DEVASTATION AT ST. MUNGO'S RAISES SECURITY CONCERNS

The usually competent and efficient wards at Saint Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries were turned upside down today by a violent disturbance. Visitors, patients and staff alike were shaken around mid-morning by a loud explosion coming from the third floor. Witnesses in nearby wards describe the walls of a ward exploding outwards in a shower of dust and hearing a terrifying, inhuman roar that shattered some of the windows. The hospital was plunged into chaos as security attempted to respond to the event; order eventually returned, fortunately with only minor injuries to the occupants of the building.

According to hospital staff, two aurors were already on the scene at the time of the incident, but were unable to capture the culprit or locate any solid leads, despite Magical Law Enforcement arriving shortly after the disaster to assist. They refused to give a statement concerning the incident, only saying that the Ministry of Magic was giving the investigation every resource available.

All patients on the third floor have been evacuated to the two adjacent floors, and, according to the director, the third floor will remain closed for a time to repair the damage. Friends and relatives of affected patients should ask at reception before attempting to locate patients in their temporary wards. Many questions remain regarding this incident. Is the security at our beloved hospital sufficient to defend us against attack when we're at our weakest? Or could this have been caused by something dangerous from inside the ward escaping into London? It's not certain at this point which occurred today, but you can be assured that the Prophet will be both the first to know and the first to tell you.

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Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

_________________
Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

_________________
Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

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Local Lurker and Knower of the Unknown and Unknowable. Also a bit full of itself, and an occasional prick.

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Local Lurker and Knower of the Unknown and Unknowable. Also a bit full of itself, and an occasional prick.

Tragedy in the Limelight
By Gerald Kurardi

Tragedy struck today, 03 July 2013, One of Holland's Finest Models had her life shortened today by what can only be described as a sick twisted fiend.

"Lisa Von Kraemil was a wonderful woman." says her friend and personal photographer, Arla Vanderfan. "She had a bright attitude and a great demeanor when faced with even the toughest of problems."

Lisa, age 28, was murdered in an undisclosed hotel in London by an unknown and very dangerous murder. There are no current suspects, but the London Ministry of Magic ensures the Wizarding Governing Bodies in Holland that they will find her attacker before long.

With no eyewitnesses and only the testimony of her photographer who heard the explosion from the next room over - there was not much to go on as far as description of the killer. This reporter did some digging into the background of Lisa Von Kraemil to discover that her brother Fredrik Von Kraemil was murdered in a very similar way only three years ago. However, the murderer was never caught. Officials seem to believe this is merely a sick copycat murderer, they plan to have stomped out not before to long.

"Both the Photographer's Convention and Witch Weekly's Modeling Extravaganza are still being upheld and will not be postponed," Says Witch Weekly. "We will not let one demented individual ruin a yearly event - this is the first time the Modeling Extravaganza will be held in Paris and we expect it to be the most memorable night of the centuary. Lisa would have wanted it to continue on."

Events of Interest

London - Diagon Alley

Join entrepreneur Molly Darling - founder of the popular Ravishing Ramora and Hippogryff Rising personal care lines for young men and women - at Madame Primpernelle's salon in Diagon Alley for a short discussion of how to prepare your own beauty products as well as an early look at next season's offerings from her product lines.
Saturday 6th June

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Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

Shock in the Limelight
By Gerald Kurardi

After the unfortunate events leading up to the murder of Lisa Von Kraemil. Witch Weekly still held their annual Photographer Convention where Lisa's personal photographer took the stage to speak a few words on her. Arla Vanderfan brought us to tears, tiny chuckles and back to tears as she recalled her wonderfully long history with Lisa.

"When me and Lisa were growing up we both shared similar styles and thoughts. We both dreamed to be models, but not limited to that we always managed to like the same guys, want the same broomsticks and often the case, to our displeasure, share the same likeness to the same dresses." said Arla. "We were like sisters, we fought over everything, we were jealous of each other constantly, and we loved each other more at the end of every day. It's hard to believe she is gone. All that said, I know how important it was to her that I step up and commit to a promise I made her - and hopefully it will make her proud. I've already discussed it with Witch Weekly and the Event planners, I will be taking Lisa's spot in the event as a model. I am formally resigning my position as a photographer from here on."

It is safe to say that everyone was shocked and surprised.

There is no news of who will be taking the pictures for Arla - however we expect that, Mister Vance Volder, Lisa's Cousin will be the photographer as he also is a new name on the guest list and he was a prior photographer for Lisa about six years ago. Other new special guests that were leaked on this list to appear are Gilderoy Lockhart, Oliver Cartwright, and another special appearance by someone we won't spoil.

We certainly cannot wait to hear more - expect more news on from tomorrows daily Prophet!

Hogsmeade Housebreaker Eludes Capture

Over the past weeks, a string of burglaries have plagued the quiet Scottish town of Hogsmeade. Many private residences were targeted, along with several shops. On the night of the 24th, Honeydukes was broken into in the small hours of the morning, leaving a dreadful mess for the proprietor to clean up when they arrived to work the next morning. Rest assured, the shop remains open, but the ministry reminds all residents and visitors to the village of Hogsmeade to stay alert, especially if visiting after sundown! Protective charms are being provided free of charge to any residents who apply at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in London.

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Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

Hogsmeade Housebreaker Strikes Again!

After a brief period of peace during which residents of Hogsmeade caught their breath, the Hogsmeade Housebreaker has struck again! Late Saturday night, Arly's Apothecarium was ransacked, right under the noses of the the Ministry! Officials from the department of Magical Law Enforcement have yet to issue a statement on the matter, but Prophet reporter Daniel Rickens spoke with shopkeeper Arly Kelbin after the dust had settled.

Daniel Rickens: Good afternoon, Mister Kelbin. I must say, what happened to you is a shame. You've run your shop in Hogsmeade for what, going on twenty years now?
Arly Kelbin: Aye, that I have. And I don't intend to stop neither, Housebreaker or no!
DR: Was anything valuable stolen? I understand that you live above your shop.
AK: Oddly enough, no, not really. He didn't go for the money. Never seen a thief before in my life who didn't go for the money. Never touched my home's front door neither.
DR: He only stole your products?
AK: Aye. Oddest stuff, too. Things you wouldn't normally think to go together, you know? But what do I know, I'm just an old man, never really got the whole mixing together bit. I just prepare the stuff that goes in.
DR: As I said, a real shame. Stay safe, Mister Kelbin.
AK: Aye, and you, son.

_________________
Karen Bonoa - Ravenclaw Alumni
Madeline Ingleman - 2nd Year Hufflepuff
Niven McLaren - 1st Year Slytherin
Sam McKinnon - 6th Year Ravenclaw

Jabari Nwosu * Joshua Tannerman * Lenora Hollings * Lillian Stewart * Maria Bonoa

March 2nd, Front Page

WIZARDING WORLD UNDER ASSAULT!

Hogwarts Leveled. Ministry of Magic Burns.
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For Immediate Release

by Bernie Flourish, filling in for Terrance Storm, who is currently MIA

Today is a day that shall remain forever in the hearts and minds of our community. This day, when security and comfort were shattered by a plethora of brutal attacks, driving students from their school, their home, and parents from their place of work. Even now the tortured, walking wounded seek each other out, their hope shining like beacons of light in a foggy wood as they cling to the thought that, one day, their lives may be rebuilt.

Early reports suggest the attacks began in Hogsmeade, where the terrible and villainous perpetrators of these horrendous, violent assaults left formerly sublime and pleasant shops in smoking ruins and a swath of casualties in their wake.

From Hogsmeade, the dastardly ne’er-do-wells marched on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, leaving that bastion of magical learning little more than a crumbling heap of charred stone and ash. It would devastate any reporter so misfortunately required to convey the horror of the spectacle as students and teachers alike were scattered to the four winds. Oh! But for no love of humanity, the foul perpetrators slipped away from the scene unnoticed and untraceable.

In the stunned silence which followed, students were evacuated to St. Mungo’s Hospital in London. An emergency triage was organized by the able staff of Healers. For an all-too-brief interlude, it seemed as though the ordeal had ended. But this respite was not to last. The sound of explosions ripped through the air once more, this time in London. The attackers had shown themselves once again, this time at the Ministry of Magic itself, the very heart of Wizarding government, the thriving epicenter of centuries of prosperity and goodness.

The Ministry suffered a similar fate to Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, the destruction laid cruelly from the entrance atrium all the way to the lowest floor, where the Wizengamot would meet in chambers of justice, and Unspeakables would labor in the Department of Mysteries. No more can be said of that final destination, for if not by the excusable and understandable failure in our readers’ toleration and endurance for the melancholy crush of grim reality, then for the sake of this poor wizard’s harrowed spirit.

The only saving grace left to us, at the very bitter least, is the knowledge that our staunch defenders came through in the end. Details are sketchy, but will be forthcoming just as soon as they can be made publicly available.

No full accounting of the death toll is available at this writing. Missing persons lists are being prepared, the office of the Minister of Magic promises us, and will be published by this paper as soon as we have them.

March 2nd, also Front Page

HOGWARTS DESTROYED!

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry A Total Loss
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by Guster Blogthorn

Off in the distance, against the black sky, barely seen through the heavy mist of rain, is the ruin of the castle Hogwarts. The darkness is alarming to anyone familiar with this place. The silhouette is not familiar, as entire towers are missing completely from the structure. The sounds of crumbling rock and work being undertaken at some great scale echo dully across the lake.

The first impression as one enters the grounds and approaches the castle is the stabbing shock of realization that the entire front entrance seems to be blown apart completely. There is a pile of rubble where the front wall used to be, and one can see into the Entrance Hall from outside. The Hogwarts groundskeeper, Hagrid, the half-giant, labors tirelessly before the crumbling pile of destruction, lifting gigantic stone remnants and heaving them aside.

One of the castle’s towers has collapsed and fallen over, just past the entrance, and there is a massive pile of rubble beyond that place, formerly witness to the tread of countless feet over the centuries. The upper floors of the castle seem to be missing entire parts, even if the castle is, by some technical qualifications, still standing.

There are portions of the castle which have crumbled to almost nothing, and search and rescue teams can be seen walking over the rubble at all external elevations, high and low. At the highest visible remaining vestige of the formerly grand edifice, the Hogwarts poltergeist, Peeves, can be seen floating circles around one tower which happens to still be standing.

March 2nd, Page 7

Hogwarts School Finally Closed

Eyewitness Account Tells All
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Alistair Hacke, Gryffindor Prefect, single-handedly rescued students left behind and deserted by awol Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

by Rita Skeeter ~ A Rita Skeeter Exclusive

I, Rita Skeeter, have obtained exclusive interviews with the terrified evacuees, who now live like drowned rats in a filthy refugee camp at St. Mungo’s Hospital; and which I will now share with my readers in the hopes that these words may inspire and encourage you to stay strong in these times of trouble!

At mid-day, the sanctuary of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was shattered by a shocking assault. Witnesses speak in hushed tones of a wizard in medieval armor, wreaking destruction wherever he tread. Students flocked to Saint Mungo's hospital in London as they attempted to obtain medical assistance and locate their loved ones. Every floor of the hospital is packed to bursting with students of all houses and years, no class remaining unscathed.

As for the professors, fatalities have been confirmed, with students and faculty alike reeling from the death of dear Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Head of Gryffindor house. Albus Dumbledore was also believed dead for a time, but it turns out he had merely fled to London.

Some students, such as Gryffindor Alistair Hacke, have stepped forward to lead in these trying times.

"I helped coordinate the Gryffindor evacuation," the tall boy told me with a flirtatious wink, the courage and bravery so valued by his house shining brightly through his eyes. "Hogwarts is more than a building, a school, a community unlike any other on this Earth. We band together. Especially the really good looking ones of us.” His youthful words show the strength of the students of Hogwarts, too often taken for granted despite being, perhaps, misled or slow witted and naive. And though so many are now gone forever, delightfully delicious Alistair’s words might serve as an inspiring message of hope to all our readers.

Stay tuned for part two of my exclusive story: “Refugee Romance!”

March 7th, Front Page

Alastor Moody: In Memoriam

World-Famous Auror and Teacher Killed
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Hogwarts Professor Moody Died Defending
Students From Mysterious Attacker

by . staff

This past week has been marred by loss and devastation on a scale previously unimaginable. It pains us at the Daily Prophet to report that esteemed Auror, Hogwarts Professor and former Acting Minister for Magic, Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody has lost his life along with so many others. According to a statement released by the office of the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, “Professor Moody tragically sacrificed his own life so that staff and students alike could evacuate in the face of overwhelming danger.” Those of us left behind can at least take solace in the fact that he gave his life in the most noble way possible.

A great man regarded by many as the most powerful Auror who ever lived, tributes have been pouring in from across the Wizarding World in the wake of his passing. Gwendolyn Summers, Head Auror and former protégée of Moody wrote, “Everyone at the Ministry lost friends and family that day and Alastor Moody was a universally beloved member of that family. He was my friend and mentor and the world is poorer for his absence.” Filius Flitwick, renowned duellist and Professor of Charms at Hogwarts, was able to say this while helping administer the refugee camp at St. Mungo's, “A friend and colleague like no other. We're all reeling from his loss, students and faculty both. All we can do is honour his memory by carrying on.”

While certain details of his past were a well-kept secret even among his colleagues at the Ministry, Alastor Moody's skill as a wizard was undeniable. One colleague in the Auror office who wished to remain anonymous claimed that, “Half the cells in Azkaban are full thanks to [Moody]. A thumpin' good wizard, if there ever was one. Probably the bravest man I ever knew.”

Alastor Moody was born in Scotland to a well-established Wizarding family. He came from a long line of renowned Ministry of Magic Aurors. Moody attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a Gryffindor, where he excelled academically.

There are already calls for a memorial to remember the lost. Until then, we here at the Daily Prophet are honoured to say we lived in the time of a wizard like Alastor Moody. To our readers, we have only this to say: Constant Vigilance!

[ The Front Page of the Sunday edition of The Daily Prophet features another article on the disastrous attacks and destruction at Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, and the Ministry of Magic. Theories are expounded, sketchy details are highlighted, and many eyewitness accounts are featured. There is little in the way of new information for most of the former students of Hogwarts, but there is a mention of the lists—the full accounting of those killed or missing as of a week after the tragedy—which follows on a subsequent page. Displayed on a full, interior spread, with decorative borders and flourishes, like a sort of memorial in its own right, the terrible lists of names are contained in two parts: The Fallen, and The Missing. ]

[ See the next two posts. ]