The Minister for Magic is the highest position in the Ministry of Magic, and seems to be reflect the powers of the muggle British Prime Minister, who is given notice by the Minister himself on emergencies that happen in Britain. It is unknown what that exact powers of the minister are, but they can at sometimes act as an authoritarian ruler. In the books the minister is shown to be elected to the post by the peoples' choice. In times of crisis the minister is generally chosen from the position of Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, as shown for Rufus Scrimgeour and his successor Pius Thicknesse during the Second Wizarding War.
While a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Tom Marvolo Riddle was widely predicted to become Minister for Magic someday. Riddle refused all offers of assistance to find work at the Ministry, however. Albus Dumbledore, former Headmaster of Hogwarts, was offered the job of Minister and refused it at least three times.
List of Historical Ministers
- Artemisia Lufkin - 1798-1811
- Grogan Stump - 1811-1819
- Faris Spavin - 1865-1903
- Nobby Leach - 1962-1968
- Millicent Bagnold - 1980-1990
- Cornelius Fudge - 1990-1996
- Rufus Scrimgeour - 1996-1997
- Pius Thicknesse - 1997-1998
- Kingsley Shacklebolt - 1998-Present
Minister's Staff and Known Offices
Below the Minister are various Under-Secretaries and heads of numerous departments. The precise chain of command within the Ministry is relatively unclear. This department has the offices of the highest ministry officials. The department is located on the first level of the Ministry of Magic, and includes the following offices:
- Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic
- Junior Assistant to the Minister of Magic
- Adviser to the Minister of Magic
- Muggle-Born Registration Commission (only under Voldemort's puppet regime in Deathly Hallows