Tides of Time
By Michael Weyer
Breaking Out and Within
My apologies in advance that this chapter is a bit shorter. I was halfway through one chapter when my Chicago suburb was hit by the big storms on 8/23 and entering its third day without power. Writing this on a family computer out of town and thought I'd interject as it does lead into the next chapter. So enjoy.
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Azkaban Prison was designed to be as far away from the Wizarding World as possible. Set on an island in a distant ocean, it was always cold and foreboding, a massive stone block with no discernable doors and the windows always looking at the sea to prove to the prisoners there was no escape. Whether by accident or spellwork, the sun never shone at Azkaban, the brightest those inside could hope for was a sheen of cloudiness. As dark as it was outside, inside was worse.
For years, the Aurors and others stationed at the prison had to put up with the Dementors flying about, always worried about running afoul of the strange creatures and having their souls sucked away. But since the return of Voldemort, the Dementors had mostly flown off, many joining the Dark Lord, others gone to…wherever it was Dementors came from in the first place. Some still remained on duty but the strength of their effects on the prisoners had been cut down. Thus, the human guards were boosted with several Aurors on task to keep things together.
That had become more complicated in the last few months with the arrests of many Death Eaters and their allies. Azkaban was now filled to more than its usual capacity but the Ministry was confident it would hold. This was the best prison the magical world had ever constructed and, with the exception of Sirius Black, no one had ever escaped. And Black only had because no one had known he was an Animagius.
This attitude showed once more the arrogance of the magical world and their belief that they knew better than muggles. Because for all their weaknesses, the muggle world had long ago realized what the architects of Azkaban did not. Which is that you do not put all of the most dangerous, powerful, cunning, intelligent and escape prone individuals into one place. Because when one gets out (and one will get out, inevitably, it's a basic rule of prisons), there's a very good chance others will follow.
That attitude was about to come to the fore upon this night.
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The howling echoed through the hallways, a high-pitched shriek that sounded like it came from some sort of animal. It rolled through the rocky corridors and into every cell, causing most everyone to wince. The exceptions were the guards, some of whom checked their watches and even adjusted them. They knew that Bellatrix Lestrange's screams were a perfect clock upon this dark isle.
"Merlin, can no one shut that woman up?!" Lucius Malfoy called out, holding his hands to his ears. Prison had not taken well to the formerly immaculate man, not surprising given his lifetime of privilege and wealth. His usually perfect hair was now mussed and the torn uniform hung poorly on him. He rubbed at his temples as he paced the small cell. "Every hour on the hour…"
"You get used to it," Peter Pettigrew offered from his small bunk. One of the changes brought to Azkaban due to the influx of prisoners was that space restrictions soon crammed up and thus the idea of cellmates was brought in. It was not one that went over well with the inmates but then comfort for the condemned was never one of Azkaban's enduring traits.
Malfoy glared at the grubby man. The idea that he would be confined to such a space with a misanthrope such as that wrankled him to no end. He was convinced Sirius Black had something to do with their being put together. So far, he'd had to endure countless hours of Pettigrew mumbling over how it wasn't his fault he had to betray the Potters and asking forgiveness. Why the Dark Lord put up with this creature for so long was beyond him.
He glared out the bars of his cell as Bellatrix's screaming finally died down. "I suppose dinner will be soon," he muttered.
Pettigrew's eyes brightened. "Cheese do you think?"
"Oh, shut up," Malfoy snapped. "The last thing I want is to see you salivating over such crumbs again."
Pettigrew raised an eyebrow. "Oh, have plans for finer dining?"
Malfoy turned to glare at him. "Do not push me, Pettigrew. Unlike some, I have at least lived as a human being for the last decade."
Pettigrew snorted. "And you think that matters now?" He waved his arms outward. "Look around, Malfoy. No one here cares about your pedigree or your titles or any of that. You're just another prisoner, another number." He smirked. "So for once, you and I are on the same level. Nothing."
Malfoy flexed his hands, wishing like hell he had a wand. On second thought, he didn't need one to strangle this creature with his bare hands. Pettigrew wasn't concerned. He knew that doing anything with his bare hands, even murder, was beyond Malfoy's capability. Besides, the man wasn't quite ready to commit suicide as the Aurors were strict about such matters.
Still, it appeared Malfoy was pulling his hand back to strike when he gasped out. Pettigrew had a moment of puzzlement before his own arm started to throb. Both men grasped their forearms, then pulled up their sleeves. Each stared at the Dark Marks starting to glow and at each other in understanding.
All around the prison, other Death Eaters reacted to the sudden glow. Most were long-time residents whose minds were far gone by their imprisonment. But others knew what was happening and were instantly alert. The guards, unfortunately, had no such preparation.
The attack came from all sides and without any warning whatsoever. With a series of inhuman whines, entire sections of the fortress were blasted away simultaneously. Mortar that withstood the elements for centuries was destroyed like plywood, hurling debris in the air.
From their cell, Malfoy and Pettigrew saw an Auror racing forward. He stopped, staring in shock at something they couldn't see. He raised his wand but before he could get off a spell, a bolt of green energy struck him. He froze in place, letting out a shriek of agony as it appeared like he was turned into a living x-ray, his skeleton highlighted for one instant. It faded and his dead body slumped to the ground.
Another blast hit the door, knocking it open before the two startled men. They stared as what appeared to be a large pepper-shaped device with a domed head wheeled up to them. "Lu-Cius Mal-Foy. Pe-ter Pett-i-grew," it said in a flat mechanical voice. "You are free. Port-key is at end of hall-way."
"What…are you?" Pettigrew gasped.
The two men stiffened as they felt the familiar chill of an approaching Dementor. The mechanical figure simply turned its head, the arm from it letting out another blast of green energy. It struck the Dementor dead on and with an inhuman howl that threatened to shatter eardrums, it disintegrated in a cloud of darkness.
"It…killed a Dementor," Peter whispered.
"You can't kill a Dementor," Malfoy replied, stunned by what he saw.
"I have ex-ter-minated it," the…thing replied. It turned back to them, its arm still glowing with heat. "You will go now."
The two men exchanged a long look and then raced to the hallway. Other Death Eaters were already gathering by the waiting Portkey, flashes of light heralding their exits. Down the hallways there would come the sounds of blasting green fire and the dying screams of Aurors and Dementors. Bellatrix, her hair a wild frame behind her, was laughing madly as she touched the key. Lucius took one last look at his prison and moved to grab it as well. As he did, he tried to fight the feeling within him that he was leaving one prison for something far worse.
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One of the few cells remaining occupied by only one person was at the far end of the hallway. Barty Crouch Jr had heard the chaos and was eager to be let out himself. He paced by his bunk, looking to the doorway, the screams of the dead exciting him. The door soon opened and he smiled and stepped forward.
He stopped as a figure stood before him, dressed in a dark suit with a smile on his face. "Sorry, Barty," he said in a snide tone. "But I'm afraid I have other plans for you."
Crouch frowned. "What do you mean?"
The man examined him and shook his head. "Quite the resemblance, I must admit. Ah, well, the games of chance the universe play are always amazing."
Crouch shook his head as he moved forward. "I don't have time for this."
"You're right. Neither do I." The man pulled out a long mechanical device and aimed it at Crouch. A glow of energy hit him Crouch cried out as he was pressed back to the wall. He tried to move but remained pinned as the man stepped forward.
"Nothing personal, Mr. Crouch," the Valeyard said with a sneer. "But I'm afraid I have only one use for you at the moment. And that's as a wonderful distraction."
Looking into those dark and cold eyes, Crouch felt fear clutch at him. He opened his mouth but the only thing that came out were screams as Barty Crouch, who had spent so long hiding behind another face, found his own fate sealed by the fact someone else had taken his.
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Again, I know it's a bit short. Hopefully will be able to get out more soon once my computer's back up and running. All comments welcomed.
