The Return to Hogwarts

Fudge's forehead was covered in sweat, and his cheeks were flushed red.

“Barty, I believe—I think Amelia’s view—is correct, you—”

Barty Crouch stood ramrod straight, his eyes bulging.

"I don't believe there's anything wrong with my questions and conclusions, Ms. Burns. It's common knowledge that no one is unafraid of Azkaban and its guards. The only possibility that Sirius Black concealed the truth about the Potters' deaths is that he carries a deeper sin on his conscience. His being an illegal Animagus is proof that he is not a respectable wizard, and his testimony is unreliable. As the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ms. Burns, you should have the keen eye to detect crimes. I suggest that the department re-interrogate Sirius Black to find out exactly what he is trying to hide!"

"That's absurd!"

Fudge was panting heavily and shaking his head repeatedly.

“I know what you’re trying to do, Batty. You want to prove that you were right to send Black to Azkaban twelve years ago, but…”

"This is a serious slander, Minister Fauci!"

Barty Crow interrupted Fudge, tilting his head back and glaring at the murmuring jury above him, every syllable dripping with cold rage.

“Some may think I’m settling a personal score, but everyone should remember that throughout my long career there is plenty of evidence that I have a consistent aversion to and hatred of lawbreakers. Of course, I don’t want to hide the fact that it was a mistake to send Sirius Black to Azkaban because of the deaths of the Potters, right now!”

Crouch, his eyes gleaming, shouted loudly to everyone in the courtroom.

"--To take responsibility, I hereby announce my immediate withdrawal from the Wizengamo Tribunal, but I request that the jury seriously consider my earlier remarks regarding Sirius Black himself!"

Chapter 360 The Death of Peter

2023-07-02

Barty Crouch's resounding words left many people bewildered, including Cornelius Fudge.

It was agreed in previous negotiations that Barty Crouch would be excluded from the Wizengamo Trial, but that was to wait until after the trial of Peter Pettigrew was over and everything had settled down before the Department would push public opinion to hold Barty Crouch accountable for the consequences of the wrongful trial of Sirius Black.

This exclusion is punitive in nature, an explanation from the ministry to the residents of the magical world, but now, Old Barty has actually announced in the courtroom that he is leaving Wizengamo, as if he, as a weaker party, has been ostracized!

What a clever person!

If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, Amosta would have applauded Old Batistuta.

Barty Crouch's words and actions today may not fool truly intelligent people, but he has won over hearts and minds, and maintained his support within the ministry and the wizarding world. This is the foundation of his comeback.

At that moment, even Amostella was wondering if a Minister of Magic with this kind of personality would be more conducive to boosting morale if war broke out, but then he dismissed his own judgment.

Barty Crouch is indeed tough and exceptionally intelligent, but judging from his various actions, he is too autocratic. Such a person is not easily influenced by him, while Amelia Burns, on the other hand, is more likely to value his opinions.

Barty Crouch strode out of the courtroom in full view of everyone, leaving the silent Wizengamo members looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Hey, don't go, Crouch!"

Sirius thought Barty was only targeting him, so he jumped up from his stool and angrily yelled at Crouch's retreating back.

“I didn’t lie, and I didn’t commit any heinous crimes. I just wanted to atone for the deaths of James and Lily!”

Sirius Black –

Neither Dumbledore nor Amosta wanted to get involved in the intense political struggles within the Ministry of Magic, but they certainly couldn't stand by and watch Sirius Black be sent to Azkaban by Wizengamor again.

In this situation, Dumbledore clearly had more authority, and when he stood up, everyone knew he was there to make the final decision.

Dumbledore ordered Sirius to shut up, then turned to face the judge's bench.

"Regarding Mr. Barty Crouch's final charges, to the best of my knowledge, after Sirius was detained by the Ministry of Magic, the Auror Office interrogated him for three weeks, and the interrogation process found no heinous criminal record against Sirius."

"Dumbledore said calmly, looking at Ms. Burns.

Amelia knew it was time for her to speak, so she turned to face the judges as well.

“Albus is right. The experienced Aurors in the Auror Office of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement used a variety of interrogation methods, in addition to truth serum and memory extraction, to confirm that Sirius Black had not committed any crimes other than those against the law and against the Animagus.”

"grateful--"

Dumbledore nodded politely to Ms. Bornes and continued,

“I believe Sirius Black bears no legal responsibility in the Potters’ case. Of course, we all agree that he is an unlicensed Animagus without the Ministry of Magic’s permission. Has the Ministry decided to prosecute him on this matter, Cornelius?”

“What? Oh, Animagus, I—we’ve decided not to prosecute, Albus. But, well, we’ll be fined.”

Cornelius was still annoyed by Barty's performance when he suddenly heard Dumbledore calling his name, and he stammered.

"So--"

Dumbledore suddenly raised his voice, asking in a loud tone,

"Now, let's vote by raising hands—those who agree that Sirius Black is innocent and will not face any charges, please raise your hands!"

Dumbledore himself immediately raised his hand, and Amosta, Amelia, Fudge, and the others followed suit.

A wave of excitement swept through the courtroom as wizards from the first row to the last rose to their feet, raising their hands one after another. Sirius swallowed hard, watching from below the platform, his heart pounding every time someone raised their hand.

When he first came out of Azkaban, he didn't care at all whether he would be exonerated or freed. But the time he spent with Remus and Amostella had gradually rekindled his passion for life. In particular, he had to take responsibility, didn't he? James and Lily's child—little Harry—was waiting for him to take care of him!

"Forty-two seats in favor, three abstentions!"

Eric Munch, whose fortunes had been reversed by Amosta, announced the result in a slightly trembling voice.

"Great!"

Dumbledore said cheerfully, glancing at Sirius Black, whose neck was flushed with excitement below the stage.

"All charges are unfounded. You are declared innocent by Wizengamot, Sirius—"

"Oh, thank you!"

Sirius's mouth stretched almost as wide as when he turned into a dog, and he clenched his fist and swung it hard.

The moment Dumbledore declared Sirius Black innocent, the atmosphere in the somber courtroom instantly brightened. The members' gazes towards Sirius returned to their initial curiosity, and many wanted to go down and chat with him. After all, he was the only direct descendant of the Black family and a natural aristocrat. However, Amostella Blaine was the first to approach Sirius Black.

"Congratulations on regaining your freedom, Sirius—"

Amosta patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Thanks to you, Amosta!"

Sirius pursed his lips and said gratefully, "If it weren't for you, I mean, if you hadn't found me in the Screaming Shack, I don't know how things would have turned out!"

"I hope you can be more rational in the future--"

Amos Tower said, and at that moment, Dumbledore finished his small talk with Fudge, strode over, and smiled gently.

“I went to St. Mungo before coming here. Remus is very concerned about you. I think you can go see him later and tell him this wonderful result in person.”

“I will, Dumbledore,”

Sirius took a breath, his voice filled with excitement.

"I must say, it feels great not having to hide anymore. This result is truly gratifying. Of course, Peter is still alive."

Clang!

After the trial concluded and the members of Wizengamo exchanged pleasantries with acquaintances, they prepared to leave. But just then, the tightly closed iron doors of the courtroom were suddenly pushed open from the outside.

To everyone's astonishment, Dexter, who had just escorted Peter Pettigrew away, burst in. His robes were tattered, his face was covered in mud, and blood was seeping from the corner of his mouth. He looked terrified and frightened.

Amosta's eyelids twitched slightly, and the corners of his mouth moved almost imperceptibly.

Peter Pettigrew is dead!

Delixi's words were like a boulder thrown into the water, causing a huge uproar.

Many people simultaneously questioned what was going on, and Fudge even jumped down from the platform, ran to Delilah, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him wildly.

"Calm down, Connelly!"

Dumbledore left the dazed Sirius Black's side, strode up to Drax, and said in a steady voice,

"Tell me what happened, Delilah. Has the Dementors of Azkaban gone out of control?"

"No—no—not Azkaban—"

Delix said, looking dejected.

“We just escorted Peter to the room in the Department of Mysteries where the key to the Portkey is kept, preparing to take him to Azkaban. But someone tampered with the key; that place isn't Azkaban, but some desolate wilderness.”

At this, Delilah's eyes widened in horror.

"We realized something was wrong and prepared to Apparate away, but—but—a giant skeleton as tall as a mountain appeared, and it slammed down with its paw. We all dodged, but…Peter Pettigrew…"

Delilah trembled as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a bloody finger.

"This is what he had left."

Chapter 361 New Chapter

2023-07-02

March has arrived, and the game that just happened over the past weekend can be described as a redemption for Oliver Wood and all the Gryffindor Quidditch players.

At the start of the term, Gryffindor defeated Ravenclaw, but now Ravenclaw has defeated Hufflepuff, giving Gryffindor, who lost the last term due to the Dementors' rampage, a chance to regain the championship.

This wonderful result plunged almost all the young wizards in Gryffindor into a sea of ​​joy. Even Harry briefly forgot about the Daily Prophet's extensive coverage of the investigation into the accidental death of Peter Pettigrew.

Monday afternoon's Potions class was more pleasant than usual, perhaps because Draco Malfoy had finally returned to school and started teaching. Snape didn't spend too much effort to torment Harry's mind. The two Potions classes passed peacefully, and when the young wizards rushed out of the basement and onto the surface, the sky was still bright.

The evening breeze of this season has shed the harshness of winter, and with two or three months to go before the heat of summer, it is most comfortable. Many young wizards take advantage of the time before dinner to stroll in the courtyard, by the lake, and at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. On the lawn, many young wizards bring their flying brooms to practice their flying skills, hoping to serve their academy in the future.

"Go get your fire bolts and light wheel, Harry, we can get involved too!"