Chapter 382 - 382

A/N: Want to read ahead (up to 40 chapters)? Go to my Patreоn and get your early access chapters

https://www.pаtreon.com/HPMan

May the magic be with you! Enjoy!

______________________

"I submit for consideration," said Fudge, attracting the attention of those present and thereby stopping various whispers, "the question of the validity of the spells used by Miss Granger, Miss Astoria, and Daphne Greengrass. The Head of the DMLE, Amelia Bones, I ask you to voice the expert opinion of the DMLE on the spells used."

Amelia Bones stood up, holding a parchment in her hands, and from it began to read the text.

"Based on the examination of the wands of the above-mentioned witches, certified by Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, lawyer Erich Guber, and master of healing magic Poppy Pomfrey, along with a pre-trial examination..."

At this point, I looked at Hermione questioningly.

"The Aurors came by this morning after practice while you were still studying," Hermione whispered quietly back to me.

"... Experts of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement have established that the spells used are defensive and defensive-offensive of the elementary and intermediate levels. Curses and Dark Magic are not detected. However, through Priori Incantatem applied to Miss Hermione Granger's wand, it was not possible to restore the full picture of the magical battle..."

The satisfied faces of the Slytherins I could literally feel in the back of my head.

"... Due to the fact that during the fight, Miss Granger used forty-seven spells, and Priori Incantatem can identify only the last twenty. However, due to the complete correspondence of the manifested spells with what is shown in the memories, it is acceptable to assume that the rest of the spells are exactly what is shown in the memories. The DMLE only has a question about the spells with a visual manifestation in the form of black matter. I ask for clarification from Miss Granger."

Hermione, holding her head proudly the whole time, grinned.

"Space transfiguration, which my mentor taught me."

The hall murmured quietly again, causing Fudge to bang his gavel.

"Silence! Or I will be forced to ask you to leave the room. Miss Granger, could you demonstrate them for an unambiguous conclusion by experts and members of the Wizengamot?"

"Of course," Hermione nodded.

Taking out the wand, she, with a light wave, literally grew a completely black footstool from the floor, which she used for its intended purpose. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Narcissa, who was holding an unfamiliar witch by the hand with an effort and, it seems, even threw Silencio on her.

"Transfiguration," the pair of Wizengamot members nodded quietly.

"Thank you, Miss Granger," Fudge said neutrally and wanted to continue but just looked at Hermione. "You may dispel the object for demonstration."

Hermione, who had folded her outstretched legs on the stand, shrugged and dispelled it with a gesture.

"I ask the Deputy Minister of Magic of England to explain to us what the law says about the spells used and the situation."

Now Umbridge rose from her seat while Amelia Bones sat down.

"Ahem, ahem," coughed this lady, again all in pink, starting to speak in her exclusive nasty manner. "Given the multiple numerical advantage on the part of the opposing side, the Ministry of Magic can unequivocally interpret the spells used, their quality and quantity, as permissible for self-defense in a situation that jeopardizes the honor, health, and life of the witch, as well as for opposing, of course, Dark Magic in the face of both Unforgiving Spells and, judging by the memories, possibly included in the list, permissible for use by certified and current specialists, which are employees of St. Mungo's Hospital. And as we know, all the defendants in the current case are... not such specialists."

"Objection," said Mr. Morris. "The use of Dark Magic by my wards is unproven, as, again, memories are not proof."

"Accepted. In that case," Fudge continued much more calmly. "I ask everyone to read appendix number six on this case. These are the Veritas-certified results of the healing diagnostics carried out by Madam Pomfrey immediately upon the defendants' admission in the case to the hospital wing of Hogwarts. The documents are true, confirmed by the seal of Veritas, held by a member of the Wizengamot."

I couldn't help but grin as soon as I quickly looked around at those sitting on the sides and behind my back, and among the whispers that immediately rose, I managed to isolate: "We destroyed them… How?". It's interesting, and judging by Dumbledore's eyes, which for a moment glanced towards the source of this whisper, he is also extremely interested in all this.

"In the diagnostic data provided," Fudge was saying meanwhile. "The injuries received by each are clearly indicated, among which, on the part of Slytherin students, bruises, abrasions, and fractures are included, and Miss Daphne Greengrass has traces of the rough influence of Imperio. It was the early diagnosis that made it possible to identify these traces. These data make me want to ask a fair question — why do Slytherin students look like they have just returned from the war, while memories, witness statements, and Veritas-certified documents say that they should look absolutely healthy? If your clients do not take Skele-Gro to recover — this is their personal problems, as well as their personal disregard for their health, which we have no right to blame on Miss Granger, Miss Astoria, and Daphne Greengrass."

What I personally don't understand, looking at everything that's going on, is what were they counting on without powerful preparation? It doesn't make any sense.

"So. Please begin voting...."