Storms are in the Air

[The Daily Prophet]

Fresh from the Ministry's mouth: Muggles will be entering our precious Hogwarts!
August 2027
Fannie Hodson

That's right, our presses are not lying. The Ministry for Magic has just held a press meeting, Muggles will be storming the castle, stomping on our grounds, and partaking in our classes. Headmaster Quintus Ophelic and Minister Vincent van Gheule have just told us Muggle Professors will be hired to teach classes, Muggle students will be accepted to begin this coming term, and there's nothing we can do about it.

Confirming rumors which have been circulating for months, Muggles will be allowed inside Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. Nothing is sacred anymore. Parents are enraged, students are crying, and graduates are steaming (literally, either someone just ate a peppermint imp or they're really angry).

While we've requested further detail, we have been told all questions must wait at this time, that the Minister and Hogwarts Headmaster want to let the information sink in for all of us. They're explaining that this opportunity could be valuable to our future. Our cultures will be expanded beyond anything we've known before.

We here at the Daily Prophet understand the outrage and the thrill of excitement that is coursing through our readers veins at this time. We're expecting a huge influx of letters in response to this short message, please know we will update you as soon as we know more about the thoughts and motivations behind this significant move.

[The Daily Prophet]

The Riots: More Unrest about Muggles at Hogwarts.
December 2027
Page Yates

Half a year has past with Muggles roaming and learning in the halls of Hogwarts. The curriculum was added to and the students adjusted but how well? Groups of people obviously think that they didn't adjust well enough because rioters hit the streets of Hogsmeade to greet the students, their families, and the muggle guests leaving the Yule Ball. We first saw riots at Platform 9 3/4 as the train left for the first time with muggles on board. It seems that the unrest about the decision is still rampant. We have seen a number of families pull their students out and send them to schools such as Durmstrang or Beauxbatons. They claim that Hogwarts is no longer the prestigious school it once was. That their children would have suffered because of the muggles at the school. Who are we to decide?

We sent a team out to interview some of the students and those in attendance as they were leaving the Yule Ball as well as one of the protesters.

First, we got a chance to talk to Jaimie Stark, the current Head Girl at Hogwarts and a seventh year Ravenclaw. When asked what were her thoughts about Muggles being allowed at Hogwarts this was her answer: "I think it is a great thing. Sure the curriculum had to be added to and accommodations made but I know many of my classmates have never interacted with muggles much or even at all. With Muggles getting welcomed into the wizarding world, it is important that especially the younger generation get used to working together so that stuff like this [the riots] doesn't get out of hand."

We ran into a rather chatty muggle who had a lot to say about the situation. Joesoph Tidwell, fourth year Equiano, was asked about what he thought it was like being a muggle at Hogwarts. "Well, I was under the wrong impression when I got here. I thought you guys were going to train me to be a wizard. Boy, was I wrong. So, aside from being just a little disappointed at that, I love it. I get to see people do real magic. Not the pretend stuff I know how to do. I would describe it like going to a normal school, only you risk being shrunk down to a tiny size if you touch the wrong desk, or risk being turned into a frog if you say things to the wrong student. It's actually quite exciting." Hopefully it isn't often that he is getting shrunk but the boy seemed pretty positive about the whole situation. Here was his take on muggles being at Hogwarts: "I think it's a great idea because I'm having fun with it, but I can think of a couple students in particular that have a problem with it. I think most are in the Slytherin house, so I just make it a general rule to avoid the students wearing Green." Lastly, he was asked what he thought about the riots. "Well, ever since leaving the train station and entering the school grounds, I haven't seen or heard much of the protest. I would hope they have stopped by now. I mean, why would it be so bad to let us come to the same school? It's just crazy!"

We caught up with another student. This is what Phoebe Cartwright, fourth year Slytherin, had this to say about Muggles at Hogwarts: "It's just been such an experience having Muggles here. Having been raised by Muggles it's almost like being around family having them all walk down the same halls as me. Of course they should get the best education and I just hope that what they find at Hogwarts is what is good for them." As for the riots, the young student seemed a bit shocked. "Wow it was just crazy! I'd never seen anything like the train riot before in my life. To hear they're happening more frequently while we're all at school; It's just so strange to think all this history is going on around us close by yet we're hardly even a part of it. All I want is for these disputes to come to an end for the better of both communities."

A Hogwarts alumni had a bit to say on the topic. "The rioters are within their rights and Muggles, especially squibs, should not be attending Hogwarts" Was what Valerie Hulslander, former Slytherin, was quoted on about the subject.

Lastly, we spoke to one of the protesters. Moyra McArthur has been at both protests and when asked what her thoughts were about Muggles at Hogwarts this is what she had to say: "These muggles are a disgrace to our society, to our values, and they are a danger to our children. We choose to send our daughter to Durmstrang, as the reputation of that institution is still unblemished, unlike Hogwarts which will now apparently let anyone in. No children of ours attend Hogwarts."

It seems that opinions are mixed but one thing is for certain: tensions are high and they don't seem to be going anywhere. Will the rioters get there way? Or will Hogwarts continue with its newest traditions?