Ministry officials offer no comment on the appearance of the Dark Mark today in Diagon Alley which was left in green paint on the store fronts of several businesses. Several of the businesses affected have been known for supporting muggleborn sympathies, but many others that were affected showed no previous loyalties to any side, making the vandalism appear random. shop owners and patrons alike are baffled, and in many cases terrified, by this newest development.
Archibald Otto, criminal adviser to the Daily Prophet, says, "These acts of vandalism are likely not caused by true Death Eaters. It doesn't fit their MO." Continues Mr Otto, "There is no reason to panic." Current theories run that the vandalism was committed by Death Eater supporters, but the MLE will give no official word as the investigation is still running. However, they too are encouraging Diagon Alley patrons not to panic, as there have been no overt threats issued.
This has not kept shopkeepers from increasing their protections, however. Margret Snooter, owner of Obscurus Books, has admitted to purchasing new wards for her store. "It's hard to keep the customers in. Everyone's afraid. I can't get the paint off my front window and no one will come in while it's up. I'll have to get the glass replaced." But even then, Ms Snooter isn't sure she'll be able to get her customers back, as everyone is wondering if this is the prelude to something worse.
Ministry Offers Tax Incentives for Owl Orders
The Ministry of Magic is offering to suspend all taxes on any goods ordered, paid for, and shipped by owl order in an effort to boost business sales nation-wide. Economists are not hopeful that the plan will have any effect on the financial slump that is starting to make itself known in the wizarding world.
"It's not just that people are afraid to go shopping," says Marvin Howard, business analyst working for Galleon Solutions. "They're afraid to spend anything at all. With the future as uncertain as it is, everyone is tightening their belts and burying their gold in Gringotts vaults."
Small business owners have been hit the worst in this new trend, with sales for this quarter so far down almost 12% from last year. The Ministry as announced that their Owl Order Program is only the first part of a multi-tiered effort to get the economy back on track, including such steps as government subsidies and 24-hour Hit Wizard protection in major shopping centers. Efforts to increase sales and customer protection are being pushed through in the hopes of getting them in place for the holiday shopping season.
United, Harpies Game Anticipates Largest Attendance This Season
The final game between the Puddlemere United and Holyhead Harpies is projected to draw the largest spectator crowd of the season. Both teams are ranked in the top five and favored to be finalists in for the Championship Cup held in January.
Officials from both teams have been working round the clock on security for the event, assuring fans that the match will be perfectly safe. For security reasons, their exact methods will not be revealed until the game, but it's estimated that a budget increase of over 10,000 Galleons has been approved for the event.