The Atrium is an area that serves to welcome visitors to the Ministry of Magic. It is located on the eighth level of the Ministry.
Methods of entry
- Before the Death Eaters' reign, visitors to the Ministry could choose to use the external entrance (an unused telephone booth), or may arrive via the Floo network by a series of gilded fireplaces lining the left-hand side of the long hallway leading into the Atrium proper. Visitors depart through a series of fireplaces lining the right-hand side of the hall.
- During the reign of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, only senior employees, such as Dolores Umbridge as Head of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, were allowed to use the Floo Network from their homes straight to the Ministry. All other employees used coins which activated doorways into bathroom stalls. While standing inside the toilet, one would pull the lever and be shot down a chute into the Ministry.
Pre-Voldemort reign layout
The hallway leading into the Atrium
The ceiling was peacock blue with golden symbols moving over it; the floor, polished dark wood. Halfway into the Atrium was the Fountain of Magical Brethren. The fountain featured golden statues of a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, all which spouted water from various locales into the pool of water below.
To enter the lifts allowing access to the rest of the Ministry (tenth floor excepted), visitors passed through a set of golden gates, beside which was a security stand. The guard at the stand registered visitors' wands. When Harry Potter first visited the Ministry, the watch-wizard stationed there was Eric Munch.
Layout during Voldemort's reign
Muggles in their "rightful" place
The layout of the Atrium during Voldemort's reign was still generally the same, except that instead of the Fountain of Magical Brethren, there was a massive carved statue of a witch and wizard sitting on thrones, made from the bodies of contorted Muggle men, women, and children. The inscription on this statue read "Magic is Might".
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film) (Appears in flashback(s))
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (video game)
