The Chief Warlock Can Bring Witnesses to Court / A Defendant with Cheat Sheets Knows More Than the Judge ...

Breaking News:

Following Gringotts, Peter Pettigrew Peter reappears.

Another murder in Knockturn Alley, one dead and one injured; the survivor confesses the killer is Peter Pettigrew Peter.

The owner of Borgin -Bock claims that Peter Pettigrew Peter stole a large quantity of valuable goods from his store.

Gilderoy Lockhart's family has appealed to the Ministry of Magic, hoping that Peter Pettigrew Peter will be apprehended as soon as possible...

All the news headlines, from top to bottom, were about Peter Pettigrew; sure enough, after someone died, the Wizarding World's attention skyrocketed.

In the exclusive news below, Harry finally saw the news he had been waiting for.

Wizengamot will hold a retrial on Monday, August 9th, for the Muggle neighborhood massacre that occurred twelve years ago!

Suspect Sirius may be exonerated?!

Chapter 264 The Chief Warlock Can Bring Witnesses to Court

In the shadows of Azkaban, Sirius could hardly believe his eyes when he received the summons from Wizengamot.

Is my wrongful conviction really going to be retried?

He suffered in prison for twelve years, filled with hatred, but unexpectedly, everything took a turn for the better after he saw his grown-up godson.

This feels like a dream...

Sirius pinched his thigh hard, but felt that the simple pain couldn't prove his sanity, so he shakily handed the parchment back to his old friend through the cell bars.

"Moony, take another closer look... this thing can't be fake, right?"

"Please, dear Padfoot, have you been in prison too long and had your brain drained by the Dementor? This is a document personally signed by Cornelius Fudge, how could it be fake?"

Sirius's persistent questioning caused the prison doctor outside the cell door to shrug helplessly. It was the first time he had ever seen his old friend so anxious.

Sirius who even ran away from home with such nonchalance, is now consumed by anxiety and uncertainty over a roll of parchment...

It can only be said that time is truly a destructive weapon.

Four inseparable friends: one tragically died, one is imprisoned, and the other... is the culprit behind all this trouble!

And I, who seem to be detached from it all, am also experiencing a life of wandering and displacement.

Twelve years have passed, and everything has changed...

"Hey... Lupin, do you think... that guy really showed up?"

Sirius's tone suddenly became calm. The prison doctor named Lupin looked up and found that his friend's lips were twitching slightly, and his yellowed and messy teeth were clenched together.

"Listen to me, Sirius... once you're in the courts of Wizengamot, it's best not to mention anything about Peter Pettigrew."

Lupin knew that his rebellious friend had always been a bit stubborn, and he was genuinely afraid that the other person would say something like "I want to kill Peter Pettigrew myself" in court, which would only cause more trouble.

As for whether Peter Pettigrew has really returned... that's not a question for Sirius, a wrongfully convicted prisoner of Azkaban.

Lupin now only hopes that these last two days will pass quickly, and that his old friend will be able to see the light of day again after the retrial in Wizengamot.

Then they can go together to see the children left behind by their deceased old friend.

Harry...

Lupin could certainly guess that the reason Sirius's case took such a quick turn for the better was undoubtedly due in no small part to Harry's extensive lobbying efforts.

It's truly shameful to admit, but since the passing of my old friend and his wife, these uncles, godfathers, and other relatives haven't fulfilled their responsibilities in the slightest, incompetently letting Harry suffer alone for so many years.

But now, it is that same child who is tirelessly working for their sake.

Lupin had heard many of Harry's 'amazing deeds' and was very eager to meet him.

I heard that the kid is not even in the third grade yet, but he is already more famous than the four old guys combined, and even has a title that is much more impressive than the 'Marauders' they call themselves.

The Hogwarts God of War... that's really quite formidable!

And so, with such anticipation, the agonizing wait began.

Meanwhile, the Dementor lurking in the shadows of Azkaban seemed to have learned that a 'delicious meal' was about to leave, and they began to growl in reluctant low voices.

Two days later, at the Britain Ministry of Magic, in the lowest level, in the Wizengamot courtroom.

The stone walls were roughly polished, and torches were stuck diagonally into brackets on both sides. All around were heavy, locked iron doors, with only the cold, hard latches and keyholes visible...

Looking at the decor, which resembled the basement of Hogwarts, Sirius was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.

Soon, he will be experiencing his second...

No, it should actually be called the first trial.

Twelve years ago, he was thrown into Azkaban without being asked any questions.

But how did I behave at that time?

He just thought Peter Pettigrew was dead and kept roaring excitedly, without even thinking of making any attempt to defend himself.

Recalling the note someone had sent him through Lupin when he was taken from Azkaban, Sirius felt a bittersweet self-mockery; these past decades...

They truly live exactly like their Animagus.

"Go in, prisoner." The Auror, acting as a prison guard, gave Sirius a push on the shoulder and led him into the already prepared trial chamber.

The courtroom was dark, with only the flickering light of the torches providing illumination. Rows of tall benches were arranged in a circle around the room, and many people were already seated there when Sirius was brought in.

Most of these people were wearing crimson robes, with an exquisite silver 'w' embroidered on their left breasts... Sirius knew they were all members of the Wizengamot, and he recognized many of them.

For example, there's the current Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge; Barty Crouch, who once imprisoned himself in Azkaban; Albus Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot; and Harry Potter, who was by his side...

"Harry? What are you doing here?!"

Upon catching a glimpse of the boy beside Dumbledore in the distance, Sirius felt as if he had just undergone an Ice Bucket Challenge in the dead of winter, experiencing a sudden and profound realization.

Why is his only godson, whom he cares about, appearing in a Wizengamot court?!

Before he could even figure this out, the prison guards behind him pressed him down into the center of the room onto the trial chair, the chair that could firmly bind his body. They also placed a spiked iron cage over his outside, a truly tight security measure.

"Very well, the defendant has finally arrived." After Sirius was seated, Dumbledore spoke leisurely, "However, as the Chief Warlock, I have brought witnesses to court today. Considering the fairness of the trial, I would like to ask Minister Fudge to preside over this retrial."

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Sirius finally understood that Harry was able to be there because he was a 'witness'.

But then he became confused again, because he had absolutely no idea what kind of testimony Harry could provide...

"Clerk, prepare the court minutes; we are about to begin the trial."

But Sirius had no time to indulge in idle thoughts; Cornelius Fudge had already struck the gavel, signaling the start of a trial twelve years in the making...

The court has officially opened!

Chapter 265 The Defendant with a Cheat She Is More Professional Than the Judge

"The trial, scheduled for August 9th, is now in session to hear the case of Sirius Orion Black, who committed a violation of the International Statute of Secrecy on November 1, 1981, and the murder of twelve Muggle and the wizard Peter Pettigrew Peter."

At this moment, Cornelius Fudge spoke as if he had a built-in Amplifying Charm, perfectly demonstrating to everyone what it means for 'power to bring confidence'.

"Interrogators: Minister for Magic Cornelius Oswald Fudge; Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Amelia Susan Bones; Senior Deputy Minister..."

As is customary for judges, Fudge first read out a series of names of those involved in the trial, but when he got to the witnesses, a look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face.

"Defendant's witness: Harry Evans P. Granger... Uh, Dumbledore, could you please tell me what kind of testimony Harry Granger, as a minor wizard, is to give for Wizengamot?"

To be honest, although Harry was just a student, Fudge was genuinely a little afraid of him.

The reason is simple: this kid is incredibly ruthless when he talks back, and he also holds leverage over the Ministry of Magic.

What's more, he was only a second-year student, yet he almost single-handedly solved the Chamber at Hogwarts, and nearly ruined Lucius Malfoy's reputation... Fudge had to go to great lengths to completely quell the repercussions of accepting Galleon from the Malfoy family.

If he could, he really didn't want to have anything to do with Harry, that vicious kid.

Fudge had even decided that if Harry produced any more nonsensical 'Muggle evidence,' he would immediately order the guarding Auror to expel the brat from the courtroom!

"I'm sorry, I don't know that." However, Dumbledore gave Fudge a subtle rebuff, "I simply called one witness for the defendant based on the clause in the Wizengamot Charter of Rights that 'the defendant has the right to call witnesses to testify on his behalf.'"

"Is that so..." Fudge clenched his fists, his grip tightening. "Then, witness Harry Granger, what do you wish to testify for the defendant?"

An awkward silence fell.

Harry completely ignored Fudge's question, leaving him awkwardly standing on the judge's bench.

This scene sparked a flurry of discussion among the other members of Wizengamot.

"Silence!" Fudge reluctantly struck his gavel again, barely managing to restore order to the scene.

But just as he was about to continue questioning Harry, Dumbledore spoke up again, "Minister Fudge, as the Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, I must remind you... the trial should proceed according to procedure."

"Well... okay." Fudge's lips twitched awkwardly, and he had no choice but to force himself to look away from Harry.

The mocking look on Harry's face flashed by in an instant.

Cornelius Fudge: when it comes to the petty scheming and backstabbing of officialdom, Harry is indeed no match for him; but when it comes to judging cases in court, even though Harry is just a forensic pathologist who is not a specialist in the field, he can still leave this charlatan pretending to be an expert far behind.

Witness?

Haha, who says a witness has to testify after appearing in court?

In today's court hearing, Harry's mere presence, even without uttering a single word, would have been incredibly effective.

The first few encounters with Fudge, starting in the Chamber, gave Harry a basic understanding of Fudge's personality. Therefore, he was confident that as long as he showed up, Fudge's attention would definitely be drawn to him, and his focus on questioning Sirius would inevitably be diverted.

For Sirius, his appearance would definitely be an encouragement.

Harry knew his godfather's temperament; if Fudge provoked him with the matter of Peter Pettigrew, Sirius might actually turn into a howling dog in court.

Therefore, Harry first asked Dumbledore deliver a note to Azkaban, and then, as a witness, went to the scene in person, his purpose being to remind his godfather...

You still have the potential to educate your child, but remember that a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan!

So... the 'battle' between Harry and Wizengamot had already begun long before this trial even started!

The current situation is clearly developing in a direction that is favorable to them.

Next, it will be up to their godfather to accurately recite the cheat sheet and wow everyone!

"Now...the following are the charges against the defendant," Fudge glanced at Harry subconsciously before reading aloud from the parchment in his hand, "The defendant, fully aware that his actions were illegal, knowingly and deliberately committed numerous spells on November 1, 1981, in a Muggle neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of twelve Muggle and one wizard!"

"Defendant, did you know you were in Muggle neighborhood at the time?" Cornelius Fudge asked after taking a deep breath.

"I know," Sirius replied calmly.

Now that his son is listening in, he absolutely cannot mess it up!

"So, even under these circumstances, you still viciously unleashed the curse and caused a tragedy?!" Fudge's tone gradually became aggressive.

"I didn't," Sirius calmly replied. "I deny all charges against me, including attempted murder and violating Article 13 of the International Statute of Secrecy —which prohibits any magical activity that might attract the attention of non-magical members."

"That's impossible!" Fudge glared angrily at Sirius. "You were clearly dealing with Peter Pettigrew Peter's pursuit, how could you not have cast any spells? Defendant, I hereby solemnly warn you in the name of Wizengamot, don't think you can get away with this by making excuses!"

"I didn't cast any spells in the Muggle area." Sirius completely ignored Fudge's blustering threat. "I was chasing Peter Pettigrew Peter, who leaked the information. He was the one who caused the explosion. He attacked me with the Explosion Charm, and in doing so, he blew up his own wand and killed twelve Muggle. Afterward, he escaped in an illegal Animagus form."

"As for me, because it happened so suddenly, I didn't use any magical spells for defense, so when I was arrested, I still had scars from the explosion..."

"You're talking complete nonsense!!"

"The Ministry of Magic confiscated my wand at the time, Wizengamot could have examined it using the Prior Incantato. The last spell I used before the incident was the Lumos, used for lighting the perimeter of the Potter family in Godric's Hollow. And Wizengamot should be quite certain that area is not a no-go zone for the indiscriminate use of magic."

When Sirius recited this set of impeccable legal jargon, the trial room erupted in chaos.

One side was logical and clear-headed, while the other was incompetently furious... When Sirius, the defendant, acted more professionally than the judge, one can imagine how embarrassed Fudge must have been.

At this moment, even many of his political enemies had begun to chuckle to themselves.

For a significant number of Wizengamot members, the defendant's use of legal citations to argue against the judge is an absolutely unprecedented spectacle.

Chapter 266 Sirius was acquitted.