Umbridge slipped a sheaf of parchment to Fudge and the Minister nodded in approval after examining whatever was on it. A moment later he announced "Sirius Black, the Wizengamot had cleared you of all charges and have agreed to pay you the sum of G40000 in compensation for false imprisonment. Furthermore an international arrest warrant for Peter Pettigrew is to be issued out by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement immediately."
Auror Dawlish gave a wave of his wand and Sirius let out a joyous whoop as the magic-suppressing manacles on his wrists fell free.
Harry was already out of his seat and within moments he was hugging his godfather. Dozens of camera bulbs flashed from within the press section, everyone eager to get that image for their articles.
"Mr Black," said Fudge. "If you could please take a seat beside your godson, we will move on to our next case, the trial of the so called Order of the Phoenix."
Sirius followed Harry to the bench near the front where Harry had been sitting. The entire row shuffled up along the bench to allow Sirius room to sit.
While that was going on, Dawlish and Proudfoot had left the room. A moment later they returned with a procession of Aurors and prisoners. The Aurors were all paired up with a prisoner in between them. Dawlish had now paired with Scrimgeour and they a bound Bill Weasley between them while behind them Proudfoot and Savage were leading Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody, followed by Rhobards and Williamson who had Kingsley with them.
At the very end of the line came Severus Snape, surrounded by six Aurors. Evidently the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had elected to take no chances with the greasy git.
Each member of The Order was placed into a chair where chains immediately latched themselves firmly around their wrists and ankles. The Aurors who had brought them in then took up guard positions behind them.
Harry looked at them all and realised that The Order was actually a lot larger than he had realised. Some he recognised as being people whom he had met before, many of them in fact having been his teacher at some point. Others he recognised from when their faces had been published in The Daily Prophet over the last few days. But there were perhaps two dozen more that he had never seen in his life.
The grasping reach of Albus Dumbledore's influence was long indeed.
Once everyone was settled, the Minister stood up to address the courtroom once again.
"My fellow wizards and witches, we are here to carry out the trial of a vigilante group calling themselves The Order of the Phoenix. They and their allies assisted Albus Dumbledore in the highly illegal use of mind magic upon the person of one Harry James Potter, and in the mass drugging of many students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We wish to determine exactly to what extent each of these people were involved in this barbaric travesty, as well as how and why they became involved in The Order of the Phoenix in the first place.
After pausing for a moment to take a sip of water from a goblet situated in front of him he continued "It is important to note that in addition to Albus Dumbledore there are two other people who have not been brought before us today.
"After a thorough examination it was decided that Minerva McGonagall would be sent for further examination at St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.
"Rubeus Hagrid on the other hand is not currently in the country. A delegation made up from members of The Department of Magical Law Enforcement and The Department of International Magical Cooperation are currently organising ways to have him located and brought back home."
"Amelia, you have the floor."
"Thank you, Minister," said Madam Bones, getting to her feet in order to address the courtroom at large.
"Over the past few days, we in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, with no small amount of help from The Department of Mysteries, have striven to determine the truth about the Order of the Phoenix, from its origins, to its members, including what they have done and why. The results have been interesting to say the least."
"Every member of the Order of the Phoenix that we have gathered here today has been questioned extensively. Veritaserum and legillimency have been used where needed, with full approval of The Minister's Office."
"I will now go through the members of The Order one by one and reveal what we now know. Once you have heard the case against each member, the Wizengamot will be asked, by a show of hands, to pass a verdict of guilty or not guilty."
.....
Can't wait to read more exciting chapters then what are you waiting for Join my p*atreon right now.
Get 60+ Premium chapters.
Link: p*atreon.com/Earthly_Writer (Remove the *)
2 Chapters for all free members.