You-Know-Who’s return heightens anxieties, worries, about safety of wizarding schools. London, England--The beginning of each school term brings a mixture of sadness and joy for both parent and student. The excitement of starting anew, re-meeting old friends and teachers, and becoming an independent individual often overshadow the feelings of homesickness that overtake young students. That coupled with the excitement of being away from home, makes for a very joyous year for most students. Parents, however, are not so enthusiastic. Each year, parents get a dose of the empty nest syndrome, as their children leave for the comfort of schools such as Hogwarts once again. But this year, there is an even greater worry among parents. Not the fear that their children will leave them–but the fear that they will never come back. “I can’t believe that You-Know-Who has returned,” said one terrified parent, whose daughter, only 12, will be returning to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry on September 1st. “Before, all I had to worry on were Slytherins picking on little Maud–now, I have to worry that they’ll curse her to death!” The confirmation of the return of the most feared wizard since Salazar Slytherin himself has both the Ministry of Magic and the magical boarding schools scrambling to take protective measures to ensure that neither He Who Must Not Be Named nor his Death Eaters will be entering school grounds at any time. “We are doing all we can to see that Voldemort will never be able to enter Hogwarts,” assures Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Head of Hogwarts. “Anyone who has ever read Hogwarts, A History will know, of course, that Hogwarts is the safest location anywhere in the United Kingdom.” Hogwarts is rumored to be accessible by outsiders, including, perhaps, through such Ministry run operations as the Floo Network. But changes are being made on the Ministry’s part to ensure that such networks are being carefully monitored. “The Floo Network will not be abused by Death Eaters,” asserts Percy Weasley, a spokesman for the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that it is well monitored, for our protection and the protections of our schools.” The appearance of You-Know-Who is not the first time Hogwarts has had to tighten security. The escape of the notorious Prisoner of Azkaban Sirius Black three years ago had the Ministry ordering increased security around the school. But such preventative measures will not be revisited at Hogwarts again. “Hogwarts will not be using Dementors as added protection this time around,” said Dumbledore forcefully, referring to the Ministry orders that placed Azkaban guards around Hogwarts grounds. “Their loyalties are questionable, at best, and we shall not be seeing them near Hogwarts anytime soon.” Other wizarding schools outside Great Britain are also taking precautions. Beauxbatons, a wizarding school located somewhere in the French countryside, has added magical barriers shielding it from Dark Curses. The infamous Durmstrang, a wizarding school famous for its dark reputation, has added cheery carpeting and windows to its stone walls to shake its dastardly reputation. It, too, has added magical protections to prevent Death Eaters from entering its grounds, all encouraged by the famed Seeker for the Bulgarian Team and Durmstrang alum Victor Krum. Although parents can rest a bit easier, there is notable anxiety among many wizarding parents, especially those who have, for the first time, learned the truth about the past four years at Hogwarts. “We believed the school to be safe,” stated Melinda MacMillan, whose son, Ernie, will be a prefect in his sixth year at Hogwarts. “Then we learn that the school was attacked by Voldemort in the guise of a teacher, an enchanted memory, and through a portkey. Further, the Prisoner of Azkaban was a regular visitor, and a student has already died because of the interference of You-Know-Who. It makes a parent worry, no matter how safe they say that school is.” Even Muggle parents, who have long been in the dark about such dangerous wizards, are feeling the anxiety that wizarding parents have. Responds Michael Creevey, a muggle milk carrier whose sons, Colin and Dennis, both attend Hogwarts, “I don’t know much about this Voldy-person, but he sounds dangerous. It’d be interestin’ to have wizards in the family, but if the lives of either of my boys are in danger, they can come back home and go to Eton quick as a wink. There’s nothing wrong with not being able to pop in and out of places or make yourself invisible.” The one comfort to Hogwarts parents, at least, may be Albus Dumbledore, who You-Know-Who has long feared. But even Dumbledore’s presence may not be enough to stop You-Know-Who this time around. “Harry Potter is who Voldemort is after. So long as he is there, Voldemort will never leave the school alone. The best thing to do is expel Potter,” says Narcissa Malfoy, parent of 16-year-old Slytherin Prefect Draco Malfoy. “Then, the parents of students won’t have to worry.” “That will not happen,” responds Dumbledore. “Harry Potter is entitled to the protections of Hogwarts the same as any other student. Further, we have no idea what the future will bring with regards to he, Voldemort, or any of the Death Eaters.” The truth being told, for good or bad, this is definitely going to be an interesting back to school for everyone. |