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Sunday, Sept. 6, 2003 |
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8 Sickles and 2 Knuts |
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Mysterious |
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Hogsmeade (WP) The journey to Hogwarts for
a new school year always begins with catching the Hogwarts Express at
platform nine and three-quarters for the majority of students. It is not a
short ride, but nevertheless is filled with the excitement and anticipation
of the students. This year’s
excitement was aided by an unusual interruption from a series of vines that
had grown over the railroad tracks. These vines, commonly known as the Reaper’s Cloak, had wrapped the rails completely for
roughly a kilometer, and forced the train to make
an unexpected stop to remove them. More than ten wizards
from the Ministry of Magic arrived at the scene minutes later, and while this
surprisingly high number alarmed many students, the Ministry of Magic was
quick to explain that they were already in the area. “We were working at a
nearby graveyard (name withheld) when we were summoned,”
said one wizard. |
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Because of its unusual
ability to quickly spread across the ground without having to root deeply, Reaper’s Cloaks are popular in covering burial grounds where
planting trees is discouraged. These vines usually thrive in damp, isolated
places where they can avoid human contact, making their presence on the
tracks even more puzzling. Under a promise of anonymity we managed a few
comments from one of the vine removal crew, “It is odd that these vines have
been found here, we were investigating the possible reasons of their
increased growth at the graveyard, but normally they do not grow out this
far.” The anonymous wizard also mentioned a rising rumor that Reaper’s Cloaks are being used to mask mysterious activities at various cemeteries across the country. The Ministry of Magic’s official statement concerning this confirms that it is only a “rumor created by a few paranoid gossipmongers.” According to the Ministry the stop of Hogwarts Express could have been prevented easily if it happened during the day. The Ministry |
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explained that “had the conductor noticed
the vines before approaching them, we could have removed them without
interrupting the train. We were not that fortunate however, as it was too
dark for the conductor to see them in advance.” The last time the
Hogwarts Express was stopped was due to the Dementors’
search years ago. Unlike that occurrence however, the Ministry assures
everyone that there is nothing to worry about, “the situation is under
investigation, but this is more than likely a natural phenomenon.” This was
also the explanation given to worried students and parents. A frightened
first year expressed his anxiety about the situation “I can’t
help but to be scared. I mean, this doesn’t happen
everyday!” Despite the delay
however, all students arrived safely and before the Sorting Ceremony began,
and to the delight of teachers and students alike, without any additional
surprises. |
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Death Eater
Arrested Hopes in the Death Eater
hunt have risen with the recent capture of Mr. C. Avery, who was rumoured to be
in the inner circle of the Dark Lord supporters. Avery has been under
suspicion since he revealed some important details, which of course we cannot
print, to our specially placed undercover correspondent. ‘It was quite easy to get
him to open up,’ our correspondent told us. ‘He was
heavily intoxicated as it was, and almost freely told me all I needed to know
to hand over to the officials.’ Avery is currently
heavily guarded in the prison of Azkaban, awaiting his trial where he has
been advised to plead guilty and offer information on other Death Eaters. Minister of Magic of five
years, Arthur Weasley, is delighted with the recent
news, and is optimistic about other Death Eaters being found. They have, as
you know, been driven into hiding by the defeat of the Dark Lord, although a
small number have been reported as switching their support to Lucius Malfoy, who has taken Voldemort's place. We managed to have a
quick chat with Minister Weasley about the capture. ‘Very good news!’ beamed the tired looking Minister. ‘I think the capture
of such a high member of the Death Eaters has renewed the spirit of the Aurors and the rest of the Ministry. They are working all
the hours they physically can to get all the fugitives captured and sent to a
fair trial.’ Then adding; ‘I can only give the highest praise to all our team
who have helped to put an end to their ferocious rampage.’ We then asked the
Minister on his thoughts of the whereabouts of other Dark Lord followers. ‘We’re doing all we can to find the remaining fugitives
but the list does get higher and higher each new day. The Ministry is getting
information by owl and word of mouth regarding locations and each piece of
information is investigated thoroughly.’ Hogwarts Express got in
contact with Susan Rose, a specialist in the behaviour of criminals of this
nature. ‘Contrary to belief they don’t hide themselves away from view. They seem to take
confinement in the public’s eye, claiming a new
identity and live as muggles in a big city where
you least expect them to be. It’s quite easy to
blend in and turn invisible as it were, when in a large crowded area. And muggles are quite ignorant concerning oddities amongst
themselves; therefore they wouldn’t think anything
of a bad dressed person talking to a parking metre – as some wizards know not
a lot about the muggle way of life.’ According to new reports,
only 36% of the If you have any information
regarding the whereabouts of a Death Eater, do not hesitate to contact the
authorities. You can choose to remain anonymous if you feel unsafe about giving
such information. |
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Hogsmeade – Busiest in
years Walking through busy Hogsmeade you would be lucky to not bump into anyone.
With the new term at Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry beginning, all
students, new and old, have been flocking to the famous village to buy their
school supplies. It seems the new generation of students are not as organised
as old school students. It was once known that most students came to Hogsmeade to shop at least two weeks before the new term
started, but according to Mr. Banges, of Dervish
and Banges, people have been leaving it up to the
last minute. ‘Yes yes, all at the last
minute! It all started a few days before term started,’
Claimed Mr. Banges who gratefully took a ten-minute
break to talk to us. ‘Mr. Dervish opened the shop one morning to find half
the school outside, waiting for supplies! It took us a good deal of the day
to serve the lot of them. We kept running out of stock, and tempers among the
students were flaring. People claiming someone pushed in front of them, and
then there were a few who did actually come up to the counter without queuing
up and demanding to be served!’ We asked the tired, worn out shopkeeper on
the whereabouts of Mr. Dervish. ‘Well as I was saying,
the day after the huge tidal wave of students, we were stupid enough to think
the next day would be less busy, more quieter. We
were wrong. Actually for the next few days it got busier and busier! Poor Mr.
Dervish had to cope on his own for a day while I was unfortunately called
away, and, well it just got too much for him so I’ve
sent him away for a few days break. Why, I remember back in the days where
people came to you weeks in hand to beat the rush. You had time for a chat
back then. None of this “get in, buy, get out, and next shop!” business. Students will be stressed before their first
week at school is over!’ Upon asking why they didn’t just hire new staff, as with all this rush of
custom they would be able to afford it, he replied, ‘Well it’s
not as simple as that. True we are making slight profit but that only just
covers rent and stock. The school rush seems to have died down now; we only
get the odd group so there is no need for an assistant. But rest assured next
term we will be much more prepared!’ At that time a
group of young children came in asking prices of schoolbooks so we had to cut
our interview short. |
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Happy Hogwarts Couple to Wed Every fall when students
return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, they prepare themselves
for several surprises along the way. This year however the surprises started
coming before the students even boarded the Hogwarts Express. Professor Severus Snape, instrumental in
the downfall of Voldemort, and once known for his
scathing tongue and dry wit, has asked Quarter-Veela
Fleur Delacour for her hand in marriage. The
beautiful Frenchwoman happily accepted. Those who know the two
were hardly surprised by the announcement. "It was only a matter of
time," said Professor Albus Dumbledore with
the customary twinkle in his eyes. "The signs were there from the very
beginning. I wish them the best together." The wedding was held this
last week by the lake on the Hogwarts Grounds. Note that I (Sariss)
received from the all-seeing mods: This marriage
has meanwhile been erased from the history of VH on account of the canon
relations re-evaluation thingy because it was implausible and not IC. Early
days of VH yadda yadda.
Apologies if this article confused anyone… *blush* |
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