After seeing the three people who stood up, Chris finally understood everything,
Macnair could be ignored, but the other two…
Karkaroff was the headmaster of Durmstrang, at least for now, and had quite a reputation in the Magic Realm.
And then there was Lucius Malfoy, the Ministry of Magic's most well-liked man, who had spent an untold amount of gold.
No wonder the Ministry valued this trial so much, if they were the witnesses.
Chris had thought Karkaroff already ran away right after the Triwizard Tournament, but to think he actually dared to come back.
"Fine, even if that's the case, what about the notice?" Chris's eyes flashed as he coolly said, "We only received the notification regarding the Restraint Law, so when facing these extra charges, we have the right to refuse…"
Saying this, he grabbed Kael and prepared to leave.
"I'm afraid not." A sharp voice rang out.
Another person had stood up.
Dolores Umbridge, her face plastered with a sickly sweet fake smile.
"Someone thinks you might cover up the most crucial evidence, so it was strongly suggested that we use this method for a surprise investigation."
Her voice was shrill and high-pitched, as if her throat was being pinched, insincere and affected.
Kael swore he would rather listen to a Fwooper sing for a whole day than hear Umbridge say a single word.
But that woman clearly had no self-awareness.
"The Minister has already agreed," Umbridge grinned and said, "Unless you want to go against the Ministry of Magic, you must submit to examination today.
"Of course, you could walk out right now, but the moment you step outside that door, by Wizengamot regulations you will be found guilty and the Aurors will immediately arrest you.
"Rufus, I imagine the Aurors are already waiting?"
Scrimgeour's eye twitched a few times, as if restraining himself, but in the end, he swallowed it back and squeezed out a word.
"Yes."
"That's good, then." Umbridge chirped with delight.
But Chris now looked more relaxed; his hand moved slightly, and Kael noticed something fell into his palm.
Judging by the shape, it should be a wand.
Kael hurried forward two steps and subtly shook his head at Chris.
"Are you sure you want to conduct an interrogation in a way that so blatantly violates procedure?"
"I believe I've made myself quite clear." Umbridge screeched, "The Minister has permitted it."
"Fine, in that case, I must remind you all of something."
Kael looked at her and smiled, "Besides being a Hogwarts student, I also have another identity… I'm a Second Class Merlin Order Medal recipient, and every recipient of the Second Class Medal is an honorary member of the Wizengamot.
"I think you understand what that means."
The fake smile vanished from Umbridge's face, replaced by an exceedingly dark look.
"Seems you do understand." Kael continued, "That's right, I have the right to request a Supreme Wizengamot Tribunal."
As soon as Kael finished, the room instantly buzzed with whispers, a few people now a bit uneasy in their seats.
A student, who cares, but if that student is a member of the Merlin Knight Order, then it really requires thought.
The Supreme Wizengamot Tribunal… if today's charges don't stick, the price will be steep.
"Damn, how did I forget about that!" muttered an old wizard, annoyed, "If I'd known, I should've gone to Harry Potter's hearing instead."
It was hardly his fault for forgetting; after all, Kael didn't resemble the Savior next door—with all those titles attached to him.
Just talking about recent times—
Triwizard Tournament champion, the one who blasted apart the carefully-arranged maze with a single charm, the exposer behind the Sirius Black incident, fixing a massive Ministry error…
It seemed every year they heard Kael's name, and the Merlin Order Medal was already several years ago—they'd genuinely forgotten for a moment.
Even Umbridge's expression changed; she couldn't help but turn to look at Lucius Malfoy.
"Of course, we know all of this."
Karkaroff stepped out, stroking his goatee, and said righteously, "But we refuse to be silent about the truth we saw, just for the sake of gain or loss. As headmaster of Durmstrang, I cannot allow myself such cowardly thinking."
"Oh, so Headmaster Karkaroff is really such a noble wizard," Kael said, "so why don't you admit you're a Death Eater? When you were groveling before a certain someone for mercy, you sure didn't look this self-righteous."
Karkaroff's hand jerked so hard he accidentally yanked out several of his own beard hairs.
But he ignored the pain, and barked furiously, "You're talking nonsense! You-Know-Who hasn't returned! You and Dumbledore are both spreading lies! I suggest the Aurors arrest you immediately—"
"Calm down, Headmaster Karkaroff." Kael waved, cutting him off. "I never said You-Know-Who was back—you did… Oh, I get it, you're trying to pin the blame on me and hide yourself this way… Tsk tsk, so clever."
"You, you…" Karkaroff's chest heaved violently, his hand unconsciously moving toward his wand.
"Igor." Lucius frowned and gave a quick warning to the about-to-explode Karkaroff.
He then ignored Kael completely, turning instead to look at Umbridge and Amelia Bones.
"Ladies, do not fall for his tricks. I swear on the Malfoy name, we truly did witness him kill Mr. Theodore Nott."
Seeing Lucius and Karkaroff's earnest faces, Umbridge finally relaxed, her smile returning.
"How about Legilimency?" Kael suddenly spoke, "Just testifying verbally is a bit childish, isn't it? Let the Aurors check your memories directly. That'd make it all clear, wouldn't it?
"Of course, if you agree, I'll submit to Legilimency too. Wouldn't that be easier, and save everyone's time?"
Lucius said nothing, nor did Karkaroff.
Legilimency? Let the Aurors see them all packed around Voldemort, launching attacks at Kael?
What a joke. If anyone actually saw those memories, the Aurors would probably arrest all three of them on the spot.
They were here to get at Kael, to strike at Dumbledore—not to turn themselves in.
Luckily, Amelia Bones saved them from this awkwardness.
"Since 1975, the International Confederation of Wizards has forbidden the use of Legilimency in interrogations, so that method is not allowed."
"That's a real pity, then." Kael sneered at the three up on the dais.
Causing Karkaroff to yank out even more beard hairs in frustration.
"No need for Legilimency." Umbridge jumped up again. "Rufus, check his wand."
Scrimgeour, face gloomy, stood up and walked over to Kael.
But just as he extended his hand, something seemed to occur to him and he drew it back.
"Summoning Charm, for the wand examination table."
About ten seconds later, a bizarre-looking table slammed open the door and flew in.
If you could call it a table; it was more like a chunky, square stool coated in dust, though you could just make out a groove in its surface.
"Scourgify."
Scrimgeour cleared his throat and intoned earnestly, "According to protocol, we need to examine your wand. Please place your wand on the table."
"No problem."
Kael nodded and set his wand horizontally onto the groove.
Then Scrimgeour drew his own wand as well.
"Priori Incantatem!"
Kael saw the groove on the table give a quick flash, then a puff of gray smoke emerged where the two wands touched,
"Lighting Spell."
Then another burst of smoke.
"Summoning Charm."
"Repairing Charm."
"Lighting Spell."
One after another, shadows of charms shot out from the wand tip, drawing the eyes of everyone present.
Their expressions varied—nervous, indifferent, expectant, or smirking…
Until a very particular spell appeared, and many people's attitudes abruptly changed.
It looked like a mass of fire, then the flames extended forward, laying out a broad passageway.
"I think we don't need to watch any further." Kael was the first to speak, "Everyone here knows, that's the spell I used in the Triwizard Tournament. Before that, I stayed at Hogwarts the whole time.
"Or do you believe I deliberately skipped school to kill that… Nott?
"Of course, if you think it's necessary, I don't mind."
"No need." Scrimgeour stowed his wand.
"No!" Karkaroff roared. "He's doing it on purpose! Using these low-level spells to cover up Fiendfyre! We must continue!"
He had to admit, he was starting to panic.
No, that's not right, where's the Fiendfyre Curse—why didn't it appear!
"So what you're saying," Kael looked at him calmly, "is that outside the school, I used a massive fire charm, and the Ministry still couldn't find a trace of it—is that your claim?"
This time, even more people turned their eyes on him.
"Enough." Scrimgeour said icily.
He, of course, knew all about that spell—a huge area, tremendous power, and if it had been cast, there'd be no way it left zero evidence.
And besides, he'd already been to Ottery St Catchpole himself—not a trace of magic had been left there.
He was also very clear on the matter: since the holidays began, Kael had stayed home, only going out once, through the Floo Network to the Leaky Cauldron, and then back immediately.
So Karkaroff's words just now were essentially questioning the Aurors' competence—and that sure didn't please Scrimgeour.
"You're lying! That's not what I meant—" Karkaroff became even more agitated, his face deathly pale.
No, this isn't right!
He'd seen with his own eyes the spell Kael cast, so why had it just disappeared now?