Chapter 158: Ministry of Magic
After Wade stepped through the door, Harry—already seated on his chair—immediately stood up. “Wade’s here. Should we depart now?”
The weather in November was damp and cold, yet beads of sweat formed on Harry’s forehead.
Professor McGonagall glanced at the clock. “Sirius Black’s trial is still an hour away… but I can tell you don’t have the patience to wait. Why not depart early?”
She studied the expressions on Harry and the others, then reconsidered. “Still, even now, I must consider that you shouldn’t be present for this trial, Mr. Potter.”
“Professor…” Harry stared at her, wide-eyed.
Professor McGonagall sighed. “Remember what I told you—there may be someone in the courtroom who says things… well, things that might unsettle you. But it’s just rhetoric. Don’t take it to heart. Stay restrained. Stay polite.”
“I know, Professor,” Harry said, though his voice was already miles away, his mind racing toward the Ministry of Magic.
“Alright then… let’s depart.” Professor McGonagall looked as if she wanted to embrace him, but in the end, she restrained herself.
She pulled out a pouch of Floo Powder. “Just for today, my office is connected to the Floo Network. You know how to use it, don’t you?”
“Of course. See you later, Professor,” Remus Lupin said politely. He scooped a pinch of Floo Powder into the fire and stepped through, clearly stating: “Ministry of Magic Hall!”
The flames roared green, and in an instant, Remus vanished.
Harry couldn’t wait. He stepped forward and tossed his own handful of powder into the fire.
“Good luck to you all,” Professor McGonagall murmured, her gaze soft and tinged with quiet sorrow.
“See you in a few hours, Professor,” Harry grinned. “Oh, and my Transfiguration class assignment is already done!”
“Ministry of Magic Hall!”
The flames swallowed Harry whole. Only Wade remained.
“Mr. Gray,” Professor McGonagall said, “though I’m a Gryffindor myself, I must say—some Gryffindors are easily carried away by emotion. If… and I mean if… the outcome of the trial doesn’t go as hoped, I hope you’ll help keep them grounded.”
“I will, Professor,” Wade replied. He, too, tossed his powder into the flames.
“Ministry of Magic Hall!”
The green fire flickered around him, reflecting the deep emerald of Professor McGonagall’s robes. Wade, eyes closed, saw the vivid blue of her gaze—sharp, solemn, and shadowed with deep concern. Her hands were clasped tightly, fingers interlaced, as if praying.
A sudden thought struck him: both men on trial today had once been students in Gryffindor. They had been her pupils.
Young, brilliant—both had mastered Animagus form. Their Transfiguration performances must have been exceptional, earning her equal parts pride and exasperation.
But now… the past was gone. The present was this.
She must have wanted to be there. But as Deputy Headmistress, and with Dumbledore absent, she had to remain behind. She couldn’t depart.
Wade thought again of his plan to improve the Double-sided Mirror.
The principle had been explained to him by Professor Mor. If this trial went smoothly, and the Mirror could be repaired, he could begin the next phase of his plan.
Improve the Double-sided Mirror—transform it from a one-to-one connection into a one-to-many system. Enable live broadcasting across the magical world.
How unfortunate… Sirius Black’s trial was a major event. A perfect moment for such a breakthrough.
…
Wade stepped out of the fireplace into a vast, dazzling hall. The walls and ceiling were lined with peacock-blue bricks, and golden symbols glowed and shifted slowly across the surfaces. Rows of fireplaces were embedded in wooden panels, each spitting out wizards in turn.
The fireplace Wade and the others used had been separated, marked with a small sign on the side:
[VISITOR]
“Good afternoon,” said a plump young witch seated behind a desk, wearing a pale blue robe. She looked half-asleep. “Please register here.”
“Hello, ma’am,” Remus Lupin stepped forward. “Remus Lupin, Harry Potter, and Wade Gray. We’re here to observe the trial of Sirius Black.”
“What… oh, my goodness!” The witch’s eyes snapped open. She completely ignored Remus, her gaze darting between the two students—then locking onto Harry with unmistakable awe.
“You’re Harry Potter!”
She shrieked, gasping sharply.
After a stunned two seconds, she leapt up, arms outstretched. “Mr. Potter! I grew up hearing your story! It’s… it’s an honor to meet you!”
“Uh…” Harry looked slightly awkward as he shook her hand. “Hello… ma’am…”
“I’m Louise Weng,” she announced breathlessly, her eyes glistening. “This is… this is beyond anything I could’ve imagined!”
“Um…” Harry had to gently steer her back. “We’re here for Sirius Black’s trial, actually.”
“Oh! Right! Oh, I should’ve died—I almost forgot the purpose! Come with me, come with me, Mr. Potter!”
Louise Weng babbled excitedly, leading the three through the hall toward its far end. As she walked, she chattered on:
“Guests must pass through the Security Checkpoint for wand registration. Of course, Mr. Potter and your companions won’t have any issues, but rules are rules.”
Wade glanced back.
Behind them, another green flame erupted from the fireplace. A man and a woman stepped out—one after the other. They paused, confused, when they realized no one was there to assist them.
“There’s another wizard coming out,” Wade warned the witch. “Shouldn’t you be handling your duties instead of… well, whatever this is?”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Louise waved dismissively. “Let them wait a moment. No harm done.”
Then, with renewed enthusiasm, she turned back to Harry. “Mr. Potter—did you know your parents were both sorted into Gryffindor, just like you?”
“Y-yes, they were,” Harry stammered.
“How’s school life treating you? I heard you grew up in the Muggle world. What was that like?”
Wade glanced at Remus. Remus just shrugged helplessly.
Thankfully, the Security Checkpoint arrived. Louise had no choice but to stop her endless questions.
She yanked a drowsy-looking wizard from his seat and instructed him: “Be polite. Check them properly.”
“Mr. Potter is here!” she said, her voice trembling with excitement. “The real Harry Potter!”
The wizard’s eyes widened instantly.
Wade and Remus braced themselves. They both took a step back, anticipating the inevitable fan frenzy.
“Bye!” Louise called cheerfully, waving. “Remember to come through me when you leave! Mr. Potter—will you sign something for me?”
“…Alright,” Harry said, resigned.
Louise practically skipped back to her desk, glowing with joy.
“P-Potter, sir!” The wizard stammered, stepping forward. “I’m Hansen! It’s an honor to meet you!”
(End of Chapter)
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