Bellatrix Potter

Bellatrix Potter, as she was now known, was woken up by a bright light. It occurred to her that she was very likely dead now and was about to meet her Maker and have the pleasure of explaining some of the things she had done in life.

Upon opening her eyes, she discovered that this was not indeed the case. The bright light was actually the noonday sun which was shining in her eyes from its position directly above her. Further examination revealed that she was lying on a extremely rocky beach. This was evidenced by several rocks poking her back.

A shadow suddenly loomed over her. "You slept for quite a while."came Harry's amused, yet relieved, voice.

"What happened?" she croaked. Her mouth was extremely dry and saliva wasn't doing much towards fixing the situation.

"I believe that we've been washed up on some sort of island." Harry stated in a matter-of-fact way. He reached out his hand to help her up and she took it gratefully. He motioned toward a large puddle a few feet away. "That's left over from the rain; you can drink it."

Bellatrix nodded gratefully and stumbled over to take a long drink from the surprisingly fresh water. Once finished, she crossed her legs and sat down facing the ocean. "I think that we may have been better off in Azkaban. I have no idea as to how we get back to England." She looked up at Harry who instead of looking worried, was grinning.

"Not to be contrary," he replied, "but I think that we'll be fine on this island."

"What gives you that idea?"

"Look behind you."

She stood up, complied, and was met with a shocking sight. Further inland loomed the largest castle that she had ever seen in her life. It reminded her of Hogwarts excepting for two things. First, its layout was very uniform, elegant, and symmetrical. Secondly and most obvious, was the fact that it appeared to have been carved from one gigantic piece of shiny obsidian. "What is that?"

Harry shrugged. "No idea. I reckoned that we could make our way over and see if we can find anything of use in it."

"Does anybody live there?" Bellatrix wondered out loud.

"I don't think so." Harry stated confidently. "I've attempted to do some Scrying and Legillimency, and have found nothing. It would probably be safe to say that it is abandoned. Not only that, I get the creepy feeling that we're the only living creatures on this island as well."

"I don't know if that's a good or bad thing." Bellatrix said softly. "Lead on. There's nothing better to do."

The two started walking and soon found themselves at the foot of a long, single piece, obsidian bridge. Apparently the island was actually two islands. The castle was on a separate island that was connected to the island they were on with said bridge.

After crossing the bridge, Harry and Bellatrix found themselves standing before a set of large double doors. They observed what appeared to be a coat of arms set above the doorway. It bore a single star. Polaris for the House of Polairix.

Harry merely shrugged, but Bellatrix exhaled abruptly. "I can't believe that I didn't remember this when I told you about being the Lord of Polairix. This place was only a legend even when the last Lord of Polairix was alive."

"What is it?" Harry asked curiously.

Bellatrix answered in an awed tone. "This is the Fortress of Nair'icaix, Seat of the House of Polairix." At Harry's perplexed look, she began to babble. "Some of the most powerful Dark Lords to ever live broke themselves on the walls of this castle. Not because they hated Polairix, but because of the old saying. 'He who holds Nair'icaix, holds the Heart of Magic.'"

"Sounds like a hefty piece of real estate." Harry drawled lightly.

.....

While the majority of Hogwarts students were enjoying themselves in Hogsmeade, the Order of the Phoenix was having an emergency meeting in the Headmaster's office. Everyone was whispering nervously as they waited for the last stragglers to make their way to their seats.

Soon, everyone was present and Dumbledore stood up. "We have a situation that could be potentially serious he announced gravely." He then gestured to Shacklebolt. "Would you brief everyone please?"

Kingsley Shacklebolt stood up as Dumbledore sat down and stepped over to where everyone present could see him clearly. "Last night, at approximately eleven o'clock, Harry Potter and Bellatrix Black escaped from Azkaban."

Several of the Order members gasped. "How?" exclaimed Professor McGonagall. "Those two aren't Animagi are they?"

"No, they're not." Hermione stated smugly. It was nice to know more than they did.

Shacklebolt gulped nervously. "That's the disturbing part. The Aurors on site and others who investigated have concluded that the two prisoners, who were sharing a cell, may have used wandless magic. Once free from their cell, they made their way to the main doors of the prison and Mr. Potter commanded the Dementors on guard to open the doors and let them go. The Dementors were intimidated and they did so."

"You only call this situation 'potentially serious!'" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley. "Someone who can do wandless magic and scare Dementors is at large!" She pointed to Ron and Hermione. "There's no doubt in my mind that he will want revenge if he finds out about Ron and Hermione."

"Yes, Molly. This situation is only potentially serious." Dumbledore said very firmly. "When Harry and Bellatrix escaped, there was an extremely serious rainstorm in progress. There was no mode of transportation off the island, and a search has revealed that they are no longer on the island. It is possible that they drowned."

Remus was about to step in and voice his opinion that there was no possible way that Harry could have drowned after facing the Dark Lord so many times and surviving, but a sharp glance from Snape silenced him. It was probably best if they believed Harry to be dead even if he was alive.

"Nevertheless," Dumbledore continued after a momentary pause, "we will start discreetly searching for the escapees."

"Why not notify everyone via the Daily Prophet?" Ron inquired. "If there's a mass search, there is no way that they'll be able to hide for very long. He's not an Animagus and he can't be independent for very long."

Snape snorted. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

"Why is it dumb and what would you suggest?" Tonks asked, deliberately giving Snape an opening to manipulate the Order a little.

"In case you have all forgotten, Potter's arrest was not reported in the Daily Prophet. If you suddenly state that he's escaped from Azkaban, you will make people wonder what is really going on. It's quite obvious that Potter will seek aid from his 'friends.'" He sneered at Ron and Hermione. "Simply wait for him to appear."

Moody nodded in what appeared to be reluctance. "I think that would probably work. He has an uncanny ability to sneak around this castle as his father and his friends did."

"It's settled then." Dumbledore announced. "I'll convince Minister Fudge to remain silent about the situation." He then addressed Ron and Hermione. "Make sure that you are approachable, but not defenseless. Now, onto other business."

As soon as the Order meeting ended, Snape nodded discreetly to Tonks, Moody, and Remus, to let them know that they should meet in their pre-arranged meeting place. An hour later, they were all having drinks at the Three Broomsticks.

"I don't see what your strategy is." Tonks said to Snape. Alastor and Remus nodded in concurrence.

Snape took a long swig of butterbeer before answering. "It's probably best if they aren't actively searching for Potter. All we have to do is warn him about Granger and Weasley's treason. They aren't searching for him, so we have less chance of getting caught communicating with him"

"How do we warn him then?" Lupin asked. "If you know where he might be, I'll gladly go and talk to him."

"No, I don't know where he is." Snape stated. "But I had a sudden inspiration during the Order meeting as to how we can contact him. We'll just write out a letter to him, and then I know how I can get it to him." He pulled out a sheet of parchment, a quill, and some ink. "We'll make sure he knows we're on his side and tell him what has been happening during his absence."