Ministry of Magic

Introduction

A History of the Ministry

Minister of Magic Profile

Headquarters (Layout), Departments and Committees

Rules and Regulations

Trade Restrictions

High Inquisitor Educational Decrees

Ministry Personnel (Condensed List)

An Introduction

So basically…what is it?
In the Muggle world we are governed by a body of leaders who are broken into a plethora of different departments (for example, roads, defence, finances, foreign affairs) each of which helps to keep our country and its relations with other countries amicable.

The same goes for the wizarding world. The Ministry of Magic (MOM) is a governing body which works in much the same way as a Muggle government would except that its one most significant difference is that its main goal is to keep the wizarding world and everything belonging to its culture, a secret from the Muggles. Thus, all of its departments, committees, boards and offices are based around this one mission.

Its largest department, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is the body to which all the other Ministry departments are answerable (except perhaps the Department of Mysteries).

Where is it?
It is situated in an area of London where many "smaller and less imposing buildings" are. Here you will find a street with "several rather shabby-looking offices, a pub and an overflowing skip." Walking down the street you will find an old red telephone box missing several panes of glass beside a heavily graffitied wall. Step inside the telephone box, pick up the phone receiver and dial 6-2-4-4-2 (M-A-G-I-C) and wait…

When was it formed?
For a full history, see A History of the Ministry.

Does the Muggle Prime Minister/President know about the Wizarding World?
He/She sure does. When Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban (the wizard prison) Britain's Prime Minister was immediately notified. This was due to Black's supposedly ruthless nature and that he not only posed a threat to witches and wizards but also to Muggles. Therefore it was in his best interest to be aware of the situation and prepare defenses if any strange cases should arise.

Similarly, magical creatures have been known to make appearances in the Muggle world causing Muggles to claim they saw a strange UFO sighting. Usually the Ministry is quick enough to have Memory Charms on hand to fix any Muggles uncertainty. At times though, these defenses do not suffice, so the Department of Misinformation (part of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures) works with the Prime Minister to concoct a plausible explanation for the circumstances.

Do other countries have Ministry's of Magic?
Yes. Other countries that are known to have wizarding government authorities are Bulgaria (their Minister, Mr. Oblansk sat in the Top Box at the Quidditch World Cup when Bulgair was in the final with Britain), Andora, Norway, Germany and Burkina Faso.

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A History of the Ministry

Its early founders…
Before the Ministry was formed, a body known as The Wizard's Council existed and acted as the chief governing body for witches and wizards. Established in the 13th Century, one of its first Chief of Council was Barberus Bragge in 1269. In the 14th Century Burdock Muldoon replaces Bragge as the new Chief of Council.

He was followed in office, however, by Elfrida Clagg who was generally regarded as being far more enlightened than her predecessors. Clagg is regarded for her work in outlawing the hunting of the Golden Snidget and its use in Quidditch and established a rehabilitation reserve and breeding program for the tiny bird.

Its early arguments…being or beast?
The Council, spent much time deciding who in the wizarding world was allowed to be considered for a place in the new government body. This sparked debate amongst the Council as to what was to be defined as either "being" or "beast." At this decision (a "being" was decided as being anything that walks on two legs), the first indication of prejudices and segregation began with all "beings" being summoned to a Great Council in order to decide on the definition of wizarding world laws.

At the Great Council meeting, the Goblins took advantage of this definition, filling the entire hall with anything that could walk on two legs including diricawls, pixies and trolls. It was a disastrous affair which led ex-Chief of Council Burdock Muldoon to give up on trying to integrate non-wizards into the community.

His successor, Elfirda Clagge, did not give up however, redefining a "being" as being "anyone or anything that can speak a human language." This again caused problems due in large by the Jarveys who, capable of human conversation, caused absolute mayhem.

NB: Date Discrepancies…
The dates of Burdock Muldoon's Chieftainship of the Council are unclear. While his Chocolate Frog Card card gives the dates as 1448-1450, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (FB) indicates that he was Chief in the 14th century, not the 15th. Elfrida Clagg, according to FB, was Muldoon's successor, but her Chocolate Frog Card states that she was Chieftainess of the Warlock's Council (sic) during the 1600s.

So what came next? No Muggle contact, that's what!
The International Confederation of Wizards, a group of wizards, who met for the first time in France, oversee individual councils and ministries for each nation. It's most noted meeting was for weeks on end towards the end of the 1600s. This was due to the fact that continued persecution of wizards was becoming more and more fierce of which a call to action from the Confederation was of great necessity.

It was therefore decided that the wizarding world would cease to make contact with the Muggle world.

Theoretically it was a brilliant idea. Practically though it posed tremendous problems. For example, how is it possible to hide a fully grown dragon?

Eventually, in 1692 the Confederation passed the International Code of Wizarding Secrecy. It is one of the most important laws in the wizardind world and every wizarding ministry in every wizarding country worldwide is subject to this Code. Underage wizardry laws form part of this statute to ensure wizard anonymity.

Who is it lead by?
The Confederation's leaders are known as Supreme Mugwump's. The Confederation's first Supreme Mugwump was Pierre Bonaccord who pushed for troll rights including the banning of troll hunting. At the time, he received a backlash from the wizard's in Lichtenstein who disagreed with the law due to their strong mountain troll epidemic.

So does it still exist today?
Yes it does. The Confederation and its Code of Secrecy is still heavily maintained with nations heavily fined if they fail to keep within its guidelines.

An International Federation of conferences and meetings is held regularly so those ministries from around the world can get together and discuss issues concerning its wizarding communities. Issues that are often discussed include International Wizard Regulations and the organisation of International events like the Quidditch World Cup.

Then came the Ministry…
Well, sort of. The Ministry has been around since the International Confederation of Wizards and its Code of Secrecy statute but its place as the main source of government policy and law didn't begin until the 1600s. Nowadays, it works in conjunction with the Confederation and is headed by a Minister for/of Magic, although its main focus is its own country's stability as much as its international relations.

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The Layout of the Headquarters

So, you've dialled 6-2-4-4-2? Still, waiting? This telephone box is known as the Visitor's Entrance. Shortly after dialling, a welcome witch's voice will be heard, coming not out of the telephone but thin air. All visitors must state their name and business of which a silver badge pops out from the change chute with all their stated details.

The entire Ministry of Magic Headquarter's is situated under the ground in central London but it has magical windows which display different kinds of weather every day depending on what the Magical Maintenance team feel like conjuring up. Some weather patterns have included everything from bright sunshine to hurricanes. The telephone box will slowly drop you under the ground. Where it opens onto…

The Atrium - Level Eight (8)
A very long and splendid hall with a highly polished, dark wood floors. It has a peacock blue ceiling of which gleaming golden symbols keep moving and changing like an enormous heavenly noticeboard. The walls on each side are panelled in shiny dark wood with many gilded fireplaces set into them. Workers use the Floo Network to whoosh into the Ministry from the left hand side and whoosh out from the right.

Halfway down the hall is a fountain. It reads:

ALL PROCEEDS FROM THE FOUNTAIN OF MAGICAL BRETHREN WILL BE GIVEN TO ST MUNGO'S HOSPITAL FOR MAGICAL MALADIES AND INJURIES.

The Fountain of Magical Brethren consists of a group of golden statues, larger than life size, standing in the middle of a circular pool. Tallest of them all is a noble looking wizard with his wand pointing straight up into the air. Grouped around him are a beautiful witch, a centaur, a goblin and a house-elf. The last three of which all look up adoringly at the wizard. Glittering jets of water fly from the ends of the wizard's wands, the centaur's arrow, the tip of the goblin's hat and each of the house elf's ears.

The fireplaces and the fountain are separated by a pair of large golden gates. Seated at a desk on the left of the gates is Security, headed by Eric Munch. Here visitor's are scanned from back to front using a long, thin, golden rod much like a car aerial and their wand weighed by a brass instrument, similar to a set of scales except it has only one dish. It vibrates then spits out a narrow strip of parchment from a slip in its base recording the type of wand and how long it has been in use.

Beyond the golden gates is a smaller hall where at least twenty lifts stand behind wrought iron grilles. These lifts take you up (and down) to the various levels except Level 10. The lifts also carry inter-departmental memos in the shape of paper aeroplanes, purple in colour and "Ministry of Magic" stamped along the edge of their wings. The flap idly in the top of the lift ceiling.

The Ministry consists of seven (7) main departments:

Level Seven (7)
Department of Magical Games and Sports
Head: Ludo Bagman
Other Personnel: Bertha Jorkins
Previous Head of Department: Hamish MacFarlan
Responsibilities: Formed in 1750, this Department organises the Quidditch World Cup and Triwizard Tournament and is also responsible for hiding the game from Muggles.
What does it look like? A brief glimpse of this level reveals an untidy-looking corridor on which various Quidditch posters are tacked lopsidedly on the walls.

Other Departments:
British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters
Official Gobstones Club
Ludicrous Patents Office

Level Six (6)
Department of Magical Transportation
Head: Unknown.
Other Personnel: Basil, who worked at the Portkey terminal at the Quidditch World Cup.
Previous Head of Department: Unknown.
Responsibilities: Set up and maintain Portkey and Floo networks, Apparition safety, Transportation Issues (eg. Quidditch World Cup).

Other Departments:
Floo Network Authority
Floo Regulation Panel: Both the panel and the authority regulate which fireplaces are connected to the Floo Network. They can also monitor fires for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.
Broom Regulatory Control
Portkey Office
Apparation Test Centre
Ministry Cars: Navigate traffice with magical ease.

Level Five (5)
Department of International Magical Cooperation
Head: Unknown
Other Personnel: Percy Weasley
Previous Head of Department: Bartemius Crouch Snr.
Responsibilities: Maintains relations with governments from other countries, sets standards for trade, sets regulations (eg. cauldron thickness), liaisons with Department of Magical Games and Sports for the Triwizard Tournament.

Other Departments:
International Magical Trading Standards Body
International Magical Office of Law
International Confederation of Wizards, British Seats

Level Four (4)
Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Head: Unknown
Other Personnel: Amos Diggory
Previous Head of Department: Unknown.
Responsibilities: Regulates and controls the breeding of new magical creatures whilst also handling complaints about magical creatures, goblins and ghosts.

Other Departments:
Beast, Being, and Spirit Divisions (see below)
Goblin Liaison Office
Pest Advisory Board
Office of Misinformation

Beast Division
Founded by: Newt Scamander, after 1917.

Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures
Personnel: Walden Macnair, Executioner at Buckbeak's trial.
Responsibilities: Ordered Buckbeak's execution after he was accused of injuring Draco Malfoy.

Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau
Office of House-Elf Relocation (1915-17)
Werewolf Registry
Werewolf Capture Unit
Pest Advisory Board
Centaur Liaison Office: No centaur has actually ever used this service.

Being Division
Goblin Liaison Office
Personnel: Cuthbert Mockridge

Werewolf Support Services

Spirit Division
This division was formed when the Ghosts argued against their exclusion from the "Beings" category. They felt they were clearly "Has-Beens" and therefore deserved special treatment. This division also dealt with Olive Hornby's complaint against Moaning Myrtle.

Level Three (3)
Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
(aka Department of Magical Catastrophes)
Head: Unknown.
Other Personnel: The now Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge was a junior minister in this department when Peter Pettigrew killed all the Muggles at the downfall of Lord Voldemort.
Previous Head of Department:

Other Departments:
Accidental Magic Reversal Squad (aka Accidental Magic Reversal Department)
Obliviator Headquarters: The only known Obliviators is Arnold Peasegood.
Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee
Invisibility Task Force: Although not specifically stated this group casts various forms of invisibility magic to hide magical places and creatures from Muggles.

Level Two (2)
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Head of Department: Amelia Bones
Personnel:
Previous Head of Department: Barty Crouch Snr. worked in this department during the height of Voldemort's reign.
What does it look like? A corridor lined with doors, Mr Weasley works on this floor.Level Nine:

Other Departments:
Magical Law Enforcement Squad: This sub-department employs Hit-Wizards to target dangerous wizards (eg. Sirius Black).

Auror Headquarters: Through a pair of heavy oak doors is a cluttered open area that is divided into cubicles. On a cubicle nearest to the oak door is a lopsided sign that reads "Auror Headquarters." Memos zoom in and out of cubicles like miniature rockets. The cubicle walls are covered in posters of wanted wizards, photographs of the Auror's families, posters of their favourite Quidditch teams and articles from the Daily Prophet. Kingsley's cubicle is entirely covered in newspaper cuttings and old photographs of Sirius (including the one at the Potter's wedding). The only Sirius free space is where a map of the world is pinned with little red markers glowing like jewels on different parts of the world. Aurors are better known in simple terms as "dark wizard catchers." Training involves and intense three year program including a subject known as Stealth and Disguise.
Personnel: Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks. (Other known Aurors include: Alastor Moody, Frank and Alice Longbottom, Dawlish and Williamson).

Wizengamot Administration Services: The Council of Magical Law, its courtrooms are located on Level 10. There are approximately 50 members on the Wizaengamot Council. They wear plum coloured robes with an intricate silver "W" embroided on the left hand side. Known Wizengamot members include: Albus Dumbledore, Chief Warlock (suspended), Griselda Marchbanks (elder), Tiberius Ogden (elder).

Misuse of Muggle Artefacts: At the end of a dimly lit and distinctly shabby, dead end corridor. The office with no window is on the left hand side inside a small broom cupboard with two desks crammed inside with overflowing filing cabinets lining the walls on top of which are tottering piles of files. The little space left to move bears witness to many of Mr Weasley's obsession's including: a photo of his family, several posters of cars (including one of a dismantled engine), two illustrations of post boxes cut out of a Muggle children's book, diagram showing how to wire a plug, a hiccuping toaster in a disconsolate way and a pair of empty leather gloves twiddling their thumbs. This office ensures that enchanted items are kept away from Muggles and will conduct raids to keep things like Dark Magic out of circulation.
Personnel: Arthur Weasley, Perkins

Improper Use of Magic Office: Notifies wizards of their breach of statutes, for example the Statute for the Decree of Under-Age Sorcery.
Personnel: Mafalda Hopkirk

Magical Equipment Control: Issues warnings regarding substandard wands like those sold by a street peddler named "Honest Willy" Wagstaff and other such issues.

Level One (1)
Unknown

…Below the Atrium…

Level Nine (9)
Department of Mysteries
Head: Unknown.
Personnel: Bode and Croaker: "Unspeakables." Augustus Rookwood, a Voldemort spy.
Previous Head of Department: Unknown.
What's It Look Like? Bare walls with no windows and no doors except for a plain black one set at the very end of the corridor…

Level Ten (10)
Courtrooms
Down a flight of stairs to the left of the Department of Mysteries corridor. The lift doesn't come down this far because this level has not been used in years. This corridor bears similar resemblance to Snape's dungeon at Hogwart's with heavy, grimy, wooden doors with iron bolts and keyholes.
The Wizengamot courtroom walls and floor are made of dark stone, dimly lit by torches, with benches rising on either side. A high bench, higher than those to the sides, looks down over an armchair covered in moving chains in the centre of the room.

Miscellaneous Committees

Dark Force Defense League: Unsure as to whether it is a branch of the Ministry
Order of the Phoenix: During Voldemort's initial reign, the Order worked in conjunction with the Ministry.
International Federation of Warlocks
Subcommittee of Sardinian Sorcerer's
Transylvanian International Ban on Dueling: Probably under International Magical Co-operation but wasn't sure.

Committee on Experimental Charms
Personnel: Gilbert Wimple
Founded by Balfour Blane (1500s-early 1600s)

Azkaban Prison: This high security fortress is located on a tiny island out at sea. It is guarded by the Dementor's who are under Ministry control. Hit Wizards deal specifically with criminals, Aurors with Dark Wizards and everyone is tried through the High Wizard Court known as the Wizengamot which serves as the arbiter of justice throughout the wizard world.

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Minister for Magic (including previous Minister's)

The current Minister for Magic is Cornelius Oswald Fudge.

He was elected to the post after Millicent Bagnold retired. Yet Fudge has always felt threatened in his position by Hogwarts Headmaster Professor Albus Dumbledore who was strongly and popularly supported by the wizarding community in his nomination alongside Fudge for the position of Minister. Dumbledore never wanted the job but in the early days when the inexperienced and under-confident Fudge first held office he "pelted Dumbledore with owls" asking for advice. Now, Fudge has come to love his position even turning a blind eye to the rebirth of Lord Voldemort. He has since acknowledged that the Dark Lord has returned and subsequently stepped down from his position.

Previous Ministers of Magic
- Millicent Bagnold.
- Grogan Stump. Appointed 1811. He was the Minister involved in the first "being/beast" debate.
- Artemisia Lufkin. She was the first witch appointed to the position of Minister (1800).

NB: In the British versions of the books, this position is referred to as the Minister FOR Magic, while in the US editions it is called the Minister OF Magic.

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Rules and Regulations

Ban on Experimental Breeding (1965)
Written by Newt Scamander
(see Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures)

Code of Wand Use
Clause 3: No non-human creature is permitted a wand.

Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery (1875)
-Violation under Paragraph C:
- To knowingly, deliberately and in full awareness of illegality, do magic in a Muggle-inhabited area and in the presence of a Muggle.
- Clause 7: Magic may be used before Muggles in exceptional circumstances, which include situations that include the life of the wizard or witch himself, or witches, wizards, or Muggles present.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans
International Ban on Dueling
International Code of Wizarding Secrecy

International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy
(aka International Statute of Secrecy)
- In casting a Patronus Charm in front of a Muggle (Dudley), Harry laid himself open to a charge of violating this law, for which he was tried by the Wizengamot.

Muggle Protection Act
Written in part by Arthur Weasley

Registry of Proscribed Charmable Objects
Werewolf Code of Conduct (1637)
Werewolf Register (1947)
Wizengamot Charter of Rights
- The accused has the right to present witnesses for his or her case.

Unforgivable Curses
Using one of these curses on a fellow human being could earn you a life sentence in Azkaban:
- Killing Curse - ("Avada Kedavra") - unblockable, kills instantly.
- Cruciatus Curse - ("Crucio") - causes intense pain throughout the whole body. Torturous.
- Imperius Curse ("Imperio") - Total control over a victim.

Other Regulations and Rules
- All wizards and witches of school age or older are registered with the Ministry for legal purposes However, they do not keep track of squibs, and may not keep track of Muggle-born wizards and witches too young to enter Hogwarts.
- All Animagi must be registered with the Minstry of Magic.
- There is legislation about what you can conjure and what you can't.
- The use of Veritaserum is closely controlled by Ministry guidelines.
- You have to have a license to Apparate, see Department of Magical Transportation.

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Hogwarts High Inquisitor Educational Decrees

22: "...in the event of the current Headmaster being unable to
provide a candidate for a teaching post, the Ministry should
select an appropriate person." (30th August)

23: "...which create the new position of Hogwarts High
Inquisitor." (30th August)

24: "No student organisations, societies, teams, groups and
clubs may exist without the knowledge and approval of the
high Inquisitor."

25: "the High Inquisitor will henecforth have supreme
authority over all punishments, sanctions and removal of
privileges pertaining to students of Hogwarts, and the power
to alter such punishments, sanctions and removals of
privileges as may have been ordered by other staff members."

26: "Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any
information that is not strctly related to the subjects they
are paid to teach."

27: "Any student found in possession of the magazine The
Quibbler will be expelled."

28: "Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry."

29: "if I (Filch) could've strung you up by the ankles in my
office, would they? But when ED nr 29 comes in, Potter, I'll
be allowed to do them things..."

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Trade Restrictions

- Class A Non-Tradeable Goods
(eg. dragon eggs)
- Class B Tradeable Materials (Dangerous and Subject to Strict Control)
(eg. erumpent horn)
- Class C Non-Tradeable Substance
(venemous tentacula seeds)
- Ban on Importing Flying Carpets
(classified as a Muggle artifact)

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Ministry Personnel (condensed list)

Bagman, Ludo - Head, Department of Magical Games and Sports
Basil - Department ofTransportation
Bob - Department for the Care and Control of Magical Creatures
Bode, Broderick (deceased) - "Unspeakable," Department of Mysteries
Bones, Amelia - Head of Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Croaker - "Unspeakable," Department of Mysteries
Crouch, Sr., Bartemius (deceased) - Head, Department of International Magical Cooperation
Fudge, Cornelius - Minister for Magic
Dawlish - Auror
Diggory, Amos - Department for the Care and Control of Magical Creatures
Edgecombe, Madam - Floo Network Office
Hopkirk, Mafalda - Improper Use of Magic Office.
Jorkins, Bertha (deceased) - Department of Magical Games and Sports
Macnair, Walden - Disposal of Dangerous Creatures
Munch, Eric - Watchwizard
Mockridge, Cuthbert - Goblin Liaison Office
Peasegood, Arnold - Obliviator
Perkins - Misuse of Muggle Artefacts
Scamander, Newt - Beast Division, Dept. of Magical Creatures, Retired
Shacklebolt, Kingsley - Auror
Tonks, Nymphadora - Auror
Umbridge, Dolores - Assistant to the Minister for Magic
Weasley, Arthur - Head, Misuse of Muggle Artefacts
Weasley, Percy - International Magical Cooperation, promoted to Junior Under-Secretary to the Minister for Magic.
Whimple, Gilbert - Experimental Charms

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