Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 325 Prophecy
The gavel struck, marking the start of the court hearing.

Ms. Burns stood in the presiding judge's seat, flipped through the case file, and looked down at the prisoners:

"Sirius Black III, there is ample evidence that, starting in fifth grade, you and Peter Pettigrew, James Potter, and I studied Animagus without authorization, successfully transformed, and used it illegally for a long period of time without reporting it... violating Articles 4, 7, and 13 of the 'Regulations on the Registration and Management of Animal Metamorphosis.' We are now initiating legal proceedings against you. Do you have any objections?"

"The situation is true, there is no objection."

"Twelve years ago, during the winter, the wizarding world suffered a major upheaval. Wizarding celebrations and parades spread throughout Britain. The Ministry of Magic was unable to effectively manage and guide the residents. Taking advantage of the Aurors' negligence, you recklessly pursued Peter Pettigrew, launched an irresponsible duel to the death, arbitrarily chased and fled, and changed the battlefield, causing a major magical leak incident that ultimately resulted in the deaths of twelve Muggles!"

Borns asked sternly, "Do you have any objections?"

"The situation is true, there is no objection."

"After the accident, you remained at the scene, refused to reveal the truth about the Potters' deaths, obstructed the staff's investigation into the cause of the accident, misled the Aurors into believing Peter Pettigrew, and wrongly awarded Merlin the Order of the Knight... Do you have any objections?"

Sirius hesitated for a moment, then paused again: "I had no intention of obstructing the investigation, it's just..."

"The reason why Sirius Black did not obstruct the work of the Ministry of Magic staff is that he suffered a heavy blow and was also deceived by Peter Pettigrew, which caused him to be mentally unstable and unable to respond normally to external stimuli."

Ms. Marchban, speaking to the jury, recounted her story in a calm, aged voice.

A murmur of discussion arose in the large courtroom. Ms. Machiban was telling the truth: her friends and their spouse had died because of their own mistakes. The parties involved were blinded by rage and, after thinking they had gotten revenge, became disheartened. Even if they put themselves in that situation, they wouldn't dare say they could have calmly handled the situation and made the best decision.

"quiet!"

Court clerk Crouch tapped his gavel: "The second charge is set aside for now. The jury will deliberate on it later. The trial continues."

"Now let's discuss the third offense."

Presiding Judge Ms. Burns said in a deep voice, "During your imprisonment in Azkaban, you objected to the sentence you received back then, yet you never filed an appeal in twelve years. After accessing outside information and discovering that Peter Pettigrew was lurking around Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter, you did not immediately inform the Ministry of Magic. Instead, you relied on the illegal Animagus to exploit loopholes in Azkaban, broke out of prison without authorization, disrupted the normal order of the Ministry of Magic, created panic, and had a negative impact on the wizarding world and Muggle society. Do you have any objections?"

Sirius pursed his lips: "I... have no objection."

"very good!"

After listing three crimes in succession, with sound reasoning and evidence, the courtroom fell silent.

Sirius sat in the locked iron cage, half his face hidden in shadow, unable to see what was in front of him. The Phoenix Society members who supported Sirius held their breath, waiting for the outcome.

Ms. Burns, after a brief deliberation by the jury and the presiding judge, quickly reached a decision. She cleared her throat and said in a deep voice:
"The defendant, Sirius Black III, disregarded the law and acted impulsively, causing a medium-sized magical leak incident with heavy casualties. Based on discussions between the Ministry of Magic's Enforcement Division and the Council of Wizengamor, the following judgment is hereby rendered."

She tapped the gavel: "A fine of 1700 Galleons and five years imprisonment for Azkaban."

Sirius Black lowered his head, a few tears falling onto the cold iron chains, and sat dejectedly in the cage.

"Given the Ministry of Magic's negligence in its investigation, which resulted in Black having already served twelve years in prison, the Department of Execution has made compensation in accordance with the law. The amount has been offset against the fine, and the prison sentence has been waived. After deliberation by the jury, the compensation has been changed to compensation for the Muggle victim's family, and Black is prohibited from leaving the country for three years."

Dumbledore looked at the deserted courtroom and chuckled as he explained, "In other words... release him in court!"

Immediately, an Auror emerged from the corner, opened the cage, unlocked Sirius's chains, and helped him exit through a side passage.

The wizards in the audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers that spread like waves.

The crime convicted by Ms. Burns is true, as is the oversight of the Ministry of Magic. Within the bounds of the law, the poor wizard received the best possible outcome.

Some Ministry of Magic employees clapped enthusiastically, their faces showing a secret sense of pride.

Fudge and Umbridge have been in office for three years, and with so many inhuman laws being enforced, they haven't felt proud of the Ministry of Magic for a long time; some elderly wizards are even moved, realizing that this is the true meaning behind the Ministry of Magic's establishment and continued existence.

"Click..." The flash went off.

Rita, wearing the emblem of the Prophet's Newspaper, froze this moment in time.

Ms. Burns smiled, genuinely approving of her decision to dismiss Fudge and bring the misguided Ministry of Magic back on track.

"Let's begin the trial of Peter Pettigrew!" She tapped her gavel, bringing silence back to the courtroom.

Peter heard the deafening sound of the gavel and involuntarily looked up. His gaze fell on an old woman in the audience. His pupils suddenly dilated. Even the ruthless Death Eater, standing in his cage facing his only relative, still felt breathless.

The torches on the wall flickered slightly. No longer was it a dim and cold courtroom; he felt as if he were in a agonizing lava hell. He dared not face the old woman's burning gaze. This feeling of shame and humiliation grew stronger and stronger, almost driving Peter mad.

He didn't know when, but a warm sensation flashed across the inside of his arm. Suddenly, he found the world quiet, as if he had been pulled away and fallen into another world. He could only see Ms. Burns' lips moving, but he couldn't hear what she was saying.

The people sitting neatly in the gallery were excited, showing their support for Bones and the Ministry of Magic by clapping and cheering enthusiastically. Each time a crime was stated, there was a round of applause that shook the floor.

The second half of the trial ended in less than 15 minutes. Peter did not hear clearly the sentence handed down to him; it seemed to be the revocation of the Order of Merlin and a life sentence in Azkaban.

If anything was particularly clear, it was probably the jubilant faces of those people and the old woman's dejected eyes.

Ms. Burns cleared her throat: "Ladies and gentlemen, please trust the Ministry of Magic. We will never frame any innocent person, nor will we let any dark wizard go unpunished!"

Given the Ministry of Magic's actions over the past two years, this statement wasn't very convincing, but considering that the detestable Fudge and Umbridge had just stepped down and an exciting trial had just ended, they were willing to wait and see.

After a brief silence, led by Ms. Marchban, the entire Wissengamo jury applauded enthusiastically. In the audience, led by Bagman, everyone stood up and applauded. Even Melvin stood up to show respect, though his applause was somewhat perfunctory.

He knew the truth of these events and admired wizards like Ms. Burns, but it was clear that the Ministry of Magic was not a fairy tale world, and a group of passionate wizards could hardly change the world, especially with Voldemort about to return.

But at least no one will hold us back anymore.

……

Hogwarts, an abandoned classroom.

Winter was drawing to a close, but the snow had not yet melted, and the wind was biting cold. Students huddled in places with fireplaces, in common rooms or the Great Hall, and the castle corridors were silent on weekends. The window was half-open, and Harry stood by it, looking at the dirty snow on the grounds. Sunlight shone on the frozen surface of the Black Lake, and the biting north wind blew softly against him.

What exactly did Professor Trelawney's prophecy mean? Is Voldemort really going to be resurrected and return?

Just then, Ron pushed open the classroom door, and a red-haired head squeezed in: "Harry, you had Nick call us over because you know the trial results are out?"

"Sirius is released in court, Peter is sentenced to life imprisonment." Hermione pushed the door open completely, walked in with light steps, and handed him a freshly inked envelope.

Sirius Black has been acquitted! That's wonderful!

Harry read it over and over again. His anxiety over the prophecy gradually subsided under the wash of joy, and he couldn't help but ask, "The headmaster and professors haven't returned yet, where did you get this letter from?"

“It was sent by Mr. Froome of Honeydukes. I left a note on the candy order form, and he saw the news on the mirror and wrote back to me.” Ron was beaming with pride.

Harry paused for a moment, then glanced at him. "Then why don't you write to Mrs. Rosmerta?"

They all knew that Ron admired the tavern owner. Whenever he went to Hogsmeade on weekends, he would gather at the bar area to get food and drinks and chat about trivial matters. Madam Rosmerta treated him like a little kid, but Ron never tired of it.

"Why didn't you remind me sooner!" Ron's smile froze, filled with regret.

No one cared about his teenage troubles. Hermione looked at Harry, her gaze sweeping over his slightly furrowed brow: "Harry seems to have something on his mind. Sirius has already been released in court, what are you still worried about?"

"It's not about Sirius, it's Professor Trelawney's prophecy..."

Harry took a deep breath and began to recount his experiences after leaving the common room: "Right around the corner next to the Barnabas Tapestry, I met a drunken Professor Trelawney. She was acting very strangely, and I felt she made a real prophecy. She said..."

……

Half an hour later, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurriedly left the classroom and ran towards the headmaster's office on the eighth floor, discussing the prophecy they had just heard from Professor Trelawney along the way.

“The trial ended half an hour ago. The principal and professors should be back at school soon. Let’s go to their offices and wait.” Ron’s tone was anxious.

Hermione looked suspicious and conflicted. She couldn't be sure whether Professor Trelawney's prophecy was just drunken ramblings or a genuine glimpse into the future.

Did I really cancel the wrong course?
Harry understood Hermione's doubts. In fact, he wasn't quite sure if the prophecy was true or false either. He jogged over and said, "It's always better to be cautious with these things... Tell the headmaster and professors what the prophecy is about, and let them decide whether it's true or false."

“Hmm…” Hermione nodded.

The three of them stepped over the stairs, hurried down the corridor, and soon arrived at the principal's office.

The monster stone sculpture at the entrance had changed its posture; its sharp teeth and claws had been retracted, its arched back had relaxed and slumped onto its base, and the lock on the oak door had been released.

If you listen closely, you can still hear faint conversations in the room.

Ron didn't bother to knock and pushed the door open. He was immediately stunned and opened his mouth in surprise.

The room's decor has changed drastically. Plush toys are now on the shelves, the original black and gray curtains have been replaced with sky blue and pink ones, the antique alchemical items on the shelves have been cleared out, and a mirror has been placed in their place.

If it weren't for the portraits of the principal on the wall, someone unfamiliar with the place might think this was a children's room.

Harry and Hermione followed them inside. Not far away, Dumbledore was pouring tea at a desk, while Professor Levent stood by the window.

"I assume you already know the verdict?" Dumbledore looked up at them with a smile.

“Mr. Froome sent us a message that Sirius Black has been acquitted, but we’re not here for the trial,” Harry blurted out, as if something was chasing him.

“Harry met Professor Trelawney half an hour ago. She was acting very strangely, like she was making a prophecy, a real prophecy…”

Hermione's account was simple and clear: "Professor Trelawney said that Voldemort's servants were about to break free of their chains and help Voldemort resurrect."

Melvin and Dumbledore exchanged a glance. To the three students, the two professors wore similar smiles, seemingly unsurprised, even overly calm.

“Not just resurrection!” Harry stared at the two professors. “His power will be even greater, surpassing all that has ever been.”

“Having truly come into close contact with death, one’s soul undergoes certain subtle transformations, and one’s magical power can indeed become stronger.” Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully.

“Professor!” Harry didn’t understand why they were so calm.

"Even if this is a real prophecy, so what?" Melvin suddenly asked.

"Voldemort is about to be resurrected and will soon return."

“What I mean is, there’s nothing wrong with it,” Melvin said calmly.

Harry and Ron were taken aback, not understanding what Professor Levent meant.

“We all know Voldemort isn’t completely dead; his soul can still manipulate others who have fallen. Who knows when a dark wizard like Quirrell might return to Hogwarts…”

Melvin pushed open the window, letting the cold wind rush in, the chill making Ron shiver.
"Instead of just defending and not being able to deal with a half-dead Voldemort, a living Voldemort might be easier to handle. Maybe we can kill him completely. Don't you want to kill him to avenge your parents?"

Harry stood frozen in place, feeling a scorching heat surge from his chest, the burning sensation overpowering the cold wind and making his head spin as he recalled the professor's words.

"Besides, regardless of whether this prophecy is true or false, you have more important things to do."

"What is it?" Harry looked up blankly.

“Give your godfather a hug.” Melvin pointed to the inner room of the office, where Sirius Black had arrived at some point. His thin figure stood there, his eyes brimming with tears.

(End of this chapter)