The day after Halloween, the Great Hall at Hogwarts had already been restored to its original state. That was the beauty of magic.
After breakfast, countless Young Wizards eagerly awaited the owls.
They wanted to see how the Daily Prophet would describe last night's magnificent battle and sing the praises of the new Chosen One: Shawn.
When the flock of owls arrived on schedule and dropped rolls of newspapers, the Young Wizards scrambled to open them. Those without subscriptions crowded around their classmates to read along.
Before long, however, someone swore aloud.
"Has the Daily Prophet gone mad? They're actually saying last night's battle was some Young Wizard's prank that set the Great Hall on fire?"
"What? Why am I not in any of the pictures? A reporter interviewed me last night!"
"Utter rubbish! The Ministry of Magic actually has the nerve to issue a clarification? This is complete nonsense!"
"No, Shawn saved our lives! How can they just bury his reputation for no reason? I'm writing to my aunt. She's the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement!"
"Yes, I'm writing home too! The Daily Prophet has lost all credibility!"
"At least The Quibbler told some of the truth and described last night's battle. But-but why does it also say the Dark Lord and Shawn staged the whole thing together?"
"That's shameless! ..."
The Young Wizards seethed with indignation. At the Slytherin table, the half-blood students, most of whom were fast becoming Shawn's devoted followers, were the most agitated.
Beside the seat at the head of the table, Alice looked solemn. Though her slender hands had crumpled the newspaper, she did not lose her temper.
She was fairly well informed and had received instructions from Shawn.
She knew this was the result of Fudge and that group of