When the charges were ambiguous, allowing for both positive and negative interpretations, the key to the verdict shifted to whether Roger Virgil himself, and the precedent set by his conviction, would pose a threat to the wizarding community.
On this point, Dumbledore chose to place his trust in the child, and by extension, in his own judgment and capabilities.
As the Wizengamot began to disperse, a figure slowly approached Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore, you're going to face some trouble next."
The old man, clad in his Wizengamot robes and appearing no younger than a hundred, spoke with a deep tone.
"Mm, I'm prepared," Dumbledore replied, knowing exactly what his old friend of many years was referring to.
The American Ministry of Magic wasn't particularly concerned about Roger Virgil's case. Their interests weren't entirely aligned with America's, and they were merely looking for an opportunity to exploit, which Dumbledore found easy enough to handle.
The real trouble lay with the Middle East. One of Roger's charges was lying about being a religious prophet during the war, but... he actually was a prophet! In fact, a segment of the Middle Eastern wizarding world genuinely believed Roger to be the prophesied religious figure! While wizards seemed detached from the Muggle world, their spheres of influence were delineated by Muggle national borders. And every year, a significant number of Muggles with magical surges in childhood became young wizards.
Some pure-blood wizarding families even held titles bestowed by Muggle nations.
Despite the International Statute of Secrecy, the boundaries between the wizarding and Muggle worlds weren't as rigid as they might seem.
In most countries, which were predominantly religious, a considerable portion of the wizarding population was influenced by religion. Some were due to their Muggle parents' upbringing, leaning towards various churches, while others, from wizarding families, harbored animosity towards the Church due to the historical 'witch hunts.'
In the Middle East, factions on both sides believed Roger to be the true 'prophet.' Consequently, some wished to help him, while others sought to harm him.
The case was moved to Britain for trial partly because Roger was British-born, and partly because the Middle Eastern factions were deeply divided over the matter, unable to reach a consensus, thus shifting the burden elsewhere.
Now, with Dumbledore's silent endorsement, the Wizengamot's final verdict was announced: Roger Virgil was found not guilty by a vote of 30 to 20, and released immediately. However, the matter was far from over.
The old wizard had known Dumbledore for years. He understood the headmaster's nature – that this soft-hearted yet stubborn old man, having decided to protect Roger, would see it through to the very end.
It seemed the British and Middle Eastern wizarding worlds were in for some minor friction.
Hearing Dumbledore's words, the old wizard said no more, simply nodding before departing.
Since Dumbledore was prepared, there was nothing to worry about.
After all, he was the headmaster of Hogwarts, the cradle of all British wizards, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the President of the International Confederation of Wizards, and the greatest wizard of the century in Britain! He trusted his old friend to overcome any obstacle in the world.
.
.
At this moment.
Standing at a crossroads in London, with one of the Ministry of Magic's disguised entrances behind him, hidden within a phone booth.
Roger felt a profound sense of unreality.
He had been prepared to be sentenced to Azkaban, to endure the torment of Dementors, to desperately glean magical knowledge from other prisoners, to lie low for seven years, and then, when Voldemort returned and freed the Death Eaters from Azkaban, to seize the opportunity and escape.
...He hadn't read the Harry Potter novels, and only watched the movies up to Order of the Phoenix. He felt the later films deviated too much from the earlier ones and stopped watching, only catching snippets on short video platforms.
But if Death Eaters appeared later, it meant Voldemort must have been 'pardoned,' right? Roger didn't know, but in life, one had to hold onto some hope.
Yet, just when he thought all hope was lost, a new path opened up.
He was actually acquitted?! "How does it feel? Does it feel like a weight has been lifted?" a gentle voice asked from beside him.
Roger turned to see Dumbledore standing next to him, having appeared without him noticing.
He was still wearing his Chief Warlock uniform, as if he hadn't had time to change, but his expression held none of the courtroom's solemnity, only the warmth and kindness of a grandfatherly figure.
"Indeed, this feeling of freedom is intoxicating," Roger replied truthfully.
"Mr. Dumbledore, words cannot express my gratitude. I will never forget all you've done for me," Roger said, looking up at the tall, over-six-foot old man with a solemn expression.
If the Dumbledore before him was indeed the Dumbledore Roger knew from the movies, then his willingness to help was in character. However, Roger never took anyone's help for granted.
He would always remember this kindness.
Seeing Roger's earnest expression, Dumbledore's lips curved upwards. He gently ruffled Roger's smooth blonde hair. "You're only 11, still a child. Don't be so serious all the time, like an adult. You are free now, you are safe. If possible, I hope you can live a life like other children, be like a child, and smile more."
Roger lowered his head, falling silent.
Like a child...
After experiencing so much life and death, he didn't just feel out of place compared to children; he felt disconnected from normal people around him.
Seeing Roger's demeanor, Dumbledore paused his hand, then withdrew it without pressing the matter further. Instead, he changed the subject.
"Roger, what are your plans for the future now?"
Just as the old Wizengamot wizard had thought, Dumbledore, having chosen to save Roger, would see it through completely, not just pull him out of prison and abandon him on the bustling streets.
While Britain was a peaceful country, it wasn't so peaceful that a child could wander the streets and alleys day after day with complete assurance. There were vagrants, illegal immigrants, gangs, stowaway wizards, magical creatures... there were always unstable elements that caused concern.
"First, I need to find a way to contact my mother's relatives. My father was an orphan, so my only option is my mother's side. My mother's business was primarily in Kuwait. With the destroyed assets and penalties for unfulfilled orders, the company is likely going bankrupt."
"If I were to inherit, I would likely only inherit debts. I haven't had contact with my relatives on my mother's side for four years since I was seven, living in Kuwait. I don't know what their current attitude towards me will be."
Roger spoke of his transformation from a wealthy Roman noble to a destitute laborer without any change in his tone.
In his view, it was nothing worth dwelling on. His most valuable asset was the knowledge in his mind.
Knowing the future direction of the world, he had plenty of opportunities to make money.
Moreover...
"But even if they don't welcome me, they wouldn't ignore my mother's affairs entirely. I brought back some money from Kuwait, not much, but enough to handle some of the aftermath."
"There are many inconveniences for minors to handle these matters. Once my parents' funeral arrangements are complete, I will dedicate all my energy to one thing."
"What thing?" Dumbledore sighed inwardly as he watched Roger ponder. It seemed the path to allowing this child to live a life like other children was a long and arduous one.
"To confirm whether I am a wizard or not."
"If I am, I will find an opportunity to learn magic."
Yes, since he had confirmed this was a magical world, the most important thing was naturally to learn magic, not money.
Dumbledore paused, "Hmm?"
Roger knew what Dumbledore was wondering about, so he explained, "Although you all say I've committed many magical crimes, I'm not actually sure if I can really use magic, if I'm truly a wizard."
"Based on the information I've gathered from the detention center and others, normal young wizards' magical outbursts are very brief, not like my situation. Furthermore, apart from sensing crises related to myself, I have no other abilities."
"So sometimes I doubt, is this 'ability' of mine really magic? I've heard that there are other creatures in the world with special abilities, like ghosts, centaurs, vampires, trolls..."
As he spoke, Roger's expression became somewhat uncertain.
After experiencing so much, he had long understood the importance of power, and he also knew what he truly yearned for.
If he were to miss out on the power of magic, it would truly be a heavy blow to Roger.
"You think too much, this child," Dumbledore said, shaking his head with a hint of helplessness on his face.
"Since the Ministry of Magic has charged you with these crimes, they must have irrefutable evidence."
As he spoke, Dumbledore took out a pure white envelope and placed it into Roger's hand.
Then he said, "The names of young wizards born and who have lived in Britain for a period of time will magically appear on the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's enrollment list."
"This is your Hogwarts acceptance letter."
"Roger, without a doubt, you are a wizard!"
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