Chapter 175 Minister's Opinion

After Cornelius Fudge finished his confident speech, Umbridge immediately applauded and began to flatter her leader.

Old Crouch really couldn't help himself and curled his lips in disdain.

As a result, this subtle movement was caught by Cornelius Fudge, who was sensitive and immediately turned to look at old Crouch and asked with a smile.

"Mr. Barty Crouch, do you have any opinion on what I just said?"

Old Crouch quickly adjusted his expression, using the expression management methods he learned from Muggle books, and forced a flattering smile as he spoke.

"No, I just wanted to say something nice, Minister!!"

"But shouldn't we also take action at the same time? It's already late."

"Of course." Seeing that the other party was still under his control, Cornelius Fudge immediately pretended to be magnanimous.

Waved.

"Please inform me."

After obtaining permission, old Crouch pressed the dial button of his "Magic Channel".

A moment later, a large group of Ministry of Magic officials dressed in formal attire of various colors lined up in an orderly manner and entered the courtroom.

Carl, who was imprisoned in the center, saw only the colorful uniforms of Ministry of Magic officials.

It is very similar to the dress often worn by Christian priests. The whole dress is a wide-body robe, with only color used to distinguish the rank.

The attire of lower-ranking officials was made of dark grey cloth with patterns embroidered in black silk thread.

For mid-level officials, this is pink fabric with a pattern embroidered with red silk thread.

Senior officials wore purple cloth, and the emblem of the British Ministry of Magic was embroidered with silk thread pressed from pure silver.

They lined up in an orderly formation and did not go directly to their seats, but deliberately walked past Carl.

Each of them, standing under the platform, bowed slightly to Cornelius Fudge, the chief sitting on the platform, before sitting down in their seats.

"What is this for? Didn't I tell you not to engage in this kind of formalism?"

Cornelius Fudge felt his vanity greatly satisfied as he looked at his colleagues who saluted him one by one.

She asked back in a reserved manner.

Although old Crouch was disdainful in his heart, his expression remained calm as he responded.

"I arranged it. This is not a formality, Minister. It is in accordance with the rules on public trials revised by the Wizengamot Parliament in 1950."

"The Minister of Magic will also be the presiding judge of the public trial. All other officials of the Ministry of Magic at all levels must be present to observe the trial."

"And show respect to the presiding judge in public to show respect for the law and facts."

After stating the rules, old Crouch did not forget to praise the other party.

He looked at Cornelius Fudge deliberately and said in an apologetic tone.

"Of course, if the minister thinks this is inappropriate, we can submit a bill later."

"What do you think about abolishing this tradition?"

Cornelius Fudge coughed lightly to hide his inner joy, then smiled at old Crouch.

"Mr. Barty Crouch, your doubts just now are just because you are afraid that this action violates the regulations. After all, I have emphasized it many times before."

"In this trial, the rules are above everything else. Since it complies with the rules, I think there is no need to submit a motion or anything like that."

"It's just a little too rigid, which is not good."

Just like that, the two of them began to chat with each other. Their familiarity made Umbridge's face look as disgusting as a burnt eggplant.

After the Ministry of Magic officials took their seats, everyone waited for another 10 minutes until a loud shout was heard from the door.

"Members of the Wizengamot Council enter!!"

After a notification, a group of elders in black formal attire came, led by four old men with white hair and beard.

They walked slowly into the trial hall. As soon as they entered, both the officials from the Ministry of Magic and the teachers and students of Hogwarts were...

Everyone stood up and paid respect to them, even the three on the platform.

Carl just glanced at the group of old men with a calm look. The youngest of them was over 50 years old.

The older ones looked to be at least a hundred years old, and they did not return the greetings to anyone.

They just walked silently to their seats and sat down. Their positions were also very special, with eighteen of them standing on both sides of the platform.

The height is basically the same as that of the rostrum, and the seats of the four leaders are even on the podium.

But they were only seated on both sides of the five seats, and the seat at the highest point of the entire trial hall was now vacant.

Before today, Carl also learned some information about the Wizengamot Council.

As the court of the British wizarding world, the structural framework of this parliament is somewhat similar to the Supreme Court of the United States.

There are five chief judges and eighteen permanent judges, half of whom are re-elected every ten years.

The selection method is nomination by Parliament, review by the Ministry of Magic, and finally certification by the Minister of Magic.

As for the five supreme judges, once elected they serve for life.

Looking at the empty seat at the highest point, Carl felt for the first time that it might not be a bad thing that the old man Dumbledore had lived for so long.

After the congressmen took their seats, a familiar figure came up to Karl.

Cedric, who had changed into a black and white uniform, was the last to enter as Carl's defense attorney.

"Yes, this outfit looks nice. It seems that you are really suitable for wearing a uniform."

As soon as Cedric entered, Carl couldn't help but comment on his clothes.

Cedric coughed twice and whispered awkwardly.

"Be aware of the situation. You are your lawyer now. Don't say such frivolous things."

Carl shrugged indifferently. He was really bored of waiting for a duel with no suspense.

It's really uninteresting to argue with that idiot Cornelius Fudge.

It can’t be said that Cedric’s lawyer outfit can attract his attention more.

"Okay, everyone please be quiet, regarding Mr. Hohenzollern, on June 6th, on the Hogwarts campus."

"The case of illegal use of the Unforgivable Curse to kill multiple people is now officially open."

As Cornelius Fudge said this, the trial officially began.

First, old Crouch, who was the deputy presiding judge and also the chief prosecutor of the case, stood up first with the documents in his hand.

He said while looking at Carl and Cedric in the audience.

"Mr. Hohenzollern, you have illegally used an Unforgivable Curse on the Hogwarts campus on June 6th."

"Avada Kedavra caused the deaths of eleven wizards. Do you admit this?"

Cedric spoke for Carl as his defense attorney.

"My client acknowledges this fact, but I ask that you continue to speak."

Old Crouch didn't say anything, but just looked at Cornelius Fudge. The stupid pig had a smug smile on his face.

In his mind, the most important thing had been done. As long as the other party admitted the fact, he could say whatever they wanted.

In this case, the other party cannot possibly separate. Isn't it clear why it is called the Unforgivable Curse?

No matter what the user's reason is, once they use the Unforgivable Curse, there is only one outcome.

That means being imprisoned in Azkaban forever unless he can get the bargaining chip he wants.

When he thought of the benefits he was about to get, he was so excited that he trembled all over, but he still tried hard to suppress the excitement in his heart.

He said in a pretentious manner.

"Of course. The Ministry of Magic is holding a public trial today to ensure this is a high-profile case."

"You can get a fair and just treatment. You certainly have the right to speak for your client. The rules are above everything else."