Ethan raised his head slightly, meeting the gazes from all directions on the judgment bench looking down at him from their elevated positions. Those gazes were cold and merciless, as if they belonged to rational machines rather than emotional humans.
Even the bravest child would be overwhelmed when facing such an intimidating formation, reduced to tears. But unfortunately, his mind was not that of a typical child.
"I am guilty," Ethan spoke slowly.
As his words fell, the judgment bench immediately erupted in uproar!
"Mr. Vincent?" Professor McGonagall stared with wide eyes in shock, looking at Ethan in complete confusion.
"Bang bang bang!"
Umbridge heavily struck the gavel, and the clamor gradually died down. She narrowed her eyes, staring intently at the calm-faced boy below.
This brat actually confessed so quickly... I thought there would be some crying and making a fuss... Could he have some other plan?
However, seeing that Professor McGonagall, who had accompanied him, also looked genuinely shocked, Umbridge dismissed this thought. The corners of her mouth curved into a contemptuous smile.
Rita Skeeter bit her quill in disappointment and frustration. She had thought there would be some explosive news...
"Since the criminal has already confessed, we should make our judgment," Umbridge said in her smug, saccharine voice: "Given that the criminal is still a minor, he shall first be expelled from Hogwarts and report daily to Azkaban for labor reform education until he comes of age and continues to face trial."
Hearing this, some wizards on the judgment bench frowned and whispered to their colleagues.
"This is absolutely ridiculous!" Professor McGonagall roared, her face flushed red with anger. "I have never seen such a harsh conviction without proper investigation, without even explaining the legal provisions! How is this different from lynching?!"
How much money did you take from that pure-blood couple?!
Professor McGonagall almost shouted this accusation aloud. She took a deep breath, coldly staring directly at Umbridge: "I demand to examine both parties' wands. I don't believe my student would attack others without reason!"
Although Ethan was a bit... sinister... and terrorized the school occasionally... cough. But she firmly believed Ethan had no intention of harming anyone. He was just a child who loved painting. What wrong had he done?
Since the start of school, Ethan had only sent classmates to the hospital wing, sent teachers to the hospital wing, blasted selection opponents to the hospital wing...
Professor McGonagall suddenly fell silent. Her mouth twitched, obvious doubt appearing in her eyes.
Wait. Ethan, you didn't really do something terrible, did you?
Fortunately, Umbridge didn't notice this subtle change in expression. She said shamelessly: "Oh, we naturally examined Mr. Carrow's wand. The last spell he cast was merely a small 'Lumos.' Moreover, the victim's severe injuries alone are sufficient for conviction. But since you insist..."
With that, Umbridge snapped her fingers. With a pop, the chains on Ethan loosened.
"To maintain fairness, let's examine that criminal's wand together."
"Ethan..." Professor McGonagall looked at Ethan nervously and guiltily, feeling her request was unnecessary.
What good would examining the wand do? Both parties had clearly engaged in mutual combat. But Hamburg Carrow's wand had already been covered up. Nothing could be discovered... This would only put Ethan in a disadvantageous position!
However, Ethan rubbed his reddened wrists. Looking up, he smiled at Professor McGonagall: "Thank you, Professor McGonagall. This is exactly what I wanted."
Everything was going according to plan.
Ethan took out his wand from his chest, obediently handing it to the Auror.
When she saw that wand, Professor McGonagall suddenly froze. It was a gray, broken, dark brown wand.
But Ethan's wand, she remembered very clearly, was a light brown wand with horizontal ridges! She remembered so clearly not only because Ethan often came to discuss wand transformation methods with her, but also because Ethan maintained his wand every day.
Unlike other young wizards, especially Gryffindors who liked to poke their wands everywhere, Ethan's wand remained like new, without a trace of wear. It gleamed in the sunlight, almost sacred in its pristine condition.
Therefore, there was only one truth. The wand Ethan had handed over was not his own!
Then, whose was this... Professor McGonagall thought of something, her eyes gradually brightening.
On the other side, on the judgment bench, the moment this wand appeared, the Carrow couple froze. Their bodies suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at that familiar wand!
"I believe there's no need to examine the wand further," Mr. Carrow suddenly spoke.
But obviously, his meaning didn't reach Umbridge. She was still immersed in her dream of promotion and wealth, impatiently grabbing the wand and shrieking: "Don't worry! Respected Mr. Carrow, I will give your son justice!"
"Prior Incantato!"
The next second...
"Merlin!"
With a chorus of exclamations, a green light blazed forth, and evil, twisted magic permeated the air. In a trance, it seemed souls were wailing mournfully.
Like throwing a bomb into water, the judgment bench suddenly erupted in chaos!
"It's actually the Killing Curse..." "Unforgivable..." "But that little wizard could use..." "Must be severely punished..."
Rita Skeeter's eyes lit up, her Quick-Quotes Quill scribbling frantically, writing line after line of fabrications.
Merlin's beard! A first-year Hogwarts wizard had used the most terrible Killing Curse among the three Unforgivable Curses on his classmate! Was this a distortion of human nature or moral degradation...
Just then, Rita suddenly noticed that the Carrow couple, who had received this "conclusive evidence," weren't triumphantly or angrily shouting. Instead, they sat rigidly in their seats, faces pale. As if they had been hit with a Full Body-Bind Curse.
Rita narrowed her eyes, keenly sensing something was wrong. The next second, she gasped sharply!
"Merlin, no way... my goodness... this year's most explosive news...!"
"Bang bang bang!"
Umbridge forcefully banged the gavel, wearing a huge smile. As if in this suddenly appearing green light, she saw her flat career path slowly unfolding.
"Thank you very much for your suggestion, Professor McGonagall. You've provided us with another key piece of evidence!" She extended her sausage-like finger, pointing directly at the silent Ethan.
"This vicious criminal actually cast an Unforgivable Curse on the respected, esteemed, and innocent Mr. Hamburg Carrow! Therefore, I hereby revise the judgment: According to Ministry of Magic law, any wizard using Unforgivable Curses on humans commits a serious crime and shall be sentenced directly to life imprisonment in Azkaban! All personal property shall be confiscated!"
"Effective immediately, Ethan Vincent will be imprisoned in Azkaban!"
The loud voice echoed throughout the courtroom. No one spoke. Neither the judgment bench nor Professor McGonagall nor the convicted Ethan Vincent.
Professor McGonagall forcefully pinched her palm, afraid she might laugh out loud in court.
Umbridge didn't notice the strange atmosphere in the air. She was still immersed in her majestic performance. She elegantly sipped some water and said formally: "Do you accept this judgment? Mr. Ethan Vincent."
Ethan was silent for two seconds, keeping his head down: "According to relevant laws and regulations, anyone who uses the three Unforgivable Curses on others will be sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban and have all personal property confiscated... Regardless of their personal status, correct?"
Umbridge nodded impatiently: "Yes. Don't think you can escape punishment because you're a minor."
"I accept this judgment."
"Bang!"
Umbridge made the final decision with her gavel, not noticing the hesitant expressions of the Carrow couple beside her. She excitedly shouted: "Guilty! Aurors! Immediately escort this criminal to Azkaban..."
Before she could finish, she was interrupted by a louder, more authoritative voice!
"I accept..." Ethan raised his head.
His cobalt-blue eyes, like two bright and blazing flames, shot directly toward Umbridge on the judgment bench! Under her shocked gaze, he shouted clearly, word by word:
"I accept this judgment against the criminal Hamburg Carrow!"
Ethan suddenly pointed his finger like a sharp arrow, pointing directly at the wand in Umbridge's hand, making her instinctively tremble all over!
"Look clearly... whose wand is that really? That is Hamburg Carrow's wand! The one who cast the final Killing Curse was your master's precious son, Hamburg Carrow! Mine is here!"
Under everyone's gaze, Ethan pulled out a second wand from his chest! The wand was light brown and maintained extremely smoothly. Under the bright lights of the courtroom, it radiated dazzling brilliance!
"Prior Incantato!" Ethan shouted loudly.
Professor McGonagall turned her head in surprise! Because she was certain that first-years had absolutely never learned or encountered this uncommon spell! Could Ethan have learned this spell just from hearing it once?!
Golden light rippled out from the wand. Countless beautiful, sacred golden birds sang as they flew out, like flowing light, circling and dancing above everyone's heads.
"Wow, what a wonderful spell..." "Only wizards with pure hearts could use such magic..." "And very powerful too. That little wizard's control of magic and storage of magical power far exceeds his peers..." "Genius... this year's Hogwarts is truly full of talent..."
Rita Skeeter opened her mouth wide, so excited she nearly tore the paper. Even without being a prophet, one could clearly see a fact: the next issue of the Daily Prophet would absolutely sell out.
Amid the discussion, Umbridge held the gavel, completely dumbfounded, looking like a giant toad. Her facial expressions were extremely colorful, like traffic lights.
Then, suddenly realizing something, she turned deathly pale in an instant. Glancing sideways, she carefully looked aside. The Carrow couple's expressions had turned as black as the bottom of a burned cauldron.
It was over.
Two words appeared in Umbridge's mind. That originally smooth road to success had completely collapsed in this righteous golden light. She had been completely outmaneuvered.
Below the platform, Ethan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and quietly listened to the commotion ahead. After a moment, he opened his eyes.
Raising his hand, the discussion gradually stopped, finally becoming complete silence. Countless gazes fixed on this child, who far exceeded his peers, listening intently.