Harry: I'm Willing to Plead Guilty!

If Fudge hated William the most during this trial, then he hated Umbridge the second most, that damned son of a bitch.

He's usually shrewd and capable, and he calls his dad "Dad" all the time in private, but when it really comes down to it, he's utterly useless!

Then look at the Stark, they have witnesses and physical evidence, everything... even their support comes from the Austrian Ministry of Magic.

When asked about certain matters, he was blunt: You're not high enough in rank to know.

I'm not worthy to know? I, the Minister for United Kingdom Ministry of Magic, am not worthy?!

Do you look down on the United Kingdom, or on the Minister for Magic?

If William knew what Fudge was thinking, he would definitely shake his head and say:

No, that's not it. I simply look down on you!

Fortunately, Fudge didn't know, otherwise he would have been so frustrated that he and Umbridge would have fainted.

Since he didn't faint, Fudge could continue to hate.

The third person he hated was himself.

Fudge wanted to slap himself, because he had Percy arrange for a lot of reporters to wait outside the door and take the first photos.

I've already thought of the headlines for tomorrow's news:

Granger was thrown into prison in a cage, Stark fled to the Ministry of Magic.

Then, once the headline is published, the publicity follows... and after a few rounds of interviews, public opinion can be immediately reversed.

He's useless at everything, but he's number one at manipulating public opinion!

Fudge is ruthless and skilled in this regard!

But to everyone's surprise, William pulled off a three-stage reversal, turning the plaintiff into the defendant and the defendant into the victim... a complete reversal of the balance of power.

Wouldn't these journalists then become mere pawns in their own schemes?

Fudge could even imagine tomorrow's front-page photo:

It must be Stark and Granger, adorned with medals, walking hand in hand out of the courtroom.

Sometimes, people just shouldn't be too confident.

I can't stand having such a useless teammate dragging me down!

Fudge inadvertently labeled Umbridge as a terrible teammate.

As those spotlights flashed, he pondered this question:

While personal success depends on individual effort, it also requires consideration of historical context and the importance of teammates.

But soon, a reporter interrupted his train of thought and asked loudly:

"Will Miss Granger's investigation continue?"

"No, Wizengamot has declared her innocent and released! The Ministry of Magic will not pursue this matter further!" Fudge explained, looking up.

"Then, Minister, since Miss Granger is innocent, does that mean Madam Umbridge is guilty?"

She used Unforgivable Curses. How would you handle your secretary?

The reporter's words were clearly a trap, but Fudge, being a seasoned politician, immediately responded seriously:

"I will not say that Umbridge is guilty, nor will I say that she is innocent, because that is not for me to judge."

"She will be tried a week later by the solemn Wizengamot, at which time her guilt or innocence will be announced."

As for myself,

Always respect the law!

Fudge looked righteous and awe-inspiring, but he was actually thinking about how to save Umbridge.

Of course I'll take it! She's my secretary!

Putting aside that special relationship, she also holds many of her own secrets. If we don't budge, who knows what nonsense she might spout during the next trial.

Most importantly, he didn't have many capable subordinates, and Umbridge was the one he was most comfortable using.

He still needs Umbridge as a weapon to deal with Dumbledore and the Stark.

This is a protracted war.

"Have you read the latest newspaper?" another reporter asked.

"What newspaper?" Fudge asked, puzzled.

The trial was originally scheduled for eight o'clock, but he moved it to seven o'clock.

I arrived at the Courtroom Ten a little after six o'clock, and haven't even had a chance to read this morning's newspaper yet.

But Fudge's intuition told Fudge... it wasn't good news.

Rita Skeeter a report.

She released quite a few... photos, and even said you were a liar, manipulated by You-Know-Who, and dared not admit that he had returned.

She called you the biggest idiot in history... you should apologize to the people of the whole country!

Fudge felt a rush of blood to his head and had to support Percy to prevent him from fainting.

These were all things he said to Dumbledore, but unexpectedly, Rita turned the tables and said the same thing to him!

That damned woman.

Fudge quickly took the newspaper from the reporter, and the first thing he saw was the big headline.

The You-Know-Who Returns (Part 1)

Is this woman going to continue this series of reports?

Fudge looked down and immediately froze; it was a photograph of a You-Know-Who.

Red eyes, a noseless face, pale skin, long legs, and small bare feet, stepping on the head of some Death Eaters.

It rubbed against itself repeatedly, as if generating heat.

The photo's resolution is too low; the person is blurry, and it's obviously a candid shot.

Without a second thought, Fudge waved the newspaper and angrily said:

"It's fake, it's a fake photo! It's all fake, a scam!"

The camera flashes started going off again, and Fudge turned and walked away.

"Who told you to bring these reporters? Get them all out of here!" Fudge yelled at Percy.

Percy felt a little wronged and couldn't help but grumble to himself.

It's not what you said this morning: we need journalists, and they need to be internationally-oriented!

"Has Harry Potter's interrogation begun?" Fudge asked anxiously.

"It's already started, would you like to go take a look?"

"Let's go!" Fudge turned and walked back towards the courtroom.

Courtroom Eight

Snape sat in his chair and said in a drawn-out voice:

"Bellatrix Dorian Figg has just given us a description of the Dementor as a witness, proving that Potter's words are true."

Although she was a Squib, it did not diminish the value of her testimony.

The Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Susan Bones, sat on the platform and nodded slightly in approval.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Was it finally over?

But to his surprise, Snape glanced at him with his dark pupils and continued:

"Now I need to prove from his lifestyle habits that Potter indeed did not have the habit of using his wand during summer vacation."

Harry suddenly had a bad feeling.

Snape asked coldly, "Potter, what were you doing before you used the Patronus Charm?"

"I... I was crouching in the bushes under the window, watching TV at my aunt's house."

"Heh~ It seems Potter enjoys spying," Snape said sinisterly.

"That's understandable; he was like that when he was at Hogwarts."

Nighttime strolls are also one of his specialties.

The wizards on the jury started chattering.

"I didn't!" Harry protested.

"Anything else?" Snape ignored him and asked lazily. "Tell the truth!"

Harry wanted to hide it, but looking into Snape's eyes, he answered honestly:

"I casually wrote a letter under the windowsill, intending to have my owl mail it."

"Is this the one?" Snape pulled out a letter.

"Where did you get that?!" Harry exclaimed in horror.

"You left it in your pocket. Mrs. Weasley found it this morning when she was doing your laundry."

I brought it here as physical evidence.

Snape pursed his lips, revealing a malicious smile.

"You've seen it?!" Harry exclaimed angrily.

"No, Mrs. Weasley didn't. Although she discovered it, she didn't know what to do, so she asked for my opinion."

I'm the defense attorney, and this could be crucial evidence. I need to take a look... wow... the contents are truly astonishing!

Snape handed the letter to Harry. "Here, read it!"

"Madam Bones, I believe this letter is irrelevant to this case." Harry blushed and looked at the Chief of the Enforcement Division.

The jury members started whispering amongst themselves; this was truly something else!

This was the first time they had met the defendant and refuted their defense attorney.

They became even more curious about the contents of the letter.

"Everything related to this case is presented as evidence in court. If you don't want to read it, then please have your defense attorney read it himself," Bones said coldly.

Harry sat in the chair, feeling utterly hopeless. He could perfectly imagine Snape reading his letter in that sickeningly loud voice.

[Red Envelope Giveaway] Reading Fawley are here! You could win up to 888 RMB in cash red envelopes! Follow our WeChat official account [Book Lovers' Base Camp] to enter the draw!

Oh, Merlin's baldness... I guess I'll just read it myself.

Harry picked up the letter and whispered:

Dear Qiu,

What are you doing? I miss you so much...

I sent you so many letters this summer, but you didn't reply to any of them.

I know that right now I might be the last person you want to talk to.

If you don't want to reply, that's fine, I just wanted you to know:

There is someone in this world who loves you!

"Oh~" The jury officials all let out drawn-out laughs, revealing an unexpected depth of mirth.

Harry covered his face; he felt like he was going to socially die.

"Clearly, this is a love letter that was never sent. If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to send it either."

Snape clicked his tongue:

"But at least we know that Potter is heterosexual."

After all, while he was at Hogwarts, he was always very close to a boy named Ron Weasley...

"I always thought there was something more than friendship between the two, but it seems Weasley was just being delusional, or maybe Potter was just playing with him."

Harry covered his flushed face, wishing he could kill himself immediately.

Snape paced back and forth in the courtroom like a bat, shouting:

"A boy anxiously awaiting a reply from his dream girl—that was Potter's situation at the time."

We all understand that state of mind, which proves that Potter wasn't in the mood to actively use the Patronus Charm at the time.

He was forced!

Snape drew out his words and chuckled:

"If this evidence isn't enough, I also have a few books with only pictures that I found in Potter's travel bag."

Many parts of it bear his handwritten annotations...

Harry jumped to his feet in terror and yelled:

"Don't take it out, I'm willing to confess!!"

(Please give me your recommendation votes and monthly tickets, everyone.)

Thank you to the generous donor "Daoyou Qing Liubu You!" for the donation.