Chapter Forty Seven - Counterstrike
The Death Eaters arrived on the far side of Azkaban Island. The two men pulled their small boat onto the beach. The island was protected by powerful wards. Apparition and portkeys only worked in one set place that was closely monitored by the Aurors assigned to the island.
The two looked around nervously. The Dark Lord had been very specific in his instructions. They were to come to this point and wait. One of the men glimpsed nervously behind him. The creature that the Dark Lord had sent to accompany them just stood there.
It was tall, with curved horns on either side of its head. The man had no idea what it was. He didn't recall seeing anything like it in any of his magical creatures classes at Durmstrang. Whatever it was it looked dangerous. It 'spoke' some strange guttural language that he didn't understand.
He turned his attention back to the scanning the island as his companion was doing. Both men could feel the distant presence of the Dementors that roamed the island at will.
Prisoner's wands were kept in a secure storage facility away from the main prison. Of course nothing on Azkaban was truly secure from the Dementors. They had lived on this island for centuries. Everything was open to them.
A Dementor entered the chamber unseen by the Auror guarding outside. It slowly and methodically made its way around the chamber. It selected ten wands. It then came to an eleven. It picked up that wand and replaced it with identical looking one. Satisfied that its task was complete it left the chamber.
Inside the prison ten prisoners rose from their beds as one. They could feel the summons as they had months before. Only now they could answer. The Dementors had cleared the path. The doors to their cells were open and their wands were lying on ground waiting for them.
An eleven prisoner was still in his cell. Curled up on the ground. Three dementors surrounded him. One of the freed prisoners entered the cell. A wicked smirk crossed his features as he raised his wand. The dementors moved aside allowing him to stun the man. He then floated him out of the cell.
The Aurors assigned to Azkaban Fortress generally preferred to stay out of the actual prison. The Dementors prowled the halls relentlessly, making just entering the prison a dangerous proposition. They stayed in a small building adjacent to the castle. For the most part the Dementors left them alone. Only occasionally passing close enough to the building to cause the Aurors significant discomfort.
It was well known that postings to Azkaban were often given out as punishments within the Aurors ranks. It was rare for the best or brightest to be posted there for long. After all, their presence wasn't really needed. The Dementors kept the prisoners quite secure.
Galiwag prepared to enter the castle. It was his turn to make the rounds this evening making certain all the prisoners were secured. It was a new policy, laid out by the previous head of the prison, who herself had had only visited the island once late the previous summer. Umbridge just sent orders from her office at the Ministry.
But after the escapes of Black and Crouch, she insisted that Aurors regularly check each prisoner.
Galiwag entered the fortress and began his rounds checking each cell as he went along.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" came a woman's voice from somewhere behind him. He spun around, wand at the ready. The woman was faster. "Crucio!"
The Auror outside the wand storage facility began to feel a little ill. The Dementorshad been passing close by all night. He focused trying to keep his mind clear. He could see more Dementors moving towards him. He kept his eye on them. He didn't want them getting too much closer. He missed the sound of someone walking towards him in the shadows.
Dolohov smiled. It had been many years since he had the pleasure of taking a life. He raised his wand.
"Avada Kedavra," the green beam shot out from the end of his wand. The Auror slumped over dead.
With another spell he blew open the doors to the storage chamber.
He then proceeded to join the others as the Dementors led them across the island.
The two Death Eaters were still waiting patiently when one of them caught movement out of the corner of his eye. People, moving closer. He signaled his companion and both drew out their wands and took cover behind a small out-cropping of rocks.
There were twelve of them moving slowing across the rocky landscape. Ten were walking the other two were being floated along, none too gently by the look of things. Dementors glided along around them.
The Death Eaters recognized the woman leading the group. They stepped out from behind the rocks and waved to their comrades.
"Well, look at this," the woman said. "Cowards too scared to recognize the truth of the Dark Lord's return. Cowards who denounced their loyalty to the Master to escape punishment."
"Lady Bellatrix," the first man spoke in nervous voice. "W-we sought to remain free so as to prepare the path for the Master's return."
Bellatrix Lestrange smirked. "I assume you were not foolish enough to try that lie on the Dark Lord. You are still alive," she motioned with her hand. "These two must be disposed of."
"Of course My Lady," the man nodded. "The Master was very specific about how that was to be done," he motioned the creature that had accompanied them forward. "This creature is to be given the honor of killing them."
Lestrange studied the creature in front of her. It was new her. "Awaken them," she said as she motioned the other Death Eaters to stand clear. "I wish to see what this creature can do."
One of her companions motioned with his wand and spoke a spell. The prisoner and the Auror awoke at the same time. They looked around. Both men's eyes went wide with fear as they realized they were surrounded by Death Eaters. Instinctively both men reached for wands. One of the Death Eaters taunted them by holding them up.
They turned when they heard a guttural sound from behind them. They saw the something standing there. They tried to run but some kind of spray came out the creature's nose. Galiwag took the full force. He collapsed to the ground unable to move.
The prisoner tried to run but every direction he turned a Death Eater blocked his path. The creature let out a roar and charged him. His screams ended quickly.
Galiwag watched from the ground. All he felt was pain. He couldn't do anything. He could feel Dementors gathering around them. Feeding off his fear and helplessness. The creature turned towards him. He was still paralyzed. It walked up to him. Galiwag's last sight was of the smile on the creatures face.
"Impressive," Lestrange said. "Leave the bodies."
The Death Eaters began to leave. The one who had been holding the wands casually tossed them near the bodies.
"How soon until we see the Dark Lord?" Lestrange asked.
"I do not know," the man answered, fear in his voice. "The Master said he had one other task to perform this night."
Deep within the bowels of the Ministry of Magic Voldemort waited patiently. Ordinarily getting what he wanted out the Department of Mysteries would have been a simple task. Most of the security was weak and useless. But the extra protections on the prophecies were proving to be tougher than he had expected. Only he or that damned child could remove the orb from its resting place.
That meant he had to come and personally to retrieve the prophecy. Again this would normally be a straight forward task. But for Dumbledore and his Order of the Phoenix. At least one of their members constantly monitored the entrance. He could slip past the weak defenses with ease, but a single slip against those watchful eyes and the alarm would be raised and he would have to retreat without his prize. To stand and fight would risk exposure. And it was too soon for that.
His original plan had been to kill whatever member of the Order guarded the entrance and then take the orb. But that had changed. Now he had a new plan. One that implicated his old teacher and discredited key members Order.
He could see Arthur Weasley was watching the entrance this night. Perfect. Driving that annoying family of traitors into ground should prove most enjoyable. All he needed to do was wait. The Dementors should be informing the Aurors of the escape from Azkaban any moment now.
Galiwag was overdue, something that was virtually unheard of when making the rounds in the prison. Nobody ever stayed a moment longer then they had to. The other Aurors were about to head into the prison to find out if anything was wrong when a Dementor appeared.
"Esscaappe," it hissed. "Goone,"
"What?" the Auror in charge yelled. "Who escaped?"
"Esscaape," the Auror said.
"Where's Galiwag?" the Auror asked.
"Gone," was the only answer.
"Search the prison," the leader began snapping orders. "Find out who's escaped. You inform the Ministry, we need additional Aurors to search the Island," he pointed to two other Aurors. "You two, secure the wands, who ever it is will make a try from them. GO!"
The Aurors moved quickly. They made a sweep of the prison. It was rapidly determined that eleven prisoners had escaped.
The Dementors led them to cell where the first prisoner had disappeared.
"Who's cell was this?" the leader asked.
"Podmore's sir," came the reply.
Another Auror jogged up. "Support will be arriving in a few minutes. The Ministry is being put into lockdown."
Cornelius Fudge had been awoken only minutes after word of the mass breakout from Azkaban reached the Ministry. He strode into the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in full force. He needed to secure the premises quickly.
Amelia Bones met him at the door.
"I want the Ministry secured immediately," Fudge ordered. "Use your most trusted people. Everyone currently in the building is to be confined to their offices. No gets in or out."
"Minister?" Bones said in a questioning tone.
"Don't you see," Fudge said. "Dumbledore is making his move. We need to secure the Ministry now. We have to prevent him from doing anything else."
"Yes Minister," Bones replied. "But I need to secure Azkaban as well."
"Of course," Fudge said. "Dispatch your Aurors to the prison."
"Yes Minister," Bones turned to begin issuing orders.
Arthur Weasley was tucked into the shadows on level nine. He had the duty tonight to make certain none of Voldemort's followers penetrated the Department of Mysteries.
His attention shifted when he heard the elevator lift open. Four Aurors swept into the hallway moving diligently checking every nook and cranny. It would only be a few moments before they found Arthur in his hiding place. He had little choice. He stepped out of the shadows and began to walk casually towards the Aurors.
"What are you doing down here?" one the Aurors demanded the moment he saw the man approaching them. Arthur was surprised when all four turned towards him. Their wands were drawn. Something had them on edge.
"Just stretching my legs," Arthur replied. "Been working all day. Needed to get away from my desk."
"Who are you and where do you work?" the Auror demanded.
"Arthur Weasley, Misuse of Muggle Artifacts," Arthur answered.
"You need to return to your desk immediately. The Ministry is under full lockdown until further notice," the Auror informed him. "Barbary, Rastrock escort Mr. Weasley back to his office. Horton and I will finish securing this level."
"Yes Sir," came the quick reply. "Mr. Weasley if you will come with us."
Arthur was trapped. There was no way and no time to contact another member of the Order to watch over the Department of Mysteries. But he had no other choice but to go with the Aurors. Raising a fuss now would accomplish nothing. Hopefully they would leave him alone once he was back at his office so he could contact the Order and let them know what was going on. The Department of Mysteries should be secure for tonight. With Aurors prowling the halls the Death Eaters wouldn't be able to get in.
He nodded his head and allowed the Aurors to lead him away.
Voldemort watched as Weasley was led away. Perfect, he thought.
He glided out of the shadows and returned to his human form. The two Aurors that remained turned as he approached. The leader bowed his head.
"Master," he said. "Fudge has done as you predicted. No will allowed unto this floor until you leave."
"Excellent," Voldemort said. "Report precisely what I tell you to report. I will only need a few minutes."
With that he turned back towards the entrance to the Department of Mysteries. Bypassing the security was straight forward. Within minutes he was in the Hall of Prophecies. He could feel the anticipation. The last variable, the only knowledge still hidden from him would soon be in his grasp. Soon the last uncertainty would be removed and he would be free to remake the world.
He found the orb. He saw his title along with the name of the Potter boy. A moment of confusion crossed his features at the question mark in front of Potter's name. He reached out and grasped the orb and listened to the Prophecy.
Harry Potter had not been sleeping well at all for the past month.
Remus was dead. That was all he knew. Dumbledore had told him along with Hermione and Ron late one night in his office. For the first time in Harry's memory Dumbledore had seemed human, smaller, weaker. Remus' death seemed to pain Dumbledore almost as much as it did Harry. Ron and Hermione were just as bad off.
School was miserable. Umbridge's constant harassment. The detentions. The suspicious looks from most of the students. He was banned from Quidditch for life, so even that small piece of happiness was denied him. Only the DA kept him going. He was surprised to find how much he enjoyed teaching.
But Remus was gone. He knew Remus would have been proud of the job he was doing in the DA. Harry had so wanted to talk to him about it. To get his suggestions for additional lessons. After all, most of what Harry was teaching was coming directly from the lessons Remus had given him. But he would never get that chance now.
Harry still didn't know what happened. Dumbledore said he would explain everything during Christmas break. But Harry knew it must have been Voldemort that did it. He had taken one of the few remaining links left to his parents.
Harry was going to make him pay.
Sleep came in fitful starts and stops. But now he had had finally drifted and was dreaming.
He could feel something. Anticipation, excitement. In his minds eye he saw a long hallway leading to a door. He passed through the door with ease. Soon he was in a room. Shelves towered towards the high ceiling.
The shelves were lined with globes. Each one giving off a light glow. There were labels with names under each of them. The feeling of anticipation grew as moved through the shelves. He knew nothing could stop him now. An answer he had been searching for would soon be in his possession.
Soon he was staring down at one of the globes. Written on the label beneath it was "S.P.T. to A.P.W.B.D. – Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter." His hand reached out and for the first time Harry realized it wasn't his hand. It was thin and boney. Long delicate fingers grasped the globe and pulled it pulled it closer. Harry began to hear words being spoken.
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
Elation spread through him. The answer. Harry could feel the excitement. The hand raised up the globe and smashed it on the ground. His other arm swept out holding his wand. Lightening flashed out. The orbs lining the shelves around him shattered.
At that moment Harry felt as if he were looking through another set of eyes.
Surprise then hatred flowed towards him. Hatred and then laughter. He knew that laugh.
Voldemort.
Voldemort's voice flowed through his mind. "I have you now boy. The last secret is mine. The Muggle-loving fool has given me all I need."
Harry's shot up from his bed. He was sweating. The hatred was still pouring through him. He could feel what Voldemort felt. The echo of Voldemort's laughter lingered in his mind.
Harry screamed.