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The Art of the Break In
Author: Bellatrix Lestrange
Date: 04-26-07 19:11
Bellatrix hated Azkaban. Who wouldn't after spending so many mind numbing days inside waiting to die? She paused as they crept alongside the cliffs, hugging the forbidding stone of the island only feet from the waves.
"Having second thoughts, Bella?"
She spun around, glaring at Rabastan. "Be quiet you idiot!" she hissed. "Do you really think I've wasted these last five months just to have you announce our arrival to the bloody cavalry?" Lucius' eyes reflected the desire to permanently put her brother-in-law out of his misery, and she was half inclined to let him get on with it. However they'd wasted enough time as it was; Lucius had spent a few final moments back on shore perfecting his disguise and Bellatrix didn't want to miss their scheduled appointment.
"We're here," she said finally. "Now we wait." All three of them stared up above the cliffs at the fortress of Azkaban. The walls must be many feet thick near the base, she thought. Suddenly a figure appeared against the rocks, about thirty feet down from the actual prison. "Thackett," she murmured with glee.
The figure looked around and then waved them on. They climbed the last few feet towards him, but the man showed no sign of fear. "Welcome to Azkaban!" Thackett said happily. He nodded to each of the three. "I thought it better to bring you in from under the fortress, rather than through a side door. Nobody will be expecting a break in, let alone through the basement levels." He pointed towards a heavy wooden door, banded with iron. "Shall we?"
"Wait." Bellatrix held up her hand. "There's one last thing before we go in." She pulled her hood up over her head, and Rabastan and Lucius did the same, pulling out their wands. She glanced towards the horizon, smirking finally when she saw movement.
"What is that?" Rabastan tore his eyes from the black shapes and grabbed Bellatrix's arm.
"Dementors," answered Lucius with a grin.
"We came to an arrangement," she said to Rabastan. "After Voldemort's death they needed souls, and I offered to provide them. What better place than one they and I understand so well?"
The black shadows hugged the surface of the waves as they came, appearing to glide effortlessly over the water, rather like a macabre school of fish and they wove amongst each other. Once they reached the cliffs they soared over them, only slowing when they reached the small party waiting at the door.
"Where do we go once we're inside?" she snapped at Thackett.
He pulled his eyes of the visions of death before him and stammered, "U-up the stairs to the left. Then follow t-this map. It shows the layout of the prison today. You have until mid afternoon when the layout will change again. A-after that I can't help you, they don't tell us until right before..." His voice tapered off into a whisper, the sight of the floating Dementor before him already beginning to affect him.
Bellatrix Lestrange. The voice appeared in her head rather than out loud. The lead Dementor hovered about ten feet away, its grey skeletal hands forming fists and then uncurling, extending its long fingers.
"Our bargain still stands," she said. It was a statement, not a question. "You will not harm these two who come with me, nor the wizard called Rodolphus. Do what you will with the souls of the others."
Agreed. The Dementor floated towards the group slightly. And this one? It pointed at Bob Thackett with a bony hand.
She glanced at Thackett. "I have no further need for him. Do what you will."
As they stepped through the door, the last thing she saw was Thackett surrounded by about twenty Dementors, all homing in on the first live soul they'd had in a while.
Breaking In?
Author: Severus Snape
Date: 04-26-07 19:53
"Tell me Severus, will you miss Azkaban after your time is up?" Rodolphus, for once, had grown bored enough with his chess set that conversation with his next-door neighbor, a most loathed next-door neighbor at that, seemed somewhat desirable, at least for the moment. "There's nothing like being locked up in a 6' x 8' cell, wearing the least-flattering robes in existence and having to eat the same gruel day in and day out. If you ask me––"
"I haven't," Severus replied dryly.
Rodolphus carried on as if Severus hadn't spoken. "––I won't miss having your for a neighbor. You're a poor conversationalist. You really are. I don't even know why I'm bothering with you now... oh wait, I know. I'm bored."
Just when Rodolphus planned to continue is mostly one-sided conversation, several loud bangs sounded through the walls.
Severus rose from his cot, as did many of the inmates in the same cell block, and leaned up against the front bars to see what might be happening in other parts of the prison. They could hear shouting now, and screams, some gleeful, others blood-curdling.
"What in Merlin's name is going on out there?" the prisoner across from Severus murmured.
"Sounds a lot more interesting that what's going on in here," Rodolphus remarked.
"I think we're better off without that excitement," Severus replied humorlessly. He didn't at all like the sound of what was going on out there and really hoped that it would get contained before it infiltrated his cell block. Unfortunately, it wasn't his lucky day.
The door at the end of the corridor flew off of its hinges, showering the front part of the cell block in red sparks. A body followed, landing in an unnatural form just yards from Snape's own door. Its eyes were wide-open and lifeless, and its mouth open in a frozen scream.
"It's one of the guards!" Rodolphus shouted, overjoyed.
Severus had a sinking feeling in his gut.
And moments later several wizards poured through the open door. They wore prison garb, meaning they'd managed to leave their cells and were now either going to break out their friends or settle scores with enemies––perhaps both. They stopped before some cells and opened the doors, allowing other inmates to leave their confines. Other prisoners were left high and dry in their cells, either ignored or taunted.
So it 's actually happening, Severus found himself thinking, as he watched the group move closer and closer to the part of the corridor where his cell was located. The mass breakout is finally underway.
And then Snape noticed something he hadn't anticipated. Three figures, dressed in ordinary robes, stepped over the door thrown onto the ground and started walking down the corridor. One, Snape didn't recognize. The other two he did, Rabastan Lestrange and his sister-in-law, Bellatrix.
Last Hogsmeade Weekend As Students
Author: Fionna
Date: 04-26-07 21:46
Basilia, Graham, and Malcolm gibber excitedly about how this is their last ever Hogsmeade weekend as Hogwarts students. Fionna walks along beside them but says little. As they reach the outskirts of the village Basilia finally asks, "What's got you so quiet?"
"Letter from my mum."
"It's not a good thing she's written at last?" Malcolm inquires.
"I thought so at first but by the time I finished reading the letter I thought it was anything but."
"Why's that?" Graham asks, thinking nothing of joining in on the nosiness.
"The first part of the letter is downright cordial. Mum nattered on about how she's missed me and is sorry we had a falling out. Then she let's me know that a cousin is going to stay with us for awhile. Since I probably won't be living at home again instead of Catriona getting the spare bedroom Mum's giving her mine."
"That's bloody awful!" Basilia exclaims before saying, "I didn't know you have a cousin Catriona."
"Catriona Amherst. She's the youngest of my Aunt Blair, who's Mum's oldest sister. There's ten years between Cat and her sister Leslie."
"Leslie? Wait, she's the one who went to school in China?" Basilia asks, trying to place the name.
"Yeah, their dad is an ambassador there. Or was. He's in Finland as of two years ago. Aunt Blair and he split right after that. She's remarrying next month and is going on an extended honeymoon. Cat is staying the summer with my parents then is going to attend Hogwarts if she gets her letter."
"Why isn't she staying with her father?" This question is from Malcolm.
"Don't know," Fionna shrugs and shakes her head.
Graham gives Fionna a friendly hug. "Look on the bright side, you have a job waiting for you and didn't that Jericho chap tell you last weekend he's got a friend with a flat for you to live in at a reasonable rate?"
"Yeah," Fionna nods. She forces a smile. "Come on, let's have a smashing Hogsmeade trip. Make the most of our last one as students."
"There's the spirit," Malcolm grins.
Basilia chimes in, "First round of butterbeers is one me!"
A Droll Little Saturday Outing
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 04-27-07 14:42
Lucius experiences a sensation of standing in a center of calm in the midst of a raging storm. Chaos surrounds him but he himself has an almost detached cool collectedness. This even as a guard screams when swarmed by released prisoners. The man had put up a good fight but there are too many prisoners running rampant. The guard goes down, a prisoner scooping up the man's wands as a Dementor closes in to finish off the guard.
Bellatrix, Rabastan, and Lucius don't give a fig about freeing any of the prisoners but one. Letting some out of their cells, who in turn let others out, is simply an ends to a means. A diversion to keep the Azkaban guards busy. Bellatrix's genius of including the Dementors serves the same purpose only with the addition of terror on the guards' parts when unable to get away from the Dementor's kiss. Throw in the confusion of some of the prisoners being targeted by Dementors and getting out of this place with Rodolphus shouldn't be all that difficult.
When Bellatrix first came up with the idea of engineering Rodolphus's escape, Lucius had been instantly supportive. This wasn't so much because Lucius was feeling any burning desire to have the man out again - afterall, it was his own stupidity that landed him back in Azkaban - but because the scheming gave Bellatrix a focus, something dearly needed to truly get back to being herself. Lucius hadn't initially thought to be an actual part of the plan but he found he couldn't resist the temptation of taking part in something that would surely bring a rush of adrenalin.
Lucius chose a disguise as a precaution. Although they did wear hoods for a little while, none of the three are wearing them now. What fun it will be for once in a Ministry meeting - for one will most certainly be called - to listen to the indignant demands for explanations on how such a breakout could occur. At least one person, perhaps the cringe inducing Dolores Umbridge who'll drive the others batty as she drones on, will expound at length on the fact that when Azkaban was rebuilt it was to have been more stronger, more impregnable. Lucius will of course show a face torn between the horror that such a breakout did occur and the upset that one of the ones successfully away when the mass riot and breakout attempt took place was none other than his brother-in-law Rodolphus.
Oh yes, this is excellent and the fun is just beginning.
Last Hogsmeade of Term
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 04-27-07 16:21
Orei was up early, intent on meeting up with Brett at Aussie's first thing, so they could make the most of the day, since after this Orei would be throwing herself whole-heartedly into continual studying for her O.W.Ls which would be starting very, very soon. She was nervous, but ultimately she knew she would do fine, she'd been pulling passing marks in all her courses this term, even with the time off for her grandmother's funeral.
For now, it was time to forget the stress of upcoming exams and turn her attention to spending time with her boyfriend. She moved quickly down the path from the Castle just after grabbing a light breakfast from the Great Hall. Passing the groups of seventh years enjoying their final trip as students she smiled, that would eventually be her in two years time...spending her last trip in Hogsmeade doing all she could.
Soon enough she arrived at Aussie's knocking on the door, she heard the dogs barking up a storm and fighting for attention in the window near the door once they recognized that it was Orei knocking. Aussie opened the door and greeted Orei with a smile. "Hey, Brett should be here soon, however I'm on my way out, so make yourself comfortable. There are fresh muffins from the bakery on the counter, help yourself." With that she was off, apparently she had an important meeting or something, Orei didn't have the chance to ask.
Heading into the kitchen she grabbed a muffin and a glass of milk and settled down on the couch and flipped open the Daily Prophet. About thirty minutes later, Brett arrived via floo and plopped himself down next to Orei. "Sorry I'm late, got hung up with a few things..." He said apologetically and kissed her cheek, and after which promptly pilfered a chunk of blueberry muffin and popped it into his mouth with a grin.
"So, what do you want to do today?" He asked, wrapping his arm around her and drawing her close and reading over her shoulder.
Steady Stream of Customers
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 04-27-07 17:27
Students have been pouring into the bakery in a steady stream for awhile now. Briar hasn't been at all surprised by just how many have already put in an appearance. The last Hogsmeade trip of the school year often has students in town at the earliest possible time to make the most of the day, particularly the 5th and 7th years about to undergo the stressful ordeal of the OWLs and the NEWTs. For those two groups Briar has special specials.
For the 5th years, every item is reduced from 30% to 70%. The 7th years also get the reduction on items plus each gets something free. All other customers today, students, younger chldren, and adults get 25% off all purchases. Today is also an excellent day to order in person baked goods to have when studying for final exams or the OWLs or the NEWTs. Briar has a number of goody baskets to choose from or a student may put together his or her own basket. Anyone not wanting to place an order today may take special order forms to owl in. Since there are students unable to come into Hogsmeade today Briar did leave a stack of the forms at Hogwarts on career day and will send more if needed.
Despite the activity in the bakery, Briar's mind is only partially on her work. Since becoming ill, Bill has occupied a part of Briar's thoughts. Yesterday, Briar began thinking again about her cousin Melisande and the extreme measures taken against the woman. While out to dinner at a Muggle restaurant the night before, Briar had seen someone passing by on the street who looked a great deal like Melisande. Briar had rushed out to see if she could tell if her cousin looked all right but the woman was gone and Briar couldn't locate her on any of the cross streets. Having Melisande forget about the Wizarding World is for the best but that hasn't kept Briar from wondering if Melisande is well and in good health; it doesn't keep her from wondering if her cousin is making ends meet. If she can't stop thinking about Melisande's welfare, Briar is going to contact someone at the Ministry in the office keeping tabs on the woman.
Megan taps Briar on the shoulder to gain her attention. "The tray of snacks for Grace's group at Blossom's is ready. Should I take it?"
"Yes, please. I've got a cake to do some decorations on. Minnie will be here for it shortly."
"I'll be quick. As busy as we are it's a good thing none of the Blossom's groups are coming over today like they normally do. Back in a few minutes."
Briar nods and does a quick scan of the display cases to see what needs replenishing. After an equally quick check to make sure those working the front have a handle on things, Briar gets the display cases restocked then steps into the kitchen to finish decorating Minnie's and Maisie's cake.
The Waiting Ends
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 04-27-07 20:28
It was time.
Shutting the spell book that I had been studying for the past months, I took a deep steadying breath. Everything was prepared. The potion had sat long enough. The stars and moon hidden in the bright sky were aligned as stated in the text. The spell long since memorized in my head. All I needed was James.
As if on cue, Thelma stuck her head through the door. “It is time,” she said softly and her eyes curiously looked around the room. I could see the frown that started to crease her forehead. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay longer? Sirius will be home in the next few hours. It’s no problem…”
I held out my arms silently. Reluctantly it seemed, Thelma handed over James.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said firmly and to the point.
“Yes, of course,” Thelma blushed as she backed out of the room. “I’ll see myself out.”
I nodded, my attention already back on the spell. Closing the door, I set James on the table. He sat there, sucking quietly on the pacifier that Hermione had given him as a birthday gift. I pulled out the baby tub and set it next to him.
Quickly and efficiently I started adding the ingredients that had taken forever to acquire. Last but not least, I added the potion that had been sitting for months. Putting my wand in the watery mixture, I warmed it up.
“Bath time baby,” I whispered feeling the excitement rising inside. I could see James’ eyes grow wide in alarm but he didn’t cry. It was a good thing he loved baths so much. Removing his clothes, I placed him in the tub and bathed his body making sure to scoop the water over his head so his entire body was soaked in the potion.
The next part was the important part. The part which I wasn’t even sure would work and could possibly kill James. But I didn’t care. I had to get Mira back.
“Concentrate,” I whispered to myself and also to James. Holding my wand against his palm with one hand, I placed the index finger of my other hand on a piece of parchment. Beginning the spell I started the slow chant, making sure to say it at the right speed and tone. One small mistake - one mispronunciation - and the whole spell would be ruined. And if James died I wouldn’t be able to try the spell again unless I had another child with Sirius.
Chanting the words it barely registered to me that James had started to cry. By the time I reached the end of the words his cry had turned into a wail. It didn’t matter though. All that mattered was the tingling feeling that was going up through my right arm and into the left. I could feel my finger that touched the parchment burning with pain. It was as if a worm had made its way inside of it and was trying to squirm out the tip. I bit my lip hard to stop the scream of pain that threatened to escape. Unclenching my eyes that had involuntarily closed in pain, I saw the blood as it trickled, ever so slowly, onto the parchment. It was working. I was going to find Mira!
At that moment a large bang took me out of my trance. The door had burst open and a furious Sirius stood within the doorway. I opened my mouth, ready to beg and plead for him to stop, but before a single word could be spoken he had risen his wand and aimed.
Paris, France: Torture
Author: Nymphadora Tonks
Date: 04-27-07 20:31
Tonks couldn't feel her fingers anymore. She'd been tortured everyday the past week, via magic and physical contact alike. It seemed her captors, members of the Parisian branch of the Resistance, had lately taken to the physical aspect, inserting and removing sharp pieces of bamboo underneath her fingernails. Tonks was a tough woman, to be sure, but she could only take so much pain and had screamed herself hoarse days ago.
Between torture sessions, Tonks tried to orientate herself. She had already determined that the portkey had merely transported her to another part of the catacombs––at least, she was under the assumption that she was still in Paris and not somewhere else known to have similar underground passageways, such as Rome. Her captors came and went from a corridor that jutted diagonally from the room she sat in, her feet constantly underwater and so shriveled by now, she falsely imagined they would never resume their own form.
Her captors hadn't said how long they would keep her, though they'd said they'd keep her alive (unless she accidentally died from the torture) until they'd felt she'd paid for initiating the dissolution of both the Cape Town and Algiers offices of the Resistance. Few of the Parisian members had known about Cape Town or Algiers until after the raids, as being aware of the other offices was strictly on a need-to-know basis. But they knew now and, like the other offices around the globe, had prepared for the eventuality that someone might come nosing around to shut down yet another location of the organization.
It had certainly helped that a contact had provided them with the intel they needed to beat the infiltration before it could occur. Now they had the one who led the movement to stop the Resistance. She would not shut down another office ever again.
Tonks heard voices down the corridor and flinched involuntarily. She knew what was coming and desperately wished for a miracle. Unfortunately, she didn't have luck on her side.
A pair of wizards, one of whom seemed quite the expert at torture, came into view and trudged through the water to stand behind her.
"Ready for more fun, Mademoiselle?" He laughed evilly.
Tonks didn't reply, knowing nothing she could say would save her from her fate.
He knelt behind her and took one of her hands. The numbing sensation had passed but there was a tingling in her fingers that warned her of what was to come.
A second later, she started to scream.