Harry Potter: Ero World-Chapter 152: The Trial! Part-3

{The elevators, The Ministry Atrium, Ministry of Magic, London}

{30th Oct 1991} 

{Rigel's POV}

...

"Madam Bones, what a surprise. I thought you would already be in the courtroom." Daphne's mom replied. I had to look up her name again, as I had forgotten it. It had been a while since our last encounter.

"I had to pick up the kids from Hogwarts; we'd better hurry. I don't want to hear Fudge's grumblings." Amelia smiled as she bowed her head slightly in greeting. Adorabella bowed back as her eyes turned to me.

"Heir Black, it's good to see you as well. I hope you had fun at Hogwarts. Daphne tells me you will be coming home with us," she questioned.

"Yes, Lady Greengrass," I nodded, "I hope that doesn't inconvenience you too much?"

"Nonsense. Any friend of Daphne's is always welcome, and from what I know, you are to be her date for the evening?" she questioned as the elevator arrived.

"Yes, it would be an honor," I replied. I had gotten used to hearing these little pleasantries in Slytherin. Doing them was entirely different, as my words felt a little awkward. She didn't mind, though, as she nodded with a pleasant smile on her face.

All of us shuttled into the elevator. The lift controller looked pretty complicated to me, but Amelia stepped up and fiddled with it for a moment. The doors clanged shut as the lift zoomed through the corridors. Either they were lucky, or Amelia had some special authority as the lift didn't take any detours and swiftly arrived at Level 2.

"Level 2. Department of Magical Law Enforcement." A voice chimed throughout the lift as everyone disembarked from the magical elevator. I kept my questions to myself and followed along. The adults started conversing about the trial, and I fell in step with Susan, who was looking at me.

"What?" I asked.

"You're taking Daphne to the ball?" There was a hint of accusation in her tone.

"Yeah," I replied, seeing her eyes narrow slightly. I defended myself, "What, she asked. She needed a date, and I wasn't doing anything productive, so I agreed."

She nodded and then looked away. I grumbled at myself for the interrogation I had to go through. We weren't even dating... Okay, so I may have kissed her quite a lot of times, and we have been spending a lot of time together the past couple of weeks.

'Okay... I'm gonna need to maintain some distance from her. Don't want her to become psychotic.' I thought. Our relationship had deepened, sure, and I did enjoy her company, but I didn't want to be tied down just yet.

My thoughts rambled on this line for a while more before we arrived in front of a closed set of doors. My attention shifted from the new variable, Susan, to the courtroom. Amelia stepped forward, and the door automatically opened, giving me a glimpse of what lay beyond. The expectation of a grand courtroom was pushed aside as I looked at the packed room.

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It wasn't small, per se, but there wasn't too much room for visitors. Before I could scrutinize any more details, a deep voice directed toward our group.

"Rigel! Over here!" Sirius shouted, completely ignoring the solemn atmosphere of the room; I could see almost everyone's eyes snap toward me. Some of them looked intrigued. Albus Dumbledore could be counted in that camp, as the old headmaster seemed to be there.

Many of them had a hint of hostility hidden behind a stoic mask. Almost all of them were sitting in a group. I recognized Lucius Malfoy and other members of the Dark Faction. I ignored them, but my eyes did linger on Narcissa's visage; she was also looking at me, with her emotions locked behind a tightly controlled Occlumency shield.

'She's not been over for a while. I wonder if everything's okay,' I thought, but then she subtly nodded her head at me. What she meant by that, I don't know, but at least she wasn't in too much trouble, I hoped. My eyes caught sight of Rita's visage. She seemed much less comfortable as her eyes stuck to my frame.

'Yeah, she's definitely going to visit soon.'

My eyes drifted back to Sirius as I walked toward him. Susan and Adorabella decided to follow me. The rest of them walked over to the other side, where most of the voting members were.

"Sirius, Harry," I greeted before I turned to introduce my companions, "Susan Bones and Lady Greengrass."

My lackluster introduction didn't seem to have been much of a thorn as Adorabella gracefully exchanged greetings with Sirius, expressing her regret at the great injustice that had been done to the man.

'She's quite good at getting on everyone's good side.' I thought as I turned to Harry.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, it's okay. Do you think he'll be sentenced to Azkaban?" Harry asked.

I gave him a weird look. "Of course, his trial is merely a formality. The day Sirius was released, his fate was set in stone. What I want to know is how much the prosecutor will be able to get from him."

"I told you so, pup; you're worrying for nothing." Sirius chimed in as he motioned for the empty space they had occupied. There was enough space for us to sit as we sat on the circular long tables. Looking down, I noticed the large cage in there. A chair with chains attached to it sat inside.

Before I could question the runes that were glowing on the chair and the chains, the door opened, and Minister Fudge decided to arrive. Followed behind him was a squad of Aurors who surrounded a coherent Pettigrew who was bound in chains that glowed with magical residue.

I could feel Sirius and Harry's hostility as they glared at the rat while the Minister paraded him through the doors as if he were responsible for catching the Death Eater.

According to newspaper stories, he blamed and discredited the last government for this atrocious mistake. Barty Crouch Sr. has been forced to retire from the Department of Magical Games and Sports.

'I wonder how that would affect the story. Should I try hinting to Amelia that a raid on his house would be beneficial? Eradicating the last vestige of Voldemort's influence would be a good idea.'

The Trial was ready to start, and as I locked eyes with a glaring Pettigrew, a sense of anticipation did well up in me. I wanted to see how far I could influence this world.

...

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