"Although we are eager to know the secret behind your resurrection, that does not change the nature of your identity. All Death Eaters have been judged, and you should not cling to any false hope."
After another round of lengthy discussion, the Chief Judge finally spoke those words.
Regulus Black felt like he was speaking to a bunch of old fossils—though, truth be told, not all the judges even looked that old.
"Does the defendant have anything else to explain?"
Regulus Black pondered over how things had come to this point. The situation should've been easy to clarify, and yet they insisted on putting him on trial. Scanning the room, he noticed that while there were quite a few young judges, there were just as many older ones.
Compared to the political world of Muggles, it was likely the younger ones simply didn't want to be blamed for anything. So convicting him wasn't wrong in itself—but letting him off based on his own statements? That could make them the scapegoat.
Given that line of thinking, what he needed was someone with considerable influence and authority to speak on his behalf.
"I still cannot agree with your verdict. Physically, I am now a Yin Corpse—I've already died once. I must emphasize this again. As for the soul, I don't even consider myself to be purely Regulus Black. Before this, I was someone else. This identity has only existed during the period of being a Yin Corpse. Perhaps before that, I was Regulus Black—but as I stand now, you could say I am living my third life. Do I really have to take responsibility for actions I never committed?"
After another long round of deliberation, the Chief Judge—clearly not entirely convinced—still made the announcement.
"If you can prove your claims, this court may declare you innocent."
"I request that Headmaster Dumbledore perform Legilimency on me. Let him judge for himself. I will accept whatever the outcome may be."
Regulus Black shifted the burden entirely to Dumbledore, who had until then been a silent observer.
All eyes in the courtroom turned to the old wizard, leaving Dumbledore momentarily speechless. It seemed the responsibility now lay squarely on him.
Since Regulus Black had the confidence to make such a request, he must be certain Dumbledore would end up supporting his claims. The only hope was that this troublesome young man wouldn't drag him into trouble again in the future.
"This is your choice. My apologies for prying into your secrets—Legilimens!"
The scene shifted to the Black family home. Voldemort had asked Regulus Black for a house-elf. Believing the Dark Lord needed it for some magical experiment, the deeply loyal Regulus tasked Kreacher with the mission and instructed him to return home afterward.
That night, Kreacher returned to the Black residence in agony and recounted everything to Regulus.
Learning that Voldemort had hidden an extremely important dark artifact, Regulus—looking at the suffering Kreacher—decided to uncover the truth. He brought Kreacher back to the cave, drank the painful potion himself, switched the locket, and ordered Kreacher to take it and find a way to destroy it. In the end, he was dragged into the water by Inferi and died.
The memory transitioned again. A newborn child appeared—an ordinary family, a normal life, unremarkable experiences. Though this life played out in another country, it posed no problem for Dumbledore to understand. This person eventually died without warning in front of a computer.
Hmm... likely died of exhaustion, Dumbledore surmised.
Next, the soul of this ordinary person suddenly appeared in the dark artifact's cave. In spirit form, he drank the potion, then his soul fused with the body. He successfully left the cave, which disappeared afterward.
The final memory showed the resurrected Yin Corpse Regulus Black standing outside the cave wall, summoning Kreacher, and returning to the family estate.
Following that were scenes of bathing, grooming, then heading out to Diagon Alley the next day—where he was arrested in front of Ollivander's wand shop by Aurors.
In all the memories Dumbledore reviewed, there was nothing out of place. In other words, everything appeared real and credible.
However, for Regulus Black—who had once lived as the ordinary "Regulus" in a modern, information-rich world—there was hardly a story he hadn't seen, heard, or imagined. Blu-ray films, high-definition, 3D, digital cinema—you name it.
And after all, the standard of a convincing lie is nine truths and one falsehood.
So while Dumbledore believed he had seen everything clearly, he never noticed anything else—especially the parts involving the system that Regulus had brought with him.
Necromancer system, equipment—none of these were things that could be exposed, which was why Regulus felt no guilt whatsoever.
"Headmaster Dumbledore! You're willing to believe me, aren't you?"
At that moment, Regulus Black was like a student who believed he had done nothing wrong, stubbornly holding to his innocence—which, in truth, he genuinely was.
Dumbledore paused for a while, then decided to take a closer look at this student of his. Though he had his doubts about some aspects of the memories, it was clear that Regulus had only played a passive, symbolic role among the Death Eaters—and that part, at least, was undeniably true.
Moreover, his testimony also involved Sirius Black. While family ties were certainly at play, it was unlikely he would stoop so low as to lie for his older brother—especially considering how he constantly mocked him for betraying the family.
"I acknowledge Regulus Black's statement. What he said is true," Professor Dumbledore publicly and impartially declared his conclusion. "However, I still respect the verdict of the Wizengamot and will not interfere further."
Regulus Black hadn't expected this—after reviewing his memories, Dumbledore had done nothing.
Just like that, with a light and passing remark about respecting the court's judgment, he had pushed Regulus right back into the hands of fate.
Still, Dumbledore had declared his recognition of Regulus's testimony and stated that it was truthful.
That alone gave the Wizengamot judges a way out, a step down from their hardline stance. The mood in the courtroom shifted instantly.
"In view of your unique circumstances, and the fact that you committed no evil acts during your time as a Death Eater over ten years ago, the court declares—"
After some discussion, the young lead female judge prepared to announce the verdict.
"After deliberation, the judges of the Wizengamot hereby pronounce you not guilty!"
It was a happy ending for all. Many judges applauded joyfully. After all, for the wizarding world, this was a once-in-a-millennium case—and both the process and the outcome had been so satisfying, it was something to celebrate.
"Wait—how could you... do this?!"
Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge was stunned. In the blink of an eye, these judges—most of them from Ravenclaw—had just let a Death Eater go, without even consulting him, the Minister! It was outrageous—blatant disregard for leadership!
"Headmaster Dumbledore! Would you be willing to help me once more?"
Having stepped down from the defendant's seat, Regulus Black stopped Dumbledore in his tracks. His request caught the attention of several judges, who paused to listen.
"You know that I was once a Death Eater, and that I died more than ten years ago. Now, my physical condition is very unusual. If possible, I would like to seek a position at the school—and hopefully find a way to address my bodily issues."
"If it's just a matter of your physical condition, I believe St. Mungo's would be more capable of helping."
Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, his expression making it clear that he had already seen through what Regulus really wanted.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, I'm afraid that… in my case, nowhere else would be safe."
Regulus Black needed to explain things more clearly to this old bee—otherwise, the misunderstanding could spiral.
"Because I was resurrected. Truly, in every sense of the word. And among the former Death Eaters… who wouldn't be tempted by that? No one can guarantee what might happen."
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