Chapter 237 Sirius Black (a Big Chapter Thanks to the Leader of "Clouds in the Mist"!)

Chapter 237 Sirius Black (Big chapter thanks to the leader of "Clouds in the Mists"!)

The Auror nodded and went out without saying a word. Fudge looked down at Peter with some annoyance, then at Crouch, and announced: "The trial will be adjourned temporarily. The trial will continue after Black arrives."

The sound of clothing being rubbed and documents being sorted could be heard in the interrogation room. The chatter became louder, but still sounded like an indistinct murmur, a humming echo. Anthony saw Professor Bubaji stand up from the bench below, turn around and say something to Ms. Bones. Crouch still had a straight face and sat motionless in his seat.

Peter opened his watery little eyes and looked at the people on the bench above, and occasionally glanced quickly behind him, looking at the small door in the corner of the room that Kingsley passed by when he left. The chains tied him tightly to the chair.

Professor McGonagall stood up: "Let's go out."

Anthony and Lupine followed her down the steps. Peter shrank toward the corner farther away from them. Professor McGonagall gave him a hateful look, but Lupine just walked over expressionlessly. Anthony paused for a moment and found that Peter was shaking even more violently, and his thin hair was blown wildly by the wind brought in when Professor McGonagall opened the door.

The professors at Hogwarts were still sitting at the door waiting. As soon as he saw them coming out, Professor Sprout stood up and asked, "How is it, Minerva? We saw Kingsley coming out in a hurry."

"The court is adjourned," said Professor McGonagall. "Crouch has asked Sirius to attend. Kingsley has gone to Azkaban to find him."

"What?" asked Professor Sprout. "Suddenly brought up in court?"

"This is a standard request." Professor Flitwick said, "Let me think about what it says in the Wizengamot Charter of Rights... Well, I can't remember the specific provisions, but in general, If a very important witness is unavailable or unable to testify, the entire trial will be deemed invalid. Sirius Black is indeed...a very important witness."

Professor Sprout said: "But he has gone crazy!"

"I'm afraid that's what Crouch wants." Professor McGonagall said seriously. "Without the testimony of important witnesses, Pettigrew might be acquitted - in this case, Sirius would still be responsible for James' death. Tom and Lily died as traitors, and Crouch’s verdict was not wrong.”

Snape stood up abruptly.

"Where is Dumbledore?" he asked sharply. "What is Dumbledore doing? Showing his compassion and tolerance?"

"Calm down, Severus." Professor McGonagall said sternly, "Albus naturally has his own judgment. The results of the trial have not come out yet, and it is not time to draw conclusions yet."

Anthony said: "Maybe Sirius Black is not crazy after all." He hoped that his tone sounded more determined than he did now, but judging from the expressions of his colleagues, he obviously failed.

Professor Sprout said: "Perhaps Peter Pettigrew will plead guilty on his own."

"Not much hope, I must say," Lupine said quietly, looking at Anthony again and smiling sadly, "Both."

Everyone was silent for a while, until Professor Flitwick asked worriedly: "Are you okay, Severus?"

Only then did Anthony realize that Snape's hand hanging by his side was clutching his powerful Veritaserum so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Don't do anything stupid, Severus," said Professor Sprout.

Professor Flitwick also said: "Even if you rush in now and pour Veritaserum down Peter Pettigrew's throat, they can still deny his confession and argue that his memory and cognition have been tampered with by magic."

Snape twisted his face and looked at the door of the interrogation room beside him, with obvious unwillingness in his eyes.

At this moment, there was a sound of footsteps suddenly coming from the end of the corridor.

Anthony looked over with the others and saw a man coming down the stairs. A dirty wizard's robe hung empty on his tall and thin body. His long hair was tangled and spread over his shoulders, almost blocking his sallow and thin face, but no one could fail to notice his eyes that were dancing with fire.

Kingsley followed him, pointing his wand at him.

Professor McGonagall exclaimed, "Sirius!"

Sirius said hoarsely, "Minerva." He sounded like he hadn't spoken for a long time, like a broken bellows.

Kingsley whispered, "If you have anything to say, hurry up. Five minutes max."

"Thank you, Kingsley," said Professor McGonagall.

But everyone was silent, staring silently at Sirius, a man they all thought had gone crazy.

Professor McGonagall finally said: "As long as our interrogation is in compliance with regulations, I think the verdict will be a Dementor's Kiss. ​​The Minister wants a sensational news."

"A Dementor's kiss," Sirius repeated. "Great."

His eyes slowly moved away from Professor McGonagall and turned to Professor Sprout and Anthony next to him - he looked at Anthony blankly for a while, as if trying to remember who he was, and Professor McGonagall briefly introduced Once, Sirius nodded - then Lupin.

His eyes lingered on Lupine's face for a long time.

Sirius said hoarsely: "Oh my god, why are you so old?"

"Look who's saying that," said Lupine.

Sirius stared at Lupin's face. He said very slowly: "I heard you caught him?"

Lupin said: "Yes. You changed people, didn't you?"

Sirius nodded slowly, a very complicated look appeared on his face, but he didn't say a word in the end.

Lupin looked at him for a while, smiled lightly, and shook his head.

Sirius also grinned, showing his yellow teeth. His eyes moved down a little and saw Professor Flitwick. Just like when he saw Professor Sprout, he seemed to have a hard time remembering who he was.

"Long time no see, Professor Flitwick." He said, now much more relaxed and fluent.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Black." Professor Flitwick said sharply.

Sirius smiled, and then he saw Snape.

Snape was standing by the wall near the bench, with an undisguised disgust on his face. Even though they were discussing how to proceed with the interrogation of Peter after Sirius went crazy, seeing Sirius in a sane state seemed to only fill Snape's heart with disappointment.

"What is this Death Eater doing here?" Sirius asked contemptuously.

"Severus is also a professor at Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall said sternly, "He helped us a lot."

Sirius laughed hoarsely: "He? Help?"

Snape said in a more contemptuous tone: "More than you can provide in prison, of course."

"He is indeed here to help, Sirius." Lupin said, "He even prepared a strong truth serum for Peter."

Kingsley reminded: "It's time."

Sirius looked at Snape distrustfully for a few times, and suddenly said: "Give it to me."

"What?" Lupin asked.

"Veritaserum." Sirius said.

"What are you going to do, Sirius?" Professor McGonagall said, "I told you, we need an interrogation that complies with the procedures!"

"Give me the words, Snape." Sirius said, stretching out his hand in front of Snape.

Snape's face showed deep hatred, as if he wanted to break Sirius's skinny fingers one by one. His nostrils fluttered. Sirius's eyes were filled with disgust, but he stared at Snape stubbornly, holding out his hand.

Several people's voices rang out: "Sirius, you can't use truth serum--" "Don't be impulsive!" "Mr. Black!"

Kingsley also said: "Go in quickly." He opened the door of the interrogation room.

Snape suddenly put the truth serum in Sirius's hand. Sirius' fingers tightened, turned around with satisfaction, and walked into the interrogation room with Kingsley's wand against him.

The people outside the interrogation room were too late to stop him. Professor McGonagall glanced at the transparent bottle in Sirius's hand, turned her head and looked at Snape reproachfully, and walked into the room with Anthony and Lupin.

The heavy black door closed behind them again.

…

"The important witness has been brought in, Minister." Kingsley said. Anthony, Professor McGonagall and Lupin returned to the audience.

The interrogation room was silent. Everyone was looking at Sirius standing at the door. Many people's eyes were wide open, surprised at how he could still stand, and a few people seemed very happy. Anthony glanced at Dumbledore. He was standing next to Fudge, looking down at Sirius, but the distance was too far for Anthony to see his expression.

Peter curled up in a ball in his chair and carefully leaned over to take a look. Sirius immediately caught his sight, his face twisted, revealing a terrifying smile. As soon as Peter met his eyes, he screamed and shrank back into his chair.

"Sirius Black!" a member of the Wizengamot said in surprise, as if he had never thought that he could really come.

"It's me," said Sirius. His answer caused several more exclamations.

Peter seemed to tremble even more violently, so that the chains on the chair also made a rattling sound. Sirius's face was covered with a sarcastic smile. Beside Anthony, Lupin sat up straight, his hand on his wand.

"Don't be nervous, Mr. Black is very advantageous." Anthony said. Lupin let go of his wand and smiled at him.

Fudge looked down at Sirius in confusion, as if he didn't understand why he could speak so clearly. But a smile appeared on his ruddy face, and he sat down with satisfaction.

"Reopen the court!" Fudge said loudly, "The important witness has appeared, Mr. Crouch. The trial begins!"

The members of the Wizengamot hurriedly flipped through the documents, shaking various materials, but Anthony could see that they were not reading at all, just to find something to do. The clerk picked up the quill and his chin and began to record hurriedly.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask Sirius Black." Fudge said amiably, "You can start, Mr. Crouch."

Crouch's face was pale and he looked at Sirius in confusion. He asked with difficulty: "Are you sure you are sane, Mr. Black?"

"I've never been so sure." Sirius said, turning his head and staring at Peter who was close at hand, and whispered, "Never."

Crouch made a few faint and strange sounds in his throat. Peter wailed, as if Sirius had just stabbed him with his eyes. He tried desperately to sit away from Sirius.

The members of the Wizengamot also noticed this.

"Please ask the witness to speak at the table." A voice said.

"The witness can speak beside the defendant." Fudge said.

Anthony whispered to Professor McGonagall: "Mr. Fudge's bias is very obvious."

Professor McGonagall nodded, still tightly pursed her lips.

Several people discussed in a low voice for a while, and reluctantly agreed.

Sirius turned around and repeated again: "I am very sure that I am sane."

"But...but, how is this possible?" said a member of the Wizengamot, "Did the Azkaban guards neglect their duties?"

Umbridge said delicately: "Impossible, they never show mercy to criminals."

Crouch said: "But we have a living example in front of us now. Under the guard of the guards you have fully guaranteed, a person has spent eleven years, but he is still mentally intact and in good health. It is difficult for us not to suspect that the Death Eaters are on vacation in Azkaban."

"Please don't discuss things that are not related to this case." Ms. Bones said, "Please continue your testimony, Mr. Black."

"Ask me questions." Sirius said hoarsely, " I promise I will answer truthfully. "

"Please describe to us what happened before the death of Mr. and Mrs. Potter." A man in the Wizengamot said businesslike, "Then tell us whether you betrayed Mr. and Mrs. Potter and whether you are responsible for the death of Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

Sirius' eyes sparkled: "I will tell you. That day was Halloween Eve, and we were going to celebrate a little, but just before we set off, I suddenly received an alarm that Voldemort and the Death Eaters attacked our people. I was worried that he would be in danger-" Sirius pointed at Peter, and Peter twitched, "-so I immediately rushed to his house. There was clean and empty, and there was no sign of fighting. "

"Why did you first react to go to Peter Pettigrew's house?" asked a wizard in the Wizengamot.

Sirius whispered: "I was just about to say this. I didn't betray James and Lily, never. But..." He paused in his statement, "But I am indeed responsible for their death because I persuaded James to change the secret keeper to Peter Pettigrew... this traitor..."

He took a step towards Peter Pettigrew. Peter's eyes were wide open, tears rolling down from them.

"Sirius - Sirius Black!" Peter said in a breathless voice, "How dare you, you betrayed James -"

"Lies!" Sirius shouted, and he pounced on Peter, his tall and thin figure looming over Peter, "You are still lying now - you have the guts to -"

He reached out and grabbed Peter's neck, and the heavy interrogation chair almost overturned. Peter screamed and struggled in his seat, his face flushed.

"Sirius!" Lupin shouted.

Sirius turned a deaf ear to him and just stared at Peter, his eyes flashing with madness. He put his whole weight on his hands, and his dry hands embedded in Peter's fat neck. Peter opened his mouth and made a strange crackling sound in his throat. His eyes bulged out horribly.

Several spells shot out from the seats of the Wizengamot, pulling Sirius away from Peter. Several ropes shot out from wands and tied up Sirius. Dumbledore stood up and conjured a chintz armchair out of thin air, letting the tied Sirius sit on the chair.

Sirius panted violently, his head leaning on the back of the chair.

Professor McGonagall whispered: "In compliance with the regulations!"

"He is a lunatic! A murderer!" Peter said sharply, "Did you see? He wanted to kill me in court!"

There was a whisper of agreement in the Wizengamot. Several wizards pointed at Sirius in annoyance and whispered, shaking their heads repeatedly, as if they were greatly offended. Fudge opened his mouth, and Umbridge stared at Sirius.

"Please don't disrupt the order of the court," Crouch said with satisfaction, glancing at Sirius' seat, "otherwise you will greatly reduce the credibility of your claim of sanity... In fact, I ask the court to consider whether the testimony of such a person is really credible?"

"I believe that the members of the Wizengamot will make their own judgments." Ms. Bones said, "Please don't try to guide the topic, Mr. Crouch."

A member of the Wizengamot flipped through the documents and read them flatly: "Eyewitnesses said that Black killed several Muggles... Black stood on the street laughing, surrounded by the bodies of Muggles... Dumbledore admitted that Black was the secret keeper of the Potters..."

"I was obviously wrong at that time." Dumbledore said calmly.

"Eleven years have passed, Black can certainly say whatever he wants." A wizard in the Wizengamot said sarcastically, "Privately changing the secret keeper, but unless the Potters stand up from the grave themselves, there is no witness to prove it..."

Anthony murmured "hmm" softly. Professor McGonagall glared at him sternly: "Henry!"

"Absolutely not." Anthony said soothingly, "I just couldn't help but think about it... The way he worded it made it hard for me not to suspect that he was hinting at me."

Professor McGonagall shook her head: "Don't even you..."

Lupin looked at them a little puzzled, but the interrogation soon occupied his attention again.

"Eleven years ago, you were sentenced to prison. Why didn't you appeal at that time?" One person asked, "Even in Azkaban, if you asked for a retrial - for example, you suddenly thought of the inside information of several Death Eaters as proof of your repentance -"

Sirius raised his head and said hoarsely: "I am not a Death Eater, how can I have their inside information?"

A member of the Wizengamot said: "You were accused of being a Death Eater, and you did not deny it at the time."

Sirius seemed to want to say something, but Crouch did not give him the opportunity.

Crouch said: "Back then, we received evidence that the Black family was a loyal supporter of the mysterious man. In this situation, Sirius Black became a double agent, pretending to be a friend of the Potters to gain their trust, while continuously providing intelligence to the mysterious man. In the end, as a gift to the mysterious man, he betrayed the Potters-"

Peter shouted: "Black, James trusts you so much, he must let you be his secret keeper, how can you bear it-"

Another person said: "There is no evidence-"

"You are now asking for a retrial, Dumbledore-"

Fudge said: "Quiet-"

None of them finished speaking, and they were interrupted by exclamations.

Sirius struggled and actually broke free from several of the ropes, freeing his hands. Even though they were tied to the chair, Peter still closed his mouth in fear and shrank to the side, looking terrified and pitiful.

But Sirius didn't look at Peter again. He pressed the stopper of the transparent bottle with his thumb and index finger and lifted it up.

The stopper fell to the ground with a crisp sound, rolled twice on the rough floor of the interrogation room, and stopped.

It was a very small bottle, and from Anthony's angle, it was almost impossible to see what was inside. Sirius raised his head and shook his hands impatiently.

Anthony couldn't see what happened - probably a drop of potion slipped into his mouth - Sirius' eyes immediately became empty.

He lowered his head, coughed a few times, and said in a low voice: "Strong truth serum. I swear, every word I said is true." His tone was flat and his eyes were dull, but there was still sober madness in his expression.

He raised his head, glanced around the Wizengamot, and finally stared at Dumbledore, saying very slowly: "I will never betray James and Lily. I would rather die than betray them."

The interrogation room fell into silence. Lupin took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

Dumbledore's voice echoed in the interrogation room: "I believe it."

Peter shrieked: "He's crazy! He can escape the Dementors, who knows if he has any other tricks!"

"Veritaserum cannot be used as a criterion for the truthfulness of a confession." said another person.

"But it can greatly enhance credibility." Ms. Bones said, not hiding her emotion.

"Don't you want to know why I am sober?" Sirius said very calmly facing Crouch. Even though he was sitting at the bottom of the room, tied up with ropes, skinny, and disheveled, he still looked like he was looking down at Crouch somehow.

"I tell you," he said, "I can stay sober because I am very sure that I am innocent."

"But..."

Sirius interrupted the other person, raised the small bottle in his hand, and stared at Peter.

"Here are several drops." Sirius said, "Why don't you drink one drop and repeat what I said, Peter?"

4000 words of the combined chapter last night + 2000 words of the single chapter for extra updates!

Because the plot is uncomfortable no matter where it ends, I just updated a big chapter, but I couldn't hold on until the end and fell asleep orz