Dark Prince Rises by Ronin2106

Chapter 13

August the 6th. Azkaban.

Heavy gates of the Azkaban fortress jail opened up a little, letting inside three persons, two of whom were dressed in black robes, with hoods above their faces. For the simple guards and Aurors, they looked like your average Unspeakables, secretive and secluded members of the Ministry, charged with research, exploration and experimentation in various fields of magic.

That including the fields that are considered to be among the darkest and vilest in the society and even among some of the Dark families. Due to the nature of their work, they usually work in secrecy and away from prying eyes, and if need be, they can call upon their vast privileges, granted to them by the Ministry's edicts, to achieve all the needed goals, just like now.

Kingsley Shacklebolt stepped closer to the warden, handing him the order and confirmations from the Ministry, authorizing the presence of the Unspeakables and the nature of their task. The warden looked a little surprised, but not too surprised, as this wasn't the first time he had seen the Unspeakables visit the Azkaban.

In his time, he had watched these seemingly faceless and silent studiers come and go here about half a dozen times already, each and every time pursuing different goals. This time was no different, but what was different was the fact that the Unspeakables required one of his most guarded and dangerous inmates. He looked from the writ and at his old former colleague and friend Kingsley Shacklebolt, before speaking up.

"I'm sorry, Shacks, but are those Unspeakables nuts?" He honestly asked of him, before showing him what was written in the order. "I can understand studying the Dementors, Azkaban itself, even the strange hieroglyphs found in some places here, but this? She was among You Know Who's most trusted lieutenants and still is his deadliest Witch. She may've been quiet and even withdrawn for the past fourteen or so years, but recently… It's like she's turned into a rabid dog. Hell, I've had to order Dementors to bring her food instead of guards, because she'd scare my men worse than Dementors."

"I know, Jack, and believe me, I understand what you mean." Kingsley spoke up. "And that is the thing that those two are here for. We've all heard that after Voldemort fell, Bellatrix Lestrange suddenly went into that apathy and misery, but now, with all the rumors and…"

"Not exactly rumors, Shack." Jack told him, surprising him. "I've seen the Marks on their arms flare up in June, and I know what that means, even if Fudge and his bureaucratic arse lickers are saying otherwise… Does Bones and others know that He's back?"

"She does, and that's why she agreed to cooperate with Unspeakables on this one. They've got a theory or two that the Marks may be used to find out where that bastard is hold up and smoke him out." Shacklebolt explained to him. "I don't know about you, Jack, but I'd prefer to put the bastard down for good this time, and do it before he gets any time to do any damage, instead of having to deal with him when people start dying."

"Hm… Alright, I'll have that woman moved to the isolated chamber on this level. That should give your researchers plenty of privacy, and I'll have my men not snooping around." Jack agreed with Kingsley. "But, if something goes south…"

"I've been ordered to supervise the entire thing, and I still haven't forgotten how to throw a curse." Kingsley assured his friend, who nodded to him.

The warden motioned several of the guards to guide the arrived guests to the chamber, while he went on to order his men to bring the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange there. Soon enough, the trio had made their way into the small chamber, with wooden chairs with restraints, stools and table being the only accommodations there. Once the door into the chamber closed up, and with Kingsley placing a privacy charm on the room, he turned to the Unspeakables and spoke up to them.