Hogwarts in the shadows

Hephes enjoyed the cheers from the crowd.

He felt an invisible force slowly gathering towards him, surging like a tide.

This power was different from the magic and energy he was familiar with.

It is deeper and purer; perhaps this is the legendary "power of faith".

It flows in his blood, settles in his bone marrow, and gradually becomes a part of him.

Hephes closed his eyes and concentrated, savoring the power.

Although its function was not yet clear, he could sense that this would be the beginning of another starting point for him.

He slowly raised his hand, and the wizards in the audience immediately quieted down, waiting quietly for their king to give his speech.

"Dear fellow wizards, today, I stand at this pinnacle of glory not just because I won a duel.

It's because I have a more sacred mission - to bring true peace and prosperity to our wizarding world as never before!"

Although Hephis's voice was soft, it was clearly heard by every wizard.

In the audience, hundreds of thousands of wizards waited with bated breath.

They knew that a new era was about to begin.

"Over the past year or so, our world has experienced unprecedented darkness and turmoil.

The conflicts and contradictions between wizards and Muggles are spreading like a plague.

Countless compatriots were arrested and tortured because of this, and all of this is heartbreaking! "

Hephes' words revealed endless grief and indignation.

“But today, I want to tell you something.

enough!

Enough of this endless torture!

From today on, I will lead you to fight back against those who infringe upon our rights and interests and harm our compatriots.

Until the moment my soul disappears, I will never retreat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the wizards in the audience stood up excitedly, and their cheers shook the sky.

"For the sake of wizards, we will follow you till death!"

"For the sake of wizards, we will follow you till death!"

"For the sake of wizards, we will follow you till death!"

Hephis slowly raised his hand and pressed it down gently.

The shouts of the wizards gradually died down, and the entire venue fell into silence again.

Hephis glanced towards the stands.

"The first thing I will do now is to give Albus Dumbledore a fair trial."

Dumbledore stood there quietly, his blue eyes as calm as water.

At the same time, Grindelwald also walked onto the ring.

He stood aside and watched it all silently.

"Albus Dumbledore, since July 9th, you have murdered three hundred and seven innocent wizards.

This action constitutes a serious violation of the terms of the Wizarding Criminal Law."

Hephis looked at Dumbledore solemnly and seriously.

"Dumbledore, do you plead guilty to the charges?"

Dumbledore's expression remained calm. His voice was faint, but it was clearly heard in every corner: "I plead guilty."

"You have been convicted of intentional homicide under the Wizarding Criminal Code, and the circumstances are extremely aggravated.

I hereby declare that all your rights as a wizard will be deprived and your wand will be confiscated.

You will be imprisoned in Nurmengard and you will not be allowed to leave for the rest of your life."

The wizards in the audience applauded.

Although in their opinion, such a sentence was too light for Dumbledore's crime.

But the wizarding world has never practiced the death penalty.

And just look at the power Dumbledore showed in the duel just now.

Perhaps it would be the best outcome for him to imprison himself in Nurmengard like Grindelwald did fifty years ago.

Dumbledore nodded, agreeing with the decision.

Gellert breathed a sigh of relief. It would be a good idea to be imprisoned in Nurmengard!

Hephis' tone turned gentle.

“Justice is not only the punishment of evil, but also the redemption of the innocent and the correction of history.

Here I must defend the name of another great wizard, Gellert Grindelwald. "

“Fifty years ago, Grindelwald led his followers to overthrow the International Statute of Secrecy and dreamed of unifying the Muggle and wizard worlds.

He failed and was imprisoned in Nurmengard for fifty years.

But as time goes by, it is proved that Grindelwald's prophecy was not false and his choice was not wrong.

Everything he did was for the future of the wizarding world, so that we can live better in the world."

Hephis's voice gradually rose.

“For too long he has been misunderstood and vilified.

So from today on, I will clear Grindelwald of all charges and restore his reputation!

Let us all remember this great wizard and pay our highest tribute to his sacrifice and dedication!"

As Hephis finished his words, some people were still in shock about the decision.

But the members of Shadow have already started to applaud.

The concept of Shadow is not exactly the same as Grindelwald's.

But the ultimate goal is for wizards to dominate the world.

The few saints in the audience were now in tears, cheering for Grindelwald's vindication.

"Gellert Grindelwald, you have borne the heavy burden of being a forerunner for fifty years, and have voluntarily been imprisoned in Nurmengard for fifty years.

Your wand will be returned to you, and you may ask for anything you wish.

On behalf of the entire wizarding world, I am willing to make compensation to you."

Hephes' words were full of sincerity.

Grindelwald looked at Hephis in surprise, with a strange light flashing in his eyes. "Any request is OK?"

"As far as I can," Hephaestus replied.

Grindelwald stared at Hephis with burning eyes, "I have only one request - to pardon Albus's crime."

Hephes pretended to be lost in thought, and his expression looked very embarrassed.

The reason he vindicated Grindelwald was not only to repay Grindelwald for his help all the time.

It is also to fully promote the concept of Shadow and even prepare to make it orthodoxy.

The reason why Grindelwald made the request was to make him plead for Dumbledore.

After all, a tragic hero's request can deepen everyone's sympathy.

Hephis pretended to sigh helplessly, "You should make other requests."

"I don't want anything. I don't want a wand. I don't even want you to keep me imprisoned.

I only ask for this one thing, to pardon Albus." Grindelwald's tone was firm.

Dumbledore looked at Grindelwald tenderly.

Just these words of his were enough for his whole life.

"This..." Hephis's eyes swept across the audience.

At this time, there was a lot of discussion in the audience, and it was very noisy.

When Hermione heard Hephis say that he could meet one of Grindelwald's requests, she immediately understood his intention.