The Ministry of Magic is the government of the Magical community of Britain in J. K.

Rowling's Wizarding World, headed by an official entitled the Minister for Magic. The magical
government in Britain is first mentioned in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone; the Ministry
makes its first proper appearance in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Throughout the
books, it is generally depicted as either corrupt, incompetent, or both, with its high officials blind to
actual events and dangers. Dolores Umbridge was placed at Hogwarts to see what was going on at
the school and prevent the news that Voldemort was back from spreading. It reaches a zenith of
corruption before being effectively taken over by Lord Voldemort. At the end of the final book,
following Voldemort's death, Kingsley Shacklebolt takes over the ministry, changing it for the better.
By the time of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hermione Granger is the Minister for Magic.

Connection to Muggle world[edit]

Each new Muggle Prime Minister receives a visit from the Minister for Magic, who informs them of
the existence of the wizarding world. The Minister explains that they will contact the Prime Minister
only in circumstances in which the events of the wizarding world may affect Muggles. For example,
the Minister has to inform the Prime Minister if dangerous magical artefacts or animals are to be
brought into Britain.
The Ministry keeps in touch with the British Prime Minister via a wizard's portrait in the Prime
Minister's office at 10 Downing Street. The portrait, which cannot be removed from the wall (because
of a Permanent Sticking Charm in place), notifies the Prime Minister of the Minister for Magic's
arrival and, after they have been notified, the Minister for Magic appears in their office via the
fireplace which has specifically been hooked up to the floo network.[HP6] The Ministers for Magic who
appear in the Harry Potter series, such as Cornelius Fudge and Rufus Scrimgeour, tend to act in a
somewhat patronising manner towards the Muggle Prime Minister.
The Ministry government[1] succeeded the earlier "Wizards' Council," the earliest-known form of
government for the wizarding world of Harry Potter.[HPF] According to Pottermore, it was formally
established in 1707.[2]

Government structure[edit]
In the Harry Potter books, the Ministry's employees appear to be a largely unelected body. The post
of Minister itself, however, is stated to be an elected position.[3] Who has the power to elect or
dismiss ministers is never explained. Nevertheless, both the Minister and the Ministry as a whole are
seen throughout the Harry Potter series to be highly sensitive to (and reliant on) wizard public
opinion, which they attempt to influence via wizarding newspapers. In the books, employment with
the Ministry can be obtained right after completion of a wizarding education,[HP4] though different
offices require different levels of education and sometimes specific exam results.
Furthermore, the government gives the impression of (at various times) either incompetence or
malice. It often appears woefully incompetent, to the point of being unable to detect or prevent an
assault on the Department of Mysteries, apparently its most heavily guarded department. Due to lax
security, a group of Hogwarts students, as well as Voldemort, a dozen Death Eaters, and the Order
of the Phoenix, all of whom were wanted by the government, are able to enter the department on a
whim and without provoking any response whatsoever, even signing in as a "rescue mission" without
attracting attention. However, these events occur under Cornelius Fudge's reign, a Minister who is
renowned in the books as incompetent.[HP5] Fudge's resignation in the next book is a direct result of
these events.[HP6]

Judicial system and corruption[edit]

In the books and films, the wizarding courts have displayed at times, a marked lack of interest in
evidence for or against a suspect, even relying on personal prejudice to decide the outcome as
quickly as possible.[HP5] Not all of the accused are even given trials, as in the case of Sirius
Black.[HP4] In Order of the Phoenix, the Ministry is shown to be quite prepared to decree and
enforce draconian laws without notice. At times, the Ministry can also seem uninterested in solving
serious problems, choosing instead to ignore or cover up bad news. In Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets, Fudge takes a long time to respond to the attacks on Hogwarts. In the fourth
and fifth instalments, Fudge refuses to believe that Lord Voldemort has returned, despite mounting
evidence. The Ministry even mounts a campaign to damage Harry Potter's credibility, an effort
fuelled in part by Fudge's fear that Albus Dumbledore wants to forcibly remove him from his position.
Eventually, the Ministry is forced to acknowledge the emergency and act on it. Fudge is
subsequently removed from office for incompetence and replaced by Rufus Scrimgeour.
When interviewed, Rowling stated that when Harry, Ron and Hermione work for the Ministry, they
change it significantly, making it less corrupt.[4]

Departments[edit]
Department of Magical Law Enforcement[edit]
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is a combination of police and justice facilities. It is
located on the second level of the Ministry of Magic. At the beginning of the series, it is headed
by Amelia Bones, who is replaced by Pius Thicknesse after Voldemort murders her.[HP6] Thicknesse
is replaced by Yaxley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows after Voldemort has Thicknesse
appointed the puppet Minister for his regime. Bartemius Crouch Sr. once headed the department,
prior to the first book.[HP4] By the events of Cursed Child, Harry Potter has become its head.
According to Rowling, this is the department that Hermione Granger joins, after the events of the
seventh book, transferring from the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures,
where she began her post-Hogwarts career.[4]
Auror Office[edit]
The Ministry employs aurors to pursue and apprehend Dark wizards. According to Minerva
McGonagall, the Auror Office takes in new recruits with a minimum of 5 N.E.W.T.s (with marks no
lower than “Exceeds Expectations”). She suggests that Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts,
Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology N.E.W.T.s are the most appropriate subjects for someone
who aspires to gain admission to the training program. A potential recruit also has to pass "...a series
of character and aptitude tests." Nymphadora Tonks mentions that the program's courses of study
include "Concealment and Disguise" and "Stealth and Tracking", and that the training is hard to pass
with high marks.
Aurors in the Harry Potter series include Alastor Moody, Nymphadora Tonks, Kingsley
Shacklebolt, John Dawlish, Frank and Alice Longbottom, Rufus Scrimgeour, Gawain Robards,
Hesphaestus Gore, Proudfoot, Savage, and Williamson. Harry himself later joins the department and
according to a Rowling 2007 interview is eventually promoted to department head.[5]
During the First War against Voldemort aurors had authorisation to use the Unforgivable Curses on
suspected Death Eaters: that is, they received licence to kill, coerce, and torture them. Many of the
Dark criminals in the Harry Potter universe first duel with the aurors sent to arrest them, before finally
giving up their freedom. Aurors also operate to protect high-profile targets such as Harry, Hogwarts,
and the Muggle prime minister – in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix auror Kingsley
Shacklebolt worked secretly in the Muggle Prime Minister’s security detail.
Improper Use of Magic Office[edit]
The Improper Use of Magic Office is responsible for investigating offences under the Decree for
the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Confederation of Wizards'
Statute of Secrecy. They regulate an under-age wizard's or witch's use of magic and prohibit wizards
and witches from performing magic in the presence of Muggles or in a Muggle-inhabited area in
the Harry Potter universe. An enchantment called "the Trace" is placed upon children and helps the
department detect offences; it breaks when they reach the age of 17.[HP7] However, Dumbledore
explains to Harry that the Ministry cannot tell who exactly uses magic in a given area, only that it has
been used. This can be seen as unfair to young witches and wizards who grew up in the muggle-
world (such as muggle born wizards or those with one magical and one muggle-parent) as they are
more likely to be caught using magic than those who grow up in the wizard world. Those living in the
muggle-world generally have no contact with other witches or wizards away from school and the
Ministry simply presumes that any magic performed where they are is an act of under-age wizardry,
while at the same time presuming that any magic performed in a wizard home that has minors
present was performed by those aged 17 and over. This means that minors living in the wizard world
have a much greater chance of escaping punishment for the use of under-age magic. The Ministry
has to rely on wizard and witch parents to enforce the ban on under-age magic within their
homes.[HP6]
It is not known how or when the trace is placed upon a child, though it may be assumed that it
begins either when the child begins to show magical talent or when they first go through the barrier
to Platform 9¾. The Ministry seemingly ignores the trace during the school year as students at
Hogwarts are expected to perform magic and are under the supervision of teachers. This 'blind eye'
also seems to be extended to places such as Diagon Alley, Platform 9¾, the Hogwarts Express and
the village of Hogsmeade (the only settlement in Britain inhabited solely by wizards and other
magical beings) which is located close to Hogwarts and which 3rd year students and above can visit
on weekends provided they have a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian. The Ministry
also seems to turn a blind eye to the use of magic in the muggle-world when the child is under the
age of 11 as their powers have generally not been developed enough to cause a problem, with a
number of witches and wizards, including Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Lily Evans and Severus
Snape all known to have performed some under-age magic while growing up in the muggle-world
that went unpunished.
After Harry's first minor violation—a Hover charm that was actually performed by Dobby the House-
elf—he is merely warned.[HP2] His second violation, blowing up Aunt Marge, is forgiven by Fudge
because the Minister fears that Sirius Black is after Harry and feels that his safety after running away
from the Dursleys takes precedence.[HP3] After his third offence (creating a Patronus to protect himself
and Dudley from two Dementors), the letter sent to him states that he is expelled from school, that
representatives will arrive at his home to destroy his wand, and that he is required to appear at a
disciplinary hearing, given that the offence occurred after he had already received one
warning.[HP5] Dumbledore reminds Fudge that the Ministry doesn't have the power to expel students
from Hogwarts or confiscate wands without benefit of a hearing.[HP5]
At Harry's hearing, he is tried by the entire Wizengamot court and cleared of all charges upon
Dumbledore's intervention. Such proceedings are highly unusual, however, for a simple case of
underage magic; Harry was originally supposed to be interviewed solely by Amelia Bones, head of
the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.[HP5]
The only known worker at the office is Mafalda Hopkirk.
Wizengamot[edit]
The Wizengamot serves as the wizard high court of law. The word "Wizengamot" is
a portmanteau created from the words "wizard", and "Witenagemot", which was a council of powerful
people summoned to advise and appoint kings in Anglo-Saxon England. The word derives from
the Old English for "meeting of wise men" (witan – wise man or counsellor / gemot – assembly)
In Order of the Phoenix, about fifty people are present at Harry Potter's hearing, wearing plum-
coloured robes embroidered with a silver "W" on the left-hand side of the chest. During the hearing,
the Minister for Magic sits in the middle of the front row and conducts most of the interrogation,
while Percy Weasley (the Junior Undersecretary), acts as stenographer. Other officials seen at the
Wizengamot include the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister and the Head of the Department of
Magical Law Enforcement.[6][7]
Dumbledore has long – for about 50 years – held the position of Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
He was removed at the beginning of the Order of the Phoenix novel and reinstated at the end. He
remained in that post for one year, until his death at the end of Half-Blood Prince.