Peter's unusual behavior quickly drew the attention of those around him, mainly because his current state was just too abnormal.
If Scrimgeour hadn't already checked his identity beforehand, some people might have thought he was Dumbledore using Transfiguration Technique to turn into him.
Or, perhaps, that he'd been put under Imperio... Although that idea sounds absurd, it's not entirely impossible.
Soon enough, Scrimgeour walked over again.
But after all, he's only an Auror, not a Healer from St Mungo's Hospital, so he really had no idea what to do in this situation, and could only perform a few detection charms as usual.
"No problem." Scrimgeour shook his head and said, "I think he's probably had some sort of shock—can't accept it all at once, that's why he's like this."
Fudge breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness; his worst fears hadn't happened.
"I suggest suspending the retrial!" Crouch suddenly said, "He's obviously unable to be interrogated in this state. I think we should send him to St Mungo's first, and wait until he's able to communicate normally before resuming the retrial."
On the steps behind him, some people immediately raised their hands in agreement.
"I agree..."
"Agreed..."
"Better send him to St Mungo's first."
There were plenty of supporters.
Fudge narrowed his eyes tightly and said, "Barty, I don't think that's necessary."
The whole reason he'd suddenly launched this retrial was to catch Crouch off guard, so of course he couldn't agree to suspend it.
"Amelia..." He looked at a bespectacled witch beside him and asked, "I recall that in situations like this, we can use Veritaserum, right?"
The Minister of the Ministry of Magic Law Enforcement Department, Amelia Bones, paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "You can."
Though Veritaserum isn't a standard tool for trials, if the defendant refuses or is unable to cooperate, it can be used.
Or in cases with major impact, it can be used outright.
And both apply here... Peter Pettigrew seems to fit them all.
"I object!" Crouch said angrily, "I don't doubt Minister Bones's familiarity with the Wizengamot Trial Law, but I think, Minister, you're overlooking something: you need a majority of jurors to agree before Veritaserum can be used."
"Then let's start the vote now. My opinion is Peter Pettigrew should be sent to St Mungo's."
As he spoke, he was the first to raise his hand.
On the high platform behind him, people raised their hands in support, but not many—only about a third.
"Don't forget..." someone seated behind Crouch suddenly said, "Veritaserum has its downsides. If Peter Pettigrew's memory was tampered with, his answers will be absolutely unreliable. Sending him to St Mungo's would give us a chance to check his memory."
A moment later, more people raised their hands.
There was no need to count—at a glance, there were clearly more people opposing the use of Veritaserum now.
Seeing this, Fudge started to panic and kept looking at Dumbledore.
But neither Dumbledore nor Sirius Black said anything—they just watched silently.
Soon, the tally was done.
Out of the hundred jurors present, fifty-nine opposed the use of Veritaserum.
"More than half opposed," Amelia said. "The Veritaserum proposal is rejected. The trial continues."
Fudge grew even more anxious. He couldn't understand—he'd planned everything out... Reveal Peter Pettigrew's faked death in public, then use Veritaserum to restore the truth of those years, finally settle the matter, and deal a heavy blow to Crouch.
But why had such a flawless plan gone so awry?
Now he couldn't use Veritaserum. Once Peter Pettigrew is sent to St Mungo's, who knows how long it'll take him to recover? If it's drawn out over a year or more... No, even just a few days, that would give Crouch time to prepare, which would ruin Fudge's perfect hand completely.
He looked at Dumbledore again, hoping for help.
But Dumbledore still would not look at him.
"Also..." After the situation flipped, the man wore a smug look and continued, "Have you all forgotten about the Black prison escape?"
"But he did it to clear his name," an elderly witch said. "Dumbledore already explained—he saw in the papers, recognized Peter Pettigrew's Animagus, wanted to..."
But her words were abruptly cut off as the man coldly said:
"It doesn't matter what his motives were; the act itself severely damaged the Ministry of Magic's authority. Thanks to him, we now get at least three Howlers each week."
"I propose that while Peter Pettigrew is being treated at St Mungo's, our priority must be to make him confess how he escaped."
And to be safe... he must return to Azkaban, kept under strict watch by Dementors!"
Though he didn't spell it out, everyone present knew he was just shy of openly accusing Dumbledore of perjury.
Apparently, in his mind, Peter Pettigrew was clearly the innocent party.
Hinting Dumbledore was modifying memories, committing perjury... How did he dare say that?
Some faces started to look very grim.
Even Crouch frowned, seeming to find this a bit much, but in the end he stayed quiet and calmly said:
"Then let's start the second round of voting—whether to suspend the retrial and send Peter Pettigrew to St Mungo's, wait for his memory to be examined..."
"Oh, sorry, please wait a moment."
Just then, Dumbledore, who had been silent, finally spoke.
He stepped forward to stand before everyone.
"Mr. Beechita, I understand your concerns."
"Of course, you're right—before the most authoritative examination, I myself have no evidence to prove I didn't modify Peter's memory."
When Dumbledore stepped forward, Beechita felt a bit nervous; but after hearing this, he actually relaxed.
Whatever happens, as long as Peter's memory can't be proven reliable, this retrial can't go forward.
Even Dumbledore can't go against everyone—otherwise he'd be undermining the authority of Wizengamot, and he wouldn't—couldn't do that.
Beechita felt very confident about this, since standing there was Dumbledore, the greatest White Wizard.
Fudge's heart sank to rock bottom.
But just when everyone thought this retrial would end in anticlimax...
"But, we don't absolutely need Veritaserum."
Dumbledore said calmly, "All magic leaves traces, especially a soul-related charm like the Fidelius Charm."
"When a wizard decides to bury a secret in his soul, that secret stays with him for life—it can never be erased."
"What are you getting at?" Beechita appeared distracted. "If you want to give a lesson, I'd suggest you bring your student back to Hogwarts..."
"Oh, you misunderstand."
Dumbledore said, "I'm just telling you—even a deeply hidden magic isn't completely safe, there's always a way to find traces of it. The Fidelius Charm is no exception."
"Impossible!" Crouch said. "In my experience, there is no way to break the protection of the Fidelius Charm."
"That's true under normal conditions."
Dumbledore said, "But if the Secret-Keeper intentionally betrays their original intention, and the secret no longer needs protecting, then the charm's protection becomes vulnerable."
"Fortunately, just before I came to the Ministry of Magic, I ran into an old friend, and she agreed to help me with a little favor."
He looked at Fudge and said cheerfully, "Cornelius, could you let her in? I think she's just outside the door."
"Oh, of course, no problem." Fudge said, hurriedly.
The heavy door swung open again.
A figure in a black robe strode in, the sleeve cuffs and hood edges lined with a ring of golden Magic Pattern.
"That outfit... She's an Unspeakable!" someone shouted in shock.
Kai's eyes widened, feeling his head buzzing.
He never would have guessed that the person Dumbledore mentioned was Diana!
"I'm glad you could come," Dumbledore smiled. "I'll leave it to you now."
"All right." Diana nodded, glancing at Kai, half intentionally, half unconsciously.
Kai quickly shrank his neck.
Strictly speaking, he was playing truant by being here.
Even if it was the headmaster who brought him, running into his own mother like this, he couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
...