While so much has happened since the 1600's in the Wizarding World (especially in the last 100 years), this lesson shall only touch base with what happened internally and externally at the Ministry of Magic. Events such as the defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald and other wizarding wars will not be discussed in depth until the second term of the year. As your professor, I feel it is more important to separate the ministry information from the Dark and Light Lords. Therefore, this shall be an awfully dry lesson. If I had included all the information without this separation the lesson would have been over 10 pages.

I have skipped the first few ministers of magic between the dates of 1600 and 1750, due to a lack of correct information.

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Departments Within the Ministry
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There are seven separate departments within the Ministry of Magic. Not all the departments were made or created at the same time, but added over the years as they were needed. Within each department there are several different committees and sub divisions that make up the whole department. Each department has its own head, and it is that person who reports to the Minister of Magic.

Department of Magical Games and Sports (created 1750)
Located on Level Seven of the Ministry of Magic, the Department of Magical Games and Sports is in charge of organizing and running all professional wizarding sporting events. In the past they've been in charge of organizing the Quidditch World Cup, the European Quidditch Cup, all Quidditch League games, and the Triwizard Tournament.

They must find locations to hold each match (usually a deserted moor), while hiding the existence of the matches and events from the eyes of muggles. The use of memory charms and muggle repelling charms are often utilized. Sometimes it can take weeks or months to organize a specific sporting event. The larger the event, the more precautions are needed so that the Statute of Wizarding Secrecy is not broken.

Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes (created 1630)
Located on Level Three of the Ministry of Magic, this department is in charge of fixing a situation after muggles find out about magic. Whenever something magical happens and the muggles see it, it is this department's job to go in and do whatever is needed to be done in order to once again hide the existence of magic from muggles.

There are many sub-divisions in this department. Four of them are: the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, Invisibility Task Force, Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee, and Obliviator Headquarters. Each of these sub-divisions has a different task when dealing with muggles, and each is called upon based solely on the extent of the magic noticed.

The sub-division that sees the most action as it were is Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee. Over the last few centuries they've had to come up with better and more believable stories to tell the muggles. They've repeatedly had to make excuses for the spotting of the Loch Ness Monster (a kelpie who seems to enjoy muggle attention), attacks by giants (covered up with a story of freak hurricanes and tornadoes) and the occasional rogue wizard. Each time their stories must be different from stories used before, but also believable. Muggle Studies is essential to working in this sub-division.

The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad and Obliviator Headquarters work together more often than not. This is due to the fact that usually magic (although accidental) was used directly on muggles and there is no way to create a story or a lie for what happened. When this occurs, the magic reversal squad goes in and corrects the magic used, so that the muggle (or surrounding areas) are restored to normal, and then the obliviators come in and use strong memory charms on the victims so that they will not remember what occurred.

Department of International Magical Cooperation (created 1630)
Located on Level Five of the Ministry of Magic, this department is in charge of working with other magical governments, setting standards for the trade of wizarding goods, and creating regulations to make selling, creating, and trading more unified with the rest of the magical governments.

They are in charge of the protection and watch of any visiting foreign dignitaries, quidditch players, and celebrities. It is their job to make sure that they are aware of the laws of Britain's Ministry, and protecting them while they are on British soil. Usually meetings between the current Minister of Magic and any foreign dignitaries or leaders are arranged first through this department, and then passed along to the Minister. This is also the case for any standardization of trades that are created, or for any regulations that are created. This department speaks to all other international departments, and then any laws are written and passed up to the Minister and Wizengamot for approval.

Department of Magical Law Enforcement (created 1630)
Located on Level Two of the Ministry, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement is the largest Department in the entire Ministry. This might be because so many different sub-divisions fall under this department.

The Wizengamot falls under this department. They are the wizarding court of law. They provide the judge and the jury for any and all wizarding trials. They also approve laws with the Minister of Magic. Mostly elderly witches and wizards are part of the Wizengamot, as the position comes with age and wisdom.

The Magical Law Enforcement Squad is another sub-division inside of the department. They are in charge of tracking down all dangerous criminals, and investigating dangerous crimes. It is their job to hunt down criminals and bring them in so that they may stand trial. This is typically the job of the Aurors (a very distinguished job, one of the hardest positions in the ministry to get in to). However, depending on how dangerous the criminal is, sometimes the Enforcement Squad will send out Hit Wizards in order to kill instead of capture. Over the years, sometimes both Aurors and Hit Wizards have used questionable magic to complete their objectives, and it is currently under review at the ministry.

Department of Magical Transportation (created 1779)
Located on Level Six of the Ministry, this department is in charge of all magical transportation. The two major forms of transportation that are closely controlled are the uses of portkeys and the floo network. Apparition has tried to be included, but it is far too hard to track so many wizards apparating.

The department is in charge of connecting all wizarding fireplaces to the floo network. They monitor all people flooing into and out of the network, and can tell where they came in and the destination they arrived at. They have the ability to disconnect the floo network for any establishment at any time. Typically this does not occur, but if a group of Aurors were going on a raid, the transportation department would close the floo network to keep the fugitives from escaping using that route.

All portkeys must be created by this department, or the individual creating a portkey must have the department's permission. Unauthorized creation and use of portkeys is strictly prohibited by the Ministry. The thing is, you have to be caught in order to get punished. The largest portkey endeavor by the transportation department was creating 200 working portkeys for the Quidditch World Cup in 1994.

Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures (created 1630)
Located on Level Four of the Ministry, this department is the second largest department in the Ministry. This department is in charge of all magical creatures. This can be anywhere from watching Dragon Reservations, making areas unplottable to protect magical creatures from muggles, hiding the existence of magical creatures from muggles, classifying different magical beasts, and protecting and making sure wizards are aware of exactly how dangerous any magical beast may be.

For more information on this department, please read the text book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Department of Mysteries (created, unknown)
Located on Level Nine of the Ministry, not much is known about this department. Personnel inside this department are referred to as Unspeakables, but what the actual department does is anyone's guess.