======Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures======
=====Department Information=====
  * **Type:** [[Ministry of Magic]] Department
  * **Location:** Level Four, [[Ministry of Magic]], [[London]], [[England]]
  * **Head of Department:** The head is not explicitly named in the novels. Notable officials include [[Amos Diggory]] and, post-[[Second Wizarding War]], [[Hermione Granger]].
  * **Primary Mandate:** To create, enforce, and oversee all laws concerning [[magical creatures]], including their welfare, classification, and concealment from [[Muggle]]s.
=====Purpose and Responsibilities=====
The Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures is one of the largest and most important departments within the [[Ministry of Magic]]. Its primary and most contentious responsibility is the classification of all known magical lifeforms into three distinct categories: **Beast**, **Being**, or **Spirit**. This classification system, detailed in the textbook //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]//, defines a **Being** as "any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws."
This system has been a source of historical conflict. For instance, [[Centaurs]] and [[Merpeople]] were offered **Being** status but rejected it to avoid being governed by [[wizards]], opting to remain classified as **Beasts** by their own choice. [[Goblins]], meanwhile, are classified as **Beings** but exist in a state of continuous tension with the [[Ministry of Magic]].
The department's key duties include:
  * Managing populations of dangerous creatures and handling any incidents they cause.
  * Regulating the breeding, trade, and ownership of magical animals.
  * Enforcing the International Statute of Secrecy as it pertains to magical creatures.
  * Overseeing diplomatic relations with sentient non-human races such as [[Goblins]].
  * Providing (often inadequate) support and registration services for creatures like [[werewolves]].
=====Known Divisions and Offices=====
The department is structured into three main divisions based on its own classification system, along with various smaller offices and committees.
  * **The Beast Division:** The largest of the three divisions, responsible for all creatures classified as **Beasts**.
    * `[[Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures]]`: A powerful judicial body responsible for investigating attacks by dangerous creatures and ordering their execution if deemed necessary. This committee, which included executioner [[Walden Macnair]], sentenced the [[hippogriff]] [[Buckbeak]] to death.
    * `Dragon Research and Restraint Bureau`: Tasked with the study and control of [[dragons]]. This office was instrumental in providing the four nesting mother [[dragons]] for the First Task of the [[Triwizard Tournament]].
    * `Werewolf Registry` and `Werewolf Capture Unit`: These offices track known [[werewolves]] and attempt to apprehend those, like [[Fenrir Greyback]], who are considered a threat to the public.
    * `Pest Advisory Bureau`: Deals with minor magical pest infestations.
  * **The Being Division:** Responsible for relations with creatures classified as **Beings**.
    * `Goblin Liaison Office`: Manages the often-strained relationship between [[wizards]] and the [[Goblin]] nation.
    * `Centaur Liaison Office`: An office that [[Professor Umbridge]] notes is famously unused, as [[Centaurs]] refuse to have any dealings with the [[Ministry of Magic]].
    * `Office for [[House-Elf]] Relocation`: An office responsible for finding new homes for [[house-elves]] who have been dismissed by their families.
  * **The Spirit Division:** The division tasked with managing [[Ghosts]] and [[Poltergeists]]. Its authority is limited, as it has little effective control over spirits, a fact exemplified by their inability to manage [[Peeves]] at [[Hogwarts]].
=====Role in the Story=====
The department plays a significant background and foreground role throughout the series, often representing the bureaucracy and prejudices of the magical world.
  * **Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban:** The department is central to a major subplot. After [[Draco Malfoy]] provokes [[Buckbeak]] and is injured, [[Lucius Malfoy]] uses his influence to have the `[[Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures]]` try and sentence the [[hippogriff]] to death.
  * **Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire:** The department is heavily involved in the logistics of the [[Triwizard Tournament]]. It is responsible for importing the [[dragons]] for the First Task and approving the use of [[Blast-Ended Skrewts]] for the Third Task. [[Amos Diggory]], an official from the department, is present for several key events.
  * **Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix:** [[Dolores Umbridge]], using her authority as Senior Undersecretary, pushes new anti-[[werewolf]] legislation through this department, making it nearly impossible for [[Remus Lupin]] to find work. The department's futile `[[Centaur]]` Liaison Office is also mentioned.
  * **Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:** The failure of the `Werewolf Capture Unit` to apprehend [[Fenrir Greyback]] is noted, highlighting the department's ineffectiveness against determined and powerful dark creatures.
=====Behind the Scenes=====
  * According to J.K. Rowling, [[Hermione Granger]] began her post-[[Hogwarts]] career in the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. She was instrumental in advocating for the rights of non-human creatures, particularly [[house-elves]], before transferring to the [[Department of Magical Law Enforcement]]. (J.K. Rowling interview)
  * Much of the detailed information regarding the department's classification system comes from the supplementary textbook, //[[Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them]]//, written by J.K. Rowling.
  * In the film adaptation of //Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix//, [[Harry Potter]] and [[Arthur Weasley]] pass through the lift lobby for Level Four, but the department's interior offices are not shown. (film)