Atrium

Taking up most of level eight, the Atrium is a large and splendid area that functions as the entrance and exit point for traffic in and out of the Ministry of Magic.

The ceiling of the Atrium is a magnificent peacock blue and features golden symbols which continuously move and change.The floor is of polished dark wood. Gilded fireplaces connected to the Floo Network line two sides of the Atrium, with the fireplaces on the left being used for arrivals and those on the right being used for departures. In the center of the Atrium is the Fountain of Magical Brethren, made up of  a group of golden statues - namely, a noble-looking wizard and witch, and, looking at them adoringly, centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf - all spouting water into the surrounding pool of water. Under the Thicknesse/Voldemort regime, the fountain is replaced by a statue showing a witch and wizard seated on a throne made of Muggles.

At one end of the Atrium is a security desk and a large golden gate which leads to a corridor line with lifts. This floor is particularly busy as Ministry workers arrive in the morning (OP7, OP36, DH12).