Changes: Improper Use of Magic Office

Revision as of 20:37, 28 December 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

[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]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Wonderbookold}}
+{{Pottermoreold}}
 {{Organisation infobox
 |name=Improper Use of Magic Office
@@ Line 11: / Line 12: @@
 *[[Travers]] (under Voldemort's regime)
 |headquarters=Level 2, [[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]
-|intentions=Investigates illegal, but not criminal, uses of magic
+|intentions=Investigates illegal uses of magic
 |affiliation=[[British Ministry of Magic|Ministry of Magic]]<br>
 |enemies=[[Tom Riddle|Lord Voldemort]]<br>
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 [[Order of the Phoenix]] (when Voldemort controlled the Ministry)
 }}
-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]].
+The '''Improper Use of Magic Office''' 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 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]]. 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.
+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]].
-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]].
+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 [[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. 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 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 44: / Line 45: @@
 *[[Orabella Nuttley]]
-== Behind the scene ==
+==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.
-* 'Improper' use of magic, which is to say 'abusing magic', can be a broad term, meaning that it is quite possible the office is involved in more than the two laws regarding usage of magic than mentioned above. This means that the Improper Use of Magic Office could be investigating other matters, such as dealing with unregistered animaguses, taking care of cases where people have been caught unauthorized personnel using unregulated experimental charms that may pose a potential danger to those around the practitioners, unlawful dueling where people have injured each other to settle an argument, punish participant of formal contests who cheats by jinxing the equipment of their opponents to get an unfair advantage or to detect and handle cases of unlicensed Apparation.
+*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.
-* 'Improper' use of magic being a broad term, it is likely the office to some degree works with the Auror Office and might share intelligence reports to aid them in investigations and give their opinions in an attempt to cast light on juridical matters after consulting the Wizengamot or the Council of Magical Law without partaking in the search for the hunt for the Dark Wizards themselves.
+*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 Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley were prevented from getting on Platform 9 3/4, the pair borrowed the Ford Anglia to fly to Hogwarts, but were seen by several Muggles on the way. As this was a serious potential breach of the Statute of Secrecy, Mr Weasley faced an inquiry at work over the incident. The Improper Use of Magic Office are most likely the division handling the inquiry.
+*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"/>
-* While not confirmed, it can be assumed that the Magical Law Enforcement Patrol either works within or closely with the office, as it is in charge of investigating crime related to unlawful (but not necessarily dark or dangerous) magic and the patrol is tasked with arresting said persons.
-* Since the voice announcing the different departments in the Ministry lifts did not mention the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office by name, it is possible that it is a subdivision of another division, in which case it is most likely the Improper Use of Magic Office, since Muggle-baiting is, in fact, unlawful and 'improper' use of magic, and the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office are tasked with such matters.
-* If that is the case, there might be other smaller offices focusing on specific types of improper use of magic which either works for or is answerable to the Improper Use of Magic Office.
-* The division apparently works closely with the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, as when Harry Potter used under-aged magic to blow up his aunt, (which would fall under the jurisdiction of the Improper Use of Magic Office), he received no punishment due to the interference of then Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge. However, it is possible that the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, the Obliviator Headquarters and the Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee to some degree rely on the intelligence reports from the Improper Use of Magic Office.
 ==Appearances==
 *''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'' {{Mention}}
 *''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1]]'' {{Mention}}
+*''[[Wonderbook: Book of Spells]]'' {{1st}}
+*''[[Pottermore]]'' {{Mention}}
 ==Notes and references==