https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-455-How-Did-I-a-Little-Wizard-Become-a-Third-of-the-King-of-Diagon-Alley-/13441852/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-457-Transforming-Peter-Pettigrew/13441859/
Chapter 456: Peter's Defender
Chapter 456: Peter's Defender
Ivan saw a witch in her sixties or seventies standing there, wearing a tattered and worn robe.
She wasn't tall, her back was hunched, and there were still tear stains at the corners of her eyes. She was constantly pleading with a member of the Wizengamot, tightly gripping a shiny golden object in her hand.
Perhaps sensing Ivan's gaze, the Old Witch turned her head. Upon recognizing Ivan, she glared at him with a look of hatred.
Ivan found this strange, as he didn't know her.
However, the Old Witch's face turned red with anger, and she swung her cane, aiming to strike him.
Fortunately, the Auror beside her reacted quickly and held her back. But the Old Witch was relentless, struggling to break free, crying and shouting.
"You frauds, scum! My son was a noble Order of Merlin, a hero who resisted the Dark Lord!"
The Wizengamot member waved his hand in annoyance, and two Aurors dragged her out.
Hermione and Ron were scared by the old woman's actions, while Ivan had a vague idea but still turned to Dumbledore and asked.
"Professor, who is she?"
"That is Peter Pettigrew's mother, Mrs. Pettigrew!" Dumbledore sighed heavily in response.
Hearing this, Hermione and the others fell silent, looking at the Old Witch being dragged out of the waiting room with pity.
Ivan shook his head inwardly. No wonder she was so agitated.
Any mother, upon learning that her supposedly deceased son was actually alive, would likely be overjoyed.
But the Auror delivering the news would soon shatter her illusions!
Because Peter Pettigrew was no longer a hero who had died for his friends; he was a traitor who had betrayed his friends, joined the Dark Lord, and committed numerous atrocities against Muggles!
He now faced over twenty charges and could very well be executed immediately after this trial.
Such a stark contrast was clearly too much for a sixty or seventy-year-old Old Witch to accept.
At this moment, Dumbledore suddenly reminded them. "You should be cautious. I learned from a friend in the Wizengamot that Mrs. Pettigrew will be serving as Peter's defense attorney."
"But she's so old! How can she be a defense attorney?" Harry exclaimed.
"Age is not an issue, Harry! Long years can grant some people more wisdom! For example, I will be Sirius Black's defense attorney this time", Dumbledore said with a smile.
"I didn't mean to imply anything about you, Professor", Harry hurriedly explained.
Dumbledore smiled, indicating he wasn't bothered, but then he straightened his face and continued.
"In any case, you shouldn't underestimate her because of her age. Mrs. Pettigrew is not an easy opponent. You should know that Peter's past deeds were far from deserving the Order of Merlin, First Class!"
Dumbledore was being very tactful, and Harry didn't understand what the old Professor meant.
Ivan, however, understood Dumbledore's point.
It meant that the Order of Merlin originally had no intention of awarding Peter Pettigrew the Order of Merlin, First Class. It was likely that Mrs. Pettigrew had used her son's death to secure this honor!
Thinking about this, Ivan was quite astonished.
He knew how difficult it was to obtain the Order of Merlin, First Class. Despite all his efforts, he needed the joint nomination of Dumbledore and Minister Fudge for the Order of Merlin to even consider it.
At that time, Peter Pettigrew was at most known for his bravery in seeking revenge for his friends, willing to die for the cause, but he had no outstanding achievements to speak of.
During the Wizarding War, there were countless sacrifices like Peter Pettigrew. It wasn't easy for his mother to secure the highest honor in the magical world for him.
After all, Peter Pettigrew was not born into a pure-blood family and likely had no influence in the magical world.
Albus Dumbledore also recalled the events of those days, feeling a headache. The nomination for Peter Pettigrew's Order of Merlin was submitted by him.
Firstly, Peter Pettigrew was a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Secondly, his mother was extremely difficult to deal with.
This old woman would cry, make a scene, and even threaten to hang herself to secure a posthumous honor for her deceased son. She hounded him for a whole month!
Considering that she had just lost her only son, he couldn't speak harshly to her and had to comfort her. In the end, Dumbledore reluctantly agreed to the nomination.
He initially thought it would just be a formality, but he never expected it to be approved.
Dumbledore suspected that his colleagues might have had similar experiences.
Knock, knock.
At that moment, the heavy clock suddenly chimed. The Aurors in the waiting room, as if receiving an order, escorted Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew out.
Dumbledore turned to Harry and the others, giving them a final reminder. "The trial is about to start. Don't be too nervous. Just wait here for your summons and answer truthfully when asked!"
With that, Dumbledore left with the Aurors.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who were left behind, were extremely nervous. They whispered and discussed strategies, even practicing their responses to each other.
"Ivan, aren't you nervous?" Hermione looked at him curiously.
Ivan shook his head. Although it was his first time in a wizarding court, the odds were in their favor, and he wasn't the one on trial. What was there to be anxious about?
Harry and Ron, however, thought differently. They were imagining all the possible difficulties they might face in the Wizengamot and anxiously asking Ivan for advice.
"Didn't Professor Dumbledore tell you to tell the truth? Just be careful not to be led astray. If there's anything you need to keep secret, just say you don't know or aren't sure! Above all, don't lie!" Ivan said helplessly.
He believed that Harry and the others were terrible liars and could easily be caught, which would undermine the credibility of their truthful statements.
This was probably why Dumbledore kept emphasizing the importance of telling the truth.
While Harry and the others were chatting, the door to the waiting room suddenly opened. A stern Auror stood at the entrance and addressed Ivan.
"Mr. Ivan Hals! The defense attorney, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, requests your testimony!"
Ivan nodded, stood up, and followed the Auror to the courtroom entrance.
The Auror opened the door and said expressionlessly, "Go in. For the safety of the venue, you cannot bring your wand inside."
(End of Chapter)
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