Chapter 486: Charges dropped
Chapter 486 Charges dropped
After seeing that line of small golden characters, almost all the older wizards in the trial room stood up subconsciously.
They looked towards the place obscured by the thick fog, with undisguised anger in their eyes.
As people who have personally experienced that turbulent era, they know very well that this is the incantation of the Red Loyalty Curse. When the contract is established, these words will turn into golden symbols and be hidden in the soul of the person who chants the curse.
Many people in this room have gotten away with it this way, so they know it all too well.
It is now absolutely certain that Peter Pettigrew is the real secret keeper, not Black!
“Damn it!” There were waves of angry curses coming from all around.
Crouch looked gloomy.
Although Dumbledore testified, before that, he still did not believe that Black was innocent, or he preferred to believe that this was a trap set by Fudge for him and deceived Dumbledore.
After all, everyone knew back then that Potter and Black were as good as the same person. No matter how you looked at it, it was impossible for the Secret Keeper to talk about the cowardly Peter.
But they just did it, as if they didn't have a brain at all, and the brain just now should be stuffed into his head.
"Traitor..." Crouch clenched his fists, and the quill in his hand broke into two halves with a click.
The discussion in the courtroom became louder and louder.
The thick fog dissipated quickly, and Diana came out, "Then Professor Dumbledore, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Of course, this is what we should do." Dumbledore said with a smile: "Thanks to you this time, otherwise Sirius would have been in trouble..."
"I just want to help Lily, not some smart-aleck idiot." Diana didn't even look at Blake.
“Also, Mr. Principal, if I remember correctly, there should be no rule in Hogwarts that fifth-year students can leave school on weekends, right?”
Dumbledore's smile froze on his face, and then he said without changing his expression: "I think so too, but after all, this is an invitation from the minister, and Kyle the kid insists on coming, so... well, there's nothing I can do about it. ."
“Yeah…” Diana glanced into the corner again.
Kyle, who was lowering his head and trying to reduce his sense of presence, suddenly shuddered. He raised his head cautiously, just in time to see Diana and the other two silent men walking out of the courtroom, taking the water tank with them.
"Huh..." He breathed a long sigh of relief and sat up straight again.
After this, the trial process became much smoother.
In the face of clear and clear evidence, those who had previously objected have also shut up. Although some people are still holding on to the matter of Sirius's escape from prison, Fudge can always rely on his skillful and peaceful means to put this matter to rest. Put off again and again.
Although he was also curious about how the other party escaped from the heavily guarded Azkaban, now was obviously not the time to discuss this.
They can take their time later, they have plenty of time.
Finally, in order to end the retrial as soon as possible, Sirius also actively requested to take veritaserum or undergo Legilimency to prove his innocence.
Fudge agreed, and since it was a request, there was no need for another vote.
Soon, Scrimgeour brought a small bottle over.
"I think a drop should be enough," said Dumbledore. "We don't need to ask too many questions."
“I know,” said Scrimgeour.
As a drop of Veritaserum was poured into his mouth, Sirius's cheeks relaxed, and his eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.
“Can you hear me?” Scrimgeour asked.
Sirius's eyelids trembled a few times.
“I can hear it,” he whispered. "I wish you could tell us." Scrimgeour asked in a calm voice: "Who was the Potters' secret-keeper twelve years ago."
Sirius took a few shaky breaths and spoke in a flat tone without any emotion.
“It’s Peter Pettigrew, the Keeper of Secrets.”
“Why choose him.”
Sirius' eyelids trembled again, "Because I think it's safer this way. Let me act as a bait on the surface, so that no one will suspect the cowardly Peter."
“Then who blew up the Muggle streets?” Scrimgeour asked again.
“Also Peter Pettigrew…”
Under the influence of Veritaserum, Sirius recounted the process of changing the Secret Keeper in detail.
How to put it this way, after hearing what happened with their own ears, most people's first reaction was not sympathy, but the same thoughts as Crouch... Blake really lacked a brain.
Just now I really should have asked those silent people if they could apply for one for him.
It is obviously a simple matter, so why bother trying to make it so complicated?
But after cursing in their hearts, everyone sighed again.
No matter what, he spent twelve years in Azkaban in vain after all, and he paid the price for his stupidity.
After Sirius finished speaking, Scrimgeour poured a bottle of potion into his mouth with a complicated expression.
He was originally thinking about recruiting Sirius into the Auror office after he was found not guilty, but now that he thinks about it, he might as well think about it again.
After all, Aurors do not only value strength.
After drinking the potion, the confusion in Sirius's eyes gradually disappeared. He shook his head and regained consciousness.
"I think the matter should be very clear." On the high platform, Fudge cleared his throat, "Then, if you support Sirius Black's innocence, please raise your hands."
Hands were raised one by one, more than half of them were raised in the blink of an eye, and even Crouch slowly raised his arm.
“Ninety-five votes!” Ms. Bones said in a booming voice.
"Very good, very good." Fudge stood up and said with a smile: "On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I would like to issue a statement that the charges against Sirius Orion Black in 1981 have been officially dropped and the wanted order has been invalidated. He will be released from custody starting today. Acquitted and regained the right to possess a wand."
There was a burst of applause in the courtroom. Everyone stood up and clapped their hands vigorously.
Sirius sat there blankly, looking around at everyone, and then at Peter lying on the ground. He felt a trance in front of his eyes, as if everything was so unreal.
He is free?
Sirius took a few heavy breaths, and then looked up at Dumbledore, wanting to confirm something.
“So what are you waiting for?”
Dumbledore smiled and said: "If you have enough Galleons with you...well, do you want to visit Diagon Alley? Compared with twelve years ago, it has changed quite a lot.
And I have inquired, Ollivander did not go out today to find the materials for making his wand, you should be able to pick out a wand for yourself there. "
"Of course...of course, Professor Dumbledore." Sirius's eyes instantly became moist, and he cried and laughed: "I want to go to Diagon Alley in my dreams."
…
(End of this chapter)