VISITING DIGNITARIES SUBJECTED TO LUDICROUS GUIDELINES
Rita Skeeter
Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry welcomed delegations from Beauxbatons Academy, and Durmstrang Institute. As the opening salvo of the Triwizard Tournament, a historic event that the Ministry has laboured to organize, the night should have been full of light, celebration, new meetings and joy. But alas, it was not to be. Instead, these students from esteemed schools of magic from the continent were subject to ridiculous isolation policies, kept apart from Hogwarts students with magical barriers, and not allowed to so much as enter the castle that should serve as their home for the duration of the Triwizard Tournament.
Indeed, these poor students and staff were forced to choose between lodging in the transportation they took from their home schools to Hogwarts, or to a ramshackle collection of tents most unbecoming of such prestigious witches and wizards.
It seems that Albus Dumbledore, long respected Headmaster of Hogwarts has lost his touch, indeed, lowering witches and wizards to the level of those without magic, forcing us to follow their ridiculous laws about international transportation, when not a trace of this muggle virus has been found in the wizarding world. So soon after the absolute and complete debacle at the Quidditch World Cup, it seems our Ministry is once again happy to let the standing of our nation slip, disgracing us in the eyes of the international magical community.
Can this be allowed to continue? Who knows where these absurd policies will draw the line. For now, it is a small group of foreign students and staff being forcibly detained and separated from society, but next? It could very well be you, my dear readers… But of course I would never stand for such restrictions, and we here at the Prophet will do our best to continue exposing the blunders of the ministry and their attempts to stifle the freedoms of witches and wizards across Britain.
Hermione threw down the newspaper with a look of disgust on her face.
"I mean fine it does seem a little much but it's just a simple precaution! Hasn't she seen what went on in the rest of the world a few months ago? This is absolutely ridiculous, you'd think that Dumbledore himself was imprisoning these students! I'm sure they were told well in advance about these measures, and oh come on! With magic, tents can be as luxurious as 5 star hotels, what is this woman talking about?"
Harry looked over the article himself, shaking his head in agreement.
"It really seems like she's blowing this way out of proportion."
He sighed.
"But I guess that's what her job is, selling the paper, and sometimes it isn't the most accurate or logical thing that sells."
He shook his head again, turning slightly as Luna nudged him in the side with a rolled up copy of The Quibbler. Taking it, he opened it, Luna pointing to an article stub on the front page, then grabbed the Daily Prophet, opening it to the lowly middle pages, where another small article, hidden away from the eyes of most readers, quietly lay.
Upon examination, the two articles seemed to be quite similar in content. Harry raised his eyebrows and looked over to Ron and Hermione, reading out loud.
"Look guys. This article in the Quibbler, and this other one in the Daily Prophet seem pretty similar, don't you think? I mean, listen to the headlines. The Ministry takes due diligence towards foreign guests. That's the Daily Prophet one, and here's the Quibbler one: A Sensible Ministry?"
Hermione frowned, taking the newspapers from Harry and reading them over. She looked up, with a thoughtful look on her face.
"I mean, both say that there are actually some credible reports of wizards getting sick, in multiple locations. Remember that article in the Quibbler from a week or so ago? About that village, Transda-... something or the other, but there was reportedly an outbreak there, right? It looks like it's actually spreading. Both articles are quoting sources in… Romania, some in Bulgaria, Slovakia... I mean if this is true, it looks like the virus could actually be spreading in the wizarding world. I'm not so sure how much I trust… well either of these articles really, but having multiple sources report about it does make it seem somewhat credible…"
Hermione trailed off. From across her, Ron nodded firmly.
"Why don't we ask the people who wrote the articles to give us the information about where they got their… well information? Look, the Prophet article is written by this… Adalena Fenetre, and the Quibbler article…"
Ron paused, squinting at the page.
"Well okay it just says Quibbler staff writer here, but surely we can just ask Luna, right?"
He looked over to the silver haired girl, who hummed gently in response.
"Yes, Ronald, I do believe that I could ask Dad for some more details about this article, would you want me to?"
She cocked her head, and stared at Ron. Slightly flustered, he answered bemusedly.
"Erm, yes Luna, could you? That would actually help a lot."
Luna nodded.
"Well of course, Ronald. I'll get back to you all when I get an answer."
Hermione smiled in approval as she watched the two interact, before turning to Ron and speaking.
"You know, Ron, that's actually a really good idea. I'm sure if they actually have the facts to back up what they are writing about, they'll be able to give us some more details! We should get to writing a draft letter to this Prophet correspondent right away, and Luna, thank you so much for asking your father for us!"
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With classes over for the day, the group of friends settled into thinking about visiting their quarantined visitors. As it turned out, visiting their foreign guests was not quite as simple as popping over and saying hello. No, forms had to be filled, a 15 minute lecture about what not to do, and it left the three Gryffindors rather bemused, and slightly worried as to the severity of the virus. Although knowing that Rita Skeeter could hardly be trusted, they hadn't anticipated quite such a strong response from the ministry.
The room was surprisingly crowded, as they entered, with more than 50 students, mostly female, crowded around the desk of the ministry worker, many of them clutching posters and other merchandise, all emblazoned with one face, one name.
Krum.
"Alright, alright! Students! I'm terribly sorry to disappoint you, but I cannot in any way guarantee you that Mr. Krum will be available to meet. In fact, I can almost guarantee you the opposite, it is highly doubtful that Mr. Krum will expose himself so freely, I am told that he is quite a private gentleman, so please! If you are only here in the name of meeting a Quidditch superstar, and not to have cultural exchanges, please, vacate the classroom! And please, do not, absolutely do not try to trespass onto the Durmstrang vessel to attempt to meet the young man, please respect his privacy!"
Grumbling, the mass of fans surrounding the front desk started to lessen, complaints audible as they passed the trio waiting at the door. As the crowd dissipated, they walked up to the front, Hermione clearing her throat slightly, asking a question.
"Excuse me, but will we be able to visit any of the Durmstrang or Beauxbatons students today?"
The official looked up from where he was putting away his files, and answered.
"I'm sorry, but not today. They only just arrived very recently after all, so now we're just going through some basic orientation. We should have all the facilities needed to allow you all to interact safely by tomorrow, but that doesn't guarantee you'll be able to talk with someone."
Hermione frowned, responding.
"Why is that?"
The man continued.
"Well because there has to be a need on both sides of the wall, if the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students don't really care to meet anyone from Hogwarts, at least through this method, then, well, you won't really be able to meet anyone… But from what I've heard from my counterparts on their end, it does look like more than a few students are looking forward to meeting some new people, so you shouldn't be too worried about that."
Hermione gave a small nod of comprehension, before smiling and thanking the man for his help. The group of friends walked out of the small classroom, making their way out into the courtyard, and into the afternoon sun. Behind them, from the Hogwarts owlery, a tawny owl swooped off into the sky. On its leg, bound securely, was a small letter, in the envelope that Hermione had dropped off to be sent before meeting up with the others at the orientation.
Correspondent Adalena Fenetre,
My name is Hermione Granger, a 4th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I recently came across your article in the Daily Prophet regarding the spread of a sickness in the Wizarding communities of Europe. I was particularly interested in this article because of its contrast to the cover story of your publication, by Rita Skeeter. I have some experience in the muggle world, and was privy to the events of earlier this year, with the muggle virus, lockdowns, vaccines, and the like. As such, I truly am curious to whether the same virus has managed to find its way into the magical community. If you would be able to provide me with some further detail about your report, or perhaps your sources and some more evidence or theories that you may have, I would be extremely grateful.
Thank you for your time,
Hermione Granger
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Horizont Sikátor, Hungary.
In the Varázslatok Kórháza, the central magical hospital catering to the Hungarian magical community, floo grates spit green fire, as a large group of witches and wizards entered the reception area, walking towards a harried looking Healer, her green robes rumpled, a quill and scroll in hand. Looking up to the group, she bowed slightly, speaking.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. I am Healer Zoe Kovacs, head healer of the department of magical ailments and diseases. If I am not mistaken..."
Here, her eyes met the leader of the group standing before her, then continued.
"You are Marc Roche, special rapporteur from the International Confederation of Wizards, right?"
The man nodded, extending his hand in greeting.
"Yes, Healer Kovacs. I received your owl from one of my deputies last week, and we spoke through floo yesterday. It is good to meet you in person. Now, I believe you had a few patients that you wanted to discuss, symptoms of what you believe is a new disease?"
Clasping his hand in hers, Healer Kovacs replied.
"Yes, Mr. Roche. I see you have brought some staff with you, hopefully to both confirm and help contain what may possibly be a new, and extremely contagious virus, and help prevent its spread?"
Roche's face turned grave, replying with a quick look back at his team.
"I would hope it is something much less serious… but yes, considering all that is going on, the ICW has authorized me to muster a slightly larger response team than usual. We are here to help you, so please, could you direct us to the patients in question?"
Healer Kovacs gestured for the group to follow her, Roche speeding up slightly to walk alongside her as they headed towards the stairs in the center of the room. As they walked, Roche began to question the Hungarian Healer on the details of the outbreak, a quill and scroll appearing in his hands as well.
"So, Healer Kovacs, when was the first case of this potentially new sickness discovered?"
The healer responded, turning back to make sure the rest of the group was following.
"The first reports came in on the 4th of September, in Transdanubia. At that time, it only seemed like a mild cold, which normally would have been taken care of with some bedrest and mild Pepperup potion. But as time wore on, and the scope of this 'cold' seemed to spread, the local apothecaries were unable to keep up with demand, and that is when we got the first reports, along with requests for extra supplies of Pepperup."
The group came to the entrance of a large room, with a dozen beds, each separated by light blue curtains. Healer Kovacs stopped, and turned back to the group.
"This is where we're keeping the patients afflicted with this cold-like symptom. I'm sorry, but as a precaution, I'm going to have to insist that you all cast the Bubble-head charm here, and ensure the air that you are breathing is untainted by whatever could be causing this disease."
Her wand came up, twisting through the air, and a large bubble of air emerged, covering her face and head entirely. The group followed suit, the bubbles of air making for a comedic scene, barring the serious looks on every witch and wizard's face. Healer Kovacs took a breath, before continuing.
"We thought it would be pretty simple, that the resupply would be enough to help them. But that wasn't the case."
She shook her head, opening the door to the ward, stepping through the door, followed by the team of officials. Gasps were audible as they saw the full scale of the ward, with upwards of 40 patients lying in beds, most pale and sickly. A stillness filled the ward, and a sense of tiredness. Healer Kovacs sighed, shaking her head.
"As I'm sure you know, Healing magic is quite effective at dealing with maladies of a mundane nature, broken bones, a simple cold, things caused by non-magical actors. But this… it seems that a virus that was originally of muggle nature, somehow shifted, changed, when it entered the body of a wizard, and became something that eludes our charms and potions, for the moment."
Roche held his hand up questioningly.
"How do you know that this is of muggle origin?
Healer Kovacs pointed towards the end of the ward.
"That's who we think the first patient to get this was. He's a muggleborn, had returned to live among the muggle community, and hadn't been in contact with any wizards for at least a month…"
She trailed off, Roche nodded in understanding.
"I see. Could you talk us through a little more about the current status of these patients? Have you seen any signs that this could be spreading into other communities?"
Healer Kovacs nodded, looking grim.
"Yes, of course. Although… I think there is one thing that you might want to know… "
Roche frowned. Healer Kovacs sighed, gesturing the group to a corner, casting a quick Muffliato charm. Roche's eyebrows rose, wondering what could merit such privacy.
"We've observed something in some of our patients, the more severe cases. It seems to be a very rare side effect, with only 3 of our 41 cases exhibiting such symptoms, and only one with any degree of severity at all. And we aren't certain to it's cause, it may simply be exhaustion, but…"
The healer swallowed, with an audible gulp.
"The sickness… it's reducing their connection to magic… in that worst case I was talking about? He can hardly cast lumos. His magic… it's gone."
