After seeing the line of golden letters, almost all the older wizards in the Trial Room instinctively stood up.
They looked toward the area obscured by mist, their eyes betraying undisguised anger.
As people who personally lived through that turbulent era, they knew well that this was the incantation of the Fidelius Charm. Once the pact was formed, these words would turn into golden talismans and hide within the soul of the caster.
Many people in this room only narrowly avoided catastrophe using this method, so they knew it all too well.
It was now absolutely certain that Peter Pettigrew was the true Secret-Keeper, not Blake!
"Damn it!" came the curses from all around.
Crouch's face was grim.
Even with Dumbledore's testimony, he had not believed Blake was innocent before this. Or rather, he preferred to believe this was a trap set by Fudge, deceiving Dumbledore.
After all, everyone knew back then that the Potters and Blake were as close as one person. No matter how one looked at it, the Secret-Keeper could never be the cowardly Peter.
Yet they did it anyway, as if they lacked brains. That brain just now should have been shoved into his head.
"Traitor..." Crouch clenched his fists, snapping the quill in his hand in two.
Discussion in the Trial Room grew louder.
The mist quickly dispersed, and Diana emerged, "Well then, Professor Dumbledore, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Of course, this is what we should do," Dumbledore said with a smile, "Thanks to you, otherwise Sirius would be in trouble..."
"I just wanted to help Lily, not some self-satisfied fool," Diana said, not even glancing at Blake.
"Moreover, dear Headmaster, if I'm not mistaken, Hogwarts does not have a rule allowing fifth-year students to leave on weekends, right?"
Dumbledore's smile froze on his face, then he replied without a change of expression, "I also think so, but after all, it's the Minister's invitation, and Kael insisted on coming, so...cough, I couldn't help it."
"I see..." Diana glanced into the corner again.
Kael, who was trying hard to minimize his presence, suddenly shivered and cautiously lifted his head, just in time to see Diana and two other Unspeakables leave the Trial Room, taking the water tank with them.
"Phew..." He let out a long breath and sat upright again.
After this, the trial process went much more smoothly.
Faced with the clear evidence, the previous dissenters fell silent, although some people still held onto Sirius's escape from prison. But Fudge could always drag the matter out with his adept tactics.
Despite his curiosity about how Sirius managed to escape from the heavily guarded Azkaban, now clearly wasn't the time to discuss it.
The rest could be dealt with slowly; they had plenty of time.
In the end, to expedite the retrial, Sirius even volunteered to take Veritaserum or undergo Legilimency to prove his innocence.
Fudge agreed, and because it was a voluntary request, no vote was needed.
Soon, Scrimgeour brought over a small bottle.
"I think one drop should suffice," Dumbledore said, "We don't need to ask too many questions."
"I know," Scrimgeour said.
As a drop of Veritaserum was poured into his mouth, Sirius's cheeks relaxed, his gaze dull as he stared at the ceiling.
"Can you hear me?" Scrimgeour asked.
Sirius's eyelids fluttered.
"I can hear," he said quietly.
"I hope you can tell us," Scrimgeour asked calmly, "Who was the Secret-Keeper for the Potters twelve years ago?"
Sirius took a trembling breath and began speaking in a flat, unfeeling tone.
"It was Peter Pettigrew. He was the Secret-Keeper."
"Why choose him?"
Sirius's eyelids fluttered again, "Because I thought it was safer, with me as bait in the open, no one would suspect the cowardly Peter."
"And who then blew up Muggle Street?" Scrimgeour asked again.
"It was also Peter Pettigrew..."
Under the influence of Veritaserum, Sirius explained the process of changing Secret-Keepers in full detail.
Well, upon hearing the full story firsthand, most people's first reaction wasn't sympathy, but rather a thought like Crouch's...Blake really lacked a brain.
Just now, they should have asked those Unspeakables if they could apply for one for him.
It was a simple matter made unnecessarily complex, an unnecessary move.
But after silently cursing, everyone sighed collectively.
Regardless, he spent twelve years in Azkaban for nothing, a price paid for his foolishness.
After Sirius finished speaking, Scrimgeour, with a complicated expression, poured a bottle of magic potion down his throat.
He had been considering inviting Sirius to join the Auror Office upon his exoneration, but now thought it better to reconsider.
After all, being an Auror isn't solely about skill.
After drinking the magic potion, the confusion in Sirius's eyes gradually disappeared, he shook his head and regained clarity.
"I think the situation should be clear." Fudge cleared his throat from atop the platform, "Now, those who support the innocence of Sirius Black, raise your hands."
Hands were raised, and in the blink of an eye, they reached the majority, even Crouch slowly lifted his arm.
"Ninety-five votes!" Ms. Bones announced in a loud voice.
"Very good, very good," Fudge stood up, smiling, "On behalf of the Ministry of Magic, I declare that the charges against Sirius Orion Black from 1981 are officially dropped, the arrest warrant is void, and he will be released today with his wand rights restored."
The Trial Room erupted in applause, everyone stood up and clapped vigorously.
Sirius sat there dazed, looking around at everyone, then at Peter on the floor, feeling a surreal sense of disbelief.
Has he gained his freedom?
Sirius took several deep breaths and then looked up at Dumbledore, seeking confirmation.
"So what are you waiting for?"
Dumbledore said with a smile, "If you have enough Galleons on you...uh, do you want to visit Diagon Alley? It has changed quite a bit compared to twelve years ago.
And I checked, Olivander isn't out looking for magic wand materials today, you should be able to choose a handy wand there."
"Of course...of course, Professor Dumbledore." Sirius said, his eyes suddenly moist, both crying and laughing, "I've been dreaming of visiting Diagon Alley."
...