Mrs Morwenna Skeeter, formerly the Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and current member of the Wizengamot, yesterday confirmed to a Daily Prophet reporter that for the last eight years she has been living with lycanthropy. The condition, as everyone must surely be aware of by now, means that for three nights each month Mrs Skeeter transforms into a werewolf.

Mrs Skeeter, interviewed at her Bartonburg home during the daylight hours of the final of the three afflicted nights, spoke calmly and frankly about the condition. "There were days when the pain was unbearable. No one can imagine until it happens to them how excruciating it is to feel ones bones reform. I doubt any Healer in the world would allow a patient to suffer so much without intervening but every month there are people who suffer in utter agony and receive nothing but contempt from the public.

In my former position I met with people, not so different from any inhabitants of Hogsmeade, who live in fear and ignominy for an affliction that no one would choose. I was bitten in the course of my work and I was fortunate to survive.

But I didn't just survive, did I? I thrived. Despite what certain public figures might say - I can confidently claim to know more about werewolves than anyone could hope to - I say this to all of you now: we can still be members of society. I have given fair judgement in the Wizengamot, overseen a vast Ministry department and contributed more than I ever dreamed I would be allowed to. And all of this after I was bitten."

Mrs Skeeter was a formidable figure in the Ministry of Balthazar Urquhart and Justin Ross, but she retired from her post after Mr Dempsey became Minister. She remained a member of the prestigious Wizengamot, one of the few women never to be Minister themselves who have held the post.

When reminded of this she said: "Well, I'm sure that won't be for much longer."

Mrs Skeeter, whose son Mason Skeeter died only last week, has indicated she will make herself available for Ministry questioning.