(Boo - Sep 10 2012)
How to use this board!
Anyone that would like to put in something for the general knowledge of people can use this board as a vehicle. The only thing to keep in mind with this is title and posting conventions. Please put if it's Muggle or Wizard or General (both factions) then a - then the title of the piece or what it is.
Examples:
+bbpost 8/Wizard - Diagon Alley Pamphlets=Today Diagon Alley was flooded with pamphlets about...
+bbpost 8/Muggle - Classified Ad=Stud Muffin Lt. looking for love in all the wrong places.
+bbpost 8/General - Bombing=Both Muggle and Wizarding media is a buzz with the news that there was a bombing...
(Boo - Sep 10 2012)
Over the Wizarding Wireless, or in one of the many papers comes a news update:
"The Auror's once again got a packaged Dark Wizard sent to their front door. The vigilante codenamed: The Banshee has struck again. Osgilly Gubbleshanks ranked number thirteen on the Auror's most wanted list who had been laying low for quite some time appeared in the fireplace of the Auror Office. In a powerful full body jynx that lasted for an hour after delivery. The Dark Wizard, accused of killing twenty new families so their new born baby could be sold on the black market was unable to hear as blood was leaking from his ears. The gory trademark of the increasingly infamous vigilante."
After some paper shuffling the tinny voice of the broadcaster continues, "In good news, Dorian Bosworth, the young First Year that went missing eleven days ago was found by two of the M.L.E.'s finest Hitwizard's Inspector Elijah Crane and Inspector Adamantus Gideon. The boy was unharmed and has since been sent to Hogwarts. Good luck Dorian!"
"As the traditional date to begin the Triwizarding Tournament draws ever nearer, and the tensions in the east in the lands surrounding Durmstrang, the school slotted to host this year's event are extremely high - the question on every Triwizard's fan mind is: Will the Tournament be canceled!? Stay tuned in for more information on the fate of the beloved competition."
And now...back to our musical program, we'll start us back off with Wolfgang Cosca's 'Dark Chocolate Arts'!"
(Magnus - Sep 10 2012)
During midday, hundreds and hundreds of pamphlets suddenly begin to rain from the sky in Diagon Alley and the surrounding streets. All are in plain black and white, contain no pictures, and are printed on thick, sturdy paper. The heading, in large, bold letters, is: "A Plea to All Sensible Witches and Wizards".
Dearest English compatriots, brethren, sons and daughters of our great Wizarding nation:
I write to you today in the hopes of leading you towards a conclusion which has become all too obvious in these dark times. It is with the deepest regret that I must inform you that the situation on the continent has grown dire indeed.
As you know, the Muggle government is practicing 'appeasement' towards the German nation in the hopes of placating them. That nation, in its pride and overbearing ambition, is on the verge of tipping the whole of Europe into yet another period of great turmoil which, I believe, will not only bring about tragedies of the same magnitude as the unfortunate and terrible events of the Great War, but will actually overshadow them in both scope and power of hurtfulness.
There are many who argue that it is not the place of Wizards to prevent the Muggle authorities here from continuing with their irresponsible foreign policies. To those who would seek isolation from the Muggle world, I ask you: what makes you believe the Muggle world will leave you to your solitary peace? Only two decades ago, the Wizarding world was shaken by the tremors of a war caused by our mundane brethren, a war in which we were lucky to escape without worse injury than we bore. But who can say whether that will be the case once again? I tell you, as a man who has observed the situation on the continent as well as here on British soil, that the Muggles are about to repeat their same deadly mistake, proving for once and all that they are incapable of learning for the better. As they say: "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice..."
There are also many who hate Muggles and believe they deserve no rights and no standing within Wizarding society. To those, too, I ask you: is this truly what your conscience whispers to you? Muggles may not be capable of leading, but they are deserving of our love and goodwill. They, too, are humans, even if they lack the good judgment that Wizardkind have exercized throughout their history.
The conclusion that I beg you to recognize is that we must, as a responsible society, take control of our misguided fellows, acting as good shepherds to prevent them from destroying themselves - and by extension, perhaps even us. We must do this not simply out of a self-serving desire to survive (although nobody could be blamed for having such a wish) but more importantly, because it is our outstanding moral obligation and solemn duty to use the powers we have been given for the greater good of us all. We have been given the reins; to deny this in our hearts and allow the carriage of our nations to tumble off the edge of the precipice is an act of utter cowardice and damnation. We must take our rightful place at the head of this endangered world, for without our strength to guide - and serve, by leading - those of lesser ability, that world may well be doomed.
I only ask that you consider my words in your deepest heart, my brothers and sisters, and let your consciences guide you, as all courageous peoples must.
Yours,
Constantine Hopewell
(Magnus - Oct 09 2012)
Another storm of pamphlets begins raining from the sky above Diagon; this time there aren't hundreds, but thousands. They land everywhere, coating vendors' stalls and sidewalks, sticking somehow to shop windows, and plastering nearly every available surface with crisp black-on-white text.
At the top of these pamphlets is a large heading in bold:
WITCHES AND WIZARDS OF ENGLAND:
It is I, Constantine Hopewell, writing you again in the hopes of appealing to your better judgment. When last I addressed you through similar means, I argued my reasons - reasons that are sound, logical, and in the interests of not only those with magical gifts, but those without - in an attempt to help steer the ship of public policy towards sanity.
Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that words are not enough, despite some of the most well-spoken Witches and Wizards in our community voicing them (I would offer my compliments to Mr. Cassius Malfoy on this account).
So, my friends, this time I will be more succinct. I beg you to do whatever is in your power to cause your government to see that immediate change is necessary. If you do not, I will - and when one individual is forced to take drastic action for the sake of many others, the means he or she uses cannot always be idyllic or pleasant.
As Maximillian Robespierre once said - "On ne saurait faire une omelette sans casser des oeufs." We cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs.
I hope not to have to break any eggs, but that all depends on you.
Yours,
Constantine Hopewell.
-- Reply by Cassius at Tue Oct 09 20:20:34 2012 --
The following day, Cassius Malfoy gave the following statement to the Daily Prophet: "This Constantine Hopewell -- a pseudonym, I assure you, as no such wizard or Squib exists in Ministry records -- has no connection to me or to the Repealment Movement. I do not condone his threats of so-called 'drastic action,' nor do I endorse his campaign of anonymous fearmongering. Fear, as I have stated, is the enemy. It is unfortunate that Mr. Hopewell puts himself in that camp. It is not the privilege of one man to act on behalf of the people. I assure you, I will take every measure necessary to see that this vandal is identified, any any credible threat is neutralized."
-- Reply by Cassius at Tue Oct 09 20:26:19 2012 --
((Fixed a few issues with the statement...ignore the first one!)) The following day, Cassius Malfoy gave the following statement to the Daily Prophet: "This Constantine Hopewell -- a pseudonym, I assure you, as no such wizard, witch, or Squib exists in Ministry records -- has no connection to me or to the Repealment Movement. I do not condone Hopewell's threats of so-called 'drastic action,' nor do I endorse this campaign of anonymous fearmongering. Fear, as I have stated, is the enemy. It is unfortunate that Hopewell puts himself or herself in that camp. It is not the privilege of one individual to act on behalf of the people. I assure you, I will take every measure necessary to see that this vandal is identified, any any credible threat is neutralized."
(Janus - Nov 06 2012)
ST. MUNGO'S MAYHEM
by Janus Arkham
Several injuries and an as yet undisclosed number of deaths resulted from an outbreak of vanishing sickness amongst residents of the St. Mungo's mental ward, spread from stolen sample vials, hospital officials reported Monday evening.
The hospital was placed under quarantine due to the outbreak, and it remained so for some thirteen hours. Master Healer Hawke of Trauma, Master Healer Keenan O'Shea, Healer Ranjali Winterthorne of Spell Damage and Memory Charms, Healer Jonothan Greengrass of Spell Damage and Trauma, and Journeyman Healer Donner Jones of Spell Damage were among the hospital staff involved, and a number of officers of the Ministry's Office of Magical Law Enforcement were on hand to aid in containing the situation.
The vials had gone missing some days earlier, and no explanation has yet been offered, but through undisclosed means a number of mental patience at the hospital were exposed to the vanishing sickness, rendering them invisible, and this is what led to the quarantine.
Five missing vials have since been recovered, two opened and three still sealed, largely thanks to swift action on the part of the hospital staff and M.L.E. officers. Notably, Barrister Emrys Snowdon was credited personally with recovering two of the as-yet-unopened missing sample vials, the other recovered by an unnamed M.L.E. officer.
In what witnesses have called "the most grisly part of the whole business," several vanished patients were killed after menacing one Ms. Rhyeline Diderot. They were dispatched via blasting curse from Ms. Diderot's employer, Ambassador Magnus Troy of the D.I.M.C., in defense of her person when, it is reported, that her stunning spells were insufficient. Ms. Diderot is reported to be recovering from her ordeal, despite the associated casualties. Ambassador Troy was taken into custody for his actions but has been released, pending a hearing.
In spite of the chilling circumstances, Barrister Snowdon had only praise to offer those involved. "I really can't praise the professionalism of the staff there enough," Snowdon said in a personal interview, "It allowed us to get things under control and back to normal very quickly, compared to how long it could potentially have taken."
Despite expressing professional modesty, when pressed Barrister Snowdon stated, "Absolutely, our officers in M.L.E were an important part of things and lived up to their training and the best traditions of their office. But as a result of the situation, the staff of Saint Mungo's were the most numerous presence and did most of the heavy lifting, as it were. And this was hardly a routine situation for them the way it was for our officers."
(Phil - Nov 06 2012)
Innocent Bystanders Drawn in to Virulent Violence
by Philomena Leighton-Hart
Daily Prophet readers are aware of recent events in St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and the dangerous circumstances faced by brave Ministry of Magic and hospital employees but these were not the only people held captive by such events.
Several civilians who were visiting friends and loved ones at the hospital were also forced, unwillingly, to participate in events beyond their control. Several were injured in the ensuing hours and have been left recovering from both the physical and mental trauma.
Both witnesses and bystanders have praised the work of Ministry and hospital employees, but issues have been raised about the safety of innocents in emergency situations such as this. Ambassador Troy has been accused of using severe magic on patients who were inadvertately made invisible because of one of the vials of potions.
Were these people intentionally hoping to harm the ambassador's assistant? At present that is unclear, but what is clear is that many including Ms Dierdot were unexpectedly changed by the events at St Mungo's that day.
A week after that fateful date both the Ministry of Magic and St Mungo's are investigating as to how the vials of infectious maladies were able to be taken from secured storage and just what the intention of the thief was. Whatever the intention those who were left injured or grieving for lost loved ones are now questioning why the theft was not reported sooner and why it too such extremes to get authorities to act.
(Gilbert - Nov 15 2012)
The following information appears simultaneously as a paid advertisement in the Daily Prophet and as a self-published pamphlet. The pamphlets can be found on the counter tops of many of the shops in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade as well as being handed out by young boys and girls throughout the afternoons of the second week of December in both Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.
Common Sense:
The Full Disclosure About the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy
History:
The Middle Ages through the Reformation period was dark time in the history for Wizards and Witches. We became hunted by Muggle society as the Religions of the Muggle word turned an eye of hatred towards the supernatural. The Muggle monarchy and the other Muggle aristocracy craved the power of magic that we held and begged for us to do magic and to teach them. They were jealous and afraid when they were denied access to that magic. Because of those negative emotions, the Muggle monarchies lent their power of authority to the religious orders of that time which had started to hunt us down in the name of religion. Many of our young people died in the flames or were tortured to death. A few were lucky and were able to use magic to escape.
Statute:
With the formation of the first Ministry of Magic attempts were made to work with the Monarchies of the Muggle world to stop the persecution. These attempts failed and the International Statute of Wizarding Secracy was created. Signed in 1689 and formally enforced starting in 1692 the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy was put in place after almost two centuries of Muggle intolerance and persecution of the members of the Wizarding world. Since its inception many of the Wizarding families that enjoyed ties with rich and powerful aristocracy of Muggle society have tried to oppose the creation and maintenance of the Statute, including the Malfoys, the Blacks, and the Grindelwalds. The intent of the Statute is to allow witches and wizards to be able to live their lives free of prosecution and the fear of death at the hands of those members of Muggle society that are prone to intolerance and fear of the unknown or unexplained.
To Repeal or Not To Repeal:
The times we live in are unique and we can see many changes on the horizon. One the changes that some of the elite in our society are seeking to create is to have the Statute of Secrecy repealed. Many who support the repeal of the Statute are using slogans that speak of world unity. It is a wonderful ideal but the reality is that now is not the time. At this very moment the Muggle world is going through a period of paranoia and fear. They see war on the horizon; the League of Nations is crumbling and is powerless to stop it; the great ideas that came about after the First Great War have fallen to the wayside. Germany is under new rule, active again, on the March, and espousing a racially based reorganization of Muggle society worldwide. Other events have started to occur as well. In August of this year China Declared war on Japan. In September of this year Russia accused Italy of sinking their ships. Italy joined Germany and Japan in the Anti-Comintern Pact. The Spanish Muggle government is facing changes in the face of revolution. These are only some of the recent events that highlight the instability of Muggle politics.
Many will argue that in order for us to help the Muggles we need to be able to do so publicly, without the constraints of the Statute, but we helped them during the first Great War and we did it from behind our veil, we can do it again. Given the facts that Germany's Hitler is preparing for war and using racial, ethnic, and religious bias to encourage violent actions and that many of the other small conflicts taking place already started for similar reasons it is likely that revealing the Wizarding world to the Muggle at this point in time will only be met with vitriol and violence. We will most likely be viewed as unnatural and threatening in our powers resulting in a heightening of an already volatile political situation and perhaps sparking of a war between the Muggle and the Wizarding world. Many will also argue that we can control the Muggles, but to control them leads us down a dark path. There is a reason that Imperious Curse is considered some of the darkest magic.
We would instead recommend that the general public educate themselves as much as possible on the possible repercussions of repealing the Statue before choosing a side on this issue. Furthermore, instead of pushing for repealment at this moment in time the Unity movement should instead be preparing plans on how to achieve a smooth integration of Wizarding and Muggle society, without the use of magic or trickery, at a more peaceful time in the future. One of the first steps in this process should be working towards showing the world that we can peacefully and equitably coexists with other cultures and races by bringing down the incredible inequities we have built into our own society against other sentient races like goblins, centaurs, house elves, and Squibs. Otherwise, how can we expect the Muggles to believe we pose no threat to them and that they will be treated as equals when we clearly marginalize members of the magical community for no reason other than the fact that they are different from us?
Luther Martinus
This ad paid for by Informed Citizens for Secrecy
(SeanCee - Nov 22 2012)
The beginnings of the holidays are a joyous day for most students and their families, but for some in Hogsmeade this week it turned into a day of terror. Reports indicate that a group led by the famous German dark wizard Adelwald Kriegsbruder attacked Auror Bannon Bates, another ministry official, and two Hogwarts students on the path between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Witnesses from the Hogwarts gates and in Hogsmeade report seeing an enormous snake, said to be made of Fiendfyre, attacking a mounted hippogriff in the sky. Numerous witnesses also report flashing lights and sounds suggestive of magical combat.
Ministry officials report that the attack was defeated with no harm came to the victims. After the attack was thwarted, Auror Bates tracked Kriegsbruder to a warehouse in London. Even before M.L.E. reinforcements could arrive, Auror Bates proceeded to fight his way past Kriegsbruder's followers, and then defeat Kriegsbruder himself in a reportedly spectacular duel which left the warehouse barely standing.
Kriegsbruder, and his surviving followers, have been incarcerated in Azkaban.
(SeanCee - Dec 11 2012)
Daily Prophet by: Fanshon Pitcher
Games and Sports Section
The Appleby Arrows are having quite the injection of new blood. After their championship in 1937 many of the older players coincidentally the Chasers of the team chose to retire on those laurels. It has not escaped fans attention that said injection of new blood is distinctly that of the female of the species. It is also well known fact the the Appleby Arrow's Team Captain, Linc Palancher is known to be quite the ladies man. Could it perhaps be this appreciation for the female gender that has seen all of the replacement players for those who retired are all rather attractive, and talented Females?
To fill the vacant Chaser roles first it was Roberta Riggs, then came Nova Tiva. Now the latest addition that's causing quite the buzz is none other than Jocunda Sykes who's extremely famous for being the first witch or wizard to fly across the Atlantic back in 1935.
Appleby Arrows fans are excited and anxious to see what this new line up means for their favorite team.
(SeanCee - Jan 18 2013)
Printed in the Daily Prophet on March 5th Last night, just before midnight, a multi-departmental Ministry operation was interrupted by unidentified assailants. According to Commissioner Bob Ogden, the officials that were attacked were from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, as well as the Department of Mysteries. It is believed by one source that the six officials were transporting secret cargo from the Department of Mysteries to Gringotts for secure storage, but this remains unconfirmed by Ogden or Chief of Mysteries, Walter St. Cloud.
The brazen attack took place on Diagon Alley, where the Ministry officials were apparently ambushed. Five officials were injured, and one unidentified official, believed to be an Unspeakable, was killed. The survivors were taken to St. Mungo's for treatment of their wounds. A lone witness describes the attackers as wizards wearing black robes, with hoods covering their faces, and reports that approximately a dozen attacked the Ministry wizards.
"We will not rest until these vicious criminals are brought to justice," Commissioner Ogden vowed in a statement this morning.
(SeanCee - Jan 20 2013)
A joint effort between the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastophes, the Department of Mysteries, and various other Ministries on the European mainland has concluded that the mysterious red aurora seen in the sky on January 25th was, in fact, magical in origin. Though the exact nature of the so-called "Curtain of Fire" remains undetermined, the Ministries are asking any witches or wizards with knowledge of the aurora to step forward.