Yellow Badger [3]// Harry Potter // Draco Malfoy

Mass Breakout

Chapter Twenty-Four: Mass Breakout

Neville hasn't spoken to me in weeks.

I haven't spoken to anyone in weeks.

Draco infiltrated my head to check up on me when he could, wrapping me up in his arms as he too prepared for what was next.
A month after the dream Hadleigh had taken to writing to my grandmother, her creative threats written down on paper were enough for me to at least try and eat something.

The Order hadn't once replied to my urgent Owls, the first time I got a reply stating 'Thank you for the information, we will make arrangements for this event' but when I asked what those arrangements were and what the plan was to protect my family, there was no reply.

With my head rested on my hand, I used the rounded spoon to stir my golden syrup drizzled porridge making different kinds of patterns in the oats.
"You have to eat something." Hadleigh urged.

I looked at her without moving my head," Not hungry, maybe lunch."
"You said that yesterday." She pointed out

"And the day before that," Anthony interjected with a sad smile," What's up with you Cels, you've lost all your... spark."
I shrugged," Kinda hard to be Sparky right now,"
Isabelle put a supportive hand on my shoulder," What's wrong, maybe we can help?"
"I wish you could." I smiled softly as I tried to eat a spoonful of the oats, even if it was to make my friends feel better.

From above, there was an increased sound of feathered wings entering the Great Hall, then silence.
That's when the whispers started.
How did she get out?
I bet Sirius Black helped her, Traitor family after all.

Never mind that, did you see what they wrote about the Longbottom Siblings?
No wonder she doesn't smile.

No wonder he's such a freak.

I slowly looked up from my bowl to a table full of eyes on me.

"What?" I questioned," Why is everyone staring?"
Hadleigh passed me the paper," I'm so sorry."

MASS BREAKOUT AT AZKABAN PRISON.

I blinked a few times. I forgot how to breathe, even though I knew it was happening, there was a safety knowing it hadn't yet. Now it was like the world was collapsing and I didn't feel safe anymore. It had been hours since the breakout and now there was this pressure behind me, as if someone was standing there too close for comfort.

I ran out of the Great Hall with the paper clenched in my hands, the calls of my name went off deaf ears as I needed to get out of there.
All those people knew. People I didn't even know, knew of the pain we went through as a family and someone wrote it as if it was their story to tell.
By the time I had stopped running, I was at the quidditch pitch, standing in the middle of the grass with my head spinning.  Only when the buzzing of the whispers had gone did I read the article in full:

Late last night, news broke of a mass breakout from Azkaban Prison, as announced by the Ministry of Magic. Ten prisoners, all high-security, escaped under cover of darkness, prompting the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, to speak with reporters in his private office. Fudge confirmed that the muggle Prime Minister had been informed of the dangerous nature of these individuals and urged the magical community to remain alert and cautious. The Minister noted that this is not the first time Azkaban has seen a mass breakout, as the infamous murderer Sirius Black escaped some years ago. Fudge suspects that Black may have had a hand in this recent escape, as he would be well-positioned to help others follow in his footsteps. Among the escapees is Bellatrix Lestrange, a cousin of Black and a notorious criminal in her own right. The Ministry is working tirelessly to round up the escapees but advises the public not to approach them under any circumstances. One of the escapees, Bellatrix Lestrange, is known for her involvement in the kidnap and torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom, as well as Antonin Dolohov and Augustus Rookwood whose involvement in the the murder of Edgar Bones and his family had them arrested in 1981.