Ethan tilted his head slightly.
His gaze met the eyes of those on the Wizengamot, looking down at him from all directions.
Those gazes were cold and emotionless, like rational tools rather than emotional humans.
Even the bravest child, when faced with such a spectacle, would be flustered and cry out in fear.
But unfortunately, his mind was not that of a child.
"I am guilty."
Ethan spoke slowly.
As his words fell, the Wizengamot immediately erupted in an uproar!
"Mr. Vincent?"
Professor McGonagall's eyes widened in surprise, staring at Ethan with confusion.
"Thump, thump, thump!"
Umbridge slammed her gavel, and the clamor gradually subsided.
She narrowed her eyes, intently watching the calm boy below.
This brat actually confessed so quickly... I thought he'd throw a tantrum...
Does he have some other plan?
However, seeing Professor McGonagall, who was accompanying him, also looking shocked, Umbridge dismissed the thought, a sneer curling her lips.
Meanwhile, Rita Skeeter, the reporter, bit her penholder, disappointed and unwilling.
She thought there would be some explosive news...
"Since the culprit has confessed, then it is time for us to make a ruling."
Umbridge said in her smug, overly sweet voice:
"Given that the culprit is still underage, he shall first be expelled from Hogwarts, and then proceed to Azkaban daily for re-education through labor—until he comes of age, when he will continue to face trial."
Upon hearing this, some wizards on the Wizengamot frowned, whispering to their colleagues beside them.
"This is simply absurd!"
Professor McGonagall roared, her face flushed with anger.
"I have never seen such a harsh conviction, without even a proper inquiry, without even stating the legal provisions!"
"What is the difference between this and a lynching?!"
How much money did you take from that pureblood couple?!
Professor McGonagall almost shouted these words.
She took a deep breath, looking directly at Umbridge with a cold gaze, and said:
"I demand to inspect both wands."
"I do not believe that my student would attack someone without reason!"
Although Ethan was a bit wicked, and a bit... ahem... terrifying at school...
But she firmly believed that Ethan had no intention of harming others.
He was just a child who loved drawing, what did he do wrong?
Since the start of the school year, Ethan had only sent classmates to the hospital wing, sent teachers to the hospital wing, and blasted his opponents in the tryouts to the hospital wing...
Professor McGonagall suddenly fell silent.
Her mouth twitched, and her eyes showed clear signs of wavering.
Wait.
Ethan, you didn't actually do something, did you?
Fortunately, Umbridge did not notice this subtle change in expression.
She said shamelessly:
"Oh~ we certainly inspected Mr. Carrow's wand; the last spell he cast was merely a small 'Lumos' after all."
"Furthermore, the victim's severe injuries alone are enough to convict—but since you insist."
Saying that, Umbridge snapped her fingers.
With a snap, the chains on Ethan loosened.
"To uphold justice, let's also examine the criminal's wand."
"Ethan..."
Professor McGonagall looked at Ethan with tension and guilt, feeling that her request was nothing but a futile effort.
Even if the wands were examined, what then?
Both sides must have engaged in a mutual fight.
But Hamburg Carrow's wand had already been covered up, so nothing could possibly be found...
This would only put Ethan in a disadvantageous position!
However, Ethan rubbed his reddened wrists.
He looked up and smiled at Professor McGonagall, saying:
"Thank you, Professor McGonagall, this is exactly what I wanted."
Everything was going according to plan.
Ethan took out his wand from his robes and obediently handed it to the Auror.
When she saw that wand, Professor McGonagall suddenly froze.
It was a dusty, broken, dark brown wand.
And Ethan's wand, she remembered very clearly, was a light brown wand with horizontal ridges!
The reason for such a vivid memory was not only because Ethan often came to discuss methods of wand transfiguration with her, but also because Ethan maintained his wand every day.
Unlike other young wizards—especially Gryffindor students—who liked to poke their wands everywhere, Ethan's wand still looked brand new, without a single scratch.
It sparkled in the sunlight, looking very sacred.
Therefore, there was only one truth.
The wand Ethan handed over was not his own!
So, this one is... Professor McGonagall thought of something, and her eyes gradually lit up.
On the other side, on the Wizengamot, the Carrow couple froze the moment that wand appeared.
They suddenly leaned forward, staring intently at the familiar wand!
"...I believe there's no longer any need to examine the wand," Mr. Carrow suddenly spoke.
But clearly, his meaning did not reach Umbridge.
The latter was still immersed in her dream of promotion and wealth, eagerly grabbing the wand and shouting shrilly:
"Don't worry! Esteemed Mr. Carrow, I will give your son justice!"
"Prior Incantato!"
The next second, "Merlin!"
Amidst a chorus of exclamations, a great green light burst forth, and an evil, twisted magic permeated the air.
In a trance, it was as if souls were wailing loudly.
Like a bomb dropped into water, the Wizengamot suddenly erupted in a clamor!
"It's Avada Kedavra—an Unforgivable Curse!"
"But that young wizard could use it—he must be severely punished—"
Reporter Rita's eyes gleamed, and her shorthand pen scribbled furiously, writing line after line of fabricated nonsense.
Merlin's wig!
A first-year Hogwarts wizard used the most terrifying Killing Curse, one of the three Unforgivable Curses, on his classmate!
Is this a distortion of human nature or a degradation of morality—just then, Rita suddenly noticed.
On the Wizengamot, the Carrow couple, who had received this "conclusive evidence," were not shouting triumphantly or angrily.
Instead, their faces were pale, and they sat stiffly in their seats.
As if they had been hit by Petrificus Totalus.
Rita narrowed her eyes, keenly sensing that something was amiss.
The next second, she sharply drew a cold breath!
"Merlin, no way... Oh my goodness... The most explosive news of the year...!
"Thump, thump, thump!!"
Umbridge slammed her gavel forcefully, a wide smile on her face.
It was as if, in that sudden green light, she saw her flat career path slowly unfolding.
"Thank you for your suggestion, Professor McGonagall. You have provided us with another crucial piece of evidence!"
She extended her sausage-like finger, pointing directly at the silent Ethan.
"This heinous criminal dared to cast an Unforgivable Curse on the esteemed, respected, and innocent Mr. Hamburg Carrow!"
"Therefore, I once again amend the judgment:"
"According to Ministry of Magic law, any wizard who uses an Unforgivable Curse on a human is a serious crime, and will be directly sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban Prison! All personal property will be confiscated!"
"Effective immediately, Ethan Vincent shall be imprisoned in Azkaban!!"
The loud voice echoed through the courtroom.
No one spoke.
Neither the Wizengamot, nor Professor McGonagall, nor the convicted Ethan Vincent.
Professor McGonagall dug her nails into her palm.
Afraid she would burst out laughing in court.
Umbridge did not notice the strange atmosphere in the air; she was still engrossed in her magnificent performance.
She elegantly took a sip of water, and formally said:
"Do you accept this judgment? Mr. Ethan Vincent."
Ethan was silent for two seconds, then lowered his head and said:
"According to relevant laws and regulations, anyone who uses one of the three Unforgivable Curses on another person will be sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban and have all personal property confiscated...
"Regardless of their identity, is that correct?"
Umbridge impatiently nodded: "Yes. Don't think you can escape punishment with your underage status."
...I accept this judgment."
"Thump!"
Umbridge brought down her gavel, oblivious to the hesitant expressions of the Carrow couple beside her.
She shouted excitedly:
"Guilty as charged!"
"Aurors! Immediately escort this criminal to Azkaban—"
Before her words could finish, she was interrupted by an even louder, more authoritative voice!
"I accept—"
Ethan looked up.
His cobalt blue eyes, like two bright and fiery blue flames, shot directly at Umbridge on the Wizengamot!
In her surprised gaze, he enunciated each word clearly, shouting:
"I accept this judgment against the criminal, Hamburg Carrow!"
Ethan swiftly extended his finger.
Like a sharp arrow, it pointed directly at the wand in Umbridge's hand, making her instinctively tremble all over!
"Look closely, whose wand is that exactly?"
"That is Hamburg Carrow's wand!"
"The one who cast the last Avada Kedavra was your master's precious son, Hamburg Carrow!"
"Mine is here!"
In full view of everyone, Ethan pulled out a second wand from his robes!
The wand was light brown and extremely smooth from meticulous care.
Under the bright lights of the courtroom, it emitted a dazzling, brilliant glow!
"Prior Incantato!"
Ethan roared.
?!
Professor McGonagall turned her head in surprise!
Because she was very certain that first-years had absolutely not learned or even encountered this rarely used spell!
Did Ethan learn this spell just by hearing it once?!
A sheet of golden light rippled from the wand.
Countless beautiful and sacred golden birds chirped as they flew out, like streams of light, circling and dancing above everyone's heads.
"Wow—what a wonderful spell—"
"Only a wizard with a pure heart can use this kind of magic."
"And, his power is extremely strong. That young wizard's control over magic, and the storage of magic power within his body, have already far exceeded his peers—"
"A genius—Hogwarts this year is truly full of talent—"
Hah—Reporter Rita's mouth suddenly dropped open, so excited and thrilled she almost tore the paper.
Even without being a prophet, one could clearly see a fact: the next issue of the Daily Prophet would definitely sell out.
Amidst the discussions, Umbridge, holding the gavel, was completely stunned, looking like a large toad.
Her facial expressions were incredibly varied, like a Muggle traffic light.
Then, she suddenly realized something and instantly turned deathly pale.
She glanced sideways, cautiously looking?
Seeing the expressions of the Carrow couple, which had turned as black as the bottom of a burnt cauldron.
It's over.
Two words popped into Umbridge's mind.
That originally flat and promising road collapsed with a crash in this righteous golden light.
Completely, outmaneuvered.
Below the stand, Ethan took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and quietly listened to the clamor in front of him.
A moment later, he opened his eyes.
He raised his hand.
The murmuring gradually ceased, finally turning into complete silence.
Countless eyes stared intently at this child, who far surpassed his peers.
Listening intently.
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