Chapter 483: The Retrial Begins
Kingsley escorted them to the door, then returned to Auror Headquarters. Dumbledore turned the iron handle, and he and Kyle entered the courtroom. The moment the door opened, the noise swelled around them.
Kyle took in the scene. The walls of the courtroom were made of black stone, with narrow windows high up near the ceiling. The dim light filtering through cast a somber atmosphere over the room. On either side, rows of benches rose in tiers, filled with people whispering intently.
"Albus, you've come at last," Fudge said, hurrying over. "Here's the problem—I'm not sure if the owl reached Black... if he doesn't show up, this retrial will be a complete farce."
"Don't worry, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly. "He's already here."
"What...?" Fudge looked behind Dumbledore in surprise.
With a flash of flame, Fawkes the Phoenix appeared, flapping his wings as he materialized on Dumbledore's shoulder. Alongside him, transported by Fawkes, stood a gaunt, pale man—Sirius Black. He looked exactly as he had in prison, with tangled hair and a scruffy beard, clothed in worn and dirty robes. His face was ashen, and he swayed unsteadily on his feet, looking as if he might collapse at any moment.
Kyle understood Sirius's condition. Anyone who experienced Phoenix-assisted Apparition for the first time often felt shaken.
Seeing Sirius, Fudge let out a sigh of relief. He had been anxious that Black might not appear, which would have turned the retrial into a mockery. Thankfully, he had made it.
Fudge cast a bewildered glance at Dumbledore, then turned and headed back to his place on the steps. Without Fudge blocking the view, the entire room caught sight of Sirius. A swell of murmurs filled the space, reminiscent of the roar of a Quidditch stadium. Kyle even heard someone shout, "Aurors, arrest the fugitive!" as if they didn't grasp the purpose of this gathering.