Review Response:
To the future leader of Kajikistan: Thanks again for the review! And yes it was short but that's all that Was needed. And Fudge followed a DEMENTOR up the hill, whoops my bad. But at least he didn't die in the boat and THEN follow him. Ha ha ha.
Chapter 3: A Proposition
Normal POV: 2 weeks later
The beach outside of Azkaban Prison
Albus Dumbledore stepped gracefully from the small boat and on to the same beach that Cornelius Fudge landed on not 2 weeks ago. He glanced up at the prison, how he hated this place, no one but one man deserved this kind of misery. And even for him it might be cruel and unusual.
As Dumbledore walked up the pathway he thought debasing thoughts about himself, yes even the mighty Dumbledore trashed himself. Ever since Sirius proved himself innocent in Harrys third year he knew that he should have been crusading to release Persephone, the only reason he hadn't before was because he believed the 2 to be in league together. But after ward, there was no excuse. He supposed it was because he was afraid of her reaction to him, he would try to disillusion himself and say that she had no where to go. But Sirius would have thought of something , anything for her. Thinking back on his decisions Albus hated himself for what these poor loyal people had been put through, incarcerations, possible Dementor kisses, hunted lives and now quite possibly starvation. But even he could not think of any legal way to release Persephone from jail, besides breaking her out, his hands were tied. Until a few days ago that is.
Harry Potter, Dumbledore's favorite student had emerged from the Triwizard maze clutching the body of Cedric Diggory and relaying the story of Voldemorts return to life, but when the imposter Moody was found to be Barty Crouch junior, Dumbledore had his solution for releasing Persephone. Coben, the warden of Azkaban, treasured his prison with all of his being, but he had messed up. Although Dumbledore was pleased that Sirius had managed to expunge his record it didn't change the fact that 2 convicted felons had escaped from the jail. This meant that the warden was not doing his job, and with the escape of Barty Crouch, a truly dangerous Death Eater, the warden could be bought. Even though Dumbledore hated doing it, the time had come to get her released. He had put it off long enough. But now, with Voldemort back, the Order needed her and her skills, it may have been a selfish thing to say, but it could not be denied. Dumbledore had reached the gate and was ushered in by a guard, and waited in the muggy courtyard for Coben to arrive.
When the warden came to greet the unexpected visitor he was fearful, Dumbledore avoided the prison at all costs, so this must be a dire occasion. Albus wasted no time,
"Coben, you have done a terrible thing." He said matter of factly. Coben shuddered and stammered a reply,
"What do you mean sir?"
"You let another prisoner escape." Cobens eyes became wide and fearful, "And we cannot have that happening now can we? Why, you would lose your prison wouldn't you?" The Warden had begun to sweat profusely and he was tugging at the tie around his neck, gasping for air, he was scared.
"Who has escaped sir?" He asked tentatively. Dumbledore's brow furrowed and he leaned in close to Cobens face for impact,
"A bad, bad Death Eater… Barty Crouch Jr. He has killed many people and recently just tried to kill another. All because of your negligence Coben." The wardens voice practically shrieked from nervousness,
"But he is dead sir! I had the guards bury him! I saw it with my own eyes!" Dumbledore shook his head and offered the stammering man an explanation,
" Do you remember how his father and sick mother requested a visit with their dying son? Just hours before he was buried?"
"Yes of course. My records are clear!"
"Well you buried Mrs. Crouch," Dumbledore said disapprovingly, "Your guards allowed him to slip right out from under their black hoods. If you doubt me, I will gladly help you dig up the grave marked "Barty Crouch Jr." but what you would find is the body of Mrs. Crouch, not her son." Coben was terrified, he spluttered a frightful response,
"Please Sir… Dumbledore… Dumbledore sir… please don't take Azkaban from me. Its all I have." Dumbledore looked contemplative,
"Well we might be able to come to an agreement. For you see you currently have a prisoner that I would like to take with me, if you could clear her record and get her released, I might be able to persuade the Wizengamot to let you keep your little hell hole of yours when you come up on charges. I cannot keep the charges from coming up, but I can get you off." Dumbledore hated having to bribe people but he would do what he must. He saw the wheels in Cobens head turning, assessing the situation, but what choice did he have? Dumbledore was a man of his word and this prison was his life, his only source of power in the world. Coben nodded his head in agreement and Dumbledore clapped his hands together in satisfaction, "Fantastic! So you get to work on the papers and I will go fetch her. Her name is Persephone Parker. I believe 1249 is her number. Where may I find her?"
"What was her crime?" Coben replied in a lackluster voice, looking defeated.
"She was a Death Eater." Dumbledore said pleasantly. Cobens eyes, if possible, became even larger, but he couldn't argue. So he replied,
"Then she would be on the top floor. I can get you a cell number if you need it."
"Oh no, I should be able to find it. Thank you Coben! I shall be back soon!" Dumbledore smiled congenially and started towards the stairs. The warden looked murderously at his retreating back but what else was he to do? He turned and headed to the records office and start to cover up the paper trail.
Dumbledore serenely ascended the spiral staircase encased in stone to the top floor. He walked carefully past the cells and studied the people inside, Bellatrix Lestrange saw him and threw a rude hand gesture his way. Dumbledore smiled and continued on. He reached a cell on the opposite end of the circular hallway and he noticed a slim figure with golden-brown dirty hair lying underneath a ragged blanket, she seemed to be asleep. Dumbledore knew this was Persephone so he pulled out his long wand and tapped at the lock on the cell door, it popped open and he marched inside. Persephone didn't move a muscle, concerned, Dumbledore bent down and turned her over. Her face was pale and sunken in, she felt cold to the touch and she still didn't stir. She was obviously sick, Dumbledore whipped off his elegant cloak and draped her in it, lifting her easily for a man his age, he carried her down the stairs. Making himself invisible to all the true Death Eaters so they would not know his accurate business, he angrily tread down past the office and to the boat. Handing her off to Alastor, he gave hurried instructions and retreated back to see the warden. Moody sped away to the mainland and the train that was awaiting to take her to London.
Dumbledore practically ran into the wardens office and was fighting off every feeling of hurting Coben that he had. The warden looked up as the grand old man stormed into the small office. Almost crying, Coben informed Dumbledore that she had had depleted rations for the last few weeks, she was being punished, Coben now understood why so many people feared Dumbledore. Albus managed to somehow hold his temper with the sniveling worm in front of him, perhaps it was out of guilt that Dumbledore was so angry. Actually that's exactly what it was, if Dumbledore hadn't waited so long, she wouldn't be this sick. He probed Coben for information on why she was "punished" and cursed himself for almost laughing, he could just imagine Fudges embarrassment. How his face would become distorted trying to act normal, Dumbledore was proud of his girl, she had proved that she had kept her spirit after all these years. When Albus had enough of frightening the warden he departed the prison and apparated to the school, he needed to find Poppy and send her to Grimmauld Place. Persephone needed immediate attention.
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Alastor Moody was a strange man. Many's first impression of him was that he was not human at all, but some half breed, when in reality he had gained his gnarled reflection as an Auror for the ministry. Nicknamed "Mad-Eye" to his friends because of a spinning fake eye in his left socket, he walked with a wooden leg and a clinking sound reverberated wherever he went, his nose seemed to be missing pieces and his Scottish accent could have been comical on anyone not as fierce as he. But he was doing something out of the ordinary for him, he was showing emotion for another human being.
He had barely known Persephone all those years ago but what he knew he respected. She was strong, loyal and passionate, all admirable qualities in his good eye. He had always thought that she was a beautiful woman, but now her limp body reminded him of a child, her dirty hair was a complete mess and he laughed as he thought how she would be so ashamed of the knots on her head. Her sunken, pale face had remnants of what was once great beauty, it was still there, but it was hidden behind sickness and despair. He whispered in his hoarse voice,
"Don't worry honey, you ain't going back." She still didn't move.
When Moody reached the mainland he met Remus Lupin and the two of them escorted her to the Hogwarts express. Seeing as how she was too weak to apparate they had no other choice then to take her by train to London, and eventually to Grimmauld Place.
After they loaded her into the compartment Remus bid goodbye to Moody and closed the compartment door. Moody would go on ahead and prepare everything in London. Remus lay her on the long sofa seat and covered her tightly with Dumbledore's cloak, he stared at his old friend, although he could barely recognize her now. Sirius would be going crazy right about now. Remus had listened to nothing else but Sirius's irritable talks about how Dumbledore had waited so long to release her from Azkaban. Remus agreed wholeheartedly, the ill woman in front of him had been gone far too long.
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Sirius Black sat in the cobweb filled drawing room staring into space. He still had that dark gorgeous hair and beautiful eyes but he seemed to have aged rapidly in the last 14 years. His face was freshly shaved and he anxiously awaited his friend Remus.
He had been dreaming of this day for 2 years, ever since he escaped from Azkaban his life had been a unpredictable series of hiding places and close calls. Dumbledore had done what he could and now he was finally going to be reunited with Persephone, but he had to admit, he was nervous. The guilt about their last meeting was eating him up inside and he blamed himself for everything that had happened to the two of them. She had begged him not to go and she never begged for anything. Her tear stained face was emblazoned into his memory and he had thought about it those 12 years in jail. Sirius hadn't known that Persephone had been arrested until he broke out 2 years ago, it was just as well, that kind of knowledge would have driven him insane. His love being so close, but he couldn't get to her. Sirius was terrified that she would hate him, but at the same time he couldn't wait until she arrived. The doorbell rang, Sirius took a deep breath and rose from the chair, steadying himself for what was about to come. But when he opened the door it was not Remus and Persephone; it was Madam Pomfrey, she hustled inside and Sirius shut the door, disappointed.
She gave him a curt nod and proceeded upstairs. Why was she here? Sirius followed her impatiently, issuing constant questions. Something must have been wrong at Azkaban.
"What happened? Why are you here? Whats wrong with Persephone?" Madam Pomfrey tried to ignore him as he followed he up to the first landing. But when she turned and saw the pleading, desperate look in his dark, handsome eyes she couldn't be so cruel so she broke down and told him what she knew.
"Sirius, I wish that I was not the one who had to tell you this. Im not really suited for it."
"I don't care, I want to know. Whats wrong with her? Is she hurt?" His face was frantic and he was beside himself with worry. Madam Pomfrey braced herself,
"Sirius, Persephone was starved as a punishment and now she's sick. Dumbledore asked me if I would come in and look after her. Get her back to health." Sirius's first reaction was of anger, a great desire to go and hurt that idiot Coben. But then he thought of Persephone, sick and alone. He felt his world begin to fall in on him, his breathing was becoming restricted, he was beginning to panic. Madam Pomfrey leaned down on the staircase and spoke firmly,
"Sirius don't do this to yourself, we cannot afford to have you fall apart too. Persephone is going to need you by her side."
"Is she going to be ok?" he begged to her, praying, as if this was the only woman who could save Persephone.
"I don't know, I haven't seen her yet. But we need to stay calm and do whatever we can to help her, understood?" She asked. Sirius nodded and apologized, standing back up, he took a few deep breaths and then took the lead, setting up a bedroom for her that would work well for her recuperation. Minutes later the door bell rang again, and Sirius, eerily calm, walked down the steps to the door.
To be continued:
Next Chapter: Sirius sees Persephone for the first time in 14 years, can he hold it together and help her recover?
Disclaimer: I own Persephone and Miles Coben, don't touch them. But if you want to use Coben send me something and I just might let you do it. I profit in no way from this story.
Ok ok so this ones kind shortish but I didn't have anything else to add without making the new chapter! Aaaaaaaaaah!