5 December 2025

Former Hogwarts Staff Arrested!
By: Wendell Roman, Junior Reporter

In a stunning turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the wizarding world, former Hogwarts staff member Marcus Iwasaki has been arrested in connection with what Ministry officials are calling "one of the most violent magical assaults in recent years." The incident, which occurred during the full moon on 4 December, has left two victims hospitalized and one dead.	Marcus Iwasaki will be tried the week of December 13th

Marcus Iwasaki, a Japanese national who has lived in the United Kingdom for over a decade, first joined Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in June 2020 as a caretaker. His rapid rise to prominence within the school, culminating in an appointment as a Head of House for Ravenclaw later that same year, made him a well-known figure among students and staff. Some have questioned the speed of his promotion and his limited academic background, but according to the Department of Magical Education, Iwasaki was adequate qualified and served well for the duration of tenue. The former Head of House for Ravenclaw abruptly resigned from his position in October, stepping down alongside much of the Hogwarts administration including the other three Heads of House including Professors Caradoc Browne of house Hufflepuff, Galahad Browne of House Gryffindor, Lesmana Asmaralaya of house Slytherin and former deputy headmistress Miss Hjørdis Jensen for reasons that remain unclear.

●▬▬▬▬✦✧✦✧▬▬▬▬● [That was] "One of the most violent magical assaults in recent years." ●▬▬▬▬✦✧✦✧▬▬▬▬●	==	Iwasaki, who is a registered werewolf, was allegedly involved in a vicious attack on three wizards in the early hours of the morning of December 5. It has been reported that the former head of house failed to take his allotted wolfsbane and transformed into a cursed creature known as a werewolf on the night of the full moon. Unrestrained magically or physically, Marcus was a threat to the entire community, and three honored members of the magical community paid the price.

Sources within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement confirm that Auror Julius Ringwald, a decorated officer, and his younger brother Oliver Ringwald, a recent Durmstrang graduate and an Auror-in-training, were both severely injured in the attack. Both are currently in treatment at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. St. Mungo's staff refused to comment on their condition but described the injuries as "grave" and "requiring ongoing magical stabilization." However, it is well-known to the public that if the brothers survive, that they would suffer a life-long affliction known as lycanthropy. While significant progress has been made in the management of lycanthropy, it is a life-long curse that the Ministry has struggled to effectively regulate for centuries.

Auror Julius Ringwald (right) and younger brother, Auror in Training Oliver Ringwald (left)

A third victim, Kieran Marks, was pronounced dead on arrival. They were able to identify his remains based on his broken wand being found at the scene as well as identifying paperwork in the victim's tattered jacket identifying the victim as Kieren Marks. His remains will be interred in Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery in Edinburgh next week. This will be a closed casket funeral due to the state of his remains, his sister stating between tears "it looked like ground up meat... not my brother."

At a MACUSA event June 2024 Kieran Marks (center), Donnovan Yaxley (rear, left) and Gabriel Carrow (rear, right)

Marks, a long-time family friend of the Ringwald brothers, was a familiar face within Auror social circles. Though not an Auror himself, he was reportedly considered "trusted company" among many in the force. Coming from a well-regarded wizarding family in Scottland, his purported death has intensified scrutiny of the case, and several figures in the Ministry are rumored to be "deeply alarmed" by the implications of three seasoned and close-knit associates being targeted.

Whispers circulating among Ministry employees suggest that Marks may have had long-standing political connections to a powerful wizarding family known for influence in the Wizengamot, though no official statement has confirmed this. Nevertheless, such ties, combined with the severe injuries suffered by the Ringwald brothers, have placed extraordinary pressure on the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to pursue the case aggressively.

At present, the public knows little about the events leading up to the assault. The Ministry has not released information about whether the victims were lured to the scene or if the attack was purely opportunistic. Some claim that there is something more than mere chance. It has been rumored that the heads of house at Hogwarts stepped down due to pressure from the Ministry of Magic. Some say the Auror Office demanded changes to Hogwarts’ security policies and the Heads refused, choosing resignation over compliance. Some have gone as far as to claim that this was an act of retaliation on the part of Marcus Iwasaki. Headmaster Solomon Lear has refused to comment on the impending case against Marcus Iwasaki.

Investigators have sought to learn more about the last moments of Kieran Mark's life, but little more has been shared. Oddly, there has not been any confirmation of defensive magic being used by the victims, admittedly an unusual omission, given that both Ringwald brothers are trained combatants. It is the hope of the Aurors assigned to this case that when the brothers regain consciousness that they would be able to convey the details of what happened on December the 4th.

Iwasaki remains in custody, and officials have stated that he will be held pending a full inquiry and trial.

The Daily Prophet will continue to follow this developing story. More updates to come as details emerge.

13 December 2025

HOGWARTS' WEREWOLF DRAGGED TO AZKABAN
The Beast of the Full Moon - Convicted in Record Time

By: Wendell Roman, Daily Prophet Investigations Desk

The Wizarding World is reeling after the conviction of Marcus Iwasaki, former Hogwarts Head of House, who was sentenced to Azkaban today following what Ministry officials are calling "one of the most brutal werewolf attacks in decades."

Marcus Iwasaki, former Head of House for Ravenclaw, once trusted with the safety of children, now joins the ranks of Azkaban's darkest residents. Iwasaki's rapid trial, lasting scarcely a day, has sparked furious whispers among wizards. Was the evidence overwhelming, or was the Ministry simply eager to make an example of a werewolf? The Lycanthropic Defense League (LDL) has publicly condemned "the Ministry’s obsession with using werewolves as scapegoats," arguing that Marcus Iwasaki was targeted because of his condition, not evidence.

SCARAB has also made a statement on behalf of Marcus Iwasaki. SCARAB: a controversial but increasingly vocal group advocating for the rights of magical "near-beings" and marginalized half-human populations, has issued a forceful public statement condemning the verdict.

"We have seen this pattern for decades: when the public needs a monster, the Ministry conveniently finds a werewolf. Marcus Iwasaki was tried in less than a week, without transparency, without due diligence, and without respect for the complexities of his condition. This was not justice. This was fear dressed up as law."

- SCARAB spokesperson

For decades the British Ministry of Magic has made strides in protecting citizens from the natural dangers of the magical world. However, there is nothing "natural" about lycanthropy, it is a cursed condition that is entirely preventable with diligent maintenance and safety protocols that have once again failed to meet even the lowest standard, resulting the death of one and the permanent affliction of two others.

A Blood-Soaked Night

The attack took place on 4 December, beneath the full moon's cold light.

The victims:

	Oliver Ringwald - recovered, with significant scaring on his torso and left leg that has left him with a lame gait. He is now cursed as a werewolf and recovering at home.
	Julius Ringwald - still recovering at St. Mungos. Remains in critical condition due to infections and fever; he will be left with permanent scaring and lycanthropy.
	Kieran Marks - reported dead on arrival at St. Mungo’s. Interred in Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery in Edinburgh, he leaves behind a young wife and daughter.

But rumors swirl that Marks, a young man with alleged ties to a very powerful, extremely private wizarding family, may not have been the innocent bystander he appeared to be. Ministry spokespeople refused comment.

Witnesses reported hearing "inhuman sounds" and "trees cracking like bones" in the woods that night. Iwasaki was found near the carnage at dawn, bloodied and unable to explain his proximity to the crime scene. During the trial he admitted to failing to consume the wolfsbane potion that would have ensured his humanity and memory remained intact during the transformation. Iwasaki reports that he has no memory of the night in question.

It is the belief of the Ministry that Iwasaki either failed to take his Wolfsbane or actively lured the Aurors to the site, possibly in relation to his unexpected departure from Hogwarts back in October. Sources close to the investigation hint at something darker. A leak from inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DMLE) suggests the attack may have been coordinated, or that Iwasaki may not have been entirely in control of his actions. If that was the case, it was not expounded upon in Iwasaki's incredibly speedy trial.

"Everything about this feels rushed," one senior Auror told the Prophet on condition of anonymity. "Someone wanted this wrapped up fast." Wizengamot refused to directly comment on these suspicions, but state that "Iwasaki was given a fair trial like any other wizard."

The Hogwarts Connection

Iwasaki resigned abruptly in October along with the entire Hogwarts administrative team. At the time, Hogwarts officials claimed it was a "routine restructuring." Now, many question whether the leadership shakeup was tied to concerns about security, or about the staff themselves.

Headmaster Solomon Lear provided this concise but chilling statement: "The situation is devastating, but Hogwarts remains safe. Any rumor claiming otherwise is distraction, misinformation, or malice."

However, Headmaster Solomon Lear is hardly the spotless figure the public may wish for in such a crisis. His well-documented history of public carousing, along with a pattern of attention-seeking antics that frequently ignite the wizarding world’s social platforms prior to his daughter's death wherein he had ducked out of society, has left many questioning whether he possesses the gravitas required to steady Hogwarts through a scandal of this magnitude.

If the Headmaster hoped his carefully worded statement would silence speculation, it did not. In fact, it appears only to have deepened the growing distrust among parents and the broader wizarding community.

A Community on Edge

Wizarding families across Britain are demanding further investigation. Why was a werewolf allowed to work so closely with children? Why was the trial so swift? And why does every path in this case seem to lead into a fog of secrecy?

The Prophet extends condolences to the Ringwalds, now thrust unwillingly into the public eye, as well as to the grieving family of Kieran Marks, whose legacy may hold more secrets than answers.

One thing is certain: This story is far from over.

❄ THE HOGSMEADE WINTER CARNIVAL RETURNS! ❄

A Celebration of Frost, Firelight & Festivity
December 20 - January 1 • All Are Welcome

Bundle your cloaks and warm your wands, Hogsmeade Village is once again transformed into a glittering winter wonderland for its much-anticipated Winter Carnival!

Stroll beneath enchanted lanterns, sip flavor-changing hot cocoa, test your aim at bewitched snowball ranges, and browse seasonal goods from witches and wizards across the Highlands. From charming games and roving performers to sweet confections and rare winter wares, there is something for every age and temperament.

Features Include:

• Enchanted ice sculptures
• Magical carnival games with prizes
• Warming drinks and festive treats
• Live spellcraft demonstrations
• Winter-exclusive vendors

Dress warmly. Bring coin. Expect magic.

The Hogsmeade Winter Carnival: Where the cold sparkles and the nights shine bright.

Moonseed Poisoning Sows Chaos at Hogsmeade Winter Carnival

By Wendell Roman, Junior Reporter
December 30, 2025

What began as a week of lights, laughter, and holiday cheer in Hogsmeade descended into confusion and terror after a highly concentrated form of Moonseed poison was dispersed during the town's annual Winter Carnival, leaving dozens of witches and wizards temporarily stripped of their magical abilities and thrust unprotected into the Scottish Highlands. With no deaths reported, citizens have expressed concern over their safety, many placing blame on SCARAB.

Medical Tents were quickly erected by St. Mungos Staff on scene.

The Hogsmeade Winter Carnival is an annual event taking place between the Winter Solstice and the New Year. The Winter Carnival is a celebration of lights, family and friends, as well as a time to reflect on this past year's victories and losses. This past year has been marked by significant tragedy, the small Scottish village is still recovering from an act of terror several months earlier that left several students and foreign educational staff dead as well as dozens more injured. Many families will never recover from their losses and many of these foreign magical schools remain in flux. In fact, two schools: Ilvermorny and Mahoutokoro, have gone through two headmasters since the incident and eerily their previous headmasters Sato Yura of Mahoutokoro and Lazarus Plott of Ilvermorny remain missing, presumed dead.

Headmaster Professor Sato Headmaster Lazarus Plott		==	According to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the concentrated Moonseed poison was added to the hot cocoa and caused a complete suppression of magical capacity in the victims lasting up to seventy-two hours in most victims. In a catastrophic secondary effect, the village's long-standing Muggle-Repelling Charms violently expelled many of those affected, no longer recognizing them as magical beings. Witnesses described disoriented carnival-goers being forcibly pushed beyond Hogsmeade's wards, some collapsing in the snow-choked hills of the Scottish Highlands before emergency response teams could reach them. Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop has been directly linked to the exposure. Healers from St Mungo's were deployed en masse, setting up emergency treatment stations on the edge of the village perimeter. No fatalities have been reported at this time, though several victims remain under observation for lingering effects and exposure to the elements. "This was not an accident," said August VanCleaf,

an experienced Auror. "This was an attack using a substance that should never exist in this concentration outside of an Unspeakable’s vault." He has went on, "if I had been here, I would have been able to stop this tragedy." Unfortunately, the auror was in St. Mungos visiting recovering associates who according to VanCleaf are in good spirits. VanCleaf was one of the first to publicly state that he feels that SCARAB is likely in part, or even wholly responsible for this incident.

SCARAB, better known as SCAR or the "Sentient Creature Advocacy Ring," is a long-standing political and activist organization that campaigns for the rights of half-breeds, cursed beings, and wizarding-adjacent sentient creatures. This includes, but is not limited to, werewolves, vampires, goblins, centaurs, house-elves, and others who exist on the margins of traditional wizarding society.

While VanCleaf has made his opinions known, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has not officially named SCARAB as a suspect organization in any of the recent investigations. No warrants have been issued, and no formal charges are pending. Privately, however, multiple sources confirm that SCARAB is being monitored, particularly in relation to: black-market alchemical trade routes, illicit refinement networks, and political pressure campaigns tied to recent victims and suspects.	==

Whispers suggest that perhaps Marcus Iwasaki has ties to the terrorist organization and that his attack on a pair of aurors in early December was because Auror Julius Ringwald and his younger brother were getting too close to the truth. At this time, there has been no evidence of SCARAB involvement or direct ties between Mr. Iwasaki and the organization beyond proximity to his former occupation, head of House at Hogwarts. Ministry officials have emphasized that activism alone is not a crime, but the line between protest and coordinated disruption is becoming increasingly blurred.

With SCARAB's name is now being spoken in the same breath as Moonseed trafficking, mass poisoning, and institutional corruption, this organization is now at the center of one of the most volatile periods in recent magical history.

Moonseed, while legal in limited alchemical use, becomes volatile when refined to this degree and consumed. The refinement process itself is considered both illegal and exceptionally difficult, strongly suggesting advanced knowledge and significant resources considering the volume of Moonseed Oil necessary for this process. Investigators have linked the Moonseed Poison to the recent theft of the Yaxley Potion Repository, due to the cost of concentrated moonseed required in the volumes utilized during this incident.

"It felt like someone turned the lights off inside us."

Hogsmeade shopkeepers have voiced outrage over the breach of the town's wards and the endangerment of both residents and visitors during what has historically been one of the village's busiest and safest events of the year. "Hogsmeade is no longer safe. In fact, [Hogsmeade] has not been safe in a very long time. This is not the first, or even the second act of terror to have happened within this small, not-so-quiet village in recent years," says a longtime resident.

"It felt like someone turned the lights off inside us," said one victim, a Hogwarts parent visiting from Yorkshire. "And then the magic of the town itself threw us out like we didn’t belong."

The Ministry has confirmed that no Muggles were exposed to magic during this event, and Obliviators were placed on immediate standby as a precaution. The Winter Carnival has been shut down.

Officials have urged anyone who experienced unusual symptoms or witnessed suspicious activity in the hours leading up to the incident to come forward. While the Ministry has not issued a public suspect list, they have confirmed that the investigation has been elevated to Level Black Priority. SCARAB has not taken responsibility for this incident, one member saying cryptically "[you] should start looking at your own."