![]() 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. In the books, employment with the Ministry can be obtained right after completion of a wizarding education, though different offices require different levels of education and sometimes specific exam results with some extra training required within the department itself.įurthermore, the government gives the impression of (at various times) either incompetence or malice. 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. Who has the power to elect or dismiss ministers is never explained. The post of Minister itself, however, is stated to be an elected position. In the Harry Potter books, the Ministry's employees appear to be a largely unelected body. ![]() According to Pottermore, it was formally established in 1707. The Ministry government succeeded the earlier "Wizards' Council," the earliest-known form of government for the wizarding world of Harry Potter. 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 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. 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. For example, the Minister has to inform the Prime Minister if dangerous magical artefacts or animals are to be brought into Britain. The Minister explains that they will contact the Prime Minister only in circumstances in which the events of the wizarding world may affect Muggles. At the end of the final book, following Voldemort's death, Kingsley Shacklebolt takes over the ministry, changing it for the better.Ĭomposition and status Connection to Muggle world Įach new Muggle Prime Minister receives a visit from the Minister for Magic, who informs them of the existence of the wizarding world. It reaches a zenith of corruption before being effectively taken over by Voldemort. Dolores Umbridge was placed at Hogwarts to see what was going on at the school and prevent the news that Lord Voldemort was back from spreading. Throughout the books, it is regularly depicted as corrupt, elitist and completely incompetent, with its high-ranking officials blind to ominous events and unwilling to take action against threats to wizard society. 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 (2003). Rowling's Wizarding World, headed by an official entitled the Minister for Magic. ![]() This is a moment in which we learn that age does not equal wisdom or coolness.The Ministry of Magic is the government of the Magical community of Britain in J. These are dangerous times, and certain measures need to be taken. When Harry refuses to be his poster boy in order to help give the "impression" that everything's A-OK at the Ministry of Magic, Scrimgeour coolly says, "I would not expect you to understand. He's really good at being patronizing too. His manipulative tendencies seem to come out: " and I can't help but feel that, once you realize this, you might consider it, well, almost a duty, to stand alongside the Ministry, and give everyone a boost" (16.191). He plies Harry to be the poster boy of the Ministry of Magic, but Harry won't have any of it. When Scrimgeour visits the Burrow with Percy in Chapter 16, we see his real side. Luna Lovegood, queen of conspiracy theories, is convinced that Rufus is a vampire (15.109). "Rufus is a man of action and, having fought Dark Wizards for most of his working life, does not underestimate Lord Voldemort" (Dumbledore, 4.45). The Daily Prophet tells us, "the appointment has largely been greeted with enthusiasm by the Wizarding community, though rumors of a rift between the new Minister and Albus Dumbledore, newly reinstated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, surfaced within hours of Scrimgeour taking office" (3.4). At the beginning of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Rufus Scrimgeour has succeeded Cornelius Fudge as the Minister of Magic.
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