Chapter 3: Durzkaban and the Escape

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any characters or places from the series they all belong to J. K Rowling. Any similarities with other fanfiction is not intentional, there's just too many pieces of work for any idea not to exist out there somewhere.

AN: thanks to narugirl2003 thanks for Beta'ing this for me

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Title: RuneMaster- Author: Tigerman - Link: s/5077573

After one week in Durzkaban, Harry's chances of getting out of the Dursleys any sooner than last time were abysmal at best. They seemed to be keeping an even closer eye on him than usual with twice the amount of chores to do in a day. Fortunately, he had been able to read about halfway through the first book of his grimoire. He was thankful he had hid it under his clothes while on the express; the moment they had gotten home, he had been shoved upstairs and into his room without his trunk, hoping they had only locked it up, and not destroyed it.

The grimoire was the most amazing book he had ever seen let alone own. It wasn't that he couldn't buy one; he didn't want to see it destroyed by his uncle to "prevent its freakiness from spreading". The book worked like an indexing system, allowing the owner to read any book that had been copied into it. This was achieved by listing all the books contained, then simply saying which book you wished to read, this then switched the pages behind the Index to those from the book you asked for. Alternatively, press on the golden embossed book in the margin next to its title. The pages didn't change back until you selected a new book from the index, thus preventing accidental changes while reading.

So far, everything that the book said to do was basic courtesy when dealing with any wizard. If you want good service at Gringotts, all it took was to treat the Goblins with the same respect and courtesy you'd expect to receive. There were a few interesting greetings and how to address goblins in different positions, but nothing overly complex. Of course, only being about half of the way through the sub-book, 'Sword or Axe, a goblin compendium' by 'BladeClaw,' could have something to do with it.

Meanwhile in Azkaban

Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, was making his monthly inspection of the prison; walking past the cell containing the biggest known supporter of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Sirius Black.

"Hello Minister," came the raspy voice from the cell.

"Black, enjoying the view I hope," replied the minister.

"Not much else to do, though a spot of sun would be nice," enjoying the usual banter Sirius replied. Spotting the paper tucked under the minister's arm, appearing like he was about to move on, "Minister, have you finished with your paper? Oh, I do miss doing the crossword."

Sighing, he tossed the paper towards the cell, ensuring it landed just out of reach, and picked up the pace to get out of there before any other inmates got a bright idea. Luckily for Sirius, the last auror, a final year cadet if the robes were still the same, kicked the paper a few inches closer to his cell.

Waiting until they were gone, Sirius leapt across the cell, sticking his arm out the door, and snatching up the discarded paper. Disappearing back into the darkest corner of his cell, he waited for his eyes to adjust. Spotting the picture of the Weasley's on the front cover in Egypt, he thought to himself 'congratulations Arthur, about time something went right for your family'. He sat there reading through the paper trying to find any news about his godson. Sighing at reaching the end without finding anything, he flicked back a couple of pages and began solving the crossword…

Several hours later, he believed he had got it right, though he couldn't be sure, without being able to write any of the solutions in, it was all completed within his brain. 'If only Lilly and Moony could see me now,' he chuckled to himself as he closed the paper. Staring at the picture one last time, he noticed something small in the youngest boys' hands, looking closer, he couldn't believe it. Releasing an odd shout of joy and anger, "he's at Hogwarts!" Quickly realizing his mistake, he clamped his mouth shut and began to plot his escape.

Granger Residence

Hermione was suffering from a rare bout of confusion. The source of confusion was one of her best friends worried her. He had been rather distant since whatever had happened in the chamber, though at the same time he appeared to pay more attention to her. The most notable time was during the hug she sprung on him once she was un-petrified; he held her longer than she expected, and afterwards kept a tight hold on her hand as they sat having the feast. Sure, it was a little difficult to eat one handed, but it was oh-so-worth it!

She had, of course, noticed his shying away from physical contact only just the past year, continuing up until her petrification; people don't change that fast. Now, it was the summer holidays, and that meant hardly seeing him; which would make finding out even more difficult. Especially with their upcoming holiday to France, it wasn't that far, but it would further the distance for Hedwig to fly. If only he could come with them...not that his relatives would allow him near anything that could be considered relaxing or fun...

She could finally introduce him to her parents, and perhaps spending some time on one of the beaches in southern France would help capture his attention in the future. Giggling quietly to herself, she pulled some parchment towards the front of her desk to get started on one of her remaining essay's but which one… perhaps that History of Magic essay, and maybe a letter for Harry while she was at it.

Unbeknown to Hermione, her mother was listening outside her door, stealthily making her way back downstairs, she walked into the kitchen to make a coffee. Perhaps it was time to give her daughter the birds and bees talk, that way when it came time to asking her who she was giggling about would be so much more entertaining. Deciding that, she made way towards their library so she could gather the required materials, maybe that colour coded chart could come in handy from her university days.

"Hermione, could you please come down here for a bit?" she called up the stairs.
"Ok mum just let me finish this essay," was the reply she got.
"That's fine dear. I'm in the library."

It took her daughter a further 10 minutes to finish her essay and came down, plenty of time to organize how she was going to say this. After a thorough hour long discussion, she finally wrapped up the discussion. Oh how priceless the deep crimson blush was on her daughters' face. "So anything else you feel you need to know on the subject dear?" the blush got even darker.

"No, I don't think so." She squeakily replied; however, her mother wasn't letting up.

"Oh, so, you don't have any particular boy in mind for future appraisal?"

"Mother…"

"So, I don't need to convince your father to allow a friend to come along then?"

"Fine, I like...like...Harry! And, yes, I would like to be able to expand my options on where our relationship could go." After a brief pause, "There are you happy?" she huffed out.

"That's all I wanted to talk about for now, we've still got two weeks before we go. I'll see what I can do about your father." Sighing, that had taken quite a lot out of them both. Though it was for entirely different reasons, for her, it was mainly from trying to maintain a calm demeanour, and friendly affront; and not laughing at the lovely colours her daughter turned.

Considering how well she took that, maybe she could invite a friend to come on holiday with them; with parental permission of course, hopefully it wouldn't be the redhead boy...what's his face...Roy? Robert? Oh, that's right, Ronald, at least Harry wouldn't shout out as loud as possible down the phone. Remembering the incident not 2 days ago, apparently, he thought shouting was the only way for his message to be squeezed down the tiny pipe to reach their house. Honestly, she couldn't believe his father worked in the Department for Misuse of Muggle artefacts! How on earth could his son not know how to use a telephone if his own father had to know the difference between magically modified and normal was beyond her!

Though convincing her darling husband was going to be an excellent challenge, especially as the chances of it being a boy were two of two, she really did love a good challenge. Perhaps playing the angle of getting to know the boy her daughter was becoming interested in while he was too young to even have started thinking about intimate relations, would work.

Back at Durzkaban

Harry was struggling with the shame number of chores he was being given to do each day. 'How on earth can they still have so much to do?' he thought to himself. Glad day eight of this torture was over, he staggered up the stairs to his room, and collapsed onto his bed where he promptly passed out. Seeing the state of her client, Lilith decided he was going to need some help before he died again.

The next morning was busy in the Dursley household. After Vernon had finished eating, Harry went to take the plate away for washing; however, Vernon escorted him into the lounge. "Now listen here boy, you best behave yourself. Marge is coming five weeks early. She has to have her house fumigated. So, no funny business."

Deciding it had to be now or never, he asked, "Uncle Vernon, I have a parental permission form that requires your signature." Looking at his feet, he prayed Vernon would either sign it, or would offer up the same deal as last time. Harry waited patiently for the coming explosion… nothing...it hadn't happened! He looked up at Vernon, seeing his face wasn't purple with rage, he continued to wait.

"What's it for, boy?" finally came his reply.

"Permission to visit the nearby village," Harry said regretting being truthful immediately upon seeing the change in his uncle's face.

"We'll see. As long as you behave while your aunt Marge is here, then I'll sign it." Accepting the condition knowing the outcome, Harry returned to the kitchen/dining room to resume cleaning up. Finishing all of the chores for the day, Harry went up to his room to ensure it was tidy and anything that remained from the previous summer which could be classed as freakish was taken down to his old bedroom before cramming it into his trunk. He only left his new book out, and kept that under his pillow.

The rest of the week seemed to drag out, spending six hours straight out in the scorching hot summer sun, a day that would wear out most people. It was finally the day Marge had booked the exterminators, and he was not looking forward to her arrival; especially not Ripper. Oh, how Harry wished her dog would run out onto the road, and be hit by a car.

As the hour of doom approached, he was heralded into the house to clean-up before making the four course dinner for the family; of which he would be lucky to get even a full plate combining all of his portions. Although, at least, he got to eat at the table when Marge was there; if only she could be little & besmirch both him and his parents.

Later that evening, everyone was drinking tea, or in the case of Vernon and Marge a strong bandy, with their delicately prepared meal. During the news broadcast they announced the escape of a known murderer, "Black is known to be armed and dangerous," on the screen was a picture of Sirius Black. Hearing his uncle complaining about them not mentioning where he broke out from, Harry decided to help his uncle settle his nerves, or perhaps that should be make even more anxious. "Uncle Vernon, can I speak with you for a moment in the other room?"

Begrudgingly moving through to the lounge, Vernon shut the door. "What is it, boy?" He drawled. "Well I thought you might like to know Sirius Black broke out of Azkaban, that's wizard prison." Seeing Vernon's startled look, Harry added, "first known escape, too." Seeing Vernon was about to faint, quietly laughing in his head, Harry walked out to the kitchen.

Seeing Harry come back by himself, Petunia walked through to the lounge. Seeing Vernon in a near catatonic state, she rushed back out to the kitchen, "What the hell did you do to him freak?" She shrieked. "Nothing Aunt Petunia, just told him some more about that escaped murderer." Seeing a 'you better explain' look, he shook his head and motioned towards Marge. Noticing her eyes widening, he hoped she understood.

However, Marge wasn't happy with the lack of explanation, got up, and made her way towards Harry. "You better tell me what you did boy, or else you'll find yourself living out in the gutter." Standing firm, Harry replied, "I'm sorry but it's against the law for me to tell you." Sneering at his blatant disrespect, "well of course it is…" the sarcasm dripping off her words, "just because your parents were bums you figure you can say whatever suits you, well here's some news for you." "You don't deserve to live, your parents should never have lived, and you're lucky you were dropped here otherwise it would've been straight to the orphanage" poking him several times to get the point across.

He couldn't contain his rage anymore; with a loud snap, a visible aura sprung into existence, shoving his way past her towards the stairs. Not noticing she was floating towards the sun house and out the door into the back garden, slowly inflating as she went. Dragging his trunk out of the cupboard, after grabbing his grimoire and wand, he headed for the front door. Vernon's shouting caught his attention 'huh guess he's finally back to reality' he thought. Harry opened the door and disappeared down the street towards the park.

Sitting down on his trunk, just catching sight of his now airborne aunt, he thought back on the events of the evening. Evidently, that went much worse than the previous time. After deciding that was enough thinking and estimating, Sirius probably hadn't had time to get to Surrey yet. Standing up, Harry noticed the black dog hiding in the bushes on the other side of the park.

Surely that couldn't be Sirius… could it, it's barely been two weeks since the start of the holidays, and they only just announced his escape this evening. I guess it couldn't hurt to try calling him, to find out.

"Here Padfoot, come here boy!" Seeing the look of shock cross the dog's face, Harry knew he caught him red handed so to speak. Watching the dog slowly cross the park, Harry had to laugh. "You're making yourself look guilty like that." The dog resumed crossing at an average speed. After the dog finally got to Harry, he gave it a good pet on the head. "You know you just got shown on muggle news tonight, Sirius. I'm surprised you got here so fast."

Seeing the dog smirk, he had to laugh again. "I never knew a dog could pull a face like that. I'm going to be calling the Knight Bus, and heading to the Leaky Cauldron. Would you like to stay with me, Mr Murderer?" winking at the dog. He got a barking laugh in response. "Now Padfoot, I must warn you the minister will possibly be meeting me there, can you behave yourself?" Seeing the confused look that seemed to say, 'Why would the Minister for Magic be there for you?'

Deciding it was better to get it out the way, first he spoke, "Well with me running away from my relatives with you on the loose hunting me down," here he winked at the dog, "and the burst of accidental/intentional magic what with the warning I received last year, I believe he will want to speak to me about it." Seeing the understanding nod, he stuck his wand out. With a bang the triple decker royal purple night bus appeared.

The conductor happened to be Stan Shunpike. He stepped off the bus and began reading off his cue cards, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. Just stick out your wand, step on board, and we can take you anyw'ere you want to go. My name is Stan Shunpike, and I will be your conductor this evening."

"How much is it to get to the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Eleven Sickles," said Stan, "but for thirteen you get 'ot chocolate, and for fifteen you get an 'ot water bottle an' a toofbrush in the colour of your choice." "Just the ticket thanks." Giving Stan a Galleon and telling him to keep the change if he gave him a hand to load his trunk into the bus. He'd never seen Stan move so fast. "Come along Padfoot" he called out to Sirius while getting on the bus. After making his way up to the front bed, he sat down thankfully before they took off into the night.

"How long till my stop?" Harry asked Stan.

"Two more before yours."

Hearing a small whimper from Padfoot, Harry chuckled while giving his dog a pat. "There, there boy, won't be long now. I'm sorry you can't stick your head out the window. At these speeds, you'd likely lose half of your face before the first stop." After getting a soft bark in response, he began to laugh.

After the stop before there's, Harry spotted the dog give him a brief look that screamed, 'I have an idea for a prank!' Harry could only shake his head in response, hoping it wasn't anything that could get him or Padfoot in trouble. Though knowing the devious old dog, it was going to probably cause him a major headache.

After arriving at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry was greeted by the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge. "Now Mr Potter, how's about we head inside for a little chat?" "Just give me a second, Minister. Stan, could you take my trunk and cage and leave them by the front desk please? Come Padfoot." Following the minister into the Leaky Cauldron, he saw Tom leading the minister down a corridor, and into what he assumed was the private lounge.

Passing Tom at the door, Harry stopped for a moment, "Tom, could you please arrange a private suite for me?" Seeing his nod, he headed into the room followed by the dog. Sitting down in the armchair beside the fire, he could only watch as Padfoot walked right up to the minister, and peed on his nice leather shoes while he was standing in front of the fire. Harry had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing. "Bad Padfoot!" he scolded the dog, though his heart just wasn't in it.

After muttering a few choice words, the minister cast a couple of cleaning spells at his shoes; however, due to them being made from dragon hide, the magic was nullified. "Right, Mr Potter, let's cut to the chase. The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad has caught your aunt, deflated her, and modified her memory. She's all back to normal and back with the rest of your family." Not noticing Harry's wince at those idiots being referred to as family. "Now, you haven't seen anyone suspicious hanging around have you. No sighting of Black?"

"No sir," he said relieved. "So I'm not expelled then?"

"Good gracious, no. If we did that to every child who suffered accidental magic, there wouldn't be any students left. Though those who have bouts at your age are rare, they are not unheard of. Now I take it from your conversation with Tom, you'll be staying here for the rest of your holidays?"
"Yes sir, I believe its best that I let my relatives cool down before returning, and if Black has escaped, I'd feel safer around wizards."

"That is an excellent idea, Mr Potter. I do believe I will get the Ministry to cover your stay."

With that said, the minister left. Following behind him, Harry walked over to Tom. Waiting until the Minister finished arranging payment for the duration of his stay, he asked, "Can I get breakfast delivered to my room in the morning?" "Yes, you can, Mr Potter," was Toms reply. "Good, can I please get two full English breakfasts please?" Seeing Tom's astonished look, he elaborated, "My relatives were practically starving me. I want to be able to gain what they forced me to lose." Seeing Tom's look of understanding, he asked to be taken to his room for the night.

Locking the door behind them, he turned to Padfoot. "Well, that's one way to get on the Minister's bad side." The sound of a throaty barks and roaring laughter reverberated through the room. Placing up a privacy spell and adding an extra locking charm to the door, Harry turned back to Padfoot, "Do you want to sleep-eat-talk, talk-sleep-eat, or sleep-talk-eat." Seeing him paw at the bed, he decided he must want to go with option one.

Changing into his oversized pyjamas, Harry climbed into bed, and lay down. Looking over at Padfoot who had pleading eyes, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, what are you waiting for, get up here." Seeing he was invited, Sirius jumped up, and curled up at the end of the bed. They both drifted off into blissful sleep relishing in the comfort of being near each other.