Mourning Dove

Chapter 5

Harry was a poltergeist.

Because of course he bloody was.

As soon as Harry formed as a ghost, it was clear that he was no ordinary spirit. The air around him seemed to hum with an otherworldly energy, and Severus couldn't help but suspect that this was not just any ghost, but a poltergeist. It wasn't surprising, really - the Potter family's luck had always been terrible, and even in death, it seemed to follow Harry. But perhaps it was for the best that the last of the Potters was now gone, lest their cursed luck bring about the premature end of the world.

But as usual, Lily's son couldn't conform to any conventional norms, even in the afterlife. He didn't fit into the neat categories and descriptions found in books on ghosts and spirits. Severus, always one for thorough research, wished he had better resources on hand on ghosts and their lore so he could understand this unexpected turn of events. But with the Ministry's strict stance against anything resembling necromancy, he knew he should be grateful for what little information he could find.

Poltergeists were typically, classically, and until now only thought of as spirits of indestructible chaos. They were ethereal beings, able to interact with the living world in ways that other non-corporeal entities could not. Ghosts, on the other hand, were limited in their abilities - unable to move physical objects unless they were also non-corporeal. But poltergeists...they were different. Unpredictable. Volatile. Lacking the calm and reasoning skills of ghosts, they often caused mayhem wherever they went. So where did that leave Harry Potter on the scale of supernatural beings? He didn't fit neatly into either category of ghost or poltergeist.

Severus had searched for a classification that would accurately describe Harry's unique abilities but to no avail. Demons and Inferi were too solid and generally raised by dark magic users, specifically necromancers, - a fact that Severus confirmed himself just to cover all his bases.

But it wasn't until Albus scared Harry and nearly got them both killed that Severus came to a firm and solid conclusion. The incident revealed Harry's power levels and confirmed his status as a poltergeist - an incredibly rare and unpredictable being who possessed immense power beyond human or ghostly comprehension. And now, with this knowledge, perhaps they could finally understand and help the boy who seemed caught between worlds.

Severus found Harry haunting his kitchen upon his return from classes that day. The boy seemed to have taken up a permanent residence in the gloomy, dark space of Severus's rooms. As much as he welcomed the company, it was starting to concern Severus.

"Harry, my dear boy," he began tentatively, "you are always welcome to hide in my rooms, but perhaps it would be beneficial for you to spend time with others of your kind." But Harry vehemently shook his head in disagreement, his wild black hair whipping around his face. Severus sighed inwardly. Ghost babysitting, how was this his life?

"Fine," he relented. "You may stay here for now, but please try to interact with others at least once a day. Whether they are corporeal or incorporeal, I don't care, just...try." He couldn't deny the slight worry gnawing at him about the boy's isolation. "I am not the best resource to be your only form of socialization." But Harry simply gave him a droll look, one that Severus knew all too well as he often wore it himself when given inane advice. The two of them had clearly spent too much time together in the past month.

With a resigned sigh, Severus gave in to the inevitable and sank into the plush cushions of his worn leather armchair in the dimly lit living room. A small stack of papers lay on the coffee table next to him, waiting to be graded. As he lifted his quill to begin marking the first paper, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him.