Jail Bird Choir

CHAPTER 5

“Sweet Merlin, will you just look at that lot.” Remus Lupin sighed heavily as he scanned the shoreline and the masses of wizards and witches alike crammed onto the small coastal beach. Harry bit his lip as he felt a ripple of betrayal nip at his spine. Someone had tipped off the papers and whoever it was better not get in Harry’s way this evening. As the trio drew closer the chants of the mob became clearer as did their screams of murderer and traitor. Harry sank deeper into his cloak as the crowd noticed their approach. Almost immediately he was engulfed by angry wizards and reporters all shoving placards, quick quills and camera’s in his face. Harry ignored them though roughly pushing off the hands that tried to prevent him from taking off on his broom. Remus and Tonks followed him up until they were hovering above the angry mob. It seemed the world did remember Severus Snape and none wanted to see him walk free now they knew he’d been captured. The words that were flung his way were violent and low, each barb striking Harry like a blow to the stomach.

Leaving the angry wizards behind them the trio set off across the stormy sea riding out the strong wind gusts that threatened to bring them down. The weather was the worst Harry had seen it and he somehow attributed it to Snape’s release. Whatever kept the prisoners in wasn’t happy about letting one go. It was a long trip to the island and it was almost a godsend when the trio landed on the flat dead grass of the receiving lawn. A small group was there to meet them. Chief Auror Jackleberry, Three prison guards, the key keeper and four of the Auror divisions most competent Auror’s, along with the Minister of magic and several of his staff. Harry handed his broom to Remus as he approached the minister who cautiously took a step back from the young man that approached him.

“Mr. Potter, haven’t changed your mind then?” Harry’s gaze narrowed dangerously at the Minister of magic who instinctively stepped back into the protective circle of Auror’s surrounding him.

“Did you think the welcoming committee would have that effect?” Harry tilted his head to side in amused sarcasm as he eyed up the Auror’s all of whom were gripping their wands in plain sight, a sure show of strength. Harry was not concerned however and merely glanced up at the fortress before finding enough control to look back at the Minister.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The minister smiled weakly at Harry who rolled his eyes in irritation, his fists clenching tightly unseen beneath the sleeves of his robes.

“Where is he?” Harry snapped tiring of the Ministers’ foolhardy bravado.

“If you want him, you must go and collect him Mr. Potter.” The minister of magic held his hand out to the key keeper who, having rummaged around a large rusty key loop, finally found what he was looking for and handed it to the Minister. Harry twitched his eyes glossing over with a red hue for a second as he reigned in his anger.

“I take from your smug grin the Dementors will not be stood down for the duration it will take me to fetch him?” Harry took a step forward to accept the offered key his fist snatching the bronzed item from the Minister’s lax grip.

“Indeed, with such murderous villains housed within these walls, surely you must see why our sentry’s will not be stood aside.” Harry didn’t miss the glance that the Minister threw towards his Chief Auror who nodded his head curtly in agreement. Harry however wasn’t fussed Dementors were easily tamed now days. Taking the key securely in his hand Harry pushed his way through the crowd noting acutely how Fudge scrambled to be out of Harry’s way and behind the largest of the three Auror’s. Reaching the open gate that the key keeper had held for him, Harry paused as he felt Remus hand come down onto his shoulder.

“Are you sure you want to do this Harry, now they all know….” Harry brushed Remus’ hand away and stepped in through the gates.

“This changes nothing Remus.” Was Harry’s parting whisper as the key keeper closed the gates behind him. Harry stared up in silence at the towering fortress just as he had the night before during his patrol with Ron. The place was just as dark, silent and evil as it had been only this time Harry had a purpose. Tightening his hold on the key Harry strode towards the castle letting the magical void grow heavily around him until it was like a lead weight on his shoulders by the time he reached the large studded front entrance of the castle. Not many had come so close to Azkaban before and those that had were usually inmates who would never see outside again. Harry sighed as he ran his hand along the icy cold door of the castle, searching for the lock for the key. He found it behind one of the sharpened studs, the lock clunked loudly in the silence but its echo was dampened by the heavy void. The door was stiff to push open but Harry shouldered it until it had opened enough for him to get through.

The world inside the castle was worse than it’s exterior and Harry covered his ears as he was instantly assaulted by the tormented screams, cries and hysterical screeches of the souls within. Harry shivered as he closed his eyes and tried to block out the sound. He’d heard the sound before, the sound of people dying slow painful deaths with no one there to hear them. Pushing down his guilt Harry steeled himself and opened his eyes. The icy fire of the blue flame torches lit the corridor in front of him at it’s end was a small booth and inside Harry could see something moving. Not really knowing where he was to begin looking for Snape, Harry headed for the obvious choice. Harry drew cautiously up to the booth the smell of sulphur, acid and death clung to the thick air with every step he took.

“Hello?” Harry muttered as he drew up to the booth that had a glass door with three holes in it for what looked like breathing. Harry couldn’t help but jump back as the creature inside turned around and eyed him dangerously. Like the hideously deformed gatekeeper he’d met the night before this abomination of life was in no better condition. Any resemblance to a wizard the thing had had was gone, leaving behind a dried prune like scull, with two sunken eyes and a stitched up mouth. “I’m here to collect Severus Snape.” Harry said boldly as he held up the key like it would make all the difference. The thing inside the box let out what could only be described as a pained groan, as his sunken eyes rolled around unnaturally in it’s head. “Where is he?” Harry muttered watching as the creature tried to speak the stitched lips moving marginally. Harry tried to hold back his urge to vomit as a black, bloodied vial seeped out from between the stitches on the creature’s lips and dripped like tar onto the glass front of the box. What Harry assumed was a hand came up from somewhere in the box and with a crooked blackened finger proceeded to paint three numbers on the glass with the tar like substance that had leaked from it’s mouth. “978” Harry muttered the young wizard jumping a little when there was a grinding rock sound from beside him to reveal a staircase. Glancing back at the creature in the box Harry stepped towards the staircase. The creature let out another pained groan its hands smearing the substance from its mouth on the glass as it tried to get at Harry. Quickly Harry stepped into the staircase and staggered dangerously as the stairwell began to move.

The grinding of the rocks continue as the staircase spiraled downwards until finally it shuddered to a halt in front of a dark stone corridor. Stepping off the staircase Harry shivered in the cold, noting acutely that it was well below freezing now. There was a single torch in a holder by the end of the corridor and Harry having huddled down in his cloak reached for the torch to light his way. It was so cold Harry’s breath hung in the air in front of him as he slowly made his way down the corridor. The first door he came to he paused. The numbers 876 were burnt into the wood and a large magically sealed lock lay suspended over the hatch. There was a temptation hidden in Harry to see behind the door but he pushed it aside to move on. Each door was numbered, but in no discernable order. Harry silently wondered how the system worked and how far he’d have to go to find Severus’ number. It was with some surprise that the number 978 appeared on the six or seventh door along the corridor. Harry paused in front of it and consciously ran his fingers over the burnt number just to make sure it was right. The ward on the door was strong and hummed with magic in the cold silence. Harry bit his lip as he wondered if there was some way of getting in other than breaking the ward himself. So far he hadn’t met any dementors and if he could help it he’d rather avoid drawing attention to himself if possible. With the rusty key back in his hand Harry went in search for another lock on the door in the light of the blue flamed torch. An unassuming groove in the stone beside the door was where Harry found the lock and with a silent prayer to Merlin pushed the key inside and turned. There was a crackle of magic before the door in front of him disappeared revealing a pitch-black room.

Harry hesitated on the threshold and held up the torch in the darkness. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust but when they did they found a shadowed figure sitting with their back to him.

“Severus?” Harry whispered the wisp of his warm breath filtering up into the air in front of him. The figure didn’t move and Harry stepped into the tiny room to see for himself if it was the man he was looking for.

In the darkness Harry couldn’t see much but as he held the torch above the figure to get a better look the sight he was confronted with made him heave. The wizard was practically unrecognizable and Harry had to look close to make sure it actually was Snape. The man’s once silky long black hair had been totally shaved off. Snape’s face was a bloodied mess his features lost in the black and purple bruises, swelling and bloodied slashes. His frame was skeletal, emaciated and malnourished to the point where Harry could see the joints of bones beneath the man’s skin. Snape’s body was covered in blood, rashes, dirt and large weeping sores. He was completely naked sitting cross-legged on a soiled mattress staring at the blank wall in front of him. “Severus?” Harry tried again his voice wavering as he leant forward to see if there was any reaction from his once formidable potion professor. Snape didn’t move an inch but Harry caught a blink from the dark haunted eyes he was trying to look into. Harry allowed himself a smile as he swapped the torch from his right hand so that he could place a soft hand on the wizard’s tender shoulder. “I’ve come to take you home with me, they’re releasing you into my care.” Harry whispered forcing his hand not to shake as he placed it tentatively on Snape’s icy cold shoulder. Harry swallowed hard as Snape moved his head the man crooking his neck for the first time in months to glance up at the young wizard hovering above him. “Hi.” Harry muttered lamely as he smiled at Snape.

There was no returning smile, no recognition of a friendship they’d once had. Harry removed his hand reluctantly from Snape’s shoulder as the man stared up at him, unblinking with cold eyes. “You don’t have to come with me…” Harry trailed off and stepped back as Snape leaned forward and with the aid of his hands pushed himself up off the mattress. The full extent of the damage to Snape’s body was laid bare before Harry as he stared at the man’s weak figure. Snape had both his toes missing on each foot and gangrene had set in on his left ankle where a large iron chain was cutting into his skin. The man was missing every nail off his fingers, several of them bent at unnatural angles and most swollen stiff and cramped after months of no use. Whip marks slashed across the man’s pale skin, some extending to his genitals where festering sores had set in. A brand was crusted on his hip, the numbers 978 visible beneath the infection and scabs. Harry was horrified and it was not hard to see how creatures such as the two hideously deformed wizards he’d met had come into being. Swallowing his horror Harry gestured for the door and followed Snape’s unsteady walk out into the icy corridor. Without his toes Snape was unbalanced his hands running along the wall to keep him steady. Harry didn’t offer any help Snape was still a proud son of a bitch even in the face of hell. The door to the room reappeared behind him and Harry removed the key from the lock. Harry held the torch above his head and began back down the corridor purposefully slowing his steps for Snape who was slowly following.

The pair reached the steps and Harry replaced the torch in the holder before stepping up with Snape beside him. In reverse the steps spiraled back upwards carrying the silent pair back up to the foyer. Harry hoped the creature in the box wouldn’t be there but he knew that was unlikely. The stairs shuddered to a halt in the foyer and Harry stepped out unthinking within an instant he felt the cold shiver of evil sweep over him and the icy hollow moans of the dementors. Harry swore to himself as he reached for his wand and stood his ground. Behind him he felt Snape cower the mans bloodied deformed hands clutching at Harry’s waist as the wail of the dementors circling them brought him to his knees.

“Expecto Patronum Vanisili!” Harry shouted watching as the stag erupted from the end of his wand illuminating the darkness of the corridor leading to their freedom. The Paronus variant was a creation of Hermione Grangers in Seventh year, designed specifically for the wand bearer to cast his or her patronus but then recast other spells making the patronus self sufficient until such time as it was returned. Lowering his wand Harry grabbed hold of Snape’s arms and hauling the man bodily from his knees began dragging him down the corridor right behind the glowing Patronus. The Dementors’ screams were almost unbearable as they fought to get past the barrier. In their own environment they thrived and Harry was having trouble staying up right himself with such life sucking beings circling him. Harry struggled with the key in the door as they reached the end of the corridor trying and failing to hold up Snape as he pushed open the stiff door. His patronus was weakening and the circling Dementors were coming in for the kill. Snape was screaming now his body in throws of agonizing pain as Harry grabbed the man’s neck and pulled him out through the crack in the door. Throwing Snape uncaringly onto the gravel path still screaming Harry spun around and having recalled his Patronus slammed the door to the castle closed.

Breathing heavily Harry collapsed on the steps to stare at Snape’s haunted gaze. Snape had stopped screaming now and was trembling in the cold wind, his eyes staring at the starless sky above the castle. With a sigh of relief Harry stood up and took the few steps down to Snape.

“Sorry I threw you, you’re light as a feather.” Harry smiled weakly as he bent down to help Snape up from the gravel. Snape didn’t take the offered hand and instead crawled to his knees and under his own hands pushed himself up to his feet again. Carefully Harry walked beside Snape towards the gate, silently wondering if he should offer the wizard his coat he was naked after all. Before the decision could be made though the gate opened and Harry stepped through onto the dead grassed lawn to stare at the gathering of people waiting for him.

“Harry, what took you.” Remus ran over to Harry first ignoring the naked man standing behind the young wizard.

“Ran into the occupants.” Harry muttered darkly as he eyed the official group standing chatting casually by the gatekeeper’s booth.

“Fucking hell.” Another voice made Harry glance back to his two friends. Tonks was staring past Harry at the wizard behind him, Remus too was now seeing Snape for the first time and gawked in horror at the picture he made. In the moonlight Snape didn’t look human a mere fragment of the great wizard he’d been before the war. Harry wondered if the shock of seeing Snape in such a condition had shifted Remus’ opinion. His guardian after all wasn’t one for torture or punishment even to his most hated enemies.

“Made it then Mr. Potter?” Harry turned his attention to Fudge who’d wandered back over to him from where he’d been chatting casually with the chief Auror.

“No thanks to you Minister.” Harry snarled his rage that had been temporarily abated by his concern for Snape now rising rapidly out of control.

“Did you expect a free ride Mr. Potter? Severus Snape is a convicted murderer he deserves nothing that he has not received in this place and it will be a cold day in hell when he will walk free on the streets again. Severus is tagged for retrieval should you lose control of him, he is to be accompanied by yourself everywhere and is not permitted outside your chosen domain in daylight hours. He is to have no contact with any of his former ‘colleagues’ and all outgoing and in coming mail is being monitored. He is not under any circumstances allowed to touch a wand nor is he permitted to perform magic of any kind. Should any of these rules be broken we will collect both him and yourself and return you both to Azkaban.” The Minister handed Harry a roll of parchment outlining his obligations but Harry merely tossed it at the Ministers feet in disgust.

“Remus, Tonks put Severus on my broom he’ll fly home with me.” Harry muttered coldly waiting until his two friends had escorted Snape over to the edge of the grassed receiving lawn. As if obligated to follow the prisoner the Auror’s and most of Fudge’s staff followed Remus leaving the Minister unprotected. Harry too the opportunity and pounced in the shadow of the gate. With his hand curled Harry whispered the hex and watched as the Minister began to choke. Turning blue in the face Harry tightened his fist as the hex tightened around the Ministers throat, brining the man to his knees before Harry. Harry’s eyes were red glowing like embers in a fire. For the first time all evening the Minister looked afraid of Harry like he had the night before.

“You will cross me too many times little man, next time will be your last.” Harry’s voice was practically a hiss as he cut off the Minister’s air entirely for a few seconds before releasing him from the hex all-together. Coughing, and spluttering the Minister collapsed on the dead grass wheezing as he cowered away from Harry towering above him. “You’ve been warned.” Harry hissed as he blinked away the red hue from his eyes and took a deep calming breath in to regain control. Striding towards where Tonks and Remus were ready to go, Harry consciously wiped away the trail of black blood that trickled from his nose. Remus stared at Harry pointedly but said nothing as the boy mounted his broom behind the still naked Severus and with a kick of his heels shot up into the night air leaving the welcoming committee behind him looking after their frightened Minister…

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>