MINISTRY OF MAGIC CONTEMPLATES
(WHAT REALLY HAPPENED??!!)
By Tina Truthorn, Investigative Journalist
What really happened at Frogwarts this summer? Was there really evil lurking in the
Frogwarts 2005 started out with joy and excitement with students sharing summer tales, getting to know each other, moving into their dormitories, and making new friends or greeting returning wizards … but the trouble started quickly:
While the students were sorted by the Sorting Hat, a mischievous band of Hinky Punks changed the directional signs to the Defense classroom and Professor Bumblebone followed a fluttering butter-guide to lead a group of curious campers all the way down to the Pond of Sludge and up along the edge of the Forbidden Forest in a scenic but very round-about way to the Defense camp. On the walk, several Fairy Rings were pointed out and Prof. Fenris used the opportunity to instruct the students on the proper way to avoid capture by Fairies, and how to defend oneself against a Fairy spell by refusing their food and drink.
Near the top of the hill, Professors Fenris and Worstwick discovered evidence of a Basilisk (broken glass – Basilisks detest their reflection in anything.) There was also the sound of Cave Trolls bellowing a warning along the hill as they sensed the presence of the Wizards very near the Banishing Boink Boundary.
That night, campers were awakened by the sound of a Troll attack! Not to worry, they were told, Frogwarts Defense Against Darkness experts, Professors Fenris and Worstwick, successfully fought off the large, mean (but not too bright) Trolls. By the next morning, campers were trading stories of floating arms, red eyes glowing in the darkness, the sounds of Hinky Punk laughter, clashing swords and cracking wands. However, all evidence of the Troll attack had been cleaned up before breakfast and all fear was gone by call to campfire that night. Students were to their classes with only 17 inches of parchment-homework to worry about.
But Professor Worstwick sustained a mysterious injury; having been scratched by what he thought was a very colorful branch in the woods. Madam Harmonica, the Knight Knurse, bandaged the wound and gave him an antidote that should have made even the grumpiest wizard feel cheery. Somehow, it didn’t work … by Thursday evening, Worstwick appeared to be in increasing pain, losing his indefatigable cheer and smiley nature to stomach cramps, snarling and crabby muttering. He even appeared to be a bit green.
Thursday evening’s Full Moon Howling was canceled after the events in the
Back at the Great Lodge, Minister of Magic Nigel Rumbletum admonished Professor Bumblebone about the entire series of events, insisting that the Ministry, responsible for the safety of the campers, should call each student’s parent or guardian to have them taken HOME, immediately! Headmistress Bumblebone reasoned with him, pointing out that there was only one more day left of camp, no students had been harmed or gone missing, and the students were supervised by faculty at all times. The students were present; they all promised to stick together, stay far away from the
On Friday, all seemed to be well (except for Worstwick – he was greener than ever, and his eyes took on a reddish tinge.) The big frog project was almost done; the Quidditch tournament was prepared, with teams practicing positions and strategies. It promised to be a safe and happy end to the camp after all … until the Grand Wizarding Council Fire.
That night, just after the Head Boys and Girl were inducted into the Junior Wizarding Council, Professor Bumblebone was sharing a few words of creative encouragement when suddenly she was invaded by a controlling forced! – evidenced by a spiny wart pod that appeared on her hand! -- Professors Erythmaticus, Furrious, Underbottom and Gladiolus were stupefied and unable to help – when suddenly Worstwick appeared from behind the darkness of the tents, clearly controlling Bumblebone and zapping her power! “Warrick!” she cried, “Not you! I never dreamed it was you!” She threw a disarming spell, Itchimus Maxilorio, causing Worstwick to itch uncontrollably, but when she reached for her wand, Worstwick froze her with a well-aimed Petrificus Totalus and she was helpless, frozen! At that moment, Doran Fenris, Defense Against Darkness Professor and Wizard Councilor, leapt into the fry with sword and wand! The students watched, transfixed, while the two traded blows and spells, pushed first toward the forest and then toward the swamp. Worstwick appeared to have suddenly gained tremendous power from somewhere and was gaining ground against Fenris when suddenly Fenris soaked him with a triple foil! Worstwick dropped to the ground as if dead. His body was dragged away by Professors Furrious and Erythmaticus, while Fenris released Bumblebone from her petrified state and summarized his suspicions. Worstwick was his good friend, Fenris confided, but something was different about him this year. After the business with the trolls and the first night, Fenris told them, he suspected that the “scratch” on Worstwick’s side was actually a Basilisk bite – but who could live through that? He wondered. Only someone who was being “used” for some evil purpose.
The evening ended on a happy note, with evil defeated and goodness prevailing! Professor Fenris closed the Wizarding Council Fire with a performance of Shakespeare’s speech, “Now Our Revels All Have Ended” from The Tempest. All retired to the Great Hall to be introduced – out of role – and congratulated as Frogwarts School of Wizardry Role-play Actors for a fine week of long-form drama. A Magic-themed dance of celebration, with Robertus Bobrid as Disc Jockey, made a Happy Ending for everyone!