The courtroom was abuzz with murmurs as Rufus Scrimgeour called the next witness to the stand. Barty Crouch Sr., his face a mask of cold determination, rose and approached with measured steps. His presence seemed to cast a shadow over the proceedings, and the room fell silent as he took his place.

“Mr. Crouch,” Rufus began, “please state your relation to this case.”

Barty’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. “I am here to present evidence against Sirius Black. Evidence that will show beyond any doubt that he is guilty of the charges brought against him.”

A ripple of unease spread through the courtroom. Sirius Black, his chains clinking softly, watched with a mixture of concern and defiance.

“Mr. Crouch, what evidence do you present?” Rufus asked, his tone guarded.

Barty cleared his throat, his voice smooth and unsettling. “Sirius Black himself has admitted to being responsible for the deaths of James and Lily Potter. He has confessed to having betrayed them.”

A gasp echoed through the room. Sirius’s expression hardened as he turned to face the Wizengamot.

Rufus’s gaze was sharp. “Is this true, Mr. Black?”

Sirius, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation, replied, “Yes, I am responsible for their deaths. I am responsible because I trusted Peter Pettigrew to be the Secret-Keeper. He betrayed that trust and revealed their location.”

The courtroom was tense as Sirius’s words sank in. Dolores Umbridge, sitting beside Sirius, leaned forward. “Can you prove this claim, Mr. Black?”

Sirius nodded, his resolve clear. “I can provide my memory of the events if that will help.”

Barty’s lips curled into a sneer. “Memories can be fabricated. They are unreliable and can be manipulated.”

Dolores’s eyes narrowed, but she did not back down. “Then are you willing to submit to a Veritaserum examination?”

A stunned silence fell over the courtroom. The idea of using Veritaserum—an incredibly potent truth serum—was unexpected and shocking. Sirius’s eyes flicked to Harry and Remus, seeking their support, before he faced Rufus and Umbridge with determination.

“Yes,” Sirius said firmly. “I am willing to undergo the Veritaserum test. I will prove my innocence.”

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The Wizengamot members exchanged looks of astonishment. Veritaserum was a rare and extreme measure, and its use in such a high-profile case was unprecedented.

Rufus Scrimgeour regarded Sirius with a mixture of respect and skepticism. “Very well. We will proceed with the administration of Veritaserum.”

As the courtroom’s atmosphere grew charged with anticipation, a small vial of Veritaserum was brought forth by an aide. The liquid inside was a clear, shimmering substance, and it drew gasps from the audience. The implications of its use were immense.

Dolores Umbridge, with a stern expression, prepared the vial. “Mr. Black, please consume the Veritaserum.”

Sirius took the vial, his hands steady despite the tension. He drank the contents in one swift motion, and the room watched in silence as the effects of the potion began to take hold.

Barty Crouch Jr. took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. “Now, Mr. Black, answer truthfully. Did you betray James and Lily Potter to Voldemort?”

The effects of the Veritaserum were almost immediate. Sirius’s eyes took on a glazed look, and his voice was calm and unfiltered.

“No,” Sirius replied. “I did not betray James and Lily Potter. I was not the Secret-Keeper. I trusted Peter Pettigrew, who was the Secret-Keeper, to keep their location safe. He betrayed them, and I was not responsible for their deaths.”

The courtroom was filled with gasps and murmurs as Sirius’s truth came to light under the influence of the potion. Dolores Umbridge’s expression was a mix of triumph and concern as she turned to address the court.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the Wizengamot,” she said, “the Veritaserum has confirmed that Sirius Black’s testimony was truthful. He was not the traitor but a victim of betrayal himself.”

Rufus Scrimgeour nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the revelation. “The evidence presented and the results of the Veritaserum test will be taken into account as we proceed with the case.”

The courtroom buzzed with intense discussion as the implications of the testimony sank in. Sirius, though still restrained, held a flicker of hope in his eyes. The trial was far from over, but the truth was beginning to emerge, and with it, a chance for justice.