The courtroom remained suffocatingly silent after Peter Pettigrew’s pathetic confession. The air was thick with a mixture of disgust, shock, and a growing sense of justice closing in on the man who had betrayed his closest friends. All eyes lingered on Pettigrew’s small, trembling frame as the finality of his words settled into the minds of everyone present.

Rufus Scrimgeour stood firm at the center of the room, his steely gaze sweeping across the members of the Wizengamot. "Ladies and gentlemen, you have now heard the full account of Peter Pettigrew’s actions and his motivations. Cowardice, fear, and resentment led him to betray those who trusted him the most, leading to the deaths of James and Lily Potter, and the near destruction of their son, Harry."

He turned to Pettigrew, his voice filled with righteous indignation. "Peter Pettigrew, the gravity of your betrayal cannot be understated. You abandoned the very people who saw you as a friend, turned your back on the light, and aided You-Know-Who in his reign of terror."

Peter sat hunched over, his face a picture of despair. His watery eyes darted nervously around the room, as if seeking some sign of mercy or understanding, but he found none. The Veritaserum had stripped him of all artifice, leaving him vulnerable and exposed before the court. He had confessed, not out of choice, but because the truth had been wrenched from him by magical means.

Rufus addressed the court once more. "The testimonies you have heard today, including those under the influence of Veritaserum, leave no doubt as to Peter Pettigrew’s guilt. He has freely admitted to betraying the Potters to You-Know-Who, driven by his own self-interest and fear. We must now decide how to proceed."

The members of the Wizengamot exchanged solemn glances. Many had lived through the horrors of Voldemort’s first rise to power; some had lost loved ones, friends, or colleagues. The weight of Pettigrew’s betrayal, compounded by his cowardice, was undeniable.

Amelia Bones, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, cleared her throat and stood. Her voice, calm and authoritative, filled the chamber. "The evidence, both magical and testimonial, is overwhelming. We have heard from Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and now Peter Pettigrew himself. There can be no further doubt as to the facts of this case."

She paused, her eyes sharp as they settled on Pettigrew. "Peter Pettigrew, you stand before us guilty of treason, betrayal, and complicity in the deaths of James and Lily Potter, as well as aiding the Dark Lord in his campaign of terror. The Wizengamot must now deliberate on the appropriate sentence."

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There was no protest from Pettigrew. His head drooped, and his hands shook uncontrollably in his lap. The weight of his crimes and the judgment awaiting him was too much for him to bear. He had no defense left. No excuses.

As Amelia sat down, the quiet murmurs of the Wizengamot began. The deliberation was swift; there was little to debate. The courtroom, however, seemed frozen in time, each spectator holding their breath as the gravity of what was to come hung over them.

Rufus Scrimgeour turned to the judges’ bench, his voice firm and unwavering. "Members of the Wizengamot, if you find Peter Pettigrew guilty of the charges brought against him, please signify your judgment."

The hands rose in unison, a near-universal agreement filling the room. Pettigrew was guilty. His betrayal was beyond doubt.

Rufus gave a sharp nod. "Peter Pettigrew, you have been found guilty of your crimes. The sentencing will be decided momentarily."

Pettigrew’s face twisted in desperation. For a fleeting second, he seemed as though he might beg for his life, but the weight of the trial, of the truth that had been exposed, bore down on him. The room remained still, but the energy within it was electric. Retribution was imminent.

Just then, from the back of the room, a voice broke the silence.

"I request permission to address the court," Sirius Black’s voice rang out, steady and firm.

Rufus raised an eyebrow but gave a measured nod. "Proceed, Mr. Black."

Sirius stood, his tall frame commanding attention. He looked directly at Pettigrew, his expression cold and unyielding. "I’ve waited for this day, for the truth to come out, for years. And now, it has. Peter Pettigrew betrayed my best friends, framed me for murder, and destroyed countless lives with his cowardice. I was wrongfully imprisoned for twelve years because of him."

There was a brief pause as he collected himself, but his anger was palpable, barely held in check. "But as much as I want justice, I will not allow myself to stoop to his level. Let the court decide his punishment, but let it be one that ensures he will never be able to harm anyone again. That’s all I ask."

He sat back down, his gaze never leaving Pettigrew, who trembled under his stare.

Rufus nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Mr. Black. Your words will be considered in the sentencing." He looked to the Wizengamot once more. "The deliberation for Peter Pettigrew's sentence will now begin."

As the members of the Wizengamot leaned in to confer, the tension in the room grew. This was it—the moment of reckoning for Peter Pettigrew. Every eye in the room was on him, waiting for the final decision that would shape his fate.

Seconds ticked by, stretching into what felt like an eternity.

Finally, Amelia Bones rose once more. "Peter Pettigrew, the Wizengamot has reached a decision regarding your punishment. You are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban, with no chance of parole."

A collective breath was released throughout the room. It was over. The traitor had been judged.

Peter Pettigrew collapsed in his seat, his face drained of color. The enormity of his sentence—the bleak, cold future awaiting him in the depths of Azkaban—seemed to break him. He sobbed openly now, but his cries fell on deaf ears.

The trial had come to a close, but the echoes of Pettigrew’s betrayal would linger long after.

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