Transmigration: Into the Life of Severus Snape
Author: Transmigration: Into the Life of Severus Snape
Chapter 78 - 74: The Trial of the Shafiq Invention
The letter arrived with the first light of dawn, casting a pale glow across the Ilvermorny courtyard. Severus stood at the edge, his breath visible in the crisp morning air, as fine snowflakes danced gently down, dusting the marble beneath his feet. A silent owl swooped down gracefully, delivering a thick scroll sealed with intricate runes, which landed softly into his outstretched gloved hand. The sigil of the International Confederation of Wizards shimmered in the morning light, its silver brilliance momentarily captivating him.
Severus hesitated, resisting the urge to tear it open immediately. Instead, he turned on his heel and made his way back to the observatory wing of his tower. The air inside felt warmer, enveloped in the faint scent of parchment and old ink. He lit a single lamp, its flickering golden glow illuminating the room, and unrolled the scroll with a mix of eagerness and apprehension beneath the warm light, ready to unveil whatever news awaited him.
Date: Two weeks from receipt.
Location: The ICW High Court, Geneva Sector.
He read the document carefully, absorbing every word, and then he read it again, just to be sure. This was not a private inquiry; it was not meant to be a quiet reprimand behind closed doors. No, this was something much more significant—a trial. A public trial, open for all to witness and judge.
His eyes narrowed, a flicker of intensity crossing his face. They wanted a spectacle, an event that would draw eyes and stir whispers. Very well, he thought with a sense of resignation. If that was their intent, then they would certainly have one.
The moment the tribunal was announced, the magical press erupted.
: "The Boy Behind the Potion – Genius or Risk?"
: "Former Hogwarts Student to Stand Trial in International Court – Is Britain to Blame?"
: "Ilvermorny Prodigy Faces Global Tribunal – Innovation Under Fire?"
Inside Britain, the Pureblood Bloc ignited with fervor. They inundated the media with hushed insinuations: The potion was unstable, the creator lacked proper vetting, and the boy was a legitimate threat. Shadows of doubt loomed over the community, and anonymous officials from the Department of Magical Regulation began to release cryptic statements that only fueled the fire.
Simultaneously, Ilvermorny's administration found itself under siege as anxious parent groups inundated them with letters expressing their worries. In the classroom, Aurora observed an influx of foreign observers, their presence a palpable reminder of the scrutiny bearing down on her. Even Langford, ever the stalwart figure, was drawn into a high-stakes International Confederation of Wizards conference call, tasked with clarifying the intricate oversight protocols that seemed to be crumbling under the pressure.
Amidst this whirlwind of chaos, Severus remained curiously silent, his thoughts hidden behind an impenetrable facade. But the tension in the air shifted dramatically with the arrival of Lord Arcturus Prince.
He stepped through the Ilvermorny wardline without a moment's pause, flanked by two stern legal advisors and a black dragon-hide case brimming with arcane contracts, the air around him humming with the weight of impending decisions. Arcturus Prince presented a commanding figure—his cloak shimmered like liquid night, his eyes glinted with intelligence, and his face bore the sharp angles and icy demeanor of winter itself, sculpted by years of strategy and resolve.
They convened in the map room, a sanctuary guarded against prying ears and eager whispers. The room was cloaked in a solemn silence, the walls adorned with charts and paintings depicting battles won and lost.
"So they want a trial," Arcturus stated, his voice steady as he unfurled the tribunal notice with deliberate care. "In public."
"Yes," Severus replied, his tone resolute. "And I want it to remain that way."
Arcturus raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his composed features. "Most would beg for a private hearing to shield themselves from scrutiny."
"I have nothing to hide," Severus asserted with confident clarity. "But I have something to show."
A pause settled between them, heavy with unspoken implications. Arcturus studied him intently, his keen mind unraveling the layers behind Severus's declaration. A slow smile crept across his lips, a glint of approval in his eyes.
"You want to make it a reckoning," he surmised.
"I want to make it a lesson," Severus emphasized, his voice firm and unwavering. "For the world."
The following day, a new article emerged—not from the pages of a gossip magazine, but within The Alchemist's Eye, one of the most venerable magical journals still in circulation.
Titled
this essay was masterfully crafted, showcasing an elegance in its prose that was matched only by its precision. The words flowed seamlessly, each sentence meticulously constructed to convey the weight of the arguments presented, yet there was an undercurrent of quiet condemnation that ran through the text, leaving readers to ponder the implications of Shafiq's assertions.
By the time the article made its way through various magical academic networks and political channels, it had already been reprinted in several prominent publications, including
and
and enthusiasts alike had meticulously dissected its contents during heated discussions on every major debate panel in the pressroom of the Magical World.
As the sun set and darkness enveloped the town, one undeniable fact emerged from the chaos: the battle for Severus's future was no longer confined to the sterile, echoing courtrooms where legal arguments were once exchanged. It had decisively transitioned into the realm of public opinion and the written word, igniting a fierce debate that unfolded across the pages of newsprint.
That evening, Severus stood before his enchanted mirror, observing as Arcturus's reflection flickered to life in its silvery surface. The older man's image was framed by a chaotic backdrop filled with scrolls, documents, and ward crystals that blinked in various colors, creating a sense of urgency and preparation.
"We're fully prepared for a defense," Arcturus said, his voice steady despite the tumultuous atmosphere. "But this situation has evolved beyond the realm of legality. It's about crafting a narrative. They intend for the world to view a reckless prodigy playing god. We'll counter that image and showcase a visionary who is being held hostage by the cowardice of others."
Severus's eyes darkened as he murmured, "They've forced my hand."
Arcturus nodded, his expression somber yet resolute. "Indeed, they've poked the lion's cub," he replied dryly, the remnants of a smirk ghosting across his face. "Thinking it was still just a kitten."
The final owl of the night arrived just before the clock chimed midnight, its wings silent against the cool air. Severus's heart raced as he unfurled the scroll, the rustle of parchment breaking the stillness. A list. Five names, each one casting a long shadow.
Five tribunal judges, each representing a unique balance of fate.
A delegate from the Department of Magical Regulation—an unmistakably British figure, but clearly compromised, his loyalties possibly swaying with the political tides.
A former Hogwarts professor: Octavia Melrose, who had taught Transfiguration with a grace that often belied her fierce commitment to the traditions of Hogwarts. Now an ICW liaison, she was known for her calm neutrality... yet whispers of her past as a staunch defender of "tradition" still lingered in the halls of the Ministry.
Duke Linhart Aurel, a discreet ally of the Zabini's hailing from the Balkans. His presence was understated, often blending into the background, yet his loyalty remained steadfast and unwavering.
Thaddeus Skye, a retired High Magister of the ICW, gained infamy for his relentless pursuit of ethical conduct among alchemists. Known for purging half a dozen unscrupulous practitioners over the past two decades, his reputation instilled both respect and fear. Even Arcturus faltered at the mere mention of his name.
And the fifth: Master Indira Vale, representing the Independent Potioneering Guild. As an Indian delegate and a former inventor renowned for her brilliance, she was tough yet fair, her insights sharp and her resolve unyielding.
Five names. Five shadows looming over the flickering fire's glow.
Severus closed the scroll with a definitive snap and placed it beside his well-used notebook, a sense of gravity settling in the air around him.
Two weeks.
In just fourteen days, the world would be watching, waiting with bated breath to see how fate would unfold.
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