'Witch Hunts in the year 2025': Parents accuse 19-year-old private school employee of practicing witchcraft, force him to cover his Harry Potter tattoos

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Oct 3, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

As a young professional, it's essential to exercise caution when posting on social media. It doesn't matter that everyone you know seems to post crazy things on their Instagram story all the time. It doesn't matter that everyone seems to have a negative digital footprint now. If you want to post whatever you want, you need to at the very least have a big lock on your account. In this economy, it's not worth getting fired for what you post on social media. 

Some posts are more likely to get you fired than others. You would think that engaging in normal fandom behavior, like cosplaying as Harry Potter characters or sharing Lord of the Rings memes, would be banal enough that you could do them on your public Instagram, but that really depends on what kind of job you have. If you work in the meme industry, like I do, there should be no problem with posting like that. If you are a teacher who is at the mercy of a community of trigger-happy parents who have nothing better to do than harass educators, you need to be more careful.

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  • The young man in this story worked at a secular private school and got in trouble for selling mock Harry Potter wands on Instagram. His school didn't fire him, but they made his life miserable to the point where he left as soon as he had the chance. 

  • 压
    via Filipe Amaral

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • I was falsely accused of practicing witchcraft in 2024 and almost lost my job. Ask Me Anything!

    In October of last year, I was working as an assistant at a private elementary school. A few parents dug into my social media and found my wandmaking Instagram page, my personal account, and other posts that led them to believe I was practicing witchcraft or black magic.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • Cheezburger Image 10560467968
    via Emy Girard

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • They brought this "evidence" to the school's owner, and things went downhill from there. I was all but barred from the classroom, my hours were cut, and I was placed under constant scrutiny. I
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • Cheezburger Image 10560468736
    via Ivan Aleksic

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • couldn't read anything fantasy- related on my breaks, I had to cover my Harry Potter-themed tattoo at all times, and I was "strongly advised" to remove any mention of magic, Harry Potter, or anything similar from social media.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • This surveillance and hostility persisted until I finally left in August of this year. Even now, the "witch hunt" continues in some circles, and I still hear about it occasionally.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • Ask me anything about what happened, how I handled it, and what I learned from the experience.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • ApplicationLost126 • 13h ago Did you cast any spells as a result, because why not? If you were a witch wouldn't that be a protected religion?
    via u/ApplicationLost126
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP 13h ago While I had absolutely no clue about Wiccan anything at the time, this event led me to start researching it a little more. But no, no spells in retaliation. None of the actual consequences were tied to any religious beliefs. My hours were cut due to 'families leaving, and tuition dropping" (because they thought I was a witch). I was out of the classroom and made a glorified groundskeeper because "I was better suited for that kind of work". It was all things like t
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • Royal_Quarter_7774 • 13h ago What was the coolest spell you ever did
    via u/Royal_Quarter_7774
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP 13h ago I once ran a D&D club for the fifth and sixth graders at the school, and while describing a thunderstorm, I pointed out to the sky, and an actual bolt of lightning cracked overhead. The kids playing at the time proclaimed me either the second coming of Merlin or a son of Zeus. Other than that, I've been bereft of any magical powers.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • bunheadxhalliwell • 13h ago This is the definition of a hostile workplace. Did you even try to advocate for yourself???
    via u/bunheadxhalliwell
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago As a 19-year-old in his first hostile workplace, / tried. I was very green, and that contributed to me deciding to "keep my head down and stop making trouble."
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • SweetChuckBarry • 13h ago You could potentially still seek legal recourse
    via u/SweetChuckBarry
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago Honestly, at this point, it would add fuel to a d_ng fire. I thought about doing something for a good chunk of the last year, but the negatives (bad press for the school, emptying my coffers, taking time I don't have), I decided to just let it lie. I've made my peace.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • FiveDogsInaTuxedo • 12h ago I'm sorry but I laughed. Sorry you went through it but it's so ridiculous it's funny.
    via u/FiveDogsInaTuxedo
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP 12h ago From an objective point of view, it really is hilarious and absurd. Witch Hunts in the year of our lord 2025.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • EcstaticEscape • 13h ago that's crazy. i don't think that was appropriate - what was the aftermath?
    via u/EcstaticEscape
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago I was already planning to return to College to complete an English degree, but I wasn't sure exactly how much I was going to step back from school. The continued hunt made my decision for me. I left completely at the end of the summer session in August. While trying to maintain friendships with people I've met and offer some volunteer hours, a resurgence of the "AHH WITCH" sentiment has erupted again recently. So, I'd say the dust hasn't completely settled yet.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • fuckyoutoocoolsmhool • 13h ago What kinda of wands did you make?
    via u/fuckyoutoocoolsmhool
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago They're mostly based on the aesthetic of the Harry Potter wands from the films. I carve them all from real wood, and they're all handmade. I have photos on my profile if you want to see them!
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • tittyswan • 13h ago You should hex them in response. If you're getting accused of it either way...
    via u/tittyswan
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago It's funny. I was never really interested in Wicca/Pagan anything before the hunt. Now, I'm much more learned in those areas. They told a self-fulfilling prophecy.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591
  • puppyhugtime • 13h ago Do you regret the tattoo?
    via u/puppyhugtime
  • Quinton Vedenoff5591 OP • 13h ago Not at all! It's the rune carvings from Sirius Black's wand in the HP films. It's obscure enough that it doesn't immediately scream fandom, but it has real meaning to me as a self-proclaimed Wandmaker.
    via u/QuintonVedenoff5591

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witchcraft school employee crazy things parents say work Witches witch private school employees parents student toxic-workplace students workplace
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