The following article has been kindly investigated and written by The Daily Prophet’s work experience students, and honorary journalists, Alys Blackwell and Perseus Wright
Back in July, rumours had sparked about a possible collaboration between the Improper Use of Magic and the Department of Magical Transportation in order to provide an accurate report on underage magic outside of Hogwarts.
Whether there was a confirmation of the collaboration or not, the results are in, and this summer various students of the prestigious school have been caught wand-handed, proving that the improved accuracy is working.
It has taken years for the Ministry to take these strict – and unavoidable – measures. Up until now, underage magic during summer was (whilst allegedly forbidden) a questionable event that happened in certain households, where children still practiced spells hidden in plain sight. Before, the trace couldn’t exactly pinpoint who had cast the magic – it could have been an adult, a child, a house elf, or even the teapot cooling its water. Perhaps that’s the tune that made students dance when rumours of the current measures were reported in a previous article.
Perhaps that wasn’t enough to make children believe the hard truth: spells were now accurately traced.
A certain rambunctious group of individuals found this out the hard way – caught wand-handed!
An eye witness that shall not be named however, for reporting sake, will be known as Bumblebriar Fizzlebottom, confided to the Daily Prophet – and your infamous reporter Perseus Wright was just the man for the job, alongside his sidekick Alys Blackwell – about the events that took place in Grodric’s Hollow.
Mr. Fizzlebottom expressed his concerns for his fellow students, as he overheard stalked one of his peers during one of the Summer Bonfire Nights. A letter received was mentioned in regards to their use of underage magic; however, this particular student was allegedly boasting about the possibility of tempting their luck again, despite the serious consequences this could carry, not excluding expulsion from Hogwarts.
“I think students should always be able to use magic in life or death situations. Otherwise, what is the point of having it?”
Mr. Fizzlebottom commented as he walked back into the streets of Anonymity.
A direct link was established with one of the rule breakers. A young scoundrel who will be named Nimblefoot Fumblebubble. Mr. Fumblebubble claims it was an ‘accident’ as the spotlight was dramatically placed upon him – self-proclaimed favourite reporter, Perseus Wright, wouldn’t stand for this as he threatened,
“That’s something only a filthy liar would say. My fans will know the truth.”
Fortunately, reporter Alys Blackwell de-escalated the situation with a bubbly smile.
In what seemed like tears, Mr. Fumblebubble revealed that the ‘crime’ involved none other than the use of the Scourgify charm to clean himself. By ‘accident’.
Apparently, this is a common practice among young wizards who, as legend has it, are secretly terrified of water.
Show them a bathtub and they’ll turn into stone.
A question was posed: Should harsh punishments be null in case of life-or-death situations? And what happens with alleged accidents?
“It depends on the magic honestly. A simple one like me deserving of expulsion or loss of things. No. It’s a simple accident. In the case of emergencies, again it depends on the circumstances. They should be evaluated, listened to, and in some cases, researched before such a hard stance is taken. Now if you are a [expletive] and whip your wand out in front of every Tom, Dick and Harry and blare I’m the best around song and cast things blatantly. Then you deserve what you get. I’ve always felt there are reasons for some things, and consequences for others.”
Mr. Fumblebubble was clear on his views, as he also expressed remorse for getting caught with his wand out.
It only took one slip-up, one measly “Scourgify” on himself, for this student to be caught. Which, of course, seems to show that there is heavy collaboration between the Improper Use of Magic Office and the Department of Magical Transportation. Together, they’re seemingly cracking down on those reckless students who insist on using magic outside of Hogwarts.
A gentle reminder was given: only repeated violations of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery could result in heavy fines or expulsion from the prestigious school. However, is this enough for children and parents to take action and advocate for legal responsibility?
Only the start of the new term will tell.
Alys Blackwell and Perseus Wright
- Honorary Journalists for The Daily Prophet
