Wizarding Discrimination Act Signed by Minister Crouch – Rights of Muggleborns Enshrined into Law!
By Vernice Catts, Political Correspondent
Yesterday, the Minister for Magic, Lord Crouch, signed the Wizarding Discrimination Act into law, meaning discrimination against a witch or wizard based on their blood status is now illegal.
Versions of the law had been introduced by the Progressive Wizarding Party multiple times over the last few decades, each time either failing to make it to the floor or being voted down by the traditionally conservative Wizengamot. This time however, in a surprising move, Lord Black, the Leader of the WTP announced that his party would abstain on the bill. Political analysts believe that this is a shift in policy with an eye towards the upcoming Wizengamot Elections, set for November.
With the WTP abstaining, and two of their Representatives even voting for the measure, the bill easily made its way through the chamber, eventually passing with a vote of 65-28. Remarkably, nine of the Ministry department heads voted against the measure, breaking with the Ministry's official policy of being in favour of the bill. Minister Crouch has said that none of those who were against the bill will be leaving their roles.
Representative Marvon Ridgeback, one of the Traditionalists who voted in favour of the WDA told the Prophet, "The mood in the party has shifted over the last few years regarding the muggleborn question. I won't insult the intelligence of the public by saying that the party has no hardliners, but the fact of the matter is that the party on the whole does not have an issue with muggleborns. We want the country to prosper, and for that, all citizens need to prosper, and that is why we have no problems with this bill. The WTP stands with all of those who live in Magical Britain and Ireland."
Leader of the Progressive Wizarding Party, Albus Dumbledore told the Prophet, "We have been campaigning for this law for many years and I am delighted that the WTP has decided to set aside their opposition and allow this vital piece of legislation to be passed. I truly believe that this day will go down in history as the day the people of this country were finally equal before the law."
A member of the public at Gringotts Bank told the Prophet that they heard a goblin mutter a rather rude remark upon seeing this quote from Mr Dumbledore. A representative for Head Goblin Bloodgroot told the Prophet, "As usual, the rights of goblins and other creatures continue to be ignored".
The Prophet congratulates all those involved in passing this historic legislation, and respectfully reminds them of the duty the Wizengamot and Ministry has towards all the citizens of Magical Britain and Ireland, including non-humans.
Wizengamot Election Results Announced!
By Vernice Catts, Political Correspondent
After a remarkably uneventful campaign, with little controversy to note, the results of the 1982 Wizengamot Elections are in.
It was an impressive showing for independents, with both of the main parties seemingly cancelling out each other's gains, resulting in both parties losing seats to independents all around the country. One major upset for the WTP saw Quentin Jigglewick lose his Suffolk seat to independent Rewlford Portkins. Jigglewick, a senior member of the Traditionalists, told his constituents that there had been a "conspiracy within the Party to remove his presence from the Wizengamot" declaring Lord Black, his party's leader, "wholly unfit for office, a fraud and a corrupt liar". Lord Black's spokesperson dismissed the comments as an "understandable reaction of a man who has sadly lost his seat in a close battle. We hope to see Quentin return in five years refreshed, and ready to represent the great people of Suffolk again, he is a valued member of the party, and we know he means nothing by his comments, clearly made in anger."
Without further ado, the results, verified by the Independent Electoral Commission, headed by Representative Albus Dumbledore are as follows:
Independents: 40
Progressive Wizarding Party: 33
Wizarding Traditionalist Party: 27
Total votes cast: 55,351
Turnout: 54%
As a reminder, amongst the Sacred Twenty-Seven seats, the current alignment of the Houses are as follows:
Independents: 5
Progressive Wizarding Party: 5
Wizarding Traditionalist Party: 14
Vacant seats: 3
This means that the current makeup of the Wizengamot is as follows:
Independents: 45
Progressive Wizarding Party: 38
Wizarding Traditionalist Party: 41
Ministry seats: 17
Vacant seats: 3
This is the first time in decades that the largest group in the Wizengamot are independent Representatives, and the consequences of this have the potential to be huge; with no single party in control of the legislature, the next five years will be a lot less predictable than any time in recent memory.
As always, the Prophet will keep you updated.
The Talk of the Nation – Bovin's Gambling House: The Inside Scoop!
By Laura Pishtew, Witch Weekly's Entertainment Correspondent
A new establishment has been causing quite a stir amongst the patrons of Diagon Alley recently, that being the recently-opened 'gambling house' – owned by no other than the owner of The Daily Prophet, Oliver Bovin. Mr Bovin, who bought a controlling stake in the largest newspaper in the country nearly two years ago, told Witch Weekly that he wanted to expand his business into other ventures, and took inspiration from the muggles in his latest project.
"While gambling is of course part of the Wizarding World, often seen at Quidditch matches, the muggles do it on a much larger scale. They have what they call casinos, huge buildings dedicated to trying to make money off games. I wanted to see if I could do a similar thing here in Diagon, though admittedly on a smaller scale to Las Vegas!" Las Vegas is a muggle city in the United States, often cited as the gambling capital of the Muggle World.
Bovin's Gambling House has already earned some dedicated customers, I spoke to one man who told me he had won 20,000G at a card game called blackjack, and he was back for more. "Well, I thought if I could do it once, surely I could do it again! I am quite good at the game, so I reckon it won't take too long for me to win another large sum!"
Currently, the gambling house offers games of blackjack, poker, and roulette. Rulebooks and quick tips are on hand for those unfamiliar with the games perhaps more popular amongst muggles up to now. For those more comfortable with more magical pastimes, the house also takes bets on games played in the British and Irish Quidditch League, as well as the British Shuntbumps League. The house is looking at other games to expand into, as is eager for feedback from patrons, according to Bovin.
Located at 234 Diagon Alley, a stones-throw away from Gringotts, Witch Weekly wishes you luck if you decide to take a punt at Bovin's Gambling House.
New Children's Hospital Officially Opened!
By Tewpert Humble, General Reporter
Yesterday afternoon (May 24th, 1983), the children's hospital that was ordered built by the Wizengamot nearly two years ago was officially opened by the chief proponent of the hospital, Lord Lucius Malfoy and his wife, Lady Narcissa Malfoy. Also attending the grand opening were their children, Draco Malfoy, and Cepheus Malfoy, who's illness at birth was the inspiration for Lord Malfoy to get the new hospital built. The Malfoy's have donated over 500,000G to the hospital and plan to hold a ball to raise even more funds. The hospital will also receive funding from the Ministry of Magic.
At the grand opening, it was announced that the hospital will be named The Potter Family Memorial Children's Hospital, in honour of the family who gave the ultimate sacrifice in order to rid us of You-Know-Who.
Minister for Magic, Lord Crouch also attended the opening, and spoke of how he hoped that the children's hospital would help reduce the number of lifelong injuries occurring as a result of accidental magic, as well as the mortality rate amongst children, who otherwise would have been sent to the oftentimes overcrowded Saint Mungos.
Critics accused Lord Malfoy of using the opening to try and restore his reputation, after his arrest on suspicion of being a Death Eater. The arrest was quashed by the Wizengamot, and he was never charged. The bill which ordered the construction of the hospital was passed before the arrest.
Minister Crouch's approval continues to wane as his Ministry continues to fail in its quest to round up the remaining Death Eaters who went into hiding after the fall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. A spike in his popularity following the passage of the Wizarding Discrimination Act has virtually been wiped out.
Regardless of the politics, I think everyone can get behind The Potter Family Memorial Children's Hospital and we at the Daily Prophet want to thank everyone involved in bringing it about. The Prophet's President, Oliver Bovin has donated 20,000G, and has also announced that all proceeds from today's Prophet, including competition and advertising earnings will be donated to the hospital.
Lord Corvus Lestrange V Dies, Lestrange Seat Becomes Vacant!
By Ronald Adams, General Reporter and Vernice Catts, Political Correspondent
It was announced last night (October 31st, 1983) that Lord Corvus Lestrange V, Lord of the Ancient and Noble House of Lestrange had died at Lestrange Manor, at the age of 57. The cause of death was dragon pox. It was reported that Lord Lestrange had become fearful that the Ministry had plans to arrest him, potentially explaining why he did not seek treatment for the disease that is usually curable for one in their middling years. Lord Lestrange's two children, Rabastan and Rodolphus, are wanted Death Eaters, there is no evidence that Lord Lestrange was ever a Death Eater, though rumours have always surrounded the late Lord.
Active in politics, Lord Lestrange has been a member of the Wizarding Traditionalist Party since he became the head of his house in 1956. A staunch blood-purist for much of his life, Lord Lestrange voted in favour of multiple bills to limit the rights of muggleborns and magical creatures. In recent years however, his views shifted, and he, along with the rest of his party, became more moderate.
Messages of condolences have been released by many in the Wizengamot, with Lord Black, who's initial run for head of the party was supported by Lord Lestrange saying, "Corvus was a dear friend. We worked together for longer than most in the Wizengamot, and he was always there for me as I was for him. I will miss him immensely."
Representative Dumbledore, the Leader of the PWP said, "Lord Lestrange and I differed on virtually everything, but no one can criticise his dedication to public service. His presence will certainly be missed."
Representative Ignatius Clarke, who is the longest serving WTP representative in the Wizengamot said, "Lord Lestrange was a dear friend and mentor. If one ever needed help with anything, even outside of politics, he was always there. I hope that soon the Lestrange seat will be filled once more, so that his enormous legacy can be continued."
Despite the wishes of Representative Clarke, it is unlikely that the Lestrange seat will be filled any time soon, as Heir Rodolphus Lestrange and his younger brother Rabastan are both wanted on suspicion of being Death Eaters. Heir Lestrange is wanted for the murder of twenty-three people, and Rabastan Lestrange is wanted for the murder of sixteen. Any attempt by Rodolphus to claim the seat will almost certainly result in his arrest.
With the death of Lord Lestrange, the WTP lose a seat in the Wizengamot, with the seat count now:
Independents: 45
Progressives: 38
Traditionalists: 40
Ministry: 17
Vacant: 4
The Prophet sends its regards to the Lestrange family, and all those who knew Lord Lestrange.
Potter Family Memorial Ball Held at Malfoy Manor!
By Denice Dewfolk, Witch Weekly Society Columnist
Last night (January 21st, 1984), dear readers, the Malfoy Family held a charity ball in order to raise funds for the new Potter Family Memorial Hospital that opened just a few months ago. It was attended by all the big names, including the Minister, Albus Dumbledore and even the winners of last season's Quidditch League, the Caerphilly Catapults!
The ball was named in honour of the Potter Family, whose sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Over two million galleons were raised, with items donated by many celebrities put up for auction – the highest-valued item was the snitch caught by the late-great "Dangerous" Dai Llewellyn that secured the 1969 league title for the Caerphilly Catapults. Donated by the team, it was sold to Lord Longbottom for 545,000 Galleons. Sirius Black, who was a close friend of the Potters, was the special guest auctioneer. He was certainly making the most of the occasion and was witnessed diving into the fountain of Malfoy Manor and trying to herd the famous Malfoy peacocks after engaging in multiple glasses of Firewhisky.
Entertainment was provided by the marvellous Kwazy Kwerks, an up and coming band, who recently released their first album to critical acclaim. It is available now from all good music stores. In addition, a wonderful three-course meal was provided by the ever-skilful Malfoy House Elves.
Lady Malfoy commented, "it is marvellous to be able to help so many children, we urge everyone, if they can, to donate anything they can spare to help get the hospital on its feet."
Potter Fortune Scandal – Vault Not Relinquished by Gringotts!
By Patrice Le Onice, Political Correspondent. Additional reporting by Lea Birch, Society Correspondent
Trouble ensued yesterday (April 1st, 1985) after the Goblin Liaison Office officially requested that the contents of the Potter Vault at Gringotts be transferred to the Office of the Treasury, per the Wealth and Inheritance Act of 1871, which dictates that after the extinction of a wizarding family, all its wealth and possessions are entitled to be claimed by the Ministry of Magic. Gringotts refused the request, with a spokesgoblin saying, "in accordance with the law and official Gringotts policy, the bank will not surrender the contents of an active vault. Vault 687 [the Potter family vault], has a potential claimant, and for that reason, its contents will remain the property of the Potter family and Gringotts Wizarding Bank, as set out by law."
Under the Wealth and Inheritance Act, the Ministry of Magic can only claim the contents of the vault if all known potential claimants refuse to claim the vault, or if the vault is dormant for 100 years. The Goblin Liaison Office had contacted the two known potential claimants, both of whom refused to claim the vault's contents. The Daily Prophet's Society Correspondent, Lea Birch, after researching the Potter family tree, identified two potential claimants: Lady Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks, both of whom were cousins of the late James Potter. The Prophet understands that both Lady Malfoy and Mrs Tonks have refused to press their claim to the Potter vaults. Their sister, Lady Bellatrix Lestrange, is ineligible to claim the vault due to her wanted status. Lady Lestrange is wanted for treason, being Death Eater, and for over forty counts of murder. Her whereabouts are unknown.
Mrs Birch said, "clearly the potential claimant is someone who, for whatever reason, is not recorded on the Potter family tree. Such a discrepancy is not unheard of, with many old families, such as the Potters, having incomplete or inaccurate family trees. It will be interesting to see what happens in the future, and who, if anybody, steps forward to claim the Potter fortune."
