Chapter 482: Sirius, the Retrial
Chapter 482: Sirius, the Retrial
After promising Fred and George that he would take them to the trunk after lunch, Kyle finally had some peace and quiet.
To prevent Kyle from sneaking away, Fred and George did not go to the Gryffindor table but instead sat with the Hufflepuffs.
Having visited many times, they naturally sat on either side of Kyle and greeted those around them.
They thought this plan was foolproof, but reality had other ideas.
No one expected that just as Kyle finished his last bite of cornbread, Dumbledore would suddenly appear in the Great Hall and walk straight to the Hufflepuff table.
"Kyle, could you come with me for a moment... if you've finished eating?" he said.
"No problem, Professor," Kyle replied.
He waved goodbye to the stunned Weasley twins and followed Dumbledore out of the Great Hall.
"I just received news," Dumbledore said as he walked briskly out of the Great Hall doors. "The retrial of Sirius will take place at 1 o'clock, and Connelly has invited us to attend. If you agree to participate, we can go together."
"Of course I agree, but Professor, can I go too?" Kyle asked in confusion.
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Fudge specifically mentioned your name. As the first person to discover the clue, you are fully qualified to participate in the retrial... He also said that the retrial was scheduled for today because Hogwarts has the weekend off."
Kyle rolled his eyes.
He didn't believe this for a second. Fudge wasn't the type to do such an unnecessary thing. If he really wanted to, wouldn't it be more convenient to schedule the retrial during the holidays?
"He probably wants a witness," Kyle muttered. "To increase credibility."
"Connelly is very thoughtful," Dumbledore didn't deny. "After all, we only learned about this through you, and your presence will reduce some of the controversy surrounding the retrial.
Additionally, as an Order of Merlin, Second Class recipient, although you haven't graduated yet, you do have some influence in the Wizarding Council."
"The Wizarding Council?" Kyle asked in surprise. "Does that mean I have voting rights too?"
Dumbledore didn't speak but merely smiled politely.
"Okay, I understand," Kyle said.
Clearly, his influence was only in the literal sense... he could greet others, but that was about it.
Dumbledore didn't walk all the way to the school gates but stopped in a clearing in front of the Black Lake.
He extended his arm and said to Kyle, "The retrial is in less than ten minutes, and I think it's best if we hurry."
Kyle grabbed his arm.
With a dizzying sensation, Kyle opened his eyes to find himself in a grand hall.
Kyle didn't ask why Dumbledore could Apparate within Hogwarts; there was no need. For sufficiently powerful wizards, those restrictions didn't hold as much weight.
Moreover, Dumbledore was the headmaster, so granting himself a temporary privilege wasn't too difficult.
"Oh, Professor Dumbledore, you've finally arrived," a tall figure said as he walked over from the hall.
"I can hardly believe that Black might be innocent. His case was settled twelve years ago."
"I was as surprised as you when I learned of this, Kingsley," Dumbledore shook his hand and asked, "How are things now? Have we arrived too late?"
"No, the retrial will start precisely at 1 o'clock, and there's still plenty of time to get there." Kingsley looked at Kyle but didn't ask why Dumbledore brought a student, as he had clearly received the news in advance.
"Follow me, the retrial will take place in the Third Chamber of Judgement..."
Kingsley walked out, and Kyle followed.
Exiting the Great Hall, they entered another grand hall, almost filled to the brim with wizards, numbering in the hundreds. Everyone was hurrying forward.
"This way," Kingsley said.
They joined the crowd, but with Dumbledore following, their path was relatively smooth. Other wizards, upon seeing them, courteously made way.
Along the way, they passed a table labeled "Security Check," where guests' wands were inspected. A long line formed ahead.
However, Kingsley didn't stop, walking straight past. The wand inspector, as if not noticing them, lazily took another person's wand.
"Oh... Why aren't they undergoing inspection..." someone in the line asked with a thick accent, "That kid... He doesn't look like a staff member..."
The originally somber line immediately became livelier, everyone craning their necks to look at the speaker, guessing where he had come from to ask such a foolish question.
Hadn't he seen who was beside that child?
The wand inspector also looked up, lazily saying, "If you're called Albus Dumbledore, you may pass now too..."
A burst of laughter immediately filled the hall.
At this moment, Kyle and Dumbledore stepped into an elevator.
(End of Chapter)
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