Disclaimer: Not Mine. I just own the idea for the plot and the Other Character(s), otherwise everything else belongs to JK Rowling and the people behind the Harry Potter movies.

Summary: He was on the run and needed someone to elude the people after him. She was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

PhoenixRae's Note: This is a completely AU story. So forget what you read in the third, fourth & fifth book. None of those events happened -- yet. winks Well, some of the events in the third & fourth book were used, but as for the events in book 5...well, it's AU so I might get to book 5 later on. grins So sit back, relax, enjoy and read on. Comment, criticize, review. I wanna read what you think of this first venture of mine at writing a story about this character and writing an AU fic.


I. His Obsession

"He's at Hogwarts...He's at Hogwarts...He's at Hogwarts..." a man, too skinny to be considered healthy, spoke in his sleep. Thrashing on his poor excuse for a bed, his arms thrust out, slashing the air. He continued his chant, "He's at Hogwarts...He's at Hogwarts..." and with each pronounced chant his arm slashed the air harder, harder until his fisted hand hit the cold floor of his cell.

Waking up with a start, he was a sight to be seen. Uncombed long hair matted his sweat-drenched forehead, plastered against his sunken face. His face was nearly covered with facial hair. His clothes looked filthy and tattered, like he hadn't taken a shower in years. His appearance only added to the odious scent emanating from the man who now sat bolt up in his bed, his breathing coming out raggedly, blowing away some of his dark hair off his beard and moustache-covered mouth.

"He's at Hogwarts," the sunken-faced man repeated, his hands clenched on the side of his creaky old metallic bed.

He had to get out of this hellhole. He needed a plan. He needed a plan fast. Time was of the essence. Twelve years locked up in this prison hadn't addled his brain. His mind still functioned properly; none of these blasphemous guards could get through to him, thank Merlin for that; and thank his ability to transform into an animal. It was his only way of escaping those rotten Dementors from feasting on his memories.

He got up from his bed slowly, wincing as he felt every bone in his body crack. He had lost his strength considerably since he was thrown into Azkaban prison for the crime he was accused of.

The man obsessed over his plan of his escape. He looked at the barrier of his holding cell; the bars were narrowly placed, only a very small person -- or animal -- could get through. He thought the possibility of transforming himself to his animagus form, but would he be able to squeeze himself between the bars?

Perhaps, but he wouldn't want to starve himself to near death. He might die before he can even escape this prison. And he needed to escape from here. He needed to get to Hogwarts.

He needed a more solid plan. First he had to figure out how he'd slip past his guards. Now with his spirits renewed he'd be able to formulate a plan; a means of escape and eventually buy him his freedom back.

He'd think of a way to get out of this hellhole.

He has a mission in mind now, an obsession, to keep him going: he had to get to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and clear his tarnished name once and for all.


A week and a half since the sunken-faced man found out his target was at Hogwarts, he was finally ready. He ran his plan over and over again in his mind. He was a man possessed. He meticulously rehearsed each step in his mind, looking for flaws, correcting errors he didn't see earlier when he formulated his plan.

He picked his timing. It was pitch black outside. He could hear the winds howling angrily. Thunder claps accompanied by its low rumblings were heard in the distant. Perfect night to put his plan into action. A storm was coming. A perfect cover-up. The sea would be rough on him, but he'd weather that out. He was thisclose to freedom he could already taste the salty sea water.

He waited until the right moment drew near. His guards were about to serve him his meal. Seconds before his captors reached his cell, the sunken-faced man transformed himself to a large black dog. He waited patiently until the Dementors approached and slipped through the bars; he was thin enough to fit through it and he achieved his purpose without much hiccup.

Once outside his cell he paused and looked at the creatures who were confused at what they sensed when they entered his now former cell. He smirked. Sitting on his rump he raised one front paw up and gave a mock-salute to the dark creatures he duped.

Freedom, here I come, he thought victoriously before breaking into breakneck speed outside the fortress and into the darkness enveloping the land the castle was perched on. Angry waves crashed against the rocks where the fortress stood. Angry winds howled and nearly threw him off balance, but he remained still. He looked left, right and centre; nothing. He couldn't see anything, but he knew what he must do.

Swim.

He had to swim for his survival. He reached the edge of the foundation rock keeping the fortress above sea-level. Looking down, angry waves crashing against boulder, he made up his mind. He couldn't waste any more time standing there debating on whether or not he should jump his way to freedom or apparate his way to freedom. He'd take his chances with the sharks -- if there were any -- in the water than risk being tracked by the Ministry for apparating.

Backing off from the edge, he counted one to three then hurtled himself off the edge and fell into the crashing waves beneath him...


to be continued...