Ancient Wizards Return to Hogwarts...

Chapter 339 The Investigation Reopens, the Wisengamo Conference Begins

Rice was unaware of the drama unfolding between Hufflepuff and Hermione on the other side of the library, nor did he know that Helga had inadvertently added another note to his little notebook.

Even if he knew, he wouldn't care too much: This is all your own choice, Helga Hufflepuff! Back then, you voluntarily gave up setting admission standards for students and instead chose to accept all, which caused your house's reputation to decline and made it even harder to recruit highly talented individuals—think about it, when Hagrid introduced the various houses to Harry, he said that Hufflepuff was full of "good-for-nothings," which genius would want to go to a house with such a stereotype?

Compared to him, his Slytherin was truly miserable, inexplicably turning into this grotesque state, which made him furious just thinking about it.

Even if Helga were given another chance, she still wouldn't change her admissions criteria. Because this is the Hufflepuff School that truly reflects her dream…

We can't let a young wizard receive an acceptance letter, experience the magical world, arrive at Hogwarts, and then slink back home because he "fails," can we?

This is far too cruel to these children.

"Are you hungry? Why don't you go get something to eat?" After hearing a rumble in her stomach, Rice closed the book in her hand and looked at Daphne.

"Ah, okay!" Daphne smiled a little embarrassedly; she was indeed quite hungry. She hadn't eaten much breakfast, wandered around Hogsmeade, and followed Rice through the tunnels under the Shrieking Shack, only managing to drink a Butterbeer. Now, she was starving.

Upon arriving at the auditorium, Daphne quickly forked several sizzling pieces of grilled meat and placed them on her plate to replenish her energy.

Just then, an owl flew over and dropped an envelope in front of Rice.

Upon opening it, I found it was a letter from Mr. Henry.

In the letter, he told Rice that Amelia Burns, the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, had contacted him a few days ago, asking what it would take for him to support her as Minister for Magic. Burns was a very shrewd and capable person, meeting Rice's previous requirements, and Mr. Henry wanted to know Rice's opinion on Burns.

Rice didn't have much of an opinion. He wasn't familiar with the officials at the Ministry of Magic, and the decision-making power actually remained with Mr. Henry.

However, he still asked Mr. Henry to meet him in Hogsmeade.

Rice felt it was time to clear Sirius's name, and in his view, such matters had to be handled openly and honestly, which required the power of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Fortunately, Amelia Borns was the head of that department, and they also needed Mr. Henry's help.

Mr. Henry’s reply arrived before dinner, and the meeting was scheduled for tomorrow morning at Madame Patiff’s Tea House.

After receiving a reply, Rice managed to find Sirius Black and then asked him to go to Hogsmeade with him the next day.

"It's time to let the truth come to light."

Sirius Black trembled with excitement upon hearing Rice's words.

"This is wonderful! This is wonderful! I've waited thirteen years for this day!" His eyes turned red with excitement. But after he calmed down, he noticed a detail.

"Why did they choose such a lousy place as the location?"

Is there something wrong with this teahouse?

Sirius Black's expression was strange: "It's alright, you'll see when you get there..."

Rice was somewhat puzzled. This puzzle was answered the next day when he led Sirius to Madame Patiffe's Tea House: the tea house was a bit too feminine, looking like a place where young couples would go on a date.

Now that Hogsmeade Day is over, the teahouse is rather deserted without the couples from Hogwarts.

Soon, Rice met Mr. Henry.

Before Henry could even enter the teahouse, Rice blocked his way at the entrance and led him to the Three Broomsticks bar—Rice simply couldn't stand discussing business in such a place.

Rice breathed a sigh of relief when he entered the chaotic room with the three brooms. He led Henry and Sirius deeper into the tavern and found a place to sit down at the back of the room near the fireplace.

"Alright, now we can get down to business. Sirius, sit down too. Henry is trustworthy as well."

"Sirius?" Mr. Henry looked up blankly, and then saw that the black dog from before had turned into Sirius.

Henry: !!!

He never expected that Sirius was actually an Animagus! Now he understood why this guy had been able to escape from Azkaban and had never been captured.

"I need the Ministry of Magic to reopen the investigation from back then. Sirius Black was innocent."

Henry: Huh?

His brain couldn't process so much information at once.

Rice explained the complex relationship between Sirius and Peter the Pettigrew to Mr. Henry in the simplest possible language, which amazed him.

Sirius sat to one side, remaining silent from beginning to end. He had thought that someone like Henry Greengrass would find it difficult to believe his story based solely on Rice's account, but to his surprise, Mr. Henry showed no sign of questioning him.

"So you need me to help Mr. Black clear his name?" After hearing Rice's words, Henry understood Rice's intention.

"Yes, I've brought you the key to the problem as well." Rice pulled out the cage containing Splatter. Splatter was still fast asleep in the cage, completely unaware that his identity had been discovered by many people.

"That's fantastic!" Mr. Henry's face lit up with joy. "With Peter in hand, I can take him to Borns, and then she can, in her capacity as the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, reconvene the Wizengamor Conference and restart the trial from back then."

Rice nodded in satisfaction, glancing at Sirius beside him, wondering if he would be willing to return to Greengrass Manor with Henry to await the day of the public trial.

At that time, the injustice he has carried for more than ten years will be cleared, and those who caused his downfall will be held accountable.

"Okay!" Sirius was quite excited after meeting Peter, and when he heard Rice's suggestion, he agreed without hesitation.

Rice breathed a sigh of relief: Sirius's matter was now settled.

He will regain his innocence in a grand and just trial. Justice delayed may not be justice at all, but it is better late than never.

"Remember to write to Dumbledore before the trial and tell him the whole story," Rice reminded Henry, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation.

"Of course!" Henry replied.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The second update is here!

The next chapter will be at midnight.

(End of this chapter)