HP North Star's Radiance

“They’re not interested in music,” Draco said with his eyes closed. “My ancestors did business with Muggles, which is how this manor came to be… You’ve already shown me Muggle books and poetry; isn’t it too late to ask now?”

Praris covered his face with the book and leisurely and roguishly enjoyed the music.

Later, in the side story, Praris 4

The closer the hearing got, the more anxious Draco became.

At first, Draco comforted Praris, even though Praris seemed perfectly fine. Later, it became Praris comforting Draco, pacing back and forth in the bedroom, impatiently ripping open his shirt collar and loosening his tie.

Praris had no choice but to stand up, helplessly taking his hand and gently hugging him: "It's me who's going to have a hearing, not you. How come you're even more restless than me? Didn't you comfort me just a few days ago?"

“Praris, I think…”

"Ok?"

“That therapist won’t give in. I know these self-righteous people, as stubborn as the stubble under the floorboards!” Draco lowered his voice, a cold glint in his eyes. “I happen to have some special works that are enough to drive him insane and confuse his memory… Who would believe someone who spouts nonsense?”

Praris was somewhat surprised. Draco was no longer the same person after the war. Voldemort, Dumbledore's "death," the decline of his family, and other hardships had completely changed him... How could he say such things now?

But soon, her gaze softened, she patted Draco's taut fist, and said softly, "Draco, stop."

"Why?" Draco was agitated. "You're the one going to the hearing, not me! I'm the one who did the evil, not you! Praris, let me do this. All you have to do is... close your eyes and cover your ears."

“No.” Praris looked at Draco, her tone calm and firm. “My eyes will be on your face, and my ears will be on your words.”

“Draco, we’ve finally emerged from the shadow of war, not to be plunged into another lingering gloom.” Her voice softened, her tone gentler. “Besides, I don’t need you to do that—I know far more about how to harm and kill than you do. Your willingness to dirty your hands for me shows me your heart more than a thousand successful hearings, and that’s enough.”

Praris wasn't exaggerating; even though Alexander was a skilled potion-making healer, she could concoct potions he'd never seen before and make him drink them without even realizing it.

But there's no need for that. Getting your hands dirty is the lowest form of tactic, and Praris wouldn't stoop to doing that.

Praliss was both amused and touched by Draco's decision to do this for her. Willingness to do anything for others was a Slytherin's most profound declaration of love. Usually, such treatment was reserved for those with money, power, status, and family, but now she had it all.

“There’s no need to worry,” Praris explained patiently. “After Voldemort’s death, my existence is far too important to the Slytherins. And how could the Gryffindors stand by and watch Dumbledore remain unconscious until his death?”

"This might seem like a crisis to my reputation, or even lead to accusations of me conducting dark magic research and sending me to Azkaban. But actually, not many people would be willing to do that. That's why I say this is actually an opportunity—understand?"

With half the people of Wizengamot voting in favor, how could Prares possibly lose? At this point, abandoning Dumbledore would be a grave mistake, only pushing Gryffindor to the opposing side and failing to maximize their interests.

The Gryffindors might seem ready to charge into battle for justice, but Prasris was a war hero who had endured hardship and humiliation, and Dumbledore was their symbol of justice and their previous leader. To deny Prasris would be tantamount to letting Dumbledore die a slow death, something they didn't want to see.

Praris thought he didn't need to say much, since Narcissa would understand and he could handle everything. As long as Narcissa supported him, Lucius wouldn't ask any more questions.

Draco's self-consolation led Praris to overlook the fact that Draco was actually uneasy and was only putting on a brave face to comfort the person in question, while in his heart he was already thinking about how to turn Alexander into a fool.

Draco was still worried: "Then I'll go with you."

“Hmm?” Praris raised an eyebrow. “Okay.”

On the day of the hearing, Draco was barred from entering.

"You agreed!" Draco said eagerly. "Why can't I go in with you?"

“Didn’t you come with me?” Praris smiled, trying to soothe him. “Alright, alright, don’t be angry. Only the parties involved, witnesses, ministers, deputy ministers, clerks, and members of the Wisengamo can be present. Wait for me outside, okay?”

What else could Draco say?

He could only pace back and forth outside the gate, like a husband anxiously waiting outside a delivery room.

The trial was changed to a hearing, but the venue remained the same: the Ministry of Magic's trial room, which was pitch black, as if the Ministry of Magic was so poor after the war that it couldn't afford to light more lamps.

The people in the front row were all familiar faces. In the very center was Kingsley, who had become the new Minister of Magic. He first gave Praris a secret smile, and then quickly put on a serious face.

To Kingsley's left is Stella, the new deputy minister, who kept a straight face and didn't say a word from the beginning, as if she wanted to distance herself from Praris.

To Kingsley's right is the current Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, an upright Hufflepuff. Stella says his job during Voldemort's reign was to write daily letters to the Daily Prophet, criticizing the Ministry's policies as illegal. Umbridge would then amend the laws, making the illegal legal.

Hermione is at the far left of the first row; she's carrying parchment and a quill. Stella says Hermione volunteered to be the clerk.

“Stuart,” Kingsley cleared his throat, “we can begin.”

Stella turned to Hermione and said, "Granger, are you ready?"

“Yes, Miss Stewart,” Hermione replied calmly.

“The hearing on September 23rd—” Stella read aloud, ““The proposal on the ethical and grading framework for potion research, and the trial of Praris Prince, a researcher at the Potions Research Center of St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Injuries and Illnesses, for suspected dark magic research.”

"Hearing officer: Stella Stewart. Hearing witnesses: Minister for Magic Kingsley Shackle; Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Albert Abbott. Hearing recorder: Hermione Granger. Hearing presenters: Praris Prince, Alexander Shafik."

Stella paused deliberately to make sure Hermione had time to write all of this down.

"This isn't actually in accordance with regulations," Stella once told Praris. "Shafik's accusations against you and the hearings for his proposal are two separate processes, and they're not usually addressed together—but we managed to get it done. I told Abbott that it's the same thing, and he should be more efficient!"

Stella continued, “First, the charges. The charges against the defendant are as follows: The defendant joined the hospital in July 1998 and began treating Albus Dumbledore in April of the following year. During this period, the defendant intentionally used drugs not listed in the Potions Catalog of St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Injuries and Sicknesses on Albus Dumbledore over a long period of time. These drugs were suspected of having the ability to manipulate souls and belonged to the category of Dark Magic Potions. This behavior violated the Restriction of Dark Magic Items Act of 7 and the Healers’ Regulations amended in 4.”

"You are Alexander Shafik, a healer at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Illnesses?" Stella inquired in a very stern tone.

“It’s me.” Alexander raised his hand and wiped the sweat from his brow.

"Do you have any evidence that the defendant manipulated Albus Dumbledore's mind?"

“Yes, yes,” Alexander said, then handed over a roll of parchment. “This is my evidence.”

Stella's tone softened a bit as she called out to her left, "Granger, please."

Hermione stood up, took Alexander's report, and presented it to Stella. Stella unfolded the parchment, held it between herself and Kingsley, and the two whispered something before quickly passing it to Albert.

The report circulated among the members of Wizengamot. Some looked puzzled, some stroked their chins in thought, some raised their eyebrows, and some passed it on to the next person without even looking at it—that was a Slytherin who had no intention of reading it.

The report eventually returned to Hermione, who, at Stella's prompting, handed it to Praris, who skimmed through it and returned it.

“Alright!” Stella spoke again. “You are the defendant, Praris Prince, a researcher at the Potions Research Center of St. Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Injuries and Illnesses?”

“That’s right,” Praris said.

"St. Mungo's Hospital for the Magical Injuries and Sicknesses has a strict 'Standard Potions Catalog,' which strictly limits the potions used by healers during treatment. Defendant Prince, did you use any drugs on Albus Dumbledore that were not listed in the hospital's potions catalog?"

"Yes."

Stella's opening remarks drew surprise from many in the audience. Everyone knew Stella was a Slytherin. Her offer to be the host was seen by many as an attempt to take sides. But her directness from the very beginning made them suspect she was there to betray her own kin.

It's not impossible, some people think. Slytherins have done their fair share of climbing the ranks by stepping on their peers. Who knows, maybe Stewart is trying to cultivate an image of impartiality to pave the way for becoming minister.

Stella leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp, pressing him relentlessly: "Are you fully aware that your actions violated the regulations of St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Disorders, and also the basic norms of the 'Healer Management Regulations'?"

“It seems so,” Praris said calmly, “but that’s not the case.”

Stella raised her voice: "The defendant's statement is ambiguous. Please answer the questions directly!"

“First of all, a very obvious mistake: I am not a therapist,” Prarese said sarcastically, then added a second later, “but this is a common mistake for laypeople, and it’s not surprising. Not all staff at St. Mungo’s are therapists; there are nurses and pharmacists, among others. Therefore, it is absurd to say that I violated the Therapist Regulations.”

"Does this prove you're practicing medicine without a license?" Stella quickly switched guns and continued her pursuit. "You know perfectly well you're not a healer, yet you treated Albus Dumbledore?"

The members from the other three houses of Wizengamor couldn't help but exchange glances. The wizards and witches would rather suspect infighting within Slytherin than believe that a Slytherin could be so selfless.

But to be honest, it's not impossible that Stewart actually had a pretty good reputation during the war...

“That’s wrong too,” Praris countered again. “According to the St. Mungo’s charter, in the face of rare, special, or unresponsive cases, the use of newly developed potions not listed in the catalog is permitted after obtaining the signed consent of three senior healers—that is part of the apothecary’s job.”

In the eyes of the Wisengamo members, the accusations seemed to lack rigor in the two Q&A sessions.

Stella pressed on, giving Prarese no chance to catch her breath: "So, did you obtain the consent form described in the regulations, signed by three senior therapists?"

Yes, that's the most important question.

Alexander, standing to the side, had a calm expression, as if he already had a positive answer to the question.

“No,” Praris said clearly and firmly.

The people of Wisengam immediately perked up.

"Because the patient Albus Dumbledore's condition met the supplementary provisions of the charter, which state that in cases of extreme urgency and involving significant public interest, consent may be ratified retroactively."

"Officials of the Ministry of Magic, wizards of Wizengamor. We are not discussing an ordinary treatment, but the life of a hero of many wizarding wars—Albus Dumbledore."

"Just like the Longbottoms, who had been mentally unstable for over a decade, all conventional treatments quickly proved ineffective shortly after Dumbledore's hospitalization."

"Potential researchers, or simply apothecaries, are in fact adventurous. All our research is at the forefront of potion science, and every attempt—to paraphrase Dumbledore's words when he was fighting Voldemort—is about finding a glimmer of possibility in the impossible."

"When all methods have failed, should I stand idly by and adhere to those rigid rules and regulations, or should I snatch people from the clutches of death like a true potion researcher?"

"There must be warriors and survivors of the last Wizarding War here. Just as Dumbledore was willing to stand up for everyone, I will never abandon any comrade who still has hope, just as I have saved his life countless times in the past."

"It's said that Slytherin is all about victory and will stop at nothing to achieve it. I admit that. But when it comes to saving more lives, using any means necessary is not a fault."

Stella, who had been relentlessly pursuing him, stopped asking questions and instead indulged Praris's endless chatter.

Unfortunately, no one was paying attention to this at the moment. The Slytherins raised their chins, while the people from the other houses looked thoughtful.

After the two Wizarding Wars, Slytherin was heavily criticized, even though they did not side with Voldemort and remained neutral.

Prarees' words revealed another side of Slytherin's character, and made the wizards and wizards think – special cases should be handled specially. Slytherin still has feelings for Dumbledore, so how can they just watch Dumbledore be hopeless?

Later, in the side story, Praris 5

Praris's words were so persuasive that even the wizards of Wizengamo couldn't help but show subtle signs of wavering.

“I object.” Alexander’s expression was calm, and his deep voice slowly rose. “Ultimately, Praris violated the rules. If breaking the law is justified simply because there’s a reason, then what is the point of the law?”

Albert raised his head, seemingly agreeing with the viewpoint.

“Prarez, you administer medication to patients without obtaining consent because you know you simply cannot get consent.” He pointed out the loophole incisively. “As a senior therapist, I can say with certainty that I would never sign a consent form.”

"Now, of course you can say that it's an exception made for Dumbledore. Dumbledore is a war hero, isn't Harry Potter? Harry Potter is a hero, but what about the members of the Order of the Phoenix? If the members of the Order of the Phoenix are heroes, then aren't the Hogwarts students who participated in the battle heroes too?"

Alexander stretched out his hands, and as the number of people increased, his arms gradually opened.

“Praris, I admire your talent.” As the plaintiff who initiated the accusation, he uttered this surprising statement, but his next sentence made everyone realize the truth: “That’s precisely why you terrify me. Your future is limitless. If it weren’t for your age, no one would doubt that you are a Potions Master. In the future, you will create more and more dangerous potions, apply them to more people, and put potion research on a train to the abyss, causing—incalculable consequences.”

Praris's low profile often makes people overlook her extraordinary talent, but Alexander Shafik, with his extensive experience, knows what a promising girl she is.

If you don't clip a bird's primary flight feathers early on, you can't prevent it from flying freely through the sky. Whether she will become the next Dumbledore or the next Grindelwald, nobody can say for sure.

This was Hermione's first time witnessing a trial, and it deeply shocked her. Her experiences in exile and war had matured her rapidly, but politically she was still just a promising newcomer.

Almost every time someone spoke, Hermione had an "Ah, I see!" feeling, thinking it made perfect sense. But the next person spoke, and she was convinced again. And the next time, she was still led astray.

Hermione couldn't help but wonder, what if everyone's starting point is justice? If the goal is imperfect justice, should we still continue to strive for it?

She would undoubtedly continue, but… Hermione couldn’t help but recall Kingsley’s wry smile when she applied to be a clerk. He had told her, “Hermione, reality is probably not what you imagine… A sincere piece of advice: in debates with politicians, you don’t need to think about who is right, but you must remember what you want to achieve.”

This combined trial and hearing debate became an important mentor for Hermione's political path. Kingsley taught her the theory, Prareas demonstrated the practice, and she, as a student sitting in the hall, would one day battle with all her might for the rights of house-elves.

“Mr. Shafik, you are right.” Praris affirmed Stella’s position and then her opponent, but everyone knew she wouldn’t admit defeat. “The rules are of course inviolable—but the rules are not static.”