Aurors

An Auror is a highly trained, elite witch or wizard who serves as a member of the Auror Office, a specialist division within the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the British Ministry of Magic. Their primary responsibility is to investigate crimes related to the Dark Arts and to pursue and apprehend Dark Wizards. The role is exceptionally dangerous and demanding, requiring a high level of magical skill, bravery, and dedication. They are often described as the wizarding world's equivalent of elite police officers or dark wizard catchers.

Aurors are the main line of defence for the magical community against the most serious threats. Their duties include:

• Investigating Dark Magic: They investigate crimes committed using the Dark Arts, from minor jinxes to major attacks by dark organizations.
• Apprehending Dark Wizards: Their core function is to track down, duel, and capture or neutralize dangerous witches and wizards, such as Death Eaters.
• Protective Duties: Aurors are often assigned to protect high-risk individuals (such as Harry Potter and the Muggle Prime Minister) and locations (such as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and and Wizardry).
• Gathering Intelligence: They are involved in surveillance and intelligence gathering on suspected Dark Wizards and their activities.
• Working Within the Law: While they have the authority to use force, including lethal force in extreme circumstances, Aurors operate within the legal framework of the Ministry of Magic. During the First Wizarding War, they were granted licenses to use the Unforgivable Curses against Death Eaters.

The path to becoming an Auror is notoriously difficult, with a stringent selection process and rigorous training.

1. Academic Requirements: Candidates must achieve a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s, with top grades of either 'Outstanding' or 'Exceeds Expectations'. Professor McGonagall advised Harry Potter that core subjects for Auror entry are Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology.
2. Aptitude Tests: After meeting the academic standards, applicants must undergo a series of stringent character and aptitude tests at the Auror Office to demonstrate they possess the necessary qualities for the job, such as resilience, practical defensive ability, and sound judgment.
3. Auror Training: Successful candidates then enter a three-year training program. This intensive course covers advanced magical combat and practical skills necessary for their duties. Known training subjects include:
   • Concealment and Disguise
   • Stealth and Tracking
   • Poisons and Antidotes

Nymphadora Tonks mentioned that she nearly failed the “Stealth and Tracking” portion of her training but excelled in “Concealment and Disguise” due to her Metamorphmagus abilities.

Aurors have played a crucial role in modern wizarding history, particularly during the two wars against Lord Voldemort. First Wizarding War During Voldemort's initial rise to power, the Auror Office, led by figures like Alastor Moody, was at the forefront of the fight. Aurors were given special dispensation by Barty Crouch Sr. to use the Unforgivable Curses against the Death Eaters to match their ruthlessness. Many Aurors were killed in the line of duty. Notable Aurors from this era, Frank Longbottom and Alice Longbottom, were captured and tortured into insanity by Death Eaters, including Bellatrix Lestrange. Moody himself was responsible for filling half the cells in Azkaban with captured Death Eaters. Second Wizarding War After Voldemort's return, the Auror Office was initially hampered by the Ministry of Magic's official policy of denial. However, several Aurors, including Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks, secretly worked with the Order of the Phoenix. The Head of the Auror Office, Rufus Scrimgeour, was promoted to Minister for Magic, and he tasked Aurors with protecting key targets. When the Ministry fell to Voldemort's control in 1997, the Auror Office was subverted. Some Aurors like John Dawlish continued to serve the corrupted Ministry, while others were forced into hiding or imprisoned. Following the Battle of Hogwarts, the new Minister for Magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, began to reform the Ministry. He invited Harry Potter to join the Aurors to help round up the remaining Death Eaters.

• Alice Longbottom
• Alastor Moody (Mad-Eye) - Considered the most famous and effective Auror of his time.
• John Dawlish
• Frank Longbottom
• Harry Potter - Joined after the Second Wizarding War and later became Head of the Auror Office (J.K. Rowling interview), (Pottermore).
• Proudfoot
• Gawain Robards - Became Head of the Auror Office after Rufus Scrimgeour.
• Savage
• Kingsley Shacklebolt - Later became Minister for Magic.
• Rufus Scrimgeour - Head of the Auror Office before becoming Minister for Magic.
• Nymphadora Tonks
• Ron Weasley - Joined with Harry but left after two years to co-manage Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes (J.K. Rowling interview).
• Williamson

• The name “Auror” likely comes from the word aurora, the Latin word for dawn, suggesting they bring light to combat darkness. It may also be related to auras, which are often associated with a person's character or magical nature.
• In a 2007 interview, J.K. Rowling confirmed that Harry and Ron both joined the Auror Office under Kingsley Shacklebolt. She stated that Harry eventually became the head of the department.
• The American equivalent of Aurors, who work for the Magical Congress of the United States of America (MACUSA), are featured prominently in the Fantastic Beasts film series. Their training and jurisdiction differ from their British counterparts (film).
• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a group of Aurors led by Kingsley Shacklebolt arrive in the Hall of Prophecy to battle the Death Eaters alongside the Order of the Phoenix (film).