Truth Serum is a potion strictly regulated by the Ministry of Magic, which is not allowed to be used even during the interrogation of ordinary prisoners. Only those black witches with severe crimes and posing significant danger to the magical world, who have obtained approval from Amelia Bones and Cornelius Fudge, are permitted to use it.
The reliability of this potion is beyond doubt. When Peter's trembling voice echoed in the courtroom, the hall fell silent, and there were no more doubts among the people.
Amortostar had expected the trial, which seemed like a formality, to end here, but she did not expect that Batu Crouch would say again.
"Peter 'Wiggleworth', you will also face a second charge from the Ministry of Magic. Last November, for some reason, you left the side of Ron Ignotius Weasley, who is currently studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and hid in the owl house on the school grounds. During this time, you used a Dementor's curse to control Draco Malfoy, a third-year wizard at the school, for a period of three months, causing him severe harm."
Batu Crouch leaned forward, her sharp eyes like an eagle fixed on Peter 'Wiggleworth'.
"--Currently, Draco Malfoy is still receiving treatment at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries--"
Amortostar furrowed his brow, then with a flick of his fingers, he contained the sound around him and Dumbledore.
"Revealing this incident would mean telling everyone about our failure, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore's silvery white eyebrows moved, he looked straight ahead and said calmly,
"We must admit, Amortostar, that Hogwarts has not protected its students. If people hold us accountable for this, it is something we must bear."
Amortostar let out a cold snort, and a faint trace of a different light flashed through his eyes as he stared at Batu Crouch's back.
"Fudge and Bones looked a bit taken aback. This probably wasn't the question that had been planned to be thrown out beforehand. Was it Lucius Malfoy? He bribed Batu Crouch to add more charges against Peter, is that it?"
Amortostar wore a cold expression. If that were the case, Lucius Malfoy had truly done a foolish thing. Since he had asked Amortostar directly, and then turned around to secretly seek out Batu Crouch, it was clear that he didn't trust him.
Although Lucius' trust was worthless to him, such behavior towards Amortostar was an act of disrespect.
"Because Draco, Lucius Malfoy cannot tolerate Peter or step into Azkaban, so --"
"If you knew old Batu as well as I do, you wouldn't have such a guess."
Dumbledore interrupted Amortostar's words.
"The error of Sirius Black is a huge stain on the old Batu, next to the shame brought by his son, Connelly hopes that Batu can bear the mistake made by the Ministry of Magic, but a wizard like Batu would not be willing to let his reputation fall. "
Amortostar blinked, understanding dawned on him.
As a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Magic, his son being a Death Eater was already deadly enough. But the miscarriage of justice in Sirius Black's case had led to him being branded as 'an idiot'. But Batu Crouch was clearly not satisfied. He wanted to make some eye-catching moves to gain the support of some people.
The facts were as Amortostar had predicted.
"--Peter 'Wiggleworth', accused of revealing the whereabouts of the Potter family to a dark wizard, resulting in their deaths. Accused of killing multiple muggles, accused of using a Dementor's curse to control an underage wizard, several crimes to be considered together and sentenced to death!"
As Batu Crouch's cold voice echoed through the courtroom, the vast stone chamber fell into a prolonged silence. Many people stared at Batu Crouch's stern back with eyes of disbelief, including Sirius Black himself, who was situated below.
During the days when Sirius was detained by the Ministry of Magic, he had already thought things through. He realized that Peter probably saved his most cherished life, and that all those former Death Eaters who had committed serious crimes were sentenced to permanent imprisonment in Azkaban. Wizenheim was unlikely to make an exception for Peter this time.
Now, however, Batu Crouch, who had personally sent him to Azkaban, was suggesting that the jury sentence Peter to death. Sirius stared at Batu Crouch in shock, unsure whether he should hate him or be grateful to him.
"Wait, Batu, I mean... it should be imprisonment, not death!"
Fudge finally came back to his senses. He got up from the chair, leaning forward, with his lips curling up, he spoke quickly.
At the same time, the impact of this suggestion finally spread, and for the first time since Amortostar had entered the courtroom, there was such a loud uproar.
To his surprise, there were not a few Death Eaters in the courtroom, and some of the attendees' faces were flushed with anger, struggling to decide whether Peter should be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
"What do you think, Dumbledore?"
Seeing that old Batu didn't pay any attention to him, Fudge wiped the sweat from his forehead and remembered Dumbledore's opinion.
Execution is a severe punishment that has not been used for many years. If this punishment is imposed on Peter 'Wiggleworth', it would only be detrimental to Fudge, who is currently the Minister of Magic. He would not risk causing criticism and backlash from extremists just to gain their support!
"Now, please make a decision!"
Batu saw through Connelly's intention to drag Albus into the mud. He didn't give him the chance, and his gaze swept across the room, urging the jury to make a decision immediately.
Finally, Peter's mind seemed to be clearer. He covered his face and couldn't bear to look at the hands that were being raised one after another, his cries were sharp and piercing.
No one on the first row raised their hand, including Amortostar. He didn't want to expose his intention in such a scene.
This is just a show. Old Batu never expected the Wizengamot to agree with the suggestion of executing Peter; he merely wanted to express his tough stance against evil.
"Very good -- those in favor of sentencing Peter 'Wiggleworth' to life imprisonment, please raise your hands --"
Batu Crouch, with a solemn face, spoke again this time the proposal was received by the majority of the attendees.
Peter wailed, and this time, it was not out of fear but out of joy!
He managed to survive after all, even in the dreadful place of Azkaban, as long as he was alive, there was hope!
Peter was dragged away by several Aurors who were guarding him. Since the verdict had been made, these Aurors immediately carried out the resolution of the Wizengamot. They would take Peter to the ninth floor of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, where there was a room storing the keys to the gate to Azkaban.
Fudge heaved a sigh of relief. No matter what, execution had been prevented, and his Ministry of Magic would not be criticized for it. He gave Batu Crouch an unattractive smile, indicating that he could end the trial, but Batu Crouch once again did something unexpected.
Batu Crouch ignored Fudge's hint, turned his head, and looked at Sirius Black with disgust, suddenly making the members who had just relaxed into a state of confusion.
"Sirius Black, you will be charged with illegally learning and using Animagus!"
(End of chapter)
