Chapter Two: Escape and Imprisonment
The gray rat scurried along the outside of the stone fortress, stealthily sliding around the feet of the outside guards, unnoticed. If the guards had seen the rat they would've noticed its odd gait, lumbering side to side with a tiny pack on its back. The rat scampered down the steps, one at a time, skittering quickly to the side as a guard passed. At the bottom the rat seemed to rest, its fast, labored breathing audible in the quiet of the night. It then continued on its way. The squeal of a door opening caused the rat to squeak fearfully, as the heavy wood came within an inch of its furry body. The rat stayed hidden in the shadows until the guard turned the corner down another hallway. A tiny gray head peeped out from the shadows, beady black eyes scanning both directions. The rat then began its trek again pausing every few meters to look toward each cell, as if reading the numbers. It stopped completely before door 102.
Lucius Malfoy stared into the darkness of the cell, arm resting on one raised knee, as he sat on his bunk. This was how he spent most of his days, staring. The guards considered him a model prisoner and would sneak him treats not available to the general population. This placid exterior masked the ever-maddening rage in his mind. Lucius spent every waking moment plotting revenge—revenge against Potter, revenge against Dumbledore, and revenge against the traitor in the Dark Lord's ranks. He would play out different scenarios in his mind where he would catch the traitor and torture him or her in most inventive ways. Malfoy had gifts that might not be noticeable to the untrained eye, but they would come in handy very soon. Malfoy's fascination with the Dark Arts and seemingly immeasurable wealth afforded him the opportunity to travel extensively, studying under the best Dark Arts Masters. He had every book on the Dark Arts known to Wizardkind, and some that no one else even knew existed. Malfoy had made it his life's ambition to become the most powerful Dark Wizard on the planet. He knew that there were currently some that were more powerful, but they didn't know just how much he knew. One day he would show them all.
Malfoy heard something outside his cell. He got up and crossed to the door. He saw a rat outside, trying unsuccessfully to slide under the door. The bulk of its tiny pack kept forcing it back. Malfoy smirked, shaking his blond head. "Wormtail, you stupid git!" He whispered in harsh tones. "Take off the pack first and then come in. You can get the pack later." The rat followed his instructions, sliding out of the pack and quickly scurrying under the door.
Once inside, Wormtail quickly changed from his Animagus form. He took out his wand and levitated the tiny pack inside, enlarging it.
Malfoy opened the pack, smiling as he noted its contents, his spare wand, a potion bottle and a shimmery cloth, an invisibility cloak.
Wormtail looked quickly through the bars, seeing that the guard's office door had opened. The every half-hour checks would begin in a minute. "We haven't much time. This is what we do."
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Chauncey and Frumble argued over how would be doing the next set of checks. Both guards wanted to stay close to the Wizard's Wireless, listening to the very close Quidditch match. "I'll flip you for it." Frumble knew that Chauncey never passed up a chance to bet on anything.
"Fine. If I win you have to do the rest of the checks until the match is over and if you win I'll do the checks until the match is over. Deal?"
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Chauncey made his rounds quickly, wanting to miss as little of the match as possible. He passed door 99, peering in. "Check." He passed door 100, peering in. "Prisoner sobbing. Duly noted, check." He came to door 101, glancing quickly, "Check." Door 102 was next. He quickly glanced in. "Ch—wait? Where is he?" He peered in more closely, still seeing no one. Checking his roster he quickly saw that this was the cell of Lucius Malfoy. "Holy mother of Merlin!" His magical keys rattled as he fumbled for the correct key. Finding it he quickly opened the lock. Saying, "Lumos," he entered the cell, holding his glowing wand aloft. As he stepped in he bumped into—nothing? He felt himself being pushed backwards onto the bunk as something swept past. "Hey, what's going on?"
Suddenly a short balding man appeared, as if sprouting from the floor, saying, "Expelliarmus!"
The guard's wand flew into Wormtail's hand. He pocketed it and advanced on the guard, holding his wand in his gleaming silver hand, and with the other pulling a bottle out of his pocket. "If you want to live, you will do exactly as I say." He held the potion bottle out to the man. "Drink this, now!" The guard complied downing the potion in one huge gulp. The last word the man heard before losing consciousness was "Stupefy!"
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"Chauncey?" Frumble called from the guard's station. "Hurry, this is really heating up! Chauncey?" A minute passed and then the station door opened, Frumble peering out into the darkness. "Did you finish the checks? Chauncey?" Frumble slowly ambled down the hall, wand in hand. He spied the abandoned clipboard on the floor outside of cell 102. He picked it up, seeing that Chauncey had gotten to that cell before stopping. He peeked inside, seeing Lucius Malfoy asleep on the bunk, his back to the door. In the poor lighting he could not tell that Malfoy wore a guard's uniform, sporting the name 'Chauncey' on the front pocket.
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Draco stayed hidden in the shadows outside the gates of Azkaban, alert for any sign of movement. He saw the gates swing wide, but no one could be seen. Draco kept very still and listened, hearing footsteps on the gravel path. He stepped out of the shadows. "Father?"
A swishing sound was heard as Malfoy whipped off the invisibility cloak. Lucius glared at his only son. "It's about time," he spat. "You let me rot in there for one hundred and four days!" He then quickly Apparated, leaving his dazed and wide-eyed son behind.
Draco stood for a moment, embarrassed and humiliated. He could not legally Apparate, although he knew how.
Wormtail sidled up beside him, draping an arm about his shoulders. "It's okay, son. I'll take you with me." The shorter man smiled as he Apparated them both to outside Malfoy Manor.
"Thank you, Mr.…uh…"
"Call me Wormtail, everyone does." He smiled again and Disapparated.
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"Go ahead and tuck in," said Albus to Minerva and Remus. "Severus is often held up with a complex potion or other." The three filled their plates, the fourth plate lying empty.
Remus shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Albus. There is something I think we should discuss, before Severus arrives." Remus' expression was grave.
Albus smiled warmly. "Go on."
"I heard Harry and Ron talking today. It sounded like Ron was saying that Severus threatened him."
Minerva was astonished. "What? I simply cannot see Severus going as far as to threaten a student."
Albus simply smiled and continued to fill his plate. "Did the boys tell you that Severus threatened them?"
Remus' gaze fell to the table. "Not in so many words."
"In exactly how many words?" Albus chuckled.
"They denied it when I confronted them."
"Then that's that." Minerva looked pleased.
"Ah, here he comes now." Albus watched Severus approach.
"I'm sorry I'm late, everyone." He looked to Minerva and Albus and nodded to Remus. "The potion I was brewing was very sensitive."
"No need to apologize, Severus." Minerva smiled, indicating his chair. As the Potions Master took his seat they began to discuss the plans for the Welcoming Feast.
Severus paid little attention to the conversation, thinking that such festivities were a waste of time. He noticed that Lupin was stealing glances at him, surreptitiously. When Severus caught his eye he was surprised that the werewolf did not look away, instead meeting his eyes with—defiance? Anger? "Is there a problem, Lupin?"
"Problem? I don't know. You tell me."
Severus' black eyebrows came together. "What are you talking about?"
"Ron Weasley."
"That is somehow supposed to make sense…Ron Weasley?"
"Ron said he had a run in with someone in Diagon Alley yesterday."
"Oh?"
"Yes, he said he was threatened."
"By whom?"
"He wouldn't say."
Severus looked thoughtful. "Oh. Well, Draco Malfoy was there as well. It very well may have been him." Remus looked unconvinced. "Look, Lupin. Children have these tiffs all the time. It's of no consequence."
"Hear, Hear!" added Albus.
Severus was just lifting his first spoonful to his lips when he felt a familiar twinge in his arm. "Pardon me. I am being summoned."
Albus nodded. "Be careful, dear boy. Do be careful."
"Yes," said Minerva. "We'll see you when you return."
Severus left at a quick pace for the dungeons to retrieve his Death Eater mask and robes. Remus' eyes bored into his back as he left the hall.
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