"Of course. I may not be young anymore, but my mind is still quite clear," Albus Dumbledore said kindly. "At the very least, I still remember every student who has passed through this school."
As he spoke, Albus Dumbledore drew out his signature Elder Wand and gave it a gentle flick.
A vivid red bird suddenly materialized out of thin air, flying down between them and startling Gawain Robards.
So this is the Phoenix? It's said Professor Dumbledore has a Phoenix loyal to him. Robards secretly sized up the magnificent bird.
"Fawkes, go send those two children away first," Dumbledore said gently, stroking the Phoenix's crest.
The Phoenix nodded, spread its wings, and soared off, vanishing from sight in moments.
"My apologies, Gawain. Recent events have been… complicated," Albus Dumbledore said as he turned back to the Auror, his tone tinged with regret. "In fact, after escorting those two children here, I had intended to come find you. But a wizard from the Austrian Ministry of Magic contacted me unexpectedly…"
"A wizard from the Austrian Ministry?" Robards' voice trembled. "Could it be… the rumors are true? The Dark Wizard you defeated escaped from that prison?"
"I cannot deny it…" Dumbledore paused in thought before nodding lightly. "The situation is quite grave. That is precisely why we must address another urgent matter."
"Very well. If you have any instructions for me…" Robards bit his lip and spoke solemnly.
"Indeed, that is why I came to see you." Dumbledore's voice lowered. "Gawain, you've heard about the attack at Hogwarts, haven't you?"
"Of course. That girl named Katie Bell, right? The Daily Prophet reported it extensively," Robards replied at once. "I've been paying close attention to what's happening at the school."
"Yes…" Dumbledore nodded. "In fact, I have already identified the true mastermind behind the incident."
"Oh? Who is it? Do you need the Aurors to apprehend him?" Robards asked eagerly.
"Draco Malfoy."
"Draco Malfoy?" Gawain Robards' eyes widened. "If I remember correctly, he's still a child!"
"Precisely," Dumbledore said gravely. "Which means there must be a significant plot involving Voldemort behind it."
At the mention of that name, Robards shuddered.
"What can I do to help, Professor Dumbledore?" he asked quickly, steadying himself.
"I understand that Lucius Malfoy—Draco Malfoy's father—is currently imprisoned in Azkaban," Dumbledore said at last, revealing his true purpose.
...
"You mean…" Gawain Robards fell into thought.
"I have some loyal members within the Order of the Phoenix. A few of them have secretly joined Voldemort's side," Dumbledore said carefully. "I'm afraid I cannot disclose their identities."
"Of course. I understand," Robards nodded immediately.
"One of them proposed this idea to me," Dumbledore continued. "Lucius Malfoy has become a discarded pawn on Voldemort's side. Even during the recent 'hostage exchange,' Voldemort did not demand his return. However, regarding Draco Malfoy's situation, this pawn is extremely important to us."
"So…" Robards murmured.
"Yes. Release Lucius Malfoy from Azkaban," Albus Dumbledore said firmly. "Rest assured—I will personally explain the matter to Rufus and Amelia. You need not worry."
If anyone else had asked Gawain Robards to release an Azkaban prisoner, he would have arrested them on the spot.
But this was Albus Dumbledore.
There had to be a reason.
And clearly, the Dumbledore standing before him could not be an imposter.
Azkaban was surrounded by countless protective enchantments. No one except Dumbledore himself could reach this place without triggering any alarms. And even if someone used Polyjuice Potion, no Death Eater could possibly obtain a strand of Albus Dumbledore's hair.
"I understand, Professor Dumbledore," Gawain Robards said solemnly. "What do you need me to do?"
...
The chill brought by the Dementors was fading.
A gentle warmth gradually enveloped him.
Lucius opened his eyes groggily.
He seemed to have been dreaming just moments ago.
In the dream, he had met a young man named Chris Patrick, who asked him to pledge allegiance to Gellert Grindelwald and promised to rescue him from Azkaban within ten minutes.
Impossible. With Azkaban's layers of defenses, who could breach it in ten minutes?
But the warmth grew stronger, and the cold had completely vanished.
Lucius fully regained consciousness—and realized he was on someone's back.
A silver-white owl Patronus flew ahead of them. The fading influence of the Dementors was clearly due to that Patronus.
"Gawain Robards?"
Lucius nearly shouted.
He recognized the man carrying him.
Gawain Robards—a half-blood wizard, current Head of the Auror Office, Chief Auror, trusted confidant of Rufus Scrimgeour and Amelia Bones, and fiercely loyal to the Ministry of Magic.
Among the Death Eaters, he had long been considered utterly impossible to recruit.
And yet now, this very man appeared to be secretly rescuing him from Azkaban.
Lucius shook his head with all his strength, forcing his mind to clear.
This Robards could not be an impostor. A person's appearance could be faked—but a Patronus could not.
Lucius had known for years that Gawain Robards possessed an owl Patronus, an extremely rare form owned by only a handful of wizards worldwide.
"Malfoy," Robards said coldly as he carried him, "say nothing. Ask nothing. I'm only responsible for getting you out of here. That's all."
They had already reached the shoreline, moving farther and farther away from Azkaban Castle…