Post by Head Reporter on Jun 21, 2009 22:07:10 GMT -5
MINISTRY MEETS WITH DISASTER
DEATH EATER RAIDS LEAVE WIZARDING WORLD IN PANIC[/B]
By Head Reporter J. Smith[/center]
Yesterday, Death Eaters attacked Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade Village, leaving over twenty injured and five dead. Several of the injured were students. Shops have been destroyed in both areas. Diagon Alley suffered a severe fire, which claimed several stores and lives.
Seventh year Ravenclaw, Ariana Beauchelle, provided details regarding her attack, “[The Death Eater]…created a ring of fire around me and tried to use Engorgio to make me grow in size and become burned…I was very scared by this time…I was certain I would die.”
A second Death Eater appeared as Beauchelle’s situation worsened. “…the flames kept growing.” Beauchelle went on. “It was awful. I was sure I would die. It was horrid. After what seemed like an eon, someone doused the flames, and that’s when I lost consciousness.”
With Beauchelle, was sixth year Hufflepuff, Charlie Constantine. From his hospital bed, Constantine described his attackers. “Rodolphus Lestrange was there…Scariest fellow I'd ever seen. His eyes were all dead- like there wasn't any soul there. The other Death Eater was younger. She spoke German. She threw me on to the ground when they first found us.” Constantine continued, noting his injury
“Lestrange tried to kill Martha - she's my cat - but I threw her out of the way. He hit me instead.”
Flourish and Blotts employee, Annie Deveaux, voiced concern regarding the seeming lack of Ministry security. She feels that the security should be tighter, especially considering the events of last year, when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named ambushed the Ministry of Magic. Flourish and Blotts manager, Phillipe Tearlach, stated that despite the brutal attack, the shop should be able to recover. Others stores, he noted, will need Ministry help in order to properly get back on their feet. Tearlach added that he was certain the Ministry would provide the necessary assistance.
The intention behind these attacks is still unclear. Many fear that they are the beginning of a larger scheme planned by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The Minister of Magic assures the public that they are taking all possible measures to protect future attacks. Magical Law Enforcement Squad member, Zandar Matteo, one of the few Ministry officials present at the time of the attacks, expressed regret on behalf of the Ministry. “The Ministry apologizes for the deaths and destruction and will do its best to help the public get back on its feet,” Matteo said. “Rest assured that the respective offices at the Ministry will look deeply into this matter and do its best to ensure that attacks of such a caliber do not happen again.”
With so many injuries, St. Mungo’s is busier than ever. Healer Marian Bellecotte stated that many of the wounds are cuts, scrapes, and burns, though internal damage and effects of the Cruciatus Curse have been seen as well. St. Mungo’s guarantees the safety of the attack victims. The hospital’s staff is doing its best to provide the finest care available.
Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes employee, Valerie Crewe, who was intoxicated with Euphoria Elixir when attacked, declared, upon being asked how this attack has changed her life, “I’ve never been happier!”[/font]