Hello my dear readers. Yet again, it took me longer to write this chapter than I thought. It seems I constantly
misjudge my own situation. You see, every time I think I've left the stressful part behind a new situation
presents itself – like the not so nice bronchitis I got last week… GRRR!
However, now I finally find the time to post this. And I hope with all my heart that you are pleased with the
result. Yes, we meet Snape again, yes now it's Azkaban for real. Since this chapter was really difficult
to write and since it is somewhat crucial to the whole story I long to know what you think of it.
So please, take the time and drop a few words. I need to know if this chapter fits into the story…
Sooo, enough A/N for this time, don't you agree?
Now off you go and have fun!!!
Before I forget, a big thank you for my Betas! This weren't possible without your fine job!!!
DISCLAIMER: Like I said before I didn't invent the Potterverse. Sorry to disappoint you.
THE CHAOS BEGINS From: Caius JuliusChapter 12: Into Azkaban – The Mission
For a few brief moments Harry only felt nothingness around him. Then, quite suddenly, he was jerked into reality again.
"Reality" proved to be a stony field. Not far away Harry could see water. Well, he had heard Azkaban was on an island.
Obviously, that was true. Near the water were some green spots and even a few smaller trees.
All in all not a frightening area. At first sight, it would have appeared quite normal, were it not for the complete absence of noise.
Not a single bird was to be heard.
"Gregory?" A voice called from behind him but Harry didn't react.
"Gregory?" more impatient this time.
"Bransom! Will you finally stop staring holes into the air? We are already late."
Only then Harry realised that 'Gregory' was him. And the caller was none other than Lupin in his disguise.
Harry smiled at his own absent-mindedness and turned to Lupin.
"Sorry, Conald. I forgot – " he stopped abruptly and stared at the new view in front of him, eyes unblinking and mouth open.
About hundred meters away was a huge building – the prison of Azkaban itself.
To call it impressive would have been an understatement. It was by no means a place where one would wish to live,
quite the contrary. As far as Harry could see, it was completely built of stone with only very narrow windows and large
wooden front doors. It made think of an old castle, but with only few towers.
Compared to Azkaban's dark and unfriendly exterior, the stony field Harry had looked at moments ago seemed
to be rather peaceful and calming.
"Really, Bransom," Lupin went on. "the way you are staring at things one could think you were a tourist and not a ministry
interrogator. Get a grip, man!"
Harry blinked a few times and forced himself to look away from the castle.
"Again, sorry. Now, where to go?"
Lupin smirked.
"One would think the door should suit our purpose just fine, shouldn't it?"
Without any further remarks, he went towards the entrance.
Harry sighed and asked himself for the umpteenth time just what he had himself got into.
And this was just the beginning.
Just wonderful, Harry. Nicely done! You aren't even in Azkaban yet, and Lupin had to remind you already
of who you are supposed to be. Get a grip, indeed.
He drew his shoulders back and silently followed Lupin.
When they had arrived at the door Harry wondered what would come next.
They couldn't ring the bell and kindly ask to be let in? No, probably not.
Thankfully, this matter was taken out of their hands because the door opened itself and a guard motioned to them to come in.
Inside, they were greeted by another guard, one Harry already knew – Peer.
"Mr. Bransom, Mr. Conald. Glad you are here at last."
He really seemed to be relieved by their arrival.
"Yes, well, thank you, Peer." Harry said in a flat voice.
"We meant to come sooner but there was some urgent business to discuss."
Harry held his breath. These were his first words as the cruel Ministry man Bransom.
Would Peer buy it?
Apparently, he did.
"Of course, Mr. Bransom. I didn't mean to sound disrespectful, Sir."
Harry generously waved his hand.
"No harm done, really. Now, as pleasant as talking to you certainly is, we have some work to do."
Peer nodded eagerly.
"Certainly, Sir. I you would follow me."
Harry looked at Lupin who gave him a small affirmative nod. Obviously, everything went quite smoothly.
Pleased with his acting, Harry went after Peer, Lupin close behind him.
Azkaban's interior was by no means more comforting than its exterior. The dark, long corridors even made it scarier.
Still, Harry had seen no Dementor, yet. And for that he was grateful.
After a few minutes, Harry had given up trying to remember where they were turning left and where right.
It was not as bad as Gringott's, but it was still enough.
The one thing he knew, though, was that they were constantly going downstairs.
How ironic for Snape to be locked in a dungeon. I wonder if they know he is used to being deprived of light?
Finally, Peer stopped in front of one of the doors. Like all the doors he had seen so far in Azkaban, it was made of wood.
Although Harry was convinced there was more to this door than simple wood. Probably a lot of charms and containment spells.
"Now," Peer turned to them, "here we are once more. Before you ask: for once, the prisoner has shown
no sign of resistance at all. Whether it was because he finally gave in or if he's simply too exhausted I couldn't tell.
I suggest you see for yourselves. Be that as it may, I prepared everything as you instructed."
"Good." Harry said, his voice sounding more assured than he felt. So far, Peer hadn't seen through their façade,
but they were still at the beginning of their adventure. Now came the critical part.
"Let's open the door." Harry went on. "There are some things we need to discuss with Mr. Snape."
Peer nodded. He waved his wand at the door and muttered a few spells. Unfortunately, his voice was too low.
Harry didn't understand a word.
When he was done, Peer opened the door and motioned them to enter.
Harry nodded his thanks and went into the room.
It took him all of his strength not to bolt out of the cell again. A
soon as he'd entered his stomach began to rebel and a certain nausea came over him.
There they finally were – the Dementors.
There were two of them. Here, inside Azkaban, these creatures were even scarier than they had been when
Harry had first met them at Hogwarts. Scarier was probably still an understatement or euphemism.
The cold, grey walls only added to their fearsome appearance.
At the moment they stood motionless behind a chair that was put up in the middle of the room.
In the chair sat Snape, head resting on his chest.
All in all, it was a gruesome sight. Although they had not spoken a word with Snape yet, Harry immediately
got the impression that Bransom's account on Snape's condition had not been exaggerated in the least.
The professor looked extremely exhausted and drained. He almost hung in the chair, or at least as much
as the chains would let him. The only sound Harry could hear (except his own heart) was Snape's irregular breathing.
Taking a deep breath himself, Harry stepped further into the cell.
"Well," he said, trying to imitate Bransom's arrogant tone or intonation and succeeding surprisingly well.
"What do we have here? He's a bit… weak, hm, Peer? No wonder he's shown no resistance."
Harry turned to the guard who grinned and shrugged.
"Whatever," Harry continued. "This could very well mean that we will be finished here earlier than we planned."
He rubbed his hands. "Now let's begin, shall we? Are you ready, Conald?"
Lupin stepped next to Harry. "If you are, Bransom."
"Good." Harry replied and once more turned to Peer. "I will let you know when we need something, Peer."
The guard nodded. "Yes, Sir. Good luck." With that he left and closed the door behind him.
When they were finally alone, Harry closed his eyes and leaned to the closest wall.
He didn't have much time to recover, though, because Lupin was by his side almost instantly.
"Hey," he whispered. "Were not safe yet. I know it's hard but we have to go on a bit longer, ok?
We must get rid of those first." He gestured towards the dementors.
Harry nodded and pushed himself away from the wall. Once more, he had to take the lead.
Thus, he stepped to Snape. Cautiously, he laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, how are we today? Have these gentlethings here taken care of you properly?"
Weakly, Snape lifted his head and looked straight into Harry's – or rather Bransom's – eyes.
His eyes, however, had lost even that little defiant gleam Harry had seen in his dream.
Dumbledore's timing for this mission couldn't have been better.
"Yes," Harry continued. "I believe you are now sufficiently receptive for what we would like to propose to you."
He looked at both dementors. How did one speak to them? Harry decided to treat them like 'real' people.
"Thank you for your work so far." He finally said. "We will take over from here."
The dementors nodded and even bowed a bit before leaving the cell.
Now Harry could spare a few seconds to rest. Finally, he had time to think. But these weren't cheerful thoughts.
The first thing that came to Harry's mind was how Snape would loathe him for what he was going to say to him
while disguised as Bransom.
Then, however, Harry reminded himself that his professor already hated him wholeheartedly.
In any case, he would have done his job and thus could be pleased with himself.
So far everything had worked out just as planned. Now it was Lupin's turn. And a difficult one at that, since it certainly
wouldn't be easy to convince Snape of their honest intentions.
Lupin himself seemed to be extremely careful about the situation. Most cautiously, he approached Snape
who eyed his supposed interrogators with tired scepticism.
Harry had no doubt that Snape was wondering what they were playing at.
Before he reached Snape, Lupin checked his watch. Harry did the same.
50 minutes had passed since they had left Dumbledore's office.
Only a few minutes and then they would turn back into their real appearance.
"Listen carefully now. Please." Lupin said softly. He knelt down before Snape.
"What I am about to tell you will sound quite unbelievable, I know. You probably won't believe it but I urge you
to at least consider it. It is extremely important, do you understand?"
Snape just looked at him, not indicating that he had understood a word of what Lupin had said.
"You see, Severus, things are not always as they seem. In a few minutes you will see for yourself what I mean
but I want to tell you earlier. I am not Derek Conald. And this" he motioned towards Harry. "This is not Gregory Bransom."
Snape frowned a bit. At least he could hear them.
"And who are you then?" he asked weakly, looking from Lupin to Harry.
"I am Remus Lupin." Seeing Snape's disbelieving face Lupin continued.
"I know, that sounds more than unlikely but Dumbledore sends us. Harry had a dream about Voldemort.
He mentioned you. That's why we are here."
Anxiously, Harry waited for Snape's reaction. As far as they knew no-one outside Hogwarts knew of
Harry's dreams about the Dark Lord. Would he give them a chance?
"You expect me to believe that?" Snape answered finally. Although Harry saw that he still frowned slightly.
Obviously, his hope hadn't died completely. Harry thanked heaven and earth for that.
"It would have been nice if you believed me just like that," Lupin replied carefully, "but I didn't expect it.
We share, however, some quite personal memories.
So there are a lot of things you can ask me that only Remus Lupin knows."
Snape hesitated.
"Consider it, Severus." Lupin went on, still speaking softly in a most friendly and caring voice.
"Ask me something. Come on, just fire away."
Snape looked at the floor.
"If… if you are really Lupin then you can tell me what we talked about the day after the famous
Shrieking Shack incident. The first one." He almost whispered the words.
Harry closed his eyes and mentally crossed his fingers as Lupin answered.
"I wanted to know if you were ok, Severus, but you were your Slytherin self. You rather angrily jumped from
your seat and said that you were alive and that it was not my doing." He spoke the words as calm as possible
but Harry thought for a moment that he heard a hint of sadness in his voice.
Slowly, Snape nodded. "Yes, that's right. I have regretted that comment of mine from time to time."
Harry frowned at this. Maybe Snape was under the influence of some truth potion or spell?
It was most unlike him to make apologies – even half ones like this.
"I've had a lot of time to think here." Snape added in a whisper.
"There's another thing I'd like to know. During the year you – if you really are Lupin – were professor at Hogwarts
I confiscated a certain map of Mr. Potter ."
Harry felt how he turned red as he remembered that event. Lupin had saved him then and Harry had been entirely grateful.
Lupin nodded.
"Well," Snape continued. "I've always wanted to know where it came from.
A map like that cannot be bought at the infamous Zonko's. Despite what you told me then, Lupin-wannabe."
Lupin smiled mischievously. Since he was the real Remus Lupin that particular question was an easy one.
"You are right. It's not from Zonko's. It is, in fact, quite old. From our own school days to be exact."
Realisation dawned on Snape's face.
"We made it." Lupin confirmed. "The Marauders. Some day we decided to put our knowledge of Hogwarts to paper.
And this map is the result."
Snape smiled slightly. "Of course. I should have known."
Harry had remained silent while the two men held their conversation. In the end it had turned out to be easier
than they had feared. But then again, maybe Fortuna was on their side for once.
He had his eyes closed most of the time since Lupin had begun to talk to Snape.
Just listening to the two men had been a bit reassuring.
Thus, the sight of Lupin kneeling in front of Snape who was still bound tightly to the chair was almost a little shock.
He even felt a bit dizzy. Dizzy? He wasn't supposed to feel dizzy, was he? Unless…
Harry's eyes widened as he realised just why he felt a bit strange.
The Polyjuice potion was losing its effect – and he was standing in Snape's line of view.
Not a good place for changing back into Harry Potter…
Rather hastily, he took a few steps to the left until he stood somewhere behind Snape.
He gave Lupin a sign until the professor nodded. Harry closed his eyes and waited for the transformation.
It was over sooner than he had thought. The first thing he noticed was that his clothes were more than one size too big.
He must look rather funny. And indeed Lupin – who had changed back himself - had to suppress a grin.
"So it really is you, Lupin." Snape said after a few seconds.
Lupin nodded. "Glad you agree with me on that, Severus. Now that that's clear, let me have a look at you."
He stood up and began to open Snape's shirt. Since Harry stood behind the potions professor he couldn't see a thing.
Lupin's reaction was enough, though. He touched the skin lightly and Snape took in a sharp breath. It must hurt pretty badly.
"I am sorry, Severus, but I cannot heal your wounds. It would arouse suspicion."
Snape snorted. "Don't be ridiculous, Lupin. Of course you cannot. Besides, these creatures aren't supposed to kill me.
I have figured out that much."
Lupin finished his examination.
"Then they have done a bad job, Severus. You're totally drained of strength – even the real Bransom admitted that.
So don't act as if you were in perfect health because you certainly are not."
Snape snorted again in reply.
"Be that as it may, Lupin." He breathed heavily.
"Before we continue, though, I would like to take a look at your companion as well."
Harry froze. Until now he had hoped to take the Polyjuice potion before Snape saw him
but that didn't seem to be an option. He looked pleadingly at Lupin but he only shook his head.
So there was no way out.
"You have to understand, Severus," Lupin said, obviously trying to prepare Snape for what came next.
"We had little choice of persons for this mission. Only very few people know of the reason why you are in Azkaban."
"Is that so," Snape said gravely, a hint of disgust in his voice. Harry had a feeling his teacher was mentally
ticking off all of those who might know of his situation.
"Since you are sounding most comforting, Lupin, I have reason to believe this person is someone I'd rather not like to see. "
Lupin didn't look at him although an apologetic smile played around his lips.
For a few seconds nobody spoke. Finally, though, Snape had come to a conclusion and Harry was not sure
whether to be glad of it or not.
"Tell me Lupin," Snape said quietly. "You haven't been foolish enough to bring Potter here, have you?"
Lupin looked up, obviously surprised. He probably hadn't believed Snape would figure that one out.
Again, Snape sighed, but it sounded quite unnerved this time.
"So it is Potter. Well, what are you waiting for, boy. I most certainly won't come to you!"
Although he was in a weak state, Snape managed a good imitation of the cold voice he used to address Harry at school.
"Yes, Sir." Harry answered and slowly stepped next to Lupin. For the first time Harry was able to observe Snape closely,
although he tried not to let it show. During his conversation with Lupin, Snape had sounded quite alright.
Certainly weak but alright. Now that Harry stood only inches away from him, he saw that Snape was anything but alright.
Through the half open shirt Harry could see thin, long wounds.
Snape's face was bruised – why hadn't he noticed that before? Only by looking at him more closely, Harry became aware
that he was just a shadow of the man he used to be. How long had he been under the Dementors' destructive influence?
A mere few weeks?
It was probably just his iron will that had prevented him from breaking down completely.
"Severus," Lupin began to explain, "you have to understand. Given the circumstances, Harry was the only choice we had.
He knew of Bransom through his dream and he knew about your arrest."
At this Snape frowned at Harry and nodded slowly.
"I see." he said. "Mr. Potter has been overwhelmed by his curiosity – again."
Harry felt how he began to turn red for the second time.
"Sir, I really didn't-"
"Potter!" Snape snarled. "Do you think your lousy excuses will help in our current situation?"
"No, Sir." Harry murmured.
"Then spare us the time!" That certainly sounded more like the 'old' Snape.
"Although," Snape added, "I have to admit that your lack of discipline has turned out to be useful this time."
Harry lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Was that meant to be a compliment? Probably not, but it was no reprimand either.
And with Snape, that was something!
"Thank you, Sir."
Snape rolled his eyes. "Be that as it may, Potter."
He closed his eyes for some seconds and a shadow of pain crossed his face, but it was gone as soon as it had come.
Finally, he straightened up (at least as much as the chains would let him) and looked back at Lupin.
"Now," he said. "I strongly advise you to take the polyjuice potion. You have confirmed your identity rather impressively
and we never know when a guard might come in."
Lupin nodded and handed Harry his potion. After all, they still had some business to do and they surely wouldn't
want to be surprised by anyone's sudden entrance.
Thus, only a few seconds later, they were Bransom and Conald once more.
TBC…
(Yes, although it takes longer and longer to write a new chapter I still intend to finish this story!)
I hope you liked it!
To all my faithful reviewers: Thank you very much!!! I am sorry, but I simply didn't have the time to
honour you all personally here. Next time, I promise!
Caius