"You are the current Professor of Pokémon Mastery at Hogwarts, Charles Gold?"The inquisitor, drenched in sweat, stared at Charles. Suddenly, he felt an emptiness inside—an immense pressure had vanished without warning. Standing before him now was only a young wizard.
"Yes."
The young man's reply was calm and unhurried. Handsome, smiling, he looked less like someone on trial and more like a celebrity at a fan convention.
If The Wizarding Weekly didn't print that smile on its next cover, it would be a disgrace to its name.
The presiding judge froze briefly, then snapped back to attention."Very well. Defendant Charles Gold, you stand accused of violating Article 13 of the International Statute of Secrecy: any magical activity likely to attract the attention of non-magical persons (Muggles) constitutes a grave offense.Furthermore, charges are to be filed against Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic of Britain, and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, current Headmaster of Hogwarts. Your actions breach Article 73 of the Statute."
"I'm accused as well? That's the first I've heard of it," Dumbledore said cheerfully, striding forward. His posture was regal—yet the way he looked down at the judges was almost condescending.
"Indeed. You, and the British Ministry of Magic," the law-reader confirmed. "Article 73 states: every governing body of wizards bears responsibility for concealing, caring for, and controlling all magical creatures, beings, and ghosts within its territory. Should any such being cause harm to Muggles or attract their attention, that nation's magical authority will face disciplinary measures from the International Confederation of Wizards."
"It is evident that the British wizarding world failed to manage Charles Gold and his so-called creatures. Hogwarts likewise bears responsibility.If Charles Gold is found guilty, both the British Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts will be sanctioned by this Confederation!"
At that, Fudge came down the steps with Amelia Bones beside him, standing on Charles's other side.
"Looks like our fates are in your hands," Dumbledore quipped.
"Defendant, do you keep a number of creatures known as Pokémon?"
"Yes." Charles nodded at once.
"Defendant, did you publish in the Muggle world a comic called Pokémon—and distribute it widely?"
"Yes."
Each question was answered with curt, decisive nods. That made Picquery, who had suffered humiliation at his hands earlier, glow with satisfaction. Seated at the judges' table, her smirk all but shone in the dim chamber.
"Then tell us—are the Pokémon you raise at Hogwarts the same species depicted in that Muggle comic?"
"Yes." Another nod.
"Excellent." The chief judge tapped his gavel lightly, a hint of pleasure in his voice. "Since the defendant has freely confessed his crimes, then—"
"One moment, sir."Charles's voice cut across the room.
He was, in fact, rather glad the wizarding judiciary wasn't identical to the Muggle one—otherwise he'd already have lost his chance to speak.
"I object."
"What?" The presiding judge raised his voice. The other panelists murmured among themselves. "You object? But you've already confessed! The American Congress of Magic has provided evidence!"
As he spoke, Picquery motioned for several wizards to bring forward photographs.
"These were taken by MACUSA Aurors at Hogwarts," she said smugly. "Beside them are panels from your comic. The creatures are clearly the same species. What else can you say?"
"With respect, sir—" Fudge interrupted impatiently. "This is hardly catastrophic! They're merely animals. I've seen that 'comic' myself—there's not a single word about wizards. Magical beasts are sighted by Muggles every year! The world's largest horse-shaped water spirit in Scotland is known to Muggles as the Loch Ness Monster and is seen repeatedly; in the Himalayas, countless reports of yetis surface annually!"
"That is not the same, Minister Fudge. And we have long managed those incidents. There's a permanent international task force base in the Himalayas even now," the judge snapped.
"Managed? The legends still spread," Fudge muttered.
Even whispered, his words echoed in the chamber, and several judges' faces darkened.
"Legends are harmless. No Muggle believes them real."
"Likewise, this is only a comic, sir. No Muggle has ever seen a real Pokémon. To them, it's a fairy tale. Tell me—do you take The Tale of the Three Brothers literally?" Fudge retorted dryly.
That earned a quick exchange of glances between Charles and Dumbledore.
The judge's complexion turned ashen. He barked at Fudge to hold his tongue, insisting this was "not the same."
"Not the same? I'd gladly stay silent if I weren't so busy! Voldemort is still at large—if you gentlemen wish to be useful, perhaps send him a summons next time, before he decides to burn down the Notre Dame in Paris!" Fudge snapped, slamming back into his chair.
The insult stung—deeply. None of the judges dared respond. They all knew Fudge had a point. Voldemort was a lunatic, and yes, he really would do something like that. But asking them to confront him? That would be suicide.
So they ignored him—and turned their ire back on Charles.
"Charles Gold, by publishing those drawings in the Muggle world, you exposed the wizarding secret through your bizarre animals! Do you realize what trouble you've caused? The Statute of Secrecy has stood for centuries, and never before has it been violated so egregiously!"
"The International Confederation of Wizards will not allow you to continue such behavior!"
"You are to hand over those creatures immediately to the Confederation for global supervision, and swear never again to reveal their existence—or we will see to it that you spend time in prison!"
"What?"
Before Charles could reply, Fudge leapt up with a furious roar.
"Confiscate the Pokémon? Don't you dare!" His face went crimson with rage. "You pompous fools—ordering others to surrender their Pokémon with a single word? Over my dead body!"
"And what concern is this of yours?"
"My concern?" Fudge's temper flared; if not for Amelia Bones gripping his arm, he might have lunged at them. "After Voldemort's return, it was Charles Gold who generously lent his Pokémon to our Aurors—without them, we'd never have survived the Death Eaters' assaults without horrendous casualties!And the Confederation? How much help did you offer during either Wizarding War? None!So tell me—what right have you to demand the very creatures keeping us alive?"
His glare could have melted stone.
"If that's your stance, perhaps Britain should simply withdraw from the Confederation altogether," Fudge added coldly. "Let Voldemort take over, and then you can deal with him."
The room fell deathly silent. Fudge's words echoed like thunder.
All eyes turned to Dumbledore, waiting for him to intervene.
"Albus, surely you won't allow this?" someone pleaded.
"Allow what? Oh, forgive me," Dumbledore said mildly. "I'm still on trial, you see. If convicted, I may have to spend time in Azkaban—or perhaps Nurmengard, if I'd like the company."
That casual reply made several judges blanch.
If Britain truly ceased resisting Voldemort, that madman's influence would soon spread across Europe—and the French wizards present were suddenly as pale as their robes were dark. None of them wished to invite that particular nightmare to Paris.
Charles watched the whole exchange with quiet amusement, as though attending a comedy show rather than his own trial.
Fudge gave him a conspiratorial wink. The young man really had played this beautifully. Especially after joining forces with the Malfoys, Voldemort's terror had returned to the forefront of every wizard's mind.
The hearing had reached a stalemate.
Most present privately agreed that Charles's "violation" was trivial. Publishing comics hardly endangered secrecy—no Muggle had discovered real Pokémon, and many already believed in dragons or phoenixes. Voldemort, not Charles, was the true threat.
"Well then," someone began cautiously, "perhaps the case of Charles Gold versus the Statute of Secrecy should be… temporarily adjourned?"
It seemed the battle was won. But Charles didn't look satisfied.
"Adjourned? I don't think that's necessary, sir." His voice suddenly boomed through the chamber, magically amplified until every murmur ceased.
"What?"
Several judges who had already risen to leave sat back down, frowning. They'd offered him a graceful exit—how dare he refuse?
"The accusation brought forth by the American Congress of Magic is unfounded," Charles said pleasantly. "And the claim that I violated the Statute of Secrecy is absurd."
"But you admitted—"
"Perhaps you misunderstood, sir." His smile was razor-sharp. "What, exactly, do my actions have to do with exposing wizarding secrets? The Statute concerns wizards and magical creatures. Tell me—what do my Pokémon have to do with either?"
"That's pure sophistry!"
"Sophistry?" Charles's eyes gleamed, burning like twin flames. "Pokémon have never belonged to the wizarding world. Aside from me, can you find a single trace of them anywhere else?"
Indeed—it was because of Charles that Pokémon existed here at all, not because of the wizarding world.
"Every single Pokémon was bred by me. Remember that, sir. I brought Pokémon into the wizarding world—not the other way around. Therefore, what does the Statute of Secrecy have to do with them?There isn't a single clause forbidding Pokémon from appearing before Muggles!"
His words rang with conviction. And he was right—before this man and his miraculous creatures appeared, no one in the wizarding world had even heard the word "Pokémon." Wizards had simply assumed they were magical beasts by default.
"No matter what you think," Charles continued, "that is my answer. If you disagree, feel free to bring me a wild Pokémon as evidence. But you won't—because you can't."
Of course, a few stray Pokémon did exist outside his control… but if these fools actually managed to find one of those sleeping legendary or mythical Pokémon, Charles would be more grateful than angry.
"T-that only proves you've illegally bred new species of magical creatures!" the judge stammered. "Which, I remind you, is an even graver crime under British law, isn't it, Minister Fudge?"
But Fudge merely examined his fingernails, pretending not to hear.
Charles gave the judge a look one reserves for idiots."Forgive me, sir—but do you truly believe a person could breed over a thousand new species of magical creatures?"
The judge's face went crimson as the absurdity dawned on him.
Even Hagrid, the master of hybrid beasts, struggled to create one viable crossbreed. His "Blast-Ended Skrewts" barely qualified as a species at all—they'd annihilate themselves in weeks without human interference.
"Moreover," Charles went on, "I can offer another piece of evidence proving Pokémon have nothing to do with magic."
He released a Poké Ball.
A Pikachu popped out, landing lightly beside him.
"Observe, please."
Every neck craned forward.
"Tell me—can any of you sense a trace of magical power from it?"
Silence.
"Pokémon have never belonged to wizards," Charles said softly, his voice carrying to every corner of the chamber. "They belong to me."
(End of Chapter)