6th June 2001 • The Wizarding World's Beguiling Broadsheet of Choice • 5 κ
Death Toll Rises to Over Fifty; New Minister Temporarily Appointed
By Barnabus Cuffe, Editor-in-Chief
After an unexpected battle broke out in the Wizarding village of Hogsmeade this past Wednesday, 1 June, 2001, St. Mungo's Healers have declared over fifty dead.
The number continues to rise. Among the dead are He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and Minister of Magic Bartemius Crouch, Jr. leaving the Wizarding World of Great Britain in a state of confusion.
One Ronald Weasley, most recently known as Undesirable Number Two, went public with a seemingly absurd claim that the Ministry had the citizens of Wizarding Great Britain under a potion called Complacens.
The reality of these claims is yet to be determined, though doubt is running rampant considering the source of the information.
Other sources report that these claims are erroneous, though no Ministry officials have been able to report on the validity or falsehood of the existence of said potion.
As these claims are either confirmed or denied, updates will be brought to you immediately.
Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop announces new peacock quills in stock!
In the midst of the aftermath of the deadly battle, many questions have arisen as to the future of the Ministry. In a surprise announcement, a new Minister was appointed in the interim until a vote can take place later this year. Former Auror Richard Proudfoot will be taking on his new role but was reluctant to comment when approached just outside of St. Mungo's earlier yesterday evening.
Since taking the position after several covert meetings over the past five days, the new Minister has found that his welcome is already cold. Sources say that the Minister's office at the Ministry, as well as the manor designated as the Minister's residence while in office, have sealed themselves off with impenetrable wards. A Ministry correspondent has noted that several international curse breakers have been brought in to break the wards.
In other news, St. Mungo's officials have reported that a quarantine has been issued in the far left wing of the Magical Bugs ward.
All patients uninfected patients have been moved to other parts of the already crowded facility.
For further questions, families of patients may inquire at the front desk, though the Healer-in-Charge has issued assurance that all affected families have already been notified with pertinent information.
As the death toll continues to rise in the Wizarding community, those of us here at the Daily Prophet are committed to bringing you frequent updates along with a comprehensive list of the casualties and injuries as soon as we are updated.