bioinnovel Chapter 231 Amelia Borns
Chapter 231 Amelia Borns
Chapter 231 Amelia Borns
There's no time to reminisce about Barty Crouch anymore; next up is Amelia Bones.
In fact, Ms. Burns had been staring at the gavel for a long time, and she also wanted to snatch the gavel from Cornelius Fudge's hand and make a quick decision.
However, Ms. Burns' situation is different from Barty Crouch's. Mr. Crouch was already prepared to resign, so he was fearless, while Ms. Burns wanted to stay at the Ministry of Magic.
After much hesitation, Ms. Burns decided not to take the lead, which led to the scene where Barty Crouch snatched the gavel from the minister's hands.
Now, the gavel was casually tossed onto the table by Mr. Crouch as he left, and Ms. Burns picked it up again. Even though Fudge was furious, he couldn't say much.
As Ms. Burns's calm and powerful voice fell, the men in dark red robes whispered among themselves for a while, but no one raised their hand to accuse Sirius Black of being guilty.
Peter Pettigrew has already confessed to his crimes, and the facts are clear. Apart from a fool like Walton McNeil who was used as a pawn, who else would jump out and cause trouble?
"Raise your hand if you agree that Sirius Black is innocent and all charges are unfounded."
Arms were raised one by one, and soon more than half of the members of Wisengamo had raised their arms.
Ms. Burns struck the gavel again and announced in a loud voice: "The charges against Sirius Black are unfounded."
Mr. Black is acquitted. He may appeal to this court again if he has any objections.
After saying this, Ms. Burns put down the gavel, which was light yet heavy, and then stood up to lead the applause.
Several wizards and witches sitting behind Ms. Burns immediately stood up, raised their hands, and clapped vigorously.
Then, the Wizengamots, led by Dumbledore, stood up and applauded.
After being wrongfully imprisoned for twelve years, Sirius Black was finally exonerated, a cause for celebration, even though he himself did not want to celebrate.
Sirius Black lowered his voice, speaking in a tone only he and Peter Pettigrew could hear, and said with deep resentment, "It's a shame I couldn't kill you with my own hands. I hope you can escape Azkaban like I did."
Having said that, Sirius jumped off his chair and, with great gentlemanly manners, thanked the judge's bench and Wizengamo.
After a while, the applause stopped, and Ms. Burns unexpectedly spoke again, causing a commotion in the courtroom as soon as she opened her mouth.
Ms. Burns stated solemnly, "Effective immediately, the Legal Enforcement Division will re-examine all case files from previous years, making every effort to safeguard the impartiality of the law. Simultaneously, the Legal Enforcement Division will conduct an internal review to prevent any suspicious individuals from infiltrating the division."
As she spoke, Ms. Burns glanced at Walton McNeill, seemingly intentionally, yet also seemingly unintentionally.
As the head of the Department of Law Enforcement and the de facto leader of the Ministry of Magic, Amelia Burns's statement carries immense weight, enough to crush McNeil, that scoundrel.
With the statement from a person in power, pressure naturally came to the Department of Magical Creature Management and Control.
If we don't deal with McNeil, what will the First Division of Law Enforcement think? What will the other departments think? But if we do deal with McNeil, wouldn't it suggest that the executioner's identity is questionable and that he harbors malicious intentions?
Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll get stabbed anyway. The Department of Magical Creature Management and Control is going to get stabbed anyway; the only difference is in what position you get stabbed and how you can lessen the pain.
Cornelius Fudge looked around at everyone, listening to their expressions of regret for Barty Crouch or praise for Amelia Borns. Fudge felt as if something was stuck in his throat, an indescribable discomfort.
The Minister of Magic took two deep breaths, desperately suppressing his anger, and walked out of the courtroom without saying a word.
Fudge originally planned to set up the stage and take the lead role himself, but McNeil suddenly jumped out and ruined his plans.
Unexpectedly, Barty Crouch and Amelia Borns, two successive directors of the Enforcement Division, suddenly emerged and stole the limelight, reaping all the benefits.
Cornelius Fudge had painstakingly built the stage, but he only took a sip of soup. How could he not be angry, how could he not be furious?
The minister grew angrier and angrier, and this vicious cycle shrouded him in fear, giving rise to an unprecedented sense of crisis.
In the dimly lit courtroom, two tall monsters with their faces hidden by hoods entered. The Dementors lifted up Peter Pettigrew, who was limp and weak, and led the prisoners of Azkaban out of the courtroom.
The members of Wisengamo also stood up, talking and tidying up their documents.
Some people went to Dumbledore, wanting to have a brief chat with the headmaster; others went to Sirius Black, congratulating him on being exonerated and regaining his freedom.
However, Sirius clearly had no interest in conversation, responding to their insincere smiles with a forced one. Sirius disliked these kinds of situations, and even more so, he disliked pretense.
"Excuse me, everyone, I'm so sorry, I have something to discuss with Professor Dumbledore." Sirius Black said, taking long strides, "Professor Dumbledore, Professor Dumbledore!"
Sirius Black dashed off and caught up with Dumbledore, who was about to leave. The two of them walked out of the dimly lit trial chamber together.
Only then did the people who had been surrounding Sirius suddenly remember Belvina, and immediately looked around, searching for her figure in the courtroom.
However, Belvina left the courtroom early, intending to catch up with Cornelius Fudge and have a word with the heartbroken minister.
Unexpectedly, Belvina not only failed to catch up with the minister, but she was also caught red-handed by Ms. Burns.
The underground corridor was dark and long, with rough stone walls and no windows; the torchlight cast a very dim light.
Each door was hung with heavy iron chains, and the dark corridor at the end resembled the gaping maw of a ferocious beast.
Belvina and Bones walked side by side, the light growing dimmer as they went on. They only stopped when they could no longer see each other's faces clearly.
"What are your plans for the future?" Ms. Burns asked bluntly, taking off her monocle and casually putting it into her robe pocket.
"I don't have any plans. Staying at Hogwarts to teach and nurture students is fine," Belvina said. "I don't want to go through all that trouble anymore; I'm tired."
Ms. Burns chuckled and said, "Old Barty is about to resign, leaving the position of Director of the International Department of Magical Cooperation vacant. I don't believe you have no thoughts on this."
"Even if the position of director becomes vacant, it is usually filled temporarily by the deputy director," Belvina said calmly. "I am just a professor of elective courses. What qualifications do I have to compete for the position of director?"
"Don't you feel even a little guilty saying that?" Ms. Burns said. "You could just snap your fingers and the brass plaque in the director's office would be Belvina Black."
Belvina smiled but didn't reply.
With the position of Director of the International Department of Magical Cooperation about to become vacant, it's impossible not to have some designs on it.
Ms. Burns continued, "Belvina, you'd better make up your mind as soon as possible. Either stay at Hogwarts and stop meddling in the Department's affairs, or go back to the Department's infighting and give up your unrealistic fantasies."
Amelia Borns' attitude was ambiguous, seemingly both a warning and a sign of concern.
Seeing that Belvina remained silent, Ms. Burns sighed and continued, "You weren't the one who filmed Connelly today, were you?"
Belvina shook her head, then remembered that it was too dark here.
She said, "No, I don't need procedural justice, as long as the result is right. Connelly wanted to show his importance, but you and old Buddy messed it up."
"Connelly always complicates simple things and simplifies complicated things," Ms. Burns said. "I don't want to keep cleaning up the mess the minister leaves behind."
"Connelly was furious today, his nose was practically crooked with anger." Belvina didn't respond. "Old Barty just packed his bags and left, leaving you all to bear the minister's wrath alone."
Historically, anyone who holds the position of Director of the Enforcement Division has been considered a potential candidate for Minister.
This is not only because the Enforcement Division controls the Aurors, the Strikers, and the Enforcement Team, but also because the Enforcement Division wields excessive power.
The Department of Law Enforcement is arguably the most important department in the Ministry of Magic, and the source of the Ministry's authority to issue orders. Apart from the Department of Mysteries, all other departments must obey the Department of Law Enforcement.
Therefore, Cornelius Fudge always regarded Burns as a hypothetical enemy, someone within the Ministry of Magic.
"I don't think so, Belvina," Ms. Burns said, shaking her head. "You will also suffer Connelly's wrath."
Since you left the Ministry of Magic, your relationship with him has been deteriorating.
Without Ms. Burns reminding her, Belvina had already realized this, and she had tried to win her back, but the results were not ideal.
"If I really do return to the Ministry of Magic, I'll be challenging you to a duel, Amelia," Belvina said. "Are you really that confident you can hold the Department of Law Enforcement?"
“Not at all,” Ms. Burns said without hesitation. “But at least at certain times we were in the same trench.”
As she spoke, Ms. Burns suddenly became agitated and slammed her fist into the rough stone wall of the corridor.
Ms. Burns continued, "I have a very bad feeling that something big is going to happen in the near future."
It could even endanger everyone.
Belvina paused for a moment. Had Amelia Borns discovered something?
"First it was that Quirrell guy who tried to steal the Philosopher's Stone, then it was the Slytherin Chamber of Secrets!" Mrs. Burns said worriedly. "Then Sirius Black escaped, and now Peter Pettigrew and the Death Eaters are involved. My unease is growing stronger."
Belvina remained silent. If she hadn't known beforehand that Voldemort would return, would she have been as perceptive as Amelia Bornes?
After a long silence, Belvina asked softly, "Why me?"
"Although I don't like your way of doing things, I believe you are a comrade-in-arms who can stand shoulder to shoulder with me."