This Hogwarts is not normal

Vincent dropped a big, heavy stone.

He hates doing it, very much.

"Witness, were you attacked by a basilisk on October 10th on Halloween?"

"Yes, I and another student both saw it."

"Can you describe it?"

"A body as wide as a stairwell, with emerald green scales and yellow eyes, and a pair of horns and bright red feathers on its head."

"How did you avoid its gaze?"

"I am an alchemist's apprentice, and I always carry some gadgets that can avoid attacks."

"In the early morning of November 11, how did you find out that the accused person was going to flee?"

"He was holding the suitcase and retreating into the stairwell in a panic."

"Enough!" Lockhart was tightly bound by the chain,

"Tom Riddle has been absorbing my life force and he hit me when I noticed!"

Both Vincent and Fudge sat down one after another.

Burns held up a thick stack of parchment. "The accused, according to the testimony of a witness who was not present, you woke up and threw her roughly to the ground."

"My mind was in a mess. I just wanted to get out of Hogwarts as soon as possible."

"Then—" She turned out another copy, "How did you know the location of the Chamber of Secrets?"

"Tom Riddle told me!" Lockhart wasn't lying.

Without Parseltongue, it would be impossible to open the Chamber of Secrets.

The magic arranged by Salazar Slytherin, even Dumbledore would take a lot of time to decipher.

But that's just legend, unless Harry is involved.

Burns looked at the last witness, "The accused, we can prove that the existence of the secret room is not a secret."

Snape stood up calmly, without looking at Lockhart.

"Witness, you should know what it means to be free to breathe fresh air."

"know."

"We will only selectively accept your testimony, and hope you can understand our difficulties."

"I understand."

As a former Death Eater, even with Dumbledore's guarantee, it is difficult to gain everyone's trust again.

"Witness, as the head of Slytherin, do you know the legend about the secret room left by the founder?"

Snape was expressionless, "I know."

"Then, as a master of potions, can you prove that the one in the secret room is a basilisk?"

"I have studied its venom, and this kind of venom that can only be detoxified with phoenix tears can only belong to the basilisk."

"Do you know how to open the chamber of secrets?"

Snape breathed heavily, "It's not a common signal."

"Finally—" Burns put down all the parchment in his hand, "You had a duel with the accused, please tell me the result."

"It's a draw. Wayne and I were almost sent flying off the court by his stun spell."

Unsurprisingly, the hearing turned in the direction that Lockhart was the mastermind.

Dumbledore, who knew Tom's face, was not there that night, and McGonagall and Flitwick were in the Forbidden Forest to deal with Jomgand.

Kettleburn, the oldest, was not in the auditorium at the time, and the other professors, like Snape, had never seen Voldemort in his student days.

Do we need the portraits of the principals to prove it?

Or use the memory of the students to prove it?

Lockhart leaned back in his chair weakly, staring blankly at the dark ceiling.

The hearing presided over by the Supreme Wizarding Court and the Magical Law Committee is the most authoritative in the magical world of the British Isles.

Serious and rigorous, determined to condemn him.

"Accused, can you prove that the soul in the evidence is Tom Riddle himself?"

Veteran-level Death Eaters may not know it, let alone a photo of Tom when he was in school, not even a photo without a nose.

The only thing that can save him is the evidence given by Dumbledore and Vincent.

But even if it turns out that Tom is Tom, so what?

As long as the Ministry of Magic headed by Fudge doesn't admit it, Tom can't be Tom.

"I can't prove it." Lockhart's dull eyes swept over everyone present,

"If only I had known Tom Riddle was the one."

This sentence touched many people.

I dare not announce Voldemort's real appearance and name, not because everyone knows that he did not really die 12 years ago.

At that time, the Ministry of Magic faced a ruin-like scene and had only two completely different options.

Either passively shrouded in the shadow of terror, or actively put on a false shell.

If after all, it's just if.

Ogden got up and announced the result: "This hearing is over, and the formal trial will be held on the 20th of next month."

It doesn't matter whether there is this process or not, Lockhart is destined to be the scapegoat.

Externally, Tom's soul is him, and he does everything.

Internally, 16-year-old Tom was hardly a threat.

The Horcruxes must be completely kept secret until all of them are found, and all Vincent can do is to stand on the sidelines.

Dumbledore tapped him on the shoulder, "We should get out of here."

"Yes."

Vincent got up and followed Snape. While racking his brains for an excuse, he saw Lucius and Narcissa coming.

"Long time no see, Severus." He put his hand on Snape's shoulder affectionately,

"It's almost noon, do you want to come to my manor for a gathering?"

With this sinister expression, he must be planning to discuss some kind of conspiracy.

The escape route on Voldemort's side is blocked, so dig another one?

The good student is a double-faced undercover agent, and the difficulty of digging here is the lowest.

Vincent didn't care if they were conspiring or reminiscing about the past, as long as they didn't go back to Hogwarts immediately.

Snape, who walked side by side with Lucius, always felt strange.

With this familiar feeling, someone must be plotting against him.

He glanced behind him first, then to the side.

He can still tell which side is more serious.

In the hall on the first floor of the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore laughed and joked:

"Lucius must have a wonderful expression on knowing the truth in the future."

Vincent's slightly sinister eyes moved away from Snape's back, "Professor, he will show such an expression soon."

In a few days, Gwent and Wizard cards will be launched on the market.

This is a "river of blood" war.

The two tacitly looked at each other for a moment, and then walked out of the Ministry of Magic in a tacit understanding.

The two stood at the gate chatting, as if waiting for someone to arrive.

"Mr. Wayne—" Rita came to Vincent, holding a pen and paper very professionally,

"Excuse me, can I interview you?"

"Of course." Vincent looked at Dumbledore, "I happen to have an appointment, professor, do you want to go together?"

"Thank you for your kindness." Dumbledore blinked. "They would all be very nervous if I was there."

Rita's smile widened.

It seems that there is more than one big news.

……

……