Year Three: The Prisoner of Azkaban
Werewolves teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Prisoners escaping Azkaban. Dementors patrolling the grounds at Hogwarts. This is the year of heartache and answering to iron-clad questions. The year when everything must come clean. When Marie Rogue must own up to her true House...
Chapter One-Curiosity and Criminals
Marie Rogue was a curious girl by nature. She had a near inexplainable urge to discover answers to problems, to sift through mounds of books to unearth vivid stories and myths. Marie's curiosity was one of her most notable qualities. If she was presented with a problem or question, she would do everything in her power to find the truth and solve the riddle. It made her dependable, determined and hyperly attentive to detail. It ensured her good marks in her classwork, earning her a high ranking in comparison to the other students. She was a very bright girl indeed.
On top of being irresistibly curious, Marie was also a young witch. She was soon to be thirteen, going into her third year at Hogwarts, a magical school for witches and wizards. At age eleven, she received her letter that bore the Hogwarts seal and formally accepted her into their school to study. Since that day, Marie had been Sorted into the House of Slytherin (founded by Salazar Slytherin himself), befriended numerous other students within her House and among the other three (Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor). At first she had been alarmed by her Sorting, having desperately wanted to be placed in Gryffindor, much like her guardians Remus Lupin and "Captain" Tess Andrews, but shortly after, she grew to love her House, her friends and even her Head of House, even when he was mildly frightening.
Marie was a very successful student at Hogwarts. Top of her class with her group of close knit friends, Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode, and the ever-pompous Draco Malfoy (with Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle acting as the boy's security). She was a substitute Chaser for the Slytherin House Quidditch team, having actually played in the rival grudge match against Gryffindor when Adrian Pucey fell ill with the flu. She had played hard, taken a Bludger to the back, and they were ahead in points, but they had lost due to Harry Potter catching the Snitch before Draco. Their Captain, Marcus Flint, had been furious with Draco, to say the least.
Curiosity was also Marie's Achilles heel. In her first year of school, it had led her to discovering Professor Quirrell's strange behavior, digging up information that connected him to the wandering troll on Hallowe'en and to jinxing Harry's broom during the first Quidditch match against Slytherin. In time, this led Marie to confronting Quirrell in the forbidden third floor corridor and she suffered the Cruciatus Curse as a result. The following year there was monster roaming the school and Marie found herself following the sounds and the trail, trying to find and identify the creature. In her wake, four students were Petrified. It allowed her mind to be open to the memory of Tom Riddle, a young man who charmed her with his personality and started to drain her of her life as she began to get closer and closer to the truth behind the Chamber of Secrets.
Marie was curious at heart, determined to be brilliant, insightful, resourceful and capable of being sly if it meant she could find her answers all the quicker. She was a true Slytherin. She was also becoming quite skilled at lying, due to her guardian, Remus Lupin, not knowing her House. He still believed that she was Sorted into Gryffindor, having assumed such and putting Marie in the predicament of telling the truth and breaking his heart, or simply to play along in order for him to believe everything was how it should be.
This summer Marie and Happy, the cat, were staying with "Captain" Tess Andrews at her cottage near the base of the Great Gable mountain, near the Windermere ribbon lake. Tess had sent her a letter suggesting her to stay with the Ministry official for the summer, mostly due to Remus being low on funds because of his poor area of employment as work for him was difficult to come by. Marie had agreed without wasting a moment, hurrily sending her response with the Captain's owl, Sebastian. This provided the girl with ample time to enjoy her time off from school, spend quality time with the Head of Defense and take a break from lying to Remus. She loved Remus dearly and she hated to lie to him constantly, having to alter her stories or only give partial names of her friends. If she gave him too much, then he could easily connect the dots that she was referring to numerous, well known, Pureblood families. By Merlin, Remus still didn't know that she had been present at the Malfoy's New Year's Ball during her first year!
She was safe with Captain Tess. Tess knew all about her secrets and swore to keep them, allowing the girl to tell Remus when she felt the time was right. The Captain was the Head of the Auror Office in the Ministry of Magic, the youngest to take the position and a woman, nonetheless. Her track record was impressive, not to mention that she became an Auror during the Dark Times of Voldemort recruiting Death Eaters and leading multiple attacks. The Gryffindor had proven her worth in ability, skill, and initiative. She had the habit of going against orders and regulations, taking things into her hands and getting the desired result. Older Aurors called her foolish and reckless, others called her inspiring.
In fact, Tess was doing some sort of mandatory patrol through Azkaban at the moment and would be home soon. Marie turned the page in her book idly. After the next chapter she would put some tea on the stove. They were going to drop off her belongings at Remus' flat, go to dinner for her birthday, then meet up with her other caretaker, whom she would stay with for the last month of vacation.
Azkaban. The wizard prison. Dark, cold and miserable on the small rocky island out in the North Sea. Not to mention it constantly seemed to be storming. Blue eyes were hardened into a glare, dementors floating around every corner. She could tell that they were studying her, wanting to enjoy the guilty pleasure of sucking out every ounce of her happiness along with her soul. Her robes snapped behind her as she kept a strong pace, ignoring the throbbing in her leg. A stupid injury she had received last year in order to save the hide of a new Auror, fresh from the training program, who was too careless as to watch his own back.
Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic, hustled to keep up with her as one hand kept his bowler hat in place. Tess huffed at the Minister's dawdling speed. She was tired, her leg was hurting her and she absolutely hated doing the Azkaban patrol. Sure, it was only a few times a year and yes, she would rather face dementors and criminals rather than sit in her office and do paperwork, but still. She hated it.
"So wonderful you could make it today, Captain. Wonderful," thanked the Minister. She gave a nod in acknowledgement.
"It's apart of my job, Minister. But might I ask, why did you request today for a patrol?" she asked, glancing down at the portly little man. "We just filed a patrol last month."
"Ah, well, um, yes," stammered the man. "You see it is a rather, er, particular prisoner. He's been acting...oddly." Tess raised a brow in question to his word choice.
"Oddly?" she repeated.
"Yes. Oddly." There was a moment of silence as they traveled up another flight of stairs to proceed through the next floor.
"Would you care to elaborate on your definition of "oddly", Minister? Or tell me who the prisoner is so I can make the assumption for myself," she requested, unable to keep the bitter edge from her voice. Merlin, being in Azkaban made her cranky. The Minister jumped slightly as one of the prisoner tried to reach through the bars and touch his pinstripe cloak.
"Y-yes, yes, of course. Ahem," he cleared his throat. "The prisoner, Sirius Black, is the one who has been acting rather peculiar. We thought it would be best if you were to give your opinion, as you have a more extensive history with him than I do."
"Because I'm the one who arrested him," she stated.
"Yes."
The street was crowded with Muggles and they were pursuing Sirius Black, who was on a vicious man hunt for Peter Pettigrew. Tess was farther ahead then others of the group that was dispatched to bring Black down. Sure, she was suppose to stay with the group but she was a rookie and hard headed. She didn't always follow orders well. All right, perhaps a bit reckless.
"You face me like a man, Pettigrew! Face me and tell me how you turned in our friends to Voldemort! Face me, you rat!" shouted Sirius. She was sprinting down the street, legs pumping hard in order to catch up. They were in a heavily Muggle populated area, Apparating would draw attention to herself and the others. The fact that the two men were running and screaming with wands in their hands was definitely drawing attention.
"Sirius, fall back!" she called after him. She could see Peter weaving his way to the center of a nearby crowd, surrounding himself with defenseless Muggles. "Fall back, dammit!"
Peter started to shout back, a little fair haired boy compared to the dark, and currently threatening, Sirius. His words were loud, rushed, rambling, and gaining the Muggles' attention all the while. Tess heard things like "crazy" and "mad man" but little else.
Suddenly there was a blast of light, followed quickly by a deafening roar that blew the street apart...
Tess had only just barely managed to summon a Shield Charm in time to be forced to the ground. The street had been demolished, the Muggles blown to bits and Peter wasn't in sight. Lifting herself from the broken road, she saw Sirius laying on his back, laughing quietly to himself. It was off, not the kind of laughter you give when you've been extraordinarily successful, more like disbelief. Her legs brought her over to the man, body throbbing and stunned from whatever had just happened. She didn't even see Sirius move his wand hand! Wandless magic perhaps? Wandless and worldless magic? That was far outside Sirius' comfort and ability. The nagging thought upset her stomach as she stood over her friend.
"Sirius Black. You are hereby under arrest for the disregard for the International Confederation of Wizards' Statute of Secrecy, mass murder for innocent Muggle bystanders and the murder of Peter Pettigrew. You will be tried before the Wizengamot, the Council of Magical Law, for your crimes. Do you understand this sentence as I have explained it to you?" she recited, breaths shaky. The words only upset her body further. It felt so wrong, having to wield her Auror authority over him.
Sirius opened his dark eyes and looked up at her, arms opened wide from the blast. His usually well styled black hair was mussed from the running and fighting. His mouth pulled into his usual half smile. Her chest was aching, heart literally hurting.
"He one-up'd me, Captain," he laughed, using her nickname from their school days. "Bloody Peter Pettigrew got the better of me..."
"Do you understand the sentence?" she demanded. She clenched her fists to keep them from shaking too badly. Here she was, making a formal arrest on her best friend. Her eyes dared to burn, but tears did not fall. She was an Auror, a professional. She would not cry.
"I understand the sentence you have explained to me," he echoed. "Y'know, they probably won't even give me a trial? The way Peter's fucking played this out and my oh-so-charming Black history?" He lifted his hands, holding them together by the wrists.
"Lock me up good, Tess. Otherwise I'm going to break out and kill him."
The pair came to a stop before a particularly dark and dank cell. Tess shoved her hand into her pocket, the other gripping the cane as she stood in an aggressive military styled stance. Steady. She glanced down at the Minister again, who muttered some nonsense excuse, saying that he would meet her at the entrance. He was gone in a matter of heartbeats. Leader of the Wizarding world, yet completely spineless.
Dementors were hovering nearby, knowing better than to approach the Head of Defense any further. Last time one had been so foolish, she just about cleaned out the prison with her lion Patronus
"Tess," called a voice softly. It took a moment, and she heard the shuffling as the person made his way to the bars that contained him. Soon, Sirius leaned against the bars, arms looped through comfortably. He was so very thin, all fat gone from his face and frame. His cheeks were sunken and he looked as if he hadn't anything to eat in ages.
They studied each other for a moment. Blue clashing against darkest brown.
"Tess..." he sighed, tone sad. "What has the Ministry done to you?" She huffed. He was referring to her athletic build that was slightly underweight, the premature grey hairs that were starting to show at her temples despite her long brown hair that she still wore in a ponytail, the multiple scars and the new addition of the cane. So she was a little worse for wear. Battle worn. The last time he had properly seen her was when she had been young, a newly appointed Auror, and madly in love.
"Azkaban's been great to you too, Sirius," she retorted. A wheeze passed that could have resembled a laugh and something of a smirk pulled at his mouth.
"Always quick. Always the quick one, Captain," he teased.
"Get to the point, Sirius," she sighed. "Why go through the trouble of acting out of character to get Fudge to call me in? I'm on something of a vacation, y'know." He gave a nod and shuffled over to his makeshift bed, scuffing his feet as he returned. He held out a copy of the Daily Prophet for her to take. Cautious, she accepted it and brought it to her eye level for a proper look. The cover was of the Weasley family waving to the camera from Egypt, all nine members absolutely beaming.
Ministry of Magic Employee Scoops Grand Prize
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet, "We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank."
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
"I heard about this through work. What's your point?" she asked, returning the paper to him. With a flick of his wrist, he kept the family photo open for her to see. He pointed to the youngest son's shoulder (Ron, if she remembered correctly. There were quite a few kids.) A pet rat seemed to be resting there. His bony finger tapped it again, specifically at the rat's paw.
"You're smart, Tess. You tell me what's missing," he challenged. Her brow furrowed as she took another look at the picture, bringing it closer to her eyes. She looked back to Sirius.
"He's missing a toe on his front paw."
"The equivalent to a human finger, wouldn't you say?" he asked, brow raised as if scholastically intrigued. Tess took a good pause, mulling the facts over in her head.
The body of Peter Pettigrew was never fully recovered. In fact, the biggest part of him they could find was his finger, which Tess always thought was odd. What would totally obliterate a human body but leave an entire finger undamaged, enough for identification? The Sirius Black case was always very suspicious, since Sirius was chasing after the boy calling him a rat and shouting about how he turned in their friends. By friends, he meant James and Lily, who were just recently murdered at the time. The case always left a bad taste in her mouth. The outstanding question was, why would Sirius be calling Peter the traitor when Sirius had been the Secret Keeper, the only soul knowing the location of the Potters?
Sirius was staring at her very intensely as she kept her silence, praying that she was connecting the dots. Piecing together his case. Figuring out that he wasn't as mad as they all said.
"He's at Hogwarts, Tess. With Harry and Marie," he reasoned. "He's out there."
"You know, I've been thinking..." she trailed. "I've been thinking about getting a dog."
Sirius simply stared at her, and she vaguely pictured a teenage Sirius Black giving her that same look when she was trying to explain Herbology homework to him.
"Okay? A dog. I mean, they're great and all, but I'm talking about rats here," he said, pointing to the picture again to emphasize. She shrugged.
"I know. It's just something I've been thinking about for awhile now," she continued. "Still a theory, a work in progress of an idea."
"Tess, I'm suppose to be the mad one here," laughed Black.
"Not a little dog though, they're far too irritating and would get underfoot, and trust me, I would absolutely step on it." She glanced about before looking back to the prisoner. "But I've been thinking more about a big dog. A big, black dog."
They locked eyes again. A few moments passed.
"What do you think?" she asked innocently.
A smirk stretched across his face once more, a glint returning to his eyes.
"I think it's a bloody fantastic idea."
REVIEW! First chapter is up and rolling and reviews would be amazing as always! Soooo incredibly excited for this story! Next chapter should be longer but I just wanted to get the ball rolling for you readers (and myself, lol)!
Hope you enjoy!