Amelia, standing beside the Minister, looked at Alan seriously. "My brother mentioned your relationship with Sirius, but his case is closed. This is no laughing matter."
Alan saw that their attitudes had become grave, realizing that Sirius's situation was deeply problematic. Nevertheless, he spoke to them solemnly. "As far as I know, Sirius never received an actual trial after his arrest. The Ministry's conclusions were all post-hoc inferences. Moreover, based on intelligence I've gathered regarding the Death Eaters, he had no contact with them in the year leading up to Lily's murder; he was being hunted by the Dark Lord every day. Isn't it a bit arbitrary to make such a blind judgment?"
"You mean there's more to it?" Minister Bagnold lowered her head, recalling the events of the past, before shaking her head. "Although Sirius did not receive a formal trial, he never denied his actions. It wasn't that we were unwilling to give him a trial at the time, but rather that he refused all contact. As long as someone approached him, Sirius would fall into a state of madness and couldn't communicate at all.
"Coupled with the chaos of the time, his betrayal was seen as a foregone conclusion. Everyone hated him to the bone. If he hadn't been sent to Azkaban, those in the Ministry who were close to Lily and James might have attacked him themselves," Minister Bagnold said, her tone somber as she remembered the atmosphere of those days.
"Exactly," Amelia agreed, nodding. "Although I hadn't yet taken over the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, ordinary wizards and the prominent families alike demanded swift and severe justice. That was the will of the people." She looked at Alan with curiosity. "By the way, you mentioned getting information from the Death Eaters that he had no contact with them. Where did this information come from?"
Alan frowned. He had momentarily forgotten that he hadn't told anyone about his secret hunt for Death Eaters.
"Let's not dwell on that." Minister Bagnold glanced at Amelia, signaling her not to press the point. "We don't need to delve into your sources, but if you want to inquire about Sirius's case, you need more compelling evidence. Otherwise, it is best to say nothing more."
"Then can he be retried?" Alan asked with reluctance. "It's not difficult in the wizarding world to discern whether someone is lying, or even to see their thoughts, is it?"
"But in our world, modifying memories is also not difficult," Amelia retorted.
"He was caught directly at the scene. Neither he nor anyone else had the opportunity to tamper with his mind then, did they?" Alan argued.
"Even if you prove he might be innocent, how will you make the public believe it? You must understand that Sirius's arrest was what the people wanted. We have already classified him as one of our most dangerous prisoners. It's not something you can change with a word or two. His situation is more complex than you imagine." Amelia glanced at Bagnold, and the Minister nodded slightly to her.
"You mean... even if he doesn't plead guilty and undergoes a memory inspection, it's still not enough?" Alan looked at the two in disbelief as the realization dawned on him.
"Unless there is irrefutable evidence, you won't be able to convince the Wizengamot. He is a major offender who indirectly affected the course of history," Minister Bagnold said with a sigh.
Amelia nodded solemnly. "That's right. Sirius's arrest satisfied the public. The wizarding world has only just managed to regain its confidence and stability."
Alan finally understood their meaning. Regarding Sirius, the Wizengamot and the public needed a culprit—a result everyone could accept. Compared to that, the truth had become secondary. On this issue, the Wizengamot had likely reached a consensus across both pure-blood and half-blood lines. Even if he persuaded the two high-ranking officials before him, changing the broader situation would be a monumental task.
"But what if... I mean, what if it's eventually proven that Sirius is truly innocent, and there's another truth hidden away?" Alan looked at the two intently.
Amelia shook her head helplessly at Alan's stubbornness, but Minister Bagnold's reaction surprised her.
"If you can truly prove all of this..." Minister Bagnold pondered for a moment, then looked at Alan with determination. "Then I am willing to stand by your side."
"Minister Bagnold!" Amelia stared blankly at the resolute woman beside her.
"Justice is justice; there are no extra conditions." Minister Bagnold turned to Amelia before looking back at Alan. "But the premise of all this is proving his innocence with facts. Otherwise, everything is out of the question. And the first hurdle is whether you can get Sirius to talk. He has refused contact with anyone since entering Azkaban. Even Dumbledore's visits couldn't get him to open his mouth."
"Dumbledore went to see him?" Alan asked with surprise.
"Yes. You aren't the only one who had suspicions about what happened. Of course, Dumbledore might not have suspected Sirius was innocent so much as he wanted to know the full story. But Sirius didn't even give Dumbledore a glance. We assumed at the time that Black still had a conscience and was simply consumed by guilt."
Minister Bagnold sighed. "So, if you can find out the truth from him, that would be incredibly valuable. If you can truly prove his innocence, I am willing to negotiate with the Wizengamot and the Order of Merlin to secure the fairness he deserves."
"I understand. Please arrange the visit as soon as possible. I will find a way to clarify the matter with Sirius. If I find that he truly deserves his punishment, I promise not to speak up for him again." Alan felt a surge of hope after gaining the Minister's support and sincerely assured them both.