Well, it's Monday again, and as much as it sucks, spring break is over. But, it is time for another chapter. This time, we find out that everyone loves coloring books, no matter the species.

My thanks to those of you who have read, and even more thanks to those of you who have reviewed:

KRP – I figure Esdras can't apparate to Azkaban because the whole island should be covered in anti-apparition wards as a safety precaution. Otherwise, a prisoner could escape the fortress, make it to the unshielded region of the island, and make it off that way. Also, Esdras wouldn't discuss the Order if it wasn't totally safe.

Snood – I think I have the most fun writing side notes and stories about the Reapings, especially the cloaklings. You'll see what I mean in this chapter. And as for DA meetings… (Protean galleon serial number changes to read CH.15)

NaginiFay – Thank you; I hope you enjoy the rest coming your way. Don't be a stranger!

As usual, those of you who haven't reviewed really ought to. I'd love to hear your opinion on my work, whether you think it good or bad. Your reviews help make me a better writer. So go ahead, press the blue button. It's not a red pill, you'll be okay. Promise.

And as usual, all text in italics is in Azkabaaner and I don't own HP.

Chapter 12 – Order out of Chaos

It was not the first time that Esdras had woken up to a weight on his chest. Again, it was the smell that alerted him to the fact that it was not a threat. He stared with sightless eye sockets to where he knew the source of the weight was. "It's probably not a good idea to sneak up on a Dementor during wartime."

Katie smiled seductively, even though she knew her love was still blind until he illuminated his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind. Happy Christmas, darling."

Esdras stretched slowly, lifting a foot off the bed and illuminating his eyes with a flash of silver. Resting astride him was the glowing mortal form that he knew so well. He smiled as much as his circular mouth could allow. "Happy Christmas."

The mortal laughed softly and leaned in to kiss him softly before rolling off and landing gracefully on the bed. "Hurry up, there are presents to unwrap. And you're taking me to Order Headquarters this afternoon because I have presents for people there."

The Dementor took human form and ran a hand through his hair. He floated over to his robe and put it on before following her to the door. "That's fine, I've got presents to take over there, too. And the Reapings are expecting us in New Demnin for dinner tomorrow."

And so the duo allowed themselves to be swept up in the miracle of the Christmas season. Katie's black silk dress was well received and she immediately rushed to put it on. When she returned, she spun in the finely tailored garment and then jumped into Esdras' arms. With a smile and a kiss she extricated herself and handed Esdras his present. The Dementor eagerly unwrapped the package and gasped as he opened the box. Inside sat two exquisitely crafted silver crescent moons, the rank insignia for an Azkaban rear admiral. Katie blushed softly. "Professor Flitwick has been helping me with my metal sculpting. I know they might not exactly be up to military specifications…"

Esdras cut her off gently. "They're perfect. I just don't know what to do with them. I want to wear them, but they're too perfect to wear on my everyday uniform. They belong on a dress uniform."

Katie looked away shyly. "They're not that good."

The Dementor took her hand and pulled her in to kiss her deeply. "Yes, they are that good."

The pair had a quick breakfast, showered, and prepared themselves for the day. When Katie descended the stairs she smiled at the cloaked form in front of her. The jet black uniform cloak was adorned with the rank insignia she had made. She carried with her a load of parcels. "Are you ready to go?"

Esdras nodded and with a casual flick of his wand, shrunk the packages and put them into his satchel. He swung the bag over his shoulder and nodded. "Whenever you are."

Katie smiled and called out down the hall. "Mom, dad, we're going out to give presents. We'll be back before dinner."

The affirmative reply came from the Bell matriarch. "You two have fun and be safe. And tell whoever is on duty that they're welcome to come in for something to eat if they'd like."

The pair walked out the front door with a laugh and Esdras summoned the guard on the roof, letting him know the offer of a warm meal. The young ensign nodded happily and saluted before floating away to tell his colleagues. Esdras grabbed Katie about the waist and with a kiss and a soft triple pop, they were away.

The pair found themselves in London in a grimy street. Katie made a look of disgust. "Well, I certainly wouldn't expect the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix to be here."

Esdras nodded and walked quickly up to the door of number 12, knocking loudly. It was a moment before the voice of Mad-Eye Moody wafted through the door. "What was the first thing you said to me when they pulled me out of that chest last year?"

The Dementor sighed and turned to Katie. "Ministry protocol, ask a question that only the person knocking would know the answer to. You know how Moody is with security." He then turned to the door. "I said 'constant vigilance my ass.'"

The door opened to reveal Moody's scarred and disgruntled visage. He grumbled something about having never been more insulted in his life before gesturing them in. "Get in here."

The pair entered quickly, with Esdras leading the way down the hallway towards the kitchen. There they found everyone enjoying a typically large Weasley breakfast, courtesy of Mrs. Weasley. The moment she saw the pair she smiled brightly. "Esdras, Katie, you must be hungry. Please come and have some breakfast."

The Dementor smiled. "I'm hungry."

Katie, however, merely laughed. "You're always hungry. I, however, am still full from this morning." She smiled politely to Mrs. Weasley. "Thank you, but no. I will have a cup of tea, though."

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "Azkaban Green Mint?"

Katie nodded. "It's an acquired taste."

Some time later, they had all retired to the drawing room with cups of tea. Katie and Esdras distributed their presents around and got some in return. Esdras dropped a package under the tree. "And this is for Dumbledore whenever he shows up."

Hermione looked in shock at the small package under the tree. "What on earth did you get for him?"

Esdras shrugged. "Socks. Every Christmas the man asks for socks. Who am I to argue?"

At this, Harry laughed and nodded. They weren't able to get the whole story from him without him bursting into uncontrollable laughter, but it was obvious that Harry was confirming Esdras' story. Finally everyone began opening their presents. Esdras was surprised by the present he received from Fred and George, a full sized, remotely controlled inflatable Dementor. Esdras looked on with awe as he piloted the doppelganger around with his wand. "This thing is awesome!"

Fred smiled as Esdras made the fake Dementor float around the ceiling. "This is only a prototype, but we've been using a similar one to keep Mrs. Black at bay. You and your friends gave us the idea. We figure it might be marketable as a security device."

George nodded. "Who would want to break into a shop if it has a Dementor floating around inside? And even if it's not a real Dementor, who's going to want to take the chance to find out?"

Esdras frowned and tried to extricate his new toy from where it had gotten stuck on the chandelier. Finally, the real Dementor merely floated up and successfully extricated the fake Dementor from the offending light source. When he returned to the floor, he deflated his toy and smiled at the pair. "It's wonderful. It doesn't move naturally, but only a Dementor or someone well familiar with them would be able to tell."

The twins waved off the concern. "Like we said, it's only a prototype."

Esdras took a lull in conversation and went down to the kitchen to get more tea. As he descended the stairs he was joined by the ragged werewolf. Remus Lupin smiled jovially at the Dementor. "Please thank your goddaughter again for me."

Smiling brightly, Esdras put the kettle on the burner. "I take it that Tonks liked her tickets?"

He was met by a hearty, barking laugh. Sirius Black had joined them and put his mug down in the line, opting to fill it with firewhiskey instead of tea. "I believe that liked would be the wrong word. Ecstatic might better suit the bill."

Remus smirked. "I wouldn't go that far, Padfoot. She thanked me properly for them."

Sirius grinned over the rim of his mug. "After she jumped into your arms, latched her legs around you, and screamed in joy for a full minute. And then there was the kiss…"

Esdras nearly dropped the kettle as he laughed. "I have to take some credit for that. I told Sasha to ask for front row tickets."

Remus sighed. "I think she was more excited over the backstage passes that were included in with the tickets."

The Dementor arched an eyebrow. "That's all Sasha's doing right there. I'll pass on the news that her influence did not go unappreciated."

Sirius smiled happily, a roguish gleam in his eyes. "I like the way this Sasha thinks. I'd like to meet her sometime."

In a flurry of robes, Esdras the mortal was replaced with Esdras the Dementor. He advanced quickly on Sirius, who reverted to his prisoner state and quickly backed against the wall, staring up at the Dementor in total fear. Esdras spoke quietly. "She's my goddaughter and she's only one hundred thirty nine, she's far too young for you." There was a brief pause and Esdras retook his mortal form. "I suppose that sounds absurd…"

Sirius took a shaky sip from his mug. "Slightly, yes."

Lupin interjected himself cheerfully, fully dispelling any remaining tension. "Well, it's all beside the point, Sirius. She's not your type, she's a Dementor."

The rakish ex-convict smirked. "I hardly think that matters, Mooney. It's already been shown that all you need to date a Dementor is some Gryffindor courage."

As the Dementor towered over Sirius again, Lupin sat at the table and sighed. "Someday we'll find a way to keep your foot out of your mouth, Padfoot…"

The next day found Esdras and Katie in the comforting green glow of New Demnin. Katie was on the floor of the Reaping's comfortable quarters in the northern radial arm playing Exploding Snap with Jacob and Calla. More properly, she was playing with Jacob and Calla was laughing joyously every time the cards exploded. When the young cloakling got bored, she floated over to where the adult Dementors were and landed gracefully in her godfather's lap. "Hug for Lord Esdras!"

Esdras laughed softly and returned his goddaughter's hug. "Hug for Calla. Now, are you having fun with your brother and Katie?"

Calla nodded quickly, the hood of her cloak almost tipping off her tiny head. "I like Katie." She floated up and whispered quietly into Esdras' ear. "She's pretty. You should marry her."

The rightful king of Azkaban was thankful for his hood, which prevented his young goddaughter from seeing the deep black blush that flushed his cheeks. He tousled her hood and gave her an indulgent kiss. "Why don't you go see if Katie will help you color in your new coloring book?"

Calla nodded and glided off. Between the four adult Dementors it was Aaron that spoke first. "She is an impetuous child."

Esdras smiled as he watched her work with the red crayon. At her side, Katie handled the blue crayon. Eventually, the mortal looked up and smiled. Finally, Esdras turned to look at his friend. "Our world needs more people like Calla. She is the future of Azkaban."

Christine took her husband's hand and squeezed it as the pair looked proudly at their cloaklings. "My Lord is too kind."

The Dementor king took the opportunity to change the subject. "By the way, Sasha, Professor Lupin asked me to thank you again and to tell you that he is in your debt. Apparently the gift went over even better than expected."

Sasha nodded happily and laughed. "It really was nothing. They are very nice people. They even told me that I'd be welcome to open for them if I ever wanted to start into the concert scene."

Three tea mugs dropped in shock. Katie, still playing with the cloaklings, looked up in surprise. "What did you tell them?"

Aaron nodded. "And why did you not tell us this, sister?"

The Dementress ducked her head slightly. "I wanted it to be a surprise, brother." She then sighed. "I told them I would have to think about it. With things on the island as they are now, my first duty is to Azkaban."

Esdras shook his head. "Hey, I'm the rightful king here. I get to spout things about duty when I have to. I want you to seriously consider this offer. This is exactly the kind of boost you need to get your career started. It would be very good for you."

The young singer was met with nods from her brother, sister in law, and mortal friend. But it was her niece and nephew that made her truly consider the offer. Jacob and Calla floated up to sit with her. The elder child spoke for the pair. "If you're going to be famous, can we have your autograph?"