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The Latest News & Gossip in the Wider Wizarding World

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My friends, I hope that you are all well. I hope you are peaceful, happy and that summer has treated you well.

I apologize if you are well, and I am bursting the bubble. I apologize for our government who cares so little for our safety. I apologize if you are grieving for the sorrows I must bring to our collective attention. It is part of my duty to act as an obituary for our people from time to time. But I’ve never in the years since I started this newsletter, have had to announce so many deaths, so many lost lives.

Tiffany Connelly, 24, was found death in the Den of Magic 3 weeks ago, she was a squib who worked for the Ministry as an internal missive editor and of Veelan descent.

Jon Hornstrap, 27, was found in pieces, scattered throughout Knockturn Alley only 9 days ago, a half-goblin wizard and photographer for the Quibbler.

Adrian Bianculli, 19, has been missing for two months, a squib from an Italian Family I regret to inform you has been found 4 days ago.

Alice Ewig, 21 has been missing for a month, a second-generation werewolf, half of her body was found in the Wet Tunnel only 2 days ago.

Lynette Manson, 17, was found only 12 hours ago, in front of the Leaky Cauldron. I cannot describe the state her body was left as it is too gruesome to describe, she was a squib.

Together we mourn lives cut short. I would venture that many of you have not heard of these murders, nor knew they were missing outside of their social circles. I would venture that few have seen little other than Auror red-tape and black boots parading the grounds. Their patrols in these last few weeks have continued as they always do, their needless crackdown on the poor, the fringe of magical society, further driving us underground both figurately and physically. We are told “stay good and stay here”. They tell us not to stray from our place les the patrols drag us from our warrens to their jails. The DMLE says that they have cut down crime, that magical neighborhoods are safer.

Safer for who?

Five people are dead.

Five people, left mutilated, left in the open, left unprotected. Then swept under the rug, cleaned up, and our Aurors smile as they hunt us down for twitching our wands wrong, keeping us in the dark. Keeping us from knowing the truth.

My friends, if the Ministry and the DMLE won’t say the hard truth then I will. I must.

There is a serial killer on the loose. They are hunting Beingfolk and Squibs. They are hunting the fringes and the Ministry is doing nothing. They do nothing to protect us, to inform us, and instead lean their knee down harder onto our necks.

I have no other choice than to urge all Beingfolk and Squibs to take up arms, attend your local Duelling Hall if you can use a wand. For my Squib siblings I urge you to attend Muggle Martial Arts gyms and to travel in groups. If you seek more help, then I would like to offer these words: Find a Twilight hero where the stone stakes hang. In the dark alley seek yellow moons. At the end of the midnight street or at the mouth of the drowned path let yourself be bewitched. In these places, in these people, you may from protection, an escort, or a safe place to hide.

We shall provide for our own – no, we must protect our own. I would never presume nor expect that the Ministry or the DMLE cares for us. But allowing us to be culled, mutilated and left in pieces is the height of disgust.

I leave you my friends with a heavy heart. I’m sorry to have ruined your summer, to have terrified you, to have brought horror to your doorstep. I have no choice but to inform you.

Today I have no battle cry, no rallying banner, no words for revolution nor revolt. I only wish to ask our people to do one tast – take care of each other. Watch out for your friends, your enemy, a stranger. The truth is we must take care of our own, since it has become obvious that the Ministry, the DMLE and your local Auror will not.

This is the Muse signing off. Stay safe. Stay vigilant. If you wish to find me then seek among the wolves.

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The Daily Prophet’s

2020 Supreme Mugwump Candidate Profile Guide

July 24, 2020

Learn about the candidates for Supreme Mugwump and see where they stand on key issues with The Daily Prophet’s 2020 Supreme Mugwump Candidate Profile Guide.

With the large number of candidates campaigning to become the next Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, it can be difficult to distinguish various candidates from one another.

To assist readers in finding information about the candidates in the 2020 Supreme Mugwump Election, The Daily Prophet has produced a Candidate Profile Guide.

All candidates were given the opportunity to submit a brief statement to let voters know about themselves and their platforms. The view and opinions expressed in the statements are those of the candidates and do not reflect the position of The Daily Prophet.

Ivanna Verynhora, age 34, is one of the youngest Delegates the ICW has seen out of Ukraine. Since Muggle unrest in the region took the life of the previous representative of Ukraine, Delegate Neschadymenko, Ms. Verynhora has taken upon herself to strengthen Ukrainian ties with the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Russia, Spain, and South Korea. An alum of the world-renowned Beauxbatons, Ms. Verynhora was an exemplary student with talents in charms and healing, which she put to use during the 2013 Ukrainian Crisis. With her mastery in Healing magic, she went on to found the ICW’s Committee for Cross Boundary Healers, inspired by the Muggle organization Doctors Without Borders. Funded anonymously—by whom is unclear at this time, but many believe them to be international banking financiers—the committee has expanded into the Middle East, South America, and the United States and Canada. She currently serves on the Committee for International Quidditch and the Committee for International Magical Transportation. Much of Ms. Verynhora's time is spent strengthening Ukraine and little time at ICW meetings or the committees she belongs to—which is to be expected, as the Ukraine has has experienced extreme changes in its government for the last five years, and several turnovers within the Ukranian Ministry, including the loss of Ivannas's late uncle, killed last spring during the Centaur & Giant Uprising in the northern part of the country. 

Despite these tragedies, both personal and nationally, Ivanna hopes that the esteemed title of Supreme Mugwump will be but a stepping stone to her larger goal of facilitating a younger, more progressive, stronger ICW focusing on international ties and bonds between countries for the purpose of mutual aid.

Sitara Noorani, age 35, is one of the most accomplished witches of her age. A graduate of the esteemed school Uagadou, she moved quickly after her schooling to join the Pakistani Ministry of Magic, working with their Control of Magical Creatures division before transitioning into politics to succeed her elder brother in the Pakistani Senate. Since joining the ICW only 3 years ago, she has had notable success in working with Being Outreach as well as in addressing illegal creature movements and breeding across borders in partnership with the Rangers. She has found a friend in Delegate Baptiste, who shares her passion for preventing cross-border illicit activities, and together they have drafted new international law addressing the issue. 

Noorani has only this to say about the upcoming election cycle: “We must continue to strengthen border security across the world, increase education about culture between wizards of all enclaves, and continue monitoring illicit activity among the lower echelons of our society.”

Continuing the procession of younger Delegates tossing their names in the ring for the title of Supreme Mugwump, Estefania Caldera, age 32, comes from one of the largest and most powerful pureblood families in the Caribbean, with branches in Mexico, California, and Brazil. The rising star of the Caldera family, Estefania attended Castelobruxo alongside fellow Caribbean Delegate and classmate Horacio Baptiste—and took special interest in the subject of Magical Eco-Tourism. Her subsequent specialization in the field and her time in the Cuban Ministry for Magic have prepared her to help bring economic prosperity to her region through her practice. Though young, she must not be underestimated by her peers. She has already forged strong connections with the Caribbean, Brazilian, Venezuelan, and Peruvian Delegates, creating a Committee around revitalizing tourism in these regions while highlighting their natural beauty and working closely with Indigenous communities to preserve and celebrate their heritage. 

Caldera says about her candidacy for Supreme Mugwump, “Though I am young, I am not without passion for both Cuba and the magical world at large. For too long, we have idolized industrializing and militarizing our magical nations, but I am calling for peace and for a new age of magical understanding shared by all.”

Horacio Baptiste may be known for his booming voice in ICW meetings, his Caribbean Pride, and his ability to cross the many committee aisles of Nations across the world, but he is more than the handsome face many purport him to be. An alum of Castelobruxo, he first rose to prominence as an Auror for the Commonwealth of the Caribbean Islands. Baptiste’s ambitious track record as an Auror soon gave rise to something far more momentous, as his public image transcended his official title and Baptiste became known as something of a folk hero at the tender age of 24 during his 2010 run for President of the Caribbean Commonwealth. While Baptise lost with grace, he was subsequently offered a position on the ICW with an aging Delegate Ocasio-Cortez’s blessing. As the first-ever Muggleborn elected by the Commonwealth, Baptiste’s position as the Caribbean ICW Delegate is considered boundary-breaking by many. He has not only risen to expectations—he has shattered them. Currently, Baptiste sits on the Committees for International Magical Transportation and International Committee for Human Trafficking and Dark Wizard Tracking, and is a proponent for sanctions against magical nations for Human Rights Violations and Dark Magic Violations. Though only 34, Baptiste has garnered the respect of many other Delegates, and has contributed monumentally to the ICW’s efforts at lowering crime internationally, in collaboration with the Rangers and Delegate Caldera. 

Baptist maintains no comment at this time beyond: “I am entirely too busy to talk about the Supreme Mugwump Election. Bother someone who wants to play nice with the press and has less work to do than me. They’ll be easy to find— go ask the Delegate from Sweden.” Fighting words from everyone’s favorite fighting Caribbean.

What more is there to say about Delegate Lyra Arista that she has not already demonstrated over her many years of service to the ICW? Elected to the ICW in 1958 at the age of 21, she was the youngest Delegate ever elected in America, and has only continued to be a trailblazer in her 62 years of service. Delegate Arista proved to be a powerhouse while helping create the Human Rights Act for Magical Folk, and she has been a vocal proponent for Natural Magic (or Wild Magic) and expanding Magical education across the globe. Arista is renowned for her magical masteries over charmwork, transfiguration, healing, alchemy, and potions. One of the most esteemed graduates of Ilvermorny, Arista’s been a bastion of the ICW, admired cross-generationally. In America, she has been a proponent for Being rights and education, and has helped expand the LGBT+ movement for equal rights in collaboration with Muggle political allies. In the 90's, Arista advocated to expand magical education access to American magical immigrants, refugees, and the Indigenous population. Her election to Supreme Mugwump would only be a footnote to the aggressively progressive acts she is known for. 

Lyra Arista says about the upcoming election, “I am old, and though I have much to offer to the ICW as its leader, it would not surprise me if someone younger takes my place. But I have done my work for over 50 years, and if elected I will do so for another half-century, as is my duty to magical folk across America the Beautiful and Earth the Magnificent. Blessed be.”

Cyprian Patenaude has been nothing but a joy to the ICW Delegate circuit. As the newest ICW Delegate, at the age of 30 they are well-loved and well-known in the Western Hemisphere, having attended both Ilvermorny and Castelobruxo. Patenaude became a rising star in the Canadian Senate for Magic, elected from his home city of Montreal in 2013 through a grassroots campaign after leading several organizations concerned with underserved magical communities, championing early magical education, and combating Auror brutality. His ties to MACUSA through the Patenaude family helped to establish several laws concerning magical secrecy within the United States and Canada. In addressing political unrest in both regions, Delegate Patenaude became a familiar face in the media through his regular attendance at rallies and protests. On the subject, then-Senate member Patenaude said, “It's not political grandstanding that got me to this position, it is empathic standing, with people both magical, Being, and Muggle. I am not doing this for political clout. It is the right thing to help where you can, ease tensions, and create a better atmosphere for healing.” Delegate Patenaude would know a thing or two about healing after having been viciously outed as transgender by American political opponents and instigators. Patenaude took this in stride, advocating fiercely to expand Canadian magical law for privacy protection, and he was elected to the ICW by the Candian government shortly thereafter in 2018. He often jokes that his efforts in this realm are for his own safety, as there have been no less than three attempted assassinations since the debacle. 

Patenaude is a proponent for Being rights, de-militarization of Aurors, blocking illicit animal sales, and raising awareness around LGBT+ issues among magical communities. Though young, Patenaude is respected by his opponents due to his gregarious ability to broker deals and swiftly end infighting in committees. Like Delegate Baptiste, Patenaude has no comment at this time, likely owing to the fact they are currently occupied dealing with political unrest in the Canadian-American district of the world.

Readers have always been fascinated by Delegate Sergio Gutiérrez, who, while proud of his long and unbroken ancestral wizarding line, quite frequently shocks the stately old families of British wizarding society with its high civility and careful social graces. After completing his formal education at the Madrid School Of Magic and Durmstrang Institute, Gutiérrez made Keeper for the Barcelona Eagles, prior to the Spanish Quidditch Association (AQE) and the Catalonian Quidditch Association (AQC) split. While amassing a large fan following with his record-breaking, jaw-dropping saves and daring high-speed maneuvers, Gutiérrez discovered his ability to attract support for political issues and a passion to change lives through his advocacy. Critical to Gutiérrez’s successful transfer into politics was the convergence of several crises within the Spanish wizarding community, which slashed public faith in the current Delegate’s ability and the wizarding political class. These events presented an opportunity for Gutiérrez to prove himself a skilled manueverer both on and off the Quidditch pitch. In addition to tapping into widespread discontent with political elites, Gutiérrez also strongly advocated for a retreat from Spain’s involvement with international affairs to focus on its own issues. At age 51, Gutiérrez, who considers himself a self-styled political outsider among his fellow Delegates, still leads a very public life (one may recall the ongoing investigation into whether Gutiérrez converted campaign funds to rather scandalous personal use in 2019), and can always be counted on for his transparent stance on issues and his commanding approach to diplomacy—in particular, his meteoric clashes with Cyprian Patenaude. To detractors, he’s a dangerous cheerleader for an insular and traditional wizarding community at both a national and international level. To supporters, he is one of the only Delegates with a strong and loud enough voice to bring about real change and unity. 

On the subject of the Supreme Mugwump election, Gutiérrez said, “What I know is that people are tired. Tired and pushed beyond their limit by the demands of this new ‘modern’ wizarding world, as they say, and its politicians that push policy after policy for this new group and that new group down their throats while ignoring our real, shared issues…we have forgotten that in our history there are simple answers to complex problems.”

For Delegate Kotov, age 40, his personal life is his political life. As a young man, Kotov attended Durmstrang to study martial magic for a brief time, withdrawing the same year the institution began to admit Muggleborns and part-goblins under the leadership of Headmaster Matvey Golovin. Kotov’s parents then began his private homeschooling, although many have long speculated Kotov was in fact transferred to the secretive Scholomance to complete his education. Proud of his centuries-long wizarding heritage, and regularly extolling the values of fraternity, tradition, and legacy in his speeches, Kotov is a man who has never forgotten his past while keeping his eye firmly fixed on the future. During his homeschooling years, a group of vampires newly displaced by a freshly implemented Romanian policy attacked and killed Kotov’s childhood friend. The event, followed by sluggish and failed attempts to capture the vampires, left Kotov with a resolve to shake the wizarding world out of its stupor concerning dark creatures. Kotov would work at the Romanian Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures for all of six months before quitting; during that time it was his capture of infamously “uncatchable” vampire Sebastian Vântu which catapulted Kotov to international recognition. After resigning, Kotov pivoted immediately into politics, championing an increase in international private and public security for the wizarding world, and pledging to tackle magical creature-related violent crime rates and threats to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy by cracking down on criminal offenders and allowing Aurors greater freedom and less government oversight. Despite his colleagues’ voiced concerns that his actions may cause further breakdowns in negotiations between the ICW and sentient magical creatures, 

Kotov remains sanguine and determined about the future, though he has some choice words to offer about his fellow Delegates in advance of the upcoming election. “They have no idea what they’re dealing with,” Kotov said grimly, in his statement last Tuesday. “Half of them are idiots who follow Patenaude and his kind–magical creatures are just like us, etc, etc.—and half of them are people like Arista, heads stuck in another century and no idea how to deal with the growing number of strikes and crime rates among the magical creature communities. Either way, while the ICW tries to negotiate and sits in committees, their numbers grow and the violence continues—and something is better than nothing.” It’s a tricky dilemma he raises, and one the magical community has conveniently avoided answering head-on, though Kotov has received campaign funding from many old, well-known wizarding families that suggests he has their support.

Serving his freshman year on the ICW at a shocking 22 years of age, Sven Nordstrøm is the fresh face of Swedish international politics whose influential family name precedes his appointment to the Confederation. The Nordstrøm family have for centuries stood tall (and no, we’re not just referring to their statuesque genetics) as pillars of traditional wix values in the Scandinavian region, with generation after generation passing the political torch on from father to son. Delegate Nordstrøm’s own brother, Gunnar Nordstrøm, is a favorite to take over for current Swedish Minister Engström at the end of his term, which has led to speculation regarding the young Delegate’s novice appointment over Gunnar’s notably more cultivated experience and presence in politics. But don’t write off young Sven just yet! He may thus far be known in delegation meetings for his looming, mountain-like presence and choice few words, but Delegate Nordstrøm has a few tricks yet up those long sleeves, making several controversial statements and voting decisions without any predictable formula that seem to go against every ideal his political platform was built around. Are the boy’s wildcard antics toward shock and awe a crafty plot to attract favor and attention to his icy, old-fashioned country? Or is Delegate Nordstrøm simply having the last laugh at us all? 

When asked for a comment, Nordstrøm just had this to say: “And why the [expletive] would I tell you anything? Who even are you?” Who indeed. We’ll be following Delegate Nordstrøm at the upcoming conference with keen interest.

As recognizable in the society papers as he is on the delegation floor, Atticus Ayers has been an asset to British-French wizarding political relations for upwards of twenty years. Savvy local readers will surely recognize Ayers from his meteoric post-Hogwarts rise through the ranks of Britain’s own International Magical Office of Law, or perhaps from his brief but memorable five-year stint as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, during which time Ayers garnered widespread respect and adoration as a moderate judicial voice amongst the uproarious radicalism and reforms that swept through the Ministry of Magic following the Second Wizarding War. After presiding over a number of landmark Wizengamot proceedings, Ayers settled in the magical district of Montmartre in France with his family, but he’s been a staple French Delegate since day one, where he’s continued his campaigning for Being equality as well as amendments to the Statute of Secrecy in favor of privacy and protection of magicfolk, their livelihoods, and their assets. 

Nowadays, Delegate Ayers is known throughout Europe for throwing outrageous fundraisers in support of the causes he’s backing, with some of the most famous faces in the international magical community making regular appearances. Some may raise brows at Ayers’ “party for politics” methodology, but there’s no arguing that beauty, popularity, and a knack for entertaining are powerful tools when it comes to reaching the upper echelon of magical folk with the means to enact change.

The Daily Prophet will continue to run extended profiles of candidates and bring you updates on the September 9th election.

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3 JULY 2020 - Following the passing of Supreme Mugwump Babajide Akingbade at age 101, the Minister for Magic Duncan Armstrong has graciously offered to host the delegates of the ICW in London later this year to elect a new leader and confer on the international wizarding world’s most pressing issues... MORE ON PAGE 8.

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X.

           Faithful readers, newcomers welcome once again to The Muse Update. The Ministry rejoices their newest ‘elected’ pick of Tamiko Naruse. We are again reminded that without input, without an election. Without a word to our Being, Halfbreed, and everything in-between brothers-sister-siblings, someone has been put in charge of our Rights.

X.

           As a model society of witches and wizards, how can we elect a new leader—one without a plan, without reform, and without bearing upon our community? How can we trust a government that has, through the centuries proven, without a whisper of a doubt that it cannot be trusted? They have instilled paid-for actors by noble houses, cheated their way into hallowed halls of governance, and sought to ratify laws made against individuals with no voice in their Republic.

X.

           While I may applaud the Ministry for its exemplary crackdown on Dark Magic, the drug trade, and illegal magical creature sales, they have made the world safer. For them. I do not doubt that our Institutions are made to protect them. But are they made to protect us? To raise us? The Ministry doesn’t care about Being folk. They just want a talking head spouting pretty lies and falsehoods with a droplet of our blood to sate us.

X.

           My friends, are we to be sated by someone who does not belong to us? Shall we be represented by a person who does not belong to our community? I know I have never seen her among our kind. I’ve never heard a whisper of her beyond her so-called Veelan pride among my Veela sisters and siblings. Of course—she is welcome to join our meetings, to talk to our leaders, our Packs in all four corners, our Vampire Societies, our Veelan enclaves—but does she want to? What does she believe in? Does she believe in overturning laws and regulations put into place to keep us in our ‘places’? Or will she be what we fear— a puppet for the machinations of the Ministry.

X.

           I ask all those who are Beings to ask yourselves these hard questions, of your friends: Where do you stand? Do you stand with the oppressed? Do you stand with those under regulation and unable to complete an everyday life, through only the fault of blood? Do your friends believe that we are all equal and that we owe no one a bowed head, not even ourselves? Do you stare into the mirror and feel shame?

X.

You should not. You are magical. You are a Halfbreed, a Being, a member of an old society of magic that the Ministry seeks to beat like a dog into the ground. For those of you who are not, but are still reading, still whipped up in a frenzy over this ridiculous oversight, you are one of us too. A comrade. An ally. A brigade member who only wishes to see all Magical Beings, of all droplets of blood no matter how minor, to be given the same respect, opportunities, and rights as you have.

X.

           I shall not be beaten. I will raise my head high and say, ‘Move Me.’

X.

           Tamiko Naruse is probably a lovely person. Perhaps even has some fuzz between her head known as a brain, but should we allow an untried, untested, unregulated, bought and paid for, unknown Veelan of questionable bloodline to represent us? Above our historied Clans, Vampiric enclaves, Veelans, or even among the half-giants, half-goblins, and everyone in between? Someone who has never once been seen among our number. Why should we trust someone who has never once been a part of our community in her life? Ask yourself these questions, your friends, your families, your co-workers, and see what answers lie in their bones.

X.

           With that, I must sign off. I have been told I ramble even in written form. As usual, should anyone require assistance, you may howl for me anywhere a hawk lands. With respect and the blessings of the Moon, I the Muse leave you with these parting words: Who represents you?

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Tamiko Naruse the new representative for the Ministry Employees with Being Status Organization

– July 2020, Julia Turnbrook reports

Fresh-faced Hogwarts graduate and proud part-Veela, Tamiko Naruse, has been elected as the new representative to replace the late Henry Halestorm. The addition comes as Tamiko’s first employment right out of Hogwarts! We asked Ms. Naruse what she had to say regarding her new position, stating “Tensions are high at the moment, but it’s so important we stick together and stay true to our morals. I believe we can work together with the Ministry to achieve the best for everyone.”

Read our Exclusive Interview with Tamiko inside!

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casshasfangs·:

who are cthulhu?

The Wizarding World’s hottest new band have finally escaped the confines of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In their first ever, tell-all interview with Witch Weekly, The Band Cthulhu answer: Who are you?!

“We’re friends,” Shosh Edelman answers, looking effortlessly cool in a black denim playsuit and long, thigh-high black boots. “All three of us believe in Being equality and we love using music to forward that message.”

Many bands have tried to pursue social causes with their music- Crash Your House infamously charged wizards nineteen galleons more than witches to account for the gender pay gap, the Smashing Pumpkins refused to play at the Minister for Magic’s inauguration, citing creative differences. But the fight for social justice isn’t just a passing trend for the band, it’s personal. “I’m a werewolf,” Rhett Andersen says- it’s difficult to understand her due to her thick Australian accent. “Cass is a vampire. And Shosh is a blood donor for Cass.”

There’s an unmistakable tension over this point, of course, due to the Ministry’s new registry for blood donors. When asked about the registry, Shosh Edelman and Cass Halestorm decline to comment, though they state that they are cautious about any registry of Beings and those who affiliate with them due to the Ministry’s historic oppressive regimes.

“And current,” Cass Halestorm, who has been largely quiet during the interview, speaks out. “My father worked for decades to prevent the policies that the Ministry are pushing through now that he’s gone. Rhett and I weren’t allowed to sit in for our NEWTs. Not to mention, after we dropped our EP, the Ministry had aurors tailing us in Hogwarts pretty much 24/7.”

When asked if they think the Ministry are afraid of this band of teenagers, Rhett cuts in with a foreboding warning: “They should be.”

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New Legislation for Beings Passed This Morning

In a move that has been deemed “necessary” by some Ministry officials, several new precautionary laws have passed this morning with immediate effect. The most impactful for this time of year is a bill that states any Wix with full or partial Being status under the age of 18 (or still in full time education) must participate in any graded exam in an independent classroom, while another states tighter portkey access and restrictions for applications. The list includes one that could even be seen as controversial in some communities, which requires any and all blood donors to be declared within a private registry, held at the Ministry itself, with legal action being taken against anyone found to be avoiding this new change by the end of the year. 

The changes come shortly after the nominated representative for the “Ministry Employees with Being Status” position was filled several days ago by one Filgritt Mole, an elderly wizard who is 1/6th goblin. MORE ON PAGE 3.

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Ministry Representative Murdered

-- June 2020, Julia Turnbrook reports

Nominated representative for the “Ministry Employees with Being Status” organization, Henry Halestorm, was found dead at the early hours of this morning. Foul play is suspected, but the Ministry has released no details and says the investigation into the employee’s death is “underway, and with haste”. The Minister for Magic is expected to make a statement later today.

Further concerns arise for the safety of Halestorm’s surviving son and minor magical celebrity, Cassius Halestorm, who is currently attending Hogwarts. It is rumoured that a member of the Minister’s personal Auror team has been temporarily stationed at the school to work alongside Headmistress Minerva McGonagall, improving security and keeping a watchful eye on the young student while the investigation continues.

While the loss of such a publicly admired figurehead is a shock to many, what does this mean for the Ministry itself? Employees are expressing sincere concern over their safety this morning, and the question some are already asking is just who will take over the role as representative? It was no secret that Halestorm was working diligently alongside the Minister to improve the pending Being legislation, but what happens now? More on page 3.

(Player note: For further information, you can read the para on Cass’ blog here).

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1 APR. 2020 - Ministry owls have taken to the sky today to deliver the brand-new 2020 UK Wizarding Census, completion of which is compulsory by law for every magical citizen by 1 May 2020. The questionnaire, cleverly crafted by the Minister of Magic’s own hand-picked, newly formed Census Bureau, was written with magical equality in mind.

“My administration is committed to an Inclusive Magical Future that takes everyone into consideration and leaves no one unaccounted for, and this Census is exactly the sort of proactive, forward-thinking idea that will lead us together toward a brighter future in the modern wizarding world. I couldn’t be more proud of the innovative problem-solving accomplished by the Ministry’s newest department,” says Minister for Magic Duncan Armstrong on the Census Initiative. Though the 2020 Census is a far cry from the infamous Being Registry that was touted during Armstrong’s campaign, the former-Ravenclaw Minister insists that “knowledge is our greatest tool in achieving understanding and equality,” and that’s precisely what the 2020 Census aims to acquire.

Details on how to fill out the Census are included with the questionnaire, and portkey dropboxes have been set up in every major wizarding community for easy return of completed documents by the start of next month. Additionally, official Bureau administrators known as Enumerators will be sent to Hogwarts in the coming weeks to assist all Muggleborn students in filling out the document.

Stay tuned for exclusive updates on the 2020 UK Wizarding Census from Britain’s most trusted news source on Ministry affairs, The Daily Prophet.

(Player Note: Please make sure submissions are turned on for all characters)

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[From the Archives: Daily Prophet, December 2018]

Meet Your Minister for Magic: Duncan Armstrong

A Julia Turnbrook Exclusive; New Year, New Minister

While I am not unfamiliar with the gilded fireplaces of the Ministry’s Atrium, the stunning decor of Minister Duncan Armstrong’s very own office is another story. Lavish purple carpets with warm mahogany accents is a combination that sounds as bizarre as it is - but it works. I’m greeted by the Senior Undersecretary - Camilla Armstrong, the Minister’s very own sister - who leads me directly to the Minister’s office where a gorgeous spread of afternoon tea already awaits. First impressions of the Minister only prove how at ease he is. Quick to introduce himself, charming and charismatic, he offers me a gentle handshake and some refreshments - yes, ladies and gentlemen, I was waited on by the Minister himself! 

With a cup of tea in hand, we both take a seat, and Duncan - he insists that I call him Duncan, readers! - dispenses of any unnecessary formality.

So, Duncan; tell us a little about yourself. I’m Duncan Armstrong, newly elected Minister for Magic, though 36th to hold such a prestigious title. Following Kingsley Shacklebolt would be a hard task for anyone, but I’m hoping to do those who voted for me proud.

You earned a job at the Ministry straight out of Hogwarts, isn’t that right? I certainly did. I was your typical Ravenclaw bookish-type, and politics had never particularly been on my radar. It was actually my sister who pointed out an opening at the Wizengamot Administration Services. We both applied and were both successful, thus starting our careers in the Ministry.

And your sister, who is here with us today, is now acting as your Advisor and Senior Undersecretary. What’s it like working so closely with family? Camilla and I are very lucky; we have an excellent work ethic and our morals are perfectly aligned, so it really helps to have someone of an identical mind in my team. We’ve developed a great dynamic over the years and I really wouldn’t be here today without her.

We like to ask the hard questions here at the Daily Prophet, Duncan, so I have to ask; your approach to the Being situation over recent years has been seen as very ‘modern.’ Do you think that affected your recent victory? Hard questions are important, so I’m glad you’re asking them, Julia - that’s why journalists like you are so vital. The topic is often a hard one because the reality is you can never please everyone, but you can certainly try your best. The changes I proposed during my campaign for Minister are already in motion and I hope the public will be pleased with how they’re executed. It’s clear that Wix are looking for a sense of security in this time of uncertainty, and I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity everyone has given me to help provide that for everyone, Beings included.

Why not remind us a little about what you propose to do to ensure the safety of all magical people, Wix and Beings alike. I believe having a registry can help keep track of Being populations in our society, meaning we can offer the best help and assistance to those communities as and when it's needed. It also means, should the worst happen, we can pinpoint the problem and address it swiftly. I realise the apprehension many Beings have after the Muggleborn Registration Committee during Voldemort’s puppet Ministry, but I’m thankful for the confidence their community has found in me over the years and will always advocate for their safety. We will not have a repeat of that terrible year.

For our last question, it’s one I’m sure many people have been wondering; do you have any advice for young wix wanting to follow in your path? Hard work is imperative, but remember to be open-minded to the concerns of other people. Politics can be notoriously tricky, but I truly believe that having the capability to adapt to problems and address them in a responsible manner is a skill that can never be underappreciated. Oh, and always dress to impress.

[giggle-me-this]