Sirius, Retrial

Kyle finally had a moment of peace after promising Fred and George that he would take them to the trunk after lunch.

To prevent Kyle from sneaking away, Fred and George didn't go to the Gryffindor long table, but instead sat down with him at Hufflepuff.

Having been there many times before, they naturally sat down on either side of Kyle and greeted the people around them familiarly.

I thought this would ensure everything went smoothly, but plans can't keep up with changes.

No one expected that just as Kyle finished the last bite of his tortilla, Dumbledore would suddenly appear in the Great Hall and walk straight to the Hufflepuff table.

"Kyle, can you come with me for a second... if you've already eaten?" he said.

"No problem, Professor," Kyle said.

He shrugged at the dumbfounded Weasley brothers, then followed Dumbledore outside the Great Hall.

"I just received word," Dumbledore said as he strode out of the Great Hall, "That Sirius's retrial is at one o'clock, and Cornelius has invited us to attend. If you agree, we can go together."

"Of course I agree, but Professor, can I go too?" Kyle asked doubtfully.

"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Fudge specifically mentioned your name, saying that as the first person to discover the clues, you are fully qualified to participate in this retrial... He also said that the retrial was scheduled for today because Hogwarts is closed for the weekend."

Kyle pursed his lips.

He didn't believe that at all. Fudge wasn't the kind of person to do such unnecessary things. If he really thought that way, wouldn't it have been more convenient to schedule the retrial during a holiday?

"He probably wants a witness," Kyle muttered, "To increase credibility."

"Cornelius's thinking is very thoughtful." Dumbledore did not deny it. "After all, we all learned about this through you, and your presence will certainly reduce the controversy surrounding the retrial."

Furthermore, as a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Second Class, even though you haven't graduated yet, you still have some influence in Wizengamot."

"Wizengamot?" Kyle exclaimed in surprise. "Does that mean I have the right to vote?"

Dumbledore didn't speak, but simply gave a polite smile.

"Okay, I understand," Kyle said.

Clearly, his right to speak is only literal... he can greet others, but that's about it.

Dumbledore didn't walk all the way to the school gate, but stopped in a field in front of the Black Lake.

He stretched out his arm and said to Kyle, "There are less than ten minutes left before the retrial. I think we'd better hurry."

Kyle grabbed his arm.

With a dizzying sensation, when Kyle opened his eyes again, he found himself in a grand hall.

Kyle didn't ask Dumbledore why he could Apparition at Hogwarts; there was no need. For wizards powerful enough, those restrictive measures weren't that effective.

Besides, Dumbledore is the headmaster, so it wouldn't be difficult for him to grant himself a special privilege on the spot.

"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, you've finally arrived." A tall figure walked in from the other side of the hall.

"I simply can't believe that Black could possibly be innocent, even though his case was settled twelve years ago."

"I was just as surprised as you were when I heard about it, Kingsley." Dumbledore shook his hand and asked, "How are things now? We're not too late, are we?"

"No, the retrial will begin promptly at 1:00 PM; there's plenty of time to go now," Kingsley said.

He glanced at Kyle but didn't ask Dumbledore why he had brought a student along, clearly having received prior notice.

"Come with me, the retrial will take place in the third courtroom..."

Kingsley went outside, Kyle followed.

After leaving the main hall, they arrived at another magnificent hall, which was almost filled with wizards, probably several hundred, all of whom were walking forward in a hurry.

"This way," Kingsley said.

They joined the crowd, but with Dumbledore following them, the journey was relatively smooth, and other wizards would politely make way for them whenever they saw them.

They passed a table marked "Security Check," where guests' wands were checked, and there was a long queue in front of it.

But Kingsley didn't stop and walked straight over. The wizard in charge of checking wands acted as if he didn't see them and slowly took the other person's wand.

"Oh... why can they refuse to be checked...?" A man in the middle of the line asked with a heavy accent, "That kid... he doesn't look like an employee..."

The previously lifeless group immediately became much more lively, with everyone craning their necks to look at the person who had spoken, speculating about which remote corner he had come from and why he would suddenly ask such a foolish question.

Didn't he see who was with that child?

The person in charge of checking wands looked up and said lazily, "If your Albus Dumbledore, you can go over there now..."

A burst of laughter immediately erupted from the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, Kyle and Dumbledore had already crossed the hall and entered an elevator.

There were quite a few people inside, and they all greeted Dumbledore warmly.

"Long time no see, Albus. I bet you're here because of Black." said a bald wizard carrying a cardboard box.

"Yes, Akoli," said Dumbledore.

"It's truly astonishing," said the wizard named Akoli. "Everyone in the ministry qualified to participate in the retrial has gone, and I dare say this will be on the front page of the Daily Prophet for the next month."

If Black is able to overturn the verdict, it will take even longer.

At that moment, a cold female voice rang out.

"The seventh floor, the Department of Magical Games and Sports, including the British and Ireland Quidditch League Command, the Official Gobstones Club, and the Ludicrous Patents Office."

The elevator doors opened, revealing a chaotic corridor with Quidditch posters plastered haphazardly on the walls.

"Oh, I've arrived." Akoli stepped out of the elevator. "See you next time, Albus."

See you next time.

The elevator doors closed again.

Then they passed through the Department of Magical Transportation and the Department of International Magical Cooperation... After arriving at this floor, only the three of them remained in the elevator.

Then there's the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and their destination this time...

"The Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Office for the Improper Use of Magic, the Auror Headquarters, and the Wizengamot Administration Services."

"We've arrived," said Dumbledore.

They followed Kingsley out of the elevator and into a corridor with doors on both sides.

"Come with me, we need to hurry." Kingsley turned left and walked straight down a corridor. After passing the Auror Headquarters, which was covered with various portraits, he finally stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.

"This is the third trial chamber," Kingsley said.

"Someone suggested choosing the Tenth Trial Chamber as the location... Fortunately, the Minister did not agree. That place has been abandoned for a long time, and it is located at a depth that cannot be reached by elevator."

"It's fine here now, at least it's not so dark and there's no unpleasant musty smell... You guys go in now."

Kyle stepped forward, and even through the heavy door, he could hear the commotion coming from inside.