Midnight & Destiny | Harry Potter FanFiction

Capitulum Viginti-unum

Harry pulled himself out of bed with great reluctance the following morning. His head ached and he felt like he hadn't slept at all. He didn't know how he managed to clean up and change into his uniform without waking his dorm mates but he was grateful that he did. The last time he was this lethargic was when he had the vision of Nagini attacking Mr. Weasley and he certainly didn't want anyone thinking he had another one of those dreams.

After grabbing his schoolbag and filled it with what he would need for the day, Harry left for the Great Hall and another day of grueling classes. The halls were quiet and empty urging Harry to look at his watch to see that it was only half past six. No wonder he was so tired. Harry let out a groan as he continued walking. Well, at least he could read some more in his Occlumency book before the Great Hall became too crowded.

It was about three quarters of an hour before anyone from Gryffindor entered the Great Hall allowing Harry to read at least a chapter before stashing the book back in his bag. After last night Harry had come to the conclusion that the theory behind Occlumency could only help so much but the fact that it was helping was enough incentive for him to keep reading. Besides, what was he supposed to do? Ask Professor Snape for help on theory? Yeah right.

Surprisingly Fred and George were among the first Gryffindors to enter and sat down with Harry between them. Ron and Hermione arrived shortly after and sat across from Harry and started engaging in small talk. Soon enough owls started to arrive with issues of the 'Daily Prophet'. Harry was surprised to see an issue dropped in front of Hermione. Since when did she have a subscription?

It didn't take long for Hermione to devour the front page and let out a startled yelp which got the attention of everyone nearby. "I don't believe it!" she exclaimed as she turned the newspaper around so Harry could see the front page. "Azkaban has been attacked! Ten Death Eaters have broken out!"

Harry could only stare at the ten black-and-white photographs (nine wizards and one witch) that covered the front page. There were names underneath each picture along with the reason they had been sent to the prison. Antonin Dolohov had murdered Gideon and Fabian Prewett (members of the Order in the last war). Algernon Rookwood had passed on Ministry secrets to Voldemort. The list went on until Harry reached the one witch that he had been warned about from Sirius. She was Sirius' cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange who had participated in the torturing of Frank and Alice Longbottom into insanity. If that wasn't enough, the headline really surprised Harry.

MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
PUBLIC QUESTIONS FUDGE'S PERSISTANCE
THAT YOU-KNOW-WHO HASN'T RETURNED

Harry grabbed the newspaper from Hermione and started to read the article with Fred and George leaning closer to catch a glimpse.

The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban.

The Minister of Magic himself confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening but insists that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Name is not behind the breakout. This, of course, was met with a high amount of doubt among those who were present at the announcement.

Cornelius Fudge is already under scrutiny for his appointment of Dolores Umbridge, former Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, when it was revealed that she had only been placed to instill Fudge's beliefs into the minds of the students. Many have begun to wonder if Headmaster Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter have been right all along in their fight to announce You-Know-Who's return in order to prepare the public.

"There is no proof that You-Know-Who has returned or was behind the breakout," the Minister said last night. "For all we know Peter Pettigrew is trying to gather his associates to avenge their fallen master."