November 10th 2011
Early yesterday afternoon, The Department of Magical Law Enforcement released a press statement pertaining to the puzzling events of August
[1], in which members of wizarding society were admitted to St.Mungo's with varying accounts of possession. The number of victims has since dropped, with most receiving intensive treatment and observation at the hospital.
"
We believe that it is in the interest of public safety that everyone is made aware the supposed epidemic in August," disclosed department head Solomon Carstairs. "
However, we are unable to comment on the source of the mysterious mist, as it is part of an ongoing investigation."
The statement went on to explain that the mist was formed as the result of the mass movement of pentrals. But what, readers,
are pentrals? According to Ministry specialists, these formless entities are in fact disembodied souls who have been separated from their physical selves through the practice of Dark Magic. Their behaviours are unpredictable, and can range from benign to outright violent.
Pentrals have been likened to spirits or ghosts, and they are able to partly take possession of their hosts. The public is asked to immediately report to the DMLE should they seriously suspect anyone of attempting to create a pentral. This particular use of the Dark Arts is strictly prohibited.
The department warns that they have good reason to suspect that dementors are attracted by the presence of pentrals, and that this contributed to their congregation at St.Mungo's
[2] last month. They request that any perceived flocking of Dementors be promptly reported to I.D.R.E.A.D.
[Nov 10th] A Puzzling Predicament