Fri. 21st October 2002 • The Wizarding World's Beguiling Broadsheet of Choice • 6 κ
Kidnapped Victims Rescued
By Eleanor Bledsoe, G.H.B.I.C.M.
Late Thursday evening, the Ministry of Magic released a statement that the three recent kidnapping victims of the Wizards Against Purity were recovered safely.
Katie Bell, Ginevra Weasle and Oliver Wood, who had been missing since Saturday evening, were rescued by a special Auror unit in the early morning hours of Thursday, 20 October. All three sustained serious injuries but were listed in stable condition. Both the Ministry of Magic and St. Mungo’s officials refused to divulge any specifics, or to confirm or deny whether or not the W.A.P’s threats of sexual assault had been carried out.
The Ministry refused to divulge any specifics about the Auror unit credited with the rescue, but they did reveal that no members of the W.A.P. were killed in the rescue.
“Our priority in this was to lead a safe search and recover mission, only to retrieve the victims and get them out without any harm. It was not our intent to bring down the W.A.P. at this time. The Ministry is actively working to identify the leaders of this terrorist group and bring them into Ministry custody,” Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt said, in a brief press conference held this morning. He also urged that citizens continue to exercise caution. Pureblood women are encouraged to travel with escorts, particularly at night.
“This is not an organized group, or any kind of collective threat,” Shacklebolt maintained, addressing the rumors of another blood war that have slowly been spreading through London. “These individuals are highly dangerous, but they are just that- individuals. The Ministry has this situation well under control.”
The victims and their families refused any comment, and have requested privacy at this time.
Werewolf Laws Move to Vote
The Werewolf Protection Act, spearheaded by Pansy Parkinson, has reached enough signatures to be considered for a full vote by the Wizengamot. The three proposed laws, which require constant werewolf tracking, Ministry-monitored moon changes and restrict werewolves’ contact with children, will move to a vote on November the 7th.
The laws need a simple majority to pass, and if approved, the laws could take effect as early as the next legislative cycle in early December.