"Are you suggesting that Peter Pettigrew be tried at Hogwarts?" Fudge was perplexed. "Why?"
After Fudge had met Dumbledore, he hadn't even exchanged a few words before hearing Dumbledore's seemingly ridiculous idea.
He couldn't understand why Dumbledore wanted to do this. It was certainly irregular. Criminal trials were always conducted at the Ministry of Magic, so how did it make sense to hold a prisoner's trial at a school? Did Dumbledore want to show off and usurp the Ministry of Magic's power? That thought crossed Fudge's mind, but he quickly dismissed it: Dumbledore wasn't that kind of person.
"Because I believe it would be meaningful to do it this way. Most young witches and wizards studying at Hogwarts have never witnessed a real trial and courtroom. If we can conduct this trial at Hogwarts, we would broaden their horizons. Peter's confession would also give them a lesson," Dumbledore spoke calmly.
Fudge frowned. He thought Dumbledore had some logic in what he was saying, but he simply didn't want the trial to take place at Hogwarts.
That was the instinct of a powerful being.
However, at this moment, Dumbledore had the upper hand: he had captured the man, had investigated the case, and had Peter Pettigrew firmly under his control. Given all that, Fudge should have complied with Dumbledore's small request, if he still had any dignity left.
But politicians are different from ordinary people in the sense that they are shameless.
Fudge was a politician. So he spoke brazenly, "It's a good idea, but I'm concerned about the followers of He Who Must Not Be Named. In the past, some people managed to escape justice. I don't know how they'll react when they hear this news. We should take precautions."
Fudge was sincere, as if he were thinking about the well-being of Hogwarts' professors and students.
Dumbledore stared at Fudge for a moment. Fudge felt increasingly guilty under his gaze. Just as he was about to say something to defend himself, Dumbledore nodded and agreed.
"Yes, that's true. Thank you for your concern."
Fudge felt relieved.
"What punishment will Peter receive?" At this question, Fudge thought for a moment and replied, "According to the law, he will be sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban. If the jury has no objections, that will be the punishment."
The standard punishment in the wizarding world is life imprisonment in Azkaban; death sentences are rarely imposed. And the Dementor's Kiss, only the most evil and despicable criminals like Sirius Black would receive that punishment after escaping from Azkaban.
"Well, I'm afraid Sirius will be disappointed then; he really wants to kill Peter." Dumbledore sighed, "Go to the school's hospital and bring Peter."
"I will do my best to clear Black." Fudge pretended not to have heard the first half of the sentence and bid farewell to Dumbledore before leaving the office.
As Fudge and Dumbledore were finishing their conversation, Tom and Amelia had also finished their conversation.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Bones. Given the situation, Fudge can't go against the general trend," Tom placed his empty glass on the table, which was covered in dirt, and told Amelia.
Although she knew the mysterious young man in front of her was trying to console her, Amelia still felt his words were hurtful, as if Dumbledore, hidden in the shadows, could easily replace the Minister for Magic with a simple flick of his fingers.
"Let's hope so, but Fudge isn't so easy to deal with." She responded sternly.
"Then just watch and wait, but don't miss the opportunity. You should start contacting your supporters."
"Alright." Amelia concluded the conversation. She left the Phoenix Fire cocktail on the table, untouched, and departed.
The next morning, young witches and wizards gathered in the Great Hall as usual to enjoy a hearty breakfast. At that moment, a flock of owls flew in, delivering letters from their families and newspapers and magazines the students had ordered.
Hermione set her fork down and looked enviously at the owls flying all around. Her parents never sent her letters of their own accord; it was always her who wrote to them first, and then the Grangers would send them back via owl.
But that didn't mean she didn't receive mail. She had subscriptions to the Prophet and other wizarding magazines.
Today, a gray owl arrived with a freshly printed edition of the Prophet and dropped it right in front of her plate, almost knocking over her cereal.
The multitude of owls during breakfast at Hogwarts caused real problems for the students: feathers everywhere, droppings falling from the sky, and owls swooping down like bombers that could easily ruin your breakfast.
Hermione slipped a Knut into the leather pouch on the owl's leg and managed to get her newspaper. Many other young wizards, like her, also received their own subscriptions and started reading while eating.
Then they were stunned. The headline on the front page of the newspaper read:
["An Ancient Hero Guilty? Sirius Black Acquitted of All Charges!"]
The accompanying photo showed Black screaming hysterically, but this time, in the lower right corner, there was a photo of a young man smiling shyly: an image of Peter Pettigrew during his school days.
The newspaper also had a subtitle: "Order of Merlin Suspected to Strip Peter Pettigrew of His First-Class Order of Merlin Medal"
This news headline was enough to leave them open-mouthed. In the Great Hall, the sound of cutlery hitting tables was heard: the sound of knives and forks slipping from the hands of young wizards.
"This can't be possible!" these words came out of countless mouths.
It could be said that, except for those involved that day, no one in the Great Hall was not surprised. It was evident that all the people present that day had kept silent, and even some professors were unaware of this matter.
Hagrid, sitting on the edge of the teachers' table, had tears in his eyes. He pulled out a handkerchief the size of a small towel, blew his nose, and made a horn-like sound. But people like the Heads of Houses, Harry, Ron, Tom, and Hermione remained calm.
Professor Flitwick spread butter on his bread without paying attention, and Newt beside him did the same. Professor Sprout raised the newspaper and leaned over to her close friend, Professor McGonagall, whispering something to her, while Snape turned completely pale.
For Snape, this was like a bolt from the blue on a sunny day! The person he loathed the most in his youth was about to be acquitted; how could he not be furious? His source of happiness these days was imagining catching Black with his own hands and bringing him headlong before a Dementor. Now his happiness had evaporated!
Some young wizards in the audience who were in the know showed no surprise, simply lamenting that the Prophet's news was so accurate.
"It's about to begin..." Tom muttered softly, just to himself, and then quietly shielded his plate to prevent an owl from spoiling it.