Well, it's Friday, and that means it's time again for another chapter. This time, we see how you can use legal loopholes to deal with the Dark Lord.

Thank you to those who have read, and even more thanks to those who have reviewed. To our newcomer buffalo1, you're going to love what happens. To the ever faithful KRP, yup, they were watching Star Wars. Also, Hestia was part of the Advance Guard. Moody should learn Azkabaaner, but I think his personality is more one that thinks that Dementors should learn English. And as for the freefall, why not? The mortal cloaks weren't Quicksilvers, just regular cloaks with added spells, but a mortal wearing a Quicksilver configured for mortal use would gain the eye color change. I figure the trip took approximately 20 minutes: a 3.5 minute Vault cloak burst to 50 km (including acceleration and deceleration time), one minute sightseeing, and a 15.5 minute freefall at terminal velocity of 120 mph. It would probably be one hell of a ride.

All the rest of y'all should review, too. Your reviews make me a better writer by making me critically analyze my stories. Plus, I like the feedback. So let me know what you think.

All the usual notes apply. Text in italics is in Azkabaaner, and I don't own HP.

Chapter 3 – Meeting of the Minds

The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was not off to a good start. With the verbal sparring between Snape, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black and the fact that the Dementor delegates had decided to float on the ceiling to clear up space around the dinner table, things were difficult to say the least. Dumbledore, however, was doing an exceptional job of holding it all together. "If that's the end of the old business, I believe Admiral Demnin has some pressing new business."

Esdras nodded from his position upside down on the ceiling and stared down at the table with dispassionate glowing eyes. "Voldemort sent me an official appeal requesting an alliance with the royal house in the coming months. I had expected this, but the way the letter was written came as a surprise. It is written in formal Azkabaaner with all the proper turns of phrase for a formal petition to the royal house, something which has not been made for over a thousand years. I have to assume, therefore, that he has help on the island. This means that when he finds out that I won't join him, he'll start consolidating those who will support him. Because of this, Dementor assistance on missions will be greatly reduced, since I will require all troops loyal to me to help identify Voldemort's sympathizers on the island."

Moody let out a growl. "This is just perfect. Dementors have been an amazing help on reconnaissance missions. We can't scale back our operations, but everyone is going to have to be a lot more vigilant."

Dumbledore looked up to Esdras and spoke carefully. "Esdras, I think you may wish to consider asking Miss Bell to move here to headquarters until the start of the school year. When the Dark Lord finds out that you intend to refuse him, he may take action against Katie in order to get to you."

Esdras shrugged slightly. "I highly doubt that will happen. An attack against her would insure both that I would never ally myself with him and that the forces of Azkaban would launch a devastating strike against him. Besides, this letter shows that he's playing by Azkaban rules and under Azkaban law I have one calendar month to reply to his request, that's sixty one days. During that time, no further action on his part may be taken or he risks automatic refusal of his request. Katie will be safe at Hogwarts by then. Plus, I can ask for one extension on my decision which adds another month, and there's a grammatical error in the second paragraph, so I can require him to resubmit his request and that will repeat the procedure all over again. So we're looking at four months on the Azkaban calendar before I have to tell him anything."

The wizened wizard nodded, obviously relieved. "Then that is one less thing that we have to worry about. However, I believe that both Katie and her parents should know about the possibility of danger."

The admiral looked uncomfortable. "Very well, then. I'll let them know. I'd like to take the letter with me, though. I haven't had the chance to determine whether or not the Bells believe that Voldemort has risen. The letter will be proof enough."

The meeting didn't last much longer after that. Duty rosters were passed out, from which the Dementors were exempted due to recent events. Esdras gathered his men and spoke with them in hushed whispers. "I want you all to proceed back to the island as fast as possible. Captain Maul, take your division to Kilmarnock and start guarding the Bells immediately. I don't care what I said before, I want them looked after. Aaron, take care of that shopping list for Christine or she'll have both of our cloaks for tablecloths. I will proceed directly to Kilmarnock, discuss the situation with the Bells, and be back on the island tomorrow to deal with our problems there."

A series of salutes and affirmative responses were given and the Dementor compliment floated down and out the kitchen door intent on disappearing into the night. Esdras lowered himself to the ground just in time to be greeted by Fred and George, who had entered as the troops were leaving. Fred pulled him aside near the fireplace. "Well, what happened?"

The Dementor stared into the fire for a moment. "What did you say?"

George sighed. "What happened during the meeting? We weren't able to hear anything through our Extendable Ears. You have to tell us what went on."

Esdras regarded the twins for a long moment. He let the uncomfortable silence grow between the three of them until the mortals started fidgeting under his gaze. He finally took his natural form and spoke quietly to them from high overhead. "If you only knew what was happening, you wouldn't be in such a hurry to find out."

Normally, Esdras was always happy to arrive at Bellmont since it meant he would get to see Katie. This evening, however, all he could see were the massive breaches in home security. Doors and windows were unlocked, and the property was woefully lacking in terms of protective wards. He sighed softly as he knocked and let himself in. "Hello?"

The Dementor found himself tackled and pinned to the floor by a squirming mass of mortality. The insistent pair of lips on his neck told him who the assailant was without having to see her. Katie spoke softly between kisses. "I thought you were going back to the island after your mission."

Esdras sighed and floated upward, bringing both of them into a standing position and staring down at her with brilliant green eyes. "Where are your parents, love? I need to talk to them."

Katie could see the seriousness in his eyes and pulled away slightly, concern filling her face. "They're in the kitchen. What's wrong?"

The Dementor sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Come along with me. I think we all need to have a little talk."

The mortal nodded and took his hand, following him into the kitchen where patriarch and matriarch of the Bell family sat enjoying a nightcap. Timothy Bell rose and extended his hand to the Dementor. "Esdras, we weren't expecting you tonight. To what do we owe the honor? Can we get you a drink?"

Esdras smiled politely. "Mint tea, if you don't mind. And I wish I could tell you that I was just here to visit. I come bearing bad news." He sighed and sat down at the table. "Voldemort is back. He wants an alliance with Azkaban."

There was silence for a few seconds before Elizabeth Bell laughed softly. "Oh, Esdras, you had me worried there for a second. You Know Who is dead. The Daily Prophet wrote all about what Harry had said. It's really so sad that he made up a story like that, but you can't really blame him with what happened to his parents and all."

The Dementor traded a disbelieving look with Katie, who merely sighed and shook her head slowly. She gestured to her parents. "Good luck. I haven't been able to convince them any differently since we got home from Hogwarts."

Esdras nodded and produced the parchment from his sleeve. "I can translate this for you, but the letterhead and signature should be proof enough that Harry is telling the truth and that we are all in mortal danger."

He spread the parchment out and the three mortals leaned over it. Katie gasped at the sight of the letterhead, the Dark Mark. It was the flowing cursive at the bottom of the page that brought chills to her spine, though. There, plain as day, was the signature. "Voldemort."

The Bells looked shocked, and Mr. Bell glared slowly over the Azkabaaner script like it was poison. "What is this?"

By this time, the cup of mint tea had been prepared and Esdras steeled himself by taking a sip. "It is an official petition to the royal house for an alliance, written by the Dark Lord Voldemort, worded in the traditional manner. As rightful king, I have the responsibility to reply to this. Azkaban law will allow me to put it off for eight months on the mortal calendar at most, but after that I will have to make a decision. I intend to refuse him."

Mrs. Bell looked carefully over the document, a look of steadily growing horror on her face. "So then Harry was right. Everything that he saw, everything that he said was the truth? Then what is the Daily Prophet doing trying to discredit him like that?"

Esdras shook his head. "I don't know. I don't even want to think about how rough this year is going to be for him. I have to look after my own interests right now. And right now, that is Azkaban and you all." He looked down at his hands and spoke slowly. "My relationship with Katie is no secret. I highly doubt that Voldemort will do anything here because he would risk my refusal and an immediate assault by my loyal forces. However, I still want to make sure that you all are protected. I am prepared to offer you protection by the Azkaban Guard and Dumbledore has opened the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix to Katie, since it is most likely she would be the target. I am sorry to have brought this upon you all."

There was silence for a moment before Esdras felt soft fingers on his chin, lifting his head up. His glowing green eyes met with Katie's soft chocolate eyes and she smiled. "I love you, and nothing's going to stop that. I knew there would be dangers from the minute Harry made it out of the maze, but I know that you will protect me and keep me safe."

Mr. Bell nodded. "Katie's right, Esdras, you're part of the family now. We're going to get through this, and we'll get through this together." He smirked. "I'm not stupid enough to pretend that I can defend this family against Death Eaters by myself, so I'll gladly take any help you're willing to offer."

Esdras smiled. "Yes, sir." He set his face and stared at the three Bells. "I must also ask you not to divulge any of this to anyone. This is highly classified information and would result in mass hysteria."

The elder mortal nodded and put a hand on the Dementor's shoulder. "I won't tell a soul. Besides, who could I tell that would believe me?" He smiled gently. "Now, you look like you could use a rest. I hope you're planning on staying the night?"

A good night's rest and a healthy breakfast at Bellmont made the flight to Azkaban easier for Esdras. When he arrived on the island, he immediately proceeded to the Guard Command central office and used his royal authority to request a meeting of the Admiralty and all division captains. It took only a few hours to set up, and by late afternoon, everyone had assembled in the massive conference chamber of the ancient fortress.

Esdras sat cloak to cloak with Aaron as the last of the high ranking Dementors filed in. He whispered so low that it was barely audible to his friend. "When I make the announcement, scan the crowd for those who don't look surprised. It's not much to go on, but it'll be a start for us to look for who is in league with Voldemort."

Aaron nodded. "Yes, Lord Admiral."

The meeting was called to order by the Commander of the Azkaban Guard, Admiral Judas Grim. "Attention!" All the Dementors snapped to attention. "As you were. This special meeting of the Admiralty is called to order under royal authority. Lord Admiral Demnin, you have the floor."

Esdras floated forward into the center of the room. "Thank you, Admiral Grim. To put it succinctly, the mortal Dark Lord Voldemort is alive and has sought a royal alliance. I have already brought this information to light with the Ministry of Magic, where they promptly dismissed it as a forgery."

He watched carefully. A large number of the hoods in the audience rose up in surprise. Notable exceptions were the Dementor members of the Order and Admiral Grim, who already knew the reason behind the meeting. The newly promoted Captain Valerie Rook, the engineer responsible for the town of New Demnin spoke out. "How do you intend to reply, my Lord?"

The admiral remained impassive. "Under Azkaban law, I have one month to make my reply. I will weigh the pros and cons and make my decision based on the good of the Azkaban nation."

A snide reply came from a slender cloaked form in the corner of the room. "Why bring this before the Admiralty and division captains if this is a matter for the royal house to deal with alone?"

Esdras sighed and turned to face his accuser, Vice Admiral Lara Sidara. He narrowed his hood at her. "While it is the duty of the royal house to make decisions for the good of the Azkaban nation, it does not mean that the nation should be clueless as to the problems that are facing it. I bring this before the Admiralty because we must float our path together. The gods made it a provision of our immortality that we should avoid the divisive path for a reason."

The vice admiral muttered softly. "Some good you've done so far…"

Admiral Grim floated into the center of the room. "Did you have something to add, Lara?"

In the corner, the Dementress snapped to attention under the scrutiny of her superior. "No, sir."

Judas nodded slowly. "I didn't think so. In that case, let's begin discussing deployment patterns. We have a responsibility to defend the mortals against threats, and their Dark Lord certainly classifies as a threat. Our goal will be to prevent the Lord Admiral from having to make the tough decision on behalf of our nation."

The Admiralty meeting broke and Esdras gathered together his captains. "What do you think? What did you see?"

Dr. Michaelis Transom was the most concerned. "Sidara was in no way surprised by what you had to say."

Micah Redoubt nodded. "You have to admit, if there is one person on this island who would want to stick it to you, she's the one, and allying with Voldemort would be the way to do it."

Aaron Reaping looked at the captain of the 91st Infantry and nodded his head. "Her, I'm not surprised, and not just because she's Esdras' ex-fiancée. But there were at least twenty Marine captains that looked like they knew what was going on. I think we're going to have to keep our eyes out for them."

Esdras groaned softly. "That's all we need, something more to exacerbate the division between the Infantry and the Marines. And I suppose we should be concerned about the stability of the prison with Sidara in charge." He reached up and rubbed his eyes before looking around. "Alright, we'll discuss this later. But I do know that when the time comes to return to Hogwarts, I want to leave a unit behind for further reconnaissance. That'll be you, Veras."

Veras Maul, captain of the Eighth Infantry nodded quickly. "Yes, Lord Admiral. But if I may, I'd like for Kayla and Sara to make the trip to New Demnin. If things here are going to be getting dangerous, I'd rather them be off the island and safe with the rest of the fleet."

The admiral nodded. "None shall be refused at New Demnin, let your men know that as well. But I doubt that things will get too dangerous for a while yet." He regarded his captains before shrugging. "Alright, that's all for now. We'll discuss this further in a few days. For now, I have to pull deployment records and try to find a way to help Harry with the mess he's in. Dismissed."