Students had only been back at Hogwarts for a little more than a week when the Daily Prophet rocked the world of its students once more. Pansy laid out the paper in front of her and quietly pointed out the front page. There were nine wizards' faces and a tenth, a witch's face. The pictures showed some silently jeering or otherwise looking angry. Each picture showed a name and the crime that they had committed to send them to Azkaban.
Antonin Dolohov, Augustus Rookwood, Bellatrix Lestrange –
Violet stopped there to read. Convicted of the torture and permanent incapacitation of Frank and Alice Longbottom.
Then, Violet began to read the whole article.
Mass Breakout from Azkaban fears Pettigrew is "Rallying Point" for Old Death Eaters
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 of Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped some time during the last year. He also reported that the Muggle Prime Minister has been informed of the dangerous nature of these individuals.
The Head of Azkaban Prison, Dean Preston, said, "It appears that these individuals had been broken out in September and replaced with Muggles who had Polyjuice. For whatever reason when the Polyjuice wore off the Dementors did not feel it necessary to investigate and inform us any earlier. But when one of the Muggles died from malnutrition, the Aurors present on the Island were notified. As soon as we completed our investigation, a full investigation was ordered by the DMLE.
Minister Fudge was also quoted as saying at this time: "We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when the murderer Peter Pettigrew 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 Pettigrew, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, would be ideally placed to help others in his footsteps. We think it likely that these individuals who include, Bellatrix Lestrange, have rallied together. 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."
That ended the article. Violet whispered, "It seems very strange that little is said about the fact that these people have been free since school started."
Pansy smirked. "I know for a fact that the Minister doesn't want to say much of anything that might prove that Dumbledore is correct."
Violet carefully glanced around. The staff table showed Dumbledore and McGonagall in deep conversation. Professor Umbridge was scowling as she concentrated hard on her porridge. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs glared hatefully at the Slytherin table. Violet just ignored them.
As a consequence of this news, Professor Umbridge was extremely difficult. She looked for any reason to punish a student in the halls who so much as looked at her funny.
Professor Umbridge really leaned heavily on Violet and her Inquisitorial Squad to find the little group that was teaching real Defense somewhere. The Educational Decrees kept coming as well. Soon, Educational Decree number Twenty-six was presented.
By Order of the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts: Teachers are hereby banned from giving students any information that is not strictly related to the subjects they are paid to teach.
Violet had heard the Gryffindors talking. Professor McGonagall had been openly speaking about the escaped convicts at that point.
Violet was thankful for the note, because Professor Dumbledore finally did ask to see Violet regarding family affairs. Before Violet walked up to the Headmaster's office, she took the note to Professor Umbridge. Professor Umbridge excused her quite gleefully and took the note with her to the Headmaster's office. Violet had been spared at that time any confrontations with Dumbledore.
That evening at the Inquisitorial Squad meeting, she held Violet back.
"Thank you, Miss Potter for showing that to me. It was a clear attempt to violate Educational Decree number Twenty-Six. I was unable to understand what he wanted to speak to you about, because he hid it from me, but I got the impression he was very unhappy with you." Professor Umbridge said.
Violet sighed, "My godfather will hear about it, and it will be used against me."
Professor Umbridge nodded, and sent her on her patrol.
With so much to worry about and so much to do – startling amounts of homework that frequently kept the fifth years working until past midnight, Inquisitorial Squad meetings and patrols, and regular classes – January flew by. Before Violet knew it February had arrived and the prospect of the second Hogsmeade visit of the new year. Violet was jumping for joy at the prospect of Draco accompanying her to the village and getting to spend the whole day in his company.
On the morning of the fourteenth she dressed spectacularly. She wore nice black corduroys, a violet colored blouse and a crème colored sweater, along with black dragon hide boots.
Violet waited for Draco a little to the side of the oak front doors. Draco smiled at her as he approached from the dungeons.
"Hi," Violet said looking up to him.
"Hello Violet," Draco replied. Then, reaching out his arm he said, "Shall we?"
Violet slipped her arm into his and off they went. They enjoyed the small talk as they walked along. When they entered Hogsmeade, the High Street was full of students going up and down. Draco took her along into the shops. They started in Dervish and Bages. Afterwards they made to go to Scrivenschaft's, but the heavy rain diverted them. Then, Draco led Violet into Madam Puddifoot's.
They made it just before the rain came in. It was a cramped, steamy little place where everything seemed to be decorated with frills or bows. Violet had heard of the place but had never been in it before.
Violet cooed as she looked around. "So cute!" She squealed, and it is decorated for Valentine's Day. Draco led her to the last remaining table. Violet took Draco's hand as they sat closely to each other. Just as they got comfortable, Madam Puddifoot, a very stout woman with a shiny black bun appeared.
Violet ordered a Chocolate Mocha while Draco ordered a cappuccino. Violet paid little attention to those around them as she and Draco stared into each other's eyes, taking little sips of their drinks. Eventually, Violet and Draco's noses brushed against each other and they began to kiss.
Violet's soft lips met the hungry lips of her boyfriend. Her hands were wrapped around his neck while he had his hands possessively held around her waist. Violet heard a slight buzz in her mind as she returned the kisses, pressing herself up against Draco and sweetly holding to him.
After a nice warm coffee and after the rain had stopped at Madam Puddifoot's they moved along. From there they visited a few of the other shops. Violet insisted that they spent a great deal of time and Malfoy money at Honeydukes. After the long date, Violet and Draco separated at the Three Broomsticks. Draco sat with the boys, Blaise, Vince and Greg, while nearby were the two other male Slytherin Prefects.
Meanwhile Violet sat with a gaggle of girls at a large table drinking butterbeer, her normal entourage of Daphne, Ginny, Millicent, Pansy, and Tracey. The six girls after drinks spent nearly an hour in Gladrags until finally they began the walk back from Hogsmeade.
Since it was February, it was considerably dark. Violet walked in the midst of her entourage with Pansy and Ginny beside her. Vince and Gregory led the way along with Miles Bletchley. Draco brought up the rear with Blaise and Cassius Warrington.
Violet and Ginny were just about to the border of the wards to Hogwarts when she reached over with her hands, both free because she had shrunk her purchases. She grabbed Pansy and Ginny in a signal, then Pansy made her customary sound.
"I think I smell something nasty – " Pansy said.
It was the signal that an ambush was present. Suddenly their shields went up as they were surrounded by magic. Violet, Pansy and Ginny led the counter assault. Protego was left for the guys in front and the girls behind Violet's line. The boys in back moved to flank the strongest spells while Ginny and Pansy joined them. In a surprising move, Violet went the opposite way.
Violet disillusioned herself and flanked the other way that Draco's group was moving. Then, with quick stuns she had more down. In the dark and with the cries around them it was difficult for everyone to determine exactly who was what and where, but the Slytherins had often worked together since Violet's second year – first year if you did not count Ginny. With the six Violet and Draco's group tied down, they moved quickly and were able to tie up the remainder, then with a levitation charm they had them all lined up.
Several cries of "lumos" revealed no surprises, the Weasley gang. Fred and George and Ron Weasley, the Twin's partner in crime, Lee Jordan, Seamus and Dean, Colin Creevey, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnett, and two Gryffindor prefects, a sixth and seventh year.
Violet stood in front of them a huge smirk on her face. She didn't say a word as she stared at the group in front of her. But the Weasleys had a hard time keeping their mouths shut.
"Gin Gin –" one of the twins said. Violet could not tell which one in the dark. "You got to help us out. We were not going to do anything to you. We would have let you go," said the other twin.
Violet turned to Ginevra, who stepped up next to Violet. With her own cruel smirk she said, "I could hardly tell with the stupify that hit my protego."
"Ginny!" Ron growled. "We would have used an enervate as soon as the battle was over!"
Ginny laughed high and cold. "I have seen what you three have done to me in the past."
Violet raised her hand and Ginny went silent. But the Weasleys did not stay silent.
"I can't believe you, Ginny!" Said one of the Twins. "It is like you are in a cult." The other Twin said. "Choosing the cult over your family again!" Ron added.
Violet turned from them and said to her friends. "Leave them."
One by one they turned and walked away, leaving the Weasley's gang tied up in Conjured ropes.
"Ginevra Weasley," one of the brothers shouted as they walked away. "You better come back here."
But none of them turned around. Ginny walked holding Violet's hand up the road to Hogwarts.
The unsuccessful attack moved Violet to try even harder to find the Weasley Defense Club. That evening Violet went to the library and spoke with several leaders from each of the Houses. She spoke to Cho Chang and Marrietta Edgecombe from Ravenclaw, Zacharias Smith from Hufflepuff, and Romilda Vane and her friends from Gryffindor.
"As the chief of Professor Umbridge's Inquisitorial Squad, my primary job has been to find the secret group that Granger and the Weasleys are running. Since it is such a high priority, I am willing to offer to anyone who gives information regarding the group, a free pass to be outside their dorms outside of curfew. That pass will work even for Professors. See myself for the pass!" She said.
Violet watched carefully, and noticed Cho Chang and Marrietta Edgecombe look subtly at each other. She knew that one or the other, likely Edgecombe was considering turning in their fell conspirators. She would have to follow the two around and possibly sweeten the deal.