Chapter 45
The News
Daily Prophet
May 2, 1997
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named: Dead
By: Bertrand J. Ashford
…You-Know-Who is Dead. Harry Potter, the chosen one, The boy who lived ended it once and for all…The war is won.
Daily Prophet
May 5, 1997
The Disposal of You-Know-Who's Body
By: Rita Skeeter
There have been many questions in regards to the body of You-Know-Who, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter. There has been many suggestions made by the wizarding community of what they think should be done with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's body. Many of these suggestions, however, have been deemed unorthodox and frankly disgusting…With the help of Harry Potter the ministry made the final decision on how to dispose of You-Know-Who's body…The body will be buried in an unpublished cemetery under You-Know-Who's given name, Tom Marvolo Riddle….
The Quibbler: Special Edition.
May 5, 1997
Harry Potter Speaks Out
By: Luna Lovegood
Hello jolly readers of The Quibbler. I am pleased to announce that I, Luna Lovegood, loving daughter of Xenophilius Lovegood (Editor of the Quibbler) will be presenting an exclusive interview with my friend Harry Potter also known as The Boy Who Lived and The Chosen One. We will be hearing from Harry himself exactly what happened the night that he defeated Voldemort…
Daily Prophet
May 6, 1997
Severus Snape Reinstated as Previous Head of Hogwarts
By: Rita Skeeter
There has been much talk about the statues of previous head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter. Headmaster Severus Snape was a proven deatheater. Snape was first convicted in 1981 after You-Know-Who's first fall from power, but was defended by The late Albus Dumbledore and served no time in Azkaban. As I am sure you are aware, avid readers, it is a widely known fact that Severus Snape did cast the unforgivable curse that ended the live of the old wizard who defended him those many years ago. "No," stated Harry Potter at Saturday's press conference, "Professor Dumbledore was already dying. He was poisoned by [He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named's] protective magic. That is why for the months before his death his right hand was dead looking. Dumbledore told Snape to kill him so he could stay on [You-Know-Who's] good side. Look, I trust Dumbledore's judgment and therefore I trust Severus Snape. He was always spy and advocate for our side. He took great personal risks and dedicated his life to protecting good.
"If he hadn't been headmaster matters would have been much worse for the students of Hogwarts. He promised Dumbledore he would do his best to protect the students and he did! So why shouldn't his portrait hang in the headmaster's office?"…..After much consideration it has been decide that though Headmaster Snape failed to complete his duties as the head of Hogwarts his portrait will still be placed in the Office of Headmaster and Mistresses to come.
Daily Prophet
May 7, 1997
Kingsley Shaklebolt Fills the Place of Minister of Magic
By: Rita Skeeter
With the end to a dark era, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter, Mr. Kingsley Shaklebolt fills the position as temporary minister of magic yesterday May 6th. Shaklebolt takes office tomorrow with outrageous excitement from the public. Perhaps it is just the extreme joy in the air keeping witches and wizards celebrating Shaklebolt's promotion to high office or maybe the rumors about our minister of magic being…Well despite the accusation about Kinsley Shaklebolt at least he is more qualified than his predecessor, Pius Thickness, who is still missing (more information on the disappearance of Pius Thickness see pg. 53)….. "We have all witnessed dark times" (Minister of Magic Kingsley Shaklebolt at yesterday's press conference). "We have lost, fought and survived. Now it is time for the light! Let us rebuild, flourish and live in peace. Let us embrace one another and support each other's differences, pure-bloods and muggles alike. Let us care for each other as members of the human race.
We have been living in the world of night and coldness but now the sun is on the horizon. The war is won. The time has come to prosper."…The wizarding community is hopeful that Shaklebolt will be elect to fill the post of minister of magic permanently.
Daily Prophet
May 7, 1997
Dementors Dismissed as Guards of Azkaban
By: Penny Pendragon
….Minister of Magic, Kingsley Shaklebolt dismisses Dementors from prison guard as his first order of business…..
Daily Prophet
May 10, 1997
Harry Potter Takes a Stand for the Snapes
By: Rita Skeeter
Alexandra Snape, cousin of Severus Snape, proven deatheater and first antilegilimens in two centuries, was placed in front of the wizengamot yesterday afternoon. She pleaded guilty to alleged claims of her association with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. She argued that it was in her best interest and the best interest of Severus Snape not to refuse You-Know-Who. "Last time I refused [He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named] my parents and sister ended up dead, so I really didn't want a repeat of that," Ms. Snape told the wizengamot in tears….Harry Potter stood at Ms. Snape's defense and with his help she was cleared of all charges against her.
Harry Potter previously protested about the exclusion of Headmaster Snape's portrait from Hogwarts. Mr. Potter has really taken an interest in this family and many people want to know why. Why is the chosen one defending deatheaters?
Rumors have been spreading about Harry Potter's particular preference for the bewitching antilegilimens, Alexandra Snape. During Ms. Snape's trial, she was seen holding hands with our Mr. Potter in the courtroom and Harry was only too quick to give her a shoulder to cry on as she dissolved into tears in the middle of her questioning. After the hearing the pair got really cozy, sharing a long celebratory hug….
Daily Prophet
May 15, 1997
Malfoy Family Pardoned
Penny Pendragon
…Harry Potter steps in to defend the Malfoys….In the hearing of Mr. Lucius Malfoy the wizengamot concluded that he should serve two months in Azkaban for his anti-muggle crimes. As for his wife Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy and their son Draco, they are both completely freed of all charges, serving no time in Azkaban.
Daily Prophet
June 1, 1997
Why is the Chosen one Defending Deatheaters?
By: Rita Skeeter
With the help of Harry Potter, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter, several proven deatheaters have been pardoned for their crimes, serving little to no prison time. The lucky deatheaters are Stanley Shunpike, Lucius, Narcissa and Draco Malfoy and of course antilegilimens Alexandra Snape. These are potentially dangerous people free to roam with us, pure, law abiding witches and wizards. Harry Potter was very adamant about these individuals being cleared of all charges, but why?
Could Harry Potter be acting on his unconditional love for Alexandra Snape? Clearly she has convinced him to protect her from Azkaban as well as her friends…Perhaps previous Headmaster and ex-potions master of Hogwarts, Severus Snape taught his cousin a few tricks. Could Harry Potter be working under the influence of a love potion? It is very possible….
Daily Prophet
June 15, 1997
Rita Skeeter does it Again
By: Betty Braithwaite
For the authoress that brought us the enlightening story The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, the delightful Rita Skeeter does it again with her new publication, Severus Snape, Saint or Scoundrel. Once again I was so graciously welcomed in Ms. Skeeter's home and offered a hot cup of tea while conducting my interview. Ms. Skeeter conducted herself modesty answering my many questions with perfect composer….When asked if she had contacted Severus's Snape's relative, the pardoned deatheater and antilegilimens, Alexandra Snape, Ms. Skeeter answered, "Hasn't returned a single owl." Her tone is calm yet I can sense her rightful frustration. "You would think that it is only polite to reply to a request but it seems that this girl has dropped off the face of the earth, no one seems to know where she has gone, which only told me that there are more secrets to be had. I dedicate a full chapter to her in the book and the romance she shares with Harry Potter."
So you really believe that Ms. Snape is involved with Harry Potter, I ask Ms. Skeeter. "Dear Betty, isn't it so obvious?" is Ms. Skeeter's reply. I then acquired about Harry Potter being so often seen in public with Ginevera Weasley. "Oh Betty, Ginevera Weasley is the sister of Harry Potter's ginger friend. I suspect that this relationship is meant to appear important until the whole hoopla of the past events wear down. I am convinced that this Weasley girl means practically nothing to Harry, bet my words, Betty; in just a few weeks or so I am sure we will be seeing Alexandra Snape and Harry Potter in Madam Puddifoot's."
I of course was completely impressed by Rita Skeeter's extensive insight. I ask her who her sources are. "Of course I have many anonymous sources, not that I need them. Now Betty, I do not want to give too much of the book away but just think how outrageously unyielding Harry Potter has been in defending Severus Snape and his defense is pretty farfetched. Honestly there is too much evidence against the Snapes, yet Harry Potter continues to claim they are innocent. If that is not love I don't know what it is, well unless it is a love potion….