Chapter 280
On August 7th, Lucius Malfoy formally submitted a request to the Ministry of Magic for a retrial regarding Draco Malfoy's incident at Hogwarts.
At the hearing, Albus Dumbledore would personally appear, along with witnesses such as old Barty Crouch and Alastor Moody.
That morning, Lucius and his wife arrived at the Ministry of Magic unusually early.
After passing through enormous bronze doors and a magnificent marble hall, they entered the elevators and traveled all the way down to Courtroom Ten.
The chamber was still empty.
The black stone walls emitted a cold, oppressive aura.
Several torches hanging on the walls flickered weakly, their dim light barely illuminating the room before being swallowed by the darkness.
On both sides stood rows of rising benches.
They were currently empty, reserved for the Wizengamot jury.
At the center of the courtroom sat a heavy chair.
Iron chains wrapped around its armrests.
The purpose of those chains was obvious.
The moment someone sat down, the chains could spring forward and bind the prisoner tightly in place.
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy quietly found seats and waited.
Narcissa nervously scanned the room.
Her once-delicate face now looked haggard and exhausted.
Lucius silently tightened his grip around her hand in comfort.
His eyes slowly swept across the courtroom.
More than ten years ago, he had escaped punishment in this very place.
Over the following decade, he had entered this chamber countless times—
Though as a member of the jury, not a defendant.
One after another, members of the Wizengamot entered through the half-open doors.
All wore deep crimson robes embroidered with an elegant silver "W" over the chest.
Most of them wore stern expressions.
"Don't worry, Lucius. Everything will be alright."
A middle-aged wizard quietly approached and patted Lucius on the shoulder.
It was Pansy Parkinson's father, Hector Parkinson.
"…I hope so."
Lucius forced a polite smile onto his pale face.
Soon, the members of the jury took their seats one by one.
Today, Lucius appeared as the plaintiff.
His goal was to prove that Dumbledore had falsely accused his son during the Triwizard Tournament's award ceremony and abused his authority to distort the truth.
And Dumbledore himself would stand at the defendant's table.
Lucius tightened his grip around the silver snake-headed cane in his hand.
Then he closed his eyes and waited quietly.
He had invested enormous effort just to establish today's hearing.
Even though he knew perfectly well—
His chances of winning were almost nonexistent.
Suddenly—
The gloomy doors were pushed open.
A beam of light spilled into the dark courtroom.
Dumbledore calmly walked inside.
He wore a dark blue robe, and his expression remained peaceful and composed.
Behind the half-moon glasses resting upon his crooked nose, those blue eyes calmly looked toward the defendant's stand.
His long silver hair and beard glimmered softly beneath the torchlight.
The members of the Wizengamot immediately began whispering among themselves.
All eyes turned toward Dumbledore.
Some looked displeased.
Others appeared uneasy.
Two elderly witches seated near the back even raised their hands in greeting.
No matter one's opinion of him—
This was undeniably an old man with extraordinary charisma.
Several people followed behind him, most of them Hogwarts professors.
Dumbledore slowly approached the defendant's chair.
However, instead of sitting down immediately, he first glanced around the courtroom with calm blue eyes.
"The hearing officially begins!"
A shrill, toad-like female voice suddenly echoed through the chamber.
Many wizards visibly shivered.
"Interrogator: Acting Minister of Magic, Dolores Jane Umbridge."
"Director of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones."
"Court Recorder: Percy Ignatius Weasley."
At the side table, Percy hurriedly lowered his head and began rapidly writing notes.
Mr. Crouch's downfall clearly had not ruined his career.
He had recovered surprisingly quickly.
"Achoo!"
Dolores Umbridge suddenly sneezed violently.
She quickly pulled a pink handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her nose.
"Apologies. I caught a cold today."
"You continue reading."
She handed the parchment in her hand to the witch beside her.
The woman was broad-shouldered with a square jaw and short gray hair.
A monocle rested over one eye.
Her stern expression alone was enough to intimidate most people.
This was Amelia Bones, Director of Magical Law Enforcement.
Throughout the wizarding world, she was known as an exceptionally fair and upright official.
"Ahem."
Amelia Bones cleared her throat before speaking in a cold, emotionless tone.
"Mr. Dumbledore, would you please take your seat first?"
"Of course."
Dumbledore nodded politely before sitting down.
The black chains attached to the chair trembled slightly—
Then immediately became still again.
As though their earlier movement had merely been an illusion.
"Not long ago, the Ministry of Magic received an official complaint from the plaintiff."
"According to the accusation made by Lucius Malfoy, the current Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, deliberately framed his son, Draco Malfoy."
"He further claims that Dumbledore's actions emotionally destabilized Draco Malfoy and ultimately caused him to flee Hogwarts."
"This incident has produced extremely negative consequences for both the Malfoy family and others involved."
"Draco Malfoy currently remains at large, and his whereabouts and condition are unknown."
"The plaintiff therefore believes the defendant bears significant responsibility."
Bones lowered her eyes and continued reading from the parchment.
"In addition, the plaintiff has presented evidence alleging that the defendant may have illegally used prohibited magical potions and conducted an unauthorized interrogation of fugitive criminal Barty Crouch Jr. without Ministry approval."
Her loud voice echoed throughout the courtroom.
"Now then—"
"Defendant, do you acknowledge the truth of these accusations?"
"Mr. Dumbledore, did you abuse public authority for personal purposes?"
"According to Lucius Malfoy's testimony, you have displayed obvious favoritism toward certain students while treating others with excessive harshness."
"Furthermore, based on the evidence submitted by the plaintiff, there appears to be a personal conflict between you and the Malfoy family. The plaintiff believes this may have influenced your actions."
Amelia Bones stared directly at Dumbledore as she spoke.
"Very well."
"Please allow me to explain each matter individually."
Dumbledore adjusted his half-moon glasses.
Then, with calm elegance, the old man slowly rose from his seat and gave a polite nod toward the members of the Wizengamot.