Chapter 536: Taking over the Spotlight
It was already the second week after the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. Voldemort frequently launched operations, but the Ministry of Magic still found nothing and was always one step behind. Every time when the Aurors arrived, the Death Eaters had already left, leaving only a mess.
The Ministry's morale should have been even lower because of their incompetence, but they weren't. There was a smile on everyone's face because Piers Thicknesse had captured another Dark Lord.
Esmeralda Drizzt is caught! This woman who has done many evil things is about to go to the tenth courtroom for trial!
In the dark corridor, the only light was the torches stuck on the brackets. A group of Aurors were escorting the female devil for trial. Ada's body was not dirty. If her hands and feet were not heavily shackled and guarded by a large group of people, she would not look like a prisoner.
Confiscating wands, shackling hands and feet, and being guarded by a large number of Aurors were all measures taken by the Ministry of Magic to prevent Ada from escaping.
In addition to these, the Ministry of Magic also rushed to make metal gloves overnight, which are now being put on Ada's hands. This is to restrain her from casting spells without a wand.
"I didn't expect that we would meet again in this way." Kingsley's voice was low and magnetic. He was not mocking Ada, but just a little embarrassed. No one expected that the famous Ada would be caught by Thicknesse.
Kingsley Shacklebolt stood on Ada's left. He was the only person in the Auror team that Ada knew.
"I didn't expect that you were supposed to be protecting the Muggle Prime Minister?" Ada said in a relaxed tone. Even though she was under strict supervision, she still had an indifferent attitude.
"Someone has temporarily taken over my job. From Scrimgeour's point of view, keeping an eye on you may be more important than the Muggle Prime Minister." Kingsley said, "How did you get caught by Thicknesse?"
Kingsley was respected by Dumbledore in the Order of the Phoenix, and trusted by Fudge and Scrimgeour in the Ministry of Magic. He was truly a rare talent. Why was Ada caught? This question has been bothering him. Thickness is not a master.
"It probably capsized in the gutter." Ada said with a smile, without any trace of annoyance.
That’s outrageous! Kingsley knew that Ada wanted to bribe Thicknesse, but fell into his trap instead.
Even though wizards are very fragile, the possibility of a top wizard capsizing is not impossible, but Kingsley still can't believe that Ada will be caught. Kingsley roared in his heart, this must be a dream, who will wake up the Ministry of Magic!
The two did not continue chatting because they had already arrived at the door of the tenth courtroom. A large iron lock hung on the gloomy black door.
The door was opened, and under the supervision of Kingsley and others, Ada walked into this deep dark room. The Tenth Courtroom is no stranger to her, it can be considered a revisit to her old place.
In August 1995, it was here that Ada had a verbal battle with the Wizengamot. At that time she was Dumbledore's student and Harry's defender. Now that she is free from Dumbledore, she has become a defendant herself.
Ada sat on the defendant's seat, the chains around the chair automatically wrapped around her, and the cage was erected. There were dozens of sharp knives embedded around the iron cage, and the blades were all pointed at Ada, preventing her from moving.
Scrimgeour's cold voice echoed in the courtroom as he announced all of Ada's charges, including multiple murders, conspiracy to rebel, and subversion of the Ministry of Magic.
"Are you Esmeralda Jessica Triest, who lives at Rose Manor in Versailles, France?" The old lion-like Scrimgeour stared at Ada, his slightly trembling hands unable to conceal his excitement.
The sudden death of Amelia Bones caused Fudge to panic. Although the next ministerial candidate has not yet been announced, Fudge and Bones have already begun the relevant handover work.
If nothing else happens, Amelia Bones will be the new minister. The problem is that an accident happened. Fudge, who was in a panic, had to quickly convene a high-level meeting to discuss new ministerial candidates.
After some discussion, Rufus Scrimgeour, Director of the Auror Office, became the new candidate. Pierce Thicknesse's name was not mentioned, he just changed his deputy director into director.
This is why the presiding judge is Rufus Scrimgeour, not the current minister Cornelius Fudge, or the new director of the Department of Legal Enforcement, Thicknesse. This is paving the way for Scrimgeour to take over.
If Thickness hadn't caught Ada, he might not even have been able to get a seat on the jury.
"I am Esmeralda Jessica Drizzt." Ada said, "I admit all the charges you just mentioned. Is there anything else you want to ask? Are there any other charges that can be settled? It doesn’t matter to me.”
"You!" Scrimgeour couldn't stop him at this time. This was too cooperative!
Looking at the special handcuffs on Ada's hands and the group of Aurors, Scrimgeour didn't believe what tricks Ada could do. But Ada's attitude made Scrimgeour vaguely uneasy.
Jury member of the Wizengamot, you look at me, I look at you, you don’t even know what kind of medicine is sold in Ada’s gourd.
Scrimgeour banged the hammer in his hand and pronounced the verdict: "Now for the verdict, Esmeralda Jessica Twisted was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban!"
The trial lasted less than half an hour, and more than half of it was spent on Ada being escorted to the trial room. This trial, which was regarded as a top priority by the Ministry of Magic, ended in nothingness.
Ada confessed readily, making Scrimgeour feel his punch hitting the cotton. This feeling of failure is uncomfortable, but Scrimgeour has no time to take into account his own feelings. There is still a scene waiting for him to do!
It was this long corridor again, and the elevator still made an unpleasant rattling sound. In a blink of an eye, the team escorting Ada arrived at the main hall of the Ministry of Magic. Many journalists from the magical world gathered here, most of them invited by the Ministry of Magic.
In front of the Magic Brothers Fountain, the escorting team stopped, and Scrimgeour's drama officially began.
A group of reporters who had been arranged in advance "broke through" the Auror team and rushed straight to Scrimgeour. If they had a microphone in their hands, they should have stuffed it into Scrimgeour's mouth at this moment.
The reporters asked questions as planned, all questions that were beneficial to the Ministry of Magic and Scrimgeour.
"This is a difficult moment. There is no need to hide it. Our world is facing unprecedented threats. But I want to say to everyone: We will continue to defend your freedom, your security, and fight against all forces who want to deprive you of your freedom! You The Ministry of Magic is still strong!"
Scrimgeour said as the foyer burst into applause, accompanied by flashes of applause and rising smoke from cameras.
Obviously, Scrimgeour's strong statement achieved his purpose, giving confidence to Ministry of Magic employees and the public, letting them know that the Ministry of Magic is powerful and invincible.
If you don't believe it, just take a look at Ada being detained by Aurors. That is the best negative teaching material.
If nothing else, judging from this press conference, Scrimgeour is much better than Fudge. No wonder everyone chose the Auror Office Director after Bones's accident.
Ada, the negative teaching material, was standing nearby, fully armed with handcuffs and shackles and special gloves.
Ada's smile was brighter than the sunshine outside, and her waist was straight, not sagging due to the weight of the gloves. She listened carefully to Scrimgeour's speech, nodding in agreement from time to time.
Just after Scrimgeour finished his declaration, another young reporter suddenly appeared. These reporters broke up the Auror team and stopped when they rushed in front of Ada.
"Esmeralda Drizzt! Why are you an enemy of the Ministry of Magic?"
"You will be taken to Azkaban today. Is there anything you want to say?"
A bunch of questions were thrown at Ada's face. Just as Scrimgeour was about to stop him, he was surrounded by people again, asking questions that made him very embarrassed. Scrimgeour was overwhelmed by questions about Bones and the mysterious man.
Facing the enthusiastic reporter friends, Ada cleared her throat and spoke——
"First of all, I want to make it clear that I have never been an enemy of the Ministry of Magic. I am just targeting some people who have made the Ministry of Magic dark, corrupt, and incompetent. These rotten people use power for personal gain, blind people, and cover the sky with one hand. I am only hostile to these people and their minions."
…
"Mr. Scrimgeour is right. The Ministry of Magic is still powerful. It brings together the elites of the British wizarding world. It's just that the Ministry of Magic lacks a strong leader, a leader who can lead the public to break through the darkness. Ah The unexpected passing of Ms. Millia Bones is heartbreaking news,"
…
"Excuse me, do you have anything to say about Pierce Thicknesse? Or an evaluation." A reporter asked in a roar.
Ada was still smiling, not having any dissatisfaction because she was caught by Thicknesse. She replied: "There's nothing to say. He caught me and did what Fudge and Scrimgeour didn't, didn't he?"
"Excuse me, do you have anything to say? Do you regret your reckless revenge?" Another reporter asked after climbing over the mountains.
Ada finally put away her smile and said solemnly: "I never regret. You can say that I am seeking revenge, but I consider myself an idealist and never fight for hatred."
"Someone once said that 'magic flourishes only in a very small number of souls, and is only granted to things of a higher level.' I agree. As wizards, we are born powerful, and we should have the freedom to breathe freely in the sun. Power should be equal and mutually beneficial. We should not be trapped in a dark corner, shrouded in darkness, or ruled by corrupt, selfish, and crazy tyrants!"
Ada raised her hands with difficulty, and the metal sleeves on her hands were particularly glaring. She continued: "Friends, brothers, and sisters, we should shout for freedom! We should shout for fairness! We should shout for ideals. !”
"This world needs heroes, we should be in the darkness, watching for the dawn!"