In the center of the stone chamber stands a tall golden judgment chair, radiating a solemn and majestic aura.
How many earth-shaking secrets and crimes have been revealed before it in the past?
Dumbledore sits in the judgment chair wearing half-moon spectacles.
Piles of files are stacked in front of him.
He looks around.
Many old friends have attended this trial.
Below the highest judicial seat, the scribes of the Wizengamot hold quills in their hands.
They will meticulously record the upcoming trial, not letting go of a single word or phrase.
All of it will become eternal footnotes in magical law.
In no time at all, all 50 members of the Wizengamot are present.
It has to be mentioned that in past trials of dark wizards, most of the jurors would be absent.
Outside the doors, reporters are also packed tightly.
They wait impatiently, wanting to become the next Rita Skeeter.
“The last time it was this grand was right after the war ended.”
Dumbledore taps the gavel in his hand.
His old but powerful voice echoes through the stone chamber: “Silence!”
In an instant, the room is completely silent.
“The suspect, Jessica Travers, has appeared.
Please let the prosecution begin its statement.” Dumbledore looks toward the Ministry of Magic’s position.
Originally that place belonged to an experienced old prosecutor, but now it has been replaced by a black man named Zio.
He joined the Department of Magical Law three years ago and has risen extremely quickly.
He is already a prosecutor.
Zio takes a deep breath and summons his courage to stand up: “Wizards of the Wizengamot!”
“The defendant Jessica Travers, follower of You-Know-Who…” His tone gradually becomes severe, and one can even hear aggression in it.
“Mom, who is the suspect?
What is a defendant?
Who is You-Know-Who?” Rayleigh’s young, childish question echoes through the room, and Zio instantly falls silent.
“Silence.
Please let the prosecution continue the examination.” Dumbledore taps the gavel.
Jessica puts her index finger to her lips, signaling Rayleigh to keep quiet.
Rayleigh nods.
His sudden question just now was specifically to interrupt the rhythm of the prosecuting attorney.
Otherwise, he would shape Jessica into a Death Eater who committed every evil.
“Continuing…
The defendant Jessica Travers and her deceased husband Theodore Travers actively joined the ranks of Death Eaters when You-Know-Who rose to power.
They carried out countless violent attacks on Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, causing enormous losses.”
“I have the official records of the Ministry of Magic in my hand, which mark the crimes committed by the defendant.” Zio had long ago prepared Jessica’s file and waves his wand to distribute them. This chapter is updated first at g.com.
Unfortunately, he did not expect all the wizards of the Wizengamot to attend this trial, so he has to use the Geminio spell on the spot.
It takes him quite a while to ensure everyone gets a copy.
The files land in everyone’s hands.
Seeing no one flips through them.
Zio is somewhat anxious.
He walks to the center of the courtroom, opens the file, and shouts: “Everyone, please take a look!”
“We have clearly determined that the Travers couple participated in the murder of Barna, the kidnapping of the Evans Family, setting fire to Ministry of Magic’s institutions, disrupting Quidditch matches, illegally using the Imperius Curse to control Muggles, and so on.”
“These crimes already constitute serious violations of the International Statute of Secrecy and the Ban on Unforgivable Curses.” Zio’s tone is impassioned, revealing a trace of hard-to-conceal righteous indignation.
“Why are you not looking at the booklet in your hands?” Zio questions.
Most of the wizards on the tiers answer with silence, and a small number sneer.
“Does the prosecution have any other evidence of crimes?” Dumbledore raises his head, signaling that Zio may return.
“Lord Dumbledore…”
“Please let the defense attorney make a statement.”
“Thank you.”
“Everyone, as Jessica’s defense attorney, I request that everyone temporarily set aside prejudice and rationally examine her past.” Attorney Albert Gold raises an objection, his attitude composed.
He worked as a prosecutor in the Department of Magical Law for 20 years and only recently left the Ministry of Magic to open his own wizarding law firm.
As an old classmate of Malfoy, he is very happy to take on this case that is certain to be won and bring both fame and fortune.
“First, the authenticity of the so-called Ministry of Magic’s files proposed by the prosecution is questionable.
We request that the prosecution provide the originals of these documents for the court to review.”
“The originals are right here!” Zio raises the file.
Albert is extremely pleased.
“The originals of the Ministry of Magic can actually be copied freely by magic?
Chief Warlock and esteemed jurors, I have ample reason to suspect that this file may have been tampered with.”
Zio is not a fool.
He realizes his own stupidity.
Ministry of Magic’s files have anti-counterfeiting magic applied to them.
Once the anti-counterfeiting magic fails, it indicates that they have lost their legal validity.
“Second, regarding the prosecution’s claim that Jessica actively participated in the ranks of Death Eaters, is there any evidence?
With me here is an original document from the Ministry of Magic.” Albert hands the original to Dumbledore, using a smug expression to lecture the other side.
“The birth certificate of Rayleigh Travers?
What does this prove?”
“Everyone, Madam Jessica’s original name was Jessica Lestrange.
She graduated from Hufflepuff House and went to work in France after graduation.
In 1979, she returned to the British magical world and held a wedding with Theodore Travers.”
“Please note, everyone, Rayleigh was born in 1980.
That is to say, not long after Madam Jessica married, she became pregnant.”
“Objection!”
“Objection overruled.” Dumbledore taps the gavel and has prosecutor Zio sit down.
It was nothing more than coercion by other Death Eaters that forced the Theodore couple to serve You-Know-Who.”
“Jessica, as a mother, has behavior in protecting her son that is obvious to all.
Eleven years in Azkaban, surrounded by Dementors, and she still kept her child alive.
Moreover, she herself feels deeply remorseful for having once been a member of the Death Eaters.”
“Madam Travers truly loves her child very much.” One jury member nods, agreeing with Albert’s view.
“Just look at how thin and weak they are, and you know the terror of Azkaban.”
“Yes, eleven whole years.
What a pitiful child, what a great mother!”
…
Albert is very satisfied with everyone’s reaction.
He clears his throat and continues to heighten the atmosphere: “We experienced that turbulent era.
Many individuals and families fell into hardship.
We cannot use peacetime standards to measure wartime years.”
“I believe the prosecution’s accusations contain doubtful points.
A mother who loves her child so much should not be found guilty.”
“Agree!”
“Agree!”
…
“Agree!”
…
The Wizengamot members on the stone tiers raise their wands one by one, and green sparks representing agreement emerge from the tips.
Fifty green sparks bloom in the ancient stone chamber.
The Wizengamot witnesses a rare unanimous vote.
Dumbledore raises the gavel and brings it down heavily: “The Wizengamot finds Jessica Travers not guilty.
From today onward, all her rights as a witch are restored.”
With Dumbledore’s verdict, warm applause erupts around them.
Jessica holds Rayleigh, and burning tears pour from the corners of her eyes.
Everyone stands to bless this brave mother and son.
Only Zio sits there dejected.
When Zio took over the case, the Department Head promised him a triple promotion.
He even arrogantly thought he could become a candidate for Department Head.
But now, everything has turned into bubbles.
The Ministry of Magic’s officials who attended court with Zio also clap, but they are very uneasy in their hearts.
According to the Wizengamot’s verdict, both Jessica and her husband were coerced by You-Know-Who and the Death Eaters.
They are completely innocent.