Ministry of Magic.
Baa! Baa! Baa!
The three sheep kept struggling and shouting, causing the surrounding Ministry of Magic members to look sideways.
As if aware of the curious and theatrical gazes of the wizards around them, the three sheep were so ashamed and angry that they wanted to hit the wall directly.
There is an obvious dark red magic rope tied around the necks of the three sheep.
Following the rope, you can clearly see a handsome blond wizard in front of him, holding three long ropes tightly in his hand.
The long rope swayed slightly, but was very stable, as if to prevent the sheep from escaping.
Auror Director Scrimgeour and other Aurors stood on both sides of Lockhart, seeming to be wary of something.
"Professor Lockhart is back!"
"With such a big show, Director Scrimgeour is here too. What happened?"
"What's going on with these three sheep?"
"."
Hearing the whispers of wizards around him, Lockhart smiled.
Soon, Lockhart followed many Aurors into a spacious room.
"Professor Lockhart, just hand these three sheep over to our Aurors. I will give you an explanation."
After entering the room, Scrimgeour said calmly to Lockhart.
"Okay, Director." Lockhart did not refuse. He stretched out the rope in his hand and motioned to take it away. At the same time, he continued: "Do you need me to remove the magic on them now? Just give me my wand."
After hearing this, Scrimgeour was silent for a moment and politely declined: "Don't worry, we have a dedicated curse-breaker. I believe you won't be disappointed."
As a senior Auror, the first thing to do when arresting a suspect is to take away the wand.
Although he knew that Lockhart himself had a high chance of being wronged, he still had to put away his wand.
Fortunately, Lockhart himself was very cooperative, which made Scrimgeour breathe a sigh of relief.
However, when faced with Lockhart's request to get his magic back, even if it was just to cast a spell, years of experience still made him choose to refuse.
Besides, there are many professional curse-breaker at the Ministry of Magic. So he still quite confident.
Although Lockhart said that he uses his own magic spell, he still didn't take it seriously.
After all, there are only a few good self-created magics, and most of them are very average or even poor.
And looking at this, this is just a variation of the transformation spell, so it shouldn't be a problem.
When Lockhart heard Scrimgeour's rejection, he didn't take it seriously, nodded, and reminded: "Okay, if it doesn't work, you can come to me."
After Scrimgeour took the long rope in his hand, he nodded and said there was no problem.
Then he reached out to the table in the middle of the room and said in a deep voice: "Professor Lockhart, given your identity and the issues reported by the whistleblower. We need to know some things ahead of time. Tomorrow, the Ministry of Magic will arrange for a confrontation between the two of you. Do you think there is no problem?"
"Of course not." Lockhart nodded without hesitation: "I am very much looking forward to proving my innocence and finding out who is behind this."
"Okay, Professor Lockhart." Scrimgeour handed the magic rope in his hand to the Auror next to him, pointed to the table and chairs nearby and said in a deep voice.
"Then let's get started!"
Flint Family estate, living room.
"This is your plan."
Cassius Flint stands up. He asked the pure-blood families in front of him coldly.
"Those who were sent to attack were killed and wounded. Now, the wizards who are still alive are all prisoners, and they are all brought back to the Ministry of Magic for interrogation. Lockhart is staying at the Ministry of Magic, waiting for his face-to-face confrontation tomorrow."
"Flint, don't be angry." Cain Parkinson on the opposite side quickly comforted: "We are just like you. We have lost a lot of people in this. My people are dying and being held captive. I feel very heartbroken now. But the most urgent thing now is that we should discuss how to reduce the impact rather than getting into trouble."
"Really?" Flint said sarcastically: "If your ancestor wizard was caught. I don't believe you can still sit here safely now."
Hearing Flint's cynicism, Cain Parkinson felt angry in his heart, but he quickly suppressed it.
He also lost a lot of men this time.
However, he also understood Flint's current state.
Their Ancestor wizard has been arrested, so everyone has to be anxious.
The Parkinson is a little lucky now. Fortunately, he did not go to the Presbyterian Church and call his ancestor.
With his thoughts turning, Cain glanced at Lucius who was sitting silently aside. Without saying anything, he continued to comfort him: "Flint, the person is not dead yet."
"With so many of our families working together, we will be able to recover some losses and bring back our wizards."
Hearing this, Flint nodded, the anger on his face lessening.
Of course, he knew that others had to take action, after all, the pure-blood families were involved in this plan.
Lucius was silent at this moment. Lockhart came back smoothly, even with a prisoner, which was far beyond his expectation.
As the proposer and executor of the entire plan, he was under the greatest pressure.
If he wasn't careful, he might be the first one to end up in Azkaban.
"Lucius, is there no problem with Rupert side?" Flint asked calmly: "Will our action be revealed?"
Flint just wants to stop his losses and save his ancestor. Even if he pays part of the price, it is not unacceptable.
Upon hearing this, Lucius replied directly: "Don't worry, there is no problem. Even if it is found out, it will only be the work of a dark wizard. It can't be traced to us."
Having said that, Lucius still felt a little unstable.
Even if there is no problem on Rupert side, many wizards and prisoners were captured this time.
If he is not careful, no, he should say it will definitely be leaked this time.
It's just a matter of whether more or less is leaked.
If enough information is leaked, even the identity of him being mastermind is revealed, Lucius is sure that he will definitely enter Azkaban.
As his thoughts turned, Lucius felt a surge of cruelty in his heart.
He understands that there is no proof!
What's more, his master is still alive and back.
The next day, the Wizengamot courtroom.
In the spacious space, Lockhart sat on a table nearby. Not far away, a middle-aged wizard with messy hair, Rupert, gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and looked at Lockhart with an angry face.
It was as if Lockhart had robbed his entire family.
And all around, a large number of Wizengamot members wearing robes sat down one after another.
At this moment, Lockhart was sitting on a chair, sizing up the female judge Miranda opposite, with a slight smile on his face as he looked at the serious expression on her face.
Eyes met, Miranda looked at the handsome Lockhart, her serious expression unchanged.
But Lockhart could still detect a trace of fluctuation in Miranda's eyes.
Immediately, he looked at Rupert opposite, looking at the look on his face that he wanted to eat him.
Helplessly, he turned around and looked at the Wizengamot members around him.
At this moment, suddenly.
Dumbledore pushed the door open and entered. The two looked at each other, nodded slightly, and then Dumbledore found his seat and sat down.
clang! clang! clang!
As Judge Miranda rang the bell on the left, a solemn voice sounded.
"The trial regarding the case of Rupert Mulciber accusing Gilderoy Lockhart of stealing research results and casting the Unforgivable Curse has officially begun."
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Wizengamot courtroom.
"Although I was affected by the Oblivion Curse, I can still clearly remember Lockhart's ferocious appearance when he tortured me and cast the Cruciatus Curse."
"."
"About the research process of runes and meditation methods, I can still recall a lot of fragmented scenes in my mind."
"."
Rupert said with a trembling voice, looking at Judge in front of him, his eyes full of prayer.
As if praying to the judge to give him justice and severely punish Lockhart, the dark wizard.
"Because I had some good luck before and ate a precious soul fruit. I have a certain ability to resist spiritual and soul-type spells. So Lockhart never expected that the forgetting spell he thought was foolproof would actually allow me to recover part of my memory. As soon as I recovered, I came to the Ministry of Magic to report Lockhart. This is my statement above. I hope your honor will never let Lockhart, the dark wizard, go."
After Rupert finished speaking, his eyes looked at Lockhart full of anger.
The surrounding Wizengamot members were whispering.
Lockhart ignored Rupert's eyes and looked at the Wizengamot members around him with interest. To be precise, they were the pure-blood family members who attacked him.
The ones who took action this time were mainly the 12 pure-blood families on the Hogwarts Board of Trustees. They were probably worried about sharing the profits, so they did not involve other pure-blood families.
Despite this, 7 of the 36 members who came to the Wizengamot this time were related to them.
Thoughts turning, Lockhart once again set his sights on Dumbledore.
The two looked at each other, and Lockhart nodded slightly.
Immediately, he turned his attention to the judge opposite.
because
clang! clang! clang!
At this moment, Judge Miranda seemed to hear everyone's discussion, picked up a hammer, and gently struck the small bell next to her.
At the same time, he said seriously: "Everyone, do you have any questions about Rupert' statement?"
Maybe it was because Rupert had already finished his statement last time and had asked all the questions that needed to be asked.
Or maybe they know that the protagonist is not Rupert this time.
Only one member of the Wizengamot asked a question about the Cruciatus Curse and then stopped asking.
"Gilderoy Lockhart, please begin your statement."
Seeing that no one continued to ask, Judge Milan asked Lockhart in a deep voice.
"Okay, Judge." Lockhart nodded gently and said gently.
"In fact, I am personally very surprised that someone has accused me of plagiarism and casting the Unforgivable Curse. But it feels like it's reasonable."
Lockhart turned sideways and spoke loudly to the Wizengamot members wearing red robes around him.
"Why do I say that? The reason, I believe not only me, but everyone present knows that the meditation method I have developed has touched the interests of some wizard families. There is no doubt that meditation is beneficial to the development of the entire wizarding world. Dear respected and wise members of the Wizengamot, do you think so?"
Hearing what Lockhart said, the surrounding Wizengamot members nodded subconsciously.
Seeing this, Lockhart continued.
"Everything has advantages and disadvantages. Meditation can promote the development of the wizarding world. However, some wizards, some families, or some organizations do not want to see this scene. To be precise, it's not that they don't want to see the development of the wizarding world, but they don't want to see other people promoting the development of the wizarding world. They only live in their own world and only care about themselves. These people are like bugs in the gutter. They are accustomed to darkness and don't want others to gain light."
Hearing this, some Wizengamot members showed a smile on their faces, and similarly, some people's faces became gloomy.
Lockhart, on the other hand, continued.
"There is a proverb in the far east, and I think it is very appropriate to put it out."
"Oppressive rule."
"This sentence can be understood as meaning that nobles can do some things, but commoners can never even touch them. Because these nobles believe that this is their privilege, and if civilians behave the same way, it is an insult."
clang! clang! clang!
Standing on the stage, Judge Miranda's eyes twitched slightly when she heard Lockhart's constant criticism.
Seeing that he was getting more and more outrageous, she rang the small metal bell next to her.
At the same time, she said seriously: "Professor Lockhart, please return to the topic and state the relevant information about stealing research results and casting the Unforgivable Curse."
"Okay, Judge." Lockhart said with some regret.
He was also prepared to take advantage of this theme and scold the pure-blood family.
Dig a hole and see if they can fall into it.
Pity! !
Dumbledore on the side was speechless when he heard Lockhart's regretful tone.
Based on his understanding of Lockhart, he might be thinking of tricking people again.
"Actually, I personally feel very sympathetic to what Rupert is going through."
Lockhart looked at Rupert on the side, ignoring the other person's murderous gaze, and said with some sympathy.
"Lockhart, you, a dark wizard, don't act like a good guy here."
When Rupert heard this, he cursed directly.
In his memory, Lockhart could be said to have been tortured him in all kinds of ways, which was extremely cruel.
clang! clang! clang!
"Quiet!"
Judge Miranda rang the small bell and solemnly said: "Gilderoy Lockhart, please make your statement as soon as possible. If you continue to delay or instigate the victim's emotions, you will be charged with contempt of court."
Hearing this, Lockhart shook his head helplessly.
He only said a few words and was charged with contempt of court.
As his thoughts turned, Lockhart looked calm and spoke loudly.
"I believe what Wizard Rupert said is absolutely true. But just because you're telling the truth doesn't mean you're telling the truth. It's no surprise that I researched the meditation method and runes. I can provide my relevant research experience, and even Principal Dumbledore can testify for me. As for what Wizard Rupert said."
"There are a few points that I would like to emphasize."
"First, Wizard Rupert may indeed have been cast a forgetting spell, but it does not rule out that his memory was also falsely interfered with by others. I have researched on memory spells, and knowing this is easy to do. I'm very curious, Mr Rupert, you are also a researcher, but you yourself didn't notice the strangeness of your research on memory."
"As a researcher, our research habits and research ideas are reflected in our research results. You look at the research results that emerge in your mind and study your memory. Does it feel strange or problematic?"
"Truth and falsehood can be detected as long as we calm down."
At this point, Lockhart paused, as if giving Rupert time to think.
At the same time, what no one noticed was that an extremely slight magic wave spread rapidly from the soles of Lockhart's feet toward Rupert, and then disappeared in an instant.
And Rupert was a little surprised when he heard what Lockhart said.
But as if something had been touched, his emotions suddenly swelled with anger, and the hostility toward Lockhart surged crazily in his mind.
But the next moment, there seemed to be a cold breath entering the brain, which instantly calmed down the chaotic brain and made the mind work quickly.
As a magic researcher, he quickly detected a few oddities in his memory without any interference.
Therefore, the whole person fell silent, thinking and trying to prove it.
When Lockhart saw Rupert who was silent at the moment, he nodded slightly and did not continue to ask.
"Second point, I feel that the whole thing is a very coincidence. I had just received an invitation from Durmstrang to give a lecture and went to Norway. As a result, as soon as I left, someone reported it."
"Do you think this is a coincidence?"
Lockhart looked at the members of the Wizengamot and said meaningfully.
"What's even more coincidental is that when I received the news that someone reported me, I was ready to return to the UK to prove my innocence."
"But, a large number of wizards attacked me and tried to silence me, creating the illusion that I was absconding. This once again proves that this is a deliberate frame-up, a conspiracy against me and the meditation method."
Hearing this, the surrounding Wizengamot members whispered.
"Sure enough, the rumors yesterday were true. I didn't expect that someone was really planning to silence Professor Lockhart."
"Hey, this method is really cruel."
"."
Lockhart heard the discussion among the people around him, a faint smile appeared on his face, and then he continued.
"As for the wizard who attacked me, the Auror from the Ministry of Magic can vouch for this, and the wizard I captured as a prisoner can also vouch for this. Here, taking this opportunity, I also want to make my appeal to the Wizengamot."
At this point, Lockhart paused for a moment, as if to give everyone time to prepare. Then he said solemnly.
"There is a pure-blood family that colludes with the Wizarding Party to release Grindelwald in an attempt to kill me and hinder the development of the wizarding world!"
As soon as Lockhart finished speaking, the entire Wizengamot trial room fell silent.
Everyone turned their attention to Lockhart.
After a moment, the silence turned into noise, and a large number of wizards quickly asked Lockhart as if they were stimulated.
"What? Grindelwald."
"Impossible. Isn't Grindelwald imprisoned in Nurmengard?"
"Professor Lockhart, this is the Wizengamot, and you are responsible for what you say."
"."
The originally peaceful Wizengamot courtroom was now as noisy as a vegetable market.
Question after question came to Lockhart one after another.
And Dumbledore also sighed softly.
He knew that even after Grindelwald came out, he would not be Lockhart if he did not take the opportunity to give some attack to the pure-blood family.
If the crime of colluding and releasing the Dark Lord Grindelwald was confirmed, which family could bear it.
clang! clang! clang!
"Quiet! Quiet!"
Judge Miranda kept ringing the small bell, making a clanging sound.
At the same time, she shouted loudly and seriously.
The entire noisy courtroom slowly became quiet.
"Professor Lockhart, this is the Wizengamot. Please note that every word you say is witnessed by everyone."
"Here, in the name of the Wizengamot, I ask you again. Are you willing to take all responsibility for what you just said?"
"Of course I do." Facing Judge Miranda's interrogation, Lockhart said without hesitation.
"About Grindelwald, I didn't see it alone. Auror Moody, Tonks, Roberto and others from the Ministry of Magic who supported me all saw it. Including the wizard captives I defeated, all witnessed Grindelwald. If you have doubts, you can ask them to come forward and testify now."
At this point, Lockhart paused, looked at Judge Miranda, and changed the subject.
"Now, Judge, can you accept my statement?"
"The release of Grindelwald by the pure-blood family is not just for me, it will cause extremely serious harm to the entire wizarding world."
"I think the Ministry of Magic and the Wizengamot should conduct a serious, strict, and expeditious review. Otherwise, who can imagine how many things he would do with these pure-blood families to threaten the wizarding world."
"I'm not sure, maybe they have already colluded with the Death Eaters of the previous Dark Lord, and maybe they are preparing to resurrect their master."
As soon as Lockhart finished speaking, voices sounded one after another.
"Lockhart, don't change the subject and try to evade your guilt."
"Judge, Lockhart has changed the subject again. I think he should at least be held in contempt of court."
"."
He heard Lockhart pouring basin after basin of dirty water over him.
the pure-blood Wizengamot members that collaborated with Lucius became a little anxious and said one after another.
They didn't know much about Grindelwald, but Voldemort was really alive and they made contact.
He is even really preparing to be resurrected!
Hearing what Lockhart said, he felt horrified.
If they hadn't known Lockhart's identity, they would have thought the news had been leaked.
Seeing the reactions of these people, Lockhart curled his lips and looked at Judge Miranda.
clang! clang! clang!
"Quiet! Quiet!"
Judge Miranda rang the small bell again. She was a little helpless.
The trial started out like a lecture.
The latter was even more ruthless, pulling out Grindelwald and pouring dirty water crazily.
Even the precious Dark Lord came out, and no one knew that Voldemort was truly dead.
Hearing Judge Miranda's serious voice, the member become quit.
Then something seemed to come to mind.
The Carrows stood up directly and said to Judge Miranda.
"Your Honor, I think the outcome of this trial has come out. Lockhart was lying just now. Because according to what he said, if he met Grindelwald, I don't believe that Lockhart could come back alive. This is most likely a lie that Lockhart made up to escape his crime."
When Judge Miranda heard it, it seemed that it was really logical.
Grindelwald, the Dark Lord of the Wizarding World, almost started the Wizarding World War.
Then
Judge Miranda and all members of the Wizengamot heard Lockhart's faint words.
"Who told you that I am weak! When did I say that? I am not Grindelwald's opponent."
"The three old monsters and seventeen pure-blood wizards you invited were all killed and captured by me. Do you still think that I am weak?"
At the same time, Lockhart released the mental deterrent of his soul's transformation.
Everyone present suddenly felt as if their hearts were being pressed down by a heavy burden, and they could hardly breathe.
Especially those pure-blood family members who just spoke, they felt as if they were being stared at by a giant dragon.
The cold hair stood on end, as if he was about to die at any moment.
boom!
The Carrows member just stood up, and fell to the ground with a thud as if he didn't react.
But everyone around them didn't pay attention, because the pressure in their hearts was getting heavier and heavier, and they looked at Lockhart as if they were looking at a monster.
Fear, even awe, arose in their heart.
"Lockhart, that's enough."
As Dumbledore's gentle but serious voice sounded.
Lockhart withdrew his mental intimidation, and everyone gasped for air.
It was as if thousands of burdens were being lifted from my heart.
However, they looked at Lockhart with a hint of awe.
This is the instinct for powerful people.
And Lockhart said with a smile: "Everyone, members of the Wizengamot. What's the best way to make sure I'm lying? You just need to go to Nurmengard and ask Grindelwald. If you tell me my name, he won't embarrass you too much."
Hearing this, everyone present was speechless.
Do they have the guts to go to Grindelwald?
Then, Lockhart was heard to continue: "Of course, the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic and the wizards who came to attack me just saw the battle between me and Grindelwald."
"They are all at the Ministry of Magic and can be called over at any time to prove it for me."
Hearing this, everyone present was moved.
Although they dare not underestimate Lockhart's strength.
But they attach great importance to proving Grindelwald's return to the wizarding world.
Grindelwald's reappearance will inevitably cause changes in the entire wizarding world, and some of the family's arrangements must also be adjusted.
They didn't dare to go to Nurmengard, but this method proved to be a very good method.
Thoughts swirling, all Wizengamot members, Look at Lockhart then at each other, as if waiting for someone to speak first, but they are all silent.
In the current situation, whoever speaks first will easily become a target.
Moreover, their responsibilities do not seem to include these, which seems to be a bit beyond their authority.
After a moment of silence, Dumbledore spoke.
"Judge Miranda, I propose that we summon the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic who went to support Professor Lockhart and the wizard who attacked Professor Lockhart to prove his innocence."
As soon as Dumbledore spoke, the wizards around him also spoke.
"Yes, I agree with Principal Dumbledore's proposal."
"Yes, it is important to call witnesses and prove innocence."
"."
Miranda was somewhat silent after hearing the requests from all the Wizengamot members.
The trial was centered on Lockhart's suspected theft of research results and the casting of the Unforgivable Curse.
As a result, Lockhart got involved and the topic completely went off the rails.
This is the first time it has been so difficult for her to try a case.
But after a moment of silence, she told the wizard who was taking notes on the side: "Summon the Ministry of Magic Aurors Moody, Tonks, Roberto and enter the Wizengamot trial chamber."
Hearing this, the wizard who took the record nodded quickly and ran outside.
The entire Wizengamot courtroom fell silent.
After a moment, the door was suddenly pushed open, and a somewhat panicked cry sounded.
"It's not good, Judge Miranda, all the wizard prisoners that Professor Lockhart brought to the Ministry of Magic are dead."
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