The Potter Chronicles

Chapter 27: The liberation of Azkaban (part 2)

Oliver Wood sat in the Head Auror's office, doing some paper work and listening to Elvis Presley classics. Being the head Auror of United Kingdoms was a tedious job. He wondered how Harry did it.

"Harry..." Oliver thought with a streak of sadness passing through him.

He took his eyes off the bulky file before him, and looked into oblivion in retrospection. He recalled how Professor McGonagall had borrowed him from an on-going class and introduced him to the new seeker with round glasses. His first reaction on seeing the new seeker was "This? The new seeker? Oh no way..."

But then, his views had changed drastically. Harry was a born seeker. After all those years, Oliver still felt honoured to be the first person to practically teach Harry Quidditch. Harry's excellent Auror skills had made him a senior of Oliver in the Auror department but still, they were good friends.

And now, Harry was gone. Oliver sank back in his chair and closed his eyes. The Ministry had made him the head of Auror department after the death of Harry, but he'd rather have Harry back than be an Auror himself.

Suddenly, the door of the office opened and an Auror barged in. Oliver opened his eyes and sat straight in his chair. The Auror was out of breath. He was holding a talker machine. Oliver knew by the looks of him, that something had gone wrong.

"The Az...Azkaban" the Auror said panting.

"Calm down Rex. Tell me what happened" Oliver said, shutting off the music player with a flick of his wand.

"The Azkaban is under attack sir" the Auror said.

"What?" Oliver said getting up.

"Yes sir. I received a distress signal" the Auror said.

"Show it to me" Oliver said.

The Auror laid his talker machine on the desk and re-played the message.

"This is Azkaban two-oh-three. We are under attack. I repeat, we are under attack. Requesting back-up immediately. Over and out" a voice spoke frantically.

"That sounds like Richard" Oliver said frowning.

"Yeah sir. His call line has been dead ever since. I even sent two Aurors to check it out. They haven't returned yet" the Auror said.

"You sent the Aurors without consulting me?" Oliver asked turning towards the Auror.

"Erm...sir...I thought it was a prank call. Me and Richard do it all the time" the Auror said, not making eye contact with Oliver. He could feel Oliver looking sternly at him.

"How long have these Aurors been gone?" Oliver asked.

"Half an hour" the Auror said.

"What about the Aurors stationed in the cellblocks?" Oliver asked.

"Their lines are dead too" the Auror said.

Oliver stood there, thinking. What could be happening at the Azkaban? Was it under attack? But why would someone attack the Azkaban? A mass breakout? Umm...not a possibility. But it did happen in 1996. Oliver was clueless, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"How many Aurors in the Ministry right now?" Oliver asked.

"Ten sir. Inlcuding you. The rest are in field work" the Auror said.

"Okay. Summon all of them over here in five minutes" Oliver said.

"Yes sir" the Auror said and quickly left the room.

Five minutes later, ten Aurors stood in Oliver Wood's office.

"Alright. I believe the Azkaban is under attack. Now we do not know what's happening out there so we have to tread carefully, this could be a hoax for all we know. I'm sending seven of you to the Azkaban. You have keep your call lines open at all times and report everything you see over there" Oliver said.