Aside from the brief bowtruckle infestation set down by Archimedes Ollivander (see Chapter 22), the 1752-1753 school year was remarkable only as the final time the dungeons were flooded by the Black Lake. Headmaster Irmgard Blacio set out the first primitive anti-leak charms throughout the lower floors of the school, charms that remained intact in some iteration until the Mermish invasion of 2068.

Several students fell victim to what was believed to be a resulting black mold infestation, although medical records from this time period were spotty and unsophisticated. Known symptoms included headaches, fatigue, and blackouts. The mold infestation was officially listed as coming from damp lake water creeping into the kitchens, as a group of Hufflepuff seventh years suffered the most serious side effects: six of them slipped into a coma that lasted through May and were only awakened successfully by the excellent ministrations of Head Healer Walton Persch right before the end of term.

The school was well dried out by the fall of 1754, the next time accurate records can be found regarding Hogwarts history. Blacio is remarkably silent regarding this time period, which is strange considering the fact that the Hogwarts Headmaster was an avid writer and kept up-to-the-minute journal entries for most of his life. Indeed, an entire vault at Gringott's is filled with his 419 journals, and the space is specially charmed for book preservation. This author has been provided only limited access to these journals, so that despite the many rumors printed in the local press at that time, no factual evidence about the period immediately following the black mold infestation has been discovered. This author will not deign to acknowledge rumormongers within these factual pages.

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School Rolls
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1750 - 278 students
1751 - 302 students
1752 - 299 students
1754 - 332 students
1755 - 312 students
...

Silence From the Castle Finally Ends

21 June 1754

Perhaps we shall never know why the professors and students at Hogwarts School have refused contact with those outside the castle for the past school year, although speculation from parents and the Board of Governors abound. Mercurio Medfast, governor for four years and father of two Hogwarts students, commented for the Hogsmeade Harbinger, "It is of our opinion that Headmaster Blacio is hoping to make use of the affection we have for our families through this misguided and immature show of temper. My children would most certainly have returned for Christmas and Easter if under their own power. What he hopes to prove by exerting his authority is unknown."

Indeed, the Headmaster and his staff prove elusive for those seeking comment regarding the silence over the course of the term, which only seems to further the speculation that Dark Magic was performed upon the students in residence at the bequest of the Head. Head Boy and seventh year Slytherin Herald Escalante, class of 1753, agreed to speak to the Harbinger, although his untruths made any testimony implausible. Herald Escalante insisted that he was still the Head Boy, despite his supposed graduation a year ago. Ravenclaw Daniel Westbrooks, supposed sixth year, refused opportunity to comment, insisting he had OWLs for which to prepare, and Hufflepuff Amarantha de Talone, also class of 1753, would only say that they had been asked by the staff not to speak with journalists.

Lies? Refusal to speak? The Harbinger begs the indulgence of its readers in this story, as hard facts are impossible to find. What we know is that this is a mystery that may never be solved, especially with students sworn to secrecy and professors playing as willing pawns in Blacio's game.