Department of Magical Activities
From Namericanpotter
Contents |
History
The Department of Magical Activities was founded in 1789, about the same time as the Muggle Department of State. It was founded by a group of like-minded wizards in Washington DC, the head of which was an Obrimos by the name of Nathanial Thatcher. He had served under General George Washington in the Revolutionary War, and was an aide to the newly elected president. The general had already had an inkling that something was unusual about Nathanial, and his suspicions were confirmed when Nathanial revealed himself as a wizard. In short order, the two men worked out an agreement much like that between Britain's Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic, although with one noticeable difference: while the Ministry of Magic was completely separate from the British government, the members of the Department of Magical Affairs would also be employees of the State Department (and later departments as they were founded). This allowed the two to work together in a more effective fashion, and also created the closer bond to Muggle society that separates British and American wizards.
Nathanial acted as the first Secretary of Magical Affairs, retiring in 1817. Ever since, the Secretary has also been an aide in the White House, allowing for easier communication between the Secretary and the President. Most will remain in office for at least one full presidency, and many have stayed for a number of years, becoming the aides that everyone knows. Overall, the revelation of the Secretary to the newly-elected president occurs soon after their inaugurations, and varies from shock to outrage; in time, though, things smooth out for the most part.
Since the wizarding population of the United States was still growing, the various Offices were quite small at first. In the beginning, the employees of the DMA also all worked in the Department of State. As time went on and more departments were created in the Muggle government, the various offices of the DMA integrated themselves into the new departments. However, the officials of the DMA ultimately report to the Secretary, and a conference of DMA members occurs biannually to keep the offices working smoothly.
Current Secretary
- Name: Whitney Langford
- Path: Obrimos
Offices
Office of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
- Tied to Muggle Department of Homeland Security (Formerly Justice)
- Current Director: Melissa Harbor; Mastigos
Office of Magical Education
- Tied to Muggle Department of Education
- Current Director: Katherine Hughes; Obrimos
Office of Magical Law Enforcement
- Tied to the Muggle Department of Justice
- Current Director: Hannah Morrow; Mastigos
Office of Magical Transportation
- Tied to Muggle Department of Transportation
- Current Director: Thomas Keating; Moros
Office of Mysteries
- Located in Library of Congress
- Current Lorekeeper: Tobias Beecher; Acanthus
Office for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
- Tied to Muggle Departments of Agriculture and the Interior
- Current Director: Justin Grant; Thyrsus
