As Dumbledore finished speaking, Scrimgeour turned to Amelia, his gaze sharp and cold.
"According to my investigation, the inspection of Azkaban was proposed by Amelia Bones. Sirius Black happened to escape while the Ministry delegation was conducting that inspection. I do not believe that was a coincidence."
"Everyone in England's wizarding community knows what sort of place Azkaban is. Its prisoners face Dementors all day long. How could someone imprisoned for over a decade knock out so many Ministry officials and Aurors single-handedly while making his escape?"
"So I suspect that Sirius had an accomplice in Azkaban when the incident occurred!"
"And Amelia Bones was the only person Sirius did not attack. I believe I have grounds to suspect that she was that accomplice!"
These were, in fact, all obvious points. Most of the wizards present shared the same suspicions. Scrimgeour was merely laying them out as part of the hearing's procedure.
What everyone really wanted to know was how Amelia would clear her name, and what the witnesses would say.
Dumbledore nodded and gestured for Scrimgeour to sit down, then turned to Amelia. "Well, Madam Bones, what do you have to say in response to Scrimgeour's accusations?"
Amelia stood. Her gaze first fell on Vaughn, and only after he smiled reassuringly did she take a deep breath and look straight at Scrimgeour. "Mr. Scrimgeour, although I do not know how Sirius escaped his cell, I agree with your reasoning. I also believe he must have had an accomplice."
Amelia's opening statement brought frowns to many faces, including Scrimgeour's. They did not understand what she was getting at.
Amelia suddenly turned toward the jury benches. "May I ask whether Hopkirk is here?"
A senior official from the Fudge faction abruptly interrupted. "Bones, please refrain from making statements unrelated to this