Auror Musings

[said_scarlett]

I was looking up the list of Aurors on the Lexicon, and I found the exact requirements for Auror training and the screening process. And the more I look at it, the more I am convinced that the Auror department more closely resembles the FBI than any other law enforcement division.

'Training to be an Auror takes three years after leaving Hogwarts; the Aurors ask for a minimum of five N.E.W.T.s, with nothing under "Exceeds Expectations" grade. Apart from Defence Against the Dark Arts, the recommended N.E.W.T.s include Charms, Potions (particularly the study of poisons and antidotes), and Transfiguration (OP29).

If a candidate for Auror training has the required academic qualifications, he or she must pass a background check for a criminal record, and must pass "a stringent series of character and aptitude tests at the Auror office." These tests assess skill in practical defense, perserverance and dedication, and the ability to react well to stress.'

The training time, the sorts of testing they go through, the stringent weeding process... it all reads like FBI screening and training. FBI training requires the same sort of aptitude tests - though with added testing for psychological performance. They also require top marks, same as the Auror program, and require knowledge in various fields. Further evidence that supports my idea of a parallel:

'The Hit Wizards are not the same as Aurors. Hit Wizards, it would seem, are sent primarily against criminals while Aurors track down and capture Dark Wizards.'

Hit wizards are to Aurors as the police are to the FBI. Hit wizards deal with regular criminals whereas Aurors deal with the most dangerous of the dangerous, the Dark Wizards. Not that there's any theory behind this or anything, it was just something that jumped out at me.

ETA: Another parallel - The Aurors, despite having a head of their department, seem to answer to the Minister. There's evidence of this primarily in HBP. I know there's people on my Flist who haven't finished, so I won't say anything more.

And now I promise I will stop spamming.

Comments

[evilwildlex.livejournal.com]

It's also possible that the Hit Wizards are more like mercenaries/bounty hunters.

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

From what we see of them in canon, they have their own squad and office in the Ministry, and are part of the Department of Law Enforcement. That seems much to official to be bounty hunters.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Ooooo... cool stuff. I really like the idea that Aurors = wizard!FBI ... and I will not think about wizarding Mulder and Scully. I will not. That only leads to Bad Places. =D

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Mulder would so always be trying to sneak into the DoM and convinced the Unspeakables had vast cover-ups going on. And Scully would just want to toss the Dark Wizards in Azkaban.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Totally. XD I'm sure he woulda been ranting about Dementors and their sekrit origins, or some such, saying the DoM was behind it all. She'd just stand there, roll her eyes, and hex people who got in her way.

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Dementors are really aliens, of course.

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

ZOMG! I knew it! The truth is out now! *is promptly shot by Scully for irratic behavior*

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Is avada kadavra'ed by Scully. She is a witch in this. ;)

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

>_< Oh yeah, I'm so good.

And can you tell I'm having fun with my new X-Files icons?

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Yes, you are. I have none. But that is okay. I have lesbian icons!

[zinjadu.livejournal.com]

Heee! ^_^ As long as you got fun icons, it's all good.

[cordeliadelayne]

That's a good analogy, though as a Brit I have to point out that MI5 would be the British equivalent :)

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Yeah, like I said I don't think there's anything to this, just that it jumped out at me. I know very little about the British law enforcement system. Any links would be greatly appreciated, though!

[cordeliadelayne]

Funny you should say that - I had to check that it was MI5 and not MI6 so I did a quick google.

Basically MI5 = FBI MI6 = CIA

Links: MI5 homepage and Wikipedia MI5 entry

MI6 info and Wikipedia MI6 entry.

Oddly it's easier to find out about 5 than it is 6.

Hope you find them interesting!

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Oooh, thank you! Criminal justice is a huge hobby of mine. :D

[cordeliadelayne]

You're welcome.

One final one to add to the pile is GCHQ which is the Government's Communication HQ. My great uncle worked for them during WWII and after.

[datta.livejournal.com]

I'd say the hit wizards seem more like SWAT. But veeeery good point. (Who's the CIA, then?)

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

SWAT would be another good paralell. (The Unspeakables? ^__-)

[sarvihaara.livejournal.com]

Hey Lady Feylene! This is completely OT to your post, but I just wanted to check that your current email is lady_feylene @ yahoo.com, and you're still happy to be archived on the PSA? I sent you a PSA admin email but I'm not sure if you got it...

Keep writing great fics hon! <3

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

Gah, no, I didn't get it....

And that is my current email address. *frowns* But yes, I am still very happy to be archived on PSA! I'm sorry I wasn't able to get back to you!

[christhiane.livejournal.com]

I can't remember seing that they respond to the Minister particularly in HBP, I must check for that while rereading.

I think it was quite obvious in Phoenix as well.

JMO

[auroraceleste.livejournal.com]

I think it's more like the hit wizards and the rest of the ministry are the police. After all, they mention Arthur Weasley pressing charges against witches and wizards that break rules pertaining to muggle artifacts. The hit wizards, in this representation, would be the swat team or FBI. I think the aurors are more like seals or green berets, elite trained people expected to fight in all circumstances. I haven't seen any evidence of wizarding armies, but it still makes sense that they would have some sort of elite fighting team that is above or around the laws that operates to do dirty work. Then there is the department of mysteries, with the Unspeakables, that are trained to do work like the CIA, and would likely be a step up for Aurors.

Re: JMO

[theladyfeylene.livejournal.com]

You can press charges though, without being in law enforcement. Though as was pointed out to me, the British system works a bit differently, and if there was any intended corrolation, it was with the M15. :D

Unspeakables are most definitely closest to align with the CIA.

[pilly2009.livejournal.com]

LOL, that is so cool; I've always assumed that Aurors were the wizarding equivalent of the Muggle police...but this makes the job that much more interesting. I wonder what this makes the Unspeakables (because previously, I always figured they were the FBI of the wizarding world). Maybe a sort of CIA thing?