A carriage flew through the darkened skies of the North Sea, gale force winds and torrential rain hammered into both it, and the poor magical horses that were pulling it.

Inside sat two men who were both looking out the windows at the storm around them.

"It's getting worse the closer we get to Azkaban" the first man, the auror named John Dawlish, said.

"It is. The rest of the world may have calmed but it still hasn't let up here" the second man, Kingsley Shacklebolt, replied.

It had been nine days since the strange phenomena occurred. It had started with an extremely loud sound, like thunder. It had been heard everywhere around the world, all at once. Then the rain started, again everywhere. The world had been in chaos- floods, landslides, scores of crops lost- death and devastation spread quickly around the globe. Muggle governments were panicked as the global food supply chain was affected by the universal downpours before it stopped as suddenly as it started- exactly forty hours later.

Muggle scientists were struggling to understand what happened. Magical governments were just as unsure. The only place the rain had failed to let up was a fifty mile radius around the notorious Azkaban prison.

The carriage finally arrived and John and Kingsley disembarked quickly, wands held up with a shield spell keeping the rain from their heads.

They reached the administration area to find a number of guards sitting under cover smoking and laughing. Kingsley looked at them unimpressed. He was already in a foul mood, having to come here.

He could feel the unpleasantness, the intense negative pressure of being here with so many dementor's around. It made him sick to his stomach that a boy, not yet fourteen, had been sent here by the Ministry, by his boss.

He had offered his resignation over the sentence to his superiors, Amelia Bones and Rufus Scrimgeour, before being taken aside by Amelia, where she confided in him that Y/N had spoken to her, during his hearing, through legilimency, asking to be sent to the rock. That his only concern was to keep his girlfriend and sister-in-law safe. That she didn't like it but accepted the boy's wishes.

Kingsley pulled himself from his thoughts as they arrived at the guards, Kingsley asking irritated:

"We are here for Y/N L/N. Where is he? Is he ready for transport?"

One of the guards laughed to himself. He was, to Kingsley's eyes, a disgusting, slovenly, perverted looking man. The man sneered:

"He didn't play well with others. He's down in the Hole. We've gotta get him from there, but we wanted to wait for... heh... experts before we did!"

A cold chill ran down Kingsley and John's collective spines. The Hole was a controversial punishment device utilised by Azkaban, and therefore the Ministry. It was decried by many, including the International Confederation of Wizards, as state sanctioned torture.

It was to be used as a last resort, for only twenty four hours at a time. Hardcore lifers had emerged from the Hole broken, not the men they were previously.

"What are you talking about? What have you done to him?" Dawlish roared.

The slovenly guard laughed and was quickly thrown backwards, a flash from Kingsley's wand sending him flying and smashing through a wall.

The remaining guards quickly lost their bravery as the two Aurors pointed their wands at them, furious. One cowardly guard, the same who sent Y/N to the Hole after the Avery incident, spoke quickly and frightfully:

"We didn't do nothing. He got in fights with the other inmates. Killed 16 of 'em. We had to lock him down there. It's not our fault if he stopped eating and drinking."

"How long has he been in there? HOW LONG?" Dawlish bellowed.

"Ab-about a week, but it wasn't our fault the dementors wanted him in there and he killed a lot of inmates and-"

The cowardly guards stammering was cut off by Kingsley's roar:

"ENOUGH!!! Take us to him. Now!"

—~—

It took half an hour of walking through dark and ominous stairways and passages to reach the bottom of the complex. Prisoners had yelled abuse from their cells the whole way down, first through the women's floors, then the men's.

When they finally arrived in the bowels of Azkaban they reached an ominous door. The cowardly guard opened it, standing behind, refusing to even step foot in the hauntingly dark room. Kingsley and Dawlish entered, waving their Lumos-illuminated wands around until they saw something in the far corner. Kingsley's blood ran cold. He rushed over, Dawlish casting Lumos Maxima and Kingsley getting a look at Y/N properly.

He was dirty and unshaven, a thick black stubble covering his face. His face was heavily bruised and he was laying on his side, barely conscious.

"Y/N, Y/N can you hear me?" Kingsley asked before gasping as his hand landed on Y/N's arm. Despite the freezing nature of the room, Y/N's skin felt like it was on fire. Kingsley turned to Dawlish:

"He's burning up, running a fever. We have to get him to the infirmary now!"

—~—

Kingsley walked up the stairs levitating the boy behind him. All hell had broken lose in Magical Britain for the last week at the revelation of the L/N's descent. The Daily Prophet had ran with it everyday. The interim Lord, Jacob, had made no comment. Gringotts made a statement saying they didn't care who the L/N's Grandfather was, that they had been allied with the Sacred and Ancient House of L/N for close to a millenia, and that wouldn't change. Not only that but it that calls for Dean L/N to be sacked would fall on deaf ears as long as his work continued to make them profits.

The news had obviously made it to Azkaban though.

As Y/N was levitated through the halls of Azkaban numerous inmates could be heard:

Grindelwald.... Grindelwald...

Kingsley worried for the boy, to have the dark cheering for him, the ignorant general public whipped into a frenzy by an inaccurate and unprofessional media, he wondered how Y/N would react.

Y/N though was in and out of consciousness, barely aware he was floating, and slightly aware of someone distantly calling his grandfather's name.

—~—

Kingsley and Dawlish stood by the bed Y/N was on. He had been administered a number of potions, elixirs and spells, the mediwitch in charge being quite concerned.

He had been diagnosed as having pneumonia and dehydration as well as exhaustion. As Y/N became slightly more lucid he could be heard muttering to himself:

"Can't let them get me. Burn them. Burn them all. Can't let them get me."

—~—

After a couple of hours Y/N had been stabilised and given the all clear to leave, although a letter was given to Kingsley to be given to Y/N's guardian, outlining the medical treatment he would need. He had eaten, voraciously, when offered some sandwiches, once the potions had taken hold and he had recovered slightly. Y/N was still weak when he was allowed to leave the infirmary, so he was levitated up towards the carriage.

He leant against the window, not speaking, as the carriage lifted into the stormy sky. It was over. He was leaving. The nightmare was over.

—~—

Y/N had slept almost the entire way home, the whole six hour flight. The two aurors across from him exchanging worried glances at his incoherent mumbling.

—~—

Penny and Dean were waiting at the Ministry for Y/N to be returned. Dumbledore and Snape were there with them to check on the welfare of their student.

The pig of a Minister was waiting there impatiently as well. Penny was fretting and pacing back and forth in the waiting area. They had been told Y/N would be arriving at 10:00am- it was now pushing 3pm.

Fudge had sat awkwardly following Penny's initial screaming episode. She had unleashed a verbal tirade on the shocked and weak-willed man as soon as she laid her eyes on him.

How dare he send her Cutie Pie to Azkaban. How dare he. Cutie Pie was a child. Her child. How could he send a child to Hell on earth? How could he live with himself?

It took all of the best efforts of Dean, Albus and Severus to console and calm her, at least to the point where Penny was only pacing and glaring at the Minister, he looked down at his own feet as he sat, cowering.

The carriage finally arrived and the four member greeting party waited with bated breath to greet the returning teen. Their eyes all widened in horror at what they saw.

As Y/N weakly stepped out of the carriage, he was supported by both Kingsley and Dawlish. Dean went wide eyed, Penny covered her mouth with her hands. Albus and Snape looked furious.

Y/N looked extremely unwell, hadn't shaved and looked dishevelled and dirty, still in Azkaban robes. He had bruising on his face that was fading but the most obvious change was his eyes. They were cold and hard, not the usual bright green orbs filled with life. He barely resembled the 13 year old boy who left them.

He stumbled forward, still supporting by the two Aurors as he stood weakly before Fudge foolishly stepped towards him, sneering:

"You understand now boy? You-you are nothing. I am the Minister for Magic and-"

The group were shocked as Y/N reacted with an intense fury none of them were expecting, he growled an unearthly growl as he charged. It was with a strength that didn't seem possible from the broken shell the boy appeared. In an instant he had knocked Fudge to the ground and screamed in his face, as the aurors tried to pull him off:

"You sack of wine! Before my days are done I will look upon your corpse and smile."

Kingsley and Dawlish managed to pull Y/N off, Y/N's burst of strength leaving him as he struggled to stand. Fudge looked up from the floor terrified, a distinct smell of urine filling the air.

"Severus, can you help Dawlish with Y/N? Taking him to the processing office? I need to talk to Albus, the L/N's and the Minister" Kingsley asked firmly, attempting to suppress his rage. Snape nodded in agreement. He took Y/N's arm over his shoulder, whispering to Y/N:

"Y/N, Y/N, it's me, it's Severus, son. We need to get you home, come on Cub."

As they left the arrivals area and heading to processing a number of heads emerged from offices, shocked whispers at the state of the boy. Severus heard Y/N whispering to himself, babbling:

"The voice... the voice Sev... he wouldn't stop... telling me to kill them all... he wouldn't stop... he wouldn't let me sleep... can't sleep... they might come... come for me... try to have me... can't sleep... kill them all. Gotta kill them all!"

As they reached the end of the hall into a large atrium who was waiting but Rita Skeeter. A camera flashed as Rita asked loudly:

"Any comments for the Daily Prophet young Master Grindelwald? I mean L/N?"

Skeeter and her photographer were nearly trampled as Dawlish roared:

"No he doesn't. He's been brutally tortured. Give him some space!"

Rita's eyes lit up as she quickly left the atrium with a smile at Dawlish. The three wizards arrived at Prisoner Processing and after gently placing Y/N on a chair, Dawlish announced he had to leave quickly.

—~—

Kingsley watched Y/N leave with the support of Severus and Dawlish. When they were out of earshot Kingsley turned and glared at a still terrified Fudge.

"Azkaban was incredibly hard for Y/N. He was singled out as soon as he got there. Brutally tortured by the guards. Here..."

He pulled the paper from the mediwitch and handed it to Penny with a softened expression, seeing in her eyes that she was on the verge of breaking down completely. He spoke with a gentle tone:

"Y/N was severely dehydrated when we arrived. He was diagnosed by the mediwitch as having a bad case of pneumonia. He will need this course of medical treatment."

Penny took the letter and looked down at it shocked, tears falling from her eyes as she squeezed them tightly closed.

Kingsley continued, looking to Dumbledore.

"I wish to formally report this to the International Confederation of Wizards as a human rights violation by this Ministry. He was imprisoned in the Hole twice, for 72 hours and for nine days. Guidelines state it must be used-"

"For twenty four hours only" Dumbledore said, greatly angered and finishing Kingsley's sentence. He looked at Fudge who had managed to pick himself up.

"I hope you are happy Cornelius. You foolishly feared a boy. You may have created a monster!"

Albus turned and began walking towards processing, Dean and Penny following as Fudge yelled out:

"Maybe he should be back there permanently. He's a Grindelwald. He's already a monster! You all a-ughh!"

His rant was cut off as Dean turned and stormed over, gripping the Minister by the throat and snarling:

"You keep the hell away from my brother, and you keep the hell away from my family."

Fudge choked out a weak "yes" as Dean released his grip, a stronger smell of urine now wafting through the air.

—~—

Y/N was sat with Severus, Severus looking at his godson concerned, Y/N staring into space.

"Y/N, you mentioned a voice. Do you remember the voice?" Severus asked.

Y/N sat gently swaying, but broke into a more lucid moment, he whispered to his godfather:

"Bits and pieces. It was me, but it wasn't me, it was inside me but in the room at the same time. Kept saying the same thing. Burn them all, kill them all."

Y/N appeared to space out again and Severus felt heartbroken. He could see how traumatised, how badly affected his godson was by whatever tortures were unleashed on him, and it stirred something in Severus. Something he hadn't felt since his days stuck at Hogwarts with that blasted Potter.

He wanted to hurt someone. He wanted revenge.

—~—

Processing had taken longer than the group had hoped. Dean, Penny and Albus had joined Y/N and Severus. The clerk left to retrieve Y/N's wand and possessions, leaving the five of them alone in the office.

"Are you ok Y/N?" Dean asked.

No response came. The air in the room felt thick and heavy.

"Those are new, on your neck, and your hand" The headmaster said, noticing his tattoos and attempting to break the tension.

Y/N looked up from where he was staring at empty space. He looked into his headmaster's eyes and replied:

"Hmm?"

Albus smiled, sadly. He could see how badly the physical and psychological torture had effected Y/N. Men had been broken after 24 hours in the Hole. He had no idea how Y/N was still functional, affected as he was. Albus said gently:

"Your tattoos. Not exactly in line with Hogwarts policy but I'm sure we can turn a blind eye."

Y/N spoke louder than a whisper for the first time since they arrived at the office.

"The Phoenix was for the Order. For the scum in there to know I'd chosen my side Dumbledore. I'm sad you ever doubted me."

Albus didn't know how to respond. Penny asked as she subtly wiped her eyes:

"And the Grim Reaper?"

Y/N looked up into her big beautiful blue eyes, and her heart broke in two. She could see how much pain and hurt was in his eyes as he replied quietly:

"Life lessons, Pens. Life lessons."

The room fell into silence again before Y/N spoke quietly:

"Sirius didn't order the hit on our father. What do you know of the Knights of Merlin, Albus? Sev?"

The two wizards looked at each other, Albus answering first:

"They are a shadowy group of pure blood supremacists. They operate from the shadows, but little else is known about them."

Severus added:

"They were known among Death Eaters. They worked along side us, many of our number joined them as well, but they were never openly discussed."

The room fell quiet before Dean asked:

"Wait Y/N... you're not saying... how could you know?"

Y/N answered back coldly:

"A dying man will say a lot to try and save his hide. Or at least to ease his passing."

Silence enveloped the room again as the clerk returned with Y/N's wand and other possessions.

Y/N went to a side room to change, holstering his wand on his right arm and retrieving his second wand from his moke pouch, placing it on his left arm.

Dean signed the release papers and they left the Ministry. As they walked Dean said:

"Y/N, I'm sorry for what I said, when we..."

Y/N looked at his brother, glaring as he replied.

"No you were right Dean. I am a cold blooded killer. I am a monster."

"No you're not Y/N" Penny said pleadingly. Y/N replied simply:

"16"

"Pardon?" Penny asked, looking at Dean with a puzzled look on her face. Dean returned the confused expression as Dumbledore sighed. The information he had received from Azkaban was accurate.

"16. It's the number of men I killed in Azkaban." Y/N said coldly, leaning against a wall to hold himself up as Severus grabbed him for support.

Dean's eyes widened. Penny teared up.

"I had to kill them before they killed me Dean" Y/N continued, his eyes narrowing as he glared at his older brother.

"Still that makes me a monster though, doesn't it."

Dean made an odd guttural sound, like he realised in that moment how much he had messed up his relationship with his baby brother. He added:

"No... Y/N... I'm so sorry"

Y/N's eyes remained just as cold as he replied:

"Forget it Dean" and looked at Penny, asking:

"Can I shower at your place before I go to 'Miones? I don't want her seeing me like this."

Penny rushed over and hugged him as Severus stood back and smiled. Y/N initially shirked at the contact before slowly hugging her back.

"Cutie Pie it's your home. Of course you can shower there."

Y/N squeezed Penny tight, inhaling her scent, feeling as close to home as he had in what seemed like years.

Time was different in the Hole. Nine days felt like nine years. As much as he wanted to hold and reassure his Penny he couldn't lie to her, answering in her ear:

"No it's not Penny. Not anymore."

Penny fought back tears again as Y/N squeezed before letting go. Albus patted him on the shoulder and smiled, saying kindly:

"I'll see you at school, Y/N. And I am deeply sorry for everything you've endured."

"Forget it. As long as she is safe nothing else matters" Y/N answered coldly.

The headmaster nodded but paused as Y/N asked:

"Where's Jacob?"

Albus stopped, aware of his surroundings as he answered:

"Jacob had some important business to attend to, but he sent his best."

Y/N's exterior didn't change, but he felt an inevitable but none the less real pain inside. Brutally tortured for a week and he couldn't even make an appearance. That's how much Y/N mattered to him.

Y/N grunted and Albus nodded before apparating away. Severus pulled Y/N into a hug, much to Dean's surprise, as he whispered to his godson:

"I'm sorry for everything you've suffered Cub, owl me if you need anything."

Y/N returned the hug, surprising his brother even more.

The three remaining L/N's walked towards the Floo network in silence before returning home.

—~—

Y/N stepped from the Floo and headed towards the shower before Dean called out to him:

"Before you shower, you should know, Y/N. Someone leaked to Fudge who our grandfather is. The Daily Prophet ran it as a front page story. Things have been really tricky. It could be... difficult for you, at school, and in public."

Y/N stopped, and without turning around, answered:

"Just another reason for the sheep to hate and fear me. When is my life not difficult?"

He continued walking to the bathroom.

—~—

Y/N showered and changed before returning to the living room. Dean and Penny were sat there, waiting.

"I'm staying with Hermione the rest of the break, I'll see you at Christmas" Y/N said without emotion as Penny jumped up and hugged him tight. Y/N returned it.

"I've owled Chiara, she has the list of treatments you need. She's going to be seeing you everyday after she finishes work, ok? I love you, Cutie Pie" Penny stated. Y/N knew better than to argue and just said "ok."

"You stay safe, Cutie Pie" Penny said sadly, tears falling from her eyes.

"Azkaban couldn't finish me, nothing at school can" Y/N replied.

They released the hug and Dean cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry for what I said Y/N. For calling you a monster. I was hoping we could spend time together. Maybe I could tell you a bit more about how I feel, why I feel the way I d-"

He was abruptly cut off.

"Thorfinn Rowle. Augustus Rookwood. Antonin Dolohov"

Dean looked at Y/N puzzled and asked:

"Pardon?"

"The whore lied Dean. She knew who broke in that night. Murdered Dad. Tortured me. Thorfinn Rowle. Augustus Rookwood. Antonin Dolohov. Rowle and Rookwood are dead. I slit both their throats..."

Penny and Dean's eyes widened:

"...after that and slaughtering Rowle's gang I was thrown in the Hole for the last week or so, so I couldn't get to Dolohov. But one day I will end him and avenge our father."

Dean didn't say know what to say, he simply rushed Y/N, hugging him tight.

He held it tight. No matter what Y/N was, no matter what he did. He would always be Dean's baby brother. He would do his best to protect him and be there for him. To educate him. To bring Y/N to the light. He swore it to himself then and there.

He didn't notice at the time, too wrapped up in his own thoughts and concerns, that unlike with Penny's hug...

Y/N didn't hug back.