyhole. Rose knew the way to their next class, potions, but she had decided to go to the library to “get ahead” on her homework. Again.

The portraits muttered darkly as Al clattered past their ornate frames, the echoes of his trainers clapping against the stone floor disturbing their slumber. Al was desperate; he was sure to get a detention as he was already ten minutes late and there was no sign of the elusive classroom anywhere in the castle. Al held his breath as he turned another corner, praying that he had found the dungeon staircase. But, alas, he sighed in disappointment when he came upon a regrettably solid stone wall.

Al pondered this wall as he retraced his steps in his mind. He was positive the stairway was in this wing …

“Is the ickle firsty lost?” an obnoxious voice called from behind. Al turned slowly and came face to face with a pair of dark, beady eyes. He gaped as the squat man cackled brightly and flipped upside down. “Oh, another wee Potty! Peevesy’s heard about you! And how is Daddy Potty?” Peeves grinned malevolently as he turned right-side up and sat cross-legged in mid air.

“M-my dad told me t-to s-stay away from you,” Al stuttered nervously. He shook faintly as his eyes darted from side to side, looking for an escape. He wasn’t exactly in the mood to light his trousers on fire, which would be sure to=2 0cause him to miss class completely. One detention was enough for him, thank you very much. He really didn’t need a week’s worth.

Peeves’ wide mouth stretched into a larger and decidedly more evil grin as he sighed dramatically. “Peevesy is very disappointed in Daddy Potty. Peevesy thinks a professor needs to know Daddy and Wee Potty were being mean to him.” Peeves’ eyes glinted spitefully as he took a deep breath. “STUDENT OUT OF CLASS! ST-”

Al let out a breath he didn’t even realize he was holding when the poltergeist was interrupted by a cry of “Langlock!” Peeves glared at Al and followed that with a rather rude hand gesture. He whizzed away, hopefully to look for another unsuspecting student to bother.

Al whipped around to gratefully thank his savior (and to ask where in the name of Merlin that potions classroom was). His warm smile turned slightly mocking when he saw a mop of blonde hair attempting to slip through the seemingly fake solid stone wall unnoticed.

“Thanks, Malfoy,” Al smirked cockily when Scorpius Malfoy froze, halfway through the trick barrier. Scorpius turned about and returned the smirk with a raised eyebrow.

“Whatever, Potter,” he sneered. His face softened somewhat. “C’mon, or we’ll both be expelled.” Al chuckled merrily and followed Scorpius through the now translucent wall. Al was glad for the new friend; Scorpius would never ditch him for the library.

This post has been edited by songbird: 10 October 2009 - 02:49 PM

Second Place: Patricia Goodsell

Albus Severus raced along the fourth floor his bag slung over his shoulder and his schedule clutched tightly in his hands. His brother James was a few feet ahead of him laughing with some friends.

“James!” Albus called, “James!”

James turned, “What?”

Catching his breath Albus asked, “How do I get to Defense Against the Dark Arts?”

James smiled, “Easy, there’s a shortcut. See that tapestry there?”

Albus nodded seeing the floor to ceiling tapestry his brother was pointing to.

“Behind it is a staircase leading to the second floor. Turn right at the bottom and the D.A.D.A. classroom is straight ahead.”

“Thanks!” Albus yelled as he ran off.

“Oh, Al,” James called behind him, “Watch your step!”

Albus stopped short, “Wait, what do you mean?” He turned around, but his brother was already gone. Albus groaned and headed for the staircase. He was half way down when he suddenly felt the ground disappear beneath him, he screamed as his right leg was buried into a step that had, without warning, vanished.

The contents of his bag tumbled down the stairs in front of him. Where the tapestry at the bottom was pulled aside and the floating form of Peeves the Poltergeist appeared.

Albus had heard all about Peeves and knew that he was the last person he wanted around.



“Go away Peeves!” Albus growled as he tried to free his leg.

“Not very nice, so sad, I could help if you’d only say please.

“Really,” Albus asked skeptically.

Peeves grinned.

Hopeful Albus asked, “Please Peeves?”

Peeves laughed and twirled upside down in the air. “Only said I could, never said I would.”

“Ugh! You’re exactly like my dad said.”

“Whose he?”

“Harry Potter and when he hears-”

“Another son of Potty!”



“Don’t call me that!” Albus yelled.

But Peeves bellowed louder, “Potty the Third! Potty the Third!”

Without thinking Albus pulled out his wand and shouted, “Shut up!”

There was a bang like cannon fire and Peeves flew into the tapestry, ripping it from its hangings, and smashed into a suit of armor. Righting himself, he blew a loud wet raspberry and flew off. Students stood frozen in the hall below.

It was then that Headmistress McGonagall appeared.

Finally freeing his leg, Albus stumbled down the last few steps “Headmistress I’m sorry, I…”

“Mr. Potter,” McGonagall said smoothly, “I think you’ll find that when it comes to students attacking Peeves, I have a blind spot.”

All the students in the hall grinned, like Christmas had come early.

Pulling out her wand she made a sweeping motion and all his belongings flew back into his bag and soared into his arms. She gave him a wink, then announced, “Alright students, off to class, anyone late will receive detention.”

Not waiting to be told twice, Albus Severus raced down the corridor smiling.

Third Place: CharlieNevin

It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen in my life, Hogwarts. I could feel the magic radiating from the building, as though it were a living breathing thing. I couldn’t stop staring as we stood outside the door to the Great Hall awaiting the Sorting ceremony. The entrance hall was empty of anyone but the first years.

“Don’t worry, Al,” whispered Rose. “We’ll both be in Gryffindor. Just like our parents.”

“I hope so,” I replied. “I don’t want to be in Slytherin.”

“And what’s wrong with Slytherin?” a voice behind me shouted. “My whole family’s been in the noble house of Slytherin, and that’s where I intend to be, too!”

I recognized the boy from the platform. His father had nodded to my father; friendly, but somewhat forced. Uncle Ron had said something to Rose about him, too, but I hadn’t heard what.

“We Malfoy's practically run that house,” the young boy boasted. Looking at Rose’s hair, he continued, “I suppose you’re a Weasley.”

“That’s right,” Rose said proudly. “My father. And Al’s mother as well.”

“Your mother?” he said, looking at me. “And who’s your father? A nobody, I suppose.”

“P-Potter,” I said tentatively. “Harry Potter.”

Suddenly, everyone around me grew silent. They stared at Rosie and me with certain awe.

“Did somebody say potty?” a voice broke the silence. I followed it, but there was nothing there. The voice laughed and with a pop, an unusual looking man appeared wearing a ridiculous suit and silly shoes. He looked at me and gasped.

“Prince Potty the Second!” he exclaimed gleefully, giving me an exaggerated bow. “Come to Hogwarts at last! Oh, what celebrations to be had! Music!” He clapped his hands and promptly disappeared through the ceiling, shortly followed by a loud clattering of metal.

“Peeves!” a voice yelled. “What the bloody ‘ell do you think you’re doin’?!”

The little man reappeared. So that was Peeves, the one my father had warned me about. Just then, the deputy headmaster arrived to escort us into the Great Hall.

“Peeves,” he said calmly. “What business have you here?”

“Just teaching the ickle ones to respect royalty, sir,” he cackled. And with that he swooped over the students, causing them to duck low under his path. “That’s right duckies! Bow real low for Prince Potty!”

“Peeves…” the professor began.

“Alright, I’m goin’,” Peeves scowled. He blew a triumphant raspberry and floated again through the ceiling. Another great clattering was heard in the floor above, and the same man that had yelled before let out a groan of despair.

“Now, let me explain the Sorting,” the professor began, but I wasn’t listening. My thoughts were on Peeves and the attention he paid specially to me. He was gone for now, but I had the feeling I wouldn’t be hearing the last of this.

Of all the things James had warned me about, why hadn’t he mentioned this?

Congrats, guys! Were you as excited as I was when you found out?

But, sorry to be a bother, the last two paragraphs of my story are missing. Can someone please fix that? Again, I don't mean to sound rude or anything. Thanks!

Great, great stories! Real fun to read! Funny by the way, how both Charlie and Patricia came up with ''Potty the Second/Third''.

This is what I submitted!!! Tell me what you think!!!!!
Albus Severus Meets Peeves

The third day of term ended with Herbology for Albus Severus Potter. He was learning about a plant whose name he couldn’t quite pronounce.

“…And that is precisely why it should always be kept in the dark,” finished Professor Longbottom. “And, Albus, may I have a word?”

Albus picked up his belongings and went to see his professor. “What is it professor?”
“I was wondering how things are going for you at Hogwarts!” he exclaimed.

“Oh! Er… I like it! I think it is great!”
“Gotten into any trouble yet?”

“No, Professor, not really.”

“Well obviously you haven’t met Peeves!”

“Who’s that Professor?”

“Peeves is a poltergeist who zooms around the school trying to cause chaos, mainly with Filch.”

“I think my dad may have mentioned him before”
“Yes, well you better be on your way Albus.”

“Okay thanks, Professor!”

So Albus started to head back to Gryffindor Tower. He entered through the Fat Lady and found his cousin Rose Weasley sitting alone on the floor playing with what looked like a purple ball of fuzz.

Rose seemed to have read his mind. “It’s a Pygmy Puff. From Uncle George’s store!”

“Oh,” said Albus.

“That reminds me, I’ve got to show you something! Come on, Al!”
So Albus followed her all the way down to the entrance hall. From there they went through a door, up a set of stairs and into a long corridor filled with portraits of-

“Food? Why are there all these pictures of food, Rose?” asked Albus.

“Well,” she explained, “Uncle George once told me about this secret passageway. He knew them all! But this one I thought you would like, Al”

And then Rose did a very strange thing. On a portrait of a bowl of fruit, it looked as though she were tickling the pear. She stopped as it changed into a doorknob. She turned and opened it to reveal a giant kitchen with four giant tables flipped over and at least a hundred house-elves screaming in terror while a solid-looking ghost zoomed around yelling.

“Take that,” yelled the ghost shattering them all in rice.

“Help us sir!” squeaked a house-elf. “The ghost is wrecking the kitchens. He is throwing food and pots and pans all over. Sir must help us!” Albus didn’t reply.

“Oh no!” cried Rose. “Peeves stop it now! I’ll get Filch!”
But at that precise moment a pearly-white ghost, with bloodstains on his clothes, entered the kitchen.

“Peeves!” he yelled as the poltergeist stopped. “You will stop at once or you will be punished.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Baron,” spoke Peeves with a sound of frustration in his voice. “I won’t do it again.” And he zoomed off yelling in the distance.

“Sorry about that good Sir and Miss. I would be on your way if I were you. These elves have a lot of cleaning up to do.”

And as Ablus and Rose walked back to Gryffindor Tower, they had a lot to talk about.

I only just found out today about the contest, which is really annoying as I would have loved to enter! I wrote my own entry anyway - tell me what you think!

Albus Meets Peeves

The maze of stone passageways and corridors of Hogwarts were still, silent and empty. It was mid-morning, and all of the students were in class – all except a small, pale, black-haired boy, who was hurrying along, anxiously clutching his timetable.

Albus Severus Potter tore up a small staircase and emerged, panting, in yet another deserted corridor. He stopped for a moment, holding the stitch in his side, and then set off again at a run, his footsteps echoing loudly off the stone floor.

Suddenly, something whooshed out in front of him from the wall on his left and he skidded to a halt.

"Er – excuse me!" he called. "I – I'm looking for the Transfiguration classroom..." His voice faltered away as the ghost whipped round and saw him; his dark, wicked eyes gleamed at the sight of the red-faced Albus and his wide mouth split into a malicious grin.

"What's this, then?" he cackled. "An ickle firsty, out of lessons, tut tut, you'll be in trouble."

"Oh, no, it's just – I can't find the classroom-"

"Naughty naughty, skiving off class..." the ghost continued wickedly. Then he stopped and stared at Albus as though seeing him for the first time.

"Why, if it isn't Potty junior!" he cried, turning a somersault in mid-air. "It is, isn't it, another Potty-"

"Yes, but, please..." said Albus, rather desperately. "Could you tell me where the Transfiguration classroom is?"

"Of course," said the ghost, his eyes glinting. "Just go up those stairs over there, turn left and it's the third door on the right."

"Thank you!" said Albus gratefully, and dashed off. He soon reached the classroom; panting, he flung open the door and rushed inside.

"Sorry I'm late, Professor, I-"

Then he stopped in horror. The room was full of seventh-year students who were staring at him in surprise, and a stern-looking wizard at the front was glaring at him.

"Oh," faltered Albus, blushing scarlet. "Sorry, er – I – I'll just..." And he retreated quickly out of the classroom and slammed the door.

He heard a cackle of laughter behind him, and turned to see the ghost floating in mid-air. Then he finally realised who it was – Peeves, the poltergeist that his father had warned him about, who was now holding his sides and almost crying with mirth.

Albus opened his mouth furiously, but Peeves zoomed away, knocking over a suit of armour as he passed, which tumbled to the floor with an almighty crash.

Not wanting to land himself in any more trouble, Albus turned tail and fled down the corridor. Maybe he'd ask someone else instead.

This post has been edited by Rachel Cassidy: 11 October 2009 - 08:36 AM

drat lost again oh well heres my story anyway

I still don’t get it why do people stare at me in the halls? Well my likeness to you has saved me from Peeves. I had stopped him to ask him where charms was and he said "ikle firstie can it be wee Potter boy no it can not be". Of course I was so confused but I told him you where my father. He showed me to class when I walked in the teacher was shocked to see Peeves guiding me. Then Peeves shot an ink pellet at the teacher and flew off. The teacher! Can you imagine? Tell mum I miss her and I miss you too. I have a lot of charms homework and a 12 inch essay for potions to do.