Disclaimer: No claim to Harry Potter! No claim! No claim! Has dragonsbreathBe gone evil Lawyers!
Another Inspiration
Chapter 5: Azkaban
Remus was devastated. Another person close to him was going to be lost to the Dementors, but Remus still forced himself to have hope. During the trial Remus was trying to think of anything to help the Azkaban-bound teen. It was not until he saw Severus leaving after the trial that it hit him. There was a way he could help Harry, but it would require a bit of research. He could not believe that he did think to look for this information before, but he was now, and he would find it before Harry left for Azkaban.
Remus' primary source of knowledge was Dumbledore of course. The old codger knew quite a bit about the world, sometimes more than he should.
Dumbledore barely got into his office for a mere thirty seconds before the werewolf barged in shooting off questions. After getting the man to calm down, they sat and brainstormed all they could. Dumbledore did know quite a bit about what Remus was asking about, but they still decided to take a short trip.
Dumbledore walked over to his roaring fireplace, sprinkled a nice amount of Floo powder into the flames and spoke "Hogwarts, Personal Chambers of Severus Snape", and pushed his head into the green flames.
"Severus? Could I speak to you a moment?" called the Headmaster.
The Potions Master glanced up from his desk and narrowed his eyes at Dumbledore for a moment before getting up and gracefully seating himself in a mahogany chair with an overstuffed deep green cushion inset into the seat in front of the fire.
Snape did not bother to answer the headmaster, but instead just stared back at the fiery form to give him audience.
"Ah yes, I just wanted to tell you that I will be stopping by your private library in your summer home for a bit of research." Dumbledore told him merrily with a twinkle in his eye.
"I suppose." Snape drawled, clearly seeing that Dumbledore was not asking for permission in the least.
"Well, I must be off my boy. Sorry to disturb!"
With that, the Headmaster disappeared from the flames and Severus muttered under his breath something that sounded quite like "Manipulative old goat", but of course it was the wind coming from the window mysteriously disguised as a wall.
Dumbledore got up from the fireplace and attempted to dust off the soot from his robes and beard. Giving a small grin to Remus, the Headmaster gathered a bottle of ink, quills, and a few pieces of parchment and Apparated them both to the dark library of Severus Snape.
Upon arriving at the unplottable home, more like mansion, they were greeted by a nasty shock of electricity as soon as they set foot on the steps before the heavy wooden door of the house. Severus, of course, did not disable all of his security on his home. At Hogwarts, Severus was nursing a glass of wine, grinning happily at what was a sure prank. Dumbledore was also chuckling at audacity of his Potions Master. Remus, however, was furious and growled at the presently absent Severus Snape.
"Looks like he grew a sense of humor for once." Dumbledore offered to the now gone from growling to scowling werewolf.
"Let's just hope it is only once. We need to hurry. I don't know how late they will allow visitors."
"Do not worry about Ministry regulations, but yes, let's hurry."
Dumbledore sent his magic through the wards and neatly sliced through them with ease and they ventured into the desolate mansion. Upon finally reaching the library they immediately set to work and within a few hours of much reading they managed to find enough information to hopefully help Harry, if not at least point him in the right direction. Remus then transcribed the information into a small pamphlet of the most important points and they both set off to the atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
Harry's clothes were already replaced by simple black drawstring cotton pants and a similar simple shirt with short sleeves. He paced in his still brightly-lit cell waiting for something to happen. Harry even started to count how many times he had gone across the room and back to pass the time. Getting to five hundred and eight the door swung open, and Harry was met by Molly, Arthur, Ron, Ginny, the twins, and Hermione. Most gave words consisting of "I'm sorry", "We'll be there when you get out", "Hang in there", a monstrous hug with tears, or a combination of. It did make him feel better that they were there, but the pain on their faces was almost too much for him to bear. He tried to assure them that he would be 'ok' and see them all again, but after a while he too broke down into tears and was immersed in a huge group hug by despondent Weasleys and a sobbing Hermione. After a while they all eventually left with 'sniffs' here and there and Harry was once again alone.
Finally sitting on the cot, he began to really think what was going to happen the next morning. It seemed immoral to have a prison guarded by Dementors, where Muggle prisons were only guarded by people, even though the guards were not much better than the prisoners, but at least you had some hope that was yours to keep. The only real comforting thought was that after he got out he could live with Remus and spend time with his friends and the Weasleys.
Harry's thoughts turned to his now ex-potions professor. He would never have to be around that man again. No more snarky remarks about his intelligence or arrogance. No more comments about how he was supposedly like his father. No more detentions till late at night for breathing too loud. No more nights having his mind ripped open for him to see all of his secrets and weaknesses.
Harry thought for a moment more of a Severus Snape being tortured and killed by Voldemort for being a spy before his thoughts turned to Quidditch. Soaring through the air, free from life—that was Quidditch. Rubbing Draco's face into the ground by catching the snitch first had to be one of the greater things of life. Despair once again setting in, Harry went back to pacing and counting until, many hours later and on number three thousand six hundred and twenty nine, his door once again opened. Remus rushed into the brightly-lit cell and wrapped his arms securely around the condemned boy hoping to somehow compact Harry into himself.
"Harry, I am so sorry that you have to go through this." Remus started.
"Me too" Harry replied, in an almost whisper due to the lump in his throat.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for Harry. She deserves what she got. Like they say, 'No good deed goes unpunished'."
"Heh. If you say so, and yes, she does deserve it. At least she won't be leaving…there." Harry immediately taking on a lighter tone but drifting off when it came to trying to say 'Azkaban'.
"No she wont, but Harry…you're not blaming yourself again are you?" Remus asked, worried about the 'if you say so' that Harry slipped in.
"No Remus…I don't blame myself for this, or Sirius. I just thought…hell; I really don't know what the bloody hell I was thinking actually."
Giving a small chuckle Remus replied, "Neither do I Harry, Neither do I. Just don't let the Dementors get to you. Remember the happy things and why you are there. I don't want to loose you; any part of you, to them. Got that Harry?"
"Yes mother" Harry declared with a smirk.
"Harry, I'm serious, If you loose your mind I will be very disappointed."
"Remus, you are quite funny tonight you know? Too bad you can't join me. Who knows, maybe we could figure out how to make a Dementor laugh."
Remus gave a large sigh and looked at Harry replying, "Harry…" then smirking, "that is an excellent idea! That can be your goal in Azkaban—to make a Dementor laugh. Professor Snape must have been quite mistaken if you are showing such intellect."
They both started laughing hysterically and ended up on the floor. After a couple minutes of senseless laughing they began to calm down back to the horrid gravity of the situation and sat next to each other in a strange kind of quietness.
"Remus, do you really think I can do this?" Harry asked.
"If Sirius did, I am quite sure you can."
They both sat there a while longer before Remus started again.
"I have been busy today. I was doing some research on something that could help you. I wrote down as much as I could into this. Read as much as you can tonight in case you cannot take it into Azkaban, but try to keep it with you."
Remus pulled out the parchment pamphlet that he had created earlier and handed it over to Harry, who gave him an inquiring look. Harry turned to the first page and read a bit realizing what the pamphlet contained. Harry looked back up to Remus, surprised.
"Why?" Harry inquired.
"To ensure your safety. It should help with the Dementors, not to mention the Dark Lord."
"Thank you…" Harry said quietly.
"I should have given you this sooner, but I had not thought of this. Tells you how good a friend I am."
Remus scooted closer to Harry and held the dejected teen in silence until he was finally told he had to leave.
"I love you Harry. Remember what I told you and live well my friend. You will be out before you know it."
"I love you too Remus…"
With that the door closed for the last time that night, until it opened again to lead him to a place where Dementors did not laugh or smile, but took away whatever hope you had.
"Come on Potter, it's time." Said the man who was escorting him down the hall to where he would be portkeyed along with a few Aurors to a boat that would take them to Azkaban.
Harry was led by a firm grip on the arm to a simple room filled with about fifteen Aurors and a glowering Bellatrix Black whose hands were binded with peculiar metal cuffs. Harry could see a strange deep royal blue ceramic bowl placed in the middle of the white table. The bowl was somewhat large with a strange thin black inscription around it. There were also white designs scattered about that seemed to be blobs of paint placed at random. However, to Bellatrix, the inscription seemed thick and inky, and the bowl was a smooth dirty brown.
The Auror did not let go of Harry's arm, but in instead was handed an exact copy of the metal cuffs that Bellatrix wore and placed them on Harry's wrists. Harry then felt a strange weakness in his limbs, as if he had just run a marathon. The Auror maneuvered the heavy limbed teen to one of the empty plain wooden chairs at the table across from Bellatrix.
"Just so you two know, any magical objects will not be able to go with you. When the portkey is activated, all magical objects will be restrained and drop to the floor here." said a tall blonde haired Auror with an almost sadistic glee to his features.
"I think everything is in order. Let's send these miscreants to Azkaban." Continued the blonde man, clearly enjoying sending people to hell.
The Aurors gathered around the bowl, while two of them placed the two criminals' hands on the bowl. After all were touching the bowl, the blonde spoke 'Bosheit' and they were transported directly onto a boat in the middle of the ocean, an ominous island in the distance.
Harry and Bellatrix were pushed onto their knees on the deck and were ordered to sit next to each other, only a foot of space in-between. Harry refused to meet Bellatrix's eyes as she stared at him. She studied Harry's features, despite the murderous look on his face, and found that he was quite small for his age. She ran her eyes carefully over his body, noting his fierce green eyes, the lightning bolt scar that grazed his forehead, and his wild black hair that emitted a sense of rebelliousness.
Heh. Spirit in this one I see. Oh well,' tis a shame to loose it to the Dementors. Bellatrix thought.
She turned her head away from Harry to look upon the island in the distance as the boat rocked smoothly against the waves.
I hate Azkaban…wonder how much Voldemort will let me rot this time. Would not surprise me if he left me here forever, but of course I deserve it don't I? For fucking up the mission. I must really be loosing my touch. All Potter had to do was be an idiot and get himself kidnapped, but no, the little shit had to get smart. Damn Potter!
You know Bella…they say to never underestimate your opponent.
Look at him! He is skin and bones! Easy prey!
There is a reason why he is one of the possible best seekers of the century dear, or did you not know that?
YES I BLOODY KNOW DAMMIT! Not like I don't hear enough bitching from Lucius…
Temper…
Go to hell
No, that's where you are headed my dear.
…
So Bella, going to admit you made a mistake?
No, I do not make mistakes. Fuck up royally yes, make mistakes, absolutely not.
At least you admit that. I shall leave you to your doom then. Ta ta!
Bitch...damn Potter...his entire fucking fault...
"So, Potty, afraid yet?" Bella baited.
"Shaking in my boots, oh wait, I don't have any." Harry retorted, then looked over to the blonde Auror and asked, "Hey Mr. Blonde, any chance I could get out of these so I can drown her?"
"Prisoners don't get special privileges, even if they are the boy who lived." the blonde Auror spat.
"Too bad for you Potty. Guess you will have to stick with your fantasies of seeing my dead body next to the mutt's. Oh, wait, there is no body now is there, Potty? Gu"
SMACK!
Harry swung his cuffed hands into her cheek with a satisfying crack as a large bruise started to form. Bellatrix glared at the defiant green eyes for a moment before turning her face away from him. The blonde Auror glared at both of them and told them to "Knock it off before I give you something else to cry about" and they were both silent for the rest of the ride.
The boat finally hit the deck of Azkaban Island and they were hoisted onto the wooden planks and led to the large bleak doors of the prison. The prison was bigger than Hogwarts. The whole island seemed dead with the constant gray sky and cold chill in the air. The surrounding trees were bleak and seemed to only choke the black building. The aura from the Dementors could be felt from the docks and all the Aurors seemed apprehensive. Both prisoners were lax and showed no emotion, but they were both screaming inside as all hope was leaving them.
The doors opened slowly, creaking eerily, and were led inside the maze of Azkaban. The person at the desk looked up at the Aurors, brightening slightly at the human contact.
"How are you today Sam?" the blonde asked the receptionist.
"Bleak. It is difficult to be much else here Mr. Fawnty"
"I see, well, I have a Ms. Bellatrix Black and a Mr. Harry James Potter for imprisonment today. Cell number seven hundred and four and seven hundred and five. Third floor." said Mr. Fawnty in a bland manner.
The receptionist shakily handed over a key ring filled with carefully cut ivory keys to Mr. Fawnty and the Aurors escorted the prisoners to their new homes.
Fear was overtaking Harry as he walked down the long corridors of solid cells, one prisoner each. Some were sleeping or sitting with wild looks in their eyes, but most were frantically screaming in agony. Very few prisoners looked up at Harry and only one recognized him. It was Dolohov, a death eater who was caught at the Ministry at the end of the last school year. Dolohov smirked cruelly at Harry and started to laugh manically and rolled on the floor of the tiny cell, madness overtaking him.
Memories of Dudley chasing him were starting to creep into Harry's mind. Harry was taken out of the memory for a moment when an Auror held on to his forearms as another removed the cuffs. Harry was then harshly pushed inside his seven by seven by seven foot cell and the door clanged shut, the lock making a strange series of clicks.
Bellatrix was already in her cell across from Harry, huddled in a corner, face buried in her knees. Three Dementors glided down the corridor, stopping in front of Harry's cell to stare at the new mind. Panic overtook Harry and he began to scream when he saw their faces. Faces of cruel hunger. For the rest of the day, Harry twisted on the floor, his mind in shambles. He did not even notice the bowl of mush that appeared by him later that day.
Bellatrix watched him curiously as she quietly ate her food. His screams had subsided to whimpers, but his mind was still in the horrid nightmare. Bellatrix had never seen someone so affected by the Dementors that quickly. It usually took a couple days, sometimes longer, for a person to scream themselves hoarse like that. It made her wonder what was in the boy's head to make him like this. Bellatrix continued to watch Harry throughout the night, a small glimmer of pity in her eyes.
AN: Yay! It is done! Sorry I could not update yesterday, it's been a busy week. Next chapter will be "Break Out", another decent length chapter. Also, 'Bosheit' is german for malice or spite Now to answer questions and give thanks!
I will say it again, 12 and 6 months is 1.5 years. That is how long our supposive hero will be in Azkaban.
Thanks again to Demented Reaper for your reviews; they are very helpful and much appreciated. Modern Day Zarcon, you are my wonderful beta and sister. I love ya! Here, have some Nilla Wafers. (Beta Note: Yay!)
Also thanks to Skuld's Sentaro3, uten, Reality Bender, Kimpatsu no Hoseki, HeWhoWalksBehindTheRow, BlurryFuture, Mukuro Meki, bandgsecurtiyaw, and Aurora sciliitaigo for reviewing the last chapter.
I love the reviews people! Keep them coming!