As Vid walked in, Harry, who had been sitting on a chair, immediately stood up: "Vid's here, is it time to go?"
The November weather was damp and cold, yet a thin layer of cold sweat appeared on Harry's forehead.
Professor McGonagall glanced at the time.
"There's still an hour before Sirius' trial... but I suppose you all lack the patience to wait here, so why not head out early?"
Seeing the expressions on Harry and the others, she changed her wording.
"But in truth, even now, I still think you shouldn't attend this trial, Mr. Potter."
"Professor..." Harry stared at her with wide eyes.
Professor McGonagall sighed: "Remember what I told you, there may be some... um... unpleasant things said in court. Remember, it's just rhetoric, don't take it to heart, and maintain restraint and courtesy."
"I understand, Professor."
Harry clearly wasn't listening much; his mind was already at the Ministry of Magic.
"Well then... let's head off..."
Professor McGonagall looked like she wanted to hug him but restrained herself in the end.
She took out a bag of Floo Powder and said, "For today only, my office is connected to the Floo Network... everyone knows how to use it, right?"
"Of course... see you later, Professor."
Lupin said politely. He pinched some Floo Powder, threw it into the fire, and walked in, clearly saying: "Ministry of Magic Atrium!"
The flames roared up, and in an instant, Lupin disappeared.
Harry eagerly walked over and sprinkled some Floo Powder.
"Good luck to you all," Professor McGonagall, looking down with tenderness and pity in her eyes.
"See you in a few hours, Professor," Harry smiled and said, "Oh, and I've finished my Transfiguration homework, Professor!"
"Ministry of Magic Atrium!"
The flames engulfed Harry's figure, leaving Vid as the last one.
"Mr. Gray," Professor McGonagall said, "I may be a Gryffindor too, but I must say—some Gryffindors can be overwhelmed by emotions. If... I mean if... the trial outcome isn't satisfactory, I hope you can help them stay rational."
"I will, Professor."
Vid also sprinkled Floo Powder.
"Ministry of Magic Atrium!"
The green flames illuminated Professor McGonagall's emerald robes, and Vid saw her sky-blue eyes.
Her lips were tightly pressed together, her eyes full of deep worry, her fingers intertwined as if praying.
Surrounded by the green flames, Vid, with his eyes closed, suddenly thought about the two people being tried today, who were both in Gryffindor during school... both were Professor McGonagall's students.
They mastered Animagus at a young age; their performance in Transfiguration class must have been outstanding and surely gave the professor both headaches and pride.
Yet things have changed, and the outcome has turned into something no one wants to see.
Professor McGonagall probably wants to attend too, right?
But she's the Deputy Headmistress, and when Dumbledore is not at school, she must stay here and cannot leave.
Vid thought again about his plan to improve the Two-Sided Mirror.
Professor Morry had once explained the principles of making the Two-Sided Mirror to him. If he could successfully repair the mirror this time, he could start the next step of his plan.
Improving the Two-Sided Mirror to convert it from one-to-one to one-to-many, thus realizing live broadcasts in the magic world.
What a pity... Sirius' trial is such a hot topic...
...
Vid stepped out of the fireplace, and in front of him was a magnificent hall with peacock-blue tiled walls and ceiling, with golden symbols slowly moving and changing.
Rows of fireplaces were embedded in the wooden panels, with wizards continuously walking out of them. The fireplace Vid and the others used was set apart, with a sign hanging on the side—
[Visitor].
"Hello." A young, slightly plump witch sat behind a desk. She wore a light blue robe and said listlessly, "Please register here."
"Hello, ma'am." Lupin stepped forward and said, "Remus Lupin, Harry Potter, Vid Gray, here to attend Sirius Black's trial."
"What... oh, my heavens!"
The witch's eyes widened instantly, ignoring Lupin, looking back and forth between the two students, finally locking onto Harry.
"You're Harry Potter!"
She exclaimed, taking a sharp breath.
After two seconds of daze, the witch suddenly jumped up and extended her hands: "Hello, Mr. Potter! I grew up listening to your stories! It's so great to meet you!"
"Uh..." Harry awkwardly shook her hand: "Hello... ma'am..."
"I'm Louise Wenger." The witch introduced herself proactively, her eyes glistening with excitement: "It's such an honor! I get to shake hands with you!"
"Um..." Harry had to remind her, "We're here for Sirius' trial."
"Oh, right. Silly me, I almost forgot what I was supposed to do. Follow me, please follow me, Mr. Potter."
Wenger said incoherently, leading the three of them toward the end of the hall, while explaining:
"Guests need to undergo checks at the security desk and register their magic wands. Of course, Mr. Potter, you and your companions surely won't have any issues, but those are the rules."
Vid glanced back.
Behind them, green sparks rose again from the fireplace. A wizard and witch stepped out one after another, looking confused when they found no one to register them, standing still as if at a loss.
"Other wizards came out of the fireplace." Vid reminded the witch: "Is it okay to leave your work here?"
"It's fine, just let them wait a bit," Wenger said dismissively, then eagerly asked Harry, "Mr. Potter, I heard you were also sorted into Gryffindor, just like your parents?"
"Ye-yes..."
Harry replied awkwardly.
"Are you used to life at school? I've heard you grew up in the Muggle world; how was it living in the Muggle world..."
Vid looked at Lupin, who shrugged helplessly.
Fortunately, they finally reached the security desk, and Wenger had to cease her barrage of questions. She pulled over a dozing wizard and instructed him to politely check the three of them.
"This is Mr. Harry Potter!"
Wenger's face was flushed with excitement, speaking in a tone suppressing her thrill.
The wizard instantly widened his eyes.
Vid and Lupin, anticipating another round of fan excitement, took a step back simultaneously.
"Goodbye," Wenger cheerfully waved, saying, "Remember to come by when you leave, Mr. Potter, can you give me an autograph then?"
"...Alright." Harry could only agree.
Wenger was absolutely delighted, practically skipping back to her post.
"Mr., Mr. Potter!" The wizard had already extended his hand: "I'm Hansen, such an honor to meet you!"