February 9, 2009

February will find Hogwarts School host to a security brigade provided by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.  In the aftermath of a student's murder on the grounds, Headmistress Analiza Snark, with the support of the School Governors, have made the unprecedented move to call in the cavalry. 

"Make no mistake, the safety of the students is our highest priority," said Chair of the School Governors Persepolis Zephyr.  "We have complete faith in Madam Snark and her choice to solicit the assistance of the Ministry of Magic in such trying times."

Interim Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Head of the Auror Corps Tamis Raynor, has installed round-the-clock sentries from the ranks of the Hitwizards and the Magical Law Enforcement Squad.  An Auror on-site supervises the security measures, that include watchful eyes on all entrances to the grounds, including both well-known and rumored secret passages.  The Ministry's presence on the grounds and inside the castle will be limited, however.

This is the first time Hogwarts School has requested Ministry intervention since 1997 during the short period that both Hogwarts School and the Ministry of Magic had been infiltrated by Lord Voldemort's Death Eaters.   We don't count that one.