Chapter 482: Sirius Black, the Retrial
Chapter 482: Sirius Black, the Retrial
After promising Fred and George that he would take them to the box after lunch, Kyle finally had some peace.
To ensure Kyle didn't slip away, Fred and George didn't return to the Gryffindor table but joined him at the Hufflepuff table instead, seamlessly integrating themselves and greeting those around them as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Thinking that their plan was foolproof, they didn't anticipate the turn of events that followed.
Just as Kyle finished his last bite of corn cake, Dumbledore suddenly appeared in the Great Hall and made his way directly to the Hufflepuff table.
"Kyle, would you come with me, if you've finished your meal?" he asked.
"Of course, Professor," Kyle replied.
He shrugged helplessly at the stunned Weasley brothers before accompanying Dumbledore out of the Great Hall.
"I've just received word," Dumbledore said as they strode briskly out of the castle doors. "The retrial for Sirius Black will be held at one o'clock, and Cornelius has invited us to attend. If you're willing, we can go together."
"I absolutely agree, but Professor, am I allowed to go?" Kyle asked, perplexed.
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Fudge specifically mentioned your name. He said that as the first person to uncover the truth, you have every right to be part of this retrial... He also mentioned that the reason the retrial is being held today is because it's the weekend and Hogwarts is on holiday."
Kyle scoffed.
He didn't believe that for a second. Fudge wasn't one to bother with such trivial details; if he truly wanted this, wouldn't it have been more convenient to schedule the retrial during the holidays?
"He probably wants a witness," Kyle muttered. "To add credibility."
"Cornelius has thought this through," Dumbledore acknowledged without denying it. "After all, we only learned of this because of you, and your presence will undoubtedly reduce any potential controversy surrounding the retrial.
Additionally, as a Level 2 recipient of the Order of Merlin, you do carry some weight in the Wizengamot, despite being a student yet to graduate."
"The Wizengamot?" Kyle exclaimed. "Does that mean I have a voting right?"
Dumbledore didn't answer, merely offering a polite smile.
"I understand," Kyle said, realizing that his influence was purely nominal—he could greet others, and that was about it.
Dumbledore didn't lead them all the way to the school gates but stopped at a clearing by the Black Lake.
The elderly wizard extended his arm and said to Kyle, "We have less than ten minutes until the retrial begins, so I think it's best we hurry."
Kyle grabbed his arm.
In a dizzying swirl of magic, Kyle found himself in a grand hall when he opened his eyes again.
He didn't bother asking Dumbledore about using Apparition within Hogwarts; there was no need to. For a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore, such restrictions didn't hold much sway.
Besides, as the school's headmaster, it wouldn't be difficult for Dumbledore to grant himself special privileges.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, you're finally here," a tall figure approached them from the other side of the hall.
"I must admit, I'm as shocked as you are to learn that Black might be innocent. After all, his case was closed twelve years ago."
"I was just as astonished when I heard the news, Kingsley," Dumbledore said, shaking his hand. "But tell me, are we in time?"
"Yes, the retrial will start promptly at one o'clock, so we're well within the timeframe," Kingsley assured them. He glanced at Kyle but didn't question Dumbledore about bringing a student along, indicating that he had already been informed beforehand.
"Follow me, the retrial will take place in the Third Courtroom..."
Kingsley led the way, with Kyle falling into step beside him.
Along their path, they passed a table labeled "Security Check," where a long line of people waited to have their wands inspected.
However, Kingsley led them straight past without stopping, and the wand-checking wizard seemed to deliberately avert his eyes, casually taking another person's wand for inspection.
"Oh...why don't they have to go through the check..." A man with a thick accent asked in the middle of the line, his curiosity getting the better of him. "And that child...he doesn't look like staff..."
The previously dull queue suddenly erupted into a flurry of excited chatter as everyone craned their necks to get a better look at the speaker, speculating about his origins from some remote corner of the world, where such a question would be considered foolish.
How could he not recognize the person accompanying the child?
The wand-checking wizard looked up, his eyes heavy with boredom, and drawled, "If your name happens to be Albus Dumbledore, then you can skip the line too..."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
By this time, Kyle and Dumbledore had already stepped into an elevator.
Several people occupied the confined space, and they greeted Dumbledore warmly.
"Long time no see, Albus," said a balding wizard carrying a cardboard box. "I assume you're here because of the Black case?"
"Yes, Arthur," Dumbledore acknowledged.
"It's quite a surprise," Arthur, or 'Ar-thu-er' as he pronounced it, continued. "Everyone from the department who is eligible to participate in the retrial has gone down. I dare say that for the next month, this will be front-page news in the Daily Prophet. If Black manages to overturn the verdict, it'll be even longer."
At that moment, a cold, dispassionate female voice interrupted them.
"Seventh floor. Department of Magical Games and Sports, including the British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club, and Joke Product Licensing Office."
The elevator doors slid open to reveal a chaotic corridor plastered with Quidditch posters in various states of disrepair.
"Oh, this is my stop," Arthur said as he stepped out. "See you, Albus."
"Until next time," Dumbledore replied.
The elevator doors closed once more.
They continued on, passing the Department of Magical Transportation and the Department of International Magical Cooperation... Until they reached a point where they were the only occupants left in the elevator.
They proceeded to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and finally, their destination...
"Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and the Wizengamot Administration Services."
"We're here," Dumbledore announced.
Exiting the elevator, they followed Kingsley down a corridor lined with doors on either side.
"This way, we must hurry," Kingsley urged, turning left and striding down another corridor. After passing the Auror Headquarters adorned with numerous paintings, he finally stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.
"This is the Third Courtroom," Kingsley said. "Someone suggested holding it in the Tenth Courtroom... Fortunately, the Minister didn't agree, as that place has been abandoned for a long time and is even deeper, beyond the reach of the elevator.
This location is much better; at least it's not as dark and musty... Please go on in."
Kyle stepped forward, and even through the heavy door, he could hear the muffled buzz of voices from within.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
