26th August 1994 • The Wizarding World's Beguiling Broadsheet of Choice • 5 κ
SCENES OF TERROR AT THE QUIDDITCH WORLD CUP
By Rita Skeeter, Special Correspondent
Last night the wizarding world was shaken by something they never expected to see again, as a group of Death Eaters invaded the campsite where Quidditch fans were resting from the exciting events of the afternoon. (For details of the World Cup final, check pages 4 and 5.) The terrified campers tried to flee to the woods, but the Death Eaters still managed to cause considerable pain and destruction, getting hold of the Muggle in charge of the campsite and his family, whom they then tortured and subjected to extreme humiliation.
This tragic incident is only the latest in a series of Ministry blunders, made even more serious by the fact none of the culprits were apprehended. After destroying a good portion of the campsite, they managed to cast a
Dark Mark - the sign of You-Know-Who - and vanished without a trace, taking full advantage of the lax security the Ministry provided for such an important event.
Given Britain's recent history, the sight of Dark wizards running unchecked was sure to open many old wounds and relive fears many thought were now buried. Even for the many foreign visitors that were also at the campsite, this national disgrace was surely an undesired journey to past traumas, given what most of Europe suffered at the hands
of Grindelwald.
If the terrified wizards and witches who waited breathlessly for news at the edge of the wood expected reassurance from the Ministry of Magic, they were sadly disappointed. A Ministry official emerged some time after the appearance of the Dark Mark alleging that nobody had been hurt, but refusing to give any more information. Whether this statement will be enough to quash the rumours that several bodies were removed from the woods an hour later, remains to be seen.