"Hagrid, long time no see." "Hagrid, why are you here, and dressed so formally?"
"Damn it, Hagrid, why do you look younger than me? I've only been working for three years!!"
Greeting people, the two walked into the Ministry.
"Sir, who is the person you're meeting?" Hagrid asked curiously.
Dumbledore checked the time and turned his head: "Speaking of which, you know this person. He hasn't been involved in outside affairs for many years. But when he heard that this matter concerned you, he immediately rushed over from Dorset."
"Me?" Hagrid was even more confused.
"Sir, don't joke, when did I have such ability?" He laughed.
Dumbledore showed a cunning smile: "You'll know when you see him in a bit."
As he spoke, he looked left and right, somewhat puzzled.
Newt was rarely late.
Just as he was thinking, suddenly, a stooped, somewhat shy old Wizard with hair plastered to his scalp walked over from the elevator, slightly out of breath.
"Ah, Dumbledore!!" He immediately noticed Dumbledore and Hagrid, who occupied half the corridor.
"Perkins!" Dumbledore nodded to him: "What's wrong?"
He quickly waved his hand, anxiously saying: "Thank goodness, I was just worrying about what to do, wondering whether to wait for you here.
I just sent an owl to Hogwarts, but you obviously didn't get it—Oh dear, a message came ten minutes ago—"
"What happened?" Dumbledore asked, recalling some of the Ministry of Magic's usual tactics from many years ago.
"The trial, Hagrid's trial… They changed the time and place… It's now at eight o'clock in that old Tenth Courtroom downstairs…"
"In that one downstairs? All right… I understand, Perkins, don't rush, take a break."
As he spoke, Dumbledore turned and looked at Hagrid.
At this moment, Hagrid's pupils were uncontrollably trembling, clearly somewhat frightened.
"Sir… this… this…" Hagrid said tremblingly.
"Don't rush, Hagrid! Let's go down first." Dumbledore said calmly, his face serious for a moment, then he put on a relaxed smile again.
"It seems Lady Luck is on our side today, otherwise why would we happen to come over just as the trial is about to begin, right!"
"Mm-hmm!" Hagrid nodded repeatedly, giving himself psychological comfort.
Perkins had also rested a bit by now, not breathing as heavily. He supported himself: "Come on, you should have been here ten minutes ago, hurry—"
As he spoke, he led Dumbledore and Hagrid quickly towards the elevator room.
"Thanks, we're going down."
"Mr. Dumbledore, it's an honor to see you, you go first. Hagrid, good morning, long time no see." Someone said, yielding the elevator.
With Hagrid and Dumbledore, the elevator was already full. If Perkins hadn't been so small, he wouldn't have fit.
As the elevator descended, for Hagrid, this spacious elevator was too claustrophobic, making him feel a bit breathless.
"Sir, why did they change the time?" Hagrid craned his neck, his entire back of his neck touching the elevator ceiling.
"I don't understand either, perhaps Fudge is too busy," Dumbledore said with a casual smile, his tone relaxed.
"So where are we going down to now?" Hagrid continued to ask, extremely nervous.
"The last time those courtrooms downstairs were used was last year for the trial of that cat-headed creature from your school, and before that, it was many years ago."
Perkins explained: "I really don't understand why they chose that place… unless… no! It makes no sense, Hagrid, when we studied together, I always thought it couldn't be you, you're innocent."
His words confused Hagrid, who didn't understand why he suddenly spoke of innocence.
He was innocent to begin with, wasn't he?
Dumbledore's eyes moved, silent, as if he was thinking about something.
This made Hagrid even more nervous.
"Sir, what about Howl?"
"No, no rush." Dumbledore said: "Perkins has already sent a letter to Hogwarts, he will come."
"That's good." Hagrid nodded.
Dumbledore added silently, "Perhaps…"
Soon, the elevator descended to the Department of Mysteries. Led by Perkins, they quickly walked down the stairs. Hagrid lifted Perkins and then ran forward.
In the gloomy underground corridor, clanking sounds echoed.
"Slow down, slow down! I can't see clearly! Tenth… Courtroom… I think we're almost there… That's right!"
Hagrid stopped in front of a gloomy black door with a large iron lock.
Dumbledore was still following behind Hagrid.
"Thanks, Perkins." Hagrid said, then looked at Dumbledore: "Sir, let's go in."
"No, Hagrid, I'll go this way." Dumbledore shook his head, pointing to a corridor to the left of the door.
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