The Golden Trio went for a visit to Hagrid that morning. However, it looked like Umbridge had gotten there first. The three Gryffindors hid behind Hagrid's hut.

"I'll tell you one last time," the witch was saying. "I'm ordering you to tell me where you have been."

"I told yer, I've been away for me health," Hagrid insisted.

"Your health?"

"Bit o' fresh air, y'know?"

"Oh yes," Umbridge said sarcastically. "As gamekeeper fresh air must be difficult to come by. If I were you, I shouldn't get to used to being back. In fact, mightn't bother unpacking at all." With that the woman spun on her heel and strutted away.

Within seconds, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were inside the hut, warming up by the fire.

"This is top secret, alright?" Hagrid said to the fifth years after Harry had asked where he'd been. "Dumbledore sent me to parley with the giants."

"Giants?" Hermione echoed. "You've found them?"

"Well, they're not that hard to find, to be perfectly honest," Hagrid said. "They're big, see. I tried to convince 'em to join the cause. But I wasn't the only one who was trying to win them over."

"Death Eaters?" Ron guessed.

"Yeah, tryin' to persuade 'em to join You-Know-Who."

"And did they?" Harry asked.

"I gave 'em Dumbledore's message. S'pose some of them remember he was friendly to 'em…I suppose…"

"And, they did this to you?" Harry said, pointing to Hagrid's scars.

"Not exactly, no," Hagrid vaguely replied. "It's changin' out there. Just like last time. There's a storm comin', Harry, and we'd all best be ready when she does."

"Damn it!" Draco exclaimed as he slammed down the Daily Prophet in front his friends at breakfast the next morning.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" Pansy asked, somewhat irritated.

"Read it," Draco said. "Just read it."

Blaise grabbed the paper and read aloud the title. "MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN."

"So they've done it?" Adrian whispered.

Blaise read the rest:

"The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban.

Speaking to reporters in his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening, and that he has already informed the Muggle Prime Minister of the dangerous nature of these individuals.

"We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when the murderer Sirius Black escaped," said Fudge last night. "Nor do we think the two breakouts are unrelated. An escape of this magnitude suggests outside help, and we must remember that Black, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, would be ideally placed to help others follow in his footsteps. We think it likely that these individuals, who include Black's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, have rallied around Black as their leader. We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals and beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached." "

Theo looked somewhat pale as he said, "Now that they can break people out, what else do you reckon they'll do?"

"The Dark Lord's got some sort of plan for the end of the year," Draco said, "but I don't know what."

That afternoon, there was a DA class-the first one of the new year. Nothing new was taught because as Potter had put it at the beginning of class, it was a review day to go over all the spells.

At the end, Draco was getting ready to leave when he noticed Potter and Longbottom lingering by the mirror.

"Come on, you two," he called, "unless you want to get caught."

The two boys just glanced at him before Longbotton began to speak to both Draco and Potter.

"Fourteen years ago a Death Eater named Bellatrix Lestrange used the Cruciatus Curse on my parents. She tortured them for information, but they never gave in. I'm quite proud to be their son, but I'm not sure I'm ready for everyone to know just yet."

Draco felt a pang of guilt somewhere, but he shook it off. It wasn't his fault. Draco already knew this, but he couldn't remember how or who told him. All he knew was that he was meeting the Longbottoms' torturer during Easter vacation.

"We're going to make them proud, Neville," Potter assured the boy. "That's a promise."

Draco just nodded his head in agreement, not knowing what to say, or rather, if he should say anything at all.

The trio awkwardly dispersed after that.

At dinner, Draco felt a warmth in his pocket. He slipped his hand in and came into contact with a coin. He discreetly pulled it out, not sure whether it was the fake Galleon or the fake Sickle. To both his dismay and his relief-for if his friends saw, Draco wasn't sure what he'd say, but he hadn't heard from Granger since their gift exchange-it was the silver coin.

Draco read the message: I heard you heard Neville tell about his parents.

Draco replied back, Yes, so what?

Within moments, there was a response: Just wondering how you feel about her return?

Draco, understanding that "her" was dear Aunt Bella, messaged back, I get to meet her over the break in a few months.

He looked up an saw Granger read the message before looking up to meet his eyes. Draco gave her a look of mock excitement, but Granger looked a bit uneasy.

Don't worry, she can't hurt me, Draco messaged.

Granger gave him a look that said she still wasn't assured and went back to her potatoes.

Draco didn't know why he was shaking as he stood outside Malfoy Manor, waiting for someone to open the door. He hadn't taken the Floo, not only because he hated it, but also because he didn't want to walk into the Malfoy Manor and catch his mother's least favorite person by surprise...which would probably result in Draco's death, caused by his aunt's skilled reflexes. Draco shuddered at the thought.

Please don't let it be her, please don't let it be her, please don't let it be-

Draco's internal pleading was cut short by the creak of the front door.

"So you must be Draco."

It was her.

"Your mother's told me a great deal about you," she said, gesturing for Draco to enter. The fifth year followed his aunt without a word.

"-and prefect, too, Cissy's told me."

Draco walked into the living room, where his mother sat, feigning a smile. "How has school been?" she asked.

"Probably splendidly," Bellatrix said. "Purebloods can't possibly do bad."

Feeling like he should say something, Draco said, "Ronald Weasley is among the lowest in the year."

"Worse than the Mudbloods, I've heard. What a shame."

Draco nodded. "If you'll both excuse me, I've got to put away all my belongings."

He left the second his mother gave the affirmative. When he reached his room, he threw his trunk onto the floor and threw himself onto his bed. Why did his mother's older sister scare him more than Voldemort, who barely frightened Draco? All Draco knew was that he wasn't looking forward to the rest of this week.