Ministry of Magic
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It is thought that the idealistic and foolhardy youth who all but flooded those walls after Voldemort’s second escape has had much to do with that. Yet, the old bodies of the Ministry, tired and worn as they had become, had much stand for – a second slight by that Dark Lord evading them - their chances at retirement and freedom to watch their grandchildren grow taken away was such a blow that they once more took the helms of leaders that most of them once were. They fostered the youths whose ideas and actions, while noble, were roughly hewn of fear, rather than carved of pure determination.
It led to a ten-year struggle, which capped the 50-year blood feud that - had most not risen up and joined the able-bodied with their clever minds - would have reigned and destroyed them all.
Composition and status
Name and connection to Muggle world
The term "Ministry for Magic" implies that it is a branch of the actual Muggle government (much like the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Justice. However, the Ministry exists as a full-fledged government in its own right, exercising full jurisdiction over the Magical realms of the United Kingdom. Each new Muggle Prime Minister receives a visit from the Minister for Magic who informs him that the wizarding world exists and they will be keeping in touch to be updated only in crucial circumstances in which the events of the wizard world may affect the Muggles.
The Ministry keeps in touch with the British Prime Minister via a Portrait (which cannot be removed) in the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street, which notifies the Prime Minister of the Minister for Magic's arrival.
Government structure
This government succeeded the earlier "Wizards' Council", the earliest known form of government for the wizards of Great Britain.
The Ministry is a largely an unelected body. The post of the Minister itself is one appointed by members of a special Ministry committee for that exact purpose, which has the power to fire and appoint ministers. This committee is highly sensitive to (and reliant on) public opinion from the wizard world, which they have in the past attempted to influence via the Daily Prophet.
Entry level positions within the Ministry can be obtained directly after the acquisition of necessary N.E.W.T. scores, and if one is not picky about which department one is assigned to and the nature of ones duties, there is nearly always a position available for recent graduates with at least 3 passing N.E.W.T. scores.
Judicial System
When a criminal trial is necessary in the Wizard World, it is brought before the Wizengamot, a group of appointed elder members of the community, most of which with some high social standing, who's purposes within the government is to pass judgment against those who have transgressed the laws of the wizard world.
Prior to the Second Dark War the wizarding courts unfortunately displayed a marked lack of interest in evidence for or against a suspect, often relying on personal prejudice to decide the outcome as quickly as possible. Not all the accused were even given trials.
This corruption and blindness allowed Voldemort almost an entire year of operation without official interference and may have contributed to the length and severity of the Second Dark War. Much of the public's outrage against the ministry was thus leveled at the Wizmangot, many of who were deposed and replaced. Their numbers have dwindled, and their prestige so lowered that the Department of Magical Law Enforcement has taken over much of their function.
Building and Departments
One may enter the Ministry via the Visitors' Entrance which is located in a payphone outside on the sidewalk. The entrance code on the payphone is number 62442 ("MAGIC"). Following the prompts of the Operator, passes are issued and the telephone box will descend through the ground into the lobby which is located on Floor 8.
More than twenty service lifts stop at all floors, levels 1-9. Stairways may provide access to all 10 levels in the Ministry and must be used to access the courtrooms on level 10.
Employees and officials enter the Ministry by flushing themselves through underground toilets. Two stairways are labeled GENTLEMEN or LADIES. They lead into an underground public bathroom. A golden Ministry of Magic coin is used to open the stall doors.
The act of flushing oneself down the Ministry toilet causes the person to emerge into a fireplace on the left side of the Atrium, which faces the Fountain of Magical Brethren.
To depart the Ministry, one must stand in one of the fireplaces on the right side of the Atrium, causing them to come out of another toilet in the underground bathroom. At this point one may Apparate to a separate location.
As the entire Ministry is underground, the higher floor number indicates levels deeper into the ground.
Level 1: Minister for Magic
- Main article: Minister for Magic
The Minister for Magic, and all of his various support staff occupy the upper level of the Ministry of Magic's underground compound. It is a lavishly decorated, with all the pomp and glamour one would expect in the offices of the figurehead of a government.
Level 2: Department of Magical Law Enforcement
- Main article: Department of Magical Law Enforcement
This floor houses the offices of the Regular Magical Law Enforcement Division, the Improper use of Magic Office, the Auror Department, the Hit Wizard Department, and in one dusty corner office the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office
Level 3: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
- Main article: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
Stepping off the lift on the third floor one is met with utter chaos some days, and others, one could hear a pin drop. The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad is nearest the lifts, with the Obliviators just around the corner. The Department of Magical Accidents and catastropies is also home to the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee, who occupy a shared office to the left of the lifts
Level 4: Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Located on the 4th floor, this department is divided into several divisions, for dealing with Beasts, Beings, and Spirits, and contains Liaison Offices dealing with Goblins and Centaurs. This floor also houses the Pest Advisory Board, and the Office of Misinformation.
Level 5: Department of International Magical Cooperation
- Main article: Department of International Magical Cooperation
The Department of International Magical Cooperation is responsible for Trade Standards, and International Law. Wizards Holding British Seats in the International Confederation of Wizards maintain offices in this location.
Level 6: Department of Magical Transportation
- Main article: Department of Magical Transportation
This homey looking department deals with all forms of magical transport, including regulatroy offices for the Floo Network, Brooms, Portkeys and Apparation.
Level 7: Department of Magical Games and Sports
- Main article: Department of Magical Games and Sports
The Department of Magical Games and Sports, is the department with the most casual decor, (posters for favourite Quidditch teams are found tacked to the walls), and is the home of the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, the Official Gobstones Club, and the Ludicrous Patents Office.
Level 8: The Atrium
The Atrium is the level on which one enters the Ministry, either via the pay toilet fireplaces, the floo fireplaces, to the left and right of the Fountain of Magical Brethren, via the Apparation Bay (for authorized personnel only) on the far side of the fountain from the reception area, or via the visitors lift, directly adjacent to reception.
All visitors must check in with the receptionist before proceeding any further into the Ministry, and are given a name tag which they must wear while on premises.
Also located on this floor is the office of Ministry's internal Security Officers, and the Ministry Maintenance Department, where are stationed blue clad wizards and witches responsible for the care and cleaning of the building, and deciding what sort of weather to display on the 'windows.'
Level 9: Department of Mysteries
- Main article: Department of Mysteries
The Department of Mysteries, located on Level Nine, is the department in the Ministry of Magic which studies particular enigmas (death, time, space, thought, and love) and stores prophecies.
Level 10: Wizengamot Courtrooms
The Courtrooms of the Wizengamot are large and cold, and located on the Lower Level of the Ministry, accessible only by the stairs.
