The Egyptian Ministry of Magic was only a general name for it. Its proper name was the Egyptian Wizards' Council.
Will and Snape followed Okanta out of the Floo Network room and into the council's main hall.
The heart of the council was a vast, inverted, transparent pyramid. Its broad top lay deep beneath their feet, while its point aimed toward the center of the earth, creating a dizzying sense of grandeur.
A huge golden hourglass floated in the center of the hall. Its sand flowed and reversed without end.
Glowing crystal scarabs drifted around it. They served as both lights and messengers, trailing golden light as they darted between officials.
Enormous columns carved with papyrus divided the space. Murals of gods and pharaohs moved across their surfaces, occasionally exchanging glances or chanting ancient spells under their breath. The air carried the scent of potions and hot desert wind.
The council's wizards wore white linen robes adorned with gold and lapis lazuli jewelry. Rather than sit at desks, they floated cross-legged on carpets woven from light, working through intricate documents made of light that hung in the air.
People hurried throughout the pyramid. Will noticed that they all entered and left through swirling vortices of sand.
"Everyone's been very busy lately because of the International Potions Symposium," Okanta explained.
Will stared at the enormous golden hourglass. That thing couldn't be a giant Time-Turner, could it?
Okanta seemed to read his mind. Pointing to the hourglass, she said, "That's the council's True Hourglass. Each time the sand runs out, twenty-four hours have passed, and it starts counting again.
"The True Hourglass is also connected to every entrance to the council. The sand in those Sand Vortices is linked to it. If anything goes wrong, council members can use the True Hourglass