A large, imposing facade marks the entrance to the Ministry, however, the facade is just that; upon entering the building in Hogsmeade or London, you are transported to the atrium of the Ministry of Magic building in London. The main floor, the atrium, is located on the first floor. Gold gilded fire places are pressed up against two of the walls and serve for arrivals and departures. The floor is black and white checkered squares, while the ceiling stretches up so high that one cannot see it. It is a vast blackness and most try not to look at it. Farther down the room is a long hallway which holds several lifts, operated by a person of lower class. The lifts can move forward, backward, right as well as left and are able to reach all the way up to the ninth floor.