Chapter 69
Chapter 74: Shadows Rise
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Peter Pettigrew's POV
The cold, oppressive walls of Azkaban were stifling, but for me, they were never meant to last. I always knew there was a way out. The Dementors couldn’t take everything—not my cunning, not my rat-like survival instincts, and certainly not my loyalty to the one who had granted me protection in my darkest hour: the Dark Lord.
The days had blurred into one another in this forsaken place, but something changed when I heard her voice. Bellatrix Lestrange—mad as ever but fiercely devoted to Voldemort. She was the perfect ally, even in this grim place.
With her help, we formulated a plan. The guards of Azkaban had grown complacent. The Dementors, vile creatures that they were, didn’t care about anything but feeding on our despair. It made sneaking past them easier than expected. I transformed into my rat form to scout the surroundings, slipping through cracks and observing the guards' routines. Bellatrix, despite her madness, was terrifyingly patient.
The perfect moment came during a particularly stormy night. The prison’s defenses were weaker, and the Dementors were distracted by the sudden increase in fear and hopelessness from the storm. Bellatrix and I struck. The guards were unprepared for the ferocity of Bellatrix's spells, her manic laughter echoing through the halls. In the chaos, we fled, disappearing into the night.
I had only one goal now: to find the Dark Lord. He wasn’t back yet, but I would prepare the way for his return.
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Daily Prophet Article
BREAKING NEWS: ESCAPE FROM AZKABAN! In a shocking turn of events, two of the wizarding world’s most dangerous criminals, Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew, have escaped from Azkaban Prison. Lestrange, convicted for her role in the torture of Frank and Alice Longbottom, is one of the most feared witches alive. Pettigrew, formerly thought to have died a hero, was discovered last year to have betrayed the Potter family, leading to their deaths.
The Ministry of Magic is urging the public to remain calm and vigilant. Aurors have been dispatched to locate the fugitives, though their whereabouts remain unknown. Minister Cornelius Fudge assured citizens that “all necessary measures” are being taken to capture them.
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Alex's POV
I was halfway through some enchanting work in my lab when the Daily Prophet landed on the breakfast table, and the headline hit me like a brick. Bellatrix Lestrange and Peter Pettigrew Escape Azkaban!
Pettigrew—that rat! I had hoped he would rot in Azkaban for a while longer. His escape wasn’t unexpected, but it was bad news nonetheless. He was cunning, and with Bellatrix by his side, they were a dangerous pair. However, Voldemort wasn’t back yet, and that meant the true threat was still lurking in the shadows.
I had other things on my mind, though. The death of Howard and Maria Stark had sent Stark Industries into a spiral. Their stocks plummeted, and I seized the opportunity, using the Potter and Black muggle accounts to acquire as many shares as possible. Thanks to the extensive muggle investments by both families, no one in the magical world would question it.
Despite this financial maneuvering, the news of Pettigrew and Bellatrix's escape brought a sense of urgency. The wizarding world was starting to feel the cracks. Fudge might try to downplay the threat, but everyone knew that if two such dangerous criminals could escape Azkaban, it meant the Ministry wasn’t as secure as they claimed.
As the day wore on, fear spread across the magical community. Even Dumbledore, though calm, seemed concerned about what this could mean for the future. Pettigrew's escape reminded me that the future was still fragile, and we weren’t out of the woods yet.
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Hogwarts Reaction
At Hogwarts, the students had mixed reactions to the news. Most were too young to fully understand the danger that Bellatrix and Pettigrew posed, but the older students whispered in the hallways, concerned about what this escape could mean. The specter of Voldemort still loomed in their minds, even though he wasn’t officially back.
The staff at Hogwarts, on the other hand, were worried. Professor McGonagall sternly reminded students to be cautious, and Flitwick increased the protective charms around the castle. Even Snape seemed more vigilant than usual, his sharp eyes scanning the students for any sign of trouble.
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Dumbledore's POV
The news of Bellatrix and Pettigrew's escape was concerning, though it didn’t surprise me. Bellatrix was fiercely loyal to Voldemort, and her escape meant she would likely begin searching for him. But Voldemort had not yet regained his strength. He was still out there, weak and waiting. I had to ensure that Pettigrew and Bellatrix’s efforts to restore him were thwarted before they could even begin.
The students at Hogwarts were blissfully unaware of the full implications of the escape, though I suspected that Harry and his friends would be more perceptive. The boy had an instinct for trouble, and I feared Pettigrew’s return to Voldemort would stir things up sooner than we were ready for.
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Harry's POV
The news of Bellatrix and Peter Pettigrew's escape was hard to swallow. I still remembered the day I learned that Pettigrew had betrayed my parents. Knowing that he was out there now, free, sent a wave of anger through me.
I tried to keep my mind off it during the holidays, but the thought of Pettigrew escaping Azkaban kept gnawing at me. He was the reason my parents were dead. And Bellatrix—Sirius had warned me about her. She was pure madness, capable of anything.
Still, Sirius tried to keep things light-hearted over the break. He was focused on the success of Marauders Inc., but even he couldn’t hide his worry when the Daily Prophet announced the breakout. “Don’t worry, Harry,” he had said. “They’ll be hunted down. Pettigrew will pay for what he did.”
I hoped he was right. Pettigrew was a coward, but he was dangerous. I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get a lot more complicated.
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The Wizarding World’s Reaction
The escape sent ripples through the magical community. Diagon Alley was quieter than usual, as families tightened their security and avoided unnecessary trips. Some parents considered pulling their children out of Hogwarts, fearing that Pettigrew and Bellatrix might target the school.
Despite the Ministry's reassurances, many doubted Fudge’s ability to handle the situation. The wizarding public had little faith in the current regime, especially after Sirius Black’s wrongful imprisonment and now the failure of Azkaban. Whispers of discontent were growing louder, and it seemed the Ministry was losing its grip on public confidence.
Dumbledore remained a figure of calm reassurance, but even he seemed concerned. Meanwhile, Marauders Inc. continued to rise in popularity, with Sirius and Alex introducing new magical products that captivated the wizarding world, offering a brief respite from the fear and uncertainty.
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Alex's POV
As I watched the reactions unfold, I knew one thing for sure: this escape had stirred the pot. The wizarding world was on edge, but they were focusing on the wrong things. Voldemort wasn’t back—yet—but the signs were there. If society didn’t change, if the Ministry didn’t get its act together, then Pettigrew and Bellatrix would just be the beginning.
The real battle was still on the horizon. Voldemort had been a symptom of a deeper sickness in our world. If we didn’t address that sickness—if we didn’t evolve—then we would face more dark lords, more destruction, in the future. It was time to prepare for what was coming, and I would be ready.