Dolores Umbridge sat in the large courtroom of the Ministry of Magic, her fingers lightly tapping on the stack of parchment in front of her. She had never been one to feel uncertain about her decisions, but today held a weight of consequence she couldn’t quite shake. The trial of Sirius Black had been a cornerstone of controversy, one that touched the very heart of the wizarding world’s fragile political landscape. And now, with the shocking discovery of Peter Pettigrew being alive, Dolores found herself in a position of immense power and responsibility.
She had reviewed the case files meticulously. Sirius Black’s original conviction had been rushed, almost reckless, in its attempt to mete out justice in the wake of the horrors brought by Voldemort’s downfall. But Pettigrew’s sudden reappearance, coupled with his long-disguised Animagus form, had changed everything. The retrial was no longer simply a matter of re-evaluating Black’s guilt; it was about questioning the very integrity of the justice system itself.
The Ministry courtroom buzzed with hushed conversations as officials and onlookers took their seats. The Wizengamot members filed in one by one, their expressions guarded. Although she expected pushback from several key figures—those who had long clung to the belief in Black’s guilt—Dolores found herself surprisingly unopposed. There was no outcry, no grand speeches against reopening the case. She had prepared for a fierce battle, but instead, there was a strange, quiet acceptance.
Her eyes flicked over to the corner of the room, where Albus Dumbledore sat, his long fingers interlaced in front of him. His face was inscrutable, but the glint in his eyes told her he was watching everything closely. Dolores had always found Dumbledore insufferable, with his endless tolerance and gentle rebukes, but today, he seemed unusually calm. And that calm unnerved her more than anything else.
She cleared her throat, standing to address the courtroom. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot, after a thorough review of the evidence and circumstances surrounding the case of Sirius Black, and in light of the revelation that Peter Pettigrew is indeed alive and has been in hiding as an unregistered Animagus, I propose to merge the trials of both Black and Pettigrew. The two cases are inextricably linked, and it is in the interest of justice that they be heard together."
Her voice was steady, though she kept expecting a voice to rise in objection. But none came. The silence in the room was almost deafening.
"I would also like to propose," she continued, "that we proceed with urgency. Given the gravity of these revelations, it is essential that we address these matters without further delay."
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Still, no resistance. No one challenged her words. Instead, heads nodded in agreement, and even those who had previously been vocally opposed seemed resigned to this course of action.
Dolores couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as her eyes returned to Dumbledore. His influence, though unofficial, extended far beyond what was visible. She knew the old man wielded more soft power than most gave him credit for. Dumbledore was always a quiet force, pushing things along with subtle words and gentle nudges, often working behind the scenes to ensure his ideals shaped the outcome of events. Dolores hated the way he made it look effortless.
Once the formalities were complete and the room began to empty, she found herself staring into the middle distance, her mind racing. She had expected to face resistance, especially from Dumbledore. But not today. Today, he had allowed her to take control. The thought gnawed at her. Why now? Why would he, of all people, allow this retrial to proceed without protest? Surely he knew this would place her at the center of attention, a place she had long coveted but had also been wary of.
She packed up her papers and made her way out of the courtroom, the sound of her shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor. As she reached the door, she felt a presence beside her. It was Dumbledore, moving at a measured pace, his blue robes flowing behind him.
"An excellent proposal, Dolores," he said in his usual, maddeningly calm tone. "I’m sure the truth will be brought to light soon enough."
"Indeed, Headmaster," Dolores replied, her voice tight. "But I must say, I was rather surprised by your... lack of resistance today."
Dumbledore’s eyes twinkled, and he tilted his head slightly. "The pursuit of justice, Dolores, is something I believe we both hold dear. And in this case, I believe that justice will best be served if the full truth is uncovered. Sirius Black deserves a fair trial, and Peter Pettigrew, well… he must answer for his actions."
Dolores narrowed her eyes. "You do realize, of course, that this could change everything?"
"Yes," Dumbledore replied softly, "I do. And I trust you will handle it with the utmost care."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there with the uncomfortable realization that she had, in some way, been outmaneuvered. Whatever game Dumbledore was playing, it was far deeper than she had anticipated.
As she made her way back to her office, Dolores mulled over the implications of what had just occurred. She had expected a fight, but instead, Dumbledore had given her his silent blessing. Why? What was his angle?