November 17th, 2027
Friendly competition went out of the window at Hogwarts on Wednesday – quite literally – starting off the Triwizard Tournament with a bang that was most unexpected.
A whispered word of caution – that most would consider a threat – was given by the Deputy Headmistress of Durmstrang Institute, Vilhelda Oorvegr, to The Daily Prophet reporter Saffron Foxclaw.
“One word, just /one/ wrong word of Durmstrang and its champions. Will be the end of your career, you wretched little creature…”
Of course this reporter is no stranger to being threatened over the contents of an article however it was felt that that particular line of article would be more suited to the drama filled, glossy pages of Witch Weekly – how wrong I was.
It was perhaps inevitable that I would stumble across an interesting scene of Durmstrang Headmaster Matvey Golovin encouraging his students to run towards the Whomping Willow in the Hogwarts grounds. From observation it appeared to be a training exercise though the subsequent trip into the Forbidden Forest was a demonstration of the lack of control and discipline Golovin holds. Putting not only himself at risk, Golovin took the Durmstrang and Beauxbatons champions into the Forbidden Forest in search of a mere coin leading to a rather nasty entanglement with the acromantula that roam the dangerous expanse of woodland.
The events of the last few days, however, pale into insignificance when reports of Deputy Headmistress Oorvegr began to emerge. A student granted a brief interview to explain what had happened under the assurance of anonymity, for legal reasons The Daily Prophet is unable to name the students involved with the following incident.
The fact that Oorvegr “has certain outmoded ideas about antiquated concepts like blood purity” came as no surprise following my interaction with the woman only days before however the assertion that Oorvegr had demanded her students practice harmful spells on the muggle and half blood students present was shocking. None was more shocking than the next revelation to come.
“It started with a Second Year. … The witch [Oorvegr] wanted to set us to actively hurting each other. And a little Second Year girl wanted to ask her a question. So she ran up to tug on her skirts. But a Durmstrang student cast a Revulsion Jinx on her to push her away from the witch. And so the witch instead cast a spell on … The Durmstranger. … So she cast on him, and he defended himself. I tried to cast a shield between them. Because he just about dropped his wand. Put it away, I think. He was really upset that he’d cast on her. And that’s when she cast the Cruciatus Curse on him”
The Department for Magical Law Enforcement were swift to respond and, following a brief standoff, Oorvegr was arrested – though not without a poor attempt at escape as Oorvegr blasted through the glass of the dueling classroom. Due to high activity within the Ministry of Magic The Daily Prophet has been unable to acquire a statement from the Auror Office in regards to the case.
Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
[Turn to Page 2 for exclusive interviews with the Triwizard Tournament Champions]
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Despite the furor at Hogwarts casting a dark shadow over the Triwizard Tournament the trio of first, and second, champions cannot be forgotten as they’ve been thrust into the spotlight, representing their schools and proving their worth in tasks that will test their very mettle.
Wielding an unyielding wand of fir and phoenix feather the Hogwarts champion allowed me to wangle him for a few moments of his time. Elliott Reid quite literally set the trend of Head Students being chosen as Hogwarts champion, with musical savants Emily Neutron, Head Girl, being picked as his Nominated Second.
(For those who were not aware, a nominated second is the second best-of-the-best chosen by the Goblet of Fire to represent their school in the Triwizard Tournament, in the case of death or inability to continue.)
Reassuringly for the home team, the Hogwarts champion holds the wand of a survivor which apparently summed him up in a short sentence. Reassuringly, Mister Reid was able to elaborate on this, telling The Daily Prophet that he will never stop trying, the losses and failures he may have come across in life – and on the Quidditch Pitch – has only made him want to succeed more. The honour and pride he tells me he has, representing Hogwarts as Champion, is evident and the tall, attractive young man is determined to go far.
“Even if a task doesn’t go my way… I’ll be giving them a run for their money the next go. I won’t be backing down. No matter what happens.”
‘The wand of the warrior’ was how Jinxara Twigg of Ollivander’s described the wand of Cardan Duarte, Beauxbatons’ champion. One to give the other competitors a run for their money, Mlle Duarte appears to be confident in her abilities. Determination and strength, she believes, will help her take the Triwizard Cup. Devilishly attractive, petite, and blonde, Miss Duarte fits the Beauxbatons stereotype to a T. Her resolve and intrepid nature, however, sets her above the rest;
“If you are strong, your wand knows you, and it gets as strong as you are. The wand chooses the wizard, does it not? Strong wands choose strong wizards and witches. I am willing to sacrifice anything for the chance to win”
Tall, foreboding, and brute strength which is greatly reflected in the wand of Durmstrang champion, Lars Stangeland; walnut, dragon heartstring, and fifteen inches. A wand for the intelligent, the versatile, the adaptable. Herr Stangeland, however, doesn’t merely seek the glory of Triwizard Champion for himself, he hopes to bring the cup home for his school.
“It is not something anyone understands but in Durmstrang … We are not [[competing] for glory, like in Hogwarts. We are always [a] team, from [the] first day. If one of us fails, all of us fail. I have full trust in my comrades.”
The Nominated Second for Hogwarts, as previously mentioned, Emily Neutron boasts an ‘impressive’ alder wand bearing a dragon heartstring. Though Miss Neutron has minimal belief she will ever be called upon as Champion for Hogwarts she does believe herself to be, first and foremost, cheerleader for Mister Reid, supporting him in any way she can (rules permitting.)
The Beauxbatons aesthetic continues with the Nominated Second Sebastien Roumieux; blonde and handsome he was surrounded by admirers when interviewed. M. Roumieux has no doubt that Mlle Duarte will lead Beauxbatons to victory – a common theme and belief for each Nominated Second – seeing his role as leader of the school to encourage, and support her in her victory as Beauxbatons champion.
Gabriel Engstrom, however, eschews the notion that Durmstrang are merely supporters of their Champion, they are one;
“Durmstrang students are taught to be as one. The failure of one is the failure of all. The success of one is the success of all. I have no personal pride in this matter, only the pride of Durmstrang.”
With the assertions of Herr Engstrom echoing in my ears I leave behind Hogwarts for one week. The First Task is being prepared as I write and it is with eagerness that the Wizarding Community awaits next Saturday.
Tickets are to go on sale from Sunday 15th available in Hogsmeade and The Ministry of Magic atrium with prices starting at 50 galleons.
Saffron Foxclaw, Current Events
Little Lamplight 75th Annual Winter Open – 2027
The Township and British Ministry of Magic are pleased to announce the 75th Annual Little Lamplight Winter Open. Two days of Sport Dueling open to any amateur duelist.
Contact Ms Bonnie Nishi for further details
WANTED: Personal Assistant – Daily Prophet. Must be good at hanging coats. Ability to hang coats without being asked desirable, but not essential. No skills required, just the ability to hang coats. Interested? send an owl to Philomena Pest
