Chapter 152 Trial (1)
When Saviya took her to court, the thin silver chain that had been on Della's hand for nearly a week was removed. The red marks from the long-term pressure were imprinted on the small scar left by her bloodletting in the first grade.
Of course, these marks were hidden under the long-sleeved shirt that Saviya asked her to wear. On the surface, Della was still a pretty girl, just a little thinner than a few days ago.
With everyone's eyes focused on her, Della was brought to the stand with a calm expression. Her dark eyes looked at Saviya who was listing the reasons for the accusation to the judge.
"Regarding the attack on Hogwarts students, the first report pointed out that Parseltongue and Basilisk were involved, and Riddle had personally admitted during the interrogation that she was a Parseltongue. And no trace of a second person was found at the first and second scenes where Riddle was attacked. She is very likely to have written and directed the incident herself, so this accusation is brought against her."
"Objection!" Darke questioned loudly in the witness box, "I wrote these three reports and followed up on the matter. It is obvious that the report you relied on is not up to date."
"Quiet." Old Mike knocked the gavel before Darke finished his fourth report. "Speak in order. Go on, Miss Nanny."
"We have also received reliable information that Riddle from the orphanage is the daughter of a mysterious person who drifted into the Muggle world," Shavia paused as she subconsciously wanted to call Voldemort directly. She then continued, "This information comes from Azkaban. The specific source of the information is inconvenient to disclose, but we have reason to suspect that a mysterious person is behind Riddle."
A strange silence suddenly hit the entire courtroom. Everyone looked at Saviya who was confident, and glanced at Della who had no expression behind her. Finally, everything in the sight became blurred, leaving only the little girl with black hair and black eyes.
Then, the courtroom began to buzz. People wanted to marvel and talk, but when they thought of the once terrified Dark Lord, all the urge to scream was suppressed and only some low discussions remained.
"Quiet," Old Mike knocked the hammer again, and he asked Savia, "Is the charge over?"
After getting Shavia's affirmative answer, Old Mike looked at Della. There was a trace of pity in his eyes, but he still asked in a deep voice, "Miss Riddle, your confession has not been submitted here. Do you have anything to say about Miss Nanny's accusation?"
"Dela, you must not escape--" Just as Saviya was about to repeat her brainwashing tactics, Della's calm voice interrupted her.
"Mr. Judge, is this my turn to speak?" Della said. A smile appeared on her face, which had been numb for several days, and her eyes regained their spirit.
Seeing Della as relaxed as she was at the beginning, Saviya immediately realized that not only was Della not affected by the truth serum, but she even realized it and deceived her. However, she had said what she should have said, and that had achieved her goal.
After all, even if Della Riddle's guilt was proven, it was impossible for an underage wizard to be sent to Azkaban. Xavier, who dealt with the law, knew this clearly.
She just couldn't bear to see the devil's child living in peace.
"When you try to prove your innocence, the other party has the right to refute your statement," said Old Mike in a businesslike manner. "Similarly, the person who is willing to ask you to testify can now speak."
"I see. Let me first respond to the question that everyone is most concerned about," Della glanced at the people staring at her in the audience and said slowly, "I can't completely deny what Miss Nanny said, because I have been in the orphanage since I can remember."
There was an uproar in the audience. People looked at each other, unable to react. Della, who had just dropped a bombshell, said lightly, "But I can confirm one thing. I am of Slytherin blood. Headmaster Dumbledore can testify to this. He knew I spoke Parseltongue when he came to the orphanage to pick me up. I did not hide this from my adoptive father, Professor Snape."
Being forced to speak out was equivalent to not hiding anything; Della was telling the truth.
"I can testify to this," Dumbledore stood up. "I had guessed it when I knew Della was a Parseltongue. Later, the Sorting Hat left by the founder of Hogwarts also confirmed this. In order for her to live a peaceful school life, I suggested that she conceal her Parseltongue ability."
Snape expressed disdain for their blatant collusion in court, but he also stood up and said, "I can prove that Della did not hide anything from me. In fact, when the incident at Hogwarts happened, she clearly expressed to me her desire to investigate, because she knew that her natural Parseltongue would not be harmed by the Basilisk's eyes."
"But I was concerned that she was only in her second year, and Della, who had actual Slytherin blood, would be more unsafe in the incident than the attacker who only claimed to be the heir of Slytherin on the wall, so I rejected her request to assist in the investigation," Dumbledore added.
"The You-Know-Who once claimed that he was a descendant of Slytherin!" Someone in the audience shouted excitedly, and immediately someone else followed suit, making so much noise that Old Mike banged the gavel again.
"So I said, I can't completely deny Miss Nanny's statement. After all, there is always a reason why a child is in an orphanage." Della didn't argue about this point anymore. Instead, she asked the people below:
"But did the You-Know-Who appear before Salazar Slytherin? Parseltongue and Slytherin have never been exclusive to the You-Know-Who. If there is one of these two characteristics, there will be two. I don't think my identity as a Parseltongue and a descendant of Slytherin can prove what Miss Nanny said. Of course, Miss Nanny can show us how reliable her source of information is."
Della looked at Saviya and threw the question of self-proof back to her. Old Mike subconsciously glanced at the crowded spectator seats below.
Whether the defendant is convicted or not depends on the jury, but a public trial with open spectator seats has public pressure, so this time Shavia must give a response, so Old Mike looked at Shavia, "Miss Nanny?"
"I refuse to respond to this," Saviya's eyes fell on Snape, "Everyone knows that a large number of Death Eaters escaped trial. I cannot fully trust their testimony, and at the same time I have to ensure the safety of my witnesses."
Saviya grasped the pain point. She used Snape's public identity as a Death Eater to reduce the effectiveness of Della's speech in public opinion, and the audience and the jury box began to whisper again.
Saviya looked at Della, who remained calm, and narrowed her eyes slightly.
During the interrogation, Della showed the same hesitation and self-doubt as those scumbags she had dealt with in the past, but she never gave in on the final confession. This was the biggest difference between her and those previous scumbags. Saviya had previously thought that it was just a lack of time, but only now did she realize how good this girl was at hiding.
But it doesn't matter. The entire accusation process is a war of public opinion. Even if the jury chooses to let Della Riddle off legally, as long as there is a little bit of justifiable suspicion, the spectators' seats that are connected with public opinion will not let her off. This is what Shavia is most confident about. The news about Della Riddle's identity was released by her early on.
She will not let go of anyone who has anything to do with that rally.
You say Della Riddle is too young?
But look at her, a child from an orphanage, yet she could have such a magnanimity and was even adopted by a potion master. There is no doubt that Della Riddle benefited from Voldemort and completely benefited from everything that demon left behind.
For Savior, as the girl enjoyed the special care that was normal for her, the special care that was completely rooted in wailing and blood and tears, Voldemort's sin continued in her.
"You just refuted the additional charges. Now I hope you can focus on the main charges, Miss Riddle," Saviya started the next topic with reason and evidence. "Now please tell me what happened in Hogwarts."