Friday, 12th September 2025
Daily Prophet
THIRD TIMES THE CHARM?
Maurice Hooton at the French Ministry of Magic headquarters, Paris, France
Talks have once again commenced between the Department of International Magical Co-operation , the Minister's office and their counterparts in France along with the Durmstrang Institute's governing body. Minister for Magic, Hermione Granger- Weasley along with the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement, Harry Potter have been vehemently against the return of the games. Meetings are currently underway in Paris. This will be the third time the games have been brought up since Minister Granger-Weasley took office in 2019. Some are heralding the talk of the return of these games. Bartholomew Maximillian MacMillan, a sixth year student at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, was enthusiastic about a possible return of the games. 'I would love for the games to return and for a chance to compete. My father speaks of the games so highly and reminisces on the camaraderie and school spirit that the games brought out in everyone. Of course it was very tragic that someone died at the last games… But these things happen in such a sport.'
The games have been notoriously deadly, having previously been suspended for 202 years as a result of its high death toll. The games were not renewed after the previous Triwizard tournament resulted in the death of a student and the return of You-Know-Who. Others have not shared Mr MacMillan's enthusiasm, Dawn Westfield, a long time friend of Amos Diggory, whose son was tragically murdered by the Dark Lord during the last tournament, has been vehemently opposed to the games. 'I can not believe that we're having to campaign once again in opposition to this outrageous tournament. The government needs to make it clear that they will not entertain another tournament. It would dishonour the memory of Cedric and all those who lost their lives in the following years as a result of the return of the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The games put children in grave danger for sport, a sport in which the adults spectating, they themselves would not partake in. A recent survey conducted by Witch Weekly suggested 67.3% of readers aged 17 and above would partake in the Triwizard games were it open to wizards and witches past student age.
A statement earlier today in Paris on behalf of the British Minister for Magic stated that the 'British Ministry remains steadfast in their opinion on the possible revival of the Triwizard Tournament. There remains no irrefutable evidence as to why the games should return nor any measures taken to mitigate grave bodily harm to those who would partake. Given the grave nature of the ultimate tournament, a revival of the tournament would require a robust committee of members from each school along with their respective governing bodies to ensure no students' lives would be put in danger nor allow dark wizards to infiltrate such a high stakes tournament. As no such measures are willing to be put in place to safeguard participants the Ministry has once again been unable to support this motion to revive the games and hopes such talks do not have to be repeated every couple of years in the hopes of a differing answer.' Yvanna Kovacic, the current headmaster of Durmstrang Institute has been campaigning tirelessly for the last ten years to revive the tournament. 'To be honest, we would love other opportunities for international co-operation between our schools. We are disappointed that Britain does not wish to support these efforts.' The headmasters of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Beauxbatons Academy of Magic both refrained from a comment from the Daily Prophet.
Announcements
Sophia Wesley, of the Montrose Magpies, and Marcus Monroe, the current England manager, have tied the knot in a lavish wedding extravaganza in the south of France just last week. Former Chudley Cannons Keeper and current England Head Coach, Oliver Wood and his wife, Italian model, Irina were among the star studded guests in attendance.
Moira Matthis of the cherished children's series Ella Blackthorn and the Unicorns Quest, has passed away, peacefully at the age of 113. She is survived by her brother Wyatt, her son Tobias, daughters Emily and Frances along with her 6 grandchildren.
Andromeda Tonks announces the engagement of her grandson Edward Lupin to Victoire Weasley this past August.
SACRÉ BLOOD?
Sybil Holland, Security Editor at the French Ministry of Magic headquarters, Paris, France
The renowned Serial Killer, Jacques Monet, has escaped custody in France. Monet was responsible for a string of both Muggle and Magical murders in the south of Britain and the North of France before being apprehended in Saxony by a joint team of aurors from both the British and French ministry during the last years of Former Minister for Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt's term. Shacklebolt's sister-in-law, Izara Odili, was one of Monet's victims . Shacklebolt was seen as a driving force in capturing the deadly wizard. Monet, originally from Leon, France, moved to Britain after the end of the second wizarding war and settled in the Southern British countryside. Monet gained notoriety in the Muggle news after a string of disappearances in Devon in the early 2000's. It wasn't until 2013 that he gained attention in the wizarding news due to the shocking murder of Bertram Briggs in his shop in Diagon alley.
At this time the French ministry was also pursuing an individual responsible for the death of nearly twenty Muggles and five wizards and witches in Marseille from 2004 to 2011. In the years following the discovery of Mr Brigg's death, Monet seemed to switch his focus to high profile individuals, more so in Paris than in Britain. In 2017 Monet broke into Ms Odili's house the night after a family event in which Kingsley Shacklebolt and his wife, Izara's sister, Amara had been in attendance. Odili was discovered the following day by a friend.
The capture of Monet was one of the last high profile missions that current head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Harry Potter was a part of. He was joined by Seamus Finnegan, Serena Clutterbuck along with French aurors. A two week long auror mission resulted in the eventual capture and detainment of Jacques Monet. Monet was held in a French facility prior to his trial that would encompass crimes committed in both Britain and France. He was found guilty in the French court in 2020 and was sentenced to life in prison at La Méprise prison in the east of France. Prison guards reported to the French ministry of Magic this morning that his cell was empty after inspection. An investigation is currently underway as to the manner in which he escaped and his possible whereabouts. Both ministries urge the public to be extra vigilant and cautious of any strange, new individuals and to presume that Monet is armed with a wand. French Minister of Magic Aldéric Fiey implored the public not to approach Monet and to alert Magical Law Enforcement.
LIVE WITH HANNAH LONGBOTTOM
Susie Greyson, Showbiz and Entertainment Editor
Marisol Valdez-Ortega to debut at Live at the Leaky Cauldron this October. This will be Valdez-Ortega's first performance in Britain after gaining notoriety in America and it's already starting to sell out. Susie Greyson sat down with Hannah Longbottom to discuss the popularity of her monthly Live at the Leaky Cauldron shows and how she's attracted the most elusive names in showbiz to Diagon Alley. The Leaky Cauldron has become the epicentre for live comedy and music in Britain with critics claiming it is the venue to book for anyone who wants to make it in showbiz. Shaun Mescal credits his Live at the Leaky Cauldron performances as the reason for his worldwide success. Hannah Longbottom has been the proprietor of the Leaky Cauldron since 2001 after long-time owner Tom Fletcher's retirement. The transformation of the Leaky Cauldron to a live venue in 2015 has secured the bar's place as the most popular spot in London (not that it wasn't already before). 'The show really brings in a medley of people from all walks of life. It's really brought a unique atmosphere to the Leaky Cauldron.' Hannah's full interview continued page 2.
Sports
PRE-SEASON FLUTTER AT ELLIS MOOR
Percival Rook, Deputy Sports Editor
The Holyhead Harpies are to play the Ballycastle Bats in a pre-season friendly this coming Monday, 15th September in the Ellis Moor Quidditch Stadium. Ballycastle Bats are favourites to win after securing Mathilde Bélanger from France's Quiberon Quafflepunchers in the off-season for an undisclosed amount. Bats are rumoured to have signed two rookies straight out of Hogwarts, just last week. Fans are hopefully for some fresh blood on the starting seven after the disastrous semi-finals against the Falmouth Falcons last season. Boris Fudge the Bats head coach has defended the Bats performance last season stating that the referee made some dubious calls and that they launched a formal complaint into the Quidditch League. Zola Farrell the Holyhead Harpies head coach was confident in the teams performance in the friendly and for the coming season. 'The ladies had a tough season last year, you know losing Grace Moore to a head injury early on in the season really threw the team out of sorts. Moore is thankfully back and stronger than ever. Avia Green is also back after taking a two year back and honestly you can see the difference in morale with her back on the team. She's just a great addition to our Chaser formation. We of course have some new faces but I won't spoil the secret on that one just yet.' You can catch the game live on the Snitching Hour from 4pm, with a post-game analysis with host Zeek Fallmouth who will be joined by Gwenog Jones and Finbar Quigley.
BLUDGING AT THE SEEMS
By Ginevra Potter, Sports Editor
The Bulgarian National Quidditch Team seems set on a course for disaster. The Quidditch World Cup kicks off next year and all of the hopeful nations are pooling their candidates together to form their all-star team. Every country except Bulgaria, where three of their star players, Aleksei Minchin, Ana Kopcho and Yordan Arsenov, are looking unlikely to return to Quidditch for the next season, let alone be cleared by healers to make the national team. In fact Aleksei Minchin, their beater is unlikely to return to the sport after a nasty accident while playing for the Heidelberg Harriers against the Bigonville Bombers in April last. The injury has had him cooped up in hospital for the entirety of the summer. With three of their starting seven off the table, the team would need to work extra hard to forge a synergy and cohesiveness that years of playing together forms. This bodes well for the England team who will be in the same relegation as Bulgaria next spring. Unless Arsenov gets cleared to return to his Seeker position, odds would be in England's favour for that matchup. Rumours are also swirling about the future of the Bulgarian team as the management and training staff are said to be in heated discussions about management and strategic priorities. Viktor Krum has been coaching the national team for the last 9 years, after previously announcing his retirement from the Vratsa Vultures, after a sixteen year career. Krum has faced increasing pressure from management to secure a title for the national team. It's worth noting that the Bulgarian's Management are notoriously difficult to work with and have reportedly been unable to make a unanimous decision in the last seven months. When the team was managed by Elena Kostoff, Krum secured a European Championship title and secured a quarter final placement in the last World cup. Kostoff's retirement in 2022 heralded a new management system for the Bulgarian's which has not been proving to benefit the team nor the players. Fans were hopeful that Krum's prodigy in the Vultures, Maryam Ivanoff, would be joining the team particularly after her performance in the last two European Championships. Management have reportedly blocked Ivanoff from joining the team despite a clear vacancy for their Seeker position. Continued Page 9.
AT HOME WITH... TANYA MORRISON
Lucille Cortair, Quidditch Correspondent
Lucille Cortair sit's down with Tanya Morrison in her private residence in central London. Morrison has been absent from the Quidditch scene since her tumultuous exit from the Appleby Arrows mid-season last January. Sources close to the team at the time cited a huge row between Morrison and the head coach Cassius Warrington, though representatives from both parties have denied such an interaction occurred. Continued page 9 & 10.
GOBSTONE ENTHUSIASTS REJOICE
Steven Shepperd
In a world of Quidditch, Gobstone enthusiasts can finally rejoice as the event of the year rolls around once more. The Gobstone World Championship kicks off Tuesday, September 30th in Dubai. England has two wizards representing them in Dubai this year Alfred Moseley and Abe Stafford and Wales will be represented by Carys Jones. The Scottish hopeful Faye McAllister did not make the cut in the European qualifiers losing out to the young Romanian Andrei Draca. The two week long championship will commence with a rematch of last year's finale when America's Stevie Bell and China's Zhang Xiu come face to face again.
Witch Weekly
BACK TO HOGWARTS ESSENTIALS
By Maisie Fawley, Lifestyle Correspondent
It's that time of year again, girlies. You're back at Hogwarts when you realise you've forgotten the perfect Hogsmeade outfit or the perfect quill for writing your bae a love letter or worse you've not realised you've forgotten. Let's be real ladies Hogwarts is a dog eat dog world and the last thing you need is to not be in the mode. Well rest assured besties I have you covered. Here's Maisie's top ten must haves for Hogwarts and best of all these can all be owl'ed directly to Hogwarts in under two business days. Flip to page 4 for all the deets.
RITA SKEETER'S NEXT BESTSELLER
By Robbie Westwood
Inside Azkaban's Most Prolific Residents with Rita Skeeter. Renowned journalist and author, Rita Skeeter, sits down with Robbie Westwood to discuss her latest book, being blacklisted from this administration press office and the key to literary success. Check out page 7 to 11 for the full interview.
The Quibbler
IS MYLES LANCASTER THE FORMER MINISTER FOR MAGIC, CORNELIUS FUDGE'S, LONG LOST SON?
Is the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures really Cornelius Fudge's long lost son? Why does Lancaster deny his famous heritage? Is this why Lancaster is denying the existence of Crumple-Horned Snorkack?
HAVE WRACKSPURTS INVADED YOUR HOME?
Check out our full guide on how to recognize the signs of an infestation and what you can do to combat it.
WHAT IS THEFUNCTION OF A RUBBER DUCK?
by Xenophilius Lovegood
Our most requested article in the 21st century for all our rubber duck enthusiasts. We sit down with Muggle Studies professor Emeka Fawcett and delve into the history of the rubber duck and its rise in pop culture in the last fifty years. Full multi-page spread can be found on page 3.