by Saffron Foxclaw
As many of you have probably seen, a recent article came out in The Daily Prophet denouncing Hogwarts as one of the (if not The) best school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
According to The Daily Prophet there is little decorum or class within our walls, that we take more interest in fighting, gossip and romance than our studies, that ‘T Grades’ are being handed out, and calling into question the leadership of our Headmistress.
Far from being surprised, I was interested, and expecting, to see rebuttals come from students, defending our school. I was less surprised to see S.E.R.P.E.N rear it’s ugly head. In keeping with our founder, Cassandra Middles, I have decided that instead of publishing the puerile drivel alone that I will follow it up with my own rebuttal.
“Dear Ministry of Magic, direct your eyes to The Owl Post.
If you wish to see the going’s on at Hogwarts you need not look far, neither would you need to speak to any. I am here to show you, the truth. Of it all. Yet, I need to do nothing, see The Owl Post is like that. They have already written it out for you, but let’s take a look to the past, shall we? And show you how Hogwarts has fallen.”
Yes, we have written it out, such keen observation skills I am amazed you have yet to become an auror. Sarcasm aside, The Owl Post may be appreciated for its gossip column, which may have dented a few egos and caused a few blushes, but we never fail to get the news out to students of current events. Why should we choose to hide important news to spare the indignance of others?
“Starting from Middles. The founder of the Owl Post itself. The one who was a fellow friend of the hunted Zimelda, a favourite of Dorchester. And we know all about Zimelda….and her house elves. At Hogwarts.
Elves that set students and libraries on fire. Are house elves to be trusted anymore?
Are the students to be trusted? Is the Castle safe? If T.B.H.S can attack, then can anyone, anyone unknown walk through the halls and attack?”
S.E.R.P.E.N, who claims to read our school paper so closely, almost devotedly, seems to miss the reassurance previously published and stated by Professor Wibault. The house elves are loyal, Zemeckis never once gave an article of clothing to them, their allegiance lies with the current Headmistress of Hogwarts. Hogwarts is, and remains, safe. One student’s desire to destroy a house will not pull down the walls of the castle from inside out.
“Werewolves, yes. We have those. Violent? Read an article from red-haired, red-faced, Foxclaw, she talks all about one of those who attacks students.”
Red-haired, red… attired, but certainly not red-faced. If only our dear S.E.R.P.E.N chose to read rather than look. Maybe S.E.R.P.E.N could do with paying attention in transfiguration? Or maybe potions? Indeed I wrote about an attack within the school, more than likely attributed to T.B.H.S, but any student transfigured into a wolf, and then threatened, does not retain their human brain, they will attack as the species attacks. And werewolves attacking? The school population can be reassured that the potions Professor and the Hospital Wing staff are prodigiously skilled in the preparation of Wolfsbane potion which enables the person afflicted with lycanthropy to maintain their mental faculties when they transform.
I repeat; Hogwarts is safe.
“If it’s not present, it’s past students battling with each other. Quidditch player Sephy Larkham had her fingers chopped off by none other than a St Mungo’s healer Mimi Sinclair. That’s not the only thing that happened at the Three Broomsticks, a poisoning of a student happened. Maybe it’s not just Hogwarts, but everything around it… everyone who’s been and gone.
Ravenclaws being attacked…now if everyone has been attacking each other maybe it’s themselves destroying their own house. Their own minds. Ravenclaws have fallen from being clever, much like Hogwart’s grades at the Prophet says. Even their Head of House has been replaced, will the next leave in fear? “
Gossip and speculation already covered by The Owl Post, S.E.R.P.E.N seems to just enjoy digging up old gossip rather than opening their eyes. The new Ravenclaw Head of House (welcomed happily into our tight knit family) will be a strong leader, and I believe already stamping down on inter-house quarrels and incidents that will no longer go ignored (magical and not physical, I may add).
“But Ministry of Magic, you’ve already been here, haven’t you? Last year when certain students stole eggs. You came…and oh that was some trouble. I heard one girl nearly had herself arrested. Or was that the wolf you wanted to arrest at Brighton Bay?
You need not find goings on, as they are right in front of you.
If the Headmistress is cursed, then so shall be the school and everyone in, around and afar.
The truth is here
But the truth of me will never be found…
S.E.R.P.E.N”
Indeed the Ministry has been attempting in vain to become increasingly involved in the running of Hogwarts, attempting to arrest innocent students. S.E.R.P.E.N, and it seems the Ministry of Magic, desire nothing more than to undermine the running of the school and the Headmistress herself. Curse aside, Headmistress Fischer leads on, the safety of her students, I believe, would be her priority. Only a few short months ago at the sorting ceremony she told us Hogwarts is safe, should we believe one lone student and a Daily Prophet reporter or our own Headmistress who has given her life, heart and soul to this place?
Also, no speculation required. They’re white.
