It was a gloomy, overcast Wednesday.
Early in the morning, thick clouds filled the sky outside the window, accompanied by a steady drizzle—undeniably dreadful weather.
A tawny owl flapped its wings and flew in through the castle window.
It looked around curiously at the elegant little room before it.
Silver instruments hummed and spun on a slender-legged table, releasing delicate wisps of smoke. A sword inlaid with brilliant rubies lay casually on the floor, glimmering faintly in the dull light. One wall was covered with portraits of elderly witches and wizards.
But the owl didn't stay long.
Soon it noticed a strange bird perched on a nearby golden stand.
She looked newly hatched—wrinkled all over and rather ugly. Yet the powerful aura instinctively radiating from her.
After dropping the newspaper, it panicked and tried to flee without even asking for payment.
The ugly little bird let out a strange cry.
The owl froze mid-flight.
The small bird stretched out her chubby claws and grabbed several copper coins from a cylindrical container on the desk. Then she slowly flew up beside the tawny owl.
She dropped the coins into the small leather pouch tied to the owl's leg.
After letting out another strange cry, the owl was suddenly able to move again. it fled at once in relief, vanishing from sight in an instant.
The ugly little bird then slowly drifted back to the floor.
Using her plump claws, she picked up the newspaper and carried it onto the desk.
Only then did she return to the golden perch, where she quickly fell back into a deep, snoring sleep.
...
It was that morning's edition of The Daily Prophet.
The headline on the front page read:
THE DAILY PROPHET
"YOU-KNOW-WHO HAS LEFT!"
By Barnabas Cuffe, Editor of the Daily Prophet
Without a doubt, this is a day worth celebrating — a day for every wizard in Britain to rejoice.
Over the past sixteen years, such moments of celebration have been far too rare.
I can proudly confirm one thing to everyone:
You-Know-Who is gone.
The dark wizard whose name cannot be spoken fled Britain completely just a few days ago.
…
Two Years of Terror
Since You-Know-Who's return two years ago, his crimes have been countless.
Seven large-scale destructive attacks across Britain
Three horrific massacres of Muggles
Numerous innocent witches and wizards murdered by him and his followers
…
Ministry Declares Victory
Under the wise leadership of Minister Amelia Bones, along with Rufus Scrimgeour, Gawain Robards, and many other senior officials of the Ministry of Magic, two years of arduous struggle have finally brought victory.
A complete and decisive victory.
We have won.
They have lost.
…
Death Eaters Defeated
You-Know-Who fled in disgrace together with his so-called Death Eaters.
Some were killed on the spot by Aurors.
Others have already been imprisoned in Azkaban.
Many of them will undoubtedly claim they were acting under the Imperius Curse.
However, the Ministry will not repeat the mistakes it made sixteen years ago.
Those responsible will receive the punishment they deserve.
In Azkaban.
…
Celebrate Across Britain
Witches and wizards across Britain —
Take to the streets and celebrate.
Cheer with all your hearts.
Raise a toast to the brave witches and wizards who gave their lives fighting You-Know-Who.
And finally —
A toast to our brave, capable, and powerful Ministry of Magic.
(Photograph below: Aurors escort a line of captured Death Eaters into Azkaban. Rufus Scrimgeour stands prominently among them.)
…
IN MEMORY OF ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
By Elphias Doge
I first met Albus Dumbledore when we were both eleven years old, arriving at Hogwarts as new students.
Before coming to school, I had contracted dragon pox.
Though no longer contagious, the pockmarks on my face and my greenish skin made many people reluctant to approach me.
But Albus was different.
He showed no prejudice toward me.
Instead, he kindly told me there might be a way to treat the condition affecting my face and skin.
By the third week of school, he had secretly brewed a potion that helped me get rid of the pockmarks and my greenish skin.
…
A Shadow Over the Dumbledore Name
When Albus arrived at Hogwarts, he was already surrounded by controversy.
Nearly a year earlier, his father Percival Dumbledore had been convicted of violently attacking three young Muggles.
Albus never denied his father's crime.
Percival later died in Azkaban.
…
The Most Brilliant Student Hogwarts Had Ever Seen
Yet the damage to Albus's reputation lasted only a few months.
By the end of his first year at Hogwarts, he was no longer known as the son of a Muggle-hater.
Instead, he was already recognized as the most brilliant student Hogwarts had ever seen.
…
I cannot believe I have lost such a friend.
But my loss surely cannot compare with that of the entire wizarding world.
Albus Dumbledore was the most inspiring and beloved Headmaster Hogwarts has ever known.
Though he is gone, he will live forever in the hearts of those who knew him.
Even at the final moment of his life, I believe he would still gladly help a small boy suffering from dragon pox — just as he helped me the day we first met.
…
Another breeze blew in from the window, turning several more pages of the newspaper.
On the first page of the Daily Prophet's entertainment section, tucked away in an inconspicuous corner, a headline appeared:
ALSO IN TODAY'S EDITION
Joke or Ambition?
The Boy Who Survived the Great Calamity — and the Headmaster of Hogwarts?
By Rita Skeeter
…