"Snape… Severus Snape!" Horace Slughorn shouted. "He was among the Dark Lord's most trusted Death Eaters, a spy the Dark Lord planted inside Hogwarts, and a participant in the assassination of Albus Dumbledore."
"Severus Snape was released sixteen years ago!" Mrs. Amelia Bones replied calmly.
"The late Albus Dumbledore vouched for him... Severus Snape was indeed once a Death Eater. But he switched to our side before Voldemort's first downfall, risking much to provide us with valuable intelligence; and he continued to spy for us until Voldemort's second downfall."
"No!" Slughorn protested vehemently.
"Snape was playing both sides... The Dark Lord knew he worked for Dumbledore, and that was by the Dark Lord's own design. In fact, the Dark Lord trusted Snape completely... I assure you, Snape was a Death Eater through and through!"
"Slughorn!" Rufus Scrimgeour said grimly. "We have no doubt that we trust Albus Dumbledore more than we trust you."
"But... Dumbledore is dead... isn't he..." Slughorn continued to argue. "If Snape was truly loyal to him, how could he have died so easily..."
"That is for us to consider," said Mrs. Bones. "Very well, Slughorn. If that is all, you will be returned to Azkaban until we decide—"
Slughorn looked terrified, beads of sweat the size of peas rolling down his forehead.
Not long ago, Albus Dumbledore had promised him that as long as he cooperated with Dumbledore's mission, his brief career as a Death Eater and the mistakes he had made would not be pursued.
Slughorn had thought he could rest easy. He never expected that just one day later he would receive news of Dumbledore's death.
Before he could even react, an arrest warrant from Azkaban arrived.
Azkaban was unbearable. The nightmare of it made him dread even a single day back in that dreadful prison, and he never wanted to spend another moment with the Dementors.
"No!" Slughorn cried in despair. "Wait, I know more..."
"...Malfoy... Draco Malfoy!"
This time, a small stir rippled through the entire interrogation chamber. Several witches and wizards leaned toward one another, whispering quietly.
"Silence!" Mrs. Amelia Bones frowned.
"Slughorn, you are accusing Lucius Malfoy's son, Draco Malfoy, of being a Death Eater, correct? If I recall correctly, that boy has only just turned seventeen. Are you certain he joined the Death Eaters at such a young age?"
"Yes... I am certain!" Slughorn declared, trembling.
"Over a year ago, Draco Malfoy formally joined the Death Eaters... He cast the Imperius Curse on Rosmerta of the Three Broomsticks—you can verify this... Furthermore, he was the one who gravely injured Katie Bell... And he was also one of the participants in the assassination attempt on Albus Dumbledore."
This time, Slughorn had hit something important. Whispers spread rapidly throughout the chamber.
"Draco Malfoy," Mrs. Bones murmured to the secretary beside her, signaling for her to record the name.
"Very well, Slughorn," Scrimgeour said coldly. "You've assisted our investigation. I will review your case again. For now, you will return to Azkaban—"
"No, Azkaban!" Slughorn's face twisted in pain.
Just as he was about to accept that grim fate—
"Wait a moment!"
A clear voice suddenly spoke up from the right corner of the front row.
"Minister, may I say a few words?"
...
The speaker was Jon Hart, the young Headmaster of Hogwarts.
He stood up and looked calmly toward the Minister of Magic.
Once again, every gaze in the courtroom turned toward him. The witches and wizards who had been whispering earlier immediately resumed their quiet discussions.
"Of course, Mr. Hart," Mrs. Bones nodded. "As the Headmaster of Hogwarts, you are now also an honorary member of the Wizengamot and have the right to offer any opinion regarding this trial."
Rufus Scrimgeour frowned slightly but said nothing.
"Thank you," Jon said with a faint smile.
"First, I can provide some evidence regarding Professor Slughorn's earlier accusation against Snape."
Scrimgeour instinctively raised his head. Mrs. Bones frowned as the murmurs around the chamber grew louder.
"Headmaster Dumbledore did indeed trust Severus Snape deeply," Jon said solemnly.
"But I can confirm that in the final moments of his life, Snape chose to betray him."
The words rippled through the courtroom, the statement sent waves through the entire courtroom. The courtroom erupted in noise.
"Silence!" Mrs. Bones said sharply.
"This is a very serious accusation, Mr. Hart. Could you explain in more detail?"
"According to Dumbledore's original plan, Severus Snape was meant to assist him at Hogwarts in resisting Voldemort," Jon explained, his expression tight as if suppressing anger.
"But Snape never appeared at the designated location. This was the main reason for Dumbledore's tragic death."
"Furthermore, on the very night of the Battle of Hogwarts, Severus Snape disappeared mysteriously. Since then, no trace of him has ever been found."
"Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Hart," Mrs. Bones said, her expression complicated. "We will—"
"Just a moment, Minister."
Jon shook his head and took a phoenix feather from his pocket.
"I also have a directive left by Albus Dumbledore before his death that can serve as evidence. In this instruction, he stated that Horace Slughorn had already severed his ties with the Death Eaters several days before his death and had begun cooperating with his actions."
"Yes, that's correct!" Slughorn cried, as if grasping a lifeline.
"Professor Dumbledore could prove my innocence... It's just that none of you believed me before..."
"Silence in the dock!" Mrs. Bones shouted.
She took the phoenix feather and appeared to examine the message it contained.
"Mr. Hart, thank you for providing this testimony and evidence. The Ministry will conduct a more thorough investigation into this case."
"Thank you."
Jon gave a slight bow before sitting down again.
...
"The hearing is concluded. The suspect will be temporarily returned to Azkaban!" Scrimgeour announced.
Two Dementors returned to the courtroom.
The tall creatures with their faces hidden beneath their hoods slowly approached the chained chair in the center of the room. Their rotting, corpse-like hands seized Slughorn's arms and pulled him to his feet.
Slughorn was taken away. Until his innocence was fully proven, he would still have to spend some time in Azkaban.
"Bring in the next prisoner," Mrs. Bones ordered, glancing at the list in front of her.
"Diana Greengrass!"