As the count of missing persons from Hogsmeade continues to rise, authorities have made no progress in identifying the cause or in preventing new abductions.

"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is taking the matter very seriously, all possible steps are being taken to uncover the motive behind these disappearances, and to ensure the safe return of all who are missing. The Ministry urges anyone with information about the disappearances to come forward," said Murdock Greyback, Head of the Department.

A representative claimed that aside from the disappearances all taking place in or around Hogsmeade, no pattern could be discovered, which makes protecting potential future victims difficult.

Additionally, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has made the decision not only to bar off-campus spectators from its February 19th quidditch match, but to cancel all forthcoming Hogsmeade week-ends until further notice.

"The safety of our students is paramount," says Mr. Hamish Darrow, Deputy Headmaster. "We would not be doing our duty to our pupils and their families if we did not put extra safeguards in place until this matter is resolved."