World Health Organization. Ministry takes responsibility for all magic in the United Kingdom in addition to taking on the

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2 + Ministry of Magic The Ministry of Magic is the governing body of the magical community in Great Britain. The Ministry takes responsibility for all magic in the United Kingdom in addition to taking on the responsibility of protecting the British non-magical population, otherwise known as muggles. Founded in 1707, the Ministry of Magic was the successor to the Wizards Council. The headquarters are located in Whitehall in London, England. The Ministry is also responsible for classifying the Unforgivable Curses, of which there are three: the Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra), the Cruciatus Curse (Crucio), and the Imperius Curse (Imperio). 1 It is important to note that no members of the Ministry are permitted to engage in any form of dark magic including the usage of the Unforgivable Curses, seeing as that will be breaking magical law. All offenders immediately lose their position within the Ministry and are promptly sentenced to life in Azkaban, the wizarding jail. Although protection is a part of the Ministry s official duties, the Ministry of Magic is also tasked with maintaining the anonymity of all wizards, beasts, and other elements of magic, so as to prevent clashes with the muggle world. However, it must be noted that during times of prolonged darkness, the Ministry has worked directly with the Muggle Prime Minister. 1 Harry Potter Wiki. Unforgivable Curses harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/unforgivable_curses PAGE 2

3 + Research Questions You can find the Main Departments of the Ministry of Magic listed below: Magical Law Enforcement Magical Accidents and Catastrophes Committee on Experimental Charms Personnel Magical Transportation Mysteries Magical Games and Sports Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures International Magical Cooperation Improper Use of Magic Office Department for Use of Muggle Technologies Wizengamot (wizarding Britain s high court of law; up to 50 members) PAGE 3

4 + Topic 1 The Economy In the wake of the Triwizard Tournament, it is no secret that financial times are difficult. Despite the best intentions of the Department for International Magical Cooperation and the Department of Magical Games and Sports, the aftermath of the tournament has not brought the boon the Ministry had expected. Although initial gains were made in tourist revenue, we have seen our resources drained with little to nothing to show for our years of planning. In fact, not only did the Triwizard Tournament drain our financial supply, but it likewise caused a loss of support for our governing body. We must not forget the tragic loss of life sustained during the Triwizard Tournament in the form of Hogwarts student, Cedric Diggory. As a result of Diggory s death, we have received numerous letters of discontent from parents as well as letters of resignation from Hogwarts professors who have refused to teach at a school lacking priority for human life. It would behoove us to ensure that no more professors leave as a result of our miscalculations after Cedric s unfortunate passing because this potential brain drain could have catastrophic consequences. Which brings us to our most pressing concern at hand: the allegations that the Dark Lord has returned. The rumors surrounding the final task of the Triwizard Tournament and Harry Potter s claims, though yet to be verified by the Ministry, have produced a profound fear in the magical world. As a result, people are pulling their funds out of Gringotts Wizarding Bank at an alarming pace. Without appropriate reserves, Gringotts will be unable to give out loans and the financial system could PAGE 4

5 collapse. Moreover, if the allegations surrounding He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named are in fact real, a lack of resources could very well bring our downfall. However, to maintain our people s confidence and trust, we must assume that these allegations are surely false. + Research Questions What are effective ways to manage the current inflation crisis? How can we generate confidence in our economy and in our people with rumors of dark magic are more popular topics of conversation? What precautions should we take to investigate the rumors surrounding the return of the Dark Lord? What resources can be allocated to this investigation? PAGE 5

6 + Topic 2 The Relationship with the Muggle World As previously mentioned, it is the Ministry of Magic s responsibility to conceal the actions and lives of those in the magical world. However, the two worlds still come into contact. Indeed each day wizards bump shoulders with Muggles in the streets of London and our close cooperation with previous Prime Ministers should not be downplayed. The rise in the sophistication and proliferation of Muggle technology means that now more than ever Muggles are aware of their surroundings. News articles alert them to the slightest disturbances which can be shared at alarming speeds. We never anticipated that such technological advances would occur this quickly. To manage, we developed the Department for Use of Muggle Technologies, but we are still processing mountains of data. The speed that information is now shared offers less and less time for the employees of the Obliviator Headquarters to rectify Muggle memories or for the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to publicize their explanations. In our last meeting with the Prime Minister, he expressed his concern that Muggles were picking up more on the unexplainable coincidences around them. Rumblings on the deep Internet have also alerted us of this very real possibility. However, at this time, we do believe that the situation is under control. Although the Ministry has a department in charge of repairing relations with Muggles, the job of maintaining a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with the Muggle world is a bigger PAGE 6

7 responsibility than the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes could ever handle alone. With a rise in terrorism tied to Death Eaters, the workload to protect Muggles from any magical harm has become overly burdensome. We must work together within the Ministry to ensure that we can still contain our world. + Research Questions Should we take steps to hide our magic and limit interaction with muggles? What are the merits of increased cooperation with other magical ministries? How can we best understand Muggle technology to avoid breaches of sensitive magical information? PAGE 7

8 + Sources & Further Readings Gov.UK. Ministry of Magic. Accessed September 5, Harry Potter Wiki. British Ministry of Magic Accessed September 5, Pottermore. The Ministry of Magic Accessed September 5, Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Wikipedia. The Ministry of Magic. Accessed September 5, PAGE 8