Harry was ready. It was finally time for the final outcome.
Minister Fudge addressed the Wizengamot. "As per magical law, the use of Unforgivable Curses carries a severe punishment, typically resulting in life imprisonment in Azkaban."
All those who have ever used the Unforgivable Curse have been sentenced to death in Azkaban. Still, Harry was not worried. Voldemort told him that his time in Azkaban would not even exceed one year.
How Voldemort would do that, Harry had no idea. He listened to Fudge's talk.
"However, given the exceptional circumstances surrounding this case, we must consider alternative measures." Turning to Madam Bones, Fudge nodded in acknowledgment.
"Madam Bones has proposed three options for the sentencing of Mr. Potter," he announced, gesturing towards the respected witch. "These options are intended to reflect the gravity of the offenses while also taking into account the factors presented during the trial."
Madam Bones rose and read the options from the parchment in her hand.
"The first option," she began, "is a four-month period of detention in Azkaban. This sentence acknowledges the severity of the crimes committed but also takes into consideration the cause allowing Mr. Potter a chance for reflection and repentance."
"The second option," Madam Bones continued, "is a five-year sentence to Azkaban. This longer period of imprisonment reflects the seriousness of the offenses while still allowing for the possibility of rehabilitation."
The members of the Wizengamot exchanged somber glances, weighing the implications of each option carefully.
"And finally," Madam Bones concluded, her voice resolute, "the third option is to express your disagreement with the previous two options. This would indicate that you believe a different course of action is warranted in this case."
After that, the process of voting began, and each wizard selected the option by raising their hand. When the first option was proposed, a clear majority seemed to be in favor of Harry's punishment, which was four months in Azkaban. Among them, Harry noticed that Albus Dumbledore also had his hand raised.
He must be thinking about how to make this in his favor. Surely, how to use me by going to Azkaban.
Indeed, Dumbledore's thoughts drifted towards those considerations. If sacrificing Harry to spend some months in Azkaban would ultimately strengthen his resolve and prepare him for the challenges ahead, then it was a sacrifice Dumbledore was willing to make.
All for the greater good.
Alas, Dumbledore had no idea that Harry Potter was no longer following the same destiny that he had craved since Harry was small. His action would fuel more of Harry's hatred towards him.
Fudge continued with the next option proposed by Madam Bones. "And now, let us consider the second option: a one-year sentence to Azkaban," he announced, his gaze sweeping across the chamber.
Only Dolores Umbridge, clad in her pink dress, raised her hand in support of the harsher sentence. Harry glared at the woman, but the latter just kept a smile on her face.
As for the third option, only a handful of individuals expressed their disagreement. Against such a majority in favor of the first option, their voices were drowned out.
"It is decided then," Having reached a conclusion, Minister Fudge took a parchment from Percy Weasley and noted the decision.
"Harry Potter shall serve a four-month sentence in Azkaban, followed by a period of probation under the supervision of the Ministry of Magic. If everything goes well, then Harry Potter will be allowed to join Hogwarts in January 1996 for the second school term. This trial is now adjourned."
The chamber erupted into a mixture of murmurs and whispers as the decision was met with a range of reactions. Some expressed relief at the resolution, while others remained skeptical.
Harry watched as the Aurors came to take him. At that moment, even though Voldemort had already warned Harry that to continue their plan, Harry would have to spend some time in Azkaban, Harry felt a little nervous.
He heard so many dark things about Azkaban. Only his resolve, his determination to avenge his mother, would keep him going.
-----
At around the same time, at 12 Grimmauld Place, Sirius Black was having one of his worst days since his escape from Azkaban.
He felt helpless as he paced back and forth inside his house.
Why am I so miserable? Harry is going through so much, yet I can't help him in any way.
On top of that, he could neither attend the trial nor even get close to it as he was still considered a fugitive in the eyes of the Ministry of Magic. It has been so many hours since the other members of the Order of Phoenix went to attend the hearing, and they have still not returned.
Just then, Sirius heard a knock from the front door. As Sirius Black heard the knock, his heart leaped with hope.
Could it be Dumbledore? Has the trial ended, and have they brought Harry back?
With a sense of urgency, Sirius rushed to the door, his footsteps echoing in the empty house. Before swinging the door open, Sirius hesitated for a moment, peering through the peephole to confirm the identity of the visitor.
His breath caught in his throat as he saw the figure standing on the doorstep, a familiar silhouette bathed in the dim light of the hallway. Joy surged within him, mingled with a sense of disbelief. It couldn't be true, could it?
But there, unmistakably, stood Harry Potter, his presence a beacon of hope in the darkness that had consumed Sirius for so long.
Without a second thought, Sirius flung the door open wide.
"Harry!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion as he pulled the boy into a tight embrace.
But as he held him close, Sirius couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Harry's body felt stiff in his arms, his response lacking the warmth and familiarity Sirius had come to expect. He felt that Harry was about to whisper something, so Sirius leaned his head to hear clearly.
And then, he heard it. A voice that was cold and unfamiliar from the person he held in his arms.
"Love is truly a powerful magic. It made people blind," the voice said. Sirius's heart sank as the realization dawned upon him. This wasn't Harry. This was an impostor, a cruel trick played by someone.
Before Sirius could react, he felt a wand on his back, and a surge of magic hit him, and then everything went dark as he lost consciousness.