There was no small talk.
The moment he entered...
Bartemius Crouch Sr. went straight to the point.
"Cornelius."
"I've heard the Aurors captured the fugitive Sirius Black..."
"And Peter Pettigrew."
"The man believed dead for thirteen years."
"Crouch..."
Fudge smiled faintly, though a trace of dissatisfaction lingered in his tone.
"Your information network is certainly efficient."
"We only just brought them in."
The speed with which Crouch had learned the news served as another reminder that Fudge still didn't fully control the Ministry.
Without missing a beat...
Crouch began issuing orders.
"Since the fugitive has been apprehended..."
"Why are they still being kept here?"
"I believe Sirius Black should be sent directly to Azkaban."
"As for Peter Pettigrew..."
"I suspect he's an impostor."
"He should be examined to determine whether he's merely an ordinary wizard under a Transfiguration spell."
"I believe our Aurors are perfectly capable of determining whether someone is conscious or under magical influence."
Facing the highly respected former Department Head...
Fudge rarely had an opportunity to speak so forcefully.
For once...
He felt rather pleased with himself.
It wasn't surprising.
Within the Ministry of Magic...
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement was unquestionably the most powerful department.
In many respects...
The other six departments were subordinate to it.
The only possible exception was the Department of Mysteries.
Even the Ministry's liaison with the Wizengamot fell under Magical Law Enforcement.
Ever since the Ministry's earliest days...
The Head of that department had traditionally been one of the strongest candidates to become Minister for Magic.
Just like Bartemius Crouch Sr.
That was precisely why Lewis had opposed Gianna transferring out of Magical Law Enforcement merely for a promotion.
Cornelius Fudge himself had previously served as Deputy Head of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.
That department...
Not Law Enforcement...
Was his political foundation.
As a result...
Even after becoming Minister...
He had never completely gained control over Magical Law Enforcement.
Which meant...
His authority as Minister was far less absolute than many imagined.
Meanwhile...
Crouch, despite now serving as Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation...
Still possessed tremendous influence because of his previous position.
Enough influence...
To openly challenge the Minister himself.
That was exactly why Fudge had willingly cooperated with Gianna.
He viewed this as an opportunity to expand his own influence within Magical Law Enforcement.
Seeing the situation unfold...
Gianna calmly spoke.
"This case is extraordinarily significant."
"I don't believe the suspects should simply be thrown into Azkaban."
"I recommend following proper legal procedure."
"The Wizengamot should reopen the case and conduct a formal trial."
Every word perfectly suited her position as Deputy Head of Magical Law Enforcement.
"I agree."
Fudge nodded immediately.
"I believe Deputy Director Proudmoore's proposal is entirely reasonable."
Watching the two openly support one another before his very eyes...
Crouch immediately realized this had all been planned in advance.
His expression grew icy.
"Very well."
"Very well indeed."
"The younger generation truly is fearless."
His cold gaze settled upon Gianna.
Unfortunately for him...
The Princess of Kul Tiras had no intention of backing down.
As a hawkish politician...
The man before her was nowhere near as formidable as her father, Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore.
As a spellcaster...
He was even less intimidating.
Seeing that even his intimidating stare accomplished nothing...
Crouch could only speak through clenched teeth.
"Very well."
"But I have one demand."
"If the trial ultimately proves Sirius Black guilty..."
"Then the Ministry must prosecute whoever spread these slanderous accusations."
"Prosecute for slander?"
Fudge asked in confusion.
"I have every reason to believe this affair is a deliberate attempt to tarnish my reputation."
Crouch replied angrily.
"Regardless of the verdict..."
"My name will forever be associated with a careless miscarriage of justice."
"But Peter Pettigrew is alive."
Fudge replied coldly.
"That is an undeniable fact."
"Are you seriously going to deny reality itself?"
"Hmph."
"Peter Pettigrew?"
Crouch's tone became almost interrogative.
"Who exactly filled your head with such absurd rumors, Minister?"
Once again...
Gianna answered before Fudge could.
"Mr. Crouch."
"This is no rumor."
"It is the duty of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement..."
"To report the truth it uncovers to the Ministry."
Crouch immediately caught the hidden meaning.
Since you're no longer part of Magical Law Enforcement...
Don't interfere.
"When I was fighting the Dark Lord..."
"You were still drinking milk."
He snapped furiously.
"Don't presume to lecture me, young lady."
Gianna answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Perhaps."
"But at least I wouldn't have handed my own son over to the Dark Lord."
If he wanted to expose old wounds...
Then they could both bleed.
For several moments...
Complete silence filled the neighboring office.
Lewis could practically picture Crouch's expression after having his deepest scar torn open.
In the end...
Crouch said nothing further.
Once matters had reached this point...
There was no value left in arguing.
After a long silence...
He simply took his leave.
After discussing the trial procedures with Fudge for a while longer...
Gianna also departed the Minister's office.
She pushed open the lounge door and entered.
The moment she stepped inside...
She smiled toward Snape.
"Professor Snape."
"It's a pleasure to see you."
"And thank you for taking such good care of Lewis at Hogwarts."
"His Potions results are truly outstanding."
Snape immediately understood what she was implying.
She was openly displaying the closeness of her relationship with Lewis.
He shot Lewis an unexpectedly surprised glance.
He had never imagined...
That his most outstanding student maintained such close ties with the young Deputy Director.
At the same time...
It completely killed any desire he had to continue speaking with Gianna.
"That's entirely due to his own hard work."
Snape replied curtly.
Then fell silent once more.
Gianna merely smiled.
She wasn't bothered in the slightest.
Rather than forcing further conversation...
She immediately moved on to the matter at hand.
She carefully questioned both Snape and Lewis about everything that had happened that evening.
Beside her...
A self-writing quill danced across a sheet of parchment.
Automatically recording every statement.
After both witness testimonies had been completed...
Gianna left with Lewis in full view of Snape.
She made no attempt whatsoever to hide their close relationship.
Lewis spent the entire night inside Gianna's office.
Throughout the night...
Gianna worked without rest.
Before dawn...
She had completed every arrangement for Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew's trial.
Even the Wizengamot jury had already been assembled.
The following morning...
Everything was ready.
Together with Gianna...
Lewis descended to the Wizengamot courtroom.
It lay on the Ministry's deepest level—
Level Ten—
The same floor occupied by the Department of Mysteries.
Calling it a courtroom...
Almost felt inaccurate.
To Lewis...
It looked more like a dungeon.
The surrounding walls were built from black stone.
Dim torches cast flickering shadows everywhere.
The atmosphere felt bleak...
Cold...
Oppressive.
No portraits.
No decorations.
Only endless rows of stone benches rising upward in tiers around the room.
At the very center...
Sat a single chair.
It immediately drew the eye.
Heavy iron chains hung from both armrests.
Clearly...
This seat was reserved for the accused.
From every position within the chamber...
One could see that chained chair perfectly.
As the enormous doors closed behind Lewis...
A heavy silence settled over the courtroom.
"Hmm?"
Gianna looked around with mild surprise.
"It seems we've arrived rather early."
"We're actually the first ones here."
Soon afterward...
The judges...
Court officials...
And other participants gradually entered.
Minister Cornelius Fudge arrived.
So did Bartemius Crouch Sr.
Fudge politely nodded toward Lewis and Gianna.
Standing beside him...
Crouch remained expressionless.
Only the anger hidden in his eyes betrayed his feelings.
The largest group consisted of the Wizengamot members.
There were dozens of them.
Each wore a crimson-purple robe embroidered with a silver W over the left side of the chest.
Among them...
Lewis spotted a familiar figure.
Albus Dumbledore.
The old wizard wasn't merely Headmaster of Hogwarts.
He was also the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards...
And Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
No wonder Fudge regarded him with such caution.
A trial of this importance...
Involving Sirius Black...
Peter Pettigrew...
And Severus Snape...
Three current or former members of the Order of the Phoenix...
Made Dumbledore's appearance entirely expected.
Dumbledore also noticed Lewis.
Behind his half-moon spectacles...
His eyes sparkled gently.
He offered the boy a warm smile.
From Dumbledore's perspective...
Although Lewis had effectively dragged him into this affair...
The young wizard was ultimately helping clear the name of one Order member...
While exposing the murderer responsible for another.
If anything...
The Order of the Phoenix now owed Lewis an enormous favor.
The moment Lewis saw Dumbledore take his seat...
He knew...
His plan had already succeeded.
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