( ISSUE TWO )

[THE DAILY PROPHET !]

The future of the Triwizard Tournament is in doubt after the Italian champion's infamous kidnapping. Still no word on her situation or who kidnapped her, but the wizarding world continues to hope that she will be found alive and well. [cont. page 2]

Elaine De Lorme, winner of the previous Triwizard Tournament and recently appointed to the post of Minister for Magic in France, took a moment to sit down with me and talk about her country's position on the tournament. As a previous winner, she has a unique look at the situation, realizing that it brings our countries together despite this tragic event. In their newly renovated offices, I got the opportunity to shake her hand and get an in depth assessment on the situation. And ccording to Minister De Lorme, France is unlikely to return to the next tournament. Despite the benefits, she feels, as do many others, that it is simply too dangerous to allow it to continue after everything that has happened.

"It's a terrible thing, simply terrible," she told me, sighing down at the stack of memos on her desk. The exotic and expensive exterior notwithstanding, the office around us was busy at work, interrupting our interview every so often. When one such interruption departed, she continued. "We expect our students to be safe when they go off for the tournament. And this is the second tragedy to strike at Hogwarts. While the tournament provides valuable international relations, the students' safety must be our primary concern."

The French ministry is certainly taking student safety seriously. Starting this year, attending Beauxbatons will be mandatory for students all over Europe, under new Headmistress and muggle-born socialite Maia Garnier. New courses will be introduced, and students will be protected by defensive enchantments. Perhaps our ministry should take a more active role at Hogwarts school, for the safety of the students. Considering the turmoil leading up to the kidnapping of Sydney Carter - Death Eater involvement in which has still not been ruled out by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement - making sure the students at Hogwarts are safe should be a top priority.

Minister De Lorme assured me that all of the new legislature her administration is passing is about protecting their country, their youth in particular. "Students are the future, and we need to do everything in our power to protect them from harm." And under France's golden girl, they certainly should be safe. One only hopes that Hogwarts will do everything they can to step up on security in the coming year. [cont. page 3]

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

THE INVESTIGATION OF SYDNEY CARTER (PAGE 2)
HOGWARTS UPDATES FOR 2010 (PAGE 3)
THE WIZENGAMOT: DOING THEIR JOB? (PAGE 4)
WEREWOLVES SPEAK AGAINST DEATH EATERS (PAGE 5)
BE AWARE OF YOUR CHILDREN'S SAFETY (PAGE 5)


disclaimer: i do not own elaine de lorme. she was
used in this article with permission from the writer, blondie.