"I'm going to go and find Blaise," Draco mumbled once the train had picked up speed. Harry rolled his eyes at the other boy. "Honestly Draco, just because were going back to Hogwarts, doesn't mean things need to go back to the way they were. We don't need to keep hating each other. Stop being such a prat and help me find an empty compartment."
"You find the compartment, I'll find Blaise and meet you. I can't leave Blaise to fend for himself when Parkinson comes knocking. Don't worry, Potter. I won't leave you alone. We'll hold hands along the way, okay?" Draco teased but his eyes were grateful. He ducked just in time to avoid Harry's shove before walking away.
Harry didn't find an empty compartment but he did find Hermione sitting in one of them. She was the only occupant. "Where's Ron?" Harry asked as he sat down. "Ron and the twins hid Percy's head boy badge and now they are hiding from Percy."
Ten minutes later, Draco found Harry's compartment and slid inside with another boy in tow. "Granger," Draco nodded at Hermione before gesturing towards the other boy. "Potter, Granger— Blaise Zabini." The new boy seemed far more cheerful than Draco and surprisingly friendly for a Slytherin. He smiled at the duo and waved cheerily. They'd all get along just fine.
"So tell me, Granger, have you already learnt all the textbooks by heart?" Draco smirked at Hermione, completely ignoring her glare. "Of course not! I've merely gone through them and gotten a gist of this year's curriculum."
"Of course, how foolish of me. Do forgive me, milady." Harry observed their exchange with a fond smile. Truth be told, he was surprised by how well the two of them got along now. One could forget that they had spent the last two years despising each other. He only hoped Ron and Draco would eventually get along.
"Where's your luggage?" Harry asked. Neither Draco nor Blaise had brought their trunks with them. Draco shrugged carelessly. "Crabbe and Goyle will see to the heavy lifting. It's the one thing those two oafs are good at." Hermione glared at him disapprovingly but didn't say anything.
"Harry, did Sirius tell you anything about the new professor?" Harry struggled to hide his smile at Hermione's question. He'd known that his father knew the identity of the new professor After a lot of begging, he'd finally managed to get Sirius to reveal the name of the new DADA teacher. "Not a clue."
Their compartment door was suddenly thrown open and Percy Weasley stepped inside, his face as red as his hair. "Where are they? Those good-for-nothing buffoons! I swear I'll skin each one of them alive!"
"I need my head boy badge! I told Penelope that I'd meet her and now I'm getting la—"
"There not here, Weasley. If we do see them, we'll be sure to send them your way," Draco drawled sarcastically. Fortunately, the red head didn't notice the sarcasm and merely nodded before walking away.
About an hour later, Ron poked his head into their compartment, along with the twins. When there was no sign of his enraged older brother, the three of them slid inside. Ron scowled when he noticed Draco but didn't say anything about it.
"Wonder what's in store for us this year," Hermione mused. "I think it's going to be one very boring, uneventful year."
Oh Harry.
"So, Auror Black, you're telling me that Bellatrix Lestrange escaped from Azkaban last night? That she successfully got past the dementors, a dozen aurors without either of them noticing a single thing?" Sirius resisted the urge to sock the minister in the face.
He must have answered this question at least thrice. "Yes, Fudge. That's exactly what I'm telling you." He shared a brief glance with Amelia Bones, head of the DMLE. She was also getting equally frustrated by the minister's idiocy. It seemed as though the two of them were the only sensible ones in the room.
"How did this happen? How is it that one woman managed to get past all those defences without alerting anyone?"
"That's exactly what I was trying to find out before you urgently called me in. How am I supposed to do my job if you don't let me work in peace? If you will just stop panicking and allow me to get back to work, I'll deliver the answers to you on a silver platter."
He didn't have time to sit around, arguing with the members of the Wizengamot now.
Fudge wasn't smart enough to catch the sarcasm in Sirius' words. "Very well."
"Now, Fudge, I don't think I need to ask this of you but it would be best if we kept quiet regarding this matter," Bones advised. "The moment the public comes to know about this, they'll panic."
Fudge coughed nervously at that. "Uh... Amelia, I'm afraid it's a little too late for that. I already told me secretary to notify the Prophet regarding Lestrange's escape."
Great. Just great. The day just kept getting better and better.
He could imagine the news splashed across the front page. He'd have to talk to Narcissa about this.
How could she have escaped? While Sirius had been in Azkaban, his cell had been near Bella's. As far as he could remember, she'd shown no inclination to escape. In fact, whenever he'd seen her, she had always been mumbling to herself or licking the bars of her cell.
Why would she keep quiet all these years, only to suddenly escape one fine day? Something was going on here and he needed to get to the bottom of this as fast as possible.
"Auror Black, are you certain that you don't know anything about Lestrange's flight? After all, blood is thicker than water." The words were followed be a small, dry cough. Sirius stiffened at the implication and turned to glare at the offender. "Excuse me?"
The person in question was an ugly, middle-aged toad faced woman. She was dressed in pink robes and a horrendous pink cardigan on top. Dolores Umbridge, the minister's secretary.
"You will do well to remember your place, Dolores. Such accusations can cost you dearly." This came from Amelia who looked almost as offended as Sirius.
The old toad smiled at Sirius. "I'm sorry if I offended you, Auror Black. It was a mere observation."
"Then I'm afraid to say that you're observational skills are off." Sirius' tone was deadly and everyone shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Sirius mentally counted to ten, trying to rein his temper. "Look, none of us know how she escaped, alright? That's what we're all trying to understand. So, until then, I suggest that you all let me do my job while you attend to yours. Good day."
Sirius left the conference room without any further greeting and no one stopped him. For the life of him, he couldn't understand why she'd chosen to escape now. Why? After all this time?
Sirius didn't know where to begin. There were just so many questions. Why? How? Had someone helped? Was there a traitor in the department? He needed answers and he needed them fast. Now that the minister and his toad-faced secretary had gone and blabbed the Prophet, the news would be out in the open tomorrow. The public was going to panic big time.
No one said the job was going to be easy.
Harry, Ron, Blaise, Draco and Hermione got off the train and into a carriage. Fred and George had gone off to find their friend Lee Jordan.
"Angelina told me that Professor Mcgonagall conducts a surprise test any time in the first week back. So, word of advice, boys, be prepared."
While Harry and Draco rolled their eyes, the Italian inclined his head at Hermione. "Yes, ma'am." Ron mumbled something unintelligible through a mouthful of chocolate.
When the carriages arrived at Hogwarts, the five of them walked together before parting to sit at their respective tables. So far, no one had said anything to Draco and that's how Harry wanted it to stay. The blond had changed for the better in the past month.
Once all the students were settled, Dumbledore stood to make his customary welcome-back speech. "It gives me great pleasure to see all of you back here, after a break. First years, I welcome you to Hogwarts and as for the rest of you, welcome back. I am certain that most of you must have emptied your brains during the summer and now, it's time to refill them."
It was almost the same speech every year. "I am also immensely happy to welcome our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Please put your hands together and join me in welcoming Professor Remus Lupin."
All students clapped politely while Harry gave his friends a ear-splitting grin. "So you did know about the new Professor!" Hermione smacked his arm good-naturedly. "Ow! I couldn't ruin the surprise, could I?"
When the food appeared on the table, Ron was the first one to pile on drumsticks, gravy, beans and everything else within arms reach. When Hermione gave him a disgusted look, he merely shrugged. "I'm a growing boy, Mione."
After dinner, the students were directed back to their respective common rooms by the prefects. Percy had finally gotten his head boy badge back from the twins but it now read 'big-head boy' and needless to say, the bespectacled Weasley was furious at his younger brothers.
"I'm going to go and meet Remus," Harry said. He had a certain job to do, something Sirius had ordered him to do.
He made his way to the Defence quarters and found himself in front of the portrait. "Password?"
"You know me! I came here all the time. You can let me in you know." The portrait of Vindictus grumbled. "Just this one time, boy. You had better know the password the next time."
Harry found Remus and his dad inside. He was pleasantly surprised to see Sirius. The two men were talking about something that was obviously serious. They noticed him and Sirius smiled at him but Harry knew the man well enough to be able to tell that the smile was strained.
"What's wrong, Dad?"
"Just something at work." Harry got the feeling there was more to it but he knew that Sirius wasn't going to say anything more. "Well don't worry about it," he said, moving to sit on the arm of Sirius' chair. "I know you'll find a way to deal with whatever is wrong."
The man reached up and ruffled his hair. "I hope you're right, kiddo." He then stood up. "I'll be leaving now. You make sure to do what I've told you and eat properly." He lightly tweaked Harry's nose, much to the boy's chagrin. "Goodnight, pup."
"Night, Dad."
Once Sirius left, Harry turned to Remus. "I'm guessing that you won't tell me either? The new professor smiled at him apologetically. "You'll find out on your own tomorrow."
"Great, that completely satisfies my curiosity."
Bellatrix Lestrange escapes Azkaban!
Only two nights ago, infamous death eater and You Know Who's most loyal follower escaped the secure prison of Azkaban! The aurors are as baffled as the rest of us.
How did this prisoner escape the clutches of the dementors and the aurors?
Lestrange is known for her ruthlessness and cruelty that seems to rival that of the late Orion Black himself. Lestrange, along with three others was convicted eleven years ago for using the Cruciatus Curse on Aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom.
With the deaths of nearly two hundred people, wizards and muggles alike, this woman has escaped! The world isn't safe anymore. She could be anywhere, disguised as anyone. No one can be trusted anymore.
The Aurors are yet to give us a proper report of Lestange's escape. Head of the Auror Department, Sirius Black, has yet to give a public statement regarding this disaster that has occurred.
We hope to see Lestrange back in her rightful place in Azkaban as soon as possible.
So this is what is dad was worried about.
Harry put the paper down and looked over at Neville who had turned pale. He never knew about Neville's parents, no one did. Sirius had never mentioned it but Harry was sure that the man had known the other boy's parents.
The other person who looked equally bad was Draco. He tried to get the blond's attention but Draco didn't look up at him. What had gotten Draco so worried? He didn't know much about this Lestrange person other than the fact that she was Sirius' deranged cousin.
Professor Mcgonagall went around handing out timetables to the students and as usual, the Gryffindors and Slytherins had all their lessons together.
Unlike other years, this time, Harry was glad.
All students were talking only about Lestrange's escape and nothing else. The Great Hall was filled with hushed whispers and tension.
"All students will calm down!" Dumbledore stood up to address the hall. "No matter what happens, you are all safe here at Hogwarts, that I can promise. Students, there is no need to worry. No harm shall come to you whilst you are within these walls."
While his words weren't that reassuring, the whispers ceased as the students began to file out of the Great Hall and to their respective lessons.
The first subject for the third years was Transfiguration. Harry caught up with Draco and Blaise on the way. Crabbe and Goyle were no where in sight and Harry was thankful.
"You alright? You look horrible." Blaise nodded in agreement and nudged the blond's shoulder. "See? I told you that you look like the back end of a toad."
"Shut up, both of you. I'm fine." But he wasn't.
If the other students noticed Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy walked together and not trying to tear each other's heads off, they didn't say anything. They were all too worried about something more important.
Transfiguration was alright. Mcgonagall collected their homework and the Hogsmeade permission slips.
Potions as usual was less than pleasant but nothing too unbearable. Snape went around the class, criticising everyone's potions but that day, he left Neville alone.
Draco was one step away from being miserable. His mad aunt had somehow managed to escape from Azkaban and he didn't know what to do. He wasn't sure why it bothered him so much but it did.
That blasted woman didn't even know him. He'd only recently found out the truth about his mother's sister and was more than a little disconcerted.
He tossed in his head bed and forced himself to fall asleep. Quidditch trials took place the next day and he had to make the team. He hadn't forgotten Regulus' words.
The next day, Draco pushed through the lessons, trying to forget that his deranged aunt was out there somewhere.
After lessons, he went down to the pitch with his broom, for the Quidditch tryouts. Harry had nearly threatened him that if he didn't make the team, he would have to do the other boy's Potions homework for the rest of the year.
Other than a few new faces, the usual people people were there: Pucey, Warrington, Derrick, Bole, Bletchley and of course the captain: Marcus Flint.
"Malfoy," the captain sauntered over to him and raised his eyebrows in greeting. "Flint."
"I heard about your father." And so it begins. Draco inwardly groaned but made sure that his face betrayed nothing. "I just wanted to say that I give a rat's arse. If you're willing to work your arse off and make sure Slytherin wins, then we're good. Besides, you did let us keep the brooms."
So maybe he hadn't given Flint enough credit. The bloke was obsessed with Quidditch, nearly as much as that crazy Gryffindor captain. Of course he cared about nothing else. "Then I guess we don't have a problem."
"Brilliant. Mount up."
The tryouts were bloody fantastic.
That was the only description he had for it. He might not be as great as Harry but Draco was good. He didn't know where this newfound vigour and determination was coming fromsure as hell was better than Ryan, D'Cruz and half a dozen of the others who had come to try out for the Seeker's spot.
This time, the Seeker's spot was his. Truly his. No one had bribed the team with the latest broom in the market. He had earned it.
"Congratulations, mate." Flint slapped him on the back before turning to address the rest of the team. "Listen up! We play our first game of the year against Gryffindor in three weeks! I'm not losing to them this time. Practice is at seven in the morning on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Don't be late. Dismissed."
As Draco made his way back to the castle, he felt loads better. He had to write back to his mum as well as to Regulus. He knew that the man would be expecting a letter from him. Then, he'd find Potter and give him the good news.
Maybe things wouldn't be all that bad after all.
Since Harry was at Hogwarts, Sirius worked late. Besides, there was a mad prisoner out there. He needed to find her as soon as possible. Many knew what Bella was capable of but Sirius knew better than most.
She was vicious, heartless, cold-blooded and now that she'd spent a decade in Azkaban, those qualities would have only been intensified. While her father Cygnus Black was more humane than his brother Orion, Bellatrix had trained under Orion's cruelty and malice. She was what one would call; his number one student. She was his favourite.
Sirius remembered the things that she'd taught him when he had been a child.
He was snapped out of his unpleasant train of thought when the door to his office was thrown open. It was obviously Regulus. None of the other Aurors would dare to try something like that.
"Draco made the team!" His brother all but yelled the words, thrusting a parchment nearly in Sirius' face. He took the proffered letter and held it at little distance away so that he may actually read it.
"That's great, Reg." He looked at his brother who was almost bouncing excitedly. "I knew that the kid could do it!" Sirius was pretty sure that his little brother was happier than Draco himself. Those two had grown quite close during the summer.
"So I suppose you'll have to make good of your promise now and take him out?"
Regulus nodded resolutely. "Absolutely. I'll write back right now. I'm going to go home now. Are you coming or will you take longer?"
Sirius shook his head. "I'll come home in an hour or so. You go on ahead, Reg."
Sirius watched his brother leave before getting up to go and get some coffee. It was going to be a long night.
And that's Chapter 42. Bella is not far off. She's coming for the boys and it's going to be intense. Read and review this chapter right here while I go and work on the next one, guys!
Also, check out my other story 'Scars' which I recently wrote.