Hogwarts: I'm Harry's older cousin

Chapter 374, Section 368: The Third Trial Chamber in Wisengam.

Ministry of Magic, Wizengamor Third Trial Chamber.

This trial was unusually well-attended, with over thirty members present, all dressed in matching crimson robes, filling nearly half the trial room.

To create a somber atmosphere, the walls of the entire courtroom were made of dark stone, and the lighting was dim and gloomy. When the heavy door closed, an ominous silence descended.

"The defendant, Stogyi Podmore, has been confirmed to be present. The trial may now begin."

A cold male voice echoed in the courtroom.

A man with straw stuck in his hair, sunken eyes, and a very haggard appearance was pushed in.

"Trial on September 15."

"The trial of Stoghe Podmore for illegally entering the Ministry of Magic in an attempt to commit robbery."

Fudge's voice rang out. He was sitting in the very center of the courtroom, a position that should have been occupied by Dumbledore, the chief wizard of Wizengamot. Fudge, who was merely a member of Wizengamot, was sitting there instead.

"In the early hours of the night of September 11, you sneaked into the Ministry of Magic and entered the Department of Mysteries to take something. Unfortunately, you were discovered by the Aurors on night patrol, and after a struggle, you were captured."

"The Ministry of Magic is now charging you with three counts: trespassing, attempted robbery, and attempted assault on an Auror."

"Defendant, is there anything you'd like to say?"

"No, I didn't. I told you I was framed."

Stöger shouted excitedly, but unfortunately he was under a spell and could not move.

"Is that so? You deny admitting that you entered the Ministry of Magic that day without permission."

Fudge, sitting on the high platform, looked down at Stoddard.

That's because...

Stoddard tried to explain but was interrupted by Fudge.

"You just need to answer me 'yes' or 'no'!"

Yes, but...

"Very well, Stogee admits to infiltrating the Ministry of Magic that day."

Fudge answered directly after Fudge answered yes.

"Did you enter the Department of Mysterious Affairs without permission?"

"Yes, but because..."

"Are you prepared to take something from the Department of Mysteries?"

"."

Often the answer is not as simple as "yes or no." Fudge's interrogation method is very targeted and leading, as most of the Wizengamo jurors present are aware of.

But no one was willing to stand up and criticize Fudge.

"As the presiding judge in this case, I will ask you one more time: do you admit to committing the three crimes of 'illegally entering the Ministry of Magic, attempting to commit robbery, and attempting to assault an Auror'?"

"No!"

"The defendant, Stoj, refused to plead guilty and displayed an extremely hostile attitude."

After a long and rambling speech, Fudge said, "The final judgment may now proceed."

"I believe he is guilty! He should be sent to Azkaban for a few months so he can properly reflect on his actions."

Just then, the door to the courtroom was pushed open, and Dumbledore walked in. Surprisingly, he was dressed as the chief wizard today.

"Your Honors, I apologize for being late. I believe there are still many questions surrounding this case that need to be addressed."

"There are many doubts in this case, and it should be reviewed again to avoid an erroneous trial outcome."

"Dumbledore."

Fudge was startled to see Dumbledore; Dumbledore's appearance was completely unexpected. However, upon hearing the other's words, he became agitated: "Although you are the First Wizard, the trial has already begun. Whatever your opinions may be, you must wait until the trial is over."

"According to the rules of Wizengamo, as the chief wizard, I can regain the power of judgment, provided that more than half of the Wizengamo members present agree."

Dumbledore then looked at the other members of the judge's bench and said, "Now, let's vote by raising hands."

It was assumed that Dumbledore's friend would be the first to agree with him, but surprisingly, Amelia Borns was the first to raise her hand. With her setting an example, many others followed suit.

The Wizengamot has undergone a major overhaul, and the situation previously controlled by former Death Eaters is no longer in place. Although the twenty or thirty people present are all from within the Ministry of Magic, many of them dislike Fudge and prefer to support Dumbledore. With Amelia leading the way, these people raised their hands one after another.

Almost everyone passed.

Dumbledore smiled and said to Fudge, "Minister Fudge, it seems I can take over this case. If you don't want to leave, you can participate as a regular judge."

Fudge was extremely unwilling, but there was nothing he could do now unless he used his position as Minister of Magic to forcibly punish Stoddard once again.

However, his previous act of forcibly sending Umbridge to Hogwarts had already aroused the dissatisfaction of many wizards. If he were to continue to make Wisengamour follow his will, his position as Minister of Magic might really be over.

Trading one's official hat for a Stoj is clearly not a worthwhile thing.

To reiterate, he is only the Minister of Magic for England, not the Minister of Magic for the world, and cannot truly do whatever he wants; otherwise, he wouldn't need to fear Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore, how are you going to interrogate this case? It is a fact that he trespassed into the Ministry of Magic."

"I think there might be something fishy about this."

"I'm being controlled by a soul-stealing curse," Stodgi shouted quickly.

Dumbledore turned to Fudge: "You see, he's under the influence of the Imperius Curse."

It's the Soul-Stealing Curse again. It's one thing for those purebloods to use that excuse, but who do you think you are, Stoj, to use it?

"No one can vouch for him!"

"Proving it is actually quite simple; we can look at his memories."

"Memory can be altered."

"But he didn't have time to tamper with it, did he? Unless he was prepared for this situation from the beginning."

Fudge's desire to imprison Stoddard in Azkaban had surpassed his fear of Dumbledore, and he was trying every means to convict Stoddard. Dumbledore, on the other hand, was doing the exact opposite. The two were engaged in a heated debate, and the only sound in the Third Trial Chamber could be heard arguing with each other.

In the end, Fudge came out on the losing end.

His abilities were far inferior to Dumbledore's, and he had never even heard of many of the methods of proof Dumbledore mentioned. Thus, through Dumbledore's extensive evidence, Stoj was proven to have been cursed with the Imperius Curse and was acquitted.

A perfectly good trial ended in a manner that resembled a farce.

"If Umbridge were here, that would be perfect; she's an expert at debating."

Fudge's face was gloomy, a stark contrast to his usual kind demeanor.

"Dumbledore, you'll regret this."

Fudge took off the tall hat that Wizengamot was known for and clutched it tightly in his hand. He glared fiercely at Dumbledore, his face contorted like a crumpled rag, a far cry from his usual timidity.

(End of this chapter)