HogwartsExpress

8 Sickles and 2 Knuts

Bio-Magic Breakthrough a Lifesaver

St Mungo's (WP)-

Doctors at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries have finally found a cure for a curse that the enemy frequently cast during the Great War.

For the safety of the wizarding population, the Ministry has forbidden the publishing of the exact incantation and keeps all documents containing any details under close surveillance. Material concerning this curse is considered top-secret and was only accessible to St. Mungo’s personnel to help them find a cure.

When cast, the curse basically dries up its victims skin and prevents if from producing moisture and liposome. The skin will also not be capable of producing a sufficient amount of melatonin, a substance that protects it from the ultra-violet rays of the sun. It is rendered incapable of tanning and—due to its dryness—it will chip and produce abnormal cells that will eventually lead to various forms of black melanomas (skin cancer), if not treated in an appropriate manner.

Therefore, the afflicted patients had to apply and imbibe numerous potions several times a day to keep themselves from dehydrating, and were basically confined to their rooms or houses, only allowed to go outside on sufficiently cloudy days or in the evenings if the pain would allow them to move at all.

Nowadays, the effects of that curse are commonly known as the Parchment Skin Syndrome.

commonly known as the Parchment Skin Syndrome.

“PSS is an extremely cruel malady,” said Dorothy O’Healy, head of the PSS research team. “We almost cried when we realized that we’d found something that really helped the patients; something that didn’t just ease the pain and get rid of some of the symptoms. Finally we could answer with a firm ‘Yes’ when the afflicted asked if we had any means to make it stop.”

Indeed, Dr. O’Healy herself was the person to find out how exactly the cursewreaked havoc on a person’s physical system. Her dedication to this task is not surprising when one considers that her husband—formerly also employed as a medi-wizard at the hospital—had also been struck with the curse when he’d been tending to injured wizards during the war.

“It’s comparable to what Muggles call a virus,” explained newly recovered Dr Sean O’Healy, “though it’s triggered by the magical ability of a person. It wouldn’t have an effect on Muggles at all. But when it gets into contact with a magical person, it forces their bodies to fight against certain enzymes and hormones that are vital for its health and proper function.”

Keeping that in mind, the medi-wizards and witches at St. Mungo’s have researched incessantly and found several

combinations of ingredients that would help their patients cope.

But only a few weeks ago, they discovered that a relatively simple mixture, consisting mostly of fluxweed, aconite, pulverized bezoar, a small amount of Bubotuber pus and minute doses of several other fairly easily acquired substances reversed the process entirely, leaving not the slightest hint that the patient had ever suffered from PSS.

“When we administered the mixture to a patient who had volunteered for testing purposes, it was as if we were waking from a nightmare,” said Dorothy O’Healy. “We could actually see how he was healing. After a week, the old and dried skin started to come off without causing any pain to the patient. It was like a revelation to the man and his family when they all saw that there was completely smooth and healthy skin again.”

After having run through various test series, the medicament is now available to the general public and will rid the wizarding world of yet another Dark souvenir from one of the darkest times in all of the wizarding world’s history.

For the discovery of this medicine, Dr O’Healy and her staff have been nominated for the Award for the Greatest Achievement in Bio-Magical Research and have already been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class.

Unforgivable Used at MoM

It’s been reported that an Unforgivable Curse has been used at the trial of Mr. C Avery. It happened just as Mr Avery had been charged with serving the Dark Lord, the use of unforgivables, and murder of innocent muggles.

Mr Avery had been brought to trial after being taken into custody just last week, after giving out crucial information to an undercover agent. The evidence was given by the Minister of Magic against the convict in front of Aurors, jurors and some select spectators, to which Mr Avery pleaded guilty on all charges. He then broke down into tears, and while sobbing gave a list of other Death Eaters who were already under investigation by the Ministry of Magic, hoping to have his sentence reduced. Naturally from the extent of his crimes, Mr Avery’s life imprisonment was not changed. It was then that a middle aged witch stood up from the spectators, pulled out a wand and cast the Cruciatus Curse on a guard, while screaming profanities at everyone in the room, including to Mr Avery himself.

“To look at her, you wouldn’t think anything of it!” Said one wizard who was seated next to the witch. “One minute she was muttering under her breath about loyalty, and next she was casting the curse and swearing like some crazed loon! As soon as the curse was cast, everyone around fell to the floor in fright, one guard pulled the Minister or Magic to safety and the Aurors captured her. She didn’t even put up a fight.”

How the un-named witch managed to smuggle in her wand is being investigated, as security to the event was tight. Unfortunately, head of MoM security declined to comment further on that matter, but told us that only officials may be asked to be a spectator from now on. An official statement is to be issued later in the week. The un-named witch, who is thought to be an unstable and somewhat insane Dark Lord follower, is being held for questioning.

Luckily, the Ministry of Magic guard, Wilfred Annex, was not too badly hurt in the attack, but will be staying at hospital for the next few days in case of shock and internal bleeding, and has been granted a further week off work where he will be recuperating with his wife and child.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quidditch Schedule - 2003

Student Bands to Square Off

If you ask any teenager (muggle or not) what their favourite things are, one of their answers would be ‘music’. Which is why Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are to be hosting a ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition for the first time ever. The school has been much more relaxed since the downfall of the Dark Lord, and are eager to show all that Hogwarts are back upon their feet, and ready to take on the world.

Students are to make up their band with other schoolmates. They then make themselves a name, write their own song and when the time comes, perform in front of the whole school playing live with their own instruments.

The winning band will win $500 to share between them, with the runner up getting $250 and in final place; $100. The event will be taking place on the lawn at the school, and the grass has been specially treated by Professor Sarah Sprout to withstand the weight of the stage, and the trampling of the crowd.

I managed to get a few words off some students. I asked Amber Pocus, a Ravenclaw first year about her band. “I’m the lead singer of Hex. I think the battle of the bands is a great idea, it gives us something to do and helps us make new friends or form tighter friendships.” I also asked her why she thought her band had a chance of winning. “I think hex is going to win because our band has loads of artistic views and points.” And Cien Mashuga from Slytherin said this, “Iit’s a good idea and could be loads of fun, promoting inter-house relationships,” Then she was asked about people thinking more of the prize than having fun and making new friends. “Definitely happening. Most bands are all one house, if ya haven't noticed.”

It’s been reported that the wizarding pop/rock group, the ‘Weird Sisters’, are to be performing at the closing of the event. ‘Burning Cauldron’ and ‘Crystal Charm’ are to be amongst the songs the four-piece band is to be performing.

You Know You are Addicted to VH When...

-You ask the lady at Abercrombie where the dress robes are (Amelie Noelle Kensington)

-You reply to those wanted adds in the magazines when people want more Harry Potter stuff and email them the address to this site - bragging about it's virtues. (Rayya Brown)

- Before you act on anything, take a second to mentally add the '/ me' part. (Rysa Evans)

- You almost cry when you can't get into the protected forums because you forgot to adjust your cookies. (Cimber Metallus)

-You spend most of the evening trying to convince your wife that Fleur and Jinx are characters and not women you are sending secret messages to!! (Professor Dumbledore)

-Your housework gets neglected since you are on VH all weekend. (Alexandria Davis)

For more, or to add your own, click here

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Sunday, Sept.21, 2003		8 Sickles and 2 Knuts
Bio-Magic Breakthrough a Lifesaver
St Mungo's (WP)- Doctors at St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries have finally found a cure for a curse that the enemy frequently cast during the Great War. For the safety of the wizarding population, the Ministry has forbidden the publishing of the exact incantation and keeps all documents containing any details under close surveillance. Material concerning this curse is considered top-secret and was only accessible to St. Mungo’s personnel to help them find a cure. When cast, the curse basically dries up its victims skin and prevents if from producing moisture and liposome. The skin will also not be capable of producing a sufficient amount of melatonin, a substance that protects it from the ultra-violet rays of the sun. It is rendered incapable of tanning and—due to its dryness—it will chip and produce abnormal cells that will eventually lead to various forms of black melanomas (skin cancer), if not treated in an appropriate manner. Therefore, the afflicted patients had to apply and imbibe numerous potions several times a day to keep themselves from dehydrating, and were basically confined to their rooms or houses, only allowed to go outside on sufficiently cloudy days or in the evenings if the pain would allow them to move at all. Nowadays, the effects of that curse are commonly known as the Parchment Skin Syndrome.	commonly known as the Parchment Skin Syndrome. “PSS is an extremely cruel malady,” said Dorothy O’Healy, head of the PSS research team. “We almost cried when we realized that we’d found something that really helped the patients; something that didn’t just ease the pain and get rid of some of the symptoms. Finally we could answer with a firm ‘Yes’ when the afflicted asked if we had any means to make it stop.” Indeed, Dr. O’Healy herself was the person to find out how exactly the cursewreaked havoc on a person’s physical system. Her dedication to this task is not surprising when one considers that her husband—formerly also employed as a medi-wizard at the hospital—had also been struck with the curse when he’d been tending to injured wizards during the war. “It’s comparable to what Muggles call a virus,” explained newly recovered Dr Sean O’Healy, “though it’s triggered by the magical ability of a person. It wouldn’t have an effect on Muggles at all. But when it gets into contact with a magical person, it forces their bodies to fight against certain enzymes and hormones that are vital for its health and proper function.” Keeping that in mind, the medi-wizards and witches at St. Mungo’s have researched incessantly and found several	combinations of ingredients that would help their patients cope. But only a few weeks ago, they discovered that a relatively simple mixture, consisting mostly of fluxweed, aconite, pulverized bezoar, a small amount of Bubotuber pus and minute doses of several other fairly easily acquired substances reversed the process entirely, leaving not the slightest hint that the patient had ever suffered from PSS. “When we administered the mixture to a patient who had volunteered for testing purposes, it was as if we were waking from a nightmare,” said Dorothy O’Healy. “We could actually see how he was healing. After a week, the old and dried skin started to come off without causing any pain to the patient. It was like a revelation to the man and his family when they all saw that there was completely smooth and healthy skin again.” After having run through various test series, the medicament is now available to the general public and will rid the wizarding world of yet another Dark souvenir from one of the darkest times in all of the wizarding world’s history. For the discovery of this medicine, Dr O’Healy and her staff have been nominated for the Award for the Greatest Achievement in Bio-Magical Research and have already been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class.