Atrium

The Atrium is an area that serves to welcome visitors to the Ministry of Magic. It is located on the eighth level of the Ministry.

Methods of Entry

 * Before Death Eater reign, visitors to the Ministry could choose to use the external entrance (an unused telephone booth), or may arrive via Floo by a series of gilded fireplaces lining the left-hand side of the long hallway leading into the Atrium proper. Visitors depart through a series of fireplaces lining the right-hand side of the hall.


 * During the reign of Voldemort and the Death Eaters, only senior employees, such as Dolores Umbridge, were allowed to use the Floo Network from their homes straight to the Ministry. All other employees used coins which activated doorways into bathroom stalls. While standing inside the toilet, one would pull the lever and was shot down a chute into the Ministry.

Pre-Voldemort Reign Layout
The ceiling is peacock blue with golden symbols moving over it; the floor, polished dark wood. Halfway into the Atrium is the Fountain of Magical Brethren. The fountain features golden statues of a wizard, a witch, a centaur, and a house-elf, all which spout water from various locales into the pool of water below. To enter the lifts allowing access to the rest of the Ministry (tenth floor excepted), visitors must pass through a set of golden gates, beside which is a security stand. The guard at the stand registers visitors' wands. When Harry Potter first visits the Ministry, the watchwizard stationed there is Eric Munch.

Layout during Voldemort's Reign
The layout of the Atrium during Voldemort's reign is still generally the same, except that instead of the Fountain of Magical Brethren, there is a massive statue of a witch and wizard sitting on thrones, made of what is carved bodies of contorted Muggle men, women, and children. The inscription on this statue reads "Magic is Might".