Departments of the Ministry of Magic

• Type: Governmental Divisions
• Location: Ministry of Magic, Whitehall, London, England
• Owner/Residents: Ministry of Magic Staff, headed by the Minister for Magic
• Key Features: Hierarchical bureaucratic structure, specialized magical functions, inter-departmental communication via enchanted memos, and interconnected by lifts and the Atrium Floo Network.

The Departments of the Ministry of Magic are the primary administrative and operational bodies that govern the wizarding community in Great Britain. Each department is responsible for a specific aspect of magical society, from law enforcement and international relations to sports and the regulation of magical creatures. These departments are physically located on different levels within the subterranean headquarters of the Ministry of Magic in London. The day-to-day operations are characterized by a deep-seated bureaucracy. Communication between departments is officially carried out through enchanted purple paper aeroplanes, known as inter-departmental memos, which fly through the corridors to their intended recipients. The structure is hierarchical, with each department having a Head who reports, directly or indirectly, to the Minister for Magic. The exact history of the formation of each department is not detailed, but they evolved over centuries to manage the growing complexity of the wizarding world and enforce the International Statute of Secrecy.

The various departments serve as a critical backdrop to the political and social conflicts in the series. They represent the functioning, and often the malfunctioning, of the wizarding government. Key characters like Arthur Weasley (Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office), Percy Weasley (various positions), Amos Diggory (Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures), and Dolores Umbridge (Senior Undersecretary) are defined by their roles within this structure. The departments are central to several major plot points. Harry Potter's disciplinary hearing for using the Patronus Charm is held in a courtroom under the purview of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. The infiltration and eventual corruption of the Ministry departments by officials loyal to Lord Voldemort, such as Pius Thicknesse and Corban Yaxley, is a key element of the Second Wizarding War. The most significant event involving a specific department is the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, where members of Dumbledore's Army and the Order of the Phoenix clash with Death Eaters to protect a prophecy, revealing some of the Ministry's deepest secrets.

The Ministry of Magic headquarters is organized into ten main levels, with most levels housing one or more major departments.

• Level One: Offices of the Minister for Magic and Senior Staff
  • This level is the seat of power, containing the personal office of the Minister for Magic as well as offices for their senior advisors and support staff, such as the Senior Undersecretary and Junior Assistant.
• Level Two: Department of Magical Law Enforcement
  • This is one of the most important departments, responsible for the creation and enforcement of wizarding laws. It contains several key offices:
    • Auror Office: Headquarters for the elite force of dark wizard catchers.
    • Improper Use of Magic Office: Deals with breaches of magical law by underage wizards and witches.
    • Wizengamot Administration Services: Provides administrative support for the wizarding high court of law.
    • Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office: Investigates and regulates enchanted Muggle items.
    • Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects Office: A new office created by Rufus Scrimgeour during the Second Wizarding War.
• Level Three: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
  • This department is responsible for cleaning up magical mishaps, especially those that risk exposing the wizarding world to Muggles.
    • Accidental Magic Reversal Squad: Reverses the effects of unintentional magic.
    • Obliviator Headquarters: Dispatches wizards to modify the memories of Muggles who have witnessed magic.
    • Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee: Invents non-magical explanations for magical incidents.
• Level Four: Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
  • This department manages the welfare and classification of all magical creatures. It is divided into three main divisions: Beast, Being, and Spirit.
    • Goblin Liaison Office
    • Centaur Liaison Office
    • Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures
• Level Five: Department of International Magical Co-operation
  • Responsible for diplomacy and collaboration with other wizarding governments around the world, aiming to establish common magical laws and standards.
    • International Magical Trading Standards Body
    • International Magical Office of Law
    • British seat of the International Confederation of Wizards
• Level Six: Department of Magical Transportation
  • This department regulates all forms of magical transport.
    • Floo Network Authority
    • Broom Regulatory Control
    • Portkey Office
    • Apparition Test Centre
• Level Seven: Department of Magical Games and Sports
  • Seen as a more relaxed department, it oversees sporting events and recreational activities.
    • British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters
    • Official Gobstones Club
    • Ludicrous Patents Office
• Level Eight: The Atrium
  • While not a department, the Atrium is the main entrance hall and central hub of the Ministry of Magic, featuring the Fountain of Magical Brethren and security checkpoints.
• Level Nine: Department of Mysteries
  • The most secretive department in the Ministry, its employees, known as Unspeakables, study the most profound mysteries of magic and life, such as thought, time, death, and love. It contains numerous experimental chambers, including the Brain Room, the Space Chamber, the Time Room, and the Death Chamber, which houses the Veil.
• Level Ten: Courtrooms
  • Located deep beneath the other departments, these dungeons are where the Wizengamot holds its trials. Harry Potter's disciplinary hearing and the trials of accused Death Eaters were held here.

• The bureaucratic and often inefficient nature of the Ministry departments is widely seen as a satire of real-world government. J.K. Rowling uses the Ministry's structure to explore themes of power, corruption, and the dangers of misinformation.
• Supplementary materials on the Pottermore/Wizarding World website have mentioned other, smaller offices not detailed in the novels, such as the Department of Intoxicating Substances and the Committee on Experimental Charms. (Pottermore)