A Hex for the Triwizard

H E X W I Z A R D T O U R N A M E N T

The Triwizard Tournament is the most dangerous magical tournament in the wizarding world. Known to be not only perilous but also deadly, the Triwizard Tournament has a perilous history. Dating back approximately 700 years, this tournament is a test of intelligence, courage and endurance was traditionally held every five years between the three largest wizarding schools in Europe: Durmstrang, Beauxbatons and Hogwarts. The Triwizard Tournament were cancelled between the years of 1792 and 1994 due to an excessive death toll that cost the lives of both contestants and judges. The revival 2 centuries later in 1994 was a failure, the foolhardy belief that student safety could be assured by making an age limit did not even last through a single tournament. An additional chosen champion from Hogwarts tipped the scales unfairly in Hogwarts favor as we later discovered demonstrated the lackluster security the goblet had under Dumbledore. The death of Cedric Diggory, the admission of an underaged student the now legend Harry Potter who is still serving his sentence for the murder of Dolores Umbridge and the resurrection of Lord Voldemort proves to be an embarrassment. Due to sizable financial contributions by an unnamed source as well as a political climate demanding improved cooperation as the inclusive nature of Hogwarts has led to magical community unrest the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports Gabriel Blackthorne has agreed to partner with the international community to host the next Triwizard Tournament. This has garnered the interest of Japan, Russia and the United States and they wish to throw in with the other schools. Invitations have been submitted to the remaining schools of Castelobruxo and Uagadou and they have given the stern reply -- "we will see if there is another tournament before we risk our own." It would appear that they know their history better than those who have chosen to take part in this tournament. The term Hexwizard was given to this tournament, with the audacious claim that they expect "this will be done again and with all of the schools next time." Repetition is a symptom of madness if one expects a different outcome than previous. Concern side, the tournament would prove to be an interesting sight and possibly once in a life time. The rules were simple: each school was represented by a champion, chosen by the Goblet of Fire. A major change is the fact that the champion will not be going about these tasks alone. The champions and their team will take part in three punishing tasks to win the Triwizard Cup.

H E X W I Z A R D T O U R N A M E N T

Immortality,

My Foot!

Alchemist Vaishnavi Aniruddha, aged 45, was found dead at her home in the early hours of 18th February after the promises of "Elixir of Youth" turned out to be fake. The house had been ransacked, as though they were in search of this 'Youth Stone' or her work towards recreating the Philosopher's Stone. However, it is now believed that these stones never existed. Rumours leaked appeared to have been a marketing scam, attempting to trick people into buying these fake elixirs. Aniruddha claimed to be in her seventies and people assumed she was de-ageing as she only looked to be around fifty. Her real birth certificate was uncovered in her house, however, and she was actually only forty-five. There is no evidence of any replica for these stones or any work towards it in both her house and the laboratory.

Owners of Alchemy and Potion stores across the globe that had placed large pre-orders for these products are now outraged, demanding their money back from the laboratory but it has completely shut down and is now claiming bankruptcy. A court case has been started on the matter. An employee for the laboratory has claimed it was all Aniruddha’s idea in an attempt to gain worldwide recognition and that they believed that the products they were making were actually beauty potions.

Sadly, it looks like the world may never see another philosopher’s stone again and the work of Nicholas Flamel may be lost for many decades to come.

Youths Assaulted by Giant in Hogsmeade

A trio of teens were assaulted in late January during a hailstorm by a giant. "He just started rampaging about the square," Tucker Stevenson claims. Tucker, the middle son of a city worker and present waiter at Hogs Head a local tavern frequented by locals and Hogwarts students.

"We were minding our business when he just came running at us," Christopher Smith claimed as well. He had suffered a concussion and a severe laceration to the back of his head. His injuries certainly far from life threatening, the three boys required primp medical care which they received by good Samaritan wizards in Hogs Head when they fled to for safety.

"We have no idea what his problem is, but this is getting ridiculous," a common sentiment of wizards and squibs alike. The dangerous precedent that we have set for ourselves by attempting to mainstream half-breed wizards. The temperament of half-breeds is rather volatile and when you then encourage them to live and school alongside wizards incidents such as these are surely bound to come up. Hogwarts has been reached out to but at this time there has been no comment on the incident.

Artist rendition of the incident.

Hogwarts, far from a stranger to drama rocked the wizarding world with their ideals of integration and acceptance. Dangerous ideals which included educating dhampirs alongside their potential meals much to the dismay of parents. However, Hogwarts is a legacy institution so in spite of their questionable choices over the last several years it has not lost a great deal of students but over the years some alumni families have withdrawn their children for the sake of their safety.

Considering this recent incident is simply yet another incident surrounding Hogwarts, this is hardly a surprise. The Ministry of Magic has been reached out for comment and they have replied with a simple "we are looking into it." Their lack of transparency as evident as ever, our reporters have been promised that something is being done but concerns wizards and parents everywhere are looking to find out what.

Mahoutokoro Student Hospitalized After
Advanced Transfiguration Incident

A student of Japan’s Mahoutokoro school was hospitalized last Monday after an incident involving a high-level human-transfiguration attempt. The name and gender of the student remain unspecified for privacy reasons, though the official KIRIN report states that the student in question was of age and is not in critical condition. ____________________ Mahoutokoro is a leader in human-transfiguration research. Their work puts Gamps Law to the test. The Ministry of Magic expresses concern for the potential dark implications of their work once it is finalized. ____________________ The Advanced Transfiguration class hosted at Mahoutokoro gained recognition for its groundbreaking progress in the matter of human-transfiguration in mid-2020, and has been funded by the KIRIN (Korean and Japanese Research Initiative Neighborship) since April 1st, 2021. The European-based panel for The Guidance of the Inspired and the Gifted (GIT) released a statement that called the safety of the program in question following the incident, but a school representative rejected these allegations as unfounded at a press conference held yesterday morning. Relations between GIT and both Asian and African wizarding schools have been tense for over a decade, with both parties accusing the panel of trying to impose too strict regulations on them for fear of western schools being outpaced academically by their overseas counterparts.

Mahoutokoro’s program is a pilot project endorsed by multiple East Asian educational institutions that focuses on the feasibility of human-to-beast and human-to-spirit transfiguration, a field that has had a heavy stigma associated with it for centuries. Transfiguration Masters caution of the dangers of failed experiments, while conceding that any breakthrough in the matter would be a groundbreaking achievement in a field that hasn’t seen any major upheaval since the publishing of Gamp’s Law of Elemental Transfiguration. As a school mainly focused on the Healing Arts and their student’s connection to nature, Mahoutokoro had failed to garner scientific recognition oversees for decades, and hopes to boost its reputation with this government-supported Advanced Transfiguration course. Student selection for the program is rigorous, but the project has continuously garnered international news coverage as well as attracted outside experts to the school. Supplementary courses about local and pan-Asian spirit-beings will be offered to all students in the coming term, with the goal of both extending the school’s curriculum and identifying promising students to introduce to the advanced course. Chinese Master Transfigurer Cixi Li herself is rumored to take up teaching at Mahoutokoro come spring.

Caring for Your Venomous Tentacula

While not a particularly attractive plant, some Daily Prophet Readers insist that every household should have a Venomous Tentacula. A benefit of these darling rascals is their proactive nature. Numerous instances of thwarted robberies and home invasions have been attributed to the Venomous Tentacula. In addition, the Venomous Tentacula can keep household pests such as doxies and chizpurles at bay. Finally, the leaves of the Venomous Tentacula are highly valued in potion-making.

It is important to remember that the Venomous Tentacula can be lethal. Always respect carnivorous plants. Venomous Tentacula owners suggest feeding your plant regularly . A steady diet of freeze-dried doxies and chizpurles will keep most Venomous Tentaculas satisfied. Just remember, the Venomous Tentacula can be feisty, they love to play. Unfortunately their long vines have a powerful grip, their spikes are coated with a potentially lethal paralytic, their bite is equally dangerous and they can shoot prickly projectile spores at their playmates. Playtime can be deadly.

Most wizards are taught proper care and management of the Venomous Tentacula during their sixth year. Important safety measures include having emergency herbicide in reach, while herbicide will not kill this hardy perennial, it serves as an effective deterrent or repellant. Other measures include the emergent use of the severing charm to cut away the grasping vines that have ensnared a victim or to briefly stun an agitated Venomous Tentacula if the charm is aimed at their bulbous head-like organ. Finally, the fire-making spell can disrupt the Venomous Tentacula but be careful because the spell can also agitate the already aggressive houseplant.

Common warning include -- keeping the plant away from small children and pets, practice barrier use and maintain your distance. Risks including missing crups, severe human injury and possible loss of life. However the risk is only relevant to those that fail to consider the proper care of the Venomous Tenracula. Having a criminal-free and pest-free home can be yours too if you consider owning your own Venomous Tenntacula.

Article has been paid for by United Friends of Scribs.

Wellbeloved Appointed Captain of the Noxwatch

This week's latest shift in politics marks the official formation of what has been dubbed the "Noxwatch". This city watch is part of a series of negotiations between both the ministry and the heads of S.C.A.R.A.B (Stump's Coalition Advocating Rights for All Beings). The former Squib Committee, now grown to a front for all beings, demanded more opportunities for fair representation. In the form of a city watch, based in and around Diagon Alley, they seek to hire new officers of all backgrounds. Bringing the argument that Stump's definition of a Being was always meant to strive for equality in the wizarding world, they ask for a chance to help shape their laws. Newly appointed Captain Wellbeloved had this to say:

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"Let's not cast any illusions around this, change is coming. Minister Stump gave a fair definition for all beings some two centuries ago. The ministry fails in sharing their space with all beings aside from themselves. With the watch, this will be done differently, and it won't matter how pure your wizarding blood is or if you are capable of casting magic at all. What will matter is how you handle your responsibility towards our society and its people."

Carnelian Wellbeloved (pictured above) is a well known squib son to a minor bloodline. In recent years, he has attracted a lot of attention through his work for squib rights. It is no secret that the aristocracy likes having him around. Whether that be for their own amusement or genuine interest, is left up to them. Nevertheless, Wellbeloved has managed to use these newfound connections to leverage enough influence and make his mark in history. Up until recently, he was the chief representative for squibs on SCARAB's small council. But in a recent turn of events, he made many heads turn in surprise as he stepped down in favour of a leadership position in the newly created Noxwatch. To this choice, Captain Wellbeloved had only one thing to comment: "Had to be me. Someone else might've gotten it wrong."

The Noxwatch has managed to recruit a decent amount of people so far. Reports confirm some fifteen officers sworn in already, ready to serve under Captain Wellbeloved. The troupe is, as advertised, a mix of individuals from all backgrounds. They will be seen sporting their new mulberry uniforms and copper badges as of this week. The Noxwatch has been given a headquarters off to the northern side of Diagon Alley, right across the Bank of Gringotts.