Ministry of Magic Headquarters

The headquarters of the Ministry of Magic is located in the heart of London. The actual structure is all underground, although magical windows show whatever weather Magical Maintenance has chosen for the day, from bright sunshine to hurricanes.

Visitors’ Entrance

A visitor to the Ministry of Magic comes to a broken-down red telephone box located on a dingy street which has several shabby offices, a pub, and a wall covered with graffiti. When the telephone in the box is dialed (62442, the word M-A-G-I-C), the welcome witch’s voice answers, not from the phone but from the air as if the person is standing right there. Visitors must state their business, upon which a silver badge pops out with the visitor’s name and purpose of visit. Then the telephone box drops down like a lift for about one minute, after which the visitor is in the Atrium.

The Atrium

The Atrium, located on level 8, is a large hall with fireplaces up and down both long walls. Down the left-hand side of the hall are gilded fireplaces which witches and wizards can use to arrive at the Ministry. The right-hand side contains gilded fireplaces as well, and these are used for departures. The floor is polished dark wood. The ceiling is peacock blue with golden symbols moving across it. The Fountain of Magical Brethren lies halfway down the Atrium. A group of golden statues, depicting a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, spout water into the surrounding pool of water. At the end of the Atrium is a set of golden gates, next to which is a security stand. Eric Munch is usually on duty here. He registers the wands of visitors. Another smaller hall is beyond the gates and here there is a series of lifts.

The lifts provide access to the other levels, except the tenth.

Level One:

This level is the location of the offices of the Minister for Magic and other administrative staff (DH12, DH13).

Level Two:

Department of Magical Law Enforcement

Divisions

• Auror Headquarters
• Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office – A small and crowded office at the end of a shabby corridor on this level.
• Wizengamot Administration Services

Level Three:

Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes

Divisions

• Accidental Magic Reversal Squad
• Obliviator Headquarters
• Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee

Level Four:

Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures

Divisions

• Beast, Being, and Spirit Divisions
• Goblin Liaison Office
• Pest Advisory Board

Level Five:

Department of International Magical Cooperation

Divisions

• International Confederation of Wizards, British Seats
• International Magical Office of Law
• International Magical Trading Standards Body

Level Six:

Department of Magical Transportation

Divisions:

• Apparition Test Center
• Broom Regulatory Control
• Floo Network Authority
• Portkey Office

Level Seven:

Department of Magical Games and Sports

A brief glimpse of this level reveals an untidy-looking corridor, the walls of which are hung with various Quidditch posters.
Divisions:

• British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters
• Official Gobstones Club
• Ludicrous Patents Office

Level Eight:

The Atrium

Level Nine:

Department of Mysteries

A single door opposite the lift doors provides access to the Department of Mysteries.

Level Ten:

This level can only be reached by the stairs to the left of the door which leads to the Department of Mysteries on Level Nine. Courtroom Ten was first seen during Harry’s first forays into Dumbledore’s Pensieve, when he witnessed various Death Eater trials (GF30). Dungeon-like corridors lead to Courtroom Ten. The walls of the courtroom are dark stone. In the center of the room is a chair covered in chains that stands below rows of high benches on which the Wizengamot sit.