Changes: Improper Use of Magic Office

Revision as of 19:12, 3 September 2015

The Improper Use of Magic Office is a division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic.

Functions

The office is responsible for enforcing and regulating the violations of the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, arguably the most prominent international wizarding law of them all which prohibits wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of Muggles or in a Muggle-inhabited area, and of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, that restricts underage wizards from performing magic outside school.

Upon receiving intelligence of a transgression, a note is sent to the offender detailing actions that will be taken by the office.^[1]^[2] In those cases where infringement is severe, the office may dispatch Ministry representatives to take legal affair, and in the absolutely worst cases, they may have to immediately destroy the accused's wand,^[2] or the offender may be referred to the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement^[3] for an official disciplinary hearing to reach an official decision as to imprisonment and destruction of the accused's wand — although high-profile cases are known to have taken place before the whole Wizengamot, this is highly unusual.

A notable example on their daily work was how the Office was tasked with taking action against the activist Carlotta Pinkstone, who deliberately used magic indiscriminately in public places, in full sight of Muggles, and as a result, she was subject of a long series of convictions and imprisonments in the wizarding prison of Azkaban.

While focusing on breaches of the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, it keeps a particular focus on witches or wizards living in an area inhabited by Muggles. In these cases, first-time offenders are usually let off with a warning while extreme cases may require them to take legal action against the person in question.

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 two 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 hearing could be held for Harry.

Harry was indeed tried before the entire Wizengamot, however, it was highly unusual procedure for a simple case of underage use of magic. The hearing was held in Courtroom Ten below the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic.

Known employees

Travers (Head)
Dolores Umbridge (Head sometime before 1995)
Mafalda Hopkirk (assistant^[4])
Honoria's fiancé
Mafalda Hopkirk's Ministerial Superior
Rufus Fudge (suspended)
Orabella Nuttley

Behind the scenes

Considering the fact that Carlotta Pinkstone was charged with and imprisoned in Azkaban several times and there is no mention of her wand being destroyed, it is quite possible that the Improper Use of Magic Office only have the authority to destroy the wands of underaged witches and wizards. This may be because the right to carry a wand at all times may only apply to adults, or because people who do not receive life imprisonment is expected to learn from their mistakes and re-integrate themselves in the Wizarding society after their release.
When the Improper Use of Magic Office was about to destroy Harry Potter's wand for violating the Decree of Reasonable Restrictions on Underaged Sorcery, they might have been under pressure from Cornelius Fudge in an attempt to discredit him, since the destruction of the wand of an underaged wizard occurs when they are expelled from school, which the Ministry has no authority to do so, a fact Fudge obviously tried to ignore before the interference of Albus Dumbledore.
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, the Improper Use of Magic Office is incorrectly referred to as a the "Improper Use of Magic Department".^[5] This is not coherent with the Ministry functional directory set forth in the books in which Offices are smaller divisions of the larger Departments (in this case, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement).
In a prop letter made for the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (that went unused in the final film), Mafalda Hopkirk is referred to as the "Commander-in-Chief" of the Improper Use of Magic Office^[6] — whereas Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows gives her position as "an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office".^[4]

Appearances

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Mentioned only)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (Mentioned only)
Wonderbook: Book of Spells (First appearance)
Pottermore (Mentioned only)

Notes and references

↑ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 2 (Dobby's Warning)
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 2 (A Peck of Owls)
↑ Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
↑ ^4.0 ^4.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 12 (Magic is Might)
↑ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - Chapter 11 (Ministry Interior)
↑ Harry Potter Limited Edition (see this image)

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

was charged

[CS2-1] Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Chapter 2 (Dobby's Warning)

[OP2-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 2 (A Peck of Owls)

[OP7-3] Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)

[DH12-4] 4.0 ^4.1 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Chapter 12 (Magic is Might)

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

[LE-6] Harry Potter Limited Edition (see this image)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

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 {{Wonderbookold}}
+{{Pottermoreold}}
 {{Organisation infobox
 |name=Improper Use of Magic Office
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 ==Functions==
-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.
+The office is responsible for enforcing and regulating the violations of the [[International Confederation of Wizards]]' [[International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy|Statute of Secrecy]], arguably the most prominent international wizarding law of them all which prohibits wizards and witches from performing magic in the presence of [[Muggle]]s or in a Muggle-inhabited area, and of the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]], that restricts underage wizards from performing magic outside school.
+Upon receiving intelligence of a transgression, a note is sent to the offender detailing actions that will be taken by the office.<ref name="CS2">''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' - Chapter 2 (''Dobby's Warning'')</ref><ref name="OP2">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 2 (''A Peck of Owls'')</ref> In those cases where infringement is severe, the office may dispatch Ministry representatives to take legal affair, and in the absolutely worst cases, they may have to immediately destroy the accused's [[wand]],<ref name="OP2"/> or the offender may be referred to the Head of the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]<ref name="OP7">''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' - Chapter 7 (''The Ministry of Magic'')</ref> for an official disciplinary hearing to reach an official decision as to imprisonment and destruction of the accused's [[wand]] — although high-profile cases are known to have taken place before the whole [[Wizengamot]], this is highly unusual.
-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]].
+A notable example on their daily work was how the Office was tasked with taking action against the activist [[Carlotta Pinkstone]], who deliberately used magic indiscriminately in public places, in full sight of [[Muggles]], and as a result, she was subject of a long series of convictions and imprisonments in the wizarding prison of [[Azkaban]].
-Members of the office were required to partake in the trails arranged by the Muggle-Born Registration Commission - where people stood accused (though falsely) of stealing magic - which, had it been possible, indeed would have been categorized as 'improper' use of magic. This implies that the secondary responsibility of the Improper Use of Magic Office is to investigate other types of unlawful usage of magic that may not pose a large-scale danger to anyone but nevertheless is punishable, such as unlicensed Apparation, unauthorized Portkeys, unregistered Animaguses, unregulated and/or  informal Wizard Duels between everyday citizens to solve conflicts and illegal practice of Experimental Charms or abuse of potions.
+While focusing on breaches of the [[Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery]], it keeps a particular focus on witches or wizards living in an area inhabited by Muggles. In these cases, first-time offenders are usually let off with a warning while extreme cases may require them to take legal action against the person in question.
-Representatives from the Improper Use of Magic Office can presumably be found amongst the members of the Wizengamot and the Council of Magical Law especially tasked with contributing to the processing of trials of those who are charged with that offense of the kind that the Improper Use of Magic Office enforces
-The Improper Use of Magic Office is also 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 [[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.
+This pity turned to malice when two 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 hearing could be held for Harry.
+Harry was indeed tried before the entire [[Wizengamot]], however, it was highly unusual procedure for a simple case of underage use of magic. The hearing was held in [[Courtroom Ten]] below the [[Department of Mysteries]] at the Ministry of Magic.
-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, although this might simply be because of Fudge's involvement. 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, although it is very likely the Improper Use of Magic Office were ''not'' loyal to Fudge simply felt that their hands were tied under the pressure from higher authority.
-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==
 *[[Travers]] (Head)
 *[[Dolores Umbridge]] (Head sometime before [[1995]])
+*[[Mafalda Hopkirk]] (assistant<ref name="DH12">''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' - Chapter 12 (''Magic is Might'')</ref>)
-*[[Mafalda Hopkirk]] (Commander-in-Chief)
 *[[Honoria's fiancé]]
 *[[Mafalda Hopkirk's Ministerial Superior]]
@@ Line 49: / Line 46: @@
 ==Behind the scenes==
+*Considering the fact that Carlotta Pinkstone was charged with and imprisoned in Azkaban several times and there is no mention of her wand being destroyed, it is quite possible that the Improper Use of Magic Office only have the authority to destroy the wands of underaged witches and wizards. This may be because the right to carry a wand at all times may only apply to adults, or because people who do not receive life imprisonment is expected to learn from their mistakes and re-integrate themselves in the Wizarding society after their release.
-In ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', the Improper Use of Magic Office is incorrectly referred to as a the "Improper Use of Magic ''Department''".<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Chapter 11 (''Ministry Interior'')</ref> This is not coherent with the Ministry functional directory set forth in the books in which Offices are smaller divisions of the larger Departments (in this case, the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]).
+*When the Improper Use of Magic Office was about to destroy Harry Potter's wand for violating the Decree of Reasonable Restrictions on Underaged Sorcery, they might have been under pressure from Cornelius Fudge in an attempt to discredit him, since the destruction of the wand of an underaged wizard occurs when they are expelled from school, which the Ministry has no authority to do so, a fact Fudge obviously tried to ignore before the interference of Albus Dumbledore.
+*In ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'', the Improper Use of Magic Office is incorrectly referred to as a the "Improper Use of Magic ''Department''".<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' - Chapter 11 (''Ministry Interior'')</ref> This is not coherent with the Ministry functional directory set forth in the books in which Offices are smaller divisions of the larger Departments (in this case, the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]).
+*In a [[Wizengamot letter to Harry Potter|prop letter]] made for the [[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)|film adaptation]] of ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' (that went unused in the final film), [[Mafalda Hopkirk]] is referred to as the "Commander-in-Chief" of the Improper Use of Magic Office<ref name="LE">''[[Harry Potter Limited Edition]]'' (see [[:File:LetterChangeOfTimeAndVenue.png|this image]])</ref> — whereas ''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' gives her position as "''an assistant in the Improper Use of Magic Office''".<ref name="DH12"/>
 ==Appearances==
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 [[it:Ufficio per l'Uso Improprio delle Arti Magiche]]
 [[pl:Urząd Niewłaściwego Użycia Czarów]]
+was charged
 [[Category:Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]