Chapter 486: Charges Dismissed

Upon seeing the thin line of golden text, nearly all the older wizards in the courtroom rose instinctively. Their eyes, filled with undisguised anger, fixed on the spot still shrouded in dense fog.

As people who had lived through those chaotic years, they recognized it instantly: the Fidelius Charm. When the charm was cast, these words would transform into golden runes and hide within the caster's soul. Many of those present had narrowly escaped death by relying on this magic and understood its implications all too well.

It was now certain—Peter Pettigrew, not Black, was the real Secret Keeper!

"Damn it!" Outbursts of anger erupted throughout the room.

Crouch's face darkened. Despite Dumbledore's testimony, he hadn't truly believed in Black's innocence until now—or rather, he had clung to the notion that Fudge had somehow duped Dumbledore with an elaborate ruse. Back then, everyone knew that Potter and Black were inseparable. By all logic, the Secret Keeper couldn't have been the cowardly and timid Peter.

They had trusted without a second thought, as though their common sense had been swapped out and given to someone else.

"Traitor..." Crouch muttered, clenching his fists so tightly that the quill he held snapped in half.

The murmurs in the courtroom grew louder. The thick fog lifted quickly, revealing Diana as she stepped forward. "Professor Dumbledore, I'll leave the rest to you."

"Of course, that's why we're here," Dumbledore replied with a smile. "Thanks to you, or else Sirius would be facing real trouble..."

"I only came to help Lily, not some arrogant fool," Diana said, pointedly ignoring Black.

"Besides, Headmaster, if I remember correctly, isn't there a rule at Hogwarts that says fifth-year students can't leave on weekends?"

Dumbledore's smile faltered for a split second, though he replied smoothly, "Indeed, but as it was the minister's invitation—and Kyle insisted on coming—well, there wasn't much I could do."

"Really…" Diana glanced toward the corner.

Kyle, who had been hunched over, trying to make himself invisible, shivered and cautiously looked up just as Diana and the two other Unspeakables were leaving the courtroom, taking the tank with them.

"Phew..." he sighed with relief, sitting up straighter.

After that, the trial proceeded far more smoothly. Faced with undeniable evidence, those who had initially voiced objections fell silent. Some still raised concerns about Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban, but Fudge deftly postponed any detailed discussion with his polished diplomatic skills.

He was curious himself about how Black had managed to escape the fortress-like prison, but now was not the time for that inquiry. They would investigate it later; they had all the time in the world.

Finally, to expedite the trial's conclusion, Sirius volunteered to take Veritaserum or undergo Legilimency to prove his innocence.

Fudge accepted, and since this was a voluntary offer, no further vote was required.

Soon, Scrimgeour returned with a small vial in hand.

"I think one drop should be enough," said Dumbledore. "We don't need to ask too many questions."

"I understand," replied Scrimgeour.

As the single drop of Veritaserum touched Sirius's tongue, his features softened, and his gaze drifted blankly toward the ceiling.

"Can you hear me?" asked Scrimgeour.

Sirius's eyelids fluttered a few times. "Yes," he murmured.

"I want you to tell us," Scrimgeour said in a steady voice, "who was the Secret Keeper for the Potter family twelve years ago."

Sirius took a few shaky breaths before answering in a flat, detached tone. "Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper."

"Why did you choose him?"

Sirius's eyelids twitched. "I thought it would be safer if I was out in the open, acting as bait, so that no one would suspect the timid Peter."

"And who blew up the Muggle street afterward?" Scrimgeour pressed on.

"Peter Pettigrew…"

Under the Veritaserum's influence, Sirius recounted the entire story of how he'd arranged for Peter to be the Secret Keeper instead.

To be honest, as the full story unfolded, most people in the courtroom didn't react with sympathy. Instead, they found themselves with the same thought as Crouch… Black really had made a foolish decision. If anything, he ought to have asked the Unspeakables if they could lend him a brain. What should have been a straightforward solution had turned needlessly complicated.

After their internal criticisms, however, everyone let out a collective sigh. Regardless, Sirius had paid a heavy price for his error, spending twelve years unjustly imprisoned in Azkaban. He had paid for his foolishness many times over.

When Sirius finished, Scrimgeour looked at him with a mixture of feelings, then held a vial to his lips, administering the counter-potion. He'd been considering recruiting Sirius into the Auror Office once he was officially exonerated, but now… he decided it merited further thought. Aurors required more than just strength.

As the potion took effect, the dazed look faded from Sirius's eyes, and he blinked, shaking his head slightly as he regained clarity.

"I think the matter is settled," Fudge said from the platform, clearing his throat. "So, all in favor of declaring Sirius Black innocent, please raise your hands."

One by one, hands rose around the courtroom. In moments, more than half were raised—including Crouch's.

"Ninety-five votes!" Madam Bones called out in a firm voice.

"Very well," Fudge said, standing with a broad smile. "On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I hereby declare that all charges against Sirius Orion Black from 1981 are officially dropped, his arrest warrant nullified, and he will be released today, fully exonerated with his wand privileges restored."

The courtroom erupted in applause as everyone stood, clapping with enthusiasm.

Sirius sat motionless, stunned, his gaze drifting over the crowd before falling on Peter, still lying on the ground. A wave of unreality swept over him—was he truly free?

He drew several deep breaths and then looked up at Dumbledore, his expression almost pleading for confirmation.

"What are you waiting for?" Dumbledore smiled warmly. "If you have enough Galleons with you… would you like to take a stroll down Diagon Alley? It's changed quite a bit since you last saw it twelve years ago. And I've heard Ollivander hasn't left his shop today—he should be able to help you pick out a new wand."

"Of course… of course, Professor Dumbledore," Sirius said, his voice catching as his eyes grew misty, a laugh breaking through his tears. "I've dreamed of going back to Diagon Alley."