Snape acted on the already dying Dumbledore's orders,  saving the life of Draco Malfoy as he did, according to Minister Zemelda Smith.  "Incontravertible evidence was given through Dumbledore's Pensieve and witnessed by others," said Smith. "He's innocent."

The Daily Prophet is endeavoring to find Professor Snape to interview him personally, but so far is unable to contact him.  We will have more on this breaking story as soon as it becomes available.

BI Line--Ima S. Neek

NEW MINISTER of MAGIC

(by a  landslide vote of the Wizengamot):

Ms Zemelda Smith!

BELLATRIX LESTRANGE AND LUCIUS MALFOY BATTLE  IT OUT IN KNOCKTURN, THEN DIAGON ALLEY! 
 
What is going on among the Death Eaters? 

For the first month since they broke out, they have been relatively  quiet, but now they are coming out with a bang! First Malfoy and Nott attack Muggles in Muggle London, and now Malfoy and his sister-in-law are trying to  kill each other in broad daylight on a busy street!  No love lost in this family.
 
From what our sources told us, Bellatrix Lestrange and  Lucius Malfoy started the deadly duel in Knockturn, killing about three there, and  then somehow it spilled over into Diagon Alley, where  Draco Malfoy and Lucius Malfoy then engaged in  a deadly battle, while Bellatrix LeStrange began dueling Twilfitt and Tattings shop owner, Pansy Parkinson. Young Draco Malfoy and Parkinson had to be taken to St Mungo's when Aurors  showed up, just as Lucius Malfoy Disapparated! Young Malfoy has been released, but Parkinson is still in St. Mungo’s and listed in critical condition.
 
From the array of curses that went everywhere, three others died, and over a dozen casualties occured. Shops were damaged, most notably the Midnight Apothecary on Knockturn Alley.  The owners will have to rebuild.
 
Narcissa Malfoy could not be reached for comment.

Witch Weekly Gossip Column

What do minister candidates do when their husbands are gone on long cruises breaking curses and partying with Play-witches? Well, the smart ones have affairs of their own. It seems Candidate G. and Mr.P. are in a long term extramarital affair. Is this the sort of magical values we want emulated in our Minister?

What's red and freckled and Muggle all over? Rumour has it that a certain P.W. was spotted milking cows in Brittany, France. We are investigating this claim carefully.

A little bug told us that something is baking in the newlywed P.s' oven. The bun should be perfectly baked shortly if the amount it's risen is any indication.

Something oily was seen *slithering* around Spinner's End three days ago that smelled  like rank potion experiments. Aurors are investigating.

Everyone wants a new broom from dashing bachelor N. P.; but stay away ladies; the tea lady saw him first.

Just who was it strolling so *amicably* on Diagon Alley,  then having an intimate luncheon with the wife of a D.E.? Feeling a little lonely, Mrs. M.?

Tweedledum and Tweedledee seem to have a long term house guest of a decidedly affectionate persuasion. Ladies, they may be out of the market permanently.

We will keep you informed on breaking news. Until then---keep reading.

Eison D. Alley with your Witch Weekly Gossip column.

The two ministry employees being considered for election to Minister of Magic by the Wizengamot in two weeks are both witches: Anastasia Greengrass and Zemelda Smith.

Greengrass, a former Slytherin who is closely related to the pureblood Crouch family, says she will represent a return to conservative Magical values. She believes by respecting all magical people and magical gifts we can each live cooperatively at the level that best suits our talents. She has worked as an administrative aid for the last four Ministers of Magic.



Smith, a former Hufflepuff and a descendant of Helga herself, is recently married to a Muggle barrister, Samuel Abbott. She says she will represent unity and reach out to both purebloods and mixed bloods and Muggle-borns alike. She believes greatness should not be limited by bloodlines, but only by ability and desire. She promises to come down hard on illegal activities. Smith works in the legal prosecution branch of the ministry.



The Daily Prophet will be posting interviews with each candidate next week. Contact your local Wizengamot representative if you wish to support or oppose either of these candidates.

Malfoy Family Exonerated!


We have found out that several Aurors had visited the Malfoy family at their manor and questioned
all three members extensively.

Mrs Narcissa Estelle Black Malfoy had been questioned very thoroughly and was also cleared of any suspicions as she was visiting family members on the night in question. After our questioning, she asked to be excused, looking rather pale and stressed.


Ms Lucera Catriona Rivili Malfoy, the mother of Lucius Malfoy, has been cleared of any suspicions and stated that she will do whatever is necessary to help us track down her son. As everyone here knows, Ms Malfoy has in the past publicly denounced her son's actions and connections to You-Know-Who and refused to stand by her son when he was caught.

Mr Draco Malfoy, had been questioned strongly and under the use of Veritaserum, and was cleared of any connection to the Azkaban Breakout.

All three members of the Malfoy Family have been cleared.

As for who was responsible for helping the Death Eaters escape? Some of our very own Aurors. One was killed in the riot, and another, Auror Van-Guard has admitted to aiding Mr Lucius Malfoy in his scheme which apparently had been in the works for months! As for how Mr Lucius Mafly got his wand? No one knows, but it has been suggested because Van-Guard was helping with the breakout, that Lucius Malfoy got the wand from him.


Rest assured readers, this wizard WILL be dealt with.

Ministry Terminates Umbridge
by: Paige Turner

Minister of Magic Dolores Jane Umbridge has been fired by the Wizengamot today in light of the Azkaban breakout.

Umbridge was unavailable for comment, but her former Undersecretary went on the record saying “The Minister was very distressed by today’s decision; she had great plans in the works to make Azkaban and the Wizarding world a safer place- if she’d only been given a decent opportunity and support from the Wizengamot.”

The Wizengamot had a stinging reply for the Minister. One official is reported to have said (off the record to yours truly) “If Minister Umbridge had such wonderful plans, why are they only dawning in the light of her release? She’s had months to implement them, why dawdle?”

One can only guess who the Wizengamot will install as their new Minister. Rumors have been buzzing around the Ministry this afternoon as to who might ascend the Wizarding seat of power. Employees are simply overjoyed the pink parchment policy has come to an end. Read tomorrow’s edition for updates.

Death Eaters Escape from Azkaban Prison!
by: Logan Ripley

Wednesday evening there was a massive breakout from the Fortress allowing several known Death Eaters to go free. Lucius Malfoy, Rabastian and Rodolphus Lestrange, Fenrir Greyback (werewolf), Augustus Rookwood, Antonin Doholov, Walden MacNair, Mulciber, Crabbe, Goyle, Taltos (werewolf) and Nott are all among the escapees. All should be considered armed and dangerous.

Several Aurors were killed in the raid and subsequent escape, leaving the Ministry’s Law Enforcement Department at an all time low. The Ministry was forced to split the Auror division when You-Know-Who took control of the Dementors who guarded the fortress. It is unknown what the Ministry will do now with several Death Eaters on the loose and the rest of the prison to guard.

At the time of printing it is unknown how the men escaped, but it does not escape the author that Lucius Malfoy’s own son, Draco, was recently found not guilty in participating in the death of Albus Dumbledore, perhaps he helped to break his father out? The husband and brother in law of Bellatrix Lestrange, renegade Death Eater and previous Azkaban Escapee, also escaped. Bellatrix Lestrange is also the sister in law of Malfoy. Did Draco Malfoy or Bellatrix Lestrange break out their relatives in an effort to reunite their family and take control of the under world empire You-Know-Who left behind?

This is the third security breach since 1993 when alleged Death Eater Sirius Black escaped from the island prison. This author suggests that a different tactic be used to guard the prison, current measures are not working. Expect yet another guide from the Ministry on how to protect your home and family. Consult the Prophet for further updates.