Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at Alex’s remark, his curiosity piqued. After a moment, he asked, his voice carrying a hint of mischief, "And after you’ve read your books and conducted your experiments, what do you plan to do?"
"Train, eat good food, and maybe run a business," Alex replied instinctively.
"Business?" Dumbledore’s interest deepened. "Now that’s intriguing."
"Yeah," Alex said casually. "I recently acquired a property in Diagon Alley. It’d be a waste not to use it, don’t you think? I might even need you as a loyal customer, Headmaster."
Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling. "I’ll be sure to visit, Wilson."
Their conversation shifted to the products Alex planned to produce, and Dumbledore listened with genuine amusement and curiosity. He laughed heartily, saying, "It sounds like you’ll have quite the enterprise. I look forward to being one of your best customers."
Their lighthearted chat was interrupted by Moody, who approached with his signature gruffness. "Enough with the chatter. The trial’s about to start. Let’s go!" Alex and Dumbledore exchanged glances before following Moody toward the courtroom.
The courtroom of the Ministry of Magic was located on the tenth basement floor, accessible only by descending a long, winding staircase. The air grew cooler with every step, the walls lined with torches casting flickering shadows. When Alex, Dumbledore, and Moody entered the courtroom, it was already packed. Wizengamot members, Aurors, and reporters filled the seats, their voices buzzing with anticipation. At the center of the room stood a two-meter-high metal cage bristling with inward-pointing spikes.
Barty Barty Sr. sat at the head of the trial bench, his expression as sharp as ever. Alex found a seat beside Dumbledore and Moody. Once everyone was settled, Barty surveyed the room before speaking. "Everyone is present. Let’s begin. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement has interrogated the captured Death Eaters, and all have pleaded guilty. They will be sent to Azkaban."
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing. "However, one of the Death Eaters, Igor Karkaroff, has requested leniency in exchange for information about other Death Eaters. Today, we will determine whether the value of his information justifies a reduced sentence or even a release. Each Wizengamot member will cast a vote."
Barty’s eyes landed on Alex. "This case is unique, as it involves a Death Eater you personally captured. Minister Bagnold has granted you a vote in this trial. Do you accept?"
Before Alex could respond, several Wizengamot members nodded in agreement, their voices echoing their approval. Alex smiled faintly. ‘It seems the Minister is being considerate of my involvement. One vote won’t sway the outcome, but it shows respect. I accept.’
"Bring in Igor Karkaroff," Barty commanded.
The sound of grinding gears and clinking chains filled the room as the metal cage rose, revealing Karkaroff. He looked pale and apprehensive, his eyes darting nervously around the room. When his gaze landed on Alex, he flinched but quickly composed himself, shifting his attention to Barty. "Igor Karkaroff, at your request, you have been granted this trial to provide intelligence to the council. If the information you provide is deemed valuable, your sentence may be reduced—or you may even be released. Do you accept these terms?"
"I accept," Karkaroff said, swallowing hard. His eyes flicked to Alex once more, but Alex’s neutral expression gave nothing away.
"What information are you willing to provide?" Barty pressed.
"Names," Karkaroff replied, his voice shaking. "The names of Death Eaters."
"Proceed," Barty said, his interest piqued. Karkaroff hesitated for only a moment before rattling off names from the list Alex had given him. "Augustus Rookwood, an agent in the Department of Mysteries. The Carrow siblings, Alecto and Amycus. Corban Yaxley..." The list went on, each name accompanied by detailed information about their crimes and current whereabouts.
The courtroom buzzed with murmurs of shock and outrage as the depth of Karkaroff’s revelations sank in. Even Crouch, known for his stern composure, seemed momentarily taken aback. "And finally..." Karkaroff’s voice faltered as he glanced at Alex. Alex gave him a subtle nod, and Karkaroff steeled himself before continuing. "Barty Crouch Jr."
The room erupted. Gasps and whispers filled the air as all eyes turned to Barty Barty Sr., then to his son, who sat not far from Alex. The younger Crouch’s face contorted with fury, "You lying traitor!" Barty Jr. roared, standing abruptly and drawing his wand. "You’ll pay for this! Avada—" Before he could finish, a streak of silver light flashed across the room, disarming him instantly. The wand clattered to the floor as Aurors surged forward, restraining him.
As the crowd stared in shock, they finally saw it clearly—a silver metal snake coiled tightly around Barty Barty Jr.’s wrist. Its fangs sunk deep, and its body constricted around his arm, halting his spellcasting instantly.
Alex had been watching Karkaroff closely as he approached the pivotal moment of naming Barty Jr. When the younger Barty pulled his wand, Alex acted without hesitation, summoning his Spirit Snake to intercept. “Grab him, quick!” Alex called out.
The Aurors didn’t need to be told twice. They swarmed Barty Jr., restraining him as Alex recalled his Spirit Snake, which slithered back into his wand, vanishing in a glint of silver light. “You little bastard, Alex Wilson! This is all your fault!” Barty Jr. spat venomously as he was dragged past Alex. His face contorted with fury, his eyes alight with murderous rage. “I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!”
Alex met his outburst with an icy stare, ‘The wailing of a defeated dog,’ he thought, watching impassively as Barty Jr. was hauled away. ‘If it weren’t for Karkaroff’s deal, I wouldn’t have let you off so easily.’
“Well done, Alex!” Moody said, clapping him on the shoulder with enough force to make Alex wince. “Quick thinking there. I always suspected something was off about that kid, but I never imagined he’d be a Death Eater.”
“It was just luck,” Alex replied with a shake of his head. “I didn’t even have time to draw my wand.”
The revelation of Barty Barty Jr.’s allegiance sent ripples of shock through the courtroom. The Wizengamot members whispered furiously among themselves, while Aurors exchanged uneasy glances. Even Barty Barty Sr. seemed frozen in disbelief, his usual stern demeanor replaced with a pale, shaken expression. The commotion grew louder until Dumbledore stood abruptly, his commanding voice ringing out: “Quiet!”
The room fell silent, the weight of his authority settling over the crowd. Slowly, the trial resumed, though Barty Barty Sr. still seemed lost in thought. “As the father of Barty Barty Jr. and a party directly involved, I am no longer qualified to preside over this trial,” Barty finally said, his voice heavy. He turned to Dumbledore, his eyes filled with uncharacteristic weariness. “Dumbledore, I must ask you to take over for the remainder of the proceedings.”
With that, he stepped down from the rostrum and left the courtroom, his movements unsteady. His departure was met with hushed murmurs and sympathetic glances from some, though others looked on with thinly veiled judgment. Dumbledore took over the trial seamlessly, bringing order to the room. Under his guidance, the council voted on the spot, and Igor Karkaroff was granted freedom in exchange for the valuable intelligence he had provided.