Time passes inexorably, and once again it is Friday. So again, it's time for another chapter! This time, a happy ending for the cadets who survived the prison break, and Fred and George's seminal moment.

Thanks as always to those of you who have read, and even more thanks to those of you who have seen fit to review:

To the ever faithful Snood – I thought it was wonderfully disrespectful as well, and it worked to put the pair on the same level for the confrontation. I had a lot of fun writing the part with Marietta, because no one knows what happened to her when she was confronted by her fellow Ravenclaws, I had a lot of room (and a Dementor) to work with. And I think Cho will have to make up with Esdras since they're on the Quidditch team and they're in constant contact. They'll have to work something out. I enjoy writing Katie; she's definitely my kind of girl. And both times Esdras has rescinded the Treaty, only the 13th Infantry has been with him. They're the only ones who know, and they're totally loyal to Esdras and are cool with mortals. You have to figure that Umbridge will freak out and submit as soon as Esdras calls the Treaty into abeyance, so he really doesn't need to tell anyone else. The threat is enough. And another typo fixed. Thanks!

To the ever faithful (if belated) KRP – Katie may be a girl of many talents, but I don't think Esdras will want her sharing that talent with anyone else, if you know what I mean. It hasn't been mentioned, but Katie has completed her training on the Unforgiveables. And Voldemort knows more than enough about Esdras; remember that he sent him formal requests for alliance. The Dark Lord ain't stupid, unfortunately. I'm glad you liked Esdras' confrontation with Umbridge. I was worried the snapped ribs might be a bit much, but then I realized he's a Dementor and really pissed off and it was okay. I would imagine the 13th Infantry snuck in either using Transphasic cloaks or they were just really stealthy during class time and snuck in when no one was looking and hid out. They are soldiers after all. Oh, and no Quicksilver cloak will ever protect against a Patronus, not even the Castcloth (coming soon!), this is in accordance with the rules that JKR has set up. Esdras was able to fight Umbridge's Patronus because it was pitifully weak. I had no intention of referencing Mary Poppins, but I'm glad you caught the Roy Mustang quote. I thought it was fitting. And the Dementors are probably still going to keep out of the castle, if for no other reason than on Esdras' orders. Besides, why would they want to deal with Umbridge if they don't have to? And definitely better late than never, my friend.

Those of you who haven't reviewed should consider it. It's a good part of a healthy lifestyle and helps reduce bad cholesterol. Nah, I'm kidding, but it is nice to hear from you and see what you think. So drop me a line, press the blue button.

And my standard notes apply. All text in italics is in Azkabaaner and I don't own HP.

Chapter 17 – Entrances and Exits

The appointment of the Inquisitorial Squad didn't really bother Esdras; it was the fact that Umbridge had apparently given them explicit orders to make his life a living hell. However, the one thing that Umbridge did not take into account was the intense terror that the Slytherin students had of his natural form. Currently, he had Pansy Parkinson cornered outside of the Charms hallway; the girl actually looked pitiable as Esdras towered over her, with his hood lowered so that he could regard her with his empty black eye sockets. Finally, he spoke. "How many house points were you going to take away for my hood being up indoors?"

Pansy stammered for a few seconds before she found her voice. "T…twenty."

Esdras knelt down to come eye to eye with her, causing the Slytherin to push herself even closer to the brick wall and let out a desperate cry. Again, the Dementor held her gaze with his empty eyes before he spoke. "How many house points are you going to give me for not killing you where you stand?"

The mortal shivered as the Dementor regarded her. Finally she spoke. "Fifty?" Esdras hissed angrily. "One hundred. One hundred points, just please don't kill me."

The Dementor sighed and pulled her up by the neck of her shirt. "Deal. Now get out of here before I change my mind."

Pansy's legs were moving before Esdras had even set her on the ground, so the moment she landed, she was off. The Dementor sighed as he watched the Slytherin run. Events like this had become far too common and as a result, Ravenclaw was leading the house points race with 834, now 934. They currently held more than three times as many points as Slytherin, the next closest house in second place.

Roger walked up to Esdras as Pansy made it to the end of the hall and turned left, knocking over a group of first year Hufflepuffs. His smirk, however, held no joy. "How many points this time?"

Esdras sighed. "One hundred. I figure that ought to be enough to keep us on top of the points chart for the next few days. The Squad doesn't usually take more than a hundred points a day." He turned to face his friend. "Any idea what's for lunch?"

The mortal shook his head and shouldered his book bag. "No clue. Hopefully it will be something filling. We've got a long practice this afternoon. I still don't see why you're so worried about the Gryffindor team."

The Dementor switched to his mortal form and glided along behind his friend. "I'm not worried about the team, just Ginny. She's performed exceptionally in all their matches so far and Cho is still getting over Cedric and dealing with everything regarding Marietta. We need to be prepared for anything. It's just a feeling I have that I can't shake."

Roger paused and turned to face his friend. "I've learned something about you. When you have a feeling about something, it's a good idea to listen."

Esdras shrugged. "I don't know why you would. It's not like I'm the Oracle or anything."

The mortal looked at him curiously. "The who?"

"Nevermind."

Practice had actually gone well for Team Ravenclaw. Cho had had a good day and was in a rare form. It managed to alleviate some of Esdras' stress regarding the upcoming game, leaving him in a good mood at dinner. He had already eaten as much as he dared at the Ravenclaw table, so he took his customary seat beside Katie and began mooching what he could from the Gryffindor table.

He had almost snagged a roll from Ron's plate when Katie tapped him on the shoulder. "Aaron's here."

The Dementor turned and, sure enough, his friend was gliding silently down the aisle with a group of seven other Dementors in tow. The eight Dementors saluted and Esdras returned the gesture. "Problems, Aaron?"

Aaron shook his head. "No, sir. You wanted to see the cadets that had fought at Azkaban as soon as Transom had released them all." He indicated the seven cloaked forms behind him. "The last one was let out just this afternoon."

Esdras rose and smiled, pausing to switch to his Dementor form before giving orders. "Join me in the Entrance Hall, all of you." He paused for a second. "Katie, why don't you come along, too."

Katie nodded happily and rose from the table, following the Dementors as they proceeded into the Entrance Hall. Once there, Esdras turned to face his colleagues and spoke sharply. "Attention!" The eight Dementors snapped to attention and Esdras whispered in English to Aaron. "Not you."

The captain relaxed and glided over to Katie. He leaned down to whisper to her. "These cadets were in their last year of study at the Guard Academy before the Battle of Azkaban Prison. Esdras and I have been discussing what to do with them."

The admiral spoke sharply to the Dementress on the end. "Cadet Lieutenant Corinth, unit status report."

Corinth turned to face Esdras and replied succinctly, but sadly. "313th Training Division, stationed out of Azkaban Fortress. Seven Dementors strong, thirty four killed in action, sir."

Esdras turned to face Katie and Aaron. "Seven Dementors. Hardly strong enough to be considered a division. Wouldn't you agree, Aaron?"

Aaron nodded in assent. "I do believe that a division is required to have more than forty Dementors under the Azkaban Military Code."

Nodding slowly, the admiral again turned to regard the cadets. "We'll have to place them into a different division." He crossed his arms, deep in thought. "But which one?"

The captain shrugged. "They're battle hardened and obviously skilled. I would accept them into the Thirteenth Infantry, but they are just cadets."

There was a general gasp of disbelief from the cadets which Katie looked to Esdras to explain. Esdras, however, turned to the cadet commander. "Cadet Corinth, Miss Bell over there does not know the historical significance of the Thirteenth Infantry. Summarize it for her."

The cadet turned to face Katie and spoke clearly. "The Thirteenth Infantry, in some form or another, has existed since the foundation of the Azkaban state and has long been considered the king's own infantry division. It is said that kings are born to the house of Demnin, but forged in the Thirteenth Infantry. In addition to its royal background, it has served as the proving ground of some of the most powerful Dementors in history. Only the best of the best are selected to join. Even after the signing of the Treaty of Edinburgh, the Thirteenth is still regarded as the premier unit of the Azkaban Military."

Katie bowed politely as the cadet finished. She could see where this was going. "Thank you, Cadet Corinth."

Aaron sighed. "It's a shame they're all still cadets, my Lord. I have a feeling they would excel in my division."

The cadets, while still at attention, sunk a few inches in disappointment. Esdras turned to face the young Dementors and spoke clearly. "Cadets Aurora Corinth, Deidre Incaro, Sachiel Basque, Jacob Torrent, Ramius Stiletto, Emory Grenate, and Ian Tabris, you are hereby given field commissions to the rank of ensign in the Azkaban Guard, Thirteenth Infantry Division. Your commissions will become permanent with the completion of your training exam, to be administered in one month's time." He turned to face Aaron. "Captain Reaping, I believe that Gregor Kirin is still certified as a Guard Academy instructor, correct?"

The captain nodded sharply. "Yes, my Lord. He taught at the Academy for two centuries before starting his restaurant."

Esdras bowed. "Good, then we will have Gregor prepare a study plan for these cadets…pardon me…these officers to get them ready for their examination." He turned to face the newest Azkaban officers. "Welcome to the Fourth Fleet. You are dismissed."

There was a moment of total silence while the new officers digested what had just happened. Then the seven new ensigns floated into the air, hugging and cheering and carrying on. Aaron and Katie joined Esdras in watching them celebrate. Katie smiled brightly. "I don't think they were expecting that at all."

Aaron shook his head. "Of course not. But they're close enough to graduation that it won't be a struggle for them to pass the test."

Taking his human form again, Esdras looked up and smiled. "Azkaban needs brave officers like them. They'll be a pleasure to work with."

Esdras flew low through the halls of Hogwarts. Instead of his usual floating upright, he flew at about knee height and stayed close to the walls. He had already had one unfortunate incident with a firework, and he was eager to avoid another. Finally, he came to the Gryffindor portrait hole and presented his Guard badge, gaining him entrance to the common room. Inside, he found just the people he wanted to see. "Hey Fred, hey George."

The Weasley twins turned from the window seat they had occupied. Fred spoke first. "Esdras, what a pleasant surprise."

George nodded. "Indeed, it is. Katie should be back in a few minutes, she's in Arithmancy right now."

Esdras nodded, his voice was even and calm from within his hood. "I know. I have her schedule memorized. I was actually hoping to talk to you two."

Fred grinned happily. "Well, here we are. What can we do for you?"

The Dementor glided closer. "I was wondering if you could explain exactly how I managed to get half my face burnt off by a firecracker on my way back from the greenhouses." He pulled back his hood to reveal that his animagus face had charred on the right side to reveal black blood, muscle, and bone. Tinges of silvery ichor were already trickling across the damaged flesh, signaling the start of the healing process. "Do you have any idea how much this stings?"

The pair stared wide eyed at the two faced Dementor. George coughed nervously. "Well, you know, we just wanted something the keep Umbridge busy for a while. We call them our Wild-Fire Whiz-Bang line. What do you think?" He looked hopefully at Esdras, who merely glared with his remaining eye. "Umm…we're sorry?"

Esdras' expression lightened suddenly and he just grinned and shrugged. "Oh, don't worry about it. I like them, they're very nice. You should have seen what that thing turned into once it hit me. I don't think anyone's going to be able to stop it."

Fred turned to face his brother. "This is unexpected. They'll change when they come into contact with magical creatures as well as spells."

George nodded, smiling brightly. "This is even better than we had originally hoped." He turned to face Esdras. "What did it turn into when it hit you?"

The Dementor pointed out the window. "That."

The Weasley twins looked out the window to see an enormous ball of fire rolling along the lawn being chased by Professor Umbridge. They stared in shock as the thing began to roll vertically up the castle wall, then over and on to parts unknown. The three were quiet for a moment before laughing uproariously. Fred wiped his eyes and looked to the Dementor. "I know you said it stings, but if you get the chance, could you please try to run into more of those fireworks. That was just too funny."

At this point the common room door opened and Katie walked in, glowing with excitement. "Fred, George, did you two hear about the giant fireball? Do you know what made your firework do that?"

The three broke out laughing again and Esdras turned to face Katie, revealing his face, the wounded parts of which were now glowing in a uniform silver. "That would be me. I swear the damn thing just ran into me and then boom! Twenty foot fireball."

They were interrupted by the sound of a tremendous explosion from outside the castle walls. The four turned to face the window where a series of flaming symbols had begun to rise over Hogwarts. Esdras and Katie both raised their eyebrows at this and started laughing uncontrollably. Fred and George, however, were clueless. "What? What does it say?"

Katie shook her head, and fell to the window seat, holding her sides as she laughed herself to tears. "It's in Azkabaaner." She wiped her eyes and began laughing again. "It's the funniest thing I've ever seen!"

Esdras grabbed Katie by the hand. "Come on, we've got to find Colin or Dennis before it goes away. I have to get a picture of it!"

As the bilingual pair ran off, the twins were left pondering the fiery message hovering over Hogwarts. George turned to Fred and shrugged. "I guess we'll ask them later."

Katie stood at the edge of the great brackish muck that had once been a tidy corridor on the fifth floor of Hogwarts. She waved to the Weasley twins on the other side as she spoke softly to the cloaked form beside her. "This is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. The best work I've seen."

The Dementor at her side glided happily over the swampland, creating thin trails of ice over the water. "They definitely outdid themselves this time. Shall we be off, my dear?"

The mortal grinned and took Esdras' outstretched hand as he returned to dry land. She laughed happily as they walked down the hallway and turned the corner to proceed to the nearest window where Esdras would carry them up to Gryffindor tower. She sighed happily and leaned against the Dementor. "I can't wait to see the look on Umbridge's face when she sees it. It'll be a crowning moment for those two."

Esdras opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by a resounding peal of evil giggling. The Dementor cast his glowing green eyes to the corner they had just rounded and then to Katie. "That sounded like Umbridge. She's not supposed to find it yet!"

The pair tore back up the hallway and stuck their heads round the corner to see a terrible sight. Fred and George Weasley were in the clutches of Umbridge and Filch. They didn't seem to be putting up a struggle. If anything, they looked like they were enjoying the fact that they had been uncovered as the great saboteurs of Hogwarts. Wafting down the swamp hall, Esdras could hear Filch cackling. "It'll be the dungeons for you two now. Come on."

Katie looked to Esdras with fear in her eyes. "We have to do something!"

The Dementor nodded and crouched down. "Get on my back. Hurry!"

The mortal clambered onto Esdras' back and he took off, floating quickly down the hall and out the nearest window. Their position at the far end of the East Wing of the castle meant that Esdras would have to fly both over the school and across it to come to the main entrance, some distance away. Umbridge, however, would have the benefit of proximity to the main stairwell. The Dementor swiftly flew the quickest path, scraping against the roof as he crested the castle, and swooping back down to come in through the open front door. The sight that met the pair was amazing. Fred and George, like conquering champions, sat astride their broomsticks, which were still dragging the chains of their long imprisonment.

Fred looked across the hall to Peeves the poltergeist, who was floating above the crowd. The redhead spoke with confidence. "Give her hell from us, Peeves." The specter, who had never taken an order in his life, pulled his hat off and snapped to a sharp salute as the twins passed overtop of Katie and Esdras, who still stood in shock in the doorway.

Esdras recovered just enough to call out as the two flew off into the sunset. "The gods of Azkaban bless and protect you and keep you from all evil!" He turned to face Katie, who was still following the pair as they flew over Hogsmeade. Together the pair stepped back into the Entrance Hall, where the student body was still cheering wildly. The Dementor grinned. "I believe the Weasley boys just declared war on the current administration."

Katie nodded and looked into the Great Hall where Peeves was already overturning the place settings for dinner. She had a decidedly wicked grin on her face that Esdras found entirely captivating. "This is where things get interesting."