Defense Against the Dark Arts

Licensed To Curse
By Hermione Granger

Should wizards and witches be licensed to curse? With the growing fear of You-Know-Who, should precautions be taken to prevent more problems-or is this merely an excuse to infringe of civil liberties?

Thomas Elroy, a British immigrant, working as a student, living in Bulgaria, and now head of SWAMP (Students Wanting Action to Mandate Protection) had this to say at a rally in Ho Chi Minh City: "Vietnam is a fine example of how this great country can balance both rights and better protection for the people from cults bent on the destruction of governments."

The Vietnam Magical Assembly recently voted to implicate a law into certain areas that states cursing is banned until further notice. However, this law has created some friction. Many believe that this law will put some magicians out of work. In some small villages, it is common for a person to go to a witch and seek professional help in delivering a curse to a victim. Often, these warlocks will make a victim suffer from nausea and headaches. Often a victim will seek out a wizard to do something similar to someone who they believed hurt them. These are often done at hefty prices.

Batler Cario, living in Ho Chi Minh, had this to say, "I think those people only create more fear and tensions within their community. This law will finally address these problems and put those involved out of work."

Ngyugen Dong, one of the few within the Magical Assembly who opposed this law was quick on a rebuttal. "People are taking away their own freedoms left and right because they fear so very much, It's time these groups use of fear ended, and the best way to do that is to make the people fearless."

What about economic effects?

"Please, people don't depend on those people enough to have any problems. Those who don't have a job will find another one soon enough, and things will be normal. They won't miss them."

But Dong left us with these words. "I will curse all I want. If society thinks its wrong to defend oneself, than so be it. I will rebel to save my freedoms. "

Dark Arts Curse Book Found in London Market
By Hermione Granger

"Unbelievable!" people proclaimed as the news spread in the Leaky Cauldron in London. Rumors had it that a bookshop owner in Diagon Alley had been arrested for selling a book on dark arts curses.

"I'm never letting my children roam freely about Diagon Alley again!" A woman proclaimed upon seeing the scene.

Simon Emol, a bookshop owner and one of the men arrested for involment, has been formally charged with helping print and editing this dark arts book. Others arrested included Bernadine Jasper, who supposedly financed and created the layout for this book and Christopher Pauldron, who designed the cover and advertise the book. The group claims that the author of the book was You-Know-Who himself.

The book contained mainly curses that brought pain, although the Unforgivable curses were discovered inside the pages, as well as a comparison on written and spoken curses. (The book went on to explain that written curses were more powerful in most cases.) Ministry officials described curses that were said to take away sense from the victim, others that would place pins in tongues, jumble the mind, burn homes and others sending evil demons against a victim. Directions were given on how to make "curse tablets", including what kind of curses worked best on these tablets and how to properly put the name of a victim on it. The book claimed that curses were best said near fresh graves, being entrances to the underworld often discussed in Greek mythology. One chapter was dedicated solely to the Beggar's Curse, another to bringing the seven Egyptian plagues seen in the muggle Christian bible.

Other curses were not described for fear of those the faint at heart.

Several shoppers had reported being asked if they were interested in buying a book of curses over a fortnight ago after the incident. They say they were not informed that such a person wrote the book. All claimed to see the sellers in brought daylight, and acted as if they were selling the book to raise funds for a charity.

Experts agree that it seems as if You-Know-Who has decided on trying to gain more members to his cult by using propaganda against the Ministry of Magic. Most of them also agree that the people arrested are most likely to end up in Azkaban.

When a group of eager young wizards asked the title of the book, the Ministry decided it better not to release the title.

"Who Will Replace the Dementors?"
By Laurie Loo

Dementor. The word itself sends chills down anyone's spine. They aren't nice, they aren't pretty. All in all, they aren't pleasant. However, they seemed to be the best thing when it came to guarding out wizarding neighbors gone bad. They did seem to be the best people (or whatever they are) for the job. That was until You Know Who returned. We all know of course that he is back and that the dementors are his habitual allies. We all are also aware that many of You-Know-Who's supporters are being guarded by those very allies as we speak.

How is the magical community going to sleep at night when the idea in the back of their head that if You-Know-Who had gotten in touch with the dementors, many of the wizarding societies most dangerous criminals are being set free? How will they relax when those criminals, if they had been set free, may be planning more evil and dastardly plans then ever before and obliterate the peace we have had for 13 years?

Many wizards and witches now have this question for the ministry: Who is going to replace the dementors? Who else will have the power to flawlessly guard the Azkaban Fortress?

The ministry needs to make speedy arrangements to drop-kick the dementors out of Azkaban and to a secure place where they cannot meet up with You Know Who. They need to find replacements for the dementors before its too late.

Head Shrinker On The Loose
By Laurie Loo

The Ministry of Magic announced today that there is, in face, a "head shrinker" on the loose. There have been three victims to these recent attacks. All three were found heads shrunken, and homes robbed. The Ministry of Magic has no leads yet as to who (or what) is behind the shrinkings. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge did release this statement "You see, head shrinkers are not exactly common in our days. We don't have any leads because there are so few of them out there and they have been silent until this happened. He can be anywhere." Though it is true that head shrinkers have not been as active as they used to be, there is still a store that sells shrunken heads (located in Knockturn Alley, just in case you were wondering). In addition, Fudge also quoted "The magical community should just remain calm and ... um ... well just stay calm. We're working on it." While the ministry is "working on it" there is still a head shrinker out there. I don't know about you, but I like my head the size it is thanks.

A Strange Story
by Lavender Spiweb

Daisy McCasey, daughter of John and Wilma McCasey, was the first baby born into the new year of 2002. She weighed 6lbs., 7oz and was born in Bloodnoc's Hospital, Wales. But this seemingly average girl is not so usual. It seems that when she was born (12:00 sharp) a circle of strange events happened. A Death Eater was spotted in Hampshire, England at about 11:45; performing the Imperious Curse over two Muggles, making them fight. Fifteen minutes later, just as authorities got there, he screamed a strange language, and disappeared into thin air.

At that same moment in Plymouth, three hags who were drinking in Bubble, Bubble (another wizarding pub known for its strange customers) ran from the place, shouting the same words as the Death Eater. All three of them have requested to remain nameless and to be hidden away by the Ministry, in another country.

It seems quite irrelevant that three hags and a Death Eater could be linked to a tiny infant, until Evan Reneps, of The Department of Mysteries, went to Bloodnoc's Hospital to investigate another creepy incident at 12:33. He was called by a nurse in the nursery, where a strange pudgy man with one long white glove came into the room where Daisy was being kept (along with 28 other newborns) and tried to curse his way through to Miss.McCasey.

The nurse cried for help, and managed to perform a simple freezing charm on the man, stopping him just in time before he got to Daisy. But by the time Mr..Reneps got there, the man had disappeared. Not before yelling out those same strange words though. This time, someone heard them quite clearly and was able to repeat them to Mr..Reneps until he understood what it was. The Death Eater, the three hags, and the man had all shouted "Ysia Desor!" One might think that this has no meaning, until you look at Daisy's birth certificate. Her name is Daisy Rose McCasey. Backwards Daisy Rose is Ysia Desor. Though not sure what this means precisely, her parents along with the Minister of Magic, have decided to hide away Daisy in fear of He Who Must Not Be Named coming again to take her away, as he tried to with Harry Potter fifteen years ago. Though it seems unlikely, as many believe the Dark Lord to be dead or hiding, they are taking no risks.

In doing some research, Mr..Reneps found out that the name Daisy Rose was always intended for the couple's child, long before she was born. Long before Wilma was born, in fact. Wilma was told by her grandmother, Matilda Spencer, to name any girl she had who was born with green eyes and red hair Daisy Rose. Though Wilma never asked why, her eccentric grandmother told her it was an ancient name, and helps rid the world of evil. It seems like a far fetched story, and I am still doing research on the origin of the name, but I will update you with any info I get.

Boggarts Population Booming
By Li Trento

Boggarts as we know are Dark shap-shifting, creatures, who lives in dark areas and when a person is around, they turn into the one thing that brings fear to that particular person nearby. The Society of Dark Creatures Research Center or better known as S.D.C.R.C. has observed that the Boggarts' population has increased by thirty-five percent, this is due to the fact that Boggarts travel to long places, they have reached all the way to Austrailia. Here is thechart of the Boggart Pop. around the world, since:

1750-England-1

1765-England-21 Africa-5

1800-England-1,526 China-52 Africa-517

1850-England-5,632 North America-23 China-5 Africa-125

1880-England-10,000 North America-128 China-354

Africa-1,028

1900-England-20,154 North America-900 China-901

Africa-3,340

1925-England-32,258 North America-3,025 China-2,663

Africa-2,998

Austrailia-980 South America-710

1950-England-49,214 North America-9,545 China-5,936

Africa-3,102

Austrailia-2,596 South America-1,488

1985-England-98,786 North America-12,365 China-10,254

Africa-3,588 Austrailia-5,269 South America-3,554

Vietnam-1,858

2001-England-214,357 North America-21,547 China-10,603

Africa-5,118 Austrailia-6,300 South America-9,154

Vietnam-2,552 Japan-218

The Control of Magical Creatures informed us that the boggarts' population are now starting to be controlled by stationed wizards around the world since the early 1970s. I have an exclusive interview with one of those wizard, he is from America, Tom Twyker. Tom is currently patrolling Africa with his wife, Jane Heifner.

LT-Hello, I'd like to thank you for spending time with us today.
TT-It's my pleasure, Li.

LT-My first question, How long have you've been on this job?
TT-Since the March of 1982, we had our child in 1988 in Nigeria.

LT-What was the hardest thing you had to do for this job?
TT-Hmm..alot, let me see...chasing the boggart. You see, boggarts are quite intelligent creatures in Africa, they've been hunted for their skin by poachers, their skin can be used as medicine for the flu. So, nowadays boggarts are on the alert, and when they come near a wizard they just run the heck out. I've been in to accidents many times, and my injuries are not pretty(Laughs) but catching the boggarts can be quite difficult, you have to force them in a cage and send them to the S.D.C.R.C.

LT-Has there been any cases, where there was a mishap or an flaw?
TT-Well, I'm not going to deny it, but, yeah we had some mishaps.

LT-What is one the good benefactor of this job?
TT-Well, besides the good pay? The experience, learning and traveling.

LT-Once again, I thank you for letting me interview you.
TT-Thank you, it was my pleasure.

The future for these Boggarts are to be kept mostly in S.D.C.R.C. for research and breeding control. So, be on the watch for boggarts under your cupboard or closet.

Ministry Sorcesess Goes Drunk!
by Riley Ravenclaw

On Saturday, esteemed Ministry charmer Jennifer Jynxleta, trailing the evil wizards Havela and Vanegar was led into a Muggle bar by the two evildoers. Not knowing the difference between Muggle beer and butter beer, she drank 6 full glasses of beer. Thus, she went very drunk and pulled out her wand. She started attacking the various Muggles inside and soon the Muggle police showed up. Madly, Jynxleta blasted her way through them and has not been seen since. Ministry wizards came immediatly, but Havela and Vanegar escaped, so they could only perform the necessary Memory Charms and leave. Jynxleta is still missing but when she is found she faces a 2 year stay in Azkaban.

Daemons?
By Nathan Potter

Editor's Note (Apr 21): Nathan has asked me to place a link to a special Apology.

After the passing of a week's lapse of time a breakthrough was made. In the North research was being done on Dust. Dust has been found out as elementary particles of dispersed time. This is the reason that for some reason it has the degenerating effect on the body. Also for some reason while peering into the Aurora you can make out images of modern cities!

A short while ago Professor Trelawney of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry traveled up to the North because of strange vibes she said that she had perceived form there. She then went into a kind of trance researchers reported. (The same type of one Mr. Harry Potter has informed us about.)

In abbreviation she revealed that the dispersed time was that of other dimensions combined with ours. So in all possibilities we know that we could have multiple pasts.

Another vision was that there seemed to be humans with something she called Daemons. They were very close to their humans and changed into forms of different animals as needed. Although the adult's Daemons were always in one form while the children's kept changing. They seemed to be inseparable from one another as sort of a conscience.

Assuredly more research in being done while the magical world awaits.

You can contact me: DragonMaster1358@aol.com or send me an IM @ Neo051388 (If you have AOL instant messaging! :)

REALLY Defense
By Nathan Potter

As we all know (or should by now) the Dark Lord is back. Luckily since he has had a hard time from local muggles and the Ministry of Magic, his return to power has been hindered. The reason I say that that is lucky is that there have been veru few killings. We do not want to alarm you but the truth must be known.

Also common knowlege among most wizards is that the Killing Curse, one of the Unforgivable Curses, is unable to be blocked. Scary isn't it? Well that changed two days ago at the Ministry of Magic. At the Department for the Defense of Dark Arts a breakthrough was made.

Two Wizards by the name of Simon haxford and Daniel Nowland discovered one spell that can save your life. A name for this new spell has not been ditermined but for now the name is The Utimate Reflection Spell. If you are wondering what it does prepare to be amazed.

What this pell does is reflect minor: spells, hexes, incantaions, jinxes and charms. It surrounds you with an invisable sheild for around an hour! It also reflects them right back to the person who cast it. It also protects you from The Unforgivable Curses; even Avada Kedavra! It does not really reflect the Unforgivable ones but absorbs them. The spell, if you ever need it, is "Reflecto Incantatum." So if you are ever in danger you might want to remember this one.

Another Unforgivable Curse?
By Nathan Potter

Rumors have been flying around; another unforgivable curse? While the three already feared (The Killing Curse, Imperius Curse, and Cruciatus Curse) get you a life sentence in Azkaban because they control you in body and/or in mind, this one strikes terror into many hearts. It is not so much as a curse as an incantation. The incantation; The Dark Mark.

The results from the last Quiditch World Cup, when the mark appeared in the sky after a seemingly brief period of time, panic struck out. Everyone lost their heads and it caused great pain and panic. (Only resulting in a lots of Stunned people and one lost all his bones.)

Still the Ministry of Magic was worried and decided to put a stop to the terror. So ,as a warning the incantation for the Dark Mark ( Morsmordre) is now forbidden! Anyone who casts it will suffer the same punishment as any one who uses an Unforgivable Curse. In fact it is now classified as an Unforgivable Curse. So be warned!

Mugthest Invasion in Scotland
by Isabella Jynx

Have you ever heard of a Mugthest? Probably not, but those poor people in Scotland sure do! Mugthests are odd creatures with a cat head and a body that is so strange that you could call it dog, cat, etc. But here's the catch: Mugthests love to steal.

Just about two weeks ago, on Oct. 21, a group of Mugthests snuck aboard a caravan headed for the west fields of Scotland. Once they reached there, they robbed the caravan of all supplies, mostly coins. You see, Mugthests are extremely quick, so that group just took off like a tornado. Once they started multiplying, they started stealing over and over. Most Muggles in that region are getting desitute, and our Ministry of Magic need to take action!

So if you see a Mugthest, remember that they're small. Any spell will work, from a banishing charm to a duel spell and these monsters will go flying! Please fellow witches and wizards, help us get rid of the Mugthests.

Soul Switching Illegalized

By Drago Flare

Ever since the late 1950's, Soul Switching has been one of the most popular fads. The ability to trade souls with a person has grown common among young witches and wizards, and has even been become a "cool" thing to do with some giants, though they have difficulty achieving a full switching of souls.

Well, after much study and deliberation, it has been proven that Soul Switching is very dangerous. It has been concluded that once a soul enters another body, that body dies once the soul leaves it, meaning that Soul Switching is only one-way, and a soul cannot be returned to its original body once it has left. In the early 80's, many teen-age witches and wizardsdied after switching souls and trying to switch back, probably so that they can do it again. Ever since, many have become weary of Soul Switching, and have given up the old pastime. Though fun at first, Soul Switching is just as dangerous as kissing a dementor. Thus, Soul Switching has become illegalized by international wizarding law. If anyone is seen trading souls with another, they will immediately be sent to Azkaban for no less than a year without trial. It is imperative that Soul Switching be stopped at all   costs, or else we may have widespread panic and hysteria all over the globe.  So do not switch souls or, if you have before, try to switch back. It is fatal and can cost you more than you can imagine.

Your Fellow Member of the House-Elf Liberation Front,
Drago Flare

Grindylows : Land Demons as well?
By Alex Granger

Some Muggles have reported sighting little demon like creatures at the northern coast of France, and therefore tried to draw closer and snap pictures using a Muggle device called “camera” which helps them take pictures and developing them later, these Muggles claimed that those creatures held things that looked like sticks with a triple-headed fork in each ones hand, one wizard passing by, had sighted them scarcely and reported they were Grindylows: the sea demons.

But since these demons are known to be only underwater creatures, and as well known to die if on a dry land, that couldn't be true, but after spotting the pictures that the Muggles developed we are certain that these are truly Grindylows, but the mystery was: how on earth did the Grindylows get to land?

I came up with many conclusions:

1. Grindylows have been mixed up with another land creatures and the result was: Grindylows that inherited living on land peculiarity from their other parent .

2. You-Know-Who wants to strike in all the world and starts with Grindylows at France .

3. Those weren't Grindylows at all.

Now, I studied each theory on its own:

A. I think that was the most likely theory of all, but few are the creatures who can mix up with other magical creatures, and if that theory was true, then what'd be the other creature, since none of the magical creature known for a wizarding eye can mix with Grindylows, does that mean that we are on the edge of discovering a new magical creature, does this creature live only in France ? That and another million questions…

B. This theory have two sides itself:

1. You-Know-Who himself arrived to France and began enchanting the Grindylows who'd make the dirty job for him at France .

2. Someone of You-Know-Who’s followers is at France maybe there's one at each country in the world, if so, who is that person? is he a death eater? Is he someone known and popular? that and another million questions as well…

C. If those aren't Grindylows, then they are either wizards and witches imitating Grindylows to scare off Muggles, or they are boggarts, if they're boggarts then are there truly a lot of people who are afraid of Grindylows at northern France.

To protect you from Grindylows here are a few useful charms:
“Relashio” - The spell to get rid of Grindylows.
“Riddikulus” - The spell to get rid of a boggart.
“Xivuluntus” - to throw them back to the sea.
“Expelliarmus” - To disarm them from their sticks.
“Tanterilop” - To show ones real face.

Whatever you think of Grindylows striking northern France, owl your ideas to me at:

alexander_mtr@yahoo.com

Who knows I might post your ideas as solutions.

~ Alex ~