The body of famous quidditch player Viktor Krum was found in front of the gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry early Monday Morning. The body, which was discovered by former Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt (currently a Professor at Hogwarts), was covered in extensive wounds.

We have been informed that while the death was clearly not natural, Hitwizards and Aurors have yet to decide if the death was accidental or a murder. There also seems to be no information on who may have committed the murder of Viktor Krum; if he was, in fact, murdered. We will give you more information as soon as it comes to us.

Viktor Krum, only 28 at the time of his death, was well-known as the Seeker for the Bulgarian International Quidditch Team. He was also the Champian for Durmstrang in the 1995 Triwizard Tournament.

DISASTER IN DIAGON ALLEY

 
The quiet afternoon air was broken by screams today in Diagon Alley, London.  An attack by unknown assailants left three dead in a quiet corner of the Alley.  Witnesses on the scene reported hearing a scream which was followed by mass hysteria.  Aurors quickly arrived on the scene.

A Ministry Representative reported to the Prophet, “The victims appeared to have been tortured, probably with the cruciatus curse, before finally being killed with avada kedavra.”  While the Ministry has not released the names of the victims; Cherished Cauldrons, Stamps and Stationary, and The Apothecary have been closed for the entire afternoon. 

Hitwizards and Aurors are asking that anyone in Diagon Alley that may have witnessed anything report to the Ministry.  If anyone has any information as to those responsible for the killing or to the identity of the symbol left in the sky above the scene, the Ministry wants to hear from you.

ORPHANAGE ATTACKED BY UNREGISTERED ANIMAGUS?

Late Sunday night found the Little Hands Orphanage in Manchester a place of disaster. Twelve Muggles were found murdered including two of the elderly orphanage owners. Two other children were seriously injured and brought to St. Mungos to receive treatment. Aurors responding to the scene discovered a third adult and five children hiding in the basement.

The victims suffered from bite and claw wounds, some having died from blood loss. Survivors reported hearing growling and shouting during the attack, but at this time there are no suspects reported.

“We suspect this was an attack by an unregistered animagus,” a Ministry representative stated. “The supposed ‘Dark Mark’ that was found in the sky is proof that this was not commited by the escaped Death Eaters but by a copycat group.” The Ministry would not comment on this supposed copycat group, but they insist that the escaped Death Eaters have fled the country and are not a threat to Britain’s residents.

The two injured children are expected to survive their injuries. Obliviators have been working through the night altering memories after taking witness statements.

TRAGIC DEMISE OF MINISTRY WORKERS
THREE PEOPLE KILLED IN BRUTAL ATTACKS

Three people were killed this morning in a series of brutal attacks. Grace Hughes (30), a member of the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee in the Ministry of Magic, was found murdered in her home this morning by Justin Finch-Fletchly, her neighbor, and a reporter for the Prophet. ( Full article... )

SYMBOLS IN THE SKY
BY: SUSAN BONES

Few things strike fear in more Wizarding hearts than the sight of the Dark Mark, previously used by the group known as the Death Eaters, followers of You-Know-Who. This, unfortunately, was the very sight that met our Aurors this week as, in the span of a single hour, two Mark-like symbols were found above Muggleborns’ homes. ( Full article... )

BREAKOUT AT AZKABAN

SIXTH DEATH EATERS ESCAPED, ONE DEFENDER KILLED

Early this morning the Ministry of Magic announced a breakout of several prisoners from Azkaban. A spokesperson for the Ministry confirmed that sixth Death Eaters escaped from the high security prison in the early hours of today. These six escaped Death Eaters include: siblings Alecto and Amycus Carrow and former Ministry employee Walden Macnair, as well as Randolph Jugson, Icario Crabbe and Brutus Goyle.  All six escaped prisoners were captured by Aurors in the Battle of Hogwarts nearly seven years ago. (For more on the crimes committed by these known Death Eaters, see page 4).

 “As far as we know; only one Defender of Azkaban was killed in the escape attempt,” said Stamford Jerkins, spokesperson for Minister Robards. “Nathaniel Proudfoot served as an Auror during the War, and was one of the first men to become a Defender of Azkaban during former Minister Shacklebolt’s term. His death is a sore blow to the magical community.” The Prophet has also learned that several Defenders were injured during the escape and one, another former Auror named Dermod Savage, is currently missing.

The Ministry is so far making no comment as to how the breakout occurred. “We are doing all we can to look into this incident and to recapture the escaped prisoners,” said Stamford Jorkins, “and we ask that the magical community remains calm as we search for answers.”