AN: Sorry this took so long. Damn those teachers and their homework. Anyways thanks for all the reviews, I really appreciate it!
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Chapter 19: The Fortress of Azkaban
Harry sat up, suddenly alert and ready for action. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he quickly pulled on some clothes. "What is it?" He asked Ron urgently.
Ron shrugged as he tied his shoes. "I'm not sure. Hermione just came up here and woke me up. Said the same thing I just told you. I don't know details, but we better get going." They hurried down the steps, into the common room where Fred, George, Hermione and Dumbledore were waiting for them. "What's going on?" Ron inquired as soon as they had joined the small group.
Dumbledore looked at them gravely. "We are in a hurry. I will explain as soon as I can. For now you must trust me and grab onto the portkey." Harry looked down at Dumbledore's hands to see a small muggle soda can. He laid a finger on it, as did the others. After a few seconds he felt the familiar jerk behind his naval. In a moment, they arrived at their location and Harry stumbled and ended up on the ground. Someone pulled him to his feet.
"Thanks George." Harry muttered distractedly. George nodded and Harry was surprised at the look on his face. It was dead serious. There was no sign of the usual joking and laughing and that scared Harry more than anything else.
Dumbledore began speaking quickly and low as if afraid of being overheard. "We are on the island that holds the fortress of Azkaban. Voldemort has come here to release the prisoners and convince the Dementors to join his ranks. On the Dark Side, the Dementors will have unlimited victims. They will most certainly want to side with Voldemort. There is a terrible battle going on. I would not have brought you into this if it had not been a most desperate situation. However, it is of the utmost importance that we stop Voldemort from getting the Dementors. Now you have the power to use any curse that you know with the exception of the Unforgiveables. I do not condone letting my students torture and kill people, no matter how evil they are. If you are injured get out of there. Now follow me." Harry took in this information very fast and was acutely aware of how hard he was breathing and how readily his heart was pounding. It felt as if it would burst right out of his chest.
He followed Dumbledore quietly, doing his best not to make a sound. This was much more serious than trying not to be caught by a teacher. Being found would mean torture and death not detentions and a scolding. They walked through a dense patch of woods and then came to a clearing. Harry gasped when he saw the prison.
It looked something like a castle; it even resembled Hogwarts somewhat. It was about twice as big as Hogwarts with huge towers and gaping turrets. However, the similarities ended there. The color of the prison was the darkest black Harry had ever seen and it held none of Hogwarts' shine or ancient beauty. The fortress of Azkaban felt so evil, that he could almost feel the darkness radiating off of it.
Dumbledore turned around and began to address the group again. "Don't get separated. Try to stay within the sight of at least one person. If a Death Eater becomes incapacitated, come to me or another adult and we will take care of him or her."
Feeling as unprepared as he had ever been in his entire life, Harry trudged closer and closer to Azkaban. And soon the signs of forceful battle came into view. The two sides were fighting each other with an intenseness that Harry had never seen. The animosity was visible on the faces of the occupants of the confrontation taking place.
More adrenaline surged through Harry and he suddenly felt the need to destroy. He wanted the Death Eaters to suffer for what they had done to him and his friends. Right at that moment, Harry wasn't thinking about the Wizarding world, he wasn't thinking about prejudice and attacks around the globe, his thoughts were with Hagrid, Mr. Weasley, his parents, and Cedric.
"Harry!" He heard someone choke out. He turned and looked around wondering who was calling his name. A familiar face appeared. Harry ran towards his godfather who was currently in battle with a Death Eater whom Harry did not recognize.
"Stupefy!" He yelled, and the Death Eater, who had been caught off guard by Harry's sudden appearance, fell to the ground.
Sirius's weary face contorted into a grin despite the circumstances. "Thanks. I'll take care of him. Go and help someone else. Be safe Harry."
Harry nodded and raced towards the edge of the prison grounds where he found Fred and George battling Lucius Malfoy. "Crucio!" He heard Lucius drawl.
Fred dropped, twitching and screaming. George stared for a moment in frightened awe, but his face changed from terrified to determined in the blink of an eye. "Wingardium Leviosa!" He yelled fiercely. Lucius Malfoy rose about twenty feet, and in the process the curse on Fred was broken. However, George could not hold Malfoy for long and he soon came tumbling to the ground. He landed in a crumpled heap and appeared to be unconscious. Harry was not taking chances.
"Stupefy!" He screamed. Alarmed, and unaware of his presence, George turned quickly towards Harry, wand poised. Fred lay on the ground, still gasping for every breath. George looked at Harry questioningly. "Just in case he wasn't knocked out." Harry muttered.
George nodded as he helped Fred to his feet. "Ow. That hurt." Fred said quietly, attempting a smile. The grin did not reach his eyes.
Harry wandered over towards the center of the battle, hoping he wasn't being targeted. He had not seen Ron and Hermione since the conflict had begun and he was eager to find them. A few minutes later he was beginning to grow anxious. What if they were hurt? Or worse….he didn't even want to think about it. They were the only family he had left. Suddenly, he heard a shout from behind him. "Imperio!"
He felt the warm feeling of all of his worries being wiped away. Raise your wand, a voice in his head commanded. Harry could already feel himself resisting. No, I will not, he answered the voice. Raise your wand, the voice ordered, more firmly this time. "I WILL NOT!" Harry yelled aloud. He wheeled around to see Wormtail, who wore an expression of malice.
"Potter. We meet again. So you won't submit yourself to Imperious? Well then let's see what you think of this one." Harry tried to dodge the curse that came bursting out of Wormtail's wand, but he did not succeed. He had not even heard the word that had been muttered quietly by Peter under his breath. His head was pounding and he felt like the ground was spinning. And a second later everything went black.
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