Hello, dear readers! I hope you enjoyed my last article, and have heeded my warnings of attempting an indoor Quidditch match. I know, it may be tempting - especially with the first game of the season; Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw, however, you must remember the punishment that the four Slytherins received last month, and the injuries that was a result of their poor judgement. But that's not what this article is about! I have another big story to share with you, and I hope you find it informative and enjoyable.
The last few weeks have been something of an adventure for returning Hogwarts students. The fifth and seventh years sat their examinations, and I hope our ambitious Slytherins outshone the other houses and achieved high marks in all of their exams. Remember, our Ministry only hires the best in their ranks, and I would like to see more Slytherins in higher positions. It is starting to look like a Gryffindor reunion at the Ministry these days.
There was also the huge celebration for the coming of age of HEX! Oh, that was exciting! The celebration was the topic of interest aboard the Hogwarts Express this year. I heard rumors that several students held their own party in one of the compartments on the train, but this has yet to be confirmed.
I do know, however, that something exciting did happen on the Hogwarts Express this year. It gives me great pleasure to be reporting this story to you, because it involves several Gryffindors finally getting what was coming to them. I know what you are going to say, "Eimear! We should be practicing house unity!" and you are absolutely correct. However, there is always a line that one must never cross, and these daring Gryffindors did just that!
From my sources, I know that five third-year Gryffindors had bought several items from the joke shop in Diagon Alley and had plans to cause a little mayhem on the train before it reached Hogsmeade Station. It is unknown if the young Lions knew of the dangers of their prank beforehand, however, as a person who is willing to see the good in almost anyone (even Gryffindors) I would say that the youngsters did not think that their pranks would cause any real harm.
They were sorely mistaken. The Gryffindors released Garroting Gas in two of the train corridors. For those who may not have studied this gas yet in Potions, Garroting Gas is a colorless gas that chokes any person that passes through it. Before going further, I would like report that no student was severely harmed by the gas and the victims will make a full recovery.
The only victims were the trolley witch, and two prefects whom were on patrol. As they each entered the corridors, they had enough time to understand what had happened and were able to quickly produce bubble-head charms. In turn, the prefects and the trolley witch, warned the students in the compartments along the corridors to not leave their compartments until told by a prefect or an adult. If it was not for their quick actions we may have had a very deadly disaster on our hands.
The train reached the station, and those in the corridors not filled with gas were escorted off the train by the professors at the school whom were warned ahead of time of the situation. When everyone was off the train, the professors set to work containing the problem corridors so the students trapped in their compartments could leave without harm. The prefects and the trolley witch were treated in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, and should have no lasting effects. The five Gryffindors surrendered themselves when they realized the danger they had put their fellow students in, and were promptly given detention as well as the deduction of one-hundred fifty house points putting Gryffindor in negative numbers.
I have attempted to reach out to the joke shop in Diagon Alley for a statement, but they have yet to reply to my owl. I can report, however, that their shop is currently being investigated by the Magical Law Enforcement division. What a way to start off the school year, eh?
Speaking of the school term, have you finished your homework yet?
Study hard,
Eimear