The grand courtroom of the Ministry of Magic was a theater of tension as the trial of Sirius Black continued. Rufus Scrimgeour, with his imposing presence, presided over the proceedings. Dolores Umbridge, surprisingly in the role of Sirius's defender, sat beside him, her demeanor a mix of feigned sympathy and calculated strategy. The members of the Wizengamot, clad in their rich plum-colored robes, observed with a blend of curiosity and solemnity.
“Mr. Hagrid, please take the stand,” Rufus Scrimgeour instructed, his authoritative voice echoing through the room.
Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, rose and made his way to the witness stand. His large frame seemed to fill the space, and his expression was one of deep seriousness. Despite his usual jovial nature, the gravity of the situation was evident in his demeanor.
“Mr. Hagrid,” Rufus began, “please recount your knowledge of the events of that fateful night in Godric’s Hollow.”
Hagrid cleared his throat, his deep, rumbling voice resonating with the weight of the memories. “It was a dark and stormy night. The wind was howling, and the rain was pouring down. I was sent by Dumbledore to collect Harry Potter from Godric’s Hollow. When I arrived, the place was in ruins. The house was destroyed, and there was no sign of anyone alive.”
He paused, his gaze distant as he recalled the scene. “The only things I found were the baby, Harry, and Sirius’s motorbike. The bike was enchanted to fly, and it was the only way I could have escaped quickly with the baby. Sirius had given it to me, knowing I’d need it.”
Hagrid’s eyes softened as he continued. “Sirius Black handed Harry over to me and gave me his motorbike. After that, he left to find Peter Pettigrew. That’s all I know about his actions that night.”
The courtroom was silent, every eye focused on Hagrid. His testimony provided crucial insight into Sirius’s actions, shedding light on his role that night. Dolores Umbridge leaned forward, her expression a mixture of false concern and calculated interest.
“Thank you, Mr. Hagrid,” Umbridge said, her voice dripping with insincerity. “As you can see, Mr. Hagrid’s testimony supports the claim that Sirius Black was engaged in a heroic effort to protect Harry Potter. He did everything he could to ensure Harry’s safety.”
Rufus Scrimgeour nodded. “Next, we will hear from Mr. Remus Lupin, Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures.”
The courtroom door creaked open, and Remus Lupin entered with his usual calm and measured demeanor. Despite the weariness that marked his features, he carried himself with quiet dignity. The room's tension seemed to shift slightly with his arrival—Remus’s reputation as a reasonable and honorable man preceded him. The audience, aware of his standing as the current Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, watched him with respect as he took his place at the witness stand.
He cast a brief, reassuring glance toward Sirius Black, who sat stoic among the witnesses, before turning his attention to the court. The flicker of sadness in Remus's eyes spoke volumes about the shared history between the two men.
Rufus Scrimgeour stood, his voice steady as he began. "Mr. Lupin, we understand that you were close with the Potters, Mr. Black, and Mr. Pettigrew. Can you explain to the court your understanding of the events leading up to that tragic night in Godric’s Hollow?"
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Remus took a deep breath, his expression somber. "Yes. While I was not present that night, I can speak to the plan that was in place—at least what I knew of it. The Potters were in hiding because of the danger You-Know-Who posed to them, and a Fidelius Charm was chosen to protect them. At the time, it was widely believed that Sirius Black would serve as the Secret-Keeper."
There was a murmur among the spectators, but Remus continued, his voice firm yet tinged with regret. "However, what I was not told until after the tragedy was that James and Lily had changed their minds. They decided to keep the switch of Secret-Keepers a secret from almost everyone—especially me. They suspected there might be a traitor among us, and for reasons I later learned, they thought that person might be me."
A brief silence followed, thick with the weight of that revelation.
"I never knew they had chosen Peter Pettigrew to be their Secret-Keeper," Remus continued quietly. "At the time, I believed Sirius was still their primary protector. I didn’t even realize that I had been excluded from their final decisions. It was only after James and Lily’s deaths that I learned the truth about the switch."
Scrimgeour nodded, allowing the information to sink in with the Wizengamot. "Mr. Lupin, to clarify—at the time of their deaths, you were unaware of the change in Secret-Keepers. But you knew that you were not trusted with the information because they suspected you of potentially betraying them?"
"Yes," Remus replied softly, a hint of sorrow in his voice. "I believed, as did most of us, that Sirius was the Secret-Keeper. But because of the suspicions surrounding me, James and Lily never confided in me about their final plans. It was only later that I realized the extent of their fear and uncertainty."
Scrimgeour’s expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes. "And did you ever suspect Sirius Black of being capable of betraying his closest friends?"
Remus shook his head firmly. "No. Never. I knew Sirius, James, and Peter for many years. Sirius would have done anything to protect the Potters. Despite the suspicions that had crept into our group, I never once believed Sirius would betray them. He loved them—James and Lily—and he would have laid down his life to protect them, as would I."
Remus’s voice tightened with emotion. "But Peter Pettigrew... I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did. None of us did."
The courtroom fell into a hushed silence as the weight of Remus’s testimony settled over the room. The notion of betrayal from within their close-knit group—the mistrust that had driven their final decisions—was palpable.
Scrimgeour paused, letting the silence hang for a moment before asking his final question. "Mr. Lupin, knowing what you know now, do you believe Sirius Black was responsible for the deaths of James and Lily Potter?"
Remus looked directly at the Wizengamot, his eyes filled with a mix of grief and certainty. "No. Sirius Black did not betray James and Lily. Peter Pettigrew did. And the Potters paid the ultimate price for that betrayal."
Scrimgeour nodded, his voice solemn. "Thank you, Mr. Lupin. You may step down."
As Remus left the witness stand, the courtroom seemed to breathe again, the gravity of his testimony adding another layer of truth to the trial. Sirius sat silently, his gaze following his friend, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes.
The room was filled with a contemplative silence as Remus’s words resonated. His testimony provided a crucial perspective, shedding light on Sirius’s true role and the extent of his loyalty.
Dolores Umbridge seized the opportunity to address the court once more. “As we have seen, the testimonies of Mr. Hagrid and Mr. Lupin corroborate Sirius Black’s claims. The evidence is mounting that he was not the traitor but rather a victim of betrayal himself.”
Rufus Scrimgeour nodded thoughtfully. “The testimonies presented today provide significant insights into the events of that night. However, we must proceed with caution and ensure that all evidence is thoroughly examined.”
As the day’s proceedings continued, the courtroom buzzed with hushed conversations. The testimonies of Hagrid and Lupin had added depth to the case, shifting the narrative and highlighting the complexities of Sirius’s situation. The path to justice was becoming clearer, though the final verdict remained uncertain.
Sirius Black sat in his chair, his emotions a mix of hope and apprehension. The support from his friends and the evidence being presented were sources of solace, yet the ultimate outcome of the trial remained out of reach. As the courtroom gradually emptied and the murmurs of discussion faded, Sirius could only wait and hope that the truth would prevail.