Hogwarts: From Selling White Peppers to Becoming a God

Chapter 159 Justice?

The Daily Prophet published a report on its homepage titled "A Belated Exoneration: We All Owe Sirius an Apology," and placed a photo of Sirius in tears in the center.

This report evoked widespread sympathy, especially among those members of the Order of the Phoenix who had fought alongside Black, who felt a deep sense of remorse.

In an interview, Arthur Weasley said, "I misunderstood my friend, and while there are many reasons, we do owe Black an apology. I'm sorry, Sirius, you've suffered all these years."

While Sirius Black was proven innocent, another trial began.

Next to the article "A Belated Innocence," Rita Skeeter posted a picture of Barty Crouch's gloomy face on the side page, using a bottom-up angle to highlight his arrogant expression and his small mustache.

The article's title was simply two large characters: "Justice?"

In comparison, it becomes clear that Barty Crouch overstepped his authority by interfering in judicial proceedings and abused his power to dispose of others without a judgment.

Following that, Rita Skeeter posted several more photos of wanted posters, which clearly featured Sirius Black and Murphy Darkholm.

"Who gave the Aurors the authority to arrest wizards without trial?"

"If an innocent person is wanted, who will be responsible for the damage to their reputation?"

Rita then listed the various misunderstandings people had about Sirius, and described in detail the suffering he had endured. She pointed out that it was precisely because of these wanted posters that people believed the judgment of the Aurors as authorities, which blinded them and led them to slander Sirius.

The gist of the matter is: the reason why everyone misunderstands Sirius, and why we owe Sirius an apology, is because the Aurors did something wrong.

We don't need to feel too guilty; it's the Aurors and Barty Crouch who should be ashamed.

In another report about the Witch Doctors Hospital, Rita went on to detail Murphy's connection with this top-notch hospital in the wizarding world (I, Rita Skeeter, can vouch for this with my personal reputation and that of the Daily Prophet).

It was also pointed out that the Aurors' reasons for arresting Murphy Darkholm were completely untenable.

Subjective judgment and framing of loyal officials have almost become a vice of the Aurors, and someone must take responsibility for this!

Just as the crowd was in an uproar, the final straw broke Barty Crouch's back.

"What did you say?" In the office of the Director of the Enforcement Division, Barty Crouch, his eyes bloodshot, stared at Gadwin Robards in shock. "Say that again?!"

"Peter the Little... was kidnapped during his transport to Azkaban..."

Barty Crouch slumped into his chair.

It's over, he's finished.

First Sirius Black escaped from prison, then werewolves ran rampant, and the Aurors accomplished nothing. Now, they can even let a captured dark wizard escape. What can the Aurors possibly do? How utterly incompetent is he as the head of the Department of Law Enforcement?

An incompetent director, who has been caught abusing his power, who would be willing to listen to his explanation?

Things had come to this point that even he himself felt it was simply unreasonable for him not to resign and leave.

Barty Crouch returned home in a daze, but as soon as he entered, he was surprised to see a young man sitting in the room waiting for him.

What nearly made Barty Crouch's heart skip a beat was that behind the other man was the cabinet—the cabinet where he usually hid Barty Crouch Jr.!

"Murphy Darkholm!"

How did he end up here?

Did he spot Little Barty?

Old Barty glanced at Sparky, the house-elf beside him, who was trembling nervously and almost crying, and snapped, "What's going on! Who allowed him in?!"

Shining immediately burst into tears, "I'm sorry, Master, I'm sorry, Shining couldn't disobey him..."

As she spoke, Shan Shan picked up a rolling pin and smashed it over her head.

"That's enough!" Murphy said. "Get out, Sparkle, this is none of your business."

Murphy's voice reached Sparkle's ears with an incredible, grand tremor that shook her soul, making her involuntarily want to obey him. So she nodded and left the room on her own.

Murphy had previously used this method to order Kingsley to move aside.

After undergoing multiple Magus enhancements, Murphy discovered that the "goat"-like creature possessed a unique enhancement in "charm," allowing him to arbitrarily infuse his will into the sound to control the creature's behavior.

Murphy calls this wandless magic "The Enchanting Voice".

Not only is it very easy to use, but the feeling of his words becoming law is also very addictive.

"What, what did you do to my house-elf?!" Barty stared in shock at the scene. The loyalty of house-elves was beyond question, but this man had just made Shiny obey orders with just one sentence?

He didn't even use a wand!

"Do you know that you've trespassed into another wizard's home? I can have the Aurors arrest you immediately!"

"Oh?" Murphy chuckled. "And then let everyone know what secret you're hiding in your house, sir?

He got it!

He knew it after all!

Old Barty felt his body go limp and almost collapsed to the ground.

"What...what are you going to do?" he asked weakly.

"Actually, whether you believe it or not, I'm here to discuss cooperation," Murphy said.

"Cooperation?" Barty Crouch found it absurd. "With me? You've done all that just to get rid of me? You want to cooperate with me? Now?"

"Lucius used to be my enemy, but isn't he a friend now?" Murphy said. "I've never been one to destroy enemies too brutally. Uniting everyone who can be united is what I'm happy to do."

And to be honest, he really didn't have that many people at his disposal.

Otherwise, why not just unite against the enemy, eliminate all the opponents, and then put your own people in power?

But if you don't have any cards in hand, you can only steal your opponent's and use them first.

And that Lucius, damn it, he dares to be a fence-sitter. When he comes back, I'll give him a loyalty pact.

"I will not cooperate with dark wizards!" said Barty Crouch.

ha?

Even in this state, you still dare to be so arrogant. Do you believe I'll expose you right now?

"What did you say?"

"I won't..."

"Bang!"

Murphy punched Crouch in the face, knocking Barty to the ground, and then kicked him a few more times.

"You're calling me a dark wizard?" Murphy laughed angrily, grabbing old Barty by the collar and lifting him up. "Come on, tell me, how the hell am I a dark wizard? You say I'm breaking the law? You have the nerve to say that to me? I infiltrated the Ministry of Magic? Have you done less than me?"

We're all ambitious people, do you think your ass is cleaner than mine?

A black wizard, my foot! You think you're so great?

Black wizard, black wizard, black wizard, damn it, as if saying that makes him so reasonable.

So, if I don't follow your rules, I'm a dark wizard, right?!

Damn it!

"Fine, you're saying I'm a dark wizard, right?"

Murphy drew a spare wand. "Since you've put it that way, I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't. Cruciatus Curse!"

The torture lasted for a full three minutes.

Murphy got impatient, opened the cupboard door, and pulled out Little Barty Crouch, who was wearing an invisibility cloak.

"Fine, you chose this path yourself. You and your son will meet again in Azkaban."

Barty Crouch was helpful for the upcoming plans, but he wasn't indispensable. Murphy suddenly felt a little unwilling to play along with this group of hypocrites.

Since you hate me so much, you might as well hate me to death.

As Murphy finished speaking, he prepared to Apparate, when suddenly a hand grabbed his foot.

"Wait, wait... what exactly do you want me to do?"

(End of this chapter)