Can one be classified as a witch if they do not have a cauldron?

A question that has plagued us from the beginnings of magic itself. The answer in and of itself seems simple.

The definition of a witch, defined by the Council themselves is as follows: A witch is one who studies the limitless power of magic and mana through the use of hexes and potions.

Surely, if a witch does not complete half of their recorded meaning, they cannot be considered a witch?

"A witch cannot be unable to brew potions; that's like a dragon not being able breathe whatever

ungodly element it so desires!" said High Council Witch, Liam Nielson.

However, the issue is nowhere near that simple. We wouldn’t have a national holiday dedicated to the debate if it were. The people have split themselves into two camps: the Cauldrons and the Hexes. These two parties often run against each other on the local level, and are widely considered to be some of the most popular fringe parties.

Every year, during Houdini week, the Cauldrons and Hex sit down to argue the age-old question. As is tradition, the Hexes start.

The Hexes argue that this cauldron focused on witchcraft was a way to keep the poor from having much access to the great powers that a witch can command. They say that "witches tend to specialize once they graduate anyway! This blatant refusal to acknowledge those who wish to not double the cost of witchcraft is an egregious misuse of power, and one that clearly favors the 'rich'." says one Elias Fibblebroom.

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Elias Fibblebroom, an activist that often advocates for the rights of demi-human magics, also argues that by making the process of acquiring a cauldron difficult and costly. “It costs almost 379 gold for a beginner cauldron! And the prices only get higher!”

The Cauldrons say that statistically speaking, most schools provide the materials required to become witches, with a staggering 67% having the resources available to allow for more than 80% of their students to learn witchcraft. They argue that the idea of witches is just not appealing to this generation.

“Well, no one wants to be a witch anyway, you know? It’s such a gendered job, and like, how is it that there is exactly one successful male witch, huh? I think we’re better of letting the style die.” Says teenager Gandalf Potter. Gandalf has been struggling to choose his magical specialization for 6 years, unable to lose the title of teenager even at 24.

Cauldrons also say that cauldron witches are the only way to be proper witches under the law anyway. Given that almost all witch hexes are heavily restricted in use, the only way for a witch to make a proper living was to partake in potion making. They claim the heavy restrictions as another reason for the youth deficit in the industry.

The Hexes attempted to countermand their data with their own, the fact that about 80% of schools that could afford to offer a fully funded alchemy course didn't, instead requiring students to buy their own supplies. They also stated that an average of 74% of all witches being born to affluent families of the middle class or higher.

"This data surprises no one" says Ex-Councilman Voldemort. "The council is well known for preferential treatment towards those with an excess of money. Though they may have blamed me for the rampant corruption, they were just as implicated as I was."

At this, however, the Cauldron’s refused to parley with the Hexes any longer, accusing the Hexes of trying to use outside influence to win their debate. This standoff lasted until the end of Houdini week, meaning that even now the issue remains unresolved.

As it always will.