Chapter 74: Finally, We've Arrived in Azkaban!
"Audrey,"
Albus Dumbledore was already used to her sudden appearances.
"Gringotts has submitted a loan request to Hydra Lestrange, Young Miss, but since they couldn't find her, they came to me."
Audrey: …
She had borrowed money from Gringotts—only for Gringotts to turn around and try to borrow money from her so they could lend it back again.
A proper tongue-twister.
Lending? Out of the question.
But taking control of the Lestrange family vault ahead of time… that was a different matter.
Dumbledore's voice drifted over gently.
"Audrey, I've heard a little about what you've been doing lately."
Heard a little?
She didn't believe that for a second. The old man was far too sharp for that.
"Are you truly not afraid of the risks involved?"
"Risk?"
Audrey paused, then asked,
"Didn't Professor Gellert Grindelwald foresee Ukraine's future?"
"He may have," Dumbledore replied calmly. "But he didn't tell me. He simply said he wanted to watch."
"Then let him watch," Audrey said lightly. "This will definitely be a good show."
Dumbledore sighed faintly.
He truly disliked people who spoke in riddles.
---
A moment later—
With a soft crack, Hydra Lestrange appeared inside the Leaky Cauldron.
The chatter in the tavern died instantly.
Every gaze turned toward her.
Cold. Aloof. Untouchable.
Her boots struck the stone floor—click, clack—each step echoing like a countdown to something inevitable.
How could they not be afraid?
At eleven, she had hunted down adult wizards. Even the shadowed underworld of Knockturn Alley had trembled under her presence. The Ministry itself had mobilised Aurors—and still failed to capture her.
Even now, years later, her legend hadn't faded.
The Wanted posters might be gone.
The Ministry might now call her a "good citizen."
But memory doesn't disappear so easily.
Sixteen years old now—
—and far more dangerous than before.
Someone swallowed hard.
Both sixteen… yet look at Audrey Astray—and then look at her…
Two completely different worlds.
---
Hydra ignored them all and stepped through into Diagon Alley.
Only once she disappeared did the room breathe again.
---
Inside Gringotts—
A goblin banker looked up from behind the tall counter.
"Hello, how may I—"
"I'm Hydra Lestrange," she said calmly. "I heard you were looking for me."
The goblin froze for half a second—then immediately straightened, all deference.
"Miss Lestrange! Please, one moment—our manager will be here at once!"
---
Moments later, Pucci came rushing out.
He had clearly been promoted.
Not surprising—after all, Audrey was the biggest client he'd ever had.
"Miss Lestrange! It's an honour!"
Seeing an acquaintance fail to recognise her…
That was oddly amusing.
"Hello, Mr. Pucci," Hydra said with a faint smile. "I heard you wanted to borrow money from me?"
"Yes, Young Miss!"
Pucci beamed, hands gesturing wildly.
"We have a massive project—massive!" He shaped the air like a giant sphere. "We'll borrow for three years. At the end, not only will your principal be returned, you'll also receive 60% interest! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Hydra nodded thoughtfully.
"That does sound appealing… but there's a small issue."
"Please, go ahead."
"My mother manages the family vault," she said. "I don't have authority over it."
Pucci clapped his hands, delighted.
"Not a problem at all! We'll contact the Ministry immediately and arrange a visit to Azkaban. Once control is transferred, you'll be free to use the Lestrange vault!"
---
Hydra was led into a luxurious VIP room.
Food, desserts, drinks—everything was already prepared.
"Miss Lestrange, is there anything else you'd like?"
"I've heard there's a new Peking duck restaurant in Westminster," she said lightly. "Muggle cuisine—but apparently excellent."
"Of course! We'll have it delivered immediately!"
---
Logically, she shouldn't have been hungry.
She had just eaten.
But—
Everything here was free.
And really—
Who questions a dragon's appetite?
---
By the time Pucci returned—with a Ministry official—there was almost nothing left edible in the room.
"Miss Lestrange," Pucci said, slightly breathless, "we're ready to depart. This is Mr. Flaw Dixon, warden from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
The man looked deeply displeased.
"Miss Lestrange," Dixon said stiffly, "we should leave."
He pulled out a bowl-shaped object.
"A Portkey. Need instructions?"
Hydra didn't answer. She simply placed her hand on it.
Pucci followed, trembling.
Dixon sneered. "I thought goblins had more nerve than this."
---
The world twisted.
Light stretched.
But unlike others, Hydra didn't feel dragged or yanked.
Space itself felt… gentle.
Almost welcoming.
---
Then—
Darkness.
Wind howled across a black sea.
Before them loomed the towering fortress of Azkaban.
Cold. Oppressive. Endless.
And then—
They came.
Dementors.
Dozens of them.
Gliding. Surrounding. Closing in.
Pucci collapsed instantly, shaking.
Dixon fared only slightly better—his hands trembled so badly he couldn't even draw his wand properly.
"Back! Get back!" he shouted, voice cracking.
But the Dementors didn't retreat.
They came faster.
---
Hydra smiled.
She raised her hand.
The Dementors descended.
Surrounded her.
One reached out—slowly—and touched her fingertips.
---
Dementor Physique.
In that instant, a connection formed.
Deep. Absolute.
She could feel them.
All of them.
Every Dementor in Azkaban.
---
Return to your lair, she commanded silently.
I will summon you when needed.
A whisper echoed back—
Yes… our king…
There had never been a ruler among Dementors.
No single one strong enough to command the rest.
Until now.
---
Hydra lowered her hand.
The swarm dispersed instantly.
Vanished into the darkness.
---
Silence.
---
Dixon stared at her, all hostility gone—replaced with something far closer to fear.
"Mr. Dixon," Hydra said softly, turning toward him.
Her eyes glowed faintly blue-green.
"Take me to my mother."
"Y-yes… Miss Lestrange."
He grabbed the half-conscious Pucci and led the way forward.
Into the depths of Azkaban.