Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Twenty-Two

Central Train

Amestris

Eastbound Train

Late Evening

Sirius snuck aboard the first train he saw after leaving the tavern. So far, the men didn't seem to have followed him, so he hoped to shake them. The ticket cost nearly all of the money he had managed to gather, but the conductor had assured him the ticket would get him as far as the eastern border so he assumed it would get him to wherever this Xerxes Academy was located.

The woman sitting across from him seemed friendly enough and had the air of a mother in his opinion. He smiled back at her feeling strange with the gesture. It had been a long time since he had last smiled. Just before the train pulled away, she opened the window long enough to call out her goodbyes to a man and a pair of young girls standing on the platform.

"I do hate leaving them." She said as she sat back. "If the trip wasn't so long, I would just bring them with me, though the dessert isn't the best place for small children."

"Why would you go to the desert?" Sirius frowned. He hadn't expected to encounter a desert. So far, he had only seen fields and mountains, along with some small towns. He hoped the School was located before the desert because his only occasion visiting a desert as a youth was enough to find the weather completely disagreeable.

"My eldest daughter started Xerxes Academy this year, and since it's in the middle of the desert I really don't have much choice if I want to see her." She said with a shrug. Sirius was a bit surprised that she mentioned the School so openly where other could overhear and ask questions.

"I've heard of Xerxes but not much about it." Sirius ventured, hoping for more information.

"It is a good school, one of the best really. Do you have school age children?" she asked.

"One. He's twelve." Sirius said. "I was considering the school but am on the fence."

"I didn't like the idea of a boarding school myself to begin with. The headmaster himself assured me that should it become unbearable for either Victoria or us he would make arrangements for her to become a day student though." Excitement coloring her voice at the memory as she smiled again. "He really is such a kind man. They have several day students already; they just send them back and forth with portkeys."

Sirius glanced around with alarm at the open mention of magic though no one seemed to notice their conversation. He assumed though that he was on the right track as far as Harry's location. Clearly the school would be the best place for him inside this strange bubble. He nodded along as she spoke of the gardens and architecture of the School and how amazing it always was to her to see them in the middle of the desert. She mentioned one of the teachers was likely responsible for the state of the gardens.

Sirius was surprised and resigned when at the next stop two men in uniforms came onboard. They passed by him without a glance however, so he forced himself to relax just as the woman began bragging about her daughter ending up on the magic track.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster's Office

"I need someone who is loyal to our community and the Order to join Xerxes. McGonagall, unfortunately, has been compromised, however I noticed last year you seemed unaffected by Elric's charm. I feel then that you are the best choice." Dumbledore explained to Professor Flitwick as he sat calmly behind his desk. He resisted the desire to pace, or to pour a drink. Flitwick frowned and before he could undoubtably protest Dumbledore continued, "I know you are concerned with your House and your classes, but I assure you it will be cared for, and this posting should not last long. Surely, Black will be captured soon, and Elric will have to admit after this year Hogwarts is the best choice for the boy."

"Of course, Professor, whatever you think is best." Flitwick replied after a moment, still looking uncertain. "When will I be expected?"

"As soon as possible, next week at the latest I should think." Dumbledore replied as Lockhart walked into the office unannounced.

"I heard there was a meeting of the Heads of House, it must have slipped your minds to inform me." Lockhart said cheerily as he sat down, ignoring the private nature of the meeting that lacked anyone aside from Flitwick. "I seem to be a bit behind, however, it sounded as though you were searching for the best possible option for a special assignment. I, Of course, would offer my services. I'm sure I have experience in the area."

"I do not believe you do this time." Flitwick replied in a soft squeaky voice, "Not unless you have an undisclosed connection to Cselkcess?"

"I traveled vastly over my years of study, there isn't a location in the magical world that is unfamiliar to me." Lockhart winked and smiled without missing a beat. Neither other man believed a word of it as they nodded along.

"Nevertheless, it would be best for Flitwick, who has already been personally acquainted with the involved parties to take the assignment. I'm afraid I am already short staffed and cannot afford to send off two teachers." Dumbledore said smoothly. "You have also only just taken over as Head of Gryffindor It would be unfair to the students to replace you already."

"I am on friendly terms with all of the headmasters of the magical schools. They often write to ask my advice." Lockhart offered with a tight smile. Xerxes was known to be difficult to contact often outside correspondence was returned unopened, likely he had attempted to get into good graces with Headmaster Elric but was ignored or rebuffed as hard as he was pushing to be involved.

"I need you here Gilroy. I'm afraid the answer is no."

En Route to Central

After they lost Black in the tavern, and followed his trail to the train station, it was decided that Edward would return to Central. The concern was that Black would attempt to enter the mansion, with all of them away. Remus took Edward home while Severus remained with the others to catch the next train, in case he deboarded early. "Perhaps we should all return to Central and guard the Mansion." Darius suggested as they boarded the Central Train. "" Why is this guy after the Boss' kid anyway?"

"He believes the child to be his." Severus said, offering the best explanation without being able to explain any details, "I'm afraid he is very unstable. Many years ago, he lost a dear friend and family. He would use the child to replace what he has lost. He also feels the child would be safer with him."

"So, we're dealing with a delusional magic user with no qualms in killing?" Darius frowned. "Clearly he has never actually learned anything about the Fuhrer and his family if he thinks he can take one of the kids and live through it."

"He's been in prison for a very long time. We have been working on a way to clear his name and try to get him help, though I personally felt it was a lost cause." Severus sighed heavily. "He never liked me, schoolyard grudges, and he no longer trusts Remus thanks to our own truce."

"So, reasoning with him is unlikely then."

"Very. At the same time, it is necessary. He has something we need if we wish to win the war that is coming." Severus closed his eyes briefly, exhausted with the whole situation. "Rather it is believed the item we need is in his childhood home. We have spent the last several years in search of these items, and now are down to one which is all the more I can say about it."

"We need to take him down, but we need him alive and willing to cooperate. Fantastic." Darius sighed, "What war?"

"There is a war brewing in the magical world. One that unfortunately is likely to spill over to here at least partially. I have been working with the Fuhrer and several others to attempt to cut it off before it could begin, but we must prepare for the worst."

"This isn't going to be another Promised Day? We really do not need to have to rebuild all over again."

"From what I've heard? Possibly. Not here though. England is under threat, Amestris is not truly involved, just a few people who could become targets."

"You mean those transfer students?"

"Mostly, yes. It is possible, should He learn of the hidden magic users here, he would eventually turn his attentions to Cselkcess, but the barrier would keep him out. That is part of the reason both Remus and I were on this mission, to check the barrier to learn how it had been breached. Unfortunately, because Black is both a threat and not the barrier was confused by him and let him in. It must have been unpleasant to pass tough."

At the next town several soldiers boarded the train, and Darius watched silently until the train was moving again. "Mustang must feel Black is a real threat. It looks like they are calling in extra men to the city."

"As they should. He is both a threat and not because his mind is unstable. He feels he is in the right; therefore, he is not seen as one of ill intent, on the other hand he is raging against Remus and myself, and therefore is seen as a threat with the malevolent thoughts."

"No offense, but magic is every bit as strange as alchemy." Darius said after thinking for a few minutes. "You should really try to fix that loophole, maybe make it invite only?"

"It was not an anticipated issue; we are already considering options for the future to alter the spell. Black will be the only breach if we can help it."

Undisclosed Location

Western Europe

They had found another empty cottage, the muggles who owned it seemed to only visit it on occasion. Peter hoped to stay for a few days or weeks. Voldemort was exhausted from the trip, and it was past time for his potions.

Peter rushed about, preparing the dose before setting magic alarms in case anyone showed up unexpectedly as they had last time. He then settled tiredly into an armchair near the spot on the rug he had settled his master. He knew he would be called upon again soon, though he needed a short break.

Voldemort was roughly the size of an infant, and about as needy at the moment. Peter had no choice but to attend everything, hoping they found a better solution soon. The misshapen and frankly frightening body his master had found himself in was mostly helpless until he had Peter's wand.

Peter started to drift off to sleep when Voldemort finally spoke again. "I believe we have a solution to your problem. There is a spell that can restore my body to full strength and size though it will take some time to prepare."

"What will we need?" Peter asked but Voldemort seemed to have gone back to ignoring him…or was too tired to continue the conversation. Either way Peter resigned himself to caregiver for the foreseeable future. "Shall we return to England then as planned?"

"Yes, we must eventually, first though we have work to do here." Voldemort replied before frowning. "I need another dose; this batch is too weak.

"My apologies. I will brew the next batch stronger."

"Yes, much stronger. I have no tolerance for weak tea or idle prattle, so do get on with it all." Voldemort said as he buried himself further into the blankets as Peter nodded as he headed toward the kitchen for the next dose and maybe some toast.