We have received important information from the Ministry of Magic concerning an experimental charm gone wrong. The Ministry of Magic hopes that by giving all the information they can they will head off mass panicking and looting of Wizarding Shops. They also hope that Wizards will take it among themselves to help the Muggle population realize that there is nothing wrong. We can only hope that by bringing you this news now, we can head off panic attacks and well, extreme laughter.

No one knows who the perpetrator is, however MoM officials have given us word that an experimental charm, originally used on cows has gone seriously wrong. The original purpose of the charm (or at least what the MoM believes to be the purpose of it) was designed to make cows not regurgitate their cud all over the ground, then eat it again. The maker of this charm must have thought that it was disgusting. Needless to say it did not work as planned.

Instead, the cows regurgitated more often and an unknown side-effect at the time was created. A disease really. Don't worry yourselves, this is not a deadly disease, or even a disgusting disease (depends on what you think disgusting is) but it is an annoying disease because it cannot be tracked. This disease has spread rapidly from one type of animal to another, and throughout vegetation of all kinds. The MoM believes that the cows infected the vegetation first, more precisely grasses, which in turn infected water sources, which infected other plant life, which other animals ate... and so on. The disease only seems to be apparent when it interacts with humans, magical humans to be exact, so it is untraceable before that.

Oh dear. We haven't told you what this dreaded disease was, have we? Again, do not panic. Do not go out and buy fuzzy dolls and act like they are real people and you are God. Though we know half of our readers do that anyway. This disease is classified as: Manie Colrificus Disease, also known as Multi-Colored Disease. It has no effect on animals and plant life, but when it comes in contact with a Wizards digestive tract it causes the eater to turn many different shades of colors. One person has reportedly turned bright green and neon yellow at the same time. Needless to say, it can be an annoying disease.

If you wish to treat yourself, please go to St. Mungo's and pick up a prescription for detoxification. However, we recommend that you do not do this until the disease has been eradicated. Because then you will be going for detoxification every time you eat and that would really be pointless. Instead go out among your Wizarding friends and compare your color schemes. Be creative! And above all, don't let a Muggle see you.