Magical Hogwarts

Volume 44: OCTOBER 2005

PAGE 1: CURRENT EVENTS AND MINI PLOTS

world A Night of Unintended Haunts at Eldritch Manor In the sprawling, mist-shrouded countryside of England, the magical village of Eldritch Hollow hosts its annual "Haunted Masquerade" on October 31st. Every year on Halloween night, Eldritch Manor, an aging, ivy-strangled stone castle on a large estate, transforms into a whimsical scene with witches, ghosts, and all manner of sentient beasts dancing side by side. This year, things take a spooky turn when the spell meant to enchant decorations backfires, unleashing genuine frights. On the grounds, shadows begin to morph, giant pumpkins leer at partygoers, and gnarled trees reach out for guests. Inside, warped hallways twist into labyrinths leading to unsettling scenes: a ghastly feast, whispering books leap from shelves, and plants turn carnivorous. As the clock ticks on, the line between living and dead blurs, but by dawn, the manor and the veil will return to normal. ilvermorny Ilvermorny's annual end-of-October celebrations promise to be particularly exciting this year, kicking off with a Horned Serpent vs. Wampus Quodpot match on Saturday October 29th, running the gamut from hayrides around Mt. Greylock to craft workshops to trick-or-treating in Shackamaxon, and culminating in a grand feast on Monday evening, complete with live mariachi music and a school-wide costume contest, to be judged by a small panel of professors. There are plenty of prizes available for the funniest, scariest, most original, and best group costume, but the most coveted prize -- Best in Show -- comes with a pizza party for the winner's entire House.

hogwarts While generally well-received (if a bit eccentric), newly-appointed Muggle Studies professor Evander Murray certainly seems to bring a new perspective to the subject. While his curriculum does cover mundane aspects of Muggle life (how to properly send a letter via Muggle post, how to use a telephone, tips and tricks for dressing as a Muggle, basic currency exchange, etc.), he has a strong preference for technology as well as hands-on engineering activities. He also does not permit the use of quills in class: students are provided with pens or pencils of their choosing. On the first day of classes, students were randomized evenly to one of two teams for the first half of the year. Each month, students are assigned a new project to build or complete - sometimes solo, sometimes in groups of their teammates - which will then be "tested" at the end of the month. The team with the most points at the end of the semester wins a prize. Students who are not taking Muggle Studies are welcome to participate, though they are not eligible for points or prizes. September's project was an egg drop competition. This month, students will work in small groups to build Pinewood Derby cars, then race them against their classmates' cars on the 31st. Additionally, the village of Hogsmeade is once again prepared to welcome its visitors for a weekend of spooky festivities on the 29th and 30th in honor of Hallowe'en (though, to the locals, it's more likely to be Samhain). As usual, there will be a themed feast at the castle on Monday the 31st. Rumor has it that the Headless Hunt will be performing a skit as part of the evening's entertainment...

beauxbatons This month the sports initiative starts spectacularly. Headmaster Placide Flaubert and professeur Wassim Said went to lengths to get a herd of magical ostriches from Algeria to Beauxbatons. These creatures which are also known as golden ratites or strutionem auream can spread their wings so their golden plumage reflects the sun and blinds their enemies and are really fast runners. Professeur Said will make sure that the ostriches are treated with care and will introduce students to the creatures and teach them how to ride them. Those students who are brave enough to try it are welcome to sign up for a race that takes place at the end of the month. Sadly, after this race, these valuable creatures will already return to their home country. Meanwhile, headmaster Flaubert is talking to the members of staff to remind them of how much emphasis he wants to put on the house cup this year. Rumour has it that he is working on a special reward for the house that stands victorious at the end of the school year. durmstrang School and quidditch now well underway, Durmstrang students fourth year and above will be invited to Dottrar Vik for a night of frolic with a 1am curfew the Friday before Halloween. For those students third year and below, an alternative feast will be held within the castle walls with crafts, contests, and candy. For those older students, the night will be less structured with an optional bonfire for the students and a creepy scavenger hunt. However, students must be aware not to put too much pressure on those within the town, as the trick-or-treating often works in reverse—the homeowners playing tricks and putting out traps meant to scare and stall students who endeavor on their property. Additionally, the end of October brings about the first quidditch match of the year, an exciting time for students of both houses.

PAGE 2: SPORTS

ARROWS TOP THE RANKINGS! Appleby fans took to the streets Saturday to celebrate their remarkable launch to the top of the league, after a nail-biting match against last year's runner-ups the Caerphilly Catapults; after an uninspired showing last season,  one imagines that Arrows fans are grateful to have any chance at all to shoot off the usual celebratory sparks, fireworks, and (indeed) arrows commemorating a fantastic game; for the first time in nearly fifty years, Magical Law Enforcement patrol was forced to attend a Quidditch game and hand out citations for use of endangering or ill-advised magic at a sporting event (to say nothing of the censures targetting five of the seven Appleby players for their own post-match celebrations, which nearly killed match commentator Lucy Dempsey. Whether the reserve players will be able to keep up this winning streak, only time can say.) We at the Daily Prophet can hardly begrudge the Arrows their revelry, though, and if it remains just as exciting, we're looking forward to the coming Quidditch season! OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS What clue could the first seven matches of the 2005-2006 Quidditch season have as to our beloved teams' chances in next summer's Quidditch World Cup? Perhaps the first hint will be in this year's roster shake-ups . Most of note is beloved English National Team captain Edric Vosper's retirement from the sport -- we're wishing happy trails to Mr Vosper, and very good luck to his successor Harlan Bellamy. The Irish and Scottish teams saw changes as well, with younger players filling two of the three Chaser slots on the Irish team, and Glasgow native Richie Walker taking over from Ewan Fraser, who is taking a step back from his position playing for Scotland to spend more time with his children. In second place is Puddlemere United, also enjoying quite a comeback from its middling ranking last season -- whether this is due to newly-appointed captain Darnell Johnson's  innovative leadership or to the energetic performances from newly-recruited Beaters Andronicus Lovecraft and Benjamin Danvers, we'll leave to the nerds and analysts at Which Broomstick to decide -- their win against the Wigtown Wanderers was too rapid and decisive for even this seasoned reporter to make heads nor tails of. Just trailing Puddlemere are the Tutshill Tornadoes, also under new captainship since former captain and Chaser Brevis Birch's summer injury. Between the Tornadoes' Otto Bonney and Mr Johnson at Puddlemere, could this season come down to the movers and shakers changing the face of the game? It's too early to tell, warns Which Broomstick? correspondent Byron Brindlestint -- but we'll learn more soon. In utter disgrace at the bottom of the rankings: The Ballycastle Bats, the Wigtown Wanders, and -- unsurprisingly -- the Chudley Cannons, none of whose defeats were interesting enough to report on.

ARTISTIC FLYING With the end of the artistic flying season the preparations for the upcoming season are starting and it’s the high time for gossip and speculation. Who is ending their career? Who’s going to make a big step forward in the upcoming season? Who won’t be able to live up to the pressure of recent successes? Who will surprise the world of artistic flying with a new daring element or a spectacular music selection? These and more questions like that are discussed among those who follow the sport every year. This year, however, another topic is discussed and overshadows all the other rumours. Who murdered Svetlana Tikhomirova? Reliable sources inform us that the investigations are still going on and the aurors are none the wiser than they were weeks ago. Suspects, among them no one less than Aglaya Tikhomirova, have been called to the Ministry for questioning. Apparently there’s hope that in a different setting the facades will crumble. Ivan Alexeyevich Tikhomirov, a representative of the Russian Artistic Flying Federation, has been quoted that he suspects people outside of Rybinsk, possibly even outside of Russia to be responsible for Svetlana’s death. He sees it as a cruel way to discredit the entire Tikhomirov family and, thus, a large part of the Russian artistic flying scene. Be it was it may, the artistic flying scene is clearly suffering from the death and the stalling investigations. That said, the investigators are relying on people to give even the smallest hints to shed some light on what truly happened to Svetlana Tikhomirova. If you know anything, don’t hesitate and send an owl to the Russian Ministry of Magic or directly to the leading investigator Afanasiy Kirillovich Ustrashkin. HOGWARTS QUIDDITCH The 2005-2006 season kicks off this month with the longstanding rivalry of Gryffindor versus Slytherin! Unfortunately, an early-season sleet is forecasted which always makes for dreary play conditions. Players and spectators alike are advised to dress in (waterproofed) layers, and students are reminded that no portable fires (even Bluebell Flames) are permitted within the stands due to the potential for player distraction and, of course, risk of accidental pyrotechnics. Newly-promoted Gryffindor Captain Mavis Nandamuri will doubtless be looking to secure a back-to-back Quidditch Cup for her team. Hufflepuff, too, is ready for another go; since winning the 2002-2003 season, Captain Aase Trickett-Cassoway and her badgers have come close but fallen short these past two seasons. Ravenclaw Captain Aimée de Havilland has reportedly upped her recruitment efforts further, and has also devised a few new (closely-guarded) plays over the summer thanks to the Broomstick Sports Camp. Slytherin seems to have kept things under-wraps - no word yet on how they're preparing (or not) for the new season.

CURRENT BRITISH & IRISH QUIDDITCH LEAGUE STANDINGS Appleby Arrows - 480 Puddlemere United - 410 Tutshill Tornadoes - 380 Montrose Magpies - 330 Holyhead Harpies - 300 Kenmare Kestrels - 270 Falmouth Falcons - 260 Wimbourne Wasps - 250 Pride of Portree - 240 Caerphilly Catapults - 220 Gravesend Griffins - 210 Chudley Cannons - 140 Wigtown Wanderers - 120 Ballycastle Bats - 100

PAGE 3: OTHER NEWS

𝐏𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧 London, England - The wizarding community is abuzz with news of the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯's temporary closure due to a pyrausta infestation. The discovery of these mythological insects, known for their affinity for fire, has prompted the immediate closure of the beloved establishment's bar, kitchen, and guest rooms. Pyraustas, described as four-legged insects with filmy wings, are believed to have taken residence within the  𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯's premises, posing a unique challenge to the management and patrons alike. Experts note the creatures' peculiar dependency on heat but also their unique adaptation to resist exposure to cold. The infestation is made more difficult by their prolific reproduction rate, constructed nesting behaviour, and aggressive defensive chemical secretions that pose health risks to humans and other magical creatures. Despite the closure of the main facilities, access to Diagon Alley through the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 remains unaffected, ensuring that witches and wizards can still access their favorite shops and businesses in the magical shopping district. As the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 works diligently to address the pyrausta infestation and ensure the safety of its patrons, patrons seeking alternative venues for dining and lodging during this temporary disruption are encouraged to visit the recently established 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙚·𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝙒𝙮𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣 in Merthyr Tydfil, a welcoming destination for visitors seeking comfort and convenience in southern Wales. Recognizing the potential increase in customers, the Ministry of Magic has authorized an additional Undetectable Commercial Extension Charm to add rooms for let to the 𝘞𝘺𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯's floor plan, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay comfortably and conveniently. The management of the 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 assures the wizarding community that every effort is being made to address the pyrausta infestation swiftly and effectively, with the aim of reopening the establishment as soon as possible. Updates on the closure and reopening will be provided as soon as they become available.

Broomstick creation contest Are you an established or aspiring broommaker and are you looking for a new challenge? The French Artistic Flying Federation only recently opened a modern training centre in Barbizon and now they’re taking the next step to try and form a counterweight to the artistic flying school in Rybinsk. They’ve started a broomstick creation contest. Artistic flying brooms usually came from Rybinsk or were created after the model of the brooms created there. Now the F.A.F.F. is stated a challenge for broommakers around the world - create a new artistic flying broom that can convince not only because of its exceptional flying properties but also because of its special design. The judging panel consists of international artistic flying judges as well as some world class athletes. The winner gets a five-year contract with the flying centre in Barbizon and a prize money of 5,000.00 galleons. If this contest cannot tempt you then you aren’t a broommaker at heart! Sign up this month and submit your sample broom until December 1st to take part in the contest that might change your life.

PAGE 4: GOSSIP AND SOCIAL

Cadwgan Tew on a new mission? We promised to keep you posted on Cadwgan Tew’s actions and now we have something for you that’ll knock you off your broomsticks! While his previous actions were all centred around the old people’s home where he took refuge, he is on the loose again now. Geraint Griffiths, who first tipped us off that Voldemort is back, keeps observing the man who looks so inconspicuously conspicuous - on a sunny day he saw that Cadwgan Tew took one of his garden gnomes, dressed it in a self knitted overall, and left the old people’s home through the back door. Our fearless reader followed Cadwgan Tew only to witness how the man formerly known as Voldemort took the garden gnome for a walk on the nearby graveyard where he put it on to a grave. What is he doing there? Dear readers, if you know more, please, send us an owl. We cannot wait for more information on Cadwgan Tew. Does he try to build an army of inferi and does he mark the graves of recently deceased with garden gnomes for this reason?

A BLUDGER TO THE HEAD FOR HONEYDUKES HEIRESS? We’ve all known for some weeks that former Wales international and Catapults captain Fflur Blevins has been seen regularly at Banshee frontman Charlie Baker’s London home, but they appear to have finally made their relationship official at the Annual Quidditch Gala in Caerphilly last month. The pair walked the red carpet together and sources at the gala said they looked very comfortable with one another once inside — and who could forget that photo of Baker ogling Ms. Blevins’ breasts when posing for the press? With Baker fresh off his band’s world tour to promote their latest release there’s been no news yet of how things ended with his quoted “muse” Honey Flume – or indeed if Baker did end things with Hogsmeade’s leading confectioner before stepping out with some new arm candy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Minerva McGonagall (70) Gaston Malinat (53) Louise Ellington (40) Charlie Baker (30) Violet Thorne (26) Ira Ilyina (25) Rhys Pritchard (25) Edan Reed (24) Kate Baker (23) Damien Conway (22) Jimin Hale (22) Lev Leskov (21) Lionel Sterling (20) Adam Nguyen (20) Rodion Shishkin (20) Alexander Zhen (19) Julien Lefebvre (18) Killian Buckley (18) Isaac Hackney (18) Leo Lizdeikaitis (16) Mihkkal Huuskonen (16) Fingal Mac Duibhshithe (15) Brendan de Havilland (15) Amandine Patenaude (15) Aristide Renoir (15) Luca Isolet (15)

PAGE 5: CREDITS AND NOTICES

information We have revamped The Daily Prophet based on member feedback and welcome any comments or suggestions in an effort to further improve the Prophet. credits This issue was created by the Administration team, with additional submissions and ideas from Taed, laura, cstine . We would like to thank Taed for helping to prepare the monthly birthday column, Christine for the easy-to-use coding, and Samm for the amazing header. how to contribute We are always seeking member-produced stories and submissions. This can be in the form of in-character letters to the editors, rumours and gossip, or character-driven plots. You can submit your ideas to any member of the team, however if you have something in mind for a specific geographical area of the board please reach out to the respective admin: • Olivia - Hogwarts & British Isles • Inga - Beauxbatons & Western Europe • Dylan - Durmstrang & Eastern Europe • Daphne - Ilvermorny & North America

"Ohh, my head! HOW much did I drink last night..?"

~ says the Appleby Arrows supporter who celebrated a little too much...

As the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 works diligently to address the pyrausta infestation and ensure the safety of its patrons, patrons seeking alternative venues for dining and lodging during this temporary disruption are encouraged to visit the recently established 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙚·𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝙒𝙮𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣 in Merthyr Tydfil, a welcoming destination for visitors seeking comfort and convenience in southern Wales.

are we sure this isn't an arson attempt? 🕵️

Most of note is beloved English National Team captain Edric Vosper's retirement from the sport -- we're wishing happy trails to Mr Vosper, and very good luck to his successor Harlan Bellamy.

hell ya, forgot about this @lee

""

𝐏𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐧
London, England - The wizarding community is abuzz with news of the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯's temporary closure due to a pyrausta infestation. The discovery of these mythological insects, known for their affinity for fire, has prompted the immediate closure of the beloved establishment's bar, kitchen, and guest rooms.

Based on an actual mythological insect, I've written a helpful WizkipediA article on pyraustas if anyone is interested.

As the 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘯 works diligently to address the pyrausta infestation and ensure the safety of its patrons, patrons seeking alternative venues for dining and lodging during this temporary disruption are encouraged to visit the recently established 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙚·𝙍𝙚𝙙 𝙒𝙮𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣 in Merthyr Tydfil, a welcoming destination for visitors seeking comfort and convenience in southern Wales. Recognizing the potential increase in customers, the Ministry of Magic has authorized an additional Undetectable Commercial Extension Charm to add rooms for let to the 𝘞𝘺𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘯's floor plan, ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay comfortably and conveniently.

Rooms to reserve or let—11ʛ per night—70ʛ per month—116¼ High Street, Merthyr Tydfil, quaint modern pub, 12 cozy rooms with bronze room numbers and red kite door-knockers on Sessile oak doors, furnished with wych elm furniture, including bedframes. Each room boasts good closets and stationary tubs, ensuring comfort and convenience. Reservations include pub grub dinners from the Wyvern's ground-floor kitchen.
   Located just four minutes' walk from Merthyr Tydfil railway station, the Wine·Red Wyvern offers a convenient and welcoming stay for travelers and visitors alike. Inquire at the Wyvern or address any correspondence to Mr. Damien Conway, Box ᚳᛗ109, Caerphilly Owl Post Office, CF83 1ᚢᛖ.

are we sure this isn't an arson attempt? 🕵️

Taed: 🤣      Damien: 🙄 "this wasn't even my idea, now I have to hire a maintenance man and... ugh."

Any hogwarts students interested in doing the pinewood car derby project with @Jari Trickett or @Mavis Nandamuri ??

Would also looove to do halloween in hogsmeade threads please

Any hogwarts students interested in doing the pinewood car derby project with @Jari Trickett or @Mavis Nandamuri ??

Would also looove to do halloween in hogsmeade threads please

Once my 4th year is sorted he would love to do that if possible

Any hogwarts students interested in doing the pinewood car derby project with @Jari Trickett or @Mavis Nandamuri ??

Would also looove to do halloween in hogsmeade threads please

Reena may be up for a halloween in hogsmeade thread.  xD

Edyta needs company at the Haunted Manor!

Edyta needs company at the Haunted Manor!

Omg. YAS. @Carys I could toss Eirlys, Peter, or Stewart into the fray. Pick which one for me. I'm musey, I can get a post in today for any of them. xD

Omg. YAS. @Carys I could toss Eirlys, Peter, or Stewart into the fray. Pick which one for me. I'm musey, I can get a post in today for any of them. xD

Ooh... that's a difficult choice, I think any of them could be fun! Um... we pick Eirlys please xD