Disclosure Hp belongs to JKR. The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux

A/n As with the other fictions, the length will be a function of reception. I like to write FF while I write fiction; it relaxes me; but my time is limited. Enjoy it.

To Azkaban

One of the Aurors going was Harry, who was opposed to the plan, afraid of the possible things that could go wrong. The witches and two reporters, one Swedish and one pretty Austrian reporter-witch, were told to dress in serious business robes, easy to take off for the search and to dress warmly. No Muggle clothes should be worn because they might attract unwarranted attention as if their mere presence were not enough.

Besides some other tips, such as leaving their wands behind, they were briefed on everything, from arriving at going to the loo. Departure was scheduled for 8:00 AM via Port Key. The travel time was long, over two hours, with two stops.

Getting there

Hermione and her friends all opted for winter cloaks and high neck jumpers, worn with Muggle equestrian boots. They had a little makeup and no jewelry, as advised. Good idea, no knowing what Luna might show up with. Hermione wore her hair loose, with two light wooden sticks holding a few curly strands away from the face. She looked quite beautiful as per the appraisal of Lucius, Harry, and several Wizards.

Harry was furious at Hermione's initiative, blaming her for his forthcoming marriage to Ginny. He wished he had chosen her over Ginny before and right after the war. He had been attracted to Ginny's beauty, blind to Hermione's beauty; once that novelty wore off, oh well. He saw his role as a victim, refusing to be responsible for his actions.

Once in Azkaban, they were cleared for admission and brought directly into the new library, where the meeting of representatives would be held.

Lucius could not take his eyes away from the young witch. He didn't understand why he had not seen her beauty before now. Antonin was smarter; he had seen the potential of a less conventional, sensual beauty, and he had gone for it. Draco had been equally smart; however, Lucius had seen with the tainted filter of prejudice. He had to talk to his contact to talk about sitting arrangements.

Hermione, Luna, and Tracy waited with anticipation. True, they had fought against Death Eaters, but time has a way to change our perceptions. They were intensely involved in the prison reform program and saw their roles as the saviors of wizards that had lost their way. They were young and romantic at heart; plus, all were nursing wounds from failed relationships, and each hope to find a romantic tortured soul, to help and to rescue.

Antonin waiting outside, couldn't wait to see her. The night before, he had a ghostly visitor, his grandmother. She whispered that all would be well. He hoped it wasn't a dream.

The meeting-

The ministry group sat at a table facing a row of chairs. The Aurors stood back behind the group, wands were inside a pouch sewn into their clothing, but their hands were holding them, ready to attack. They also carried a state-of-the-art Muggle weapon, magically modified. It would only discharge for the wizard that it had been designed for.

There was one inside the room, waiting to see one of the inmates, and would try to kill him if the chance were presented. Carrying the poison dart thrower had not been easy. The dart was coated with a magical version of curare. It was charmed to disappear upon striking, and the poison would not leave a trace.

The four government prison Administrators arrived first, followed by two of the spiritual healers, two of the paid professors, and two of the voluntary professors. One was Rabastan Lestrange, and the other Pucey Sr. They both smiled at Lucius, whose heart warmed at this treat. His dear friends, he had been working on getting them released.

Rabastan had been a victim of Beatrix Lestrange. The crazy witch had made him get the dark mark by holding baby Draco hostage, with a wand right to his baby heart. She had used dark magic to gain Rodolphus' heart. He had been in a coma for six months after the battle. When he woke up, he hardly remembered the years with her. An appeal had been put for the two brothers; Lucius was hoping it would be over fast. Pucey had been little more than a financial backer. His wife was raped and nearly killed to make him join; she. He expected his soon release; Cupid Lucius would match his letter with a good witch.

Fourteen guards lined the walls; cameras were shooting. The cameras had been left at the ministry and thoroughly inspected and checked for physical or magical weapons, charms etc. Harry had carried them and passed them to each of the reporters.

Finally, for the awaited moment, the prisoners came in. They were all allowed to wear issued dark woolen jumpers and trousers resembling the heavy indigo cloth of the Muggle trousers. They had been allowed an extra visit to the magical barber and access to extra personal cleaning supplies.

Everyone stood up. Hermione was looking at the group with apprehension. They were tall and handsome, of course; the three witches looked at each other with some glee. Hermione felt Luna tracing something on her hand, a heart. She bit her lip not to smile.

Was that Greg Goyle no, it could not be; Greg must have lost quite a bit of weight; he looked fine with the hair a little longer. Tracey could not take her eyes away from him, and he was also looking at the four, his eyes feasting on all the pretty females in front of him. Two Aurors, two reporters, and three witches; he would later thank Herb for recommending him for this program.

The three witches tried to remember that they were not here to flirt but to establish a good program, and they did not get to choose their pen-pal for the program "Write Azkaban a letter of hope." The three were mentally replacing hope with love.

As the witches looked at the five dark wizards, every wizard's eyes made a stop on one of the three attractive witches, some with more, and some with less interest, and some would glance around at the other witches.

Harry was looking at the Austrian witch. She had almost his exact hair and eye color, but her eyes were very large and almond-shaped. She must be Eurasian, he thought, what a beauty.

He made a mental note to talk to her later. Kirsten was her name; she wore the hair very short. This was not a bad idea; they would have this trip four more times, not bad. How pretty, she also chewed the quilt exactly like Mimi. It must be a witch's thing. Never mind, he thought, scratch that after he saw at least one wizard chewing a quill.

Lucius was staring at Hermione, quite irritated by the way that she was looking at the incomers. He should call it success, but it was irking him by the minute. He did not understand why he was getting upset. He wanted her to see Antonin, did he not? Since Lucius had been a toddler, he had problems with sharing or wanting to have something others have. Abraxas used to joke that a good way to interest Lucius on something was to give it to someone else.

The second wizard was Theodore Nott; he was still slender and wore his hair longer. He had less than one year to go; however, his mother was not well and wanted her son out. She saw his joining the program as a means for him to be released earlier. He had liked the smart Ravenclaw witch, Lovegood, even if she had been a little odd. Of course, he fancied the princess Lioness a whole lot; everyone did.

Yes, as he looked at the group in front of him, his heart was very glad to see the witch of his dreams here at the prison. What was she doing here? What happiness, he laughed inside and remembered the unforgettable day when he met her. She gave him a small smile, but nobody noticed.

In the middle, standing tall and aristocratic, was Antonin. He looked quite well, availing himself to the new indoor sports and teaching classes to the younger wizards. He was a favorite amongst many. Many commented how much younger he looked now than at war. Of course, he was younger; there were two of him, hello. He was really a twin of Anton with less of a haunted look; his eyes were clear, not shifty; he had a head full of hair, and his skin was hardly aged.

Hermione's eyes did a double-take. He wasn't that beautiful at the Department of Prophecy. She would never forget him. He had nearly killed her with the cutting spell. Had he grown one or two inches? Prison life must be agreeing with him. His hair was fuller and longer, worn it tied; he looked like her pictures of the princes in the Tolstoy balls. He was broader than her memories. She wished they could exchange some words

She remembered the masked Death Eater who had saved her time after time, the one who saved Remus from Dolohov and saved Tonks as well. The way he moved reminded her of the masked Death Eater; but how could he have saved Remus from himself? Something was off. Was there a double; had he told the truth at the trials?

This must be what they call 'lust at first sight, darn if she did not feel warm under his appraising eyes. He reminded her of Fenrir, hungry as a wolf came to mind. Ridiculous, all the room had disappeared in front of her. Agh, she needed a good lay; too many months without any kind of release. No wonder about Ron; he must be right; she thought. Maybe she should look Ron up, and, perhaps, reconsider her stand. She also thought, but maybe it was a bad idea.

Lucius was looking at Hermione's reaction, and for an unknown reason, it filled him up with joy. Looking back at Antonin, and seeing his younger cousin's face, made him happy. Antonin has been seventeen when he had recruited him. He was thirty-eight now and looking very fine. If he had been a Muggle, he would have appeared as a man in his late twenties. He wanted to keep his promise and would try; time would tell.

Antonin could not take another step. She looked damn fine. He looked at her face, but his eyes wandered to her breasts and her wider hips. She was slender, not wasted, a healthy-toned figure. Her woolen knitted robes draped her nicely. Not too revealing yet he could see her fine figure. He was forgetting they had jumpers no robes. And soon he would not even be able to walk if he kept imaging the lithe witch in his arms. He forgot where he was, Lucius had been dangling the Hermione-Carrot, for too long in front of his eyes.

The cameras were flashing, the Aurors and guards were keeping everyone in order, the attacker quickly assembled the tube and was ready to take advantage of any second, when Lucius voice sounded and he came to greet the inmates as formerly planned but only discussed with the main Auror and selected guards. The attacker nearly blew the tube, and if so, the dart would have killed Lucius.

"Antonin, Greg, Theo, good to see you again. I am glad; you were selected by the Administration to be the representatives what a surprise. We have but a few minutes to present the plan, and we must leave. We have been informed this is not a party." He paused to let everyone laugh. "Today is a happy occasion, one more feather in the pretty cap of our heroine for reforms, Miss Hermione Granger."

Everyone broke in applause, well everyone but the guards and the Aurors, they had to keep their hands on their wands, or their weapons.

The inmates, selected for their comportment were introduced to the three witches, and the Azkaban stuff. Lestrange, held Miss Lovegood's hand a little too long. She reminded him of a nymph he had bedded in the forests near their summer home at France. She blushed nicely.

Antonin did the same with Hermione, and in a formal, gallant gesture, gave her a not so formal kiss on her hand. Just with his mouth open a tiny bit, he wanted to taste her. The response was embarrassing and wonderful at once. The contact produced multicoloured sparks around her hand where his lips had touched. She turned an array of the red palette; he smiled rakishly. His tongue was on fire; she tasted of the witch. He was hungry for her.

He was glad to sit down, he was sure some of the wizards must have noticed his problem, but no, everyone was busy looking at the witches, or the pretty Aurors. One of the counsellors could not take his eyes away from Hermione. Not that she noticed. The reporters all sense the connection and fired away.

Antonin did not make an easy target for the rest of the presentation where the rules of engagement were explained.

Lucius whispered in the ear of one flustered Hermione Granger, "Antonin seems eager for the program; he is smart, I know you have issues with him, but how about if he is our coordinator? Do you mind? It is your program. I will be the one talking to him." Lucius fingers were crossed. He closed his eyes. "Yes, it is a good idea." She whispered back, and immediately regretted it.

She must be too forgiving; the man had helped Bellatrix to do the cruciatus hex on the Longbottoms. But what if the wizard had told the truth during the trials and there was another who looked like him, and should be the one rotting here? Otherwise, why would had he saved Remus? He had to be the masked Death Eater.

After a few more minutes, it was time to go. The administrative assistant to the Head of the prison passed the first group of letters to Lucius. He knew they would be specially marked. He made a show of it. Hermione's heart fluttered, hoping Antonin would be her pen-pal.

A/n Unless Lucius messes up, her wishes will be met. Hopefully, she will not look Ron up.