Hogwarts on the tip of the tongue

At the same time, everyone in the Ministry of Magic was in the box.

"Are there too many people? Professor McGonagall——"

Emilia Bones, director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, said worriedly.

She was standing on the edge of the box looking down. The scene was beyond her imagination.

The Quidditch pitch at Hogwarts has undergone a special magical transformation. Countless seats surround the oval Quidditch pitch and are arranged upwards in a staircase. Thousands of wizards are taking their seats one after another - this is comparable to Last year's Peter Pettigrew trial was too crowded and noisy.

"Well, yes, obviously - luckily the school has thought about it."

Professor McGonagall said with a smile, pointing to the shimmering seats around her, and proudly introduced.

"Hogwarts Castle is a magical castle. Not long ago, we found a way to make it 'active'."

"Using the magic of 'Hogwarts', we temporarily transformed the Quidditch pitch, using magic to create additional spectator seats between the original stand columns. The maximum capacity of the Quidditch pitch is also It has expanded from the original 2000 people to about 3 people."

"Of course, I admit that there may be too many visitors today, but we have other emergency plans-"

Professor McGonagall pointed around the Quidditch pitch and was about to introduce the magic crystal ball's real-time broadcast and audio-visual synchronization functions.

The "Magic Network" at Hogwarts is not just a "gospel of squibs", it has given rise to many alchemical achievements that originally existed only in theory - those in Monique Flamel's alchemy workshop. Alchemy blueprints can be used to construct a miniature magical Eden.

As a member of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall quickly realized the charm of those new era magical achievements.

However, Alilia Bones is obviously not in the mood to understand those epoch-making products for the time being.

"You may not understand me, Professor McGonagall."

Ms. Bones shook her head and looked solemnly at the crowded stands below.

"Gilderoy Lockhart is suspected of possessing 'Demon King-level' power. A public trial is actually a very dangerous thing."

"Whether it's Lockhart's uncontrollability or the possible behaviors of the people around him..."

"Don't worry, Hogwarts is the safest place in the wizarding world today."

Before Ms. Bones could finish speaking, Cornelius Fudge said with a smile, her tone extremely relaxed.

"Before the trial, Kingsley and I came to the school to check the protective measures at Hogwarts."

"Did you see the stone platform below? Well, it's the platform with the inquiry table."

Connelly pointed down. From their commanding position, they could see a small special area circled in the center of the field.

"Lockhart will be tried there later. That area has undergone special magical protection. Once any accident occurs to Lockhart or outside the venue, we can directly activate the magical protection in that area and instantly cut off the inside and outside of the barrier. Mr. Aurors from the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters have assessed the strength of the protection - even a wizard like Dumbledore cannot break through that area within 45 minutes."

"Why 45 minutes-"

Ms. Bones frowned and looked at Cornelius Fudge in confusion.

"Because that magical barrier can only last for half an hour," Professor McGonagall shrugged. "Of course, the minimum time is 45 minutes. Once it is opened, no one can break it - neither from the outside nor from the inside. The person who created this magic Call it..."

Professor McGonagall glanced thoughtfully at a box next to her, and whispered with some admiration.

"...Hogwarts' Enchanted Amber."

"45 minutes is enough time for us to mobilize enough manpower to surround the area on three levels inside and three outside."

Cornelius Fudge said triumphantly, and he took out a glass bead with a shimmering light from his arms.

"This is the barrier switch. There is one for me, Professor McGonagall, and Kingsley."

"If a special situation occurs, we can activate the magic immediately and lock the guy into that... well, magic amber."

"But……"

"Well, is that Mr. Ogden over there? I think we'd better go down now—"

Ms. Bones seemed to still have some concerns, but by then Cornelius Fudge had stood up.

In the entrance walkway below, a dozen wizards wearing purple wizard robes filed in - they were members of the Wizengamot Wizarding Court.

The Wizengamot Tribunal was born even earlier than the Ministry of Magic. It is equivalent to the high court and parliament of magical society. Its status is second only to the International Federation of Wizards. Even Cornelius Fudge has to be careful to receive them... His The impeachment proposal will also be decided by the Wizengamot.

Of course, today he was on the same side as the gentlemen of the Wizengamot Court:

Lockhart's words and deeds seriously threatened the "Law of Secrecy", and the International Federation of Wizards issued a death order to impose a heavy sentence.

…………

Meanwhile, the Quidditch players tunnel.

Lockhart was conducting final routine checks under the watchful eye of the Aurors.

The person in charge of the scene was Kingsley, and beside him were six or seven Aurors holding wands.

As the "acting" Auror Office Director, Kingsley not only had to confirm that Lockhart was not carrying dangerous weapons - especially wands, but also that his mental state and body were not subject to magical interference or manipulation, and that he should be examined before the trial. Provide results to the Wizengamot.

A handful of mainstream, verified news outlets were given permission to record the entire event.

"Ahem—please, please be quiet for a moment..."

Kingsley Shacklebolt frowned and waved to the reporter on the side to temporarily stop the discussion.

"Okay, Mr. Lockhart."

He glanced at Lockhart, cleared his throat, and said seriously.

"In accordance with the regulations of the Wizengamot Court and the Ministry of Magic, I will now inform you of the final matters."

"As the defendant in this trial, you must answer the questions of the presiding judge truthfully and clearly."

"Any intentional disorderly conduct, violence... and other offenses may result in emergency measures being taken by the pitchside Aurors."

"After the trial, the Auror on site will decide to return your wand in accordance with the judgment of the Wizengamot Court and the Ministry of Magic, or seize the wand and escort you directly to Azkaban Wizarding Prison. During this process, any of your All intentions and actions of casting spells will be judged by me as malicious intentions."

"Do you have any questions now? If not-"

"There are a lot of people outside, right? Is the venue big?"

Lockhart raised his head and looked at the light outside the passage.

"Are you sure those spectators can hear me?"

"This is a public trial, not a pantomime, or a Ministry of Magic show, isn't it?"

"After Minister Fudge announces the start of the trial, there will be an Auror who will cast the amplifying spell on you."

Kingsley Shacklebolt said calmly, glaring sternly at Lockhart and raising his wand.

"Don't think too hard, I will keep an eye on you -"

"Oh, I'm not a bad guy, Mr. Shacklebolt."

Lockhart said with a smile, turning his head and smiling at the reporter who was taking pictures.

Then, he stood up from the chair and unhurriedly straightened the wrinkles in his robe.

"I have no more questions, can we go now?"

"Of course, the gentlemen of the Wizengamot have arrived."

Kingsley said in a deep voice, nodding towards the Aurors around him.

Under the surveillance and escort of a group of Aurors, Lockhart opened the door and strode towards the outside field.

A new era... He is coming.

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goo~