(Dumbledore Pov)

After the end of the war, he never imagined another case getting this much attention. The public was vying behind it, either for getting an innocent man out or just having nothing to gossip about. But this threw a wrench in his plans. Contrary to public opinion, he was not omnipotent. He didn't know about the Potters switching the secret keeper to Peter. He was confused when Hagrid said Sirius left Rose to him. He only thought that Sirius was regretting his decision to betray the light after his master died.

Knowing Sirius was innocent put things into perspective. The complication, however, was whether Sirius would allow Rose to stay with him. After all, he didn't trust Sirius to protect Rose if the Dark Lord's former supporters came hunting her. Only within the blood wards of the Dursleys' home could she be safe, unless Lily woke up. But it was uncertain whether Lily would ever awaken. Deep down, a dark and cynical part of his mind acknowledged that he hadn't tried everything to heal Lily. If Lily woke up and took charge of Rose, it would be challenging to maintain control over the situation, which was crucial in case Voldemort returned. He still didn't know how to remove the piece of Tom's soul from Rose without hurting her, as he had limited knowledge of soul magic.

He saw the auditorium filled with noble houses from the dark faction, the neutral faction, and the light faction. The dark faction was now led by Lord Nott, a notorious dark wizard. The neutral faction, on the other hand, was led by Lord Greengrass. It was curious to see Lord Greengrass involved in this case, as he typically showed little interest in such matters. Perhaps there was a deal between Sirius and Damien that prompted his involvement. It was somewhat worrisome that Sirius didn't come to him for help as soon as he was free; he could have assisted Sirius in navigating the situation. Another concern was Amelia making deals with influential light houses to ensure Sirius' case would be approved.

Ahh, love.

She must be feeling incredibly guilty now that Sirius has been proven innocent. They were a couple back in Hogwarts, and he wondered how their relationship would unfold in the future. Again, a cynical part of his mind reared its head. A Potter-Black-Bones alliance could be created once Sirius was free. Whether it would be a good venture depended on Sirius.

At the moment, things appeared grim, as Sirius was presenting himself unfavorably. Not seeking help from his mentor and the perils now faced by Lucius seemed somehow connected. It was too much of a coincidence that Malfoy, who would do everything to hinder Sirius' freedom, was encountering multiple problems. The attacks on Malfoy's business facilities made him suspect that Sirius might have turned to the dark side and sought revenge on everyone. However, he would reserve judgment and ensure he had all the facts before deciding how to handle the situation with Sirius.

A group of Aurors entered with a shackled Peter Pettigrew. He looked terrible. As a young man, Peter was not particularly handsome, but he had been an average-looking boy. However, years spent living in his Animagus form had ravaged his appearance. This made him sigh at the mysterious ways of magic. He knew that by breaking the Fidelius Charm and betraying the trust of the Potters, Peter had been cursed by magic itself. He could have easily escaped into the Muggle world or left the country, but instead, he hid in the Weasley's house. Perhaps Peter subconsciously thought that staying in his Animagus form and living like a rat while gathering information was his own idea, but he believed the curse was already affecting Peter, leading him to live such a pathetic life.

That's why he believed in the prophecy and signs, while others simply dismissed him as losing his marbles.

Magic was alive and conscious!

Amelia rose from her chair and walked in front of Peter. Although she wore an emotionless mask, he could see the hidden fury in her eyes.

Next, Peter was dosed with Veritaserum.

She asked Peter questions.

"What's your name?" "Peter Pettigrew."

"Were you the secret keeper of the Potters?" "Yes."

A cacophony of noises rang out through the hall, and outrage was evident. Even though people already knew the truth, reading it in the newspaper and hearing it from Peter himself was different.

Unfazed, Amelia continued asking more questions.

"Did you betray the Potters?" "Yes."

Murmurs echoed throughout the auditorium, accompanied by the clicks of cameras as reporters captured photos and scribbled notes. It was now confirmed that Pettigrew was indeed the perpetrator, casting a negative light on the previous Minister and the Ministry. This revelation highlighted the potential flaws within the Ministry and the possibility that they could wrongfully convict innocent people.

"Did you serve the Dark Lord?" "Yes."

"Did you cast the Blasting Curse on the Muggles?" "Yes."

With these admissions, all the crimes Pettigrew could be convicted for were addressed, and the trial could proceed to its conclusion.

Ending the questioning, Amelia threw a look at Fudge, who spluttered a little before speaking. "Now, we shall cast the vote for throwing Peter through the Veil."

This surprised him, as he thought they would only send Peter back to Azkaban. But this made him hesitate. Was Peter deserving of such a fate? Would he even be able to go on a greater journey? The courtroom buzzed with activity. Most looked solemn, as the Veil was rarely used.

Breaking the silence, Amelia said, "Lords and Ladies, Peter Pettigrew is someone who disgraced the Ministry and took advantage of our laws while making us put an innocent man in jail. To erase this dark stain from the Ministry, we must make an example out of him. Throwing him through the Veil will help."

(Pov End)

The Lords and Ladies in the courtroom exchanged glances, weighing the gravity of Amelia's words. Some whispered among themselves, contemplating the proposed punishment. Throwing someone through the Veil was an extreme measure, reserved for the most heinous of criminals. Yet, Peter Pettigrew's actions had led to the imprisonment of an innocent man and the betrayal of his closest friends. In the end, many believed that such a fate was indeed warranted.

The courtroom ultimately came to a decision, mindful of the impact this case would have on the public's perception of the wizarding justice system. The hope was that by making an example of Peter Pettigrew, the Ministry could demonstrate its commitment to righting past wrongs and ensuring that such a miscarriage of justice would never happen again.

However, this decision was not without its potential drawbacks. Some feared that throwing Peter through the Veil might be seen as a desperate attempt by the Ministry to cover up its past mistakes, rather than an act of genuine accountability. Additionally, there was concern that the severity of the punishment might set a dangerous precedent, leading to harsher sentences for future criminals.

For advanced chapters : p a t  r e o n.com/fanficswrittenbyme25