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Resets Weekly! [Monday]
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Unlike yesterday's indifference toward Jane Yu, Cornelius Fudge immediately spotted her today. Ascending the stairs in large strides, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yu!" he exclaimed, trying to appear affable. "I assume you already know I'm Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic. I'm delighted you're willing to contribute to this case."
Something unusual was definitely at play. For someone to become so enthusiastic overnight was undoubtedly suspicious.
"I'm not sure what I can do," she said, her tone measured. "After all, I'm just a student."
Fudge chuckled lightly, clearly having a plan in mind.
"A student? No, no, no, you're underestimating yourself."
"Lockhart—you exposed his malicious schemes and bravely fought him with a Stunning Spell. That was nothing short of heroism!"
Jane's instincts told her that Fudge's sudden flattery must be hiding some ulterior motive.
But Dumbledore gave her a reassuring glance and then asked Fudge, "I assume she only needs to answer 'yes' or 'no,' correct?"
"Of course!" Fudge beamed, as if relieved. "And, I've also invited the Daily Prophet. Afterward, she just needs to strike her best pose for a photo with me, and it will all be over."
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The First Courtroom.
The surrounding walls were constructed of dark stone, but numerous torches embedded within illuminated the chamber, making it brightly lit—perfect for photography. Rows of benches ascended on either side, with the highest benches occupied by members of the Wizengamot, dressed in crimson robes with finely embroidered silver "W"s on their left chest.
As Dumbledore and Jane entered, curious and scrutinizing gazes turned their way. A few wizards waved in greeting, and Dumbledore nodded in return.
In the center of the room sat Gilderoy Lockhart on a chair. His head hung low, and the once-dazzling man now looked utterly disheveled, covered in grime, with his hair dull and lifeless.
Dumbledore glanced at Jane with concern, noticing her calm demeanor, and let out a sigh of relief. He guided her to sit on the benches to the right.
Fudge's short and stout figure waddled to the center of the front bench. He tilted his head back, adjusted his hat, straightened his tie, and displayed a standard smile on his slightly sagging cheeks.
A blinding flash of light illuminated the room—it was the camera from the Daily Prophet, capturing the moment perfectly.
"Excellent," Fudge cleared his throat. "Now that everyone is here, let us begin."
"The trial on June 23rd," he announced in a booming voice, "is to hear the case of the defendant, Gilderoy Lockhart, accused of abusing the powerful Memory Charm, causing thirteen wizards to suffer permanent memory loss."
"Presiding over this trial: Cornelius Oswald Fudge, Minister of Magic; Amelia Susan Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Another flash of light went off as Fudge straightened his back even more, pulled out a document, and took a deep breath.
"The defendant is charged with the following crimes: using a powerful Memory Charm in America to harm three wizards, causing permanent brain damage; harming two wizards in Germany, resulting in permanent memory loss... two of whom died three years later due to memory deficiencies..."
He read out a long list of victims, causing the members of the Wizengamot to sigh in sympathy.
Jane remembered seeing these names in that notebook.
"Are you the defendant, Gilderoy Lockhart?" Fudge set down the parchment, glaring at the man below as another camera flash went off.
"Yes," Lockhart replied weakly from the chair.
"Do you admit to using a powerful Memory Charm to harm thirteen wizards, causing permanent memory loss, brain damage in three, and indirectly leading to the deaths of two?"
Lockhart fell silent. Nearly a minute passed before he finally spoke.
"No, I do not admit to it."
A murmur spread through the courtroom. His outright denial clearly shocked everyone present.
The camera flashed several more times.
"Liar!" Fudge's face turned red with anger, clearly infuriated by the challenge to his authority. "Nonsense! The investigation records are right here!"
Yet Lockhart continued to deny all charges. Fudge grew increasingly furious, his plump body trembling with rage.
Jane, however, found it odd that he hadn't presented the evidence or the notebook.
Amelia Bones, the monocle-wearing Head of Magical Law Enforcement, interrupted Fudge's interrogation in a deep, resonant voice.
"I believe our trial should be based on concrete evidence."
The murmurs in the courtroom grew louder, with many members showing signs of impatience and displeasure.
The Daily Prophet's camera flashed incessantly, and Fudge's face grew redder as his hands fumbled on the table.
"Witness!" he said impatiently. "We have a witness!"
"Jane Yu, a Hogwarts student who was attacked by the defendant after discovering his crimes during her second year!"
The courtroom fell silent again as all eyes turned to Jane.
"In the past year, have you been threatened by the defendant?"
Jane gave an affirmative answer.
Fudge let out a deep sigh of relief and gave her a satisfied look.
"Did the defendant ever use a Memory Charm on you?"
"Yes," Jane answered firmly. "But he failed. My Stunning Spell hit him."
Amelia Bones leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with interest, and asked, "You mastered the Stunning Spell in your second year and defeated an adult wizard?"
Before Jane could respond, Lockhart, seated in his chair, began to scream.
"Enough! Enough! No more questions!" He admitted to his crimes, glaring at Fudge and then at the Daily Prophet's camera. "Yes, I did it! But do you know why our Minister of Magic can't produce the evidence?"
"Because of his negligence, all the evidence and investigation records were destroyed with a Vanishing Spell during a cleanup!"
The members of the Wizengamot stood up in disbelief, staring at Fudge.
"Shut up! Nonsense!" Fudge sprang to his feet, drawing his wand, only to be restrained by Bones, who frowned at him.
The Daily Prophet's camera flashed faster than ever.
"No photographs!" Fudge shouted furiously.
Lockhart laughed maniacally. "I only wanted fame! What's wrong with that?"
"Those wizards did those earth-shattering deeds, only to let them rot in their stomachs. What a waste!"
"It's their honor to contribute to my fame!"
He suddenly turned, glaring at Jane and roaring, "You ruined me! You ruined me! You destroyed my life!"
"I curse you, with all my magic! You will be expelled from Hogwarts, wander away from Britain—"
His mouth was sealed by Dumbledore's spell. The headmaster didn't even need to draw his wand, his blue eyes filled with icy coldness.
The chains on Lockhart's chair suddenly sprang to life like snakes, binding him tightly in an instant. The chair began to descend, sinking into the ground with him still on it.
Jane felt a surge of magic flow into her body, invigorating her spirit!
At the same time, she felt a burst of joy, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth!
This wasn't a curse—it was clearly a blessing!
Thank you, Lockhart, for the invaluable expulsion package!
He truly was her benefactor!