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I do not own Harry Potter.

Werewolf in Diagon Alley

By Rita Skeeter

As many of you may know from other articles Lord Harry Potter-Black is bringing a new business to Diagon Alley. The Prongs Pub, set to open this Summer, has been quite a bit of excitement around it thus far but is something lurking in the background? Remus Lupin is set to be the manager but besides being a family friend of Lord Harry Potter-Black he is a registered werewolf.

Upon learning this I of course informed Lord Potter-Black but he assured me he was well aware of the fact before offering this position. Now as he grew up among Muggles, I did advise the young Lord of the dangers being around a werewolf.

"When I was informed werewolves were real and not a muggle fable, I was surprised." Lord Potter-Black informed me. "However, I take nothing at face value and did my research, I am aware of the dangers of werewolves but in all the records and books available I've yet to find a case when anyone was infected with lycanthrope outside of a full moon." Lord Potter-Black and Remus Lupin himself assure he will be out for extended periods during full moons in an undisclosed location to ensure no one is in danger.

I of course followed up on the statement by Lord Potter-Black and agree I could find no cases of infection outside of a changed werewolf during the full moon. However, many of us remember the fierce Greyback and his ilk, men and woman who embrace the affliction and spread it when they can. The Ministry has created several laws regarding werewolves, though in recent history we have seen the previous Ministry make mistakes and be twisted by corrupt individuals.

Is Remus Lupin dangerous? It is hard to say; it is confirmed Remus Lupin was already afflicted when he started Hogwarts, yet no one was ever reported bitten in those years. Sirius Black and James Potter were as close as could be to the man and neither were werewolves themselves. Are werewolves as dangerous as we have been led to believe of could Remus Lupin simply be the exception to what we know of werewolves?

I am no expert so I honestly could not say what is the truth and what is not. If you truly are curious, I advise you to write to our Ministry to investigate these questions and get to the real truth.

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Remus sighed as he folded the paper up and laid it on the desk, he shouldn't have been surprised that someone found out and informed the prophet. He had warned Harry something like this would happen but of course he had waived it off as nothing, Remus just hoped it would be alright. Harry was smart and had grand ideas unlike most his age but he worried Harry didn't understand how closeminded the Wizarding World could be. Either way Sirius and he were on board for this venture, Harry's business skills were in a class even above some adults but seeing how intelligent his parents were Remus hadn't been to surprised.

"The Wizarding Worlds closeminded behavior was also how things like this could come into being though." Remus thought. "There are hundreds of pubs in the Muggle World to watch sports on the tele, Harry was brilliant to use his pull to build this and start bringing the Muggle World into the Wizarding one." He couldn't wait to see what other ideas Harry brought in; he was already thinking of a few things to bring up to Harry once the pub was running smoothly.

A knock on the door made him look up. "Yes?"

Peaking his head in was Arthur, a young muggleborn who had been hired as the bar manager. "Sir do you have a moment?"

Remus sighed and waved him in. "How many have quit?" Since the article had come out a day ago, they had four people quit.

Arthur smiled. "Actually, it's the exact opposite." That surprised Remus. "We have quite the line forming of people who would like to apply."

Remus blinked as he processed the information. "They want to apply knowing their superior is a werewolf?"

Arthur nodded. "I would hazard a guess that they themselves are muggleborn or werewolves, people needing work but can't find it easily."

He nodded at that, though he wanted to hire werewolves because he knew the struggles they faced he knew that could create more problems and possibly keep people from coming. "Well we do need to fill four more spots so I guess I can begin interviewing. Though could you get and owl, I should check in with Harry."

"Yes sir." Arthur replied as he walked out the door, Remus smiled lightly. Arthur was a good man; he was surprised by the news but seemed normal around Remus and he was grateful for that. Remus tossed that paper into the bin and looked back at the papers on his desk, he would need to clean it up before conducting any interviews.

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Harry hummed as he looked over the document Tiberius Ogden had sent him, the man had many connections and while he did not have much interest in politics he seemed to like to keep in good standing with as many people as possible. It was called the Anti-Werewolf Legislation, proposed by Dolores Umbridge, and would make it even more difficult for were wolves to find employment. Currently they simply could not own a business, the negative feelings people had about werewolves kept most from finding jobs. This bill would make it so werewolves could not even be employed and were by law required to register themselves with the Department of Magical Creatures and include their location before every full moon. It was written to sound like a safety issue, but Harry could read it how it was really meant, a way to bar and possibly hunt werewolves down.

He was going to help fight it of course but very few people would care in the Wizengamont, the Dark faction would vote yes simply to put "lesser" people in their place. The Grey most likely would because it would make their families feel safer, whether it was true or not. "What could swing it my way." Harry mumbled and looked out the window. After a few seconds he sighed and scratched his head. "I should be focusing on the Horcrux, not this stupid issue. I need to find a way to get into the Lestrange vault, breaking in won't…." Harry paused in his thoughts and his eyes slowly widened, with a grin he ran to the floo.

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"I'm sorry what?" Michael said as he looked at Harry wide eyed, Sarah had a shocked look on her face as well.

"I need to break someone out of Azkaban." Harry repeated. "I figure you know how to break out of a jail or can find someone who does."

Michael looked to Sarah, yes, they had taught Harry how to be a criminal but that was a bit extreme and not something they had ever talked about. In Michael's opinion if someone got caught, they should do the time and not rat out the organization. "Who could you possible need out of there?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange." Harry answered and Sarah dropped her drink.

"What?" She whispered. "You can't be serious; she was one of if not the most dangerous Death Eater of them all." She shook her head. "These years in Azkaban could only have made her worse and why would she do anything to help you?"

"Sarah's right." Michael replied. "She would kill you on the spot."

"Not if I convince her I am actually Voldemort." That stopped both flat. "I have his memories, I can easily find moments with Bellatrix and convince her I am Voldemort, that I took over Harry Potter. She would be putty in my hands."

Michael and Sarah stared at him, then each other, then back at him. "Why…just why?" Michael couldn't understand the need for it.

"One of the Horcrux is located in the Lestrange family vault so I need one of them." Harry replied. "From what I know she would be the most resourceful of the three Lestrange's plus I could cause a bit of stress to the Malfoy's." Harry smirked, it was a bit petty, but he was still a child in some ways.

Sarah shook her head. "I want nothing to do with this." She started to walk out. "Harry you are very dear to me but this is a bit insane, just please be careful." Harry frowned as she came and hugged him. "I just can't deal with this and it's best if I don't know more." Taking a breath, she headed towards the stairs.

"Don't worry." Michael said as he walked to the bar on the wall. "She's done the same with me, she can deal with a good bit but real violence is tough for her." He made himself a drink and waved Harry towards a chair. "I'm sure you know no one has ever escaped from Azkaban, along with being unplotted it also has dementors guarding it."

"Yes, but I also doubt a magical prison is prepared for muggle methods." Harry answered. "And despite being unplotted there is a way find it." Harry had been curious, and Sirius told him of the special charmed compasses used by Auror's.

Michael took a drink. "Alright, so you can find it. Next get around un-noticed by guards and dementors, not to mention finding the right cell and not being affected by the dementors."

Harry nodded. "I never thought it would be easy, if I can figure some of the problems out though we just might be able to pull it off." Michael took another drink and began to swirl it as he looked at Harry.

"She caused a lot of deaths you know." Harry nodded to him. "Personally, I think if you get pinched you should do your time, but this isn't my call. Shouldn't be hard to find a man but it'll be hard to explain everything without mentioning magic and before you think about it." Michael cut in as he saw Harry open his mouth. "Obliterating them would make more issues because they would be sure people knew they were helping with a job. Can't just suddenly forget and I doubt they would brush it off as nothing."

"Damn." Harry muttered. "Fine, I'll figure out a way."

Michael nodded. "So, you figure out all the info and bring it to me so we can see how to present it to someone."

"Alright." Harry answered. "I think I might know a way to find some of it out." Michael gave him a questioning look. "I am Lord Black; I will try to force her to give up any Death Eaters the previous Ministry missed."

"Hmmm…not a bad reason to see her." Michael said as he drummed his fingers on the bar. "The guards will be with you though."

"I'm sure they will give a Lord his privacy." Harry replied with a wave. "Doubt they would want to be around her anyway." Michael grunted and took a drink. "I will go and start working on my end, I'll come by when I have some information for you."

"Alright." Michael said and placed his drink down, he walked around to Harry and placed his hands on the boy's shoulders. "Harry, we taught you a lot, most to survive but some for personal gain. Don't go down this road to far though, even I regret some of the things I've had to do."

Harry was surprised by that. "I know this sounds crazy, but I have a plan, and if she gets to out of control, I'll take her down."

Michael sighed but nodded. "Alright, just be careful alright?"

"Will do." Harry answered with a grin.

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Getting permission to speak with Bellatrix was not easy, despite his reasoning Fudge and Bones were very nervous about allowing him to go. He had not told Sirius; he was sure the man would have been against it and gone with him when Harry ignored him.

Harry examined the giant building as they sailed closer, he could almost feel the despair rolling from it. "So, this is Azkaban."

"Yes sir." Harry looked back at the guard who had come to pick him up, Fudge wanted to send Auror's with him, but Harry had told him not to. He did so more because he doubted, they would give him privacy, at least not as easily as he imagined a guard would. "It's a terrible place."

"I agree." Harry replied. "I commend you on working here, it must take a strong man to be able to do it."

The man seemed to puff up at that. "Aye Lord Potter-Black, not an easy job but we keep the prisoners in line." Harry gave the man a smile and nod before turning back. He could spy the dock, on it were three men waiting for them. Two were in the standard Auror uniform but the middleman was in a nicer looking one with a jacket under his robe.

"Lord Potter-Black." The man said with a smile. "Warden Victor Conner at your service." Harry took the offered hand out of the boat. "I must say in my time as the warden this is the most unusual request we have received." Harry could see the underlying nervousness in him.

"I'm quite sure." Harry replied. "I due thank you for honoring it, I truly hope I will be able to help give some solace to people who lost loved ones."

Victor nodded and gestured towards the prison's entrance. "Well I wish you luck but…well, Bellatrix Lestrange was not one of the sanest witches before she came here."

"I understand and hold no expectations." Harry answered, keeping his eyes moving and studying everything. "I have been warned of course of her sanity, I do not doubt what I've been told but perhaps this new loss of mentality might make her slip and reveal something to me."

The warden hummed. "Possibly, I guess we shall see."

Harry started to reply when he felt his mental shield flare up, he staggered slightly from the sudden intrusion. "Are you alright Lord Potter-Black?" Someone asked him.

"Yes just a small headache." Harry replied and looked around for who could be attacking him, were they hidden as he was not looking at any of the three men with him.

"Dementors." He heard the warden say. "Get them the fuck back, I apologize my Lord. They were not supposed to be around our path." Harry nodded as the pressure faded. "Damn beasts, always trying to get some fresh prey."

Harry righted himself. "I'm fine now."

The warden looked him over and nodded. "Wendel go get a mug of hot chocolate for Lord Potter-Black just to be safe." The man ran off. "Chocolate helps the effects of Dementors my Lord."

Harry opened his mouth to reject the offer but stopped. "You of course have far more knowledge on the subject than I." The warden looked pleased. "Perhaps we can continue on our way?"

"Of course, Wendel knows where were going." Victor took the lead as they began their trek again.

They walked a few flights, down a hall and then up more stairs. Harry guessed the construction was to keep any possible escapee from finding their way out, it had worked so far after all. Finally they came to a door and the warden looked to him. "Here she is."

Harry nodded. "I would like some privacy as well." Both men looked at him alarmed.

"Impossible!" The warden all but shouted. "She's a killer my Lord, despite her lack of a wand she could easily overpower you and take yours. I doubt she would even need half a second to consider killing you with it as well."

Harry held up a hand. "I am aware, but more people would just make it harder for me to speak with her." Harry shifted his eyes to make himself look nervous, he gestured for the warden to lean into him. "Sir, while I do not know the legality of it the Blacks had a few spells that made the family more…cooperative to the Head of House." Harry whispered to him.

"Ah." The warden nodded as he stood back up, stroking his chin in thought. "We family magics are mostly covered under the law.. and she is a convicted Death Eater." He looked at the Auror still with them, the man seemed to understand as he nodded and moved down the hall. "I ask you to still remain vigilant."

"Of course, I am no fool Warden Conner." Harry replied.

The man nodded and then opened the sliding window. "Lestrange wake up." He barked and hit the door. "You've a visitor." He unlocked the door and slowly opened it. "Yell if you need anything." He said before turning and walking to the other end of the hall.

Harry took a breath before opening the door, a small cot and bucket in the corner was all that the room housed. He inspected Bellatrix as she rose from the bed, she was filthy and he robe was tattered and dirty as well. Her hair was a tangled mess and long, down to her chest now but possibly longer if cleaned. ''Well who came to visit dear old me?" She inspected Harry as he closed the door.

"Of course, you wouldn't recognize me my dear Bella." Harry said as quietly as he thought he could while still being heard. "Why it's been close to thirteen years."

She let out a little giggle. "And who are you? Your hair is not blonde like my ickle Draky so I know your not him." She was curious but Harry could see the predator in her ready to strike.

"It's not who I am on the outside but in here." Harry replied while pointing to his head than heart. "And to answer that we have to go back, around eighteen years, when a bright-eyed strong woman was brought before me." Bella frowned as Harry smiled. "Oh, you were strong even then, others cowered or looked nervous, but you stood tall and looked me in the eyes as we spoke. You didn't even flinch when I used the Cruciatus Curse on that fool Marcus, the nerve…" Harry was suddenly slammed against the wall by the witch, her eyes wide and a snarl on her face.

"How do you know about that?" He hissed at him. "Who are you?"

It took a second for Harry to get his bearings, then he smiled. "Bella, bella, bella. Did you really think a child could stop me?" She gasped and let him go. "Was it the original plan? No, far from it but when problems arise one is forced to use a contingency."

"M-m-my Lord?" She almost whispered, Harry smiled and placed his hand on her cheek.

"Who else could it possibly be dear Bella?" Harry smirked at her. "Did I not always say that I fear nothing, not even death?"

"Of course." Bella breathed out. "I just.. we didn't know this is what you meant."

"If I had wanted you to know I would have told you, wouldn't I?" Harry said as he straightened his robe. "But that's beside the point." Harry waved it off. "I am here for one reason and one reason alone." Harry placed his hand back on her cheek. "Bellatrix, for always staying true to me I am going to reward you with your freedom from this place." Her eyes widened. "It will take a bit of patience on your part, and some acting but hopefully in a few weeks you will be free, and we can begin making moves against those who betrayed me."

It took a second for it all to sink in but soon Bellatrix began to cackle. "Anything for you my Lord."

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It took weeks, Harry made more trips to Azkaban to speak with her and learn more of the prison. Harry used his memories along with Bellatrix help to pick some low-level Death Eaters that were never caught and tired. It legitimized his visits while also letting Fudge and Bones get some good publicity for finding Death Eaters still living among the populace, a few even worked in the Ministry.

Michael had found people with experience in breaking out of a prison, with the knowledge they could give them they were given many different plans. Harry and Michael and looked over many and patched together a good plan that they had implemented already. With the new arrests Harry had people spreading word around, from the group he had hired for the island job, that Death Eaters were unhappy and starting to gather again. He was sure someone would spread that to the Ministry, from their Harry had stolen a hair sample from Wendel during a visit.

Getting to the ships was not difficult, the Ministry had no guards around them due to not thinking someone would want them. So at midnight one Saturday Harry snuck into the docks and took off with one, he waited until he was close to the prisons dock before he drank the Polyjuice potion, when the guard on the dock approached Harry quickly stunned him and took his wand. Reaching into his pocket Harry took out and unshrank the broom he had brought, getting on he kicked off and flew around the prison.

He grinned when he saw the white cloth covered bars of Bellatrix room, he had snuck the clean bright sheets in on one trip. While not positive Harry hoped wizard and witches would not think someone would try to break into such a high room from the outside. Flying to it Harry grabbed onto one of the bars. "Bella my dear, are you ready to see the world again?"

A few seconds later and the witch was grinning at him through the window. "Yes Master."

"Good, step back." Harry hovered a few feet back and pulled his wand out. "Acidum" A jet of green liquid flew from his wand and let out a hiss as it splashed against the metal bars. With the winds it took a bit of skill to aim at the base only but within minutes he stopped, and Bella moved to the window.

"It's working master." She said with glee before moving back, Harry continued the work for half an hour before they finally could remove the bars.

Putting his wand away Harry reached out his hand. "Come Bella, let us be rid of this prison forever." Pulling herself up, which took some effort to her muscle loss from being in prison, she took his hand. Swinging onto the back of the broom she wrapped her arms around Harry tightly.

"I'm ready Master." She whispered into his ear as Harry moved back towards the boat.