Chapter 5 – Azkaban
Azkaban was a grim fortress set on what was little more than an oversized rock off the north west coast of Scotland. The climate was inhospitable and the regime was harsh and unforgiving like the land and sea surrounding it. The charms and wards around the island had never been penetrated by muggles and the odd lonely fishing boat which might have ventured near the island only saw a large area of low lying and dangerously treacherous reef which was to avoided at all costs. Access to the prison was difficult and strictly controlled. There was no connection to the Floo system, apparition was prohibited and no one in their right mind would try to take a broomstick 100 miles out into the Atlantic even if they had been able to penetrate the magical shield which protected the island from the air. The only way on or off the island was via a fixed portkey system located in the Ministry of Magic holding cells in London, The Guild Headquarters at Avebury and the main gatehouse of the prison.
Snape walked into the holding cells at the Ministry in a sombre mood. Despite being Chief Auror he had so far successfully managed to avoid setting foot in the area which vividly reminded him of his time spent as a prisoner under interrogation after he had turned himself over to Dumbledore 15 years before. He did not like to think how he would feel at setting foot in Azkaban again. He had had three months of Dementor supervised incarceration before Dumbledore had got him out and frankly had never expected or wanted to get within 100 miles of the place ever again. He entered the portkey access room and was surprised to see two figures dressed in unrelieved black uniforms as well as the normal Auror guards. Approaching the senior Auror on duty he presented his credentials and then was somewhat taken aback to realise it was one of his old pupils Blaise Zabini. Taking the opportunity presented by a familiar face he questioned her quietly.
"Good morning Miss Zabini, your parents are well I trust?" he greeted.
"Yes very well thank you Governor Snape."
"I see you have acquired some new colleagues, or are they perhaps inmates awaiting transportation?"
"No Governor, not inmates" replied Zabini in a low voice. She was a Slytherin herself and had more sense than to advertise Snape's interest in the two strangers to all and sundry in the room. "One is the duty Warder from The Guild and the other is your escort to Azkaban."
Snape quirked an eyebrow at this news and ignored the sick feeling in his stomach that made him feel more like a frightened prisoner starting his sentence than a new prison governor taking up post. "I was not aware that Guild Warders were necessary inside the Ministry itself" he commented to Zabini.
"They weren't until yesterday" she replied. "The new Chief Warder requested dual manning of all access sites for Azkaban, regardless of current security when she took up post and the Minister agreed. As regards your personal escort, well that's standard practice but I have to admit we've been doing it up to now." Blaise signalled to one of the figures in black and in a normal tone introduced him. "Governor Snape this is Senior Warden Cole he will be your escort to Azkaban. The Chief Warder has been advised of your arrival and will be waiting for you."
Snape acknowledged Blaise's introduction and stepped towards Cole.
"You have no luggage Sir?" asked Cole.
"No" replied Snape "It has been sent ahead".
Cole nodded and indicated what could only be described as a large iron bollard set in the centre of the room. "If you would care to come with me then Sir" he waited for Snape and the two of them touched the bollard almost simultaneously.
Snape felt the familiar feeling of his stomach being pulled through his backbone as he touched the bollard. He was fairly sure that this aspect of portkey travel had been deliberately enhanced to make access to Azkaban more unpleasant. Presently he felt his feet touching solid ground again and the area around him came back into focus. He did not stumble or fall on arrival as many less used to portkeys did and he was somewhat impressed and surprised that his escort did not seem affected either. For a muggle he seemed remarkably composed at the use of magical means of travel.
A familiar voice interrupted his musings.
"Welcome to Azkaban, Governor"
The Guild Master was impressed. Snape had not faltered at all on his arrival and she knew even the most experienced witches and wizards were prone to be disoriented after portkey transportation. She was also pleased to see that Cole had showed no effects either. The newest Senior Warden looked balanced and alert on arrival and she felt reassured that his promotion to warden in charge of escort duties had been a good choice despite his relatively young age.
"Governor if you would care to follow me I will take you to your quarters in the Governors House. I think perhaps you should know that until the refurbishment of the Chief Warders accommodation is completed I will be sharing the accommodation in the House with you."
Snape digested this information as she reassured him, "I don't think we'll be under each others feet the Governor's House is huge or I would have made arrangements to stay in the main prison complex".
He grunted in reply more concerned by their approach to the main gates of the prison than his accommodation arrangements. As they drew closer the gates were opened and he could see into the main prison yard lined by many windows looking onto the communal area. As they drew to a halt he could feel hundreds of eyes watching his arrival as prisoners peered through bars to see the new Governor. This was what he feared, that his past would finally catch up to him as everyone realised that Severus Snape was the new Governor.
"Ignore anything and everything Governor", commented his companion sensing his unease as they entered the yard. "We have it under control."
He started to walk across the yard to the Governors House, but it was difficult to ignore the catcalls, cries and pleas from prisoners overlooking the Yard. The worst part was he recognised many of the voices and remembered his last arrival at Azkaban and his own pleas shouted from a barred window. He started to doubt his ability to carry out the job and as his fears and memories crashed in upon him he almost froze in the yard. The woman beside him turned as he faltered. Grasping his arm she bundled his unresponsive figure into the Governors House.
"Governor" she breathed, "I think we need to have a heart to heart".
