It is a little known fact that the Department of Mysteries actually predates the rest of the Ministry of Magic.
Among those scholars of the strange and esoteric who are aware of that uncommon piece of trivia, many of them imagine that the Department of Mysteries (and its attendant Unspeakables) was inherited by the Ministry when it was formed — that it was perhaps descended from the Invisible College, that fabled collection of natural philosophers and mystics established in the late 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I.
The true history of the organization is still more obscure.
When Merlin asserted his rule over Britain's wizardkind (or so the legend tells), he took his mastery as an opportunity to confiscate the more dangerous books of magic and powerful artifacts from among the populace.
It's well established among scholars of the period that Merlin confiscated the original writings of Herpo the Foul, of Empedocles the Wise, of Apollonius of Tyana, and many others.
He is also well known to have taken unto his tower in Lyonesse a certain arch and veil reputed to allow for communication with the dead, as well as a mirror which reportedly showed rather more than just one's reflection, and a most unusual magical device which recorded the contents of prophesies made within the bounds of England, Scotland, and Wales.
Naturally, there was a great deal of consternation among the people of the British Isles at this presumption. It was undeniable that Merlin was the most powerful wizard of the age — perhaps the most powerful wizard who had yet lived, or would ever live — yet did this give him any right to take what was theirs, they asked themselves?
Certainly not, came the reply; and so, certain powerful mages of the period — John Uskglass, Thomas Godbless, and Martin Pale notably among them — banded together, in utmost secrecy, to protect their knowledge.
They called themselves the Guardians of Mysteries, and vowed to secure, contain, and protect dangerous magical knowledge and devices from those who would abuse them — including Merlin himself, if necessary.
Of course, as is well established, Merlin eventually died, vanished, or departed (naturally, the historical evidence is unclear, and all wizards known to be present at the event had their memories quite thoroughly modified, as no two among them recalled anything remotely similar to another).
Upon Merlin's departure, the Guardians of Mysteries moved into his tower (which is, of course, the current location of the Ministry of Magic, now buried under London), and began to safeguard the treasures that had been lost to them for the last few centuries.
They continued to operate in great secrecy for many years afterwards, however, as they were never quite certain if, or perhaps when, Merlin would return. While he has not yet done so, it is well attested that the Department of Mysteries has several contingencies in place should such an unlikely event come to pass.
-Excerpt from "On the Origins of the Department of Mysteries," from Chapter 3, Volume II of "A History of Magic," by Bathilda Bagshot.
Rita Skeeter was, she had to admit, rather intimidated.
She would certainly never admit such a thing out loud, but in the privacy of her own head...yes, she was intimidated. Downright unsettled, in fact.
That may have been a natural reaction to where she was, she supposed. It was even possible that there was some enchantment upon the room designed to cause exactly that feeling — she wouldn't have put it past anyone to try and pull a dirty trick like that; given the opportunity, she knew she would have done the same. But it might have simply been her acute awareness of where she was — the Most Ancient Hall of the Wizengamot is not a place that most people go lightly.
Her usual beat as Court Reporter for the Daily Prophet was not, generally, very interesting. She'd spent endless hours in the Ministry listening to stuffed shirts eternally debating the tiniest minutia imaginable.
On one particularly memorable occasion, she recalled, that one redheaded fool had droned on about something…hm, she actually couldn't recall anymore. Something about tweaking sub-departmental standards comparing the relative strength of enchanted Muggle artifacts, to measure the relative thaumaturgic and economic value of imports, wasn't it? Or was it cauldron bottom thickness?
Regardless, the nitwit had gone on for a solid three hours, and had refused to yield his time, despite numerous pleas from the chair. (And that's what they were, mind — pleas. Pleading on the floor of the Wizengamot, and not from the accused. She'd scarcely have believed it, had she not felt precisely the same way herself.)
Yes, that was what she had come to expect, in this place. Most of her time reporting on the Wizengamot had gone similarly. For her beat usually took her to one of the auxiliary courtrooms, which handled the more routine administrative tasks that kept the Ministry trundling along. But today she was in the Most Ancient Hall, where the Wizengamot was founded a thousand years ago or more, by Merlin himself…and despite herself, she felt it.
The grey-and-white-stone walls loomed over her. The concentric rings of the Wizengamot seats surrounded her. Yes, she felt it, indeed.
She felt small.
She shook her head slightly, recovering with a quick shudder. It wasn't all that bad, to tell the truth. The reporter's box was rather nice. And the seats were comfortable enough, she supposed, sinking in to her cushioned armchair. (This said less about the Wizengamot's respect for reporters — nearly nonexistent — than it did the standards to which all British wizards were accustomed.)
And today — ahh, Rita had dreamed of this moment. Today, that investment of time and energy would repay itself, multiple times over. Today, her time as an undistinguished junior reporter was over. Today, her star would rise.
For today, the full Wizengamot itself would debate matters of great import, and only one reporter was permitted in the room. Rita had managed to snag that spot for herself — and for the Daily Prophet.
It was one week since Godric's Hollow. One week since the world had changed, and the Wizengamot was scheduled to decide the official Ministry response to the "Death Eater" attack.
With relish, Rita readied her Rapid-Rite Quill, tilted her notebook slightly so the quill could easily pick up the voices of the speakers, and watched with rapt attention as the Wizengamot started its session.
WIZENGAMOT OF MAGICAL BRITAIN
Here follows:
The proceedings and debates of the 77th Session of the 538th Wizengamot,
Recorded this day of Monday, November 9, 1981,
To be stored in the Ministry Hall of Records in perpetuity
PARTIAL TRANSCRIPTION — APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
The Wizengamot met at 8:30 AM, and was called to order by Chief Warlock Albus PWB Dumbledore.
CW DUMBLEDORE: The 77th Session of the 538th Wizengamot is hereby called to order. The Chief Warlock recognizes Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold.
MFM BAGNOLD: Thank you, Chief Warlock. My Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot, I offer a statement expressing what, I have no doubt, we all feel regarding the terrorist attacks launched against Magical Britain on the night of October 31st, 1981, and I ask for its immediate consideration by this body.
CW DUMBLEDORE: Thank you, Madam Minister. Is there any objection by any member of this body?
No response.
CW DUMBLEDORE: The Clerk of the Wizengamot will read the resolution.
The Clerk read as follows:
Wiz. Res. 93
Whereas on October 31, 1980, terrorists did attack the wizarding community of Godric's Hollow;
Whereas these terrorists did, in flagrant violation of Ministry dictates and the laws and customs of this nation, use several curses commonly known as Unforgivable;
Whereas these terrorists did murder, as the apparent goal of this attack, five witches and wizards of the Longbottom line, among them an infant;
Whereas these terrorists did also afflict two neighboring families in the attack, causing possible permanent spell damage to one Charlus Potter, and considerable property damage to the home of the Abbott family;
Whereas these terrorists have, by their brutal attack, extinguished the Longbottom House, of the Noble Houses of magical Britain;
Whereas these terrorists have clearly begun a campaign of fear and intimidation against the people of magical Britain;
Whereas these terrorists have clearly done so with the intent of either influencing the policy of this Ministry, or of causing its capitulation and downfall; be it hereby
Resolved by this august body, that the Wizengamot:
1. condemns the terrorists who planned and carried out the attack of October 31, 1980 in the strongest possible terms, as well as their sponsors;
2. extends its deepest condolences to the victims of these heinous and cowardly attacks, as well as to their families, friends, and loved ones;
3. is certain that the people of magical Britain will stand united, as our nation begins the process of recovering and rebuilding in the aftermath of these egregious attacks;
4. commends the heroic actions of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Aurors, Hit-Wizards, Medi-Wizards, and such other DMLE staff as may have been present, in their response to these tragic events, which showed such courage, determination, and skill;
5. declares that these premeditated attacks struck not only at the people of magical Britain, but also at the symbols and structures of our nation, and that magical Britain is entitled to respond;
6. supports the determination of the Chief Warlock and Minister for Magic, in close consultation with the Wizengamot, to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks, as well as their sponsors, if any;
7. shall make such decrees as shall allow the Ministry to safeguard the people of magical Britain from any further attack by any means necessary;
8. shall make the aforementioned decrees, ensuring an initial response, no later than December 1, 1981;
9. determines that a state of war hereby exists between these terrorists known as "Death Eaters" and the Ministry and people of magical Britain; and
10. declares that November 9, 1981, shall be a National Day of Unity and Mourning, and that when the Wizengamot adjourns today, it stands adjourned out of respect to the victims of this attack.
CW DUMBLEDORE: Thank you. Is there a motion to approve the resolution for general release?
General acclamation of "Ayes" and "Seconded" from the chamber.
CW DUMBLEDORE: Such a motion exists, and is evidently seconded. All in favor?
General acclamation of "Ayes" from the chamber.
CW DUMBLEDORE: All opposed?
No "Nays" recorded.
CW DUMBLEDORE: The motion passes. The Clerk of the Wizengamot will please send the resolution to the Ministry Press Office after the closing of this session. The Chief Warlock again recognizes Minister for Magic Millicent Bagnold.
MFM BAGNOLD: Thank you again, Chief Warlock. At this time, I move that the remainder of this session be sealed, that we may freely discuss a legislative response to this tragedy.
CW DUMBLEDORE: Very well, Madam Minister. Is there a second?
Several members of the Wizengamot call out "Seconded."
CW DUMBLEDORE: There is a second. All in favor?
General acclamation of "Ayes" from the chamber.
CW DUMBLEDORE: All opposed?
No "Nays" recorded.
CW DUMBLEDORE: The motion passes. This session of the Wizengamot is hereby sealed. The Aurors will please escort all members of the public from the Hall.
END OF PUBLIC TRANSCRIPTION
Francis — Got an advance copy!
We've got hours at best — run this
over to Prophet HQ immediately!
R.S.
