Fudge and Lucius Are Secretly Colluding

"Enough! Silence! Everyone, quiet down!"

Hearing the murmurs around him, Fudge had no choice but to strike his gavel repeatedly.

At the same time, his gaze towards Sirius grew even angrier. "Defendant, you are absolutely spouting nonsense! Everything you've said is nothing but a carefully crafted lie, and I'm sure none of the jury members here will believe it..."

"I'm very sorry to interrupt you, Minister Fudge, but I have chosen to believe the defendant." At this point, Dumbledore suddenly interrupted Fudge, "And I must remind you that what the defendant said is exactly as stated in the International Statute of Secrecy, and your questioning of him could very well undermine the authority of wizarding law."

"Dumbledore, you..."

"Furthermore, since he mentioned his wand, this court should examine it immediately."

After Dumbledore speaking, he stood up and gestured to those around him, and he did indeed receive affirmation from many of the jury members.

The wand inspection process is flawless.

"Alright... Dumbledore, I admit there's some truth to what you say. Wizengamot will examine the defendant's wand immediately. But..." Fudge instructed a few Auror maintaining order to examine the wand, while he himself continued to glare at Sirius, "Besides the wand, how can Wizengamot be sure that what the defendant says is true? And even if it is true, why didn't you say so twelve years ago?!"

"I swear by my wand and my surname, everything I have just said is true, and can even be tested by Legilimency and Veritaserum."

Sirius raised his arm in a solemn oath, but then suddenly pointed at someone on the jury. "As for why I didn't speak up twelve years ago, it's because the then- Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Barty Crouch, didn't even interrogate me before convicting me and throwing me into Azkaban!"

Sirius's final defense caused chaos in the room and drew everyone's attention to Barty Crouch!

Fudge had no choice but to repeatedly strike his gavel to emphasize silence, but his efforts were clearly in vain.

The chaos in the courtroom only subsided after Barty Crouch stood up.

"I did act arbitrarily in my previous work," Crouch admitted his oversight in a completely undisguised tone, "Therefore, I am willing to take full responsibility for the defendant's unwarranted imprisonment and offer my deepest apologies to the defendant, Sirius Black."

"At the same time, I must remind Wizengamot that the entire Wizarding World has now confirmed Peter Pettigrew Peter's survival. Therefore, according to wizarding law, the charge of murdering a wizard against the defendant is untenable, and consequently, the charge of murdering Muggle is also untenable. Therefore, I propose that Wizengamot immediately release the defendant in court and request the Ministry of Magic to send Auror to arrest Peter Pettigrew Peter!"

In essence, Barty Crouch's statement meant that Sirius's case didn't even qualify as a case of presumption of innocence; he was completely innocent.

Sirius was only present at the crime scene; there weren't even any witnesses around. So why is he accused of being the murderer?

As for the fact that he laughed maniacally when he was captured... isn't that his right as a legal wizarding citizen?

Laughing at the crime scene might at most result in being beaten up by the victim's family, but it's not actually illegal.

"Minister Fudge, the results of the wand examination are in. The last spell cast by the defendant's wand was indeed the Lumos."

Just as Fudge was feeling caught in a dilemma because of Crouch's words, the Auror, who was in charge of testing wands, had already retrieved Sirius's wand.

Needless to say, this is definitely another outcome that benefits Sirius.

The difference in strength between Sirius and Peter Pettigrew is so significant that when they chase and flee, there will be virtually no magical clashes.

Because Peter Pettigrew simply didn't dare turn around to fight Sirius... He couldn't win a fight, and stopping and turning around would only increase his chances of being captured.

So, Peter Pettigrew was just constantly running away, and then when he couldn't escape anymore, he just exploded.

As for the claim that Sirius didn't use any spells when chasing Peter Pettigrew, that's obviously impossible.

However, it was still dark when he was chasing Peter Pettigrew, so he often had to use the Lumos for illumination. Coincidentally, the last spell he cast before being captured was this one.

And I forgot to mention earlier, Sirius has learned Occlumency, so he's completely immune to Legilimency and Veritaserum.

At this point, considering all the evidence, Fudge could no longer make a deliberate presumption of guilt.

With the trial progressing to this point, and seeing the reactions of the jury members around him, Harry finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Why did he insist that Sirius deny all the crimes?

That's because Dumbledore had told Harry that the Wizengamot would ultimately decide whether to drop the charges by a show of hands.

So even with Peter Pettigrew as a deciding factor, if Fudge deliberately steers Sirius toward other guilty motives, the remaining jury members might still decide to uphold the charges due to some 'crimes' unrelated to the case!

So, the justice and fairness of the wizarding world... I spit on that!

"So... witness, do you have anything to say?" At this point, a helpless Fudge could only turn to Harry one last time. "The criminal before you revealed your parents' address, leading to their... being... by the You-Know-Who..."

"Minister Fudge, if you can't say the name 'Voldemort,' then I'll say it for you."

A sad fact is that when Harry spoke calmly, more than 90% of the people present covered their ears at the same time.

This also made Harry somewhat understand the helplessness that Albus Dumbledore had once felt... Expecting these incompetent guys to fight Voldemort was probably completely hopeless.

"Witness!" Fudge even screamed in exasperation, "Speak your mind, don't mention that name!!"

"Well... all I want to say is that I'm willing to believe in the fairness of the wizarding world's laws." Harry said dismissively, uttering words he himself found utterly distasteful. "Besides... if the Ministry of Magic really wants to give me and my parents justice, then they should arrest Peter Pettigrew Peter as soon as possible."

"Okay, okay! Witness, you don't need to say anything anymore!"

Fudge pounded his gavel with suppressed anger. Peter Pettigrew was a topic he couldn't avoid, and now that Harry had brought it up again, it made him feel extremely irritated.

To be honest, Fudge had no real grudge against Sirius. The main reason he kept pressing Sirius was that he was worried that if Sirius were to be acquitted, it might shake his already fragile reputation.

He had only been Minister for Magic for a few years, and he had taken the position that Dumbledore didn't want. It was inevitable that he would feel somewhat unbalanced and unwilling to cause any disturbances during his term.

But now, things are clearly not going as planned.

"Minister Fudge, I think the trial can stop here." Seeing that Fudge was clearly becoming agitated, the Chief Executive Officer, Bones, took the lead in the final vote. "Those who vote in favor of disproving the charges, please raise your hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, Dumbledore and Barty Crouch were the first to raise their hands, as was Madam Bones herself, who had proposed the vote.

And then, more and more hands were raised, until they far exceeded half!

Seeing this, not only Harry, Sirius's eyes also regained their sparkle.

"Then... please raise your hand if you agree that the crime should be established."

Although the result is already certain, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

Exhausted, Fudge was the first to raise his hand, and there were probably a dozen or so people supporting him.

Harry remembered all of them.

A trip to the Ministry of Magic can't be wasted; it's best to check up on political enemies beforehand... like that woman dressed like a pink toad—she's definitely not a good person!

"Very good, very good..." Looking at the murmurs around him, Fudge's chest heaved violently, and finally he slammed his gavel down on the table!

"This court declares that the charges against the defendant... are not established!!"

"Ah!!" Overwhelmed with emotion, Sirius finally couldn't help but let out a cathartic roar.

Harry, watching from the stands, smiled and clapped softly.

After him came Dumbledore, then Barty Crouch, and many, many others.

The entire courtroom erupted in applause!

Sirius, acquitted!!

(P. S. This is the fourth update today; I've finally made up for the one I missed in March~)

Chapter 267 Fudge and Lucius were secretly colluding.

"Well done, Harry! Congratulations on your success!"

After the trial ended, Dumbledore and Harry rose from their seats together. A clear look of kindness shone on Dumbledore's wrinkled face, and he seemed quite happy for Harry.

"This is all thanks to your help, Principal."

Harry bowed Dumbledore, who had indeed provided him with immense help in the matter of Sirius.

Without Dumbledore's help, Harry would not have been able to slip the cheat sheet into Azkaban, and he would not be able to appear as a witness at the trial today.

Furthermore, Dumbledore have also helped him navigate many of the relationships within Wizengamot; otherwise, even if Harry wrote a brilliant cheat sheet for Sirius, Cornelius Fudge could very well have used a vote to send Sirius back to Azkaban.

"Harry, you flatter me. I am equally gratified to have Sirius cleared his name," Dumbledore sighed. "It's been twelve years, and this matter has been a knot in my heart for me as well."

"My child, you have done a remarkable job. If I were the Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, I would certainly consider holding a meeting and deciding to award you the title of representative of Britain youth."

Barty Crouch then joined in, and although he kept a stern face, he patted Harry on the shoulder in affirmation.

Moreover, judging from the tone of his words, it was clear that he knew Sirius's words in court were spoken under Harry's secret guidance.

Even though Sirius had just stomped on his foot, Crouch's attitude remained unchanged, showing no anger whatsoever.

Harry did not apologize to him for this either.

Everyone must be responsible for their own actions. After all, it was Barty Crouch who acted rashly first, causing Sirius to be wrongfully imprisoned for twelve years.

Harry genuinely admires him for stepping forward to take responsibility for his mistakes, but he doesn't feel any remorse towards him.

"Let's go, Harry, don't keep your godfather waiting."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Dumbledore bid farewell to Crouch and left the interrogation room with Harry.

By this time, most of the other members of Wizengamot had already left, and Sirius had long been taken away by the Auror; they were probably already waiting in the main hall of the Ministry of Magic.

"By the way... where are you going later? Do you have a meeting place with Hermione?"

"Uh... yes, at the Leaky Cauldron."

Seeing the smile on Dumbledore's face, Harry couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. He was certain that the teasing look in Albus Dumbledore's eyes when he mentioned Hermione meant absolutely nothing more than that of siblings.

(Hermione: Hey, we weren't siblings! We were brother and sister!)

The old man and the young man chatted idly as they walked up the stairs, but when they reached the ninth-floor corridor, Dumbledore suddenly stopped.

Cornelius Fudge, who had left earlier, was now here, having an intimate conversation with someone who shouldn't be here.

With his meticulously combed long blond hair, pale and gloomy face, and affected manner... it was undoubtedly Lucius Malfoy!

"Ha, the mighty and invincible Mr. Potter? How come... wasn't your lawlessness at Hogwarts enough? Now you're starting to meddle in Wizengamot's affairs?"

Upon meeting, Lucius immediately began to mock Harry from a superior position.

"Mr. Malfoy, you're talking about yourself, aren't you?" Harry retorted without mincing words. "You tried to undermine the School Governor by bribing the school board, but you failed. Now you're getting all interested in this trial... But I advise you to watch your step, because those gold coins in your pockets are making quite a racket."

"Mr. Potter, please watch your words!"

Lucius's expression changed immediately upon hearing this, Fudge, standing beside him, also frowned slightly.

Being openly accused of bribery in a hallway is not something that can be dismissed with a simple "children's innocent remarks."

"Oh, is that not a nice thing to hear? Well, I'll change it then." Harry gave a playful smirk. "I heard that Rita Skeeter, a reporter for the Daily Prophet, witnessed you meeting with Peter Pettigrew Peter in private..."

"Harry Potter, you're slandering a Pure-blood Wizard from an ancient lineage!" Lucius roared angrily. "Everyone knows Rita Skeeter is a habitual con artist who makes unfounded accusations; not a single word of her news articles is credible!"

"Whether others believe it or not is irrelevant; I'm just curious whether the Minister will believe it." Harry ignored Lucius and instead glanced indifferently at Fudge.

"Alright, alright! Mr. Granger, and Dumbledore, I have some private matters to discuss with Lucius, so it's not convenient to chat with you now!"

Fearing that staying any longer might cause more trouble, Fudge hurriedly tightened his coat and dragged Lucius away.

"Ha... a Pure-blood scoundrel who's poor but has nothing left, and a corrupt politician who's obsessed with money... these two are really a perfect match."

Upon hearing Harry's assessment, Dumbledore, who was standing to the side, raised an eyebrow thoughtfully.

He noticed that Harry seemed to be getting more and more impressive lately...

Whether it's strength or shrewdness.

However, Dumbledore didn't notice was... the way Harry looked at Lucius's back was like he was looking at a dead man!

The magically powered elevator ascended all the way to the eighth floor of the Ministry of Magic, where Harry finally met Sirius, who was waiting alone, in front of the golden fountain in the center of the hall.

"Harry ...this is wonderful! I never imagined I would actually see you outside of Azkaban!"

Sirius was trembling with excitement. He instinctively wanted to get closer to Harry, but seemed worried that his disheveled appearance would be disliked, so he appeared quite at a loss.

However, Harry had already stepped forward and given him a big hug.

"Welcome back, Godfather."

"Harry... Harry!!"

Sirius called Harry's name, his voice choked with sobs, and patted Harry's back repeatedly with both hands, each pat heavier than the last, so hard that it even made Harry feel a sharp pain.

However, he did not stop this behavior, but simply let the other person vent their emotions.

Finally, after a period of emotional release, Sirius's grip lessened considerably, and his expression no longer appeared overly agitated.

However, at this moment, Dumbledore suddenly frowned and reminded Harry, "Harry, watch Sirius's wrist; someone has put something on it."