Post by THE DAILY PROPHET ! on Jun 30, 2010 22:05:57 GMT -5
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THE DANGERS OF HOGWARTS SCHOOL
Over the last two years, parents have been dealing with a great deal of stress. It's not taxation or the fate of their favourite Quidditch team that has them worried, but their children. More specifically, whether or not their children are safe after boarding that scarlet steam engine and heading off for another year of magical education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Not only was a troll released at last year's annual Halloween feast, leaving all students in grave danger from a vicious creature, but Harry Potter, the boy who lived, was reportedly found nearly dead after an attack last June.
The school has implemented no new security measures or major changes since these incidents, apart from firing one Professor Quirrell, who was in fact deceased last June. This was followed by the hiring of noted author and adventurer Gilderoy Lockheart to the vacated position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.
The trouble hasn't stopped with the advent of 1993.
In addition to trolls, werewolves have reportedly been spotted in the Forbidden Forest near the school during the full moon. Vampires are thought to be lurking around the premises, targeting our nation's helpless children while they are thought to be in a safe learning environment. And, more troubling still, children at Hogwarts have been found, petrified, on campus.
"We are growing quite a healthy crop of Mandrakes," said Hogwarts Herbology professor Pomona Sprout outside the school greenhouses. "When they mature, they will be brewed and those poor people will be cured, they'll be quite all right."
Will they, in fact, be all right?
One member of the Hogwarts board of Governors addressed the Prophet as he hurried to a meeting with the Minister's staff. "The board is, of course, taking these incidents very seriously. Our top priority will always be student safety."
As the petrifications and sightings continue, how long can concerned parents continue to believe in the staff of Hogwarts to keep their children safe? The next generation is as ever our most valuable resource, and their safety ought to be our top priority.
This is the Daily Prophet.
DEALING WITH MUGGLE NEIGHBORS (PAGE 3)
MAGIZOOLOGY COLUMN ( PAGE 4)
ME, MYSELF, AND I (PAGE 5)
QUIDDITCH SCORES (PAGE 6)
