Ministry of Magic

The **Ministry of Magic** is the primary governing body of the wizarding community in Britain, headed by an elected Minister for Magic. It appears throughout the *Harry Potter book series*.

## About

### Functions

The Minister for Magic will communicate with the Muggle Prime Minister, providing them with the knowledge they need of the wizarding world. The Ministry has personal cars which are enchanted to get through small spaces. They will send them to collect people when necessary. They are old-fashioned and dark green and driven by a driver who wears emerald velvet.

## History

In an unknown time, the Ministry of Magic established a wizarding prison called Azkaban. In an effort to control Dementors, it was decided by the government to employ Dementors like guards. It was achieved by providing a food source - prisoners - because in their eyes, criminals deserved to be so punished. It was a popular choice, but a few were wary and considered Dementors too harsh and fickle.

The Ministry had to uphold the International Statute of Secrecy. It was very hard for the Ministry of Magic to hide dragons from the Muggle world, especially the Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Black.

In June 1943, the Ministry of Magic was going to close down Hogwarts School unless whoever was responsible for opening the Chamber of Secrets was caught. In April 1993, it was close to closing down again. Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge was pressured to do something and he took Rubeus Hagrid to Azkaban. In June, it was a certain to be closed, but Harry Potter finally located it and saved the school.

In July, Sirius Black escaped Azkaban and caused a panic in the wizarding world. Dementors were sent by the Ministry to hunt for Black. Fudge informed the Muggle Prime Minister and had to defend doing so because he was criticised by the International Confederation of Wizards. At the end of August, he still wasn't found and the Ministry pulled every department into helping instead of doing their usual job.

In September, they sent cars to collect Harry, Hermione Granger and the Weasley family and take them to King's Cross for Harry's safety. They persuaded Professor Dumbledore to grant permission for Dementors to patrol Hogwarts School and Hogsmeade until Black was found. They gave a warning to people in Hogsmeade to complete their shopping before sundown because Dementors would be patrolling, and gave signs to establishments including Honeydukes. They investigated when Lucius lodged a complaint about Rubeus Hagrid teaching at Hogwarts School because Draco was attacked by Buckbeak.

## Notes and sources

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 3
2. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince*, Chapter 1
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 5
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 3
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 14
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 2
7. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone*, Chapter 17
8. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 4
9. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 12
10. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 21
11. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 13
12. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets*, Chapter 17
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 4
14. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 10
15. ↑ *Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban*, Chapter 7