Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 53: Azkaban
"My Lord, our army has arrived," said the masked man.
"Good. Now is the time to rescue them," Voldemort grinned. He had heard from Barty Crouch Jr. about the Lestrange family's loyalty, how they stood by him even after his downfall.
The other Death Eaters had been captured during raids, their identities exposed early on. But the Lestranges were different. Their identities had not been revealed, yet they chose to search for him, and in doing so, they exposed themselves.
Suddenly, dozens of Dementors noticed them. They flew rapidly, preparing to attack the intruders.
Seeing the Dementors approaching, some of the Death Eaters nearly panicked. They couldn't use a Patronus and no Dark Wizard they knew could either. To counter Dementors, wizards needed to cast a Patronus, but Voldemort was different. Despite the chilling presence of the Dementors, Voldemort stood unfazed, using his occlumency to endure it.
"Food."
"Intruders."
"Let's eat."
The ghostly voices of the Dementors echoed, filling the air with dread. Sensing the danger, Voldemort acted before it was too late. He waved his wand, and from its tip, black fire erupted, encircling him and his Death Eaters. It was Protego Diabolica, an advanced Protective Dark Magic once used by Gellert Grindelwald.
The Dementors, feeling the immense power radiating from the black fire, hesitated. Though they were immune to ordinary fire, this was different. The fire emitted the strongest Dark Magic they had ever encountered, and they dared not get close.
"Fire."
"Dark Magic."
"Too strong."
"Retreat."
The thousands of Dementors, who had nearly overwhelmed Voldemort and his army, retreated.
Seeing this, Voldemort directed his magic guiding the black fire, surrounding the fleeing Dementors.
"We are being attacked."
"Counterattack."
"Identify the human."
But Voldemort raised his wand and used Sonorus to amplify his voice.
"I am Voldemort, here to offer you freedom," he announced.
At this, the Dementors halted. One of their leaders floated forward to meet him.
"Freedom?" the Dementor rasped.
"Yes. You have been controlled by the Ministry of Magic, unable to feed as you wish. But if you serve me, I will offer you Muggles and blood traitors as your source of food," Voldemort offered.
"Interesting."
"Yes, this human is interesting."
"Shall we accept?"
"Humans always threaten us with light spells."
"I think we should reject him."
"Shut up."
"Let the leader decide."
"How can we trust you, human?" asked the leader of the Dementors.
"Voldemort never lies to his followers. I will let you feast on the Aurors guarding this castle," replied Voldemort.
Aurors
There isn't a single Auror who enjoys guarding Azkaban. The place is cold and filled with dark energy. Every time they come here, the Dementors drain their happiness, forcing them to relive their most painful memories.
It feels as though they are the ones being punished, constantly having to visit this prison.
Their real job is to oversee the Dementors, while the Dementors guard the prisoners. The reason they clock into Azkaban is to monitor any anomalies among the Dementors, who are dangerous creatures. The only thing that can repel them is the Patronus Charm.
Most of the people working here are half-blood and Muggle-born wizards—there are no pure-bloods serving as Azkaban guards.
Today, David is the only Muggle-born wizard on duty, while the other three are half-bloods. Due to their lack of connections with anyone of high status, they were forced to work as Azkaban guards.
They usually work a bit away from Azkaban, staying in a small watchtower where the depressing magic radiating from the Dementors doesn't reach them.
One of them suddenly felt annoyed and ordered David to get food.
"Hey, you! Go buy some food," one of them commanded.
David, hearing this, could only grit his teeth. As the only Muggle-born, he knew the others, being half-bloods, held a slightly higher status than him. Not wanting to cause a scene, he quietly went out and Apparated to Hogsmeade to fetch food.
"Look at that idiot. We're lucky to have someone like him."
"Hahaha."
Their laughter quickly died down when the temperature suddenly dropped.
"What the heck do those creatures want now? Why are they coming here?"
One of them waved his wand and cast "Expecto Patronum." A small rat-shaped Patronus appeared, providing a bit of warmth to the wizard.
"Let's see what those creatures are after." They stepped out of the watchtower, ready to confront the Dementors.
But their irritation quickly turned to fear when they spotted the bald man standing nearby.
"Impossible... could it be?"
"You-Know-Who has really returned"
---Death Eaters Prisoner---
"My Lord, I always believed you would return," Bellatrix Lestrange cried, tears streaming down her face.
4 Months ago, they had all felt it—their Dark Lord's return—when their Dark Marks grew darker, and one day, they were being summoned.
The mark that had long been cold suddenly become hot, this is the sign that Voldemort had returned.
Bellatrix Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, Antonin Dolohov, Mulciber, Augustus Rookwood, Jugson, Travers, Alecto Carrow, and Amycus Carrow were among the most loyal Death Eaters imprisoned in Azkaban.
Seeing their Dark Lord again reignited the hope that had long diminished. Though they were the most faithful among the Death Eaters, after more than ten years in prison, even they had begun to accept that Voldemort might truly be dead.
Voldemort moved from cell to cell, releasing each prisoner, until he reached Dolores Umbridge.
"Isn't this the woman who tried to kill Harry Potter?" Voldemort asked, his voice cold.
"Yes, My Lord. Her name is Dolores Umbridge. She was imprisoned after her identity as a half-blood was exposed," a Death Eater explained.
Dolores, hearing this, saw a chance to escape the horrors of Azkaban.
"My Lord, please allow me to serve in your army," Dolores begged.
"A half-blood, in my army?" Voldemort replied, his tone dripping with mockery.
"I despise Muggles and have done unspeakable things to them," Dolores pleaded, trying to prove her worth.
Voldemort glanced at his Death Eaters, his eyes silently seeking confirmation.
"She was imprisoned for torturing Muggles and Mudbloods," one of the Death Eaters answered.
A smile spread across Voldemort's face as he turned his gaze back to Dolores.
"Good. I will give you one chance. Your future depends on your performance," Voldemort said.
"Thank you, my Lord," Dolores smiled, her voice filled with relief.
Author Notes:
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Chapter 82: Excellent Spy
Chapter 83: Ghost
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