Bab 393: Chapter 393: Life Imprisonment (Edited)
"Yes, James and Lily finally replaced me as their Secret Keeper," said Peter Pettigrew, emitting some hissing sounds and then speaking in a neutral and emotionless tone.
When Peter admitted to being Peter Pettigrew, there was a slight buzz in Courtroom Number Seven. But when he revealed that he was the Secret Keeper for the Potters, the courtroom erupted. However, there was a significant difference between adult wizards and Hogwarts students.
After the brief commotion, everyone restrained themselves, although some couldn't help but raise their fists and middle fingers towards Peter.
Those interested in the Sirius Black case knew there was a crucial point: who the Potters had chosen as their Secret Keeper. With the protection of the Fidelius Charm, it was impossible for anyone to find the Potters, but Voldemort had succeeded, indicating that the Secret Keeper had betrayed them.
Therefore, it wasn't difficult to reach a conclusion: the Potter's Secret Keeper was a Death Eater who joined Voldemort. Previously, everyone thought it was Sirius Black, but now the case had taken a turn.
Fudge easily obtained the confession he wanted, but today he had a more important question to extract from Peter's mouth.
Controlling his emotions, Fudge asked in the calmest voice possible, "So, after He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named died, why didn't you leave and instead hid in the Weasley's house?"
Peter's eyelids twitched a couple of times. "Because I needed to gather information, find the right moment to welcome back my master, or rather, I wanted to help my master rise again with my assistance."
Boom!
At this moment, wizards could no longer contain themselves, and the ceiling of the courtroom nearly blew off.
"Bastard!"
"You've committed heinous crimes, deserving the death penalty."
"Minister, send him to Azkaban immediately, with no chance of redemption."
Peter's actions had undoubtedly struck a raw nerve with the wizards present, awakening the deepest fear in their hearts. Most of the wizards present, aged between their forties and sixties, hadn't lived through Grindelwald's time and didn't know the terror of the first Dark Lord. But they had all experienced Voldemort's era, felt firsthand the suffocating oppression and constant fear of losing their loved ones.
For them, anyone attempting to resurrect Voldemort was their number one enemy. A group of people who couldn't even believe the news of his return, how could they let someone trying to revive him go unpunished?
It was thanks to the respect they held for Dumbledore that they didn't pounce on Peter to beat him. But even with Dumbledore on the scene, the atmosphere was charged with emotion.
"So, have you succeeded in resurrecting He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?" asked Fudge with this question, and the courtroom fell into complete silence.
"No," Peter responded succinctly and decisively. "The time has not yet come."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They didn't care what the right moment for Voldemort's resurrection was, as long as it wasn't now.
Observing the reactions of the wizards around him, Dumbledore sighed. He had never imagined that the wizarding world would fear Voldemort so much these days. It was as if, with just his return and a command, the Ministry of Magic would instantly crumble.
Dumbledore realized he had underestimated the level of fear others felt towards Tom Riddle. But it was understandable; they didn't even dare to speak his name, even though he was now just a lingering soul. Voldemort's power no longer existed, but his influence remained profound.
Now, Dumbledore regretted not having been firmer in the past and sent those who pretended not to be Death Eaters to Azkaban. But he couldn't blame himself for being lenient, as there were too many secret Voldemort sympathizers in those days.
Both he and the Order of the Phoenix had been cornered by Riddle and his followers. One after another, families loyal to the Order were eliminated, and prominent Ministry of Magic members died in battle. The situation was deteriorating, and it was understandable that pure-blood families wavered in their loyalty.
Dumbledore even thought that if Tom Riddle hadn't believed in that prophecy and had continued weakening the Ministry of Magic and the Order of the Phoenix, maybe he and his followers could have directly attacked Hogwarts.
Dumbledore appeared somewhat weak during that time, staying inside Hogwarts without leaving. Mainly because, facing Voldemort, he had no guarantee of victory. If he lost, it would be truly dire, and everything would be lost.
Thinking of this, Dumbledore's gaze became sharp for a moment and then returned to calm and profound. He was starting to support Tom's idea.
He believed that Riddle would undoubtedly return, so why not try to control his return process? That way, he could set a trap and further weaken his power.
The showdown with Voldemort was a battle between good and evil in its entirety. If he could weaken the Death Eater side in advance, Dumbledore wouldn't hesitate to do so.
At that moment, Fudge was very pleased. Either way, he had resolved the Azkaban escape incident: "The fugitive is innocent," and naturally, he was no longer a fugitive, so the escape incident could be closed. Best of all, he had received news: the mysterious one had not yet resurrected. That was really good.
Although he felt very happy and content inside, he showed not the slightest emotion on his face. He looked solemnly at Peter Pettigrew and said, "I believe there is no need to continue questioning. I now ask the jury to vote." Fudge spoke loudly, "Those who believe Peter Pettigrew should be sentenced to life in Azkaban, please raise your hand."
Fudge didn't want to continue questioning; he believed the evidence presented was enough for a conviction. So, he initiated the vote.
The result was not surprising to him. Almost all the wizards raised their hands in favor, and the few who opposed only considered Fudge's sentence too lenient.
"Very well, take him to Azkaban." Two Dementors floated over and grabbed Peter's shoulders, leading him out of the courtroom. Along with the Aurors, they took Peter Pettigrew to Azkaban.
As he watched Peter gradually recede, Fudge displayed a relieved smile. At that moment, resounding applause was heard behind him. He turned and looked at the wizards present, and the applause grew even more enthusiastic.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we must celebrate the success of stopping the dark wizard's plot!" Fudge couldn't contain his joyful laughter.
Dumbledore gazed at Fudge, who laughed like a child, and also showed a compassionate smile. The only person in the room feeling down was probably Amelia Bones. Seeing how Fudge concluded Peter's trial, she felt that her own accusation was reaching new heights.
Her chances of success were unlikely, she thought to herself.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone