Magical Law
With Professor Bryce
Introduction
Welcome students to Magical Law. This year we are going to closely look at the institution where all magical laws are made, the Ministry of Magic. It is the Ministry’s role to not only come up with the legislation (a fancy word that means a collection of laws) that will bind the magic world, but also to enforce it. These laws relate to all aspects of wizarding life, from what creatures are allowed to be owned in your backyard, to laws surrounding transportation.
Over the next 8 lessons we will learn about each of the Departments within the Ministry of Magic, but please note for this class we will not be counting the Department of Employment or the Department of Magical Construction as canonically accurate.
Week 1: Department of Magical Law Enforcement
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement resides on Level Two of the Ministry. It is by far the busiest and potentially most important Department in the whole Ministry. Over the years, there have been many notable heads of this department including Bartemius Crouch, Amelia Bones, Pius Thicknesse and Yaxley. Whilst some of these people brought about greater changes then others, there is no denying that each of these people had a significant impact not only on the Department, but also the wizarding population during their reigns. This Department as a whole contains a variety of sub departments, each which are examined bellow.
The Auror Office
After completing their education at Hogwarts, it is the intention of many young witches and wizards to pursue a career with the Auror office. Aurors (or dark wizard catchers as they are sometimes known) are tasked with the protection of the wizarding world from criminals. In some ways they act as the policemen and women of our world, often given duties of protecting high profile figures such as the Minister of Magic, the muggle Prime Minister and other “celebrity” figures such as Harry Potter.
It is the duty of Aurors to uphold the law, but interestingly enough during the First Wizarding War they were given the right to use the unforgivable curses (Crucio, Imperio and Avada Kedavra) on individuals that they suspected of being Death Eaters. This decision split the wizarding community down the middle as many argued this was justified, whilst others firmly held that torture is never okay.
Improper Use of Magic Office
Whilst Aurors are responsible for dealing with criminal activity, those working in the Improper Use of Magic Office are tasked with investigating illegal, but not criminal uses of magic. For example, this office would deal with underage witches and wizards who are using magic outside of Hogwarts. For first time offences this department simply sends a letter explaining that their behaviour is unacceptable and if they persist further action will be taken.
Wizengamot Administration Services
Although not the most exciting or glamorous part of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Wizengamot Administration Services plays a vital part in the magical justice system. It is the duty of those who work in this area to inform those facing trial of their court dates, locations and any other important information. As well as this they are responsible for keeping court records including the parties involved, the offence, the evidence presented, the witness statements, a transcript of the court proceedings etc. etc.
Homework:
1. Do you agree with Aurors being given the power to use all of the unforgivable curses during the First Wizarding War? Why/why not? (You are allowed to argue that some of the curses were fine, whilst others were not).
2. Do you think that sending a letter to an underage witch/wizard is the most effective way to get them to not do it again? What would be a better alternative?
3. For each of the following situations I would like you to tell me whether the Auror Office, The Improper Use of Magic Office or the Wizengamot Administration Services would be responsible.
a. There is a group of Wizard’s holding a group of Gringotts goblins hostage. Who would be called to the scene?
b. The courtrooms have flooded and a court case has to be postponed. Who would have to owl everyone?
c. Upon examining some old court documents it was discovered that the verdict in the Black VS Malfoy case was never recorded. Who should have done this?
d. A wizard frustrated with his muggle neighbour turns him into a donkey in front of his wife and two children. Who would be required to act?
e. A highly dangerous inmate has escaped from Azkaban prison. Who would go after them?
Week 2: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
Welcome back students to your second week of Magical Law. This week we are continuing into our examination of the Ministry and looking into the workings of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.
The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes is able to be found on floor three of the Ministry. It is the go to place for most Magical disasters including erased memories, incorrectly performed spells and the discovery of our world by muggles. Although we won’t look into the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy until next year, it’s important to know of its existence now to fully understand why different subdivisions exist within the Ministry. To put it extremely simply, the Statute makes every magical government responsible of the concealment of our world. If magical signs go unchecked it could lead to muggles discovering and exploiting us. It is for these reasons that the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes and its subdivisions exist.
Accidental Magic Reversal Squad
The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad deal with the most prominent way’s that muggles could discover our world; magic gone wrong. The witches and wizards in this squad are highly trained to deal with whatever is thrown at them, and their work is never boring. One day they might deal with a Disillusionment Charm gone wrong and have to work out how to make the individual visible again. The next day they might have to shrink someone who drank an incorrectly brewed growth potion. The day after they might have to deflate a woman who had been inflated during a fit of rage… You get the drift, never boring.
Obliviator Headquarters
Obliviators work hand in hand with members of the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad. It is their role to modify the memory of muggles who see instances of magic, whether accidental or not. Memory modification is an extremely difficult task to perform, and it is for this reason that only a select few work in the field. But despite the low number of Obliviators, the role is absolutely crucial to upholding the Statue of Wizarding Secrecy.
Muggle - Worthy Excuse Committee
This small department has the role of feeding false information to the muggle media. Quite often these witches and wizards work for muggle media corporations (such as television and radio) in order to pass false information about events into the muggle media.
Homework:
1. In the lesson I gave three examples of magic gone wrong and how someone from the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad would fix it. I would like a further five examples of magic gone wrong and there solutions.
2. What do you imagine could go wrong if anyone other than an Obliviator tried to modify someone’s memory?
3. You work for the Muggle – Worthy Excuse Committee and a dragon has just flown over Sydney, Australia. It has been seen by around 20,000 people, what do you tell the media?
Week 3: Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
This week we will be studying one of my favourite Ministry Departments, the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. As the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, I constantly have to keep up to date with the different laws surrounding magical creatures.
One of the duties of this Department is to classify every single creature in our world, and this is done in two ways. Firstly upon discovering a new creature it must be determined whether it will be classed as a Beast, Being or a Spirit. This decision has created quite a few problems between wizards and creatures in the past, often unhappy with where they are placed. The Second way these creatures are then classed is on a scale from 1 (X) to 5 (XXXXX) based on how dangerous they are to wizardkind.
As this is the second largest department in the Ministry, there is no surprise that there are numerous sub, and sub-sub departments. One interesting one is the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures.
Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures
Coming under the Beast Division umbrella, the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures is tasked with the execution of any magical creatures that are a threat to the wizarding world. This department follows strict legal proceedings such as having a trial, hearing evidence and even allowing appeals. They also follow strict legal guidelines such as not executing any creature that is part of an endangered species.
Homework:
1. For each of the following creatures, please tell me what laws exists surrounding them, and whether or not you agree with them.
a. Crup
b. Hippogriff
c, Golden Snidget
d. Sphinx
e. Basilisk
2. Please tell me Grogan Stump’s legal definitions of both Beasts and Beings. Please note for this question you can simply copy/paste.
3. In 1993, a Hippogriff known as Buckbeak was summoned in front of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. Did anything occur during his case that could potentially be seen as a miscarriage of justice?
Week 4: Department of International Magical Cooperation
Good morning students, I hope you are all awake and alert for our final lesson before interim. This week we are delving into the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Now the main function of this Department is to develop relationships between other wizarding governments. Once this has been achieved, it makes it a lot easier to standardize certain aspects on the magical world, increasing our chances of global uniformity and decreasing the likelihood of being discovered by muggles. To do this, the Department of International Magical Cooperation houses a range of Sub-divisions.
The International Magical Trading Standards Body
Possibly one of the most boring departments in the whole Ministry of Magic, the International Magical Trading Standards Body is a group of witches and wizards who come together to standardize issues such as minimum thickness of cauldrons, the type of lens used in Omnioculars or the level of stickiness of Spellotape.
The International Magical Office of Law
This department examines the laws and policies decided by the ICW (International Confederation of Wizards) and advises the Wizengamot on what they should do in order to make sure international law does not contradict with more localised laws. For example the ICW banned Basilisk breeding a whole six months before the Wizengamot had written it into British laws. Another role of the International Magical Office of Law is to advise the Department of Magical Law Enforcement of any changes to laws, as well as briefing the British Prime Minister on new laws as well.
Homework:
1. Do a little bit of background research on the International Confederation of Wizards. Who are they and what is their purpose?
2. Design a new International law for the International Magical Trading Standards Body. Include what it is and why it is necessary.
3. The leader of the International Confederation of Wizards is known as the “Supreme Mugwump”. I would like for you to research two individuals who have held this title and tell me a little bit about them.
Week 5: Department of Magical Transportation
Welcome back my little owlets. I hope you all had an enjoyable break from lessons. But as we only have three more and an exam left, we must press on!As the name suggests, the Department of Magical Transportation is responsible of all methods of travel undertaken by witches and wizards. The four main aspects of magical transportation that this department focuses on is the Floo network, brooms, portkeys and apparition. Whilst other methods of transportation exist, these are the four that are the most prominent in today’s society.
There are many laws that exist around magical transportation, because after accidental magic, being spotted travelling is the next highest risk of exposing our world.
Floo Network
The Floo Network is a series of fireplaces that are connected to each other. Most wizarding residents and most magical work sites (such as the ministry) will have a fireplace connected to this network. All a user has to do to use the network is to drop some Floo power into the fire, announce clearly their destination, then step in and brace themselves for the ride. It is illegal for a muggle dwelling to be permanently connected to the network, but under certain circumstances, you may apply to the Department of Magical Transportation for one to be connected temporally.
Brooms
Brooms are incredibly dangerous magical objects and result in thousands of injuries every year. The Department of Magical Transportation is tasked with making sure that brooms used for travel are up to standard. If they find a broom has been tampered with or is dangerous, they will confiscate this broom, and in certain instances will also fine the owner. Broom users who plan on flying long distances over muggle areas are required by law to cast a Disillusionment charm on themselves and to fly above clouds (if any are in the sky) to reduce the risk of being spotted.
Portkey
A portkey is any object that when touched will instantly transport you to another location. There are two types of portkeys. Firstly we have the instant touch portkey which will immediately take the individual who touches it to a predetermined location. Secondly, we have timed portkeys which will take whoever is holding the portkey to a predetermined location at a predetermined time, if no one is holding the object, then the item itself will travel. There are multiple legal requirements surrounding the use of portkeys, for example it is technically illegal to set up an unauthorised portkey yourself. All portkeys must be approved of by the Portkey Office.
Apparition
Apparition is the process of vanishing from one location, but instantly reappearing in another location. The process itself is much simpler in theory then it is to carry out practically. All one has to do is focus on a destination in their mind, then with complete determination, move with deliberation into nothingness. Since there are so many things that could go wrong, it should be no surprise that you require a licence in order to partake in the practice, and it is illegal to attempt it solo without one.
Homework:
I am feeling generous, so homework this week is simple.
1. Explain a legal restriction on the Floo network and explain why it’s necessary.
2. Explain a legal restriction on Broomsticks and explain why it’s necessary.
3. Explain a legal restriction on Portkey Office and explain why it’s necessary.
4. Explain a legal restriction on Apparition and explain why it’s necessary.
Week 6: Department of Magical Games and Sports
Ah week 6! Almost there guys! Keep pushing through :) This week we are looking at the Department of Magical Games and Sports.
Now this department is in charge of regulating and coordinating all sporting competitions both within England, and also with other countries around the world. This department is seen by some as unnecessary and a waste of space, admittedly even those who work in this department seem to have care free attitudes and a relaxed approach to their work.
One of the only known activities of this department is to organise the Quiddictch World Cup, a feat that takes hundreds of hours to achieve. They are responsible for regulating the teams that are allowed to compete, the venue that the grand final will be held at, the mascots that they are allowed to bring and constructing the rules that every player is bound by.
However even in organising an event such as the World Cup, they rely heavily on other Ministry departments such as transportation, magical cooperation and control of magical creatures.
Homework:
Creative tasks this week!
1. Design a new magical sport to give this department something else to do! Things to include:
- Name
- Aim of the game
- Equipment
- Instructions on how to play
2. Create your own Quidditch team! Things to include:
- Name- Colours
- Where are they based?
- Why was this team put together?
- Who is the mascot?
Week 7: Department of Mysteries
Last lesson before your exam everybody and it’s extremely short so I hope everybody pays attention, there might be some questions from this week’s lesson in the exam…
There is only so much that I am legally allowed to tell you about the Department of Mysteries as so much of it is covered in secrecy and confidentiality. So what am I allowed to tell you? This department is the home of many experiments that tests the limits of magic itself. There are rooms dedicated to the study of love, space, thought, time and death.
Apart from experiments, this department is also responsible for the recording and upkeep of prophecies. There are strict legal proceedings in place that if Unspeakables (those who work on this floor) break will have them facing criminal charges.
Homework
1. Match each of the experiments on the left with the room they are studied in on the right.
2. I would like each of you to predict a major event that will happen during next year, I don’t mean something like “Hufflepuff will win the house cup” I want something seemingly ridiculous such as “Liam will be demoted to Gryffindor Head of House and Marli will run the site”. Anyone whose prophecy comes true will get 50 house points next year!!!
3. Study for the exam next week!
