Level Eight: The Atrium

The Atrium is a large hall with fireplaces up and down both long walls. Down the left-hand side of the hall are gilded fireplaces which witches and wizards can use to arrive at the Ministry. The right-hand side contains gilded fireplaces as well, and these are used for departures. The floor is polished dark wood. The ceiling is peacock blue with golden symbols moving across it. The Fountain of Magical Brethren lies halfway down the Atrium. A group of golden statues, depicting a wizard, a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house-elf, spout water into the surrounding pool of water. There have been talks of taking down this statue and replacing it with something that reflects the state of the wizarding world, but pro-creature workers are pushing against it. At the end of the Atrium is a set of golden gates, next to which is a security stand. Eric Munch is usually on duty there. He registers wands of visitors. Another smaller hall is beyond the gates and here there is a series of lifts.