Changes: Improper Use of Magic Office

Revision as of 15:30, 13 October 2013

The Improper Use of Magic Office (also known as Improper Use of Magic Department^[1]) is a division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.

Functions

The Office is responsible for investigating offences under the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and the International Confederation of Wizards Statute of Secrecy. The Decree prohibits an underage wizard or witch from performing magic, while the Statute of Secrecy prohibits wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of Muggles or in a Muggle-inhabited area.

On receiving intelligence reports of a violation of the Decree, a note is sent to the offender detailing actions that will be taken by the Office. First-time offenders are usually let off with a warning while extreme cases may be referred to the Wizengamot. Thus, it appears that the Improper Use of Magic Office deals with offences that are more regulatory in nature than criminal, as the latter would be dealt with by Hit Wizards or the Auror Office. However, penalties can still be harsh.

Also, this is where the Animagus registration is posted, and that all Animagi must register with all their distinguishing features and traits noted, in order for them not to abuse their abilities. The registry is open to public viewing. Failing to register will receive a sentence in Azkaban.

Contact with Harry Potter

The Improper Use of Magic Office came into contact with Harry Potter repeatedly during his childhood. He received a warning letter from them when Dobby, a house-elf used a Hover Charm to smash a pudding on a houseguest of his Aunt and Uncle. It was assumed that Harry levitated the pudding, but Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge let him go with a warning. One year later, Harry caused Aunt Marge to float like a balloon but Fudge let him go because he felt pity for Harry, believing Sirius Black to be on the hunt for him.

This pity turned to malice when years later, Harry received notice of expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry after he used a Patronus Charm against threatening Dementors in his Muggle hometown of Little Whinging. The letter informed him that his wand would be destroyed by Ministry officials and he would be detained until Court notice; this appears to be the standard procedure. Through the intervention of Albus Dumbledore, punishment and wand destruction was delayed until a Wizengamot Court could be held for Harry.

It is suggested that the Improper Use of Magic Office attends Wizengamot Court services, though when Harry Potter has a trial in 1995, nothing is mentioned about them. It is presumed that this department has several positions and that they remained loyal to the Ministry even when Cornelius Fudge denied Lord Voldemort had risen again.

Harry was indeed tried before the entire Wizengamot court, however, it was highly unusual procedure for a case of underage use of magic. The hearing was held in Courtroom Ten below the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic. Incidentally, it was the same courtroom Harry had previously visited via the Pensieve. It was a horribly intimidating room with a chair that self-locks when the defendant sits down.

Known employees

Appearances

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Mentioned only)

Notes and references

↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Chapter 11 (Ministry Interior)

Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Level 2, British Ministry of Magic

Auror Office · Department of Intoxicating Substances · Improper Use of Magic Office · Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office · Office for the Detection and Confiscation of Counterfeit Defensive Spells and Protective Objects · Office for the Removal of Curses, Jinxes, and Hexes · Magical Law Enforcement Patrol · Hit Wizards · Ministry of Magic Witch Watchers · Department of Magical Equipment Control · Administrative Registration Department · Wizengamot Administration Services · Department of Security · Animagus Registry · SOS Task Force Office

[1] Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Chapter 11 (Ministry Interior)

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Wonderbookold}}
-{{Organization infobox
+{{Organisation infobox
 |name=Improper Use of Magic Office
+|image=[[File:ImproperUseofMagic.png|250px]]
-|image=
-|bgcolor1=#000000
+|bgcolor1=9966CC
-|bgcolor2=#DDAA00
+|bgcolor2=C9A0DC
 |founder=
 |founded=
 |dissolved=
-|leader=[[Mafalda Hopkirk]]
+|leader=[[Travers]] (under Voldemort's regime)
-|headquarters=Level 2, [[Ministry of Magic]]
+|headquarters=Level 2, [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]
 |intentions=Investigates illegal, but not criminal, uses of magic
-|affiliation=[[Ministry of Magic]]<br>
+|affiliation=[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]<br>
-|enemies=[[Lord Voldemort]]<br>
+|enemies=[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]<br>
 [[Death Eaters]]<br>
 [[Order of the Phoenix]] (when Voldemort controlled the Ministry)
-|first=''[[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban]]''
-|latest=''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]''
-|last=
-|cause=
 }}
-'''The Improper Use of Magic Office''' is a division of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] at the [[Ministry of Magic]]. It is headed by [[Mafalda Hopkirk]].
+The '''Improper Use of Magic Office''' (also known as '''Improper Use of Magic Department'''<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Chapter 11 (''Ministry Interior'')</ref>) is a division of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]] at the [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]].
 ==Functions==
-The Office is responsible for investigating offences under the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]] and [[International Confederation of Wizards]]' [[Statute of Secrecy]]. The Decree prohibits an underage wizard or witch from performing magic, while the Statute of Secrecy prohibits wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of [[Muggle]]s or in a Muggle-inhabited area.
+The Office is responsible for investigating offences under the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]] and the [[International Confederation of Wizards]] [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy|Statute of Secrecy]]. The Decree prohibits an underage wizard or witch from performing magic, while the Statute of Secrecy prohibits wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of [[Muggle]]s or in a Muggle-inhabited area.
 On receiving intelligence reports of a violation of the Decree, a note is sent to the offender detailing actions that will be taken by the Office. First-time offenders are usually let off with a warning while extreme cases may be referred to the [[Wizengamot]]. Thus, it appears that the Improper Use of Magic Office deals with offences that are more regulatory in nature than criminal, as the latter would be dealt with by [[Hit Wizard]]s or the [[Auror|Auror Office]]. However, penalties can still be harsh.
+Also, this is where the [[Animagus]] registration is posted, and that all Animagi must register with all their distinguishing features and traits noted, in order for them not to abuse their abilities. The registry is open to public viewing. Failing to register will receive a sentence in [[Azkaban]].
 ==Contact with Harry Potter==
-The Improper Use of Magic Office came into contact with [[Harry Potter]] repeatedly during his childhood. He received a warning letter from them when [[Dobby]] used a [[Levitation Charm]] to smash a pudding into a houseguest of his Aunt and Uncle. It was assumed that Harry levitated the pudding, but [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] let him go with a warning because he felt pity for Harry, believing [[Sirius Black]] to be on the hunt for him.
+The Improper Use of Magic Office came into contact with [[Harry Potter]] repeatedly during his childhood. He received a warning letter from them when [[Dobby]], a house-elf used a [[Hover Charm]] to smash a pudding on a houseguest of his Aunt and Uncle. It was assumed that Harry levitated the pudding, but [[Minister for Magic]] [[Cornelius Fudge]] let him go with a warning. One year later, Harry caused [[Marjorie Dursley|Aunt Marge]] to float like a balloon but Fudge let him go because he felt pity for Harry, believing [[Sirius Black]] to be on the hunt for him.
+This pity turned to malice when years later, Harry received notice of expulsion from [[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]] after he used a [[Patronus|Patronus Charm]] against threatening [[Dementor]]s in his Muggle hometown of [[Little Whinging]]. The letter informed him that his [[wand]] would be destroyed by Ministry officials and he would be detained until Court notice; this appears to be the standard procedure. Through the intervention of [[Albus Dumbledore]], punishment and wand destruction was delayed until a [[Wizengamot]] Court could be held for Harry.
+It is suggested that the Improper Use of Magic Office attends Wizengamot Court services, though when [[Harry Potter]] has a trial in [[1995]], nothing is mentioned about them. It is presumed that this department has several positions and that they remained loyal to the Ministry even when [[Cornelius Fudge]] denied [[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]] had risen again.
+Harry was indeed tried before the entire Wizengamot court, however, it was highly unusual procedure for a case of underage use of magic. The hearing was held in Courtroom Ten below the [[Department of Mysteries]] at the Ministry of Magic. Incidentally, it was the same courtroom Harry had [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|previously visited]] via the [[Pensieve]]. It was a horribly intimidating room with a chair that self-locks when the defendant sits down.
+==Known employees==
-This pity turned to malice when years later, Harry received notice of expulsion from [[Hogwarts]] after he used a [[Patronus Charm]] against threatening [[Dementors]] in his Muggle hometown of [[Little Whinging]]. The letter informed him that his [[wand]] would be destroyed by Ministry officials and he would be detained until Court notice; this appears to be the standard procedure. Through the intervention of [[Albus Dumbledore]], punishment and wand destruction was delayed until a [[Wizengamot]] Court could be held for Harry.
+*[[Travers]] (Head)
+*[[Mafalda Hopkirk]] (Commander-in-Chief)
+*[[Honoria's fiancé]]
+*[[Mafalda Hopkirk's Ministerial Superior]]
+*[[Rufus Fudge]] (suspended)
+*[[Orabella Nuttley]]
+==Appearances==
-It is suggested that the Improper Use of Magic Office attends Wizengamot Court services, though when [[Harry Potter]] has a trial in [[1995]], nothing is mentioned about them. It is presumed that this department has several positions and that they remained loyal to the Ministry even when [[Cornelius Fudge]] denied [[Lord Voldemort]] had risen again.
+*''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{Mention}}
+*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' {{Mention}}
+==Notes and references==
-Harry was indeed tried before the entire Wizengamot court, however, it was highly unusual procedure for a case of underage use of magic.  The hearing was held in Courtroom Ten below the [[Department of Mysteries]] at the Ministry of Magic. Incidentally, it was the same courtroom Harry had [[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire|previously visited]] via the [[Pensieve]]. It was a horribly intimidating room with a chair that self-locks when the defendant sits down. [[Amelia Bones]], former head of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]], was present at this hearing.
+{{Reflist}}
+{{Ministry Level 2}}
+[[es:Oficina del Uso Incorrecto de la Magia]]
+[[fr:Service des usages abusifs de la magie]]
+[[it:Ufficio per l'Uso Improprio delle Arti Magiche]]
 [[Category:Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]