Escape from Azkaban

This morning, the world awoke to the news that six of the most carefully guarded prisoners in Britain have escaped. All were serving life sentences for crimes against humanity, having been followers of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. In a press conference this morning, Minister for Magic Amelia Bones said:

"Although we are shocked and alarmed by the escape, we believe that the general public are in no immediate danger. Every Hit Wizard and Auror is working to recapture the escapees, and we remain confident that they will all be once again incarcerated."

Despite these optimistic words, many people have seen this as a sign that a change of regime is needed at the highest level. The Ministry of Magic is under heavy criticism, especially the Auror team, and it is expected that opinions will worsen as time progresses.

Cont. pages 2,3,5 and 7

Ron slumped into the kitchen counter as he read the article out loud. Turning to page three, he groaned. "So much for avoiding widespread panic. It's making out that the Death Eaters are walking down the street as we speak, and that the only reason we haven't caught them yet is through abject stupidity."

"Ow ow ad emow izen?" asked Emily, through a mouthful of cornflakes.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, darling."

Emily swallowed and then tried again. "How did the bad men get out of prison?"

"We don't know, sweetheart, not yet."

Emily nodded. "But you'll get them soon," she said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. From her five-year-old perspective, her father was invincible.

"Yeah," said Ron, unconvincingly. Sally patted his shoulder, and then gave him a hug.

"It'll be okay," she said. "I'll see you later."

It took Ron an additional twenty minutes to get up to his office, due to extra security measures at the Ministry of Magic building. Having been searched, scanned, prodded and even weighed, Ron was in an even worse mood than when he had left the house.

Kingsley entered the room, looking equally pissed off.

"There's been a disappearance," he said, dropping a file on Ron's desk.

"Well good morning to you too," said Ron, glancing at the cover of the file. "Do you think it's linked to the breakout?"

"Maybe," said Kingsley, rubbing his temples. "We still have to check it out, it may be nothing."

Ron raised an eyebrow. "By we, do you mean me?"

For the first time in a few days, Kingsley grinned. "You know me too well."

It was the first time that Ron had had to interview the family of a missing person. Although he had covered it several times in training, he doubted that it was going to be the same as talking to Justin Finch-Fletchley doing a squeaky voice and sobbing into a large spotted handkerchief saying, "And then…and then he stole my Kneazles!"

Standing on the step of the small ramshackle cottage, Ron knocked on the door uncertainly. When no one answered, he tried knocking again for good measure. As he began to knock a third time, a plump woman opened the door. Her eyes were red and she was wringing her hands on a large checked tea towel. Ron was reminded very much of his mother – she would always turn to some domestic task in times of crisis.

Clearing his throat, Ron introduced himself.

"Hi, I'm from the Auror department. I just wanted to ask you a few questions about…" Panicked, Ron realised that he couldn't remember the name of the person who had disappeared. Turning the excruciatingly long pause into a cough, he tried to look at the front page of the file inconspicuously.

"Ahem, yes I'm here to ask you about…Anastasia."

The woman eyed him guardedly.

"We've already had the people from the Magical Law Enforcement round here, and the Muggle police."

"Yes of course but…"

"Because if you think Anastasia disappearing is anything to do with Dark magic, you're mistaken."

"I fully understand, but…"

" 'Cause she's a good girl, our Annie."

"Mrs Fabien, we're not accusing Anastasia of anything. We're just trying to make sure that she's found as quickly as possible."

"Well then," said the woman, stepping back, "I suppose you'll want to come in."

As well as an overwhelming desire to wrap his hands around the woman's neck, Ron got a sense of déjà vu as he entered the house. As he surveyed the pictures waving at him from the walls, he was sure that some of them seemed familiar. Dismissing it, he followed the woman into the lounge and began the interview.

When Ron got back to the Ministry of Magic, Kingsley was sitting in his office waiting for him.

"How did it go?" asked Kingsley wearily.

Ron shrugged. "Not that much to indicate any dark activity – just a normal girl really. Probably not our department."

"Think so?" asked Kingsley enigmatically.

Ron nodded.

Kingsley shook his head. "Never assume, Ron." He slapped two more files onto Ron's desk. "Two more disappearances, reported a couple of hours ago."

Ron looked incredulous. "Bloody hell."

The other man laughed bitterly. "We've certainly got a job on our hands."

As he turned to leave, Ron thought of something. "Kingsley?"

The head Auror turned round.

"I know I had booked this weekend off, but what with everything that has happened…"

Kingsley smiled. "Take it, Ron."

"But I thought…"

"You've more than earned the time off. You've worked really hard on this. We can manage without you for a couple of days."

"Thanks."

"No problem. Now get back to work!"

Ron finally got home at one am, and was surprised to see lights on in the living room. On the couch lay Sally, fast asleep, her head resting on her arm. Ron shook her gently. Opening her eyes, she smiled.

"I wanted to stay up until you got home," she said sleepily.

"Didn't quite manage it, did you?" said Ron, grinning.

Sally swatted him playfully. "I meant to ask you," she said, sitting up, "Do you want me to cancel this weekend? I mean, you'll have to work, won't you?"

"Actually, Kingsley said I should go. He thinks I need the time off."

Sally looked down, uncomfortable.

"What?" asked Ron.

"I'm just worried about Emily," she said. "I barely got home in time to tuck her in, and she hasn't seen you in a good couple of days. I'm surprised she even remembers what we look like! Is it really fair to leave her this weekend as well?"

"But you've been looking forward to this for so long!" said Ron. "Tell you what, when all this is over, we'll go away, just the three of us."

Sally nodded slowly, still unsure.

"And if that doesn't work," continued Ron, "we'll just have to get her a racing broom for her birthday."

"Over my dead body."

"Come on! Not a fast one!"

"No Ron."

"Just a Cleansweep Five or something."

"Absolutely not."

"Or a Shooting Star, that'll barely get off the ground…"

A/N: Sorry for the long gap – I didn't want to post too close to HBP. So this fic is now officially AU, and I'll try not to change it too much or put in any spoilers for the people who haven't read it. On that note, please don't put any spoilers in reviews, because that's just not fair. For those of you who haven't read HBP, READ IT, IT'S FANTASTIC!

I'm so glad that we have hits now, because it shows that people are actually reading this even though I'm not getting many reviews. Or the same two people are reading it over and over again…Anyway:

Emma Barrows: Thank you!

Fippets: Ah, you've got me, I'm not actually evil (but keep it under your hat…)

Juno Malabre: Ooh, now you're just giving me ideas (such as teaching you how to spell painful.)