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"Level two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services."
— Location of Auror headquarters[src]

The British[4] Auror Office, alternatively known as Auror Headquarters, served as the headquarters of the Aurors of Great Britain. The department was a main division of Department of Magical Law Enforcement. It specifically dealt with the capture of Dark witches and wizards.

In other words, Aurors were essentially the wizarding equivalent of the Muggle police force/detectives, and their headquarters operated as their base of operations. The leader of this department was referred to as the Head of the Auror Office.

Location[]

"A lopsided sign on the nearest cubicle read: Auror Headquarters."
— Inside the Department of Magical Law Enforcement[src]

Located on level two of the Ministry of Magic Headquarters, the Auror Headquarters consisted of a series of open cubicles, with each Auror being assigned a space to work. The cubicles were decorated with pictures of known Dark wizards, maps, clippings from the Daily Prophet, and other odds and ends. Kingsley Shacklebolt's cubicle was located at one end.[2] There were also training rooms and a practice range, among them the Light and Shadow Room.[5]

Functions[]

"Aurors are the Wizarding World's best defence against the practitioners of the Dark Arts."
Harry Potter commenting on the function of an Auror[src]

The Auror Office was tasked with investigating crimes related to the practice of the Dark Arts, and with the capture of Dark wizards. It was not uncommon for said lawbreakers to resist arrest, however; with some choosing to fight to the death rather than let themselves be captured.[6] As a result, veterans in the department, such as Alastor Moody, was prone to sustain permanent injury over the course of their duties, and Aurors was known to have called upon the support of trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad when in need of backup. Once a criminal was apprehended, they were usually placed in custody while awaiting trial to answer for any crimes they committed, and if found guilty, would be sentenced to Azkaban.

The Auror Office in Britain would also collaborate with their counterparts in other countries during international manhunts for particularly dangerous individuals wanted in multiple countries, and on occasion had even sent some of their own agents to assist Aurors in foreign parts in dire situations. There were also times when the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement utilised the officers of the department as soldiers to wage Wizarding Wars, including those fought against Gellert Grindelwald[7] and Lord Voldemort.[8]

The job[]

"We're well-versed in offensive magic, because our very lives depend on it. It takes courage, wit, and guile. Not many have the stomach for it. Do you?"
Harry Potter addressing S.O.S. members wanting to become Aurors[src]
Aurors GreatHall

Uniformed Aurors stationed at the Great Hall, guarding the school from harm

While most of the members of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement worked exclusively domestically and, including such highly trained ones such as the Hit Wizards, would obtain their position through a regular employment.[9] The term "Auror" was more accurately described as a rank that a witch or wizard received before they officially assumed the role.[10] They assumbed the role through a formal document of appointment as a commissioned officer of the Ministry's internal, uniformed service.[11][12]

Aurors were tasked with defending the world wizarding community from practitioners of the Dark Arts.[13] As such (even though British Aurors worked mostly within their own Ministry's jurisdiction) their work would occasionally require them to assist their counterparts abroad, such as during the Global Wizarding War.[12]

Commission as an Auror was gained through the acceptance of an eligible candidate into the necessary recruitment programme, either by passing a stringent series of character and aptitude tests given at the Auror Office,[14] or by possessing the right qualifications and such a solid background of public service that it were bestowed upon them by sufficiently high-ranking official, such as the Head of the Auror Office[15] or the Minister for Magic.[16]

TonksRescuesHarry1996

Relatively new Auror Nymphadora Tonks, guarding Hogwarts against Dark forces

Internally, Aurors were assigned to a wide variety of different tasks and implied to have operated through an informal hierarchy based on years of service and track record.[17] Some, for instance, solved crimes and were something akin to detectives; looking into reports of illegal magical activity to track down suspects by questioning witnesses, examining evidence and following up on leads.[18] Nymphadora Tonks, a relatively new Auror, was one of several stationed at Hogwarts during the Second Wizarding War. Her job was to protect the school against Dark forces.[19]

The Aurors that had distinguished themselves would be put in charge of an investigation, referred to as a 'Lead Auror', to whom a number of Investigative Assistants, lower-ranking Aurors tasked with helping them, reported. Others seemed to act more like an intelligence agents, tasked with secretly tailing a specific target to monitor their activities, or assigned to provide extra security for high-profile places[20] or to guard high-risk targets.[19][21]

They also carried out prisoner transfer between the holding cells at the Ministry and Azkaban,[22] and as of 1998, they also doubled as prison guards after the island was purged of Dementors, working in shifts and rotating from the mainland.[23] In addition, the Aurors also had at least some civilian research assistants whose job it was to compile and fact-check evidence for them.[21]

Status[]

Described as "the Wizarding World's best defence against the practitioners of the Dark Arts",[24] the work of Auror department was seen as glamorous. It was seen as glamorous because of the sheer amount of danger involved, as well as because of the difficulty in joining their ranks of the Ministry's "Dark wizard catchers". Harry Potter, Carl Hopkins, Fay Dunbar, and Medb O'Sullivan were all noted to have aspired to become Aurors during their time at school.

As commissioned officers, the Aurors also enjoyed a certain degree of seniority over their fellow law-keepers at the Ministry. This seniority was because acceptance into the recruitment programme and acquiring the rank of "Auror" seen as a promotion.[25] Additionally, members of other divisions (including those that headed them) were required to assist Aurors with their investigations when called upon to do so.[26] They also outranked elite members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad as Hit Wizards, whom the Auror Office would call upon for backup in the event that they needed to increase the number of skilled wands on their side for violent encounters with Dark wizards.[27]

History[]

Early history[]

The Auror recruitment programme was established by former Minister Eldritch Diggory at some point between his election in 1733 and untimely demise in 1747,[28] and their concomitant headquarters were already up and running by 1752,[29] when Hesphaestus Gore, one of the earliest Aurors, put down several revolts during the Goblin Rebellions.[29]

In 1750, a new clause was also added to the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy stating that each nation's wizarding governing body would be responsible for the concealment of magical creatures, beings and spirits within their respective territories.[30] Consequently, Aurors were so frequently tasked with patrolling hidden and protected habitats to ward off or capture poachers that few Aurors ever went their whole careers without meeting one.[31]

In 1783,[32] a fearsome Dark wizard by the name of Flannery went on a murderous rampage throughout Great Britain. Hamish Steed, one of his intended targets, was subsequently placed under Ministry protection. This did not prevent the killer from locating him, however, who had used an ancient spell to track down his greatest desire — which happened to be the location of the late Steed.[33]

Later history[]

"Harry and Ron utterly revolutionised the Auror Department in — at the Ministry of Magic. So they — I mean, they are now the consummate — they are experts... And by the time — 19 years later — I would imagine that Harry is heading up that department, which is not corrupt in any way. "
J. K. Rowling regarding Harry's career after the war[src]
Dumbledore interrogated

Aurors during the 1920s

In the early 20th century, at least one member of the Auror Office, Theseus Scamander was involved in the wizarding efforts during the First World War, who would subsequently become Head of the Auror Office and participate in the Global Wizarding War.[12] In 1927, several British Aurors including Theseus went to Paris to find his brother Newt, who had illegally travelled to France despite his ban on international travel. Once there, the French Ministry of Magic received intelligence that indicated Gellert Grindelwald would be rallying his supporters at a nearby cemetery, which they shared with Theseus and his men. Together, the Aurors from the British and French Ministries of Magic went to put a stop to it, an incident that resulted in the deaths of Leta Lestrange, a red-haired young witch and several Dark wizard catchers, and the escape of Grindelwald.

From 1970 to 1981, the Auror Office was involved in waging the First Wizarding War against Lord Voldemort and his followers. By the 1990–1991 school year, veteran Auror Alastor Moody noted that while the amount of paperwork had increased noticeably from back when he first joined their ranks, he ultimately viewed it as a good thing, as it helped keeping the department "organised and honest".[27]

Following the escape of suspected Death Eater and mass-murderer Sirius Black from Azkaban in 1993, the Auror Office was tasked with tracking him down, a process that — owed in no small part to Kingsley Shacklebolt — was still ongoing in 1995, when Mr Weasley took Harry Potter through the office before his disciplinary hearing. The Auror Headquarters, a "cluttered open area divided into cubicles, which was buzzing with talk and laughter", impressed Harry, who was thinking about becoming an Auror once he left Hogwarts.[2]

Following the outbreak of the Second Wizarding War, the Auror Office assigned several of its members to guard high-risk targets, such as Harry Potter[34] and the Muggle Prime Minister[35] and was stationed in Hogsmeade to provide extra security to Hogwarts Castle in 1996.

Recent history[]

Harry Potter the Auror MA

Harry Potter, as a young Auror

Following the Fall of the Ministry of Magic on 1 August 1997, it was reported by the Daily Prophet that the Aurors had been decommissioned and stripped of their wands and jobs.[36] After the war ended, Shacklebolt became the new Minister of Magic, and Harry Potter and Ron Weasley joined the recommissioned Auror Office and helped revolutionise the department, and to round up the late Dark Lord's followers as that had gone into hiding. In 2007, Harry Potter became the Head of the Auror Office.[37]

Between 2015 and 2021, the Auror Office ran an investigation into the disappearance of the so-called 'London Five', as well as assisted the Calamity World Centre with containing and handling said catastrophic event, and trained those of its agents wanting to pursue a career as an Auror. The Aurors also participated in the cold war between the Ministry of Magic and the secret society known as The Unforgivable.[24]

Known Aurors[]

Person Notes

Heads of office[]

Theseus Scamander[38] Head of the Auror Office during Gellert Grindelwald's revolution in the 1920s.
Rufus Scrimgeour Retired, became Minister for Magic in 1996, murdered by Lord Voldemort on 1 August, 1997.
Gawain Robards[39] Took over in 1996, after Scrimgeour became Minister for Magic.
Harry Potter Auror from 1998 to 2007, promoted to the Head of the Office in 2007, at the young age of 26 or 27.[40] Harry left by 2019 and is the current Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.[41]

Aurors[]

Helen Thistlewood An Auror in the 19th century and the great-niece of the Minister for Magic, Eldritch Diggory, she stopped a Ukrainian Ironbelly that was terrorising a Muggle city and thwarted a Dark wizard's plot to take over the British Ministry of Magic. By the 1890–1891 school year, she had retired.[42]
Patricia McManners An Auror that retired prior to 1875. In late 1890, she was arrested for being an unregistered Animagus.[43]
Aesop Sharp Former Auror who retired to teach Potions at Hogwarts after an injury forced him from the field.[44]
Aesop Sharp's partner Killed in action.[45]
Solomon Sallow An Auror that had retired some time before 1891 following a disagreement with the Ministry about his use of an Unforgivable Curse on a Dark wizard. In 1891, he was killed by his nephew Sebastian Sallow.[46]
Venusia Crickerly Became Minister for Magic in 1902.[1]
Cassius Bell An Auror in the 1920s who defected and joined Gellert Grindelwald's Alliance.[47]
Cho Chang's grandfather Aurors in the 1920s under Theseus Scamander.[38][48]
Stebbins
Alastor Moody's father The parents of Alastor Moody and members of the Moody family, a family with a long history of service as Aurors.[49]
Alastor Moody's mother
Alastor Moody Retired,[13] murdered by Lord Voldemort in the Battle of the Seven Potters on 27 July 1997.[50]
Alice Longbottom Mentally incapacitated by a group of Death Eaters via the Cruciatus Curse in the final days of the First Wizarding War in 1981.[6]
Frank Longbottom
Proudfoot Aurors that were stationed in Hogsmeade along with others during the 1996–1997 school year at Hogwarts.[19]
John Dawlish
Savage
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Nymphadora Tonks
Williamson First Auror to see Lord Voldemort just before he fled the Ministry of Magic in 1996 after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries.[51]
Ronald Weasley Retired, later worked at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes.[52]
Neville Longbottom Resigned position to become Professor of Herbology at Hogwarts.[52]
Mordecai Berrycloth Hosted useful combat training visits to field members of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures in the 2010s.[24]
Dorian Fungbury An Auror in the 21st century and a notorious show-off.[53]
Penelope Fawley Aurors in the 21st century and two of the London Five who mysteriously disappeared in 2015.[54]
Riya Patel
Cerberus Langarm A celebrated Auror in the 21st century, he served under Harry Potter and was very proud of his job.[55]
Nienna Robins An Auror in the 21st century.[24]

Appearances[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic" at Harry Potter (website)
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
  3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 13 (The Muggle-Born Registration Commission)
  4. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
  5. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
  6. 6.0 6.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 30 (The Pensieve)
  7. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
  8. Harry Potter (book series)
  9. Daily Prophet Newsletters
  10. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  11. Harry Potter films
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Fantastic Beasts films
  13. 13.0 13.1 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 11 (Aboard the Hogwarts Express)
  14. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 29 (Careers Advice)
  15. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Registry: Mysteries)
  16. J.K. Rowling Web Transcript
  17. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
  18. Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 8 (Snape Victorious)
  20. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  22. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 15 (The Goblin's Revenge)
  23. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Azkaban" at Harry Potter (website)
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
  25. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Registry: Mysteries)
  26. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 7 (The Ministry of Magic)
  27. 27.0 27.1 Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 7, Chapter 6 (A Window of Opportunity) - Assignment "Auror Field Training"
  28. Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic" at Harry Potter (website) - (Eldritch Diggory)
  29. 29.0 29.1 Writing by J. K. Rowling: "Ministers for Magic" at Harry Potter (website) - (Hesphaestus Gore)
  30. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
  31. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite - Brilliant Event: Darkness Rising
  32. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (SOS Task Force Training - Calamity Essentials III: Cold Case)
  33. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (Registry: Mysteries - Chapter 1: The Foundable Spell - Daily Prophet)
  34. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 7 (The Slug Club)
  35. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 1 (The Other Minister)
  36. Daily Prophet Newsletters (see this image)
  37. J.K.Rowling Official Site Wizard of the Month (Archived)
  38. 38.0 38.1 Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
  39. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Chapter 16 (A Very Frosty Christmas)
  40. J.K.Rowling Official Site Wizard of the Month (Archived)
  41. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Act One, Scene Five
  42. Hogwarts Legacy, Main Quest "Prisoner of Love"
  43. Hogwarts Legacy
  44. X (formerly Twitter) logo Hogwarts Legacy on X: "Potions class is in session. #HogwartsLegacy"
  45. The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy (see this image)
  46. The Art and Making of Hogwarts Legacy (see this image)
  47. Actor Christopher Birks' Spotlight profile - "Film, Cassius 'Young Auror' Bell, FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD, Warner Bros., David Yates"
  48. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay, Scene 26
  49. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (see this image)
  50. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 5 (Fallen Warrior)
  51. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 36 (The Only One He Ever Feared)
  52. 52.0 52.1 PotterCast Interviews J.K. Rowling, part one
  53. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (see this)
  54. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (see this image)
  55. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite (SOS Task Force Training - Arurorial Appraisal: Resilience Training)
Department of Magical Law Enforcement
Level 2, British Ministry of Magic
Department of Magical Law Enforcement logo
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
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