Translated text: What is the Ministry of Magic most concerned about in a series of events?
That can't be the innocence of Sirius Black, nor is it the fact that Peter, who was awarded the First Class Merlin of Honor as a hero, is actually the real culprit. Overall, what the Ministry of Magic is most concerned about is how Sirius Black escaped from Azkaban.
The dreadful, heart-piercing creature of the soul-snatching is guarding Azkaban, which is a sharp blade in the Ministry of Magic's hands. This place is repulsive and no one would like it, but because of this, the Ministry of Magic is respected.
Like Hagrid or Remus Lupin, when it comes to strength, they are both excellent wizards. They may not fear death, but Azkaban and its guards are certainly something they fear.
Now, a wizard who can leave the so-called absolutely unescapable Azkaban prison is a shake to some extent of the Ministry of Magic's governing foundation!
Therefore, after taking Sirius from Amortus and Dumbledore, Fudge immediately ordered Rufus to figure out this problem.
Barty Crouch Jr. is one of the top three powerful officials in the Ministry of Magic, and he is also involved in this matter. He knows all the secrets of this series of events, but no one expected that he would turn against his own side at the eleventh hour.
Dumbledore doesn't seem particularly shocked. He has raised these high-ranking officials in the Ministry of Magic, and he knows very well what they would do in various situations. In comparison to him, Fudge's performance can be described as panic-stricken.
"We--said we wouldn't, right?"
Fudge said with an angry tone.
"Not to pursue this matter, then it can be considered as a mistake of the twelve years of imprisonment!"
Amelia also frowned and stared at her old colleague's side face, annoyed at his disobedient move without following the previous agreement.
Barty Crouch seemed unaware that he had become the focus of everyone's attention. He coldly regarded Sirius, who was also caught off guard by the stage below.
"Sirius Black, I believe you know that the Ministry of Magic has formulated relevant laws to regulate the dangerous metamorphic magic of Animagi, is that correct?"
"Yes, I know--"
Sirius Black, below the stage, answered with a furrowed brow. He glanced at Dumbledore and Amortus behind Barty Crouch and noticed that both of them looked calm, as if they were not at all surprised by Crouch's unorthodox action. With this realization, his tense nerves settled, and he glared back at Barty Crouch without showing any weakness.
"You know that the first transformation of an Animagus must be supervised by the Ministry of Magic, and if successful, it must be registered in the registry?"
"Yes, I know."
"You know that violating this regulation can result in a lawsuit by the Ministry of Magic?"
"Yes, I know--"
"When did you learn this magic?"
"I learned it at the age of sixteen, when I was studying at Hogwarts."
Barty Crouch Jr. stopped his arrogant questioning, and the jury members all showed surprised expressions after hearing Sirius Black's answer.
To be clear, the difficulty of the Animagus transformation should be considered the pinnacle among all metamorphic magic. Sirius Black, including Peter Pettigrew who was just taken down, managed to complete the transformation by their own efforts when they were still young wizards. This can indeed be described as genius.
"Hogwarts has an excellent teaching quality, Albus--"
In the noisy crowd, someone raised his thumb towards Dumbledore, muttering quietly.
"Thank you for the compliment, but as for this matter, Hogwarts did not offer much assistance to them--"
Dumbledore blinked and smiled mischievously.
Most people were still amazed by Sirius Black's magical talent, but there were smart people in the jury room who had already realized why Barty Crouch Jr. would bring up old issues in Peter's trial, where people's attention was highly concentrated.
At the time of Sirius Black's arrest, Barty Crouch Jr. was the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. He was pursued by a group of people for his tough attitude towards dark magical forces and had ordered Sirius Black to be directly sent to Azkaban without any necessary legal procedures.
Barty Crouch Jr. placed both hands on the table, leaning forward and looking down at Sirius Black with an air of superiority. His carefully combed mustache quivered upwards.
"Sirius Black, during the twelve years you were held in Azkaban prison by the Ministry of Magic, accused of killing Mr. and Mrs. Potter, did you ever reveal to anyone that you were not their Secret-Keeper?"
"No, I--"
Sirius Black realized that something was off and tried to sidestep the question, but he couldn't resist the intense probing from a high-ranking and powerful official of the Ministry of Magic.
"Excuse me!"
Barty Crouch Jr.'s expression was cold and severe.
"Is it understandable that, knowing you were innocent, you did not explain to anyone, and this was because you feared a thorough investigation by the Wizengamot, which might have exposed you as an illegal Animagus?"
"That's not what happened at all!"
Sirius Black finally roared in anger.
"I didn't say that because I thought I was guilty! What I meant was, James-- no, James and Lily died because of my stupid advice. I thought I needed to atone for it! That's what I thought at the time!"
Dumbledore sighed helplessly, Sirius Black's thoughts and actions were indeed against the norm. Although it had now been proven that Peter was innocent, his testimony in the Wizengamot trial group was still not very persuasive in the eyes of most members.
Dumbledore stood up, preparing to say something, but Amortus suddenly grabbed his arm and subtly shook his head.
"There's no need for you to intervene, Headmaster. Someone else will handle it."
"I disagree!"
Just as Amortus finished his sentence, Miss Bones stood up. Her brows were deeply furrowed, the single-lens spectacles stuck in her eye sockets leaving red marks, and Amelia Bones stared coldly at Barty Crouch Jr., who also stared back coldly, speaking severely.
"Your question is seriously misleading, and the conclusion lacks reliable factual basis, Mr. Crouch!"
The trial room was in uproar, the attending jury members staring in disbelief at the two high-ranking Ministry of Magic officials who were facing off below.
This counts as a serious political incident. In front of numerous members attending the Wizengamot trial, two high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Magic, regarded as the right and left hands of the Minister of Magic, openly confronted each other. The impact of this incident was very negative.
Fudge's forehead was drenched with sweat, and his cheeks were beet red.
"Barty, I admit-- I believe Amelia's opinion is correct. You--"
Barty Crouch Jr. stood up straight, with his eyes bulging.
"I do not believe there is any issue with my question or conclusion, Miss Bones. As everyone knows, no one would fear Azkaban and its guards more than Sirius Black, who concealed the truth about the Potters' deaths. The only possibility is that he carries deeper sins. He himself being an illegal Animagus is proof that he is not a decent wizard. His testimony is not credible. As the head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Miss Bones, you should have a sharp eye for detecting crimes. I suggest that the Ministry should re-question Sirius Black to find out what he is trying to hide!"
"Too absurd--"
Fudge panted and shook his head continuously.
"I know what you're trying to do, Barty. You want to prove that twelve years ago, when you sent Black to Azkaban, you were right, but"
"This is a serious libel, Minister Fudge!"
Barty Crouch Jr. interrupted Fudge's words, raising his head and staring at the jury members above who were engaged in heated discussion. Each syllable was laced with cold fury.
"Perhaps someone thinks I am seeking revenge, but everyone should remember that throughout my long career, there is ample evidence to show that I have consistently disliked and hated lawbreakers. Of course, I do not want to conceal that my decision to send Sirius Black to Azkaban because of the Potters' deaths was a mistake, even at this very moment!"
"Crouch's eyes shone brightly, and he shouted loudly to everyone in the courtroom,"
"--in order to bear responsibility, I hereby resign immediately from the Wizengamot deliberation body, but please consider seriously the views I have just expressed regarding Sirius Black himself!"
(End of chapter)
