Minister of Magic Colin MacNair.

Yes, he is young and many believe him to be inexperienced and entirely the wrong person for the job. Though the previous Minister of Magic Kingsley Shacklebolt named the young MacNair as his replacement, the young Minister’s youth and inexperience is nonetheless frightful for those who believe firmly in the power of the ministry and tradition. Even with certain criticisms from the general public, Minister MacNair has proven himself to be, at the very least, an apt politician. His words have swayed some over to his side as if an Imperius Curse has been cast on the entire magical community. He has made his promises to us as Minister and has, for the most part, kept said promises. Still nothing has stopped the constant scrutiny by those who believe him to be inept for the position.

Of course, in support of those people, the Minister’s latest decree has brought nothing but confusion and frustration.

Earlier in the week, the Minister released a statement about Decree 4691 (also known fondly by the general public as the Big Brother Decree). Minister MacNair stated “Decree 4691, which has immediately been set into action, puts a halt on all floo networks. Anyone found trying to use a floo network will be tried by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and receive an appropriate punishment. To his halt, a magical trace has been placed on Apparating. The Head of the Department of Magical Transportation and I have worked very closely on this issue and feel that it is a necessary decree. It is merely temporary. When everything is safe again for the public, we will lift the ban and the trace. Until then, though, this decree will be enforced.”

Why would the floo network not be safe? And how exactly did the Ministry find a way to put a trace on Apparating? Apparition is supposed to be one of the very few works of magic that cannot be traced once used; yet somehow the Minister and the Department of Magical Transportation has found a way to do the once impossible. This decree has left nothing but questions. When asked about the reason behind the decree, the Minister and the Head of the Department of Magical Transportation denied to comment. Does this mean that the Minister and the Ministry are hiding something important and possibly quite dangerous? Or is this merely a test of magic and transportation and nothing more? There are many questions on the lips of every witch and wizard, but only two people have the answers; sadly, they are not spilling any secrets.