For those of you without wireless or an Evening Prophet subscription: The Ministry have been working on the Merlinade problem since the manufacturers alerted us to an apparent problem with one of its batches. We are pleased to say that an antidote has just been completed, and will be dispensed free of charge to all affected parties ( Read more... )

For the first time in years, I've had to leave off my regular walks because I can't look at the river without wanting to grab an inner tube and jump in. Though murky and home to an illness which causes fever in those who drink its waters, people do bathe in this river, especially when the air is as hot and muggy as it's been lately. Rather than ( Read more... )

I had a surprise this week when the elderly Muggle lady I've become friendly with over shared walks along the river near my cottage asked if I would like to stop by and watch the Wimbledon final. She's a mothering sort and has had me round to tea often enough that the invitation in itself wasn't unusual. Neither of us had ever expressed an interest ( Read more... )

I'd like to extend my sympathies to Mr Baddock's family and loved ones, and offer my personal assurance that the Ministry is taking great pains with its investigation into his death. Although it's natural that those concerned should want answers as quickly as possible, idle speculation without the weight of evidence in a case such as this will ( Read more... )

I've spent the vast majority of my adult life living alone so it shouldn't feel odd now that Tonks is no longer staying at my cottage, and yet the quiet is a bit startling. I'd managed to forget what it was like to hear the icy trees groaning as gusts of wind whip through their branches, how loud things truly are in the absence of another soul. ( Read more... )

Although these journals are a part of the public record, I would like to reiterate that my comments in them are essentially personal. That is, what I say here reflects my thoughts stripped of anything constituting an Official Statement from the Office of the Minister for Magic ( Read more... )

It's been over 150 years since an English Minister for Magic has had the privilege of congratulating a victorious World Cup team of his own. I've already said all my platitudes whilst shaking hands with the teams and later on with Lee (I can only assume my remarks were cut for space), so now I'd rather say how satisfying it is to see a good friend ( Read more... )

There is a large botanical garden that I like to visit not far from my cottage. It's always been part of the local Muggle university, but at least one wizard is known to have had a hand in it: Rowan Bract, who designed a set of systematic beds that function as a living reference guide. The beds are grouped according to a well-known herbology text ( Read more... )

I quite enjoyed myself at the Gingerbread gala last night. Between Tonks' fuming at the reporters, Percy feeling his Norman blood, and the impressive bit of spellwork on the ice sculptures, I'd say the evening was fairly exciting at times. My compliments to the organisers for successfully entertaining us and raising funds for a worthy cause ( Read more... )

I'm a bit under the weather this weekend and haven't gone out except for a walk along the Backs. Making my way along the river, it struck me that I've spent quite a bit of time sailing the Broads lately. It's not something I would have pictured myself doing even five years ago. Now I rearrange my weekend schedule before knowing whether anything is ( Read more... )