BREAKING NEWS -  SORCERER’S FOR EQUALITY LEADER FIGHTS FOR LIFE IN ICU AFTER VICIOUS VAMPIRE ATTACK

16 April 1983

WIZARDING LONDON, ENGLAND - Calls for equality have been replaced by tears of sadness as one of the two figure heads of The Sorcerers for Equality movement, Benjy Fenwick, 30, has been left fighting for his life after a vicious and brutal vampire attack which reportedly took place on Friday evening. 

Mr Fenwick, famed for his candid viewpoints on the Ministry’s lack of care for the werewolf, vampire, veela and Muggle-Born communities had been found by members of the Auror’s Office, at 11pm on Friday 15th April unconscious and drained of approximately 5 pints of blood according to a source in The Department of Magical Law Enforcement who wishes to remain anonymous.

According to our source, Head of the Auror’s Office Alicia Avery-Jones was quick to the scene and Mr Fenwick was discovered close to Carkitt Market, with marks on his neck consistent with that of a full set of teeth and two pronounced upper canines thought to be made by a vampire. 

As of this morning the Ministry have no leads but are said to be interviewing members of the vampire community and those close to Mr Fenwick, who remains in a magical induced coma as he regains strength after such a vicious and savage attack.

The attack on Mr Fenwick comes after he and his co-founder for The Sorcerer’s for Equality Movement, Charity Burbage, 33, stormed Wizarding London yesterday demanding equal rights for those they believe the Ministry repeatedly ignore. Miss Burbage is said to be safe and saddened by the news of her friend. 

This latest incident almost six months after the death of the Minister’s for Magic’s son Booker Bagnold, 26 who was also an advocate for the rights of those in the creature community and died of a werewolf attack at the hands of elusive criminal mastermind Silas Crump, 38 who is still yet to be apprehended.

The mood is a somber one today in Wizarding London as flowers are laid in Carkitt Market and outside St Mungo’s Hospital where Mr Fenwick is reportedly being treated in The Intensive Care Unit of The Dai Llewellyn Ward for Serious Bites. 

What was thought to have yesterday a been large step forward for equality in our community has exposed more questions than answers. Why are these attacks persisting? What are the Ministry doing to prevent them and more importantly, who will be next? 

The Daily Prophet requested further information from the Ministry of Magic on the supposed whereabouts of Silas Crump and if any suspects had been named in the attack on Benjy Fenwick. Representatives for Head of the Auror’s Office Alicia Avery-Jones and Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold declined to comment. 

The Daily Prophet also requested information from St Mungo’s Hospital on the admittance of Benjy Fenwick into their care; their press office also declined to comment at this stage.

EMILIA GREY, DAILY PROPHET JOURNALIST

LOVE HURTZ - FEBRUARY 8TH, 1983

Dear Grizel, 

Valentines Day is approaching and already it’s hitting me hard. My girlfriend and I split up three years ago and Valentines was always one of our favourite holidays to spend together. She’s happy now and engaged to someone else apparently. I heard that through friends we both share and I am happy for her, or at least that’s what I tell myself. 

The reason I’m writing is, now she has moved on I know it’s time I do as well. How do I get over someone I’m still in love with but I know I can never have? Do I hope someone slips me a love potion? Do I get my parents to draw me up a marriage contract and I hope I like the person? 

All I know is I just don’t want to think about her anymore and I want to try and be happy with someone else. I feel like I need some advice or a kick in the pants, anything that will stop me eating chocolates alone in my flat and crying over the mixtape she made me before she left me for her colleague. 

Dear Reader, 

Valentines Day is one of my favourite holidays because it is a solitary one. Unlike Yule, which always includes pesky relatives asking why you’ve not brought someone round the table this year while your brother and sister are already married, or All Hallows’ Eve which plagues all single sorcerers who are made to endure endless tasteless couples costumes, Valentines is something where single people are left relatively alone to eat and cry in peace. 

The dread we feel as we look at shops selling cards and the sadness that wells inside you as your local street vendor tries to sell you ingredients for a two for one dinner, that you know you’re going to eat alone while your owl judges you silently, is all inside your mind. No one knows you're single except you. And maybe your mum, but she’s never been easy to please anyway. 

Being single on Valentines Day is very normal and is shared by many witches, wizards, sorcerers, vampires, werewolves and muggles alike. So my first piece of advice is that it’s just another day. But at least all of the couples you don’t want to see are safely tucked away in The Hopping Pot where you don’t have to look at them. Secondly, there is also no shame in taking chocolate back to your flat and eating it. Chocolate is for everyone not just for smug married couples. 

I am sorry to hear about what happened with your girlfriend and I am proud of you for sending me this letter and going through the motions to move on. I receive a lot of letters like yours, and I can confirm the sting of love is universal and something we are all united in our shared pain of experiencing in some form. Not to sound like every advice columnist in the world, but the best way to get over someone is to make yourself a promise that you’re better than this. You can stick on The Witching Hour and cry as Glenda Chittock plays their favourite love anthems, or you can choose to pick yourself up dust yourself off and say; “Actually I choose me.” The harsh reality of it is your girlfriend picked themselves and now it’s time for you to do the same. 

It might be painful to think about someone other than her, but love is pain and it’s time to rip the plaster off. Is there someone at work you think is cute? A friend you’ve always had eyes for? Or is there someone in your life who makes you laugh even if that’s all there is? Send them an owl and ask them to go for drinks. Invite them round to listen to some music or go and watch a play down at the playhouse. Try and laugh and find fun in a day that celebrates love of every kind. You won’t be able to move on from your girlfriend unless you let her go and vow to think outside the box and demand better for yourself. Valentines Day is an amazing day to find someone to laugh at this dreaded day with, you just need to find them! 

And to make things easier I’ve hatched a plan to help!

From this week onward till February 14th, I am accepting owls from those willing to be set up on dates to spend Valentines Day with a stunning stranger. Send me in a copy of what you smell when you brew amortentia and a couple of lines about yourself and I’ll fix you up with someone so perfect, Rita Skeeter herself will stop all her V Day plans to write about your date. After reading your letters I will send you an owl personally matching you up with someone of your dreams and all you have to do is show up at the time and place I’ve set!

Moving on is scary and so is falling in love, but even if we’re alone we’re all in that together too. Let’s jump in and have some fun hey? 

I hope this advice helped and as always, I’ll see you in my owlery. 

Grizel Hurtz Advice Columnist  

We’re excited to announce our lonely hearts column! 

If you’d like to participate during this month of love, feel free to send in an ask to the daily prophet or the main with the following: 

Your characters name

What they smell when they brew amortentia

A few of lines about theirselves that would be on a stereotypical dating profile like drinking pina coladas and getting caught in the rain

If your character isn’t someone who’d send their own name in, one of their friends are more than welcome to do it on their behalf! For example, whilst Camille Rowle isn’t someone who’d send in her own name, Rita Skeeter definitely would set her friend up. 

As always, this isn’t compulsory so please don’t feel pressured to participate at all! Please send in the above details by Friday the 12th of February so that we may take the time to match everyone up and post the date suggestion threads on Sunday the 14th.

We’re excited to cause some romantic chaos! 

MRS AVERY-WILKES, THE BRIDE WHO WILL WEAR BLACK 

23 January 1983

ALTON, HAMPSHIRE - Genevive Avery looked ethereal as she floated down the aisle yesterday morning, in a custom fit Primrose Jorkins wedding gown. Dubbed the wedding of the decade by many who know Miss Avery well, the question on the lips of those in attendance was who the bride would wear, how long the marriage would last given the sizable age gap between the bride and groom and how the happy couple planned such a beautiful wedding in such a short period. But as the day turned into night and tragedy struck, guests were left asking something altogether different. How did Mr Victor Wilkes die? 

Although I began the evening as a guest of the bride, my role quickly changed to that of a reporter, gathering information from guests and trying to garner a picture of who Mr Wilkes was before his passing as the wedding turned into a theatrical whodunnit. The occasion which gathered some of the most notable names in Wizarding Europe was Mr Wilkes’ second marriage. Aged just at the time of his passing sixty-seven, he was previously married to Emerald Wilkes, a witch very different from the former Miss Avery who was far less used to the limelight before her passing. The love story between Wilkes and Avery began from tragedy, with Miss Avery forming a friendship with the late Mr Wilkes after the death of her late father, Appleby Arrows’ great, Edwin Avery who sadly passed away late last year. Supporting one another in their grief, friendship turned to love, the pair becoming engaged over Christmas, planning a winter wedding in the snow at Miss Avery’s family home. Although Wizarding London’s newest couple certainly received some glances and whispers, neither party cared about the opinions of others. “We’re so in love,” Miss Avery told me as she got ready for her wedding. “Some people only focus on age, but for me it truly is just a number. Victor is the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. We have such a connection which I don’t believe I could have found with anyone else,” she continued. “Even with a man half his age.” 

Miss Avery’s escapades before her union were fairly known amongst Wizarding London. Dubbed one of Wizarding Britain’s true beauties, the person whom she chose to marry would certainly have thought themselves to have had a winning hand, Victor Wilkes also certainly believed so. Arriving forty-five minutes late to the aisle, I was lucky enough to briefly speak with Mr Wilkes, “I never thought I’d find love again after my late wife,” he said as a tear rolled down his cheek. “But love works in mysterious ways and I am so happy to have met my best friend.” Two people who didn’t seem to mirror their father’s response to his new marriage were his children. Castor Wilkes aged thirty-one and Persephone Wilkes aged twenty-four, appeared to not be in the best spirits as their new step-mother made her way down the aisle to become Mrs Avery-Wilkes. As the couple exchanged their vows confetti was thrown in the air as fireworks exploded above our heads to announce the union in the most Avery fashion. They were married, but no one knew how short a marriage it would be. 

My last memory of the wedding in full swing was as Mrs Avery-Wilkes gave me a tight squeeze and disappeared off into the crowd with her new husband. Less than an hour later guests would be told to leave as an unfortunate incident took place upstairs. Victor Wilkes was dead, leaving his new wife and two children to grieve his loss. Understandably both Mrs Avery-Wilkes and her two step-children did not respond for comment on the passing of Mr Wilkes. Although no official comment was given to The Daily Prophet, Miss Wilkes was overheard accusing her new step-mother of the murder of Mr Wilkes, though there are no official lines on what was the cause of his death. The aunt of Mrs Avery-Wilkes, Head of the Auror’s Office Mrs Avery-Jones told The Daily Prophet that no official investigation was being opened into the cause of Mr Wilkes death and that a coroner's report would be published later in the week detailing the cause of Mr Wilkes passing. For now our thoughts lie with both the Wilkes and Avery families who have experienced great loss this year but will hopefully find comfort in one another. 

DAISY HOOKUM, JUNIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

YULE BALL EDITION - 15th JANUARY 1983

Where do I begin? The Yule Ball was definitely less dramatic than All Hallows Eve, but when the entrance fee includes free alcohol drama was bound to unfold. Generally, when it comes to getting drunk on cheap champagne we tend to allow our hearts to drive us. JAMES POTTER was one of the first to let it go to his head. To say that he had an eventful night would be an understatement. It seems like he has overcome his obsession with redheads (to LILY EVANS delight I’m sure) and has diversified his selection pool. Not only was he seen baking biscuits with NARCISSA BLACK the week before, but he was also spotted entering the wizard’s bathroom with EDWARD TONKS with his pants around his ankles. Considering that the two men came out with different trousers on, whatever went on there must have been so steamy that they couldn’t see who’s pants were who’s. Two down, a few to go. James then found his way to EDGAR BONES. Sure, sometimes a kiss means nothing like the kiss that LUCIUS MALFOY and AMELIA BONES shared whilst trapped under enchanted mistletoe. However you could see literal sparks fly as these two allowed their lips to embrace. Obviously Edgar’s kissing skills must be horrid as James was then later seen trying to make out with CLARICE FARIBAULT. Dearest James, I hate to burst your bubble but not everyone wants to kiss that mug of yours hun. 

Speaking of kissing skills, MARLENE MACKINNON thankfully refrained from kissing anyone which has apparently resulted in one less person dying than last time. Even RABASTAN LESTRANGE must have some skill with those lips, how else would he have managed to convince AUGUSTUS ABBOTT to hold his hand and dance with him? This debacle hasn’t seemed to sit well with Augustus’s friends. SAOIRSE MACMILLAN was seen exiting the pavilion in a rush and was shortly followed by Augustus who just couldn’t keep up. Whilst Edward Tonks, had other plans for the party. Not only was he seen arguing with Rabastan, no doubt over Augustus, but he was also spotted cosying up with ANDROMEDA BLACK. The two of them returned from a break outside, suspiciously smelling of smoke and cheap cologne. Although the two would make an adorable couple, I can’t help but wonder if Narcissa knew about that since she also seemed to be getting her fair share of Ted that evening. But “Rita, the Black siblings, pining over someone like Ted? Surely I have my facts wrong?” I tell you beloved readers, I witnessed these events for myself! Either this generation of the Black family have decided to disregard tradition and break free from their parents grip like SIRIUS BLACK had, or there was some serious foul play at work. Perhaps Narcissa was simply distracting Edward whilst her cousin REGULUS BLACK was up to no good or cleaning that ridiculous crown he wore. 

Speaking of the Black sisters, what was even more interesting and out of character was that Bellatrix left the ball without a stolen wand in her hand or in handcuffs. I suppose it’s good to have a change now and again, it keeps us all on our feet. Bellatrix was rumored to have spent the night with a Half-Blood, who I’m guessing was SEVERUS SNAPE. Snape was also blamed for hexing Jame’s pants but if you ask me it was James who just couldn’t keep them on. Bellatrix then left the ball in a hurry and was soon followed by Rabastan who abandoned Augustus at the ball. Poor Gus, breaking all those friendships just to be ditched at the end of the night. Hun, if you ever need someone to take you home, you know how to find me, x. Speaking of being ditched, HARRISON BAGNOLD was seen running from HESTIA JONES and towards the back wings of the pavilion. Merlin only knows what Hestia did to deserve that and someone should tell PATRICIA RAKEPICK that Harrison is trouble before she decides to have another intimate conversation with him. It seems Patricia wasn’t the only Gryffindor alumni making bad choices. ALICE YEN was also seen arguing with Rabastan that evening. Perhaps if these Aurors paid more attention to things, ROSALIE FLINT might have never gone missing. Who knows what happened there but that’s a story for another article. 

All in all, I had a lovely evening and was graced with many beautiful faces including HENRY GRIFFIS who could have taken me home but had his mother’s arm around his instead. I hope that everyone had a good evening and that all my readers got home safely after the event! It seems that the nights are growing colder and our streets darker despite winter coming to an end. As always, my owlery is always open and if anyone has anything they’d like to share or if there’s anything that I missed, I gladly respond to anonymous owls in my daily column. xoxo

Rita Skeeter Daily Prophet Scandal Sheet

@jamspctter || @oh-evans || @blondsblack || @badgepuff || @edgar-bones || @lxciuss || @ameliabcnes || @claricefaribault || @starryeyxdmckinnon || @youngestxlestrange || @augustusmabbott || @inkstainedmac || @andromedhs || @padfoot-chaos || @regulus7 || @half-a-prince || @harrisonbagnold || @hextias || @patrakepick || @alicexyen || @foolgraves || @henrygriffis

BREAKING NEWS - MISSING WITCH RETURNED HOME UNHARMED AS SEARCH FOR CRUMP CONTINUES

12 January 1983

KINTBURY, BERKSHIRE - The Flint family are overjoyed today as their missing daughter returns home. Twenty-six-year-old Rosalie Flint disappeared after attending the annual Yule Ball festivities held at The Crystal Pavilion on Friday 24th December, an eye witness recalled seeing Miss Flint leave the ballroom floor with an unidentified man before vanishing without a trace. Her mother Lotte Flint reported her daughter missing on Saturday 25th December after Miss Flint failed to return home in the early hours as was expected. Her return concludes a nineteen day search for the missing witch. The Flint family have been very vocal about the disappearance of their youngest daughter, inviting media into their homes to discuss Miss Flint and drum up support from the public to help find their missing daughter. Miss Flint’s brother Decius Flint, 30, has been one of the lead voices in the search for his sister, handing out fliers around the country and speaking publicly until she was found this morning. “We’re so overjoyed she’s home,” Mr Flint told The Daily Prophet. “We are never letting Rosalie out of our sight ever again, she is truly so special to us all,” Mr Flint continued. “My sister and I are incredibly close, I don’t know what I would do without her.”

Miss Flint’s disappearance remains puzzling for the Ministry. According to a source in The Department of Magical Law Enforcement who wishes to remain anonymous, Miss Flint was found in her bed in the early hours of Tuesday morning with no idea how long she had been missing. “It’s all a bit strange if you ask me,” our source told The Daily Prophet. “I think she must have been knocked out or something, stinks of that Silas Crump. In the current climate she’s lucky to be alive.” Despite our insider believing notorious werewolf Silas Crump, 38, is to blame for the disappearance of Miss Flint, the Ministry are not prepared to comment further on if they believe Mr Crump snatched away Miss Flint over two weeks ago. “We are so pleased Miss Flint has returned home to her family safely,” Head of The Auror’s Office, Alicia Avery-Jones said today in a statement to the press. “The Ministry are doing all that we can to keep the British wizarding public safe but we are asking everyone to remain on guard and stay alert. We have our most esteemed Aurors working on the Crump case and can confirm he will not remain at large for much longer. The Ministry, Wizarding Britain and it’s leadership remains safe and stable.”

The Daily Prophet requested further information on the Crump case including if the Ministry had any further leads or had located the whereabouts of the Minister’s eldest son Harrison Bagnold, 32, who has not been seen since Miss Flint went missing. Representatives for Mrs Avery-Jones and Minster for Magic Millicent Bagnold declined to comment. 

ELIAS SPENCER-MOON, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

BREAKING NEWS - PROMINENT PURE-BLOOD WITCH REPORTED MISSING AS YULE BALL COMES TO A CLOSE

3 January 1983

THE CRYSTAL PAVILION, WIZARDING LONDON - The Ministry have said they are “extremely concerned" over the disappearance of a twenty-six-year-old witch who vanished the evening of The Yule Ball almost two weeks ago. Rosalie Flint from Kintbury in Berkshire was last seen around 2300 GMT the evening of Friday 24th December, where she had been dancing with friends and family. An eye witness reported having seen Miss Flint removing herself for a break from the party with an unidentified man in the east wing of the venue but was not seen returning back to the party thereafter. Miss Flint who was expected back at her family home in the early hours of Saturday December 25th, was thought to have not returned home that evening. When her parents checked her bedroom the next morning at 0900 GMT and found their daughter was nowhere to be found she was reported missing to the Ministry. “She’s a good girl,” her mother Lotte Flint told The Daily Prophet through teary eyes. “Rosalie would never simply not return home. She’s not like that. Someone must have her and we will not rest until she’s back home safe with us.”

As the search continues for known werewolf Silas Crump, 38, Head of the Auror’s Office Alicia Avery-Jones warns for people to be on the look out for Miss Flint and Mr Crump who is wanted in connection with the murder of The Minister for Magic’s son Booker Bagnold. Mr Bagnold, also twenty-six, was sadly found dead at the Ministry last October during the All Hallows Eve Ball. Mrs Avery-Jones told The Daily Prophet, “We have reason to believe Mr Crump is targeting prominent members of the wizarding community as an attempt to get the attention of the Ministry for their mistreatment of werewolves. We hope that Mr Crump is not connected to the disappearance of Miss Flint who may have wandered off from the party intoxicated and is hopefully safe with friends,” Mrs Avery-Jones continued. “As Miss Flint has now been missing for 10 days we are concerned for her safety and ask the public to come forward with any information they have regarding her disappearance. She is of a slight build and around 5″6 in height, with long dark brown hair and was last seen wearing a long silver ballgown. Any information on the unidentified man would also be extremely helpful to our inquiry.” 

The Ministry are reportedly working hard to find Miss Flint but are remaining tight lipped about the case otherwise. When asked if they were looking at anyone else aside from Mr Crump, including the Minister’s son Harrison Bagnold, 32, who has also not been seen since the night of the ball and Miss Flint’s brother Decius Flint, 30, who did not report his sister missing despite agreeing to travel home with her the evening of the ball, Mrs Avery-Jones declined to comment. With Wizarding London frightened a serial murderer may be at large targeting younger members of the community residing in the capital, many are asking who might be next and what the Ministry are doing to stop him as many lose faith in their ability to catch a killer who has terrorised London for over two months.

ELIAS SPENCER-MOON, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

BREAKING NEWS - BLACK RELEASED AS MINISTRY ISSUE WARRANT FOR NEW ARREST IN BAGNOLD CASE

21 November 1982 

THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, WIZARDING LONDON - Another week of investigation has turned up new leads in the Booker Bagnold case, including a whole new murder suspect. Offically clasifying Mr Bagnold’s death as potential homicide, it seems the Ministry are scrambling to get someone in court for the slaying of the Minister’s son and are turning to anyone who fits their modus operandi. The Ministry’s statement, published this evening, confirmed that Mr Bagnold died in a werewolf attack on the night of his death, with both crime scene investigators within The Auror’s Office and medical experts at St Mungo’s confirming Mr Bagnold died due to extensive bloodloss as a reuslt of deep claw marks on his chest thought to have been caused by a werewolf. 

The latest person the Ministry are looking at is thirty-eight year Silas Crump, a petty criminal and former barman act at Le Cirque Des Rêves. Our sources report that before the inquiriry into Mr Bagnold’s death, Mr Crump was not known to the Ministry as a werewolf, though he had been on the Ministry’s radar for petty crimes which had taken place in the late 1960s. According to our source inside the Ministry, Mr Crump was discovered as a werewolf after failing to collect a vile of wolfsbane from a potioneer who wishes to remain anonymous, placing him inside the Ministry at the time of Mr Bagnold’s death but his whereabouts inside the Ministry remain unknown. Mr Crump was one of two werewolves in attendance at the Halloween ball the night of the killing, though the second werewolf was accounted for and provided a substantial alibi according to our insider.

With a warrant now issued for Mr Crump’s arrest for the murder of Mr Bagnold’s, Bellatrix Black has now been released and will no longer be question further in relation to the crime with photographs taken by our press photographer Edward Tonks helping to exonerate Miss Black and causing further embarrassment for the Ministry as they try and figure out this case.     

ELIAS SPENCER-MOON, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

BREAKING NEWS - MORE THAN ONE BLACK TO BLAME? 

17 November 1982

THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC, WIZARDING LONDON - With Bellatrix Black currently in the Ministry of Magic’s holding cells awaiting a potential trial date, the wizarding world thought the death of Booker Bagnold was all but solved before the mystery had even began. The late son of Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold, Mr Bagnold was pronounced dead at the scene after being found in the atrium’s fountain on Halloween night. Although the cause of death has till not been released The Daily Prophet have cause to believe Mr Bagnold may have died at the hand of his own wand which was found in Miss Black’s posession before she was arrested. 

The Daily Prophet have exclusive breaking news regarding the case of the missing wand, which we now can reveal was passed between multiple people on the night of Mr Bagnold’s death. Photos from Prophet photographer Edward Tonks, show the wand in posession of Mrs Bagnold’s eldest son Harrison Bagnold, fashion journalist Camille Rowle and Miss Black’s own family members- cousin Sirius Black and youngest sister Narcissa Black. The Daily Prophet can not confirm what this means for the Ministry’s investigation but has left everyone asking; is there more than one Black to blame? 

ELIAS SPENCER-MOON, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER