Harry and Ron also realised this and turned to look at Ivan in bewilderment. They had not been aware of Ivan's presence at the observatory.
"Ivan, how on earth did you do that?" Hermione asked Ivan curiously.
"It only takes a few special spells to do it. Those Dementors aren't very smart, so it's not that difficult to fool them…" Ivan said vaguely, intending to fool them.
'Right, Harry! Behave yourselves and don't go looking for Sirius again! I may have covered for you this time, but the Aurors haven't given up looking for the man who sneaked into the observatory.'
Harry and the others nodded quickly. Despite their many questions, they did not dare to probe further due to their guilty conscience.
Hermione threw the books she was carrying on the table and clapped her hands. "Now that that's settled, it's time to get down to business!"
Ivan looked at the thick books on the table and was speechless.
The Trials of Modern Major Cases, How to Crush Your Opponent in Court, The Law Revised in Nineteen Eighty-Three (Witchcraft) Law, The Defenders' Self-Cultivation…
"I'm just going to testify in court. I don't think I have to read all these books, do I?" Harry looked at the thickness of the books and felt an inexplicable urge to run away.
"But do you know how to be a proper witness?" Hermione asked, glaring at him as she opened the book on superb defence techniques and flicked through the pages, pointing out the contents.
"I've seen the defense of over a hundred major cases, and I'm willing to bet that Peter's advocate will go out of his way to make things difficult for you in court. He'll pick out the flaws in your defense, and even try to trick you into drawing the wrong conclusion."
"That's why you have to be prepared before a proper hearing! Even a slight increase in the odds would be good!" Hermione added.
"But who's going to find a defender for Peter Pettigrew?" Ron scoffed.
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Hermione rebuked him.
"Peter's mother is still alive. When I found out in the Wizarding Archives that Peter had disappeared, the Ministry awarded him a First-Class Order of Merlin, which Peter's mother received. And even if no one would hire a advocate for Peter, the court would find one for him!"
Harry looked at the books stacked on the table with a grimace; he had never been interested in reading, let alone reading such boring extracurricular books.
In order to help Sirius, Harry patiently picked up one of the books and flipped through it.
Ivan glanced at the thickness of the books on the table and mourned for Harry for a second, thinking that he would be busy for a few days…
As Ivan sighed, he turned to see Hermione staring at him.
"What is it? Hermione!" Yvonne asked curiously.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ivan, you're an important witness to Peter Pettigrew's capture!" Hermione said confidently as she thrust the book on the revision of British wizarding laws into Ivan's hands.
"Wait… I don't have to look, do I?" Yvonne's mouth twitched. She had not expected Hermione to turn on her.
He had too much on his plate lately to be in the mood to learn wizarding laws and regulations, and Ivan didn't think he'd be stumped by his opponent's advocate.
"Then do you know how the court works and exactly how many crimes Peter committed?" Hermione demanded.
Ivan opened his mouth to reply, but he knew next to nothing about Western judicial processes, let alone those of the wizarding world.
"Fine, I'll read it!" Ivan finally sighed and resigned himself to reading the book.
He suddenly remembered that, with Dumbledore away, Sirius's advocate might have to be found himself, and it never hurt to know the rules.
Hermione sat next to Yvonne and kindly explained the legal provisions of the case to her, noting the necessary details.
Apparently, the little witch had already finished reading the entire book…
Seeing Hermione's earnestness, Ivan abandoned his half-hearted attitude and began to study diligently.
Ivan learned that the Ministry's existing trials were similar to those of Muggles, but much more straightforward.
However, this was normal. There were only so many people in the British wizarding world. There was no need to go through so much trouble.
During the course of her studies in wizarding law, Ivan did not forget to keep an eye on Peter's condition, and would take the time to transform into an owl every day to spy on him.
Peter, who was imprisoned in the observatory, looked very pitiful. He seemed to have been tortured by the Dementors, and he seemed to be in a daze.
Ministry of Magic investigators confirmed that Peter's memory was faulty and that he was not faking it.
Ivan looked at Peter and thought about his betrayal of his friend. He wondered if this was retribution…
Ivan did not stay for long, and soon returned to the castle and headed for the Headmaster's office.
If his calculations were correct, today would be the day the Order of Merlin responded to his letter.
"A cockroach pile!"
Ivan deftly recited the password to enter the Headmaster's office, and the heavy guardian statue slowly rotated to give way to the entrance.
Yvonne stepped into it as she always did, and then her face hardened and she stopped.
There was a pile of junk on the central office, and to his surprise, Dumbledore, who had been missing for a long time, was sitting in a chair, reading a letter.
Fawkes, a phoenix with golden-red feathers, perched affectionately on his shoulder, occasionally making low, singing noises as if to say something.
"Professor Dumbledore?" Ivan asked tentatively, unsure if the old man in front of him was really Professor Dumbledore.
But presumably true, as Fox had never been quite so affectionate with him…
"It's me, Hales!" Dumbledore stopped what he was doing, turned to look at him, and nodded.