Hogwarts Castle

( Headmaster's Office)

15 July, 1993,

9:37 P.M.

Albus Dumbledore's PV:

Albus had spent the majority of the last fortnight reviewing his memories of Voldemort's school days in the pensieve to find a clue to the identity of the Horcruxes. During that time, around a week ago he also had Fawkes deliver a letter to Slughorn for an invite for tea. But since Albus knew that Horace will take his time in answering the invitation, the course of action left to him is finding about the items which Voldemort might have used for his Horcruxes.

Right now he had just finished finalising the Hogwart's next year budget plan, and was enjoying a nightcap with Minerva after devouring a delicious dinner prepared by the school's house elves. When suddenly the fireplace in his office flared green. He put his glass down on table and stood up to answer the said floocall, when a frantic voice called " Dumbledore are you there? ".

Sensing the agitatation in the voice Albus hurried towards the fireplace and recognized the Minister Of Magic's face in the flames, " Ah, my dear Minister. What can I do for you, tonight?".

Cornelius spoke at once " Albus, it's urgent that I speak with you".

Sensing his distress, Albus allowed the minister to floo through immediately. Twirling his bowler hat anxiously in his hands the minister began pacing back and forth in front of the hearth.

" It's a disaster, Dumbledore. There has been a breakout at Azkaban. Just a minute ago, I received the letter from the warden of the prison who owled to inform me. What should I do Dumbledore? This has never happened before, and everyone in the press is going to blame me for this. You have to help me solve this issue Albus, Please".

Minerva cut in the conversation before Dumbledore could reply. "It's impossible what you are saying Minister? No one has ever escaped Azkaban in hundreds of years. The dementors and the protections in and around the fortress has made it all but impenetrable".

While Albus didn't completely agree with Minerva's statement regarding the protections around Azkaban. He decided to ask the most important question " Who has escaped, Cornelius?".

The minister swallowed heavily "Sirius Black".

Minerva gasped.

" I know, it couldn't have been anyone worse" Now Fudge looked like he was on verge of crying as he continued " First breakout in the history. And the most dangerous criminal locked in the place has escaped".

"And if that is not enough bad news, the warden informed me about another situation. According to the letter, Dementors are going out of control. They are mad, Albus. Really, mad. They can't believe that they let someone escape from right under their nose. They are itching to leave the island to find Black, and, to bring him back. Only the Patronuses of the guards are keeping them contained in the prison. But we don't know how long we can hold them back".

"Was there any indication that Black was intending an escape attempt?" Dumbledore asked Cornelius pointedly.

"No, none at all" said Fudge avoiding meeting Dumbledore's eyes " I was up at Azkaban couple of days ago. It was for the yearly inspection visit, you know. Last year I was busy, so this year it was mandatory for me to go there. Saw Black myself. He's an odd sort, nothing like what you would expect from a person who had spent 12 years in that place. He was perfectly rational in speaking with me, even asked for my newspaper. Told me he misses doing crossword. Pitying the man, I gave it to him. Now, I don't know if it was such a good idea. The warden reported that he had started behaving strange ever since the visit. Muttering in his sleep, always saying the same thing that He's at Hogwarts".

Hearing those words Albus's heart grew cold and Minerva gasped again.

Immediately she turned her attention to Dumbledore. " Albus, do you think he's talking about Harry?".

Albus's mind was whirling with thoughts and he quickly strode towards his desk as he answered Minerva's question distractedly. " That will be the most logical conclusion, Minerva."

Cornelius grew pale as he now realised the implications of what he has just informed the Headmaster. "Potter" the minister said heavily "You think he's going to go after Potter. Albus surely that can't be true."

Ignoring Cornelius's increasing panic, Albus focused on one of the instrument placed on his desk. It was a crystal ornament in the shape of a pyramid. As he tapped on the instrument with his wand the pyramid turned bright red, making him breathe a huge sigh of relief. While to the others, the pyramid looked like another one of Headmaster's strange collection. The pyramid was actually tied to the wards he had placed around the Dursley residence for Harry's safety. With this, he could keep regular check on the state of the wards around Harry.

Most importantly the instrument provided Albus the information regarding the state of the blood wards. Ever since Harry had joined Hogwarts, Dumbledore had placed another charm on the device. Now it provides him a advance warning in case, Harry for some reason don't spend enough time around Petunia and Dudley in the summer holidays to recharge the wards for the remaining next year. Right now, the blood wards are recharged more than halfway through. Another ten days, and the wards would be back at full power.

Finished with his inspection, Albus returned his attention back to Fudge who was still walking around agitatedly. Wiping sweat off his brow the Minister was muttering "We need to assign guards for his safety immediately, Albus. We can't afford to be lax in the boy's security. I'll inform Amelia to send atleast four of her best aurors to Potter's residence for protection duty".

Before the Minister could continue Albus decided to cut in "That won't be necessary, Minister. There is no need to trouble Madam Bones. Mr. Potter is sufficiently protected with his family. I assure you, Sirius Black will never be able to find him".

Fudge looked uncomfortable to object against Dumbledore's decision and nodded wearily. "If you're sure about this Dumbledore. Then I have no more objections."

At Albus's clear stance on the topic, Cornelius decided to change the subject. "Then we should head to my office immediately, Albus. It will be a long night full of interview of the guards. Since we can't apparate to the island, unfortunately it will have be a broom travel to the north sea, bitterly cold and driving rain the whole way".

Albus asked politely. "If you wish, Minister. I can have Hagrid arrange a carriage. We can fly directly from here to the island".

Fudge nodded thankful for the suggestion "That would be great, Dumbledore". And Albus had swiftly dispatched a patronus to Hagrid to prepare them a carriage.

In the meantime while we waited, Albus summoned his travelling cloak from his quarters and shut down the access network to his office's floo. Minerva has already left the office to retire for the night.

Ten minutes later the pair were on our way to Azkaban.

By the time Albus returned to his office from the prison, it was already well past midnight. The whole journey was a exhausting and frustrating night. In the end Dumbledore had to cower the Dementors in submission to make sure they stay in their place. The human guards of the prison were left reeling from the shock that a prisoner had escaped and they never noticed his absence. Meanwhile, the Warden's information regarding Sirius's obsession with someone at Hogwarts points to him escaping to harm Harry. In the end, even with his objections Fudge had decided to appoint a herd of Dementors near school entrances to capture Sirius.

The heated argument with Fudge and his worries for Harry had left him with an migraine.

With this new development his research into Voldemort's past would have to be put on hold. As Albus would need to inspect the castle's wards to make sure the Dementors remain at their post outside the school entrances and not somehow gain entry in the castle itself.

Albus during the return trip had also decided to pen a letter to Remus Lupin in the morning to offer him the post of The Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher. As Remus is the one person alive who once knew Sirius so well, his presence at the castle would be instrumental in thwarting whatever mad schemes Black might have planned for Harry.