After promising Fred and George that he'd take them into the trunk after lunch, Kael finally got a moment of peace.
To keep Kael from sneaking away, Fred and George didn't go to the Gryffindor table; instead, they followed him and sat with Hufflepuff.
Since they'd been here many times, they naturally took seats on either side of Kael and greeted the people around them with practiced ease.
They thought this would make their plan foolproof, but things rarely go as planned.
No one expected that just as Kael finished his last bite of cornbread, Dumbledore would suddenly appear in the Auditorium and head straight for the Hufflepuff table.
"Kael, could you come with me for a moment... if you've had enough to eat," he said.
"No problem, Professor," Kael replied.
He shrugged helplessly at the stunned Weasley Brothers, then followed Dumbledore out of the Auditorium.
"I've just received word," Dumbledore said as he strode quickly out the main doors, "The retrial for Sirius is taking place at one o'clock. Cornelius invited us to attend together—if you're willing to go, we can head there now."
"Of course I'm willing, but Professor, am I even allowed to go?" Kael asked in confusion.
"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Fudge specifically mentioned your name. He said, as the first person to notice something was off, you're fully qualified to participate in the retrial... He also said the only reason it's scheduled for today is because Hogwarts is on weekend break."
Kael curled his lips in disbelief.
He didn't buy it for a second—Fudge wasn't the type to do things out of the goodness of his heart. If he really cared, wouldn't holding the retrial during the holidays be even more convenient?
"He probably just wants a witness," Kael muttered, "To lend credibility."
"Cornelius is quite thorough," Dumbledore didn't deny it. "After all, it's only through you that we learned the truth about this. Your presence will make the proceedings less controversial.
Also, as a recipient of the Second-Class Order of Merlin, even though you haven't graduated, you have some influence in the Wizengamot."
"The Wizengamot?" Kael said in surprise. "Wait, do I get to vote?"
Dumbledore didn't answer—he simply offered a polite smile.
"Alright, I get it," Kael said.
Clearly, his so-called "influence" was only literal—just enough to greet the others and not much more.
Dumbledore didn't head for the school gates; instead, he stopped on a patch of ground by the Black Lake.
He extended his arm to Kael. "We've got less than ten minutes before the retrial starts. We should hurry."
Kael took his arm.
The world spun. When Kael opened his eyes again, he was standing in a grand hall.
Kael didn't bother to ask Dumbledore why he could Apparate at Hogwarts—it wasn't necessary. For a wizard strong enough, all the restrictions didn't matter that much.
Besides, Dumbledore was the Headmaster; granting himself a temporary exception was no big deal.
"Ah, Professor Dumbledore, you're finally here," a tall figure walked over from the other side of the hall.
"I can hardly believe Black might actually be innocent. That case was settled twelve years ago."
"I was as shocked as you when I learned about it, Kingsley," Dumbledore shook his hand. "How are things now? We're not late, are we?"
"No, the retrial is set for one sharp; we have plenty of time," Kingsley said.
He looked at Kael, but said nothing about why Dumbledore had brought a student along—obviously, he'd been briefed in advance.
"Come with me, the hearing is in the Third Trial Room..."
Kingsley headed out, with Kael following him.
They left the hall for another glittering, magnificent one, which was packed with wizards—hundreds of them, all hurrying forward.
"This way," said Kingsley.
They merged with the crowd, but with Dumbledore leading, it wasn't too hard to get by—other wizards moved aside politely when they saw him.
On the way, they passed a table labeled "Security Check." This was where visitors' wands were inspected, and a long line had formed.
But Kingsley didn't stop—he walked straight past, and the wizard checking wands acted as if he hadn't seen them, taking the next person's wand instead.
"Oh... why don't they have to be checked..." In the line, someone asked in a thick accent, "That kid... he's obviously not an employee..."
The previously bored line suddenly perked up. Everyone craned their necks to see who'd asked such a stupid question, wondering what kind of remote backwater he'd come from.
Didn't he notice who that kid was walking beside?
The wizard in charge of the checks looked up lazily and said, "If you're named Albus Dumbledore, you can go right on through too..."
This drew a burst of laughter around them.
By now, Kael and Dumbledore had crossed the hall and entered a lift.
There were already quite a few people inside, all of whom greeted Dumbledore warmly.
"Long time no see, Albus. I guess you're here because of Black," said a balding wizard holding a box.
"Yes, Ackerley," said Dumbledore.
"Remarkable," the wizard named Ackerley said. "Anyone in the Ministry with the right to attend has gone down already. I bet the Daily Prophet will have this on the front page for the next month at least.
If Black's cleared, it'll be there even longer."
Just then, a cold female voice rang out.
"Seventh floor, Department of Magical Games and Sports—including the Britain and Ireland Quidditch League Headquarters, the Official Gobstones Club, and the Ludicrous Patents Office."
The lift doors slid open to reveal a messy corridor, walls plastered with crooked Quidditch posters.
"Oh, this is me," Ackerley exited the lift. "See you next time, Albus."
"Till next time."
The lift doors closed again.
Then they passed Magic Transportation Department and the Department of International Magical Cooperation... After this stop, only the three of them remained.
Next was the Department for the Regulation and Control of Fantastic Beasts, the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, and finally, their destination this time...
"Magic Law Enforcement Department, including the Office of the Prohibition of the Misuse of Magic, Auror Command Headquarters, and Wizengamot Management Agency."
"We're here," said Dumbledore.
They followed Kingsley out of the lift and into a corridor with doors on either side.
"This way, we'd better hurry." Kingsley turned left, led them down a long corridor, and after passing the Auror Command Headquarters crowded with portraits, finally stopped before a heavy wooden door.
"This is the Third Trial Room," said Kingsley,
"Someone had suggested holding it in the Tenth Trial Room... Good thing the Minister didn't agree—it's been abandoned for ages, way down where the lifts can't even reach.
This room's much better. At least it isn't so dark, and it doesn't smell of mold... Go on in, quickly."
Kael stepped forward. Even through the heavy door, he could hear the commotion inside.