7th March 2011

The morning peace of Hogsmeade village was broken by an unexpected flock of Dementors[1] early yesterday, when a confrontation between one of its residents and convict at large, Lawrence Musgrave, was succeeded by the arrival of these ominous creatures. According to sources in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Musgrave’s victim - St.Mungo’s Head Healer - was far from the only person affected by the Dementors.

Neighbours and other residents are said to have experienced the usual symptoms of exposure, and one tragic death under the Gorebridge to Edinburgh Waverley train has been reported as being related to this mass movement.

Eyewitnesses estimate the number of Dementors to be anywhere from thirteen to thirty-six. ”Dozens upon dozens!” exclaimed a hairdresser from the local salon, who prefers to go unnamed. ”It was like an army," the wizard insisted.

When reached for a statement, I.D.R.E.A.D. reported that these testimonies are likely to exaggerations of a more moderate number and that many of the witnesses were under the influence of the Dementors’ effects.

Following on from the kidnapping in mid-February, and in January a dementor encounter that damaged the Three Broomsticks[2], businesses and inhabitants of Hogsmeade have begun to express fear for what was once a serene haven for wizarding society. Some have begun to suspect that the village is intentionally being targeted, although there appears to be no clear reason for it.

1.	Overplay Your Hand
2.	A Denser Darkness