Who becomes Minister for Magic near the end of the Harry Potter books?

Kingsley Shacklebolt becomes Minister for Magic near the end of the Harry Potter books.

Kingsley serves as a senior Auror and secretly supports the Order of the Phoenix. He also works as a bodyguard for the Muggle Prime Minister and helps protect Harry during the transfer from Privet Drive in the seventh book.

During Voldemort’s takeover, Pius Thicknesse is installed as Minister under the control of the Death Eaters. After Voldemort’s defeat at the Battle of Hogwarts, Kingsley becomes Minister for Magic. The epilogue identifies him as holding that office in the period after the war.

Kingsley is sometimes confused with Rufus Scrimgeour, who becomes Minister after Cornelius Fudge and is killed during Voldemort’s takeover. Kingsley’s postwar leadership represents the restoration of the Ministry after its occupation and corruption.