You-Know-Who Returns! Ministry of Magic–London Reports of the return of the most feared and hated wizard in wizarding history were officially confirmed June 21, when the Ministry of Magic suffered its first attack in nearly fifteen years. The Ministry, which has long denied the return of You-Know-Who, officially declared the terrifying wizard alive and well, after releasing details of the battle between the revived wizard, Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, and a few ministry authorities. “Unfortunately, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned to dwell among us,” stated Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. “He is back.” The Ministry originally had denied reports that You-Know-Who had been seen by Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived. Potter, the young man responsible for You-Know-Who’s disappearance 14 years earlier, reported seeing the Dark Wizard during last year’s International School Triwizarding Tournament, where he claimed the wizard and his Death Eaters were responsible for the death of fellow student Cedric Diggory. The Ministry took the position that Potter had made up the story and officially declared the Boy-Who-Lived’s claims false. As a result, no details of the supposed battle between Potter and You-Know-Who, or the circumstances of young Diggory’s death, were released to the public. Dumbledore, who long oversaw protection of young Potter, disagreed with the Ministry’s stance, often stating as much whenever given the opportunity. The discord between the Minister Fudge and Professor Dumbledore eventually reached a fever pitch when Dumbledore’s Hogwarts came under Ministry control at the hands of Dolores Umbridge, Fudge’s assistant Minister. Umbridge’s interference lead to the cessation of post of Headmaster by Dumbledore, who was not seen in general wizarding public again until the night of the attack. Eyewitnesses report watching Dumbledore attack Voldemort and his follower Bellatrix Lestrange in a fierce battle that destroyed most of the Ministry’s Entranceway. “Well, first he was attackin’ them statues o’ the Ministry’s, then he set ‘em on You-Know-Who ‘imself!” says eyewitness Stan Shunpike of the Ministry’s Transportation division. “Course, I didn see much save You-Know-Who disappearin’ in a strange sort o’ way. But it was ‘im...and ‘e was attackin’ lil’ ‘arry Potter and everyfing!” Reports of Potter’s presence at the battle remain officially unconfirmed, but evidence does seem to suggest Potter’s absence from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that evening. “He wasn’t anywhere that I could see,” says an anonymous Hogwarts student. “He, and a few other students, were brought into the Headmaster’s office for a little while, and weren’t seen again until the next day.” The Quibbler can report that longtime Potter friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley were simultaneously brought into Hogwarts’ Hospital Wing with severe injuries on the day following the battle. Ginny Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, and Mr. Potter himself also visited the hospital wing, although they were released the same day. Not much is known about what exactly You-Know-Who sought in the Ministry, although there are unconfirmed eyewitness accounts of fighting occurring in the off-limits Departments of Mysteries. There are also reports that the battle took the life of the infamous Sirius Black, former Prisoner of Azkaban. The charges leveled at Black, including collusion with You-Know-Who and murder, are also being investigated at this time. Accounts of a death, however, had not yet been validated, as they warrant further investigation. “What we do know is that the Death Eaters have returned in full force, and in full support of You-Know-Who” says former Ministry Auror “Mad-Eye” Moody. “We have a Second War ahead of us...and we’re going to have to take action, fast.” Further information will be released as it becomes available. |