Chapter 212: True Intentions

"No, Headmaster! Professor Dumbledore! It was Black and them who framed me! How could I have killed James and the others?"

Peter Pettigrew tried to struggle before being suddenly interrupted by Sirius.

"Shut up!"

Sirius snapped, shaking his head.

"How dare you mention James's name!"

After that, Sirius forcefully tore open Peter's shirt from behind, and Snape pointed his wand at Peter's chest.

A hidden skull and snake mark appeared.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh-!"

When Sirius' actions startled them, the young witches covered their eyes, but some gaps as wide as fists revealed what was happening.

"That... that's the Dark Mark!"

Some young wizards who knew what they were doing saw the mark on Peter's chest right away.

"That's right, that's the Dark Mark! To help Peter Pettigrew sneak in, it's a hidden Dark Mark that only shows up when magic is used."

Arthur confirmed the young wizard's words. Snape cooperated by making Peter turn around slowly so everyone could see the mark clearly.

The shape of the Dark Mark was terrifying: a skull spitting out a snake coiled in a knot. Snape used magic to keep the snake moving, which scared many students.

Now, even Scrimgeour was at a loss for words.

The Ministry of Magic made a big mistake, which was clear from what the people involved said and from the proof that the Dark Mark was real.

Although he was very dissatisfied that Dumbledore announced this scandal in full view, he wouldn't frame an innocent person or let a guilty one escape.

"Dumbledore, if what you say is true, the Ministry will give Black a fair trial. But how did you discover all this?"

Scrimgeour asked.

Hearing this, Harry hugged Sirius excitedly, and Sirius patted Harry's back with a smile.

Arthur nodded. Since so many people knew about this, it was nearly over. Scrimgeour's words were just a way for the Ministry of Magic to save face.

As for Scrimgeour's final question, well, why are people so cooperative nowadays?

Arthur cleared his throat and spoke up, "This time, we were able to clear Black's name and catch the real culprit, Peter Pettigrew, all thanks to one person."

Arthur paused deliberately, arousing everyone's curiosity before continuing, "He is the most excellent student in the history of Hogwarts, the pride of Ravenclaw, and the winner of the First-Class Order of Merlin, Arthur Gaunt!"

"I am proud to have such an excellent student at Hogwarts!"

After saying this, 'Dumbledore' even wiped away a tear as if Arthur's achievements deeply moved him.

The Great Hall erupted in discussion again, and when everyone was looking for Arthur, they remembered that he had already gone to Paris.

Scrimgeour's face turned serious. He had wanted to know who had made the Ministry's job so difficult, but he didn't expect to hear Arthur's name.

Scrimgeour had heard of this rising star in the field of alchemy.

According to his knowledge, Arthur already had a good reputation in the wizarding world.

Especially among the master wizards who were dedicated to the study of magic, Arthur received endless praise.

If Arthur was responsible for all this, then the Ministry of Magic would have no way of dealing with him.

At this moment, Scrimgeour couldn't help but feel even more depressed.

As for Cho, Hermione, and Luna, who now knew 'Dumbledore's' true identity, their faces showed some strange expressions.

Their boyfriend was shameless indeed.

Arthur gestured for the crowd to calm down.

"Although Mr. Gaunt is currently in Paris, he has once again made great contributions to the wizarding world. Therefore, I have decided to award Ravenclaw House 300 points!"

Everyone was surprised. 300 points! This meant that Ravenclaw would win the House Cup this year.

Professor McGonagall was happy and congratulated Flitwick.

Even though Sirius was a bit of a prankster, she liked him. Just like the Weasley twins now.

Now that Sirius had been cleared of charges, even if Gryffindor didn't win the House Cup this year, she didn't mind.

Snape remained expressionless.

He had gotten used to it ever since Arthur entered Hogwarts.

The House Cup was no longer related to Slytherin, and this situation probably wouldn't change until Arthur graduated.

Luna blinked her large eyes, looking at Arthur on the stage. She felt like she was getting to know him all over again.

"Furthermore!"

Arthur's words didn't end there, and the students below felt a thump in their hearts.

"There's more?"

Aren't these rewards a bit too generous?

Even Professor Flitwick felt a bit embarrassed.

Dumbledore was too kind to Arthur, and he feared that the other heads of houses and students might have objections.

Arthur did not care what others were thinking. The house points were just a side benefit.

The real reward hasn't been announced yet.

"Since his enrollment, Mr. Gaunt has continuously contributed to Hogwarts and the wizarding world. He invented the Wolfsbane Potion, resolved the Chamber of Secrets crisis, and developed alchemical beings. Now, he has also helped an innocent wizard!"

"At this moment, as the Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards and the Chief Warlock of Wizengamot, I invite Mr. Gaunt to join Wizengamot!"

That was Arthur's true purpose—to join the Wizengamot!

The Wizengamot Wizarding Corps was an independent group of wizards separate from the Ministry of Magic.

They held a lot of power, and even some important decisions made by the Ministry of Magic needed the approval of the Wizengamot to be completed.

In the original story, after the events of Harry's fourth year, he received charges from the Ministry, and it was Wizengamot that voted to clear him of all charges.

Arthur intended to take advantage of this opportunity to increase his reputation.

The others felt numb; even if Dumbledore announced Arthur as the school's new headmaster, they wouldn't be surprised at this point.