Shortly after the relatives of the 12 Muggle victims arrived, Sirius Black entered the Courtroom Ten surrounded by a group of witches.
The wizards' conversation vanished instantly, and the entire trial chamber fell eerily silent.
He coldly refused the witches' company and strode alone to the front row where the relatives of the Muggle victims were.
Rita, scribbling furiously in her notebook from the corner, wrote, "John, do you think this is a show arranged by the Ministry of Magic?"
John looked toward Sirius Black, who was bowing and apologizing to the relatives of the Muggle victims.
The remorse on his face and the tears in his eyes seemed genuine; if this was truly an arrangement by the Ministry of Magic, it was far too sinister.
"Ms. Skeeter, does Black really need to play along?"
Rita's mocking face broke into a meaningful smile. "Maintain a healthy skepticism; that's how you uncover the truth."
The truth of many things is more absurd than reasonable doubt suggests, and John nodded again, seemingly understanding.
Sirius Black was genuinely apologizing from the bottom of his heart, and it wasn't because of the Ministry of Magic's arrangement.
If he hadn't relentlessly pursued him back then, Peter Pettigrew, with nowhere else to turn, wouldn't have used the Blasting Curse to fake his own death and escape.
"I am so sorry, it's my fault... it's my fault that you lost your loved ones."
His voice grew louder and louder, and the nearby wizards immediately began to whisper among themselves again.
In the eyes of Pure-blood Wizard, Sirius Black apologizing to Muggle was a stain on their reputation.
In the eyes of wizards who were closer to Muggle, his morality and character surpassed those of most of the wizards present.
Look at those Muggle relatives who helped him up with tears in their eyes. Some things can't be said with words alone. Who would sincerely choose to forgive without genuine feelings?
This scene deeply moved John. "Ms. Skeeter, I don't think Black is the kind of person who would cooperate with the Ministry of Magic's arrangements."
Rita put down her book. "I'll say it again: you need to always maintain a healthy skepticism."
Her smile was full of disdain. "Have you forgotten the previous notification letter? Black definitely reached some kind of agreement with them."
The Ministry of Magic exonerated Sirius Black too quickly, and portraying him as a victim to divert attention also required Sirius's cooperation.
John was deep in thought when he suddenly stared intently at Rita. "Ms. Skeeter, do you think it's possible that the Ministry of Magic coerced Black?"
"What kind of coercion?"
He frowned and continued to ponder.
Reputation? Sirius Black was a "Pure-blood outcast" who dared to run away from home at a young age; he wasn't the kind of person who cared about reputation at all.
Women? Impossible. Among the witches he coldly rejected earlier, several were exceptionally young and beautiful.
Money? As one of the rightful heirs of the Black Family, he already possesses a fortune he could never squander in his lifetime.
Power? That's a big question mark.
As for the last item, family...
John looked at Rita again. "I guess it's power, but I have no proof."
"That's enough."
At that moment, the Courtroom Ten fell completely silent once again.
The two looked towards the entrance.
It turned out that the last victim had arrived.
Harry followed behind Dumbledore, with Lupin and McGonagall beside him.
Rita glanced at them casually, then turned her attention to the other three people following far behind them.
Vincent and Hermione walked side by side, Snape's cold eyes constantly scanned behind them.
Tsk tsk—it seems something particularly interesting has happened again.
While she wondered how the two brilliant students would prank the poor Potions Professor, John's attention was entirely on Harry.
The rumored the Chosen One was, after all, just a shy young boy, and it was normal for him to be a little scared and timid when he first came to a place like the Courtroom Ten.
"Harry!" Sirius Black was below, quickly walked towards him.
After a gentle hug, the two returned to the front row.
John seemed to have an answer.
"Miss Skeeter, it's family, and I've found evidence to support it."
"Family?" Rita looked at Snape with a puzzled expression.
John twitched his lips. "I'm talking about Black. The Ministry of Magic must have used his family to coerce him."
Rita then realized what was happening, but she wasn't embarrassed at all. After a brief moment of thought, she wrote a small line in her notebook.
"John, you can call me Rita from now on."
I was looking for an assistant, but it seems I've found the perfect one.
Sirius Black is Harry's godfather, and the Ministry of Magic could very well use that to coerce him.
This is big news!
Her gaze fell on Vincent was sitting in the third row.
The new newspaper is currently just a concept. If this news is published, it may make a name for itself, but it will probably end up like the Daily Prophet.
Her business was shut down shortly after it was established; even the wealthiest partners couldn't withstand such turmoil.
John noticed her crossing out a line of small writing she had just put in her notebook, and he couldn't help but look over curiously.
"Sirius Black Black was shamelessly coerced, the Ministry of Magic has completely fallen, and the Dark Ages are about to begin..."
He swallowed hard, his mouth dry. "Ski- Rita- senpai, you really dare to write this."
"There's nothing I'm afraid to write." Rita closed her notebook with a look of regret.
"John, after the court hearing, would you be interested in interviewing Black with me?"
"Have!"
The two discussed the details, and soon it was 10 a. m.
Representing the Supreme Wizarding Court, twenty members of the Wizengamot, dressed in purple robes, entered on time.
Their faces were mostly covered by hoods, instantly shrouding the large courtroom in solemnity.
"I must go in!" A discordant voice suddenly broke the silence.
The members of Wizengamot all stopped in their tracks, and the one in front turned around and took off his hood.
He is Fudge.
He looked at the tightly closed entrance door. "Let her in."
The person stopped by the guard was none other than Peter Pettigrew's mother.
Mrs. Pettigrew worried expression, clutching tightly the Order of Merlin, First Class that she had accepted on behalf of her son years ago.
Under the gaze of countless angry eyes, she slowly followed the members of Wizengamot to the first row, sitting down in the seat closest to the iron chair.
This great maternal love had no effect in court; Peter Pettigrew's fate was already sealed.
The minor disturbance subsided, and the Courtroom Ten returned to its solemn and dignified state.
"Court is in session!" As soon as the presiding judge, Amelia Bones Bones, finished speaking, the tightly closed doors were opened once again.
With a pale face and lifeless eyes, Peter Pettigrew, escorted by two guards, sat down in that conspicuous iron chair.
The chains immediately bound him tightly, tightening with each turn, and even though they were deeply embedded in his flesh, his pale and emaciated face remained unchanged.