Broken justice part II
April 30, 1985,
Department of Mysteries, Courtroom.
"We convene here today to commence the trial of one Peter Pettigrew. I, as the presiding judge, shall be overseeing this tribunal alongside the esteemed warlock Albus Dumbledore, who holds the position of Chief Warlock, and the honorable Millicent Bagnold, Minister for Magic. The defendant has chosen to waive his right to legal representation, despite strong advisement from the court, and his decision will be duly respected," Crouch announced, directing his gaze downward at Pettigrew.
"Mr. Pettigrew, let us begin with the first charge brought against you. Did you, at any point in time, work for the Dark Wizard known as Lord Voldemort?"
"Yes," Pettigrew croaked, his voice barely audible. "Yes, I was a Death Eater." His admission sparked a flurry of whispers throughout the room, but Dumbledore quickly quelled them by raising his hand, seeking silence, before proceeding to ask his own question.
"When did you pledge your allegiance to Lord Voldemort? And how did you come to join the ranks of the Death Eaters?"
Pettigrew remained silent for a prolonged moment, visibly intimidated by the assembled individuals who regarded him with deep-seated disgust and hatred. Eventually, he swallowed nervously and responded.
"I became a Death Eater approximately a year before the birth of Harry Potter. However, I was approached by other Death Eaters during my final year at Hogwarts. At that time, the Dark Lord's followers primarily hailed from Slytherin House. They were tasked with identifying students who might be receptive to our Lord's ideals and vision for society, in order to recruit them."
"Just a moment ago, you claimed that you became a Death Eater a year before Harry Potter's birth. Yet now, you assert that you had contact with them while you were still attending Hogwarts. Which account should we believe?" Millicent Bagnold inquired, furrowing her brow as she scrutinized him.
"None of it, I'm afraid... The charges themselves against the accused already reveal the extent of his liability. Therefore, I propose to the court members that we authorize the administration of Veritaserum to the accused. Those in favor?"
All members of the Wizengamot simultaneously raised their hands, affirming their support for Crouch's request. The court's president nodded to Scrimgeour, and the Auror produced a flask from his robe's pocket. Pettigrew hesitated momentarily before willingly consuming the potion. Soon after, his face relaxed, displaying a submissive expression as the Veritaserum took effect.
"Peter Pettigrew, the court requests further clarification on your previous statements," Crouch stated.
"What I meant earlier is that it wasn't an abrupt decision. While I became a Death Eater a year before Harry's birth, the process leading up to it started years earlier," Pettigrew explained.
"Who approached you at Hogwarts? Provide us with the names," Dumbledore inquired, causing all eyes in the room to focus on Pettigrew. Kingsley noticed that although the headmaster's face remained stoic, there was a flicker of anger beneath the surface upon learning that such an operation could occur under his watch.
"Antonin Dolohov, a fellow Slytherin who attended the school in the same year as I did," Pettigrew responded.
"Well... Dolohov is currently serving a life sentence in Azkaban... Were there any others?" Bagnold questioned.
"I only had contact with him while I was still at school, but I am aware that the Lestrange brothers approached another student who was much younger," Pettigrew revealed.
"Which student?" Dumbledore asked sharply.
"Bartemius Crouch Jr.," Pettigrew replied, plunging the room into a heavy silence. Embarrassed glances were exchanged, directed towards the president of the court, who, against all odds, regained control of the proceedings with a calm voice.
"Crouch Jr. passed away shortly after his imprisonment... Tell us how Dolohov approached you and how it eventually led to your involvement with their ranks after school," Crouch instructed.
"It happened during the summer before my seventh year at Hogwarts. I was visiting my grandparents on their farm in Wales, near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire. While I was in town running errands, we happened to run into each other. Dolohov was volunteering at a Muggle elderly care home..." Pettigrew recounted.
"Dolohov was volunteering at a Muggle care home?" Crouch questioned, furrowing his brow.
"Yes... He invited me to visit, and I did so the following day. He introduced me to the staff, the people he cared for, and without hesitation, I decided to join him. We spent the entire months of July and August working together," Pettigrew replied.
"Working with Muggles?" Bagnold raised an eyebrow.
"Yes... But during our countless hours together, we discussed various topics—Hogwarts, N.E.W.T.s, our plans after graduation—and also delved into the problems plaguing the world," Pettigrew answered.
"Provide us with more details about your conversations, particularly those pertaining to Lord Voldemort and the crimes you are accused of," Crouch ordered.
"The International Statute of Secrecy troubled Antonin... The place where we volunteered was filled with suffering people, and nearby, there was a hospital with a pediatric ward... The sight of those children haunted me for days after our visit," Pettigrew revealed.
"What does this have to do with the International Statute of Secrecy?" Bagnold interjected.
"The hospital housed children, younger than ten years old, who were suffering from a deadly Muggle disease with incredibly aggressive treatment... I had never witnessed such severity. It was maddening. I agreed with Antonin; wizards weren't hiding to protect themselves from Muggles, but because we refused to share our knowledge with them. The children and the elderly we encountered could easily have been saved using potions that a fifth-year student could brew in a week..."
"... I agreed with him. Wizards shouldn't conceal themselves but instead strive to make the world a better place. Blessed with magic, we should use it for the greater good. He expressed his frustration at not being allowed to help more openly and how he had to visit in secret because people wouldn't understand... We promised each other not to reveal this to my friends at school, as we knew they wouldn't believe that a Slytherin could be friendly towards Muggles and would instead denounce him."
Classic, Kingsley thought. Of course, Dolohov wasn't there to volunteer. He was there for you, you fool. To gain your trust and gradually involve you in his activities, all while clearing himself of suspicion. After all, dedicating an entire summer break to caring for Muggles and children while Voldemort was gaining power would have branded him a "blood-traitor" unless he was acting under Voldemort's orders.
"Then, September arrived, and you returned to Hogwarts. Did you maintain contact with Dolohov?" Bagnold inquired.
"Yes. By December 1st, he had become my closest friend... secretly," Pettigrew confessed. "Since September, James started dating Lily, Sirius and Remus were preoccupied with their N.E.W.T.s, so the four of us hardly spent time together. But James and Sirius always managed to find time for each other... playing Quidditch or assisting Remus in the library. I was left alone..."
"...So I turned to the friend I had made during the summer. The animosity between Gryffindor and Slytherin was at its peak, so we met in secret... mostly in the dungeons... Antonin introduced me to his friends, who accepted me quickly and invited me to the Slytherin common room... Spending time with them made me realize how hasty I had been in my judgments before truly getting to know them; I felt ashamed of myself. Then Christmas arrived."
"What transpired during the Christmas break?" Crouch inquired.
"Antonin invited me to a reception at the Dolohov mansion. There, he introduced me to some influential people," Pettigrew replied.
"Names! NOW!" Crouch bellowed.
"Augustus Rookwood and Evan Rosier," Pettigrew revealed, prompting an exasperated sigh from both Crouch and Bagnold.
"They were both esteemed figures within the Ministry of Magic. They asked me to join them in a private lounge, where we discussed my post-school plans and the potential contributions I could make to the Ministry of Magic. I vividly remember speaking at length, and they attentively listened. It was the first time that my ideas were taken seriously, without mockery. Before I departed, they assured me that a position at the Ministry would be waiting for me upon my graduation."
"So, that's how you obtained your position here? They provided you with a 'boost'?" Bagnold inquired.
"Yes," Pettigrew confirmed.
"Thus, after Hogwarts, you began working at the Ministry of Magic. If I understand correctly, by the end of your seventh year, you had made new friends and distanced yourself from James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. Is that correct? So, how do you explain..." Crouch began before Pettigrew interjected.
"No. I maintained good relations with them. I was angry and jealous, but I remained friendly. We continued our friendship even after leaving school. I was invited to James and Lily's wedding, visited their house numerous times, and was present at St. Mungo's on the day Harry was born."
"Very well. Please proceed to the moment you officially joined the Dark Lord," Bagnold requested.
"It occurred a year before Harry was born. I had grown very close to Dolohov's circle and aligned myself with many of the Dark Lord's ideals, although I denounced his acts of violence. However, immediately after leaving school, I joined a secret group that sought to..."
"Irrelevant. Please answer the question," Dumbledore interjected firmly.
"On September 1979, I attended a reception at Bunratty Castle, which served as Rookwood's stronghold. Everything proceeded as usual until after sunset, when Rookwood informed me that an important person wished to speak with me in his office before I departed. He escorted me to his study's door and invited me to enter alone."
"Who awaited you there?" Crouch asked, although it was evident that everyone present had already guessed the answer.
"The Dark Lord. He stood in the center of the room, accompanied by a colossal snake coiled around his body, its head resting on his shoulder," Pettigrew responded, causing a collective shiver to run through the room.
"What was your reaction upon seeing Lord Voldemort?" Dumbledore inquired.
"I was terrified," Pettigrew admitted.
"What did he say to you?" Dumbledore pressed further.
"At first, nothing... As soon as our eyes met, I felt him inside my mind. I cannot say for certain how long I remained motionless, but I witnessed fragments of my life flicker before me before feeling nauseous... When I regained consciousness, I was lying on the floor, with the Dark Lord seated beside me," Pettigrew explained.
"What transpired next?" Crouch questioned.
"He smiled and apologized for scaring me. It wasn't his intention. I didn't say anything; I desired to flee toward the door, but my legs refused to move," Pettigrew recounted.
"Were you physically restrained?" Crouch probed.
"No. I was simply terrified enough to soil myself," Pettigrew admitted.
"And then?" Crouch prompted.
"He remained remarkably calm. He mentioned that many esteemed wizards held me in high regard and offered to assist me in my career within the Ministry. He said I could ask for anything I desired," Pettigrew replied. "I refused... I told him he could kill me if he wished, but my mind was made up. He laughed, dismissed the snake from the room, and expressed his regret at how mistaken I had been about him."
"And what happened afterward?" Crouch inquired.
"He spoke of his desire to reform our society, to rebuild it on the principles of equality and freedom. He envisioned a world where we wouldn't hide from Muggles but work alongside them, where werewolves and other magical beings wouldn't need to conceal themselves or face marginalization... He denied causing harm to anyone. He claimed that the Ministry was corrupted, populated by individuals who benefited from laws they themselves had crafted, distorting them to maintain power and accumulate wealth... The Ministry of Magic feared him because he represented the voice of those whom the powerful wished to oppress. The Dark Lord expressed his sadness upon learning that someone like me had to seek the help of Rookwood and Rosier to secure a job. In the world he aspired to build, everyone would have an opportunity," Pettigrew recounted, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"I mentioned earlier that I found his words noble, but despite that, his followers came from affluent, ancient pureblood families—the very same influential individuals he aimed to confront. It was a paradox. He laughed once again and informed me that I had no comprehension of true power before vanishing from sight."
"Is that all? When did you cross paths again?" inquired Crouch.
"I returned to my apartment, isolating myself from everyone over the next fortnight, feigning illness and weariness from the ongoing war. I informed my friends and family that I intended to travel abroad for a month, and no one pressed further. However, after two weeks had passed, Dolohov sought me out and relayed the Dark Lord's desire to meet me once more. I declined."
"What did Dolohov say?" queried Bagnold.
"He attempted to persuade me, stating that I should feel honored by the Dark Lord extending his hand to me. He asserted that I had an opportunity to be part of something greater than myself. However, I made it clear that I didn't believe him. I may not be particularly astute, but even since I was eleven, my closest friend treated me like a fool, so I can recognize when someone is attempting to deceive me. After that initial meeting, I had ample time to reflect..."
"What were you contemplating?" interjected Crouch.
"I reflected upon how I encountered Dolohov, how quickly the other Slytherins who became Death Eaters accepted me into their fold, and how I, an insignificant individual from a humble background, became associated with high society. It became evident to me that it was all part of a scheme. I was being used. I confronted Dolohov about this."
"What transpired then?" inquired Dumbledore.
"Before I could even reach for my wand, he stunned me, and when I regained consciousness, I found myself in a frigid cell. I was stripped of my clothes, my hands bound tightly behind my back and compelled to remain squatting on the balls of my feet. It felt as though my knees were on the verge of exploding, and my thighs were engulfed in searing pain... I endured that excruciating position for two weeks."
"Did they torture you?" asked Dumbledore.
"Yes... The Dark Lord was present, along with Bellatrix Lestrange and the snake, flanking him on either side," Pettigrew recounted. "The Dark Lord presented me with a final opportunity to join him, to bear the Dark Mark, while the offer still stood... But I continued to refuse... So he nodded to Bellatrix Lestrange, and that's when my personal hell truly began," Pettigrew confessed.
"What did she do to you?" Crouch inquired.
"Bellatrix subjected me to a potion that kept me awake for agonizing hours, forbidding me from closing my eyes throughout my time in that cell. I was never alone. She and other wizards and witches took turns tormenting me. They began with minor acts of violence, humiliating me, and gradually escalated their brutality. Bellatrix was the cruelest of them all. She took perverse pleasure in her sadistic tasks, employing a whip with nails embedded in the ends, tearing my flesh apart. She used a claw hammer to extract my teeth, sprinkled salt on my wounds, and poured scalding water over me... always ensuring not to end my life, repeatedly forcing me to consume potions that regenerated my skin and regrew my teeth, only to subject me to the torture all over again. I pleaded with her to stop, promising to comply with any demands, but she ignored my pleas until the final day arrived," Pettigrew recounted.
"What happened on that day?" inquired Crouch.
"On that day..." Pettigrew began but suddenly stopped speaking, a glimmer in his eyes indicating that the effect of the Veritaserum was wearing off. Scrimgeour administered another dose, and shortly after, Pettigrew resumed his account.
"On that day, after being forced to consume the excrement of a Death Eater... Bellatrix returned. She heated a knife until its blade glowed a menacing scarlet, and then she castrated me. The pain was so unbearable that I couldn't even find my voice to scream. Then, she forced my testicles into my throat, compelling me to swallow them. Afterward, they escorted me upstairs to a grand hall, where I was callously thrown at the feet of the Dark Lord. He sat upon a throne hewn from the rock wall, while around fifty men stood in formation on either side of the room. A ghostly silence enveloped the place as the Dark Lord left his seat and approached me. With his bare foot, he callously stepped upon my face and demanded to know what I had learned from the torturous two weeks. I remained silent, devoid of any life within."
"He told me that he aimed to showcase his supremacy, wielding the power of life and death over anyone he chose. He declared that I had belonged to him since the moment he first heard my name and that the preceding two weeks were nothing compared to what he had planned. Then, he dropped a series of photographs in front of me. They depicted my mother, sitting in her living room, smiling at the camera with Bellatrix's arm draped around her shoulders...The Dark Lord informed me that I could now embrace the Dark Mark and be rewarded beyond imagination, or else my mother would soon endure the same horrors as I had. He vowed to make me do it..."
"Enough," Dumbledore interjected, putting an end to Pettigrew's harrowing account.
"So, you were coerced into becoming a Death Eater," Crouch remarked.
"Yes... At that moment, I felt utterly hopeless. No one seemed capable of stopping him from triumphing in the war, so I succumbed and took the Dark Mark," Pettigrew confessed.
Crouch exchanged a concerned glance with Dumbledore and Bagnold before rising from his seat to address the members of the Wizengamot. The room was captivated by Pettigrew's narrative, taken aback by the gravity of his account.
"Does any member of the Wizengamot have any questions for Mr. Pettigrew, or should we proceed to the next charges?" Crouch inquired. However, receiving no immediate response, he settled back into his chair. Just as he was about to pose the question again to Pettigrew, Dumbledore stood up and took the floor.
"Mr. Pettigrew, before we move on to the next charges, we would like you to elucidate the tasks assigned to you by Lord Voldemort," Dumbledore requested.
"I was entrusted with two missions. The first was to gather intelligence on two families: the Potters and the Longbottoms. Lord Voldemort desired comprehensive knowledge about their every move, their associates, and their assets... Sharing information about the Potters was relatively easy since I was privy to their inner circle. Approaching the Longbottoms proved more challenging, but I eventually managed to establish a connection through Lily, who happened to be good friends with Alice," Pettigrew explained.
Dumbledore, seeking further clarity, inquired about the second task. "And what was the nature of the second task?"
"It involved spying on you, Dumbledore, and your associates who were members of the Order," Pettigrew revealed.
Curiosity piqued, Bagnold asked, "Which Order are you referring to?" However, she didn't press the matter after receiving a whispered explanation from Crouch.
Dumbledore, determined to extract critical information, posed another question. "What specific information did you provide to Lord Voldemort?"
"I relayed all the names and addresses to him. I reported to him on a weekly basis, and each time he would inquire about the latest developments," Pettigrew confessed.
Dumbledore's tone turned grave as he asked the next question. "Did any of the information you passed to him lead to the murder of someone?"
Pettigrew hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes, some of the information I provided was indeed utilized."
"Yes, the first victim was Dorcas Meadows, an employee in the Department of Mysteries. The Dark Lord personally executed her, and I assisted him. Initially, he didn't intend to kill her outright. He offered her a chance to spare herself by providing information about the Potters and the Longbottoms. However, she defiantly refused and attempted to duel him, only to fail miserably..."
"Four months later, the Dark Lord's sole focus was on the Potters. He sent me, along with Bellatrix and five other Death Eaters, to interrogate Edgar Bones. The Bones and the Potters had maintained a close relationship for centuries. Despite Bellatrix's brutal torture of Edgar, his wife, and children, they refused to divulge any information. Consequently, we ended their lives..."
"Following that, it was the Prewett brothers' turn... Dolohov, Rosier, Rookwood, Rabastan Lestrange, and I were entrusted with the mission. My role was to entice them into a trap..."
"When they arrived at the designated meeting point, we swiftly surrounded them. They fought valiantly and nearly succeeded in killing us. Our orders were to capture them alive, but they proved too formidable. Thus, we were left with no choice but to eliminate them... After that, the Dark Lord assigned me one final mission, just before his mysterious disappearance."
"What was the nature of that mission?" Crouch inquired.
"He wanted Sirius Black out of the picture. The Dark Lord was convinced that the Potters would soon seek refuge under the Fidelius Charm, and as Sirius had been chosen as Harry's godfather, it was clear he would also be their secret keeper. The Dark Lord commanded me to prevent that from happening. Killing Sirius would have driven James to become unpredictable and paranoid, prompting him to choose Dumbledore as the secret keeper instead. Therefore, I devised a plan to manipulate James into selecting me," Pettigrew explained.
"Did you succeed? Did the Potters choose you over Sirius Black?" Crouch asked.
"Yes, two days after Harry was born... It took months of careful manipulation, but I managed to achieve it. However, Lily vehemently opposed the idea and insisted on Sirius as the secret keeper. James grew frustrated with her lack of trust in the rest of us. Nevertheless, through calculated efforts, I gradually sowed suspicion between Sirius and Remus, and vice versa, despite taking certain risks. Eventually, Sirius convinced Lily and James to choose me," Pettigrew confessed.
Crouch continued probing, "The Potters were tragically murdered on October 31st, 1981, yet you became their secret keeper in August of 1980. Why did you wait so long before revealing the secret to the Dark Lord?"
"I didn't waste a moment; I immediately went to him after assuming the role of secret keeper," Pettigrew clarified.
Dumbledore interjected, "But Lord Voldemort waited over a year. Do you know why?"
"No...that was the last time I saw or received any order from him. I know I wasn't the only one in that situation."
"What are you talking about? Numerous murders, dementor attacks, werewolves, and giant incidents were documented between the end of 1980 and October 1981!" Bagnold remarked, with a dry tone.
"The Dark Lord was absent for months; nobody knew his whereabouts or saw him until July 30, 1981. Nobody except the seven. They're the ones who orchestrated the murders and supervised the operations during his absence."
"The seven? Provide us with their names!" Crouch commanded.
No one knows except our Lord."
"Why did you betray James and Lily Potter?" Dumbledore inquired.
"Because I despised them. Because they deserved to die," Pettigrew replied.
His words caused an uproar in the courtroom, followed by gasps when a man in the audience left his seat, stunning two Aurors who attempted to restrain him. He dashed towards Pettigrew's enclosure before Dumbledore neutralized him upon reaching the cage, prompting Pettigrew to scream in fear upon recognizing him.
"Please escort Mr. Lupin out," Dumbledore instructed Scrimgeour.
"ORDER!" Crouch shouted at the audience.
After a few minutes and repeated calls for order from Crouch and Bagnold, the courtroom fell silent once again, and the trial resumed.
"If everyone could conduct themselves appropriately, we would like to continue questioning the accused," Crouch stated before directing his gaze at Pettigrew. "Mr. Pettigrew, why did you believe they deserved to die? What led to your hatred towards them?"
"I loathed James and Sirius for their arrogance, for being bullies! The only reason they kept me around was to serve as their pawn. They never showed me any respect," Pettigrew said.
After Pettigrew's response, all eyes turned towards the audience stands, where Minerva McGonagall raised her hand. Crouch and Bagnold exchanged embarrassed glances but refrained from commenting, knowing that it was not forbidden to interrupt a session, except for the Wizengamot members. The professor waited patiently until Dumbledore addressed her, saying, "Professor McGonagall, you are not listed as a witness in this trial."
"I am aware of that, Professor Dumbledore. Nevertheless, I find the accused's reply misleading regarding James Potter and Sirius Black," McGonagall stated.
"James Potter and Sirius Potter are not on trial," Dumbledore reminded her.
"I believe it is only fair to remind the Wizengamot that the accused's responses are based solely on his perception of past events. We are only hearing his side of the story. His account may be accurate, but it could also be more complex or entirely illusory. The Wizengamot must be instructed not to base their verdict solely on the accused's testimony if they choose to include this matter in their later deliberation. If they do, then another hearing should be scheduled to hear other witnesses from the years when James Potter, Sirius Black, and the accused attended school. Thank you," McGonagall concluded before resuming her seat.
Dumbledore nodded and added, "The accused has already made it clear that the murders were ordered by Lord Voldemort... James Potter and Sirius Black could not possibly be held responsible. They are victims as well. The purpose of our questioning was to understand the motivations of the accused only, and the Wizengamot will bear this in mind during their deliberation."
"Mr. Pettigrew, even under the influence of Veritaserum, your testimony appears incoherent. You claim to hold a grudge against James Potter, but can that alone justify your desire to see him, his wife, and his child dead?" Crouch inquired.
"I believe this question has already been answered... Let us move on to the night the Potters died. Did Lord Voldemort summon you to his presence?" Dumbledore asked.
"No... I was hiding in a safe house that Sirius had found for me. In the afternoon, Bellatrix informed me that it was going to happen and that I should expect a visit from the Dark Lord during the night. However, around eight in the evening, my Dark Mark started burning and then disappeared. I understood that something had gone wrong, so I fled. When I was far enough from the anti-apparition charms, I noticed Sirius' bike and a man lurking nearby... I mistook him for Sirius, and in that confusion, I killed him before disapparating," Pettigrew explained.
"That was Steven Blakeley, correct?" Bagnold asked. "A Muggle."
"I believed him to be Sirius. With Sirius dead, no one would have known that I was the true Secret Keeper. I would have sought Dumbledore's protection and awaited the opportunity to kill Harry myself," Pettigrew admitted.
"Tell us about the following morning. Were you responsible for the deaths of those Muggles in London, or was it Black?" Crouch inquired.
"It was me... I went to Godric's Hollow and saw Hagrid leaving with Harry. Then I went to my mother's house to ensure she was safe before returning to my apartment. The next morning, Sirius found me. Knowing I had no chance against him, I started shouting that he had killed James and Lily, making sure my cries were heard by passersby before unleashing an explosion on the entire street. I severed my index finger, transformed into a rat, and escaped into the sewers with the other rats," Pettigrew confessed.
"So, you admit to murdering thirteen Muggles and framing Sirius Black, leading to his imprisonment in Azkaban for crimes you committed?" Crouch asked.
"Yes, I do," Pettigrew confirmed.
Crouch nodded. "Now, onto the final charge. You are accused of using your unregistered Animagus status to evade the court and justice. How did you manage to do that?"
"I didn't have to do much. I stayed in the sewers with the other rats for a few days. Then, while I was near a Muggle village in Devon, a child grabbed me and took me along. He adopted me and later gave me to his younger brother. It was more than I could have asked for. I was safe, fed, and well-informed about everything happening in the wizarding community. Until two days ago..."
"That's when you were discovered and arrested, correct?" Bagnold asked.
"That's correct," Pettigrew confirmed.
"How did it happen?" Bagnold inquired.
Pettigrew remained silent for a moment, appearing confused, then whispered, "I don't remember."
"You don't remember?" Bagnold questioned.
"I recall something striking my face, and then everything went blank... Something blue..." Pettigrew muttered.
"We will delve into that with the witnesses. Let's observe a fifteen-minute recess before we hear our final witnesses. Escort the accused back to the dungeons," Crouch declared, slamming his gavel.
The Aurors escorted Pettigrew out of his cage, re-chained him, and forcefully led him out of the courtroom. As soon as Pettigrew was taken away, the tension that had gripped the courtroom began to dissipate among the audience.
Fifteen minutes later, Crouch instructed the Aurors to bring in the witnesses, and the gates opened to allow two astonished children to enter. One was a red-haired boy dressed in a Gryffindor uniform, while the other was a slightly taller girl wearing a Hufflepuff robe, with pink hair.
They stood awkwardly in the center of the court, stealing glances at each other until Dumbledore smiled at them and pointed to the two comfortable armchairs conjured by Scrimgeour behind them. Once seated, Dumbledore stood up.
"Mr. Weasley, Miss Tonks, good morning to both of you and welcome to the Ministry of Magic," Dumbledore greeted them.
"Good morning, professor," both children responded.
"Today, you have been requested to share with the court the events that transpired on April 28th," Dumbledore explained.
"You want us to talk about our heroic feat?" the boy asked.
"Our Charlie? OUR?" the girl questioned her friend.
"You have both shown great bravery, and we would appreciate hearing your perspective," Dumbledore clarified.
"Before you begin, I would like to remind you that you are here as witnesses, and no charges can be brought against you based on your testimony. Whatever you tell us," Bagnold interjected, giving Crouch a warning glance when he seemed inclined to object.
"The Minister of Magic has granted you immunity, so please provide us with all the details, sticking to the facts and refraining from speculation. Feel free to ask for further explanation or request a break if needed," Dumbledore assured them.
"Thank you, professor," Charlie expressed his gratitude, and Kingsley overheard Molly Weasley whispering to her husband, "He's being overly polite; there's something he's planning, I can sense it."
"Let's begin. Mr. Weasley, you have been taking care of Peter Pettigrew, the accused, for the past two years. Is that correct?" Crouch inquired.
"No, sir," Charlie replied.
"You haven't?" Crouch raised an eyebrow.
"No, I have been fostering a rat named Scrabbers, who later turned out to be Peter Pettigrew. I had no idea he was a man when I took him in," Charlie clarified.
"The commotion alerted my father, and he came running. He didn't have his wand, but he managed to restrain the man who had transformed from the rat," Tonks recounted.
"He first tried snatching my wand, but Mr. Tonks reacted quickly and beat him up so bad that I'm amazed he's still breathing!" Charlie added.
"Shortly after, the Aurors arrived, and we were all brought here to the Ministry of Magic," Tonks concluded.
Dumbledore, Bagnold, and Crouch engaged in a lengthy discussion before Crouch addressed the Wizengamot. "Very well, members of the jury, it is now your responsibility to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant for each of the charges brought against him. Each charge must be considered as a separate crime, and your verdict for one count should not influence your decision on any other. You must return only one verdict for each piece of information presented. If you require clarification from any of the judges during your deliberations, please send a note through Auror Rufus Scrimgeour, and we will address your questions openly in court. Once you have reached a unanimous verdict, have it signed by all the Wizengamot members and return to the court with your decision. You may now retire to deliberate in private."
Kingsley and Dawlish departed from the Ministry and headed towards a restaurant commonly frequented by their colleagues for lunch. They settled at a corner table, placed their orders, and patiently waited for the waitress to return with their drinks. After a period of silence, Dawlish finally broke the ice.
"You must be quite happy, I guess," Dawlish remarked.
"Why would I be pleased?" Kingsley inquired.
"Regarding the trial... You were right all along! Weren't you the one who insisted on reopening the case? And then you came back with evidence implicating Pettigrew in the murder of that Muggle and uncovering his unregistered Animagus status. Your efforts have prompted the Magical Law Department to consider the possibility of Black being framed. I won't be surprised if I wake up tomorrow and find you as my chief," Dawlish stated.
"It's not over yet," Kingsley responded, taking a sip of his soda.
"It will be soon. I don't think they'll take much longer to reach a verdict," Dawlish speculated.
"I'm not referring to the trial itself. I believe they've already wrapped that up. I'm talking about Voldemort," Kingsley asserted, causing Dawlish to choke on his drink.
"Are you insane? Don't say his name!" Dawlish scolded.
"Are you aware that your duty is to fight him?" Kingsley raised an eyebrow and questioned.
"Yes, I am. But not today, not here! Besides, he's dead anyway!" Dawlish exclaimed.
"Do you truly believe that, John? Did you pay attention to what Pettigrew disclosed?" Kingsley inquired.
"Pettigrew himself is unsure," Dawlish responded.
"I mean, did you deduce anything from it?" Kingsley pressed.
"Like what? He confessed, end of the story," Dawlish asked.
"Voldemort doesn't leave anything to chance... He began manipulating Pettigrew while the man was still in school, and by the time he became interested in the Potters, he already had the perfect pawn in his grasp. But that's not the most intriguing part..." Kingsley said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"What is it?" Dawlish asked, intrigued.
"Voldemort knew the location where the Potters were hiding for a whole year before he murdered them," Kingsley revealed.
"Perhaps he needed time for preparations," Dawlish suggested.
"No... Pettigrew could have been exposed, and the Potters would have relocated. I believe Voldemort wanted to demonstrate that he doesn't kill merely when the opportunity arises, but when he deliberately chooses to end lives. It was about asserting his control over others' destinies. By the way, we didn't find his body in Godric's Hollow. If the killing curse rebounded upon him, he should have died in the house, and we would have discovered his remains, thus confirming his demise," Kingsley elaborated.
"Do you think he's hiding somewhere, biding his time?" Dawlish inquired.
"Exactly... I can't bring myself to believe that he's permanently dead, nor that he went to the Potters without a backup plan," Kingsley stated.
"Well... I prefer to hold onto the belief that he's truly gone," Dawlish smiled as the waitress placed a burger in front of him. "And I can see why Moody is fond of you. You're as eccentric as he is."
After lunch, Kingsley returned to the Ministry of Magic and made his way directly to his office. Along the corridor, he caught sight of Moody, Dumbledore, Remus Lupin, and Minerva McGonagall engaged in a conversation inside Moody's office. Intrigued by their presence, he briefly considered slowing his pace to eavesdrop on their discussion but decided against it. Instead, he entered his own office, settled in, propped his feet on the desk, and closed his eyes.
An hour later, a voice resounded throughout the Ministry, announcing that the Wizengamot had reached a verdict and requesting their return to the courtroom in the dungeons. As the stands filled up and the three judges assumed their positions, Crouch requested Scrimgeour to admit the Wizengamot. Pettigrew was then brought back into the courtroom. Scrimgeour approached Crouch, handing him an envelope, and Crouch cleared his throat before speaking.
"At this moment, the weight of justice's profound significance weighs upon each of your souls. Allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed members of the Wizengamot and the magical community of Great Britain and Ireland, for in your understanding of the arduous task before us, you have displayed an exceptional comprehension of the very essence of this court's mission. To all of you, regardless of your political affiliations, we extend our sincerest appreciation for your collective endeavor to safeguard our world and uphold our precious freedom throughout these tumultuous years…This harmonious unity of spirit and convergence of ideals, transcending the boundaries of politics, serves as a vivid testament that the discourse we engaged in today is rooted in the depths of our conscience. It is through the personal choices we have each made that we find ourselves bound by a solemn commitment."
He said, "Before opening the envelope, he read it to himself, then turned his gaze toward Peter Pettigrew, who anxiously awaited the verdict.
"Peter Pettigrew, your testimonies and the evidence against you have been carefully reviewed. The Wizengamot has reached the following conclusions:
Your enrollment in the ranks of the Death Eaters did not occur of your own free will, but rather due to torture and blackmail. Therefore, the court finds you not guilty of this charge. Regarding the charges related to providing secret information to the Dark Lord regarding the whereabouts of the Potters, leading to their murder and the attempted murder of their son, you have failed to show any remorse. You confessed to actively contributing to the events. Thus, the court declares you guilty and sentences you to fifty years in Azkaban. You have confessed to the murders of Dorcas Meadowes, Fabian and Gideon Prewett, and Edgar Bones and his family. The additional details you provided about their murders have been corroborated by testimonies from other previously arrested, judged, and sentenced Death Eaters. The court finds you guilty and sentences you to one hundred years in Azkaban for each murder. You have been found guilty of being an unregistered Animagus and exploiting this ability to evade justice. Therefore, the court sentences you to ten years in Azkaban. You confessed to the mass murder of Muggles that took place on November the first, 1981. For this crime, the court sentences you to fifty years in Azkaban for each murder. Finally, for framing Sirius Black for the crimes you committed, you are sentenced to twenty years in Azkaban."Now, I will address the members of the Wizengamot. Please raise your hands if the verdict aligns with the one you agreed upon during your deliberations," he said. All the Wizengamot members raised their hands. Crouch nodded in acknowledgment before continuing, "I understand there is a member of the Black family present today. Does he have anything he wishes to say?" He turned his gaze towards the highest stand.
Kingsley shifted his neck to glance in the same direction. There sat Orion Black, his right hand resting on the black diamond adorning the tip of his walking stick's handle. The man's frigid gaze fixed directly upon Pettigrew, his expression unmoving. Then, Black rose from his seat, followed by Dumbledore who mirrored his motion. Their eyes briefly locked, creating an uneasy tension within the courtroom, causing the Aurors, including Kingsley and Moody, to subtly inch their hands closer to their wands. In a sneering manner, Orion Black murmured indistinct words before turning his back on them, slowly making his way toward the highest gate and leaving the courtroom.
Kingsley let out a sigh of relief and redirected his attention to Crouch, who had risen to his feet. "Fair enough," Crouch declared. "This trial has concluded. I entrust the Auror Office with the immediate transfer of the convict to Azkaban, where he will commence serving his sentence upon arrival." Crouch punctuated his statement by forcefully slamming his gavel down.