presents

Our children are still going missing.

A year after the initial child abductions, Law Enforcement and the wizarding community seem no closer to solving this unsettling mystery. Most recently, Justin (7), Aria (5) and Timothy (3) were taken from the alley all within the same week of each other. Much like the other children that have consistently been taken, they were also returned in what appears to be excellent condition. Some have even requested to be sent back!

Tales of toys, cake and ice-cream roll off each little tongue, as well as mentions of a friend whose name none seem capable of remembering.

“Whoever’s been taken these kiddos doesn’t look like they’ve got some plan to hurt ‘em. None that we’ve been able to find so far. All the kids examined—these three included—passed all health checks and didn’t appear to be in any worse condition than before they were taken.” Said Healer’s Assistant at St. Mungo’s, Todd Leighton.

The clearest indication of foul play, besides the actual kidnappings, is the apparent lack of memory among the children. It is a pattern found throughout, leaving the children unable to definitively say how they went missing, who may have taken them or where they were taken. Crucial information like this being withheld has made it equally difficult for the DMLE to get a real read on the case.

“Motive’s usually one of the easiest ways of making a break in a case like this. Kids being returned unharmed and talking like they just got back from their favourite theme park doesn’t add up to the malicious intent we typically deal with on a daily basis. Even if the memories are fabricated, the fact still remains that whoever had ‘em took decent care of them before releasing them back into the alley at roughly the same intervals. What sort of criminal kidnaps kids just to show ‘em a good time then return ‘em? We answer that question, and we’ll solve this problem.” Alexa Cambridge, Senior Auror down at the Ministry stated. “We have a few theories but none we’re willing to share with the public at this time.”

With only a few weeks until Diagon Alley hosts its Taste of Wizarding London event, many individuals—parents specifically—are wondering if it’s even safe to take their children along for what is meant to be a fun family outing.

The Prophet has received word that some members of Law Enforcement will be keeping a presence at the event in order to prevent any disappearances but they suspect that it may unfortunately still affect crowd turnout.