Harry Potter: Demon Monarch

Chapter -25.

Azkaban's bleak and isolated nature made it difficult to find willing guards. Typically, the only ones stationed there were Muggle-born wizards lacking family heritage and wealthy heirs eager to embellish their resumes. With Dementors lurking everywhere, the Ministry of Magic adopted a largely hands-off stance, leaving only four Aurors on duty at the time.

After the highest-ranking pureblood in a magnificent robe was consumed by fierce flames, it became clear that the most senior among those present was the middle-aged Auror, who took it upon himself to speak with Lester.

"Who are you? Don't you know what this place is for?" he asked nervously, standing before the imposing blue flame python. The two young Aurors at the entrance looked terrified and nearly frozen in place, so the middle-aged Auror felt compelled to step forward.

Lester didn't answer the question outright but instead walked closer to the head of the massive flaming serpent. Standing atop the formidable flaming creature, he felt a strange connection—rather than being burned, he sensed the flames as if they were extensions of himself, ready to obey.

After confirming that the three remaining Aurors weren't a threat, Lester finally dispelled his invisibility and revealed himself. There he stood, a striking young man with black hair, confidently perched atop the giant flame python. His gray prison uniform billowed around him, animated by magic, and a powerful aura radiated from his small frame, instilling apprehension in the Aurors.

For a moment, disbelief washed over the three Aurors as they stared at Lester, their expressions filled with fear.

"Who are you?" the middle-aged Auror finally demanded. While Lester's identity was apparent from his prison uniform, Carson couldn't help but ask. After all, who had ever seen a prisoner so impressive? He had escaped a heavily guarded Azkaban, where Dementors roamed freely, and had effortlessly overpowered the Auror supervisor assigned there. Now, here he was with a gigantic fire python—did he really look like just another prisoner?

"Me?" Lester replied, a bemused expression on his face as he patted the sleeve of his uniform. "Are you really that dense? Can't you tell I'm wearing an Azkaban prison uniform?"

Feeling a bit frustrated, Lester started to wonder if revealing himself had been a mistake. The middle-aged Auror seemed rather slow on the uptake; after all, why would someone not wear their prison uniform if they were a prisoner?

Carson was baffled by Lester's response. Was that really the answer he was looking for? It wasn't that he didn't recognize Lester's status; rather, he was curious about how he had smoothly escaped and unleashed such a fearsome fire magic!

At that moment, Carson felt cornered by Lester's taunts, yet thoughts of his missing son and the years he had longed to provide his family with happiness kept him from retaliating.

Lester, unaware of Carson's internal struggle, hesitated as he considered whether to make Carson his first subordinate. Initially, Lester had planned to seize the key to freedom and return to Azkaban, intending to incite chaos among the prisoners at the Ministry of Magic. But a new, audacious idea formed in his mind—what if he could take control of Azkaban itself?

As the only wizarding prison in existence, all lawbreakers found themselves locked away in this notorious place. If he succeeded in controlling Azkaban, he would command all the dark wizards inside! Imagine having countless dark-wizard followers!

Being still young, he needed someone to act as his right-hand man to help manage Azkaban, and the seemingly simple Carson appeared to be the perfect candidate. He had experience, lacked family connections, and didn't seem particularly clever.

If he could win Carson over and promote him as Azkaban's warden, Lester could ensure he held power over the entire prison.

Resolute, Lester looked down at the anxious Carson and asked, "Are you willing to submit to me?"

Without waiting for Carson's reply, he continued, "You've dedicated most of your life to the Ministry of Magic. What have you gained? Aren't you just an ordinary Auror?"

As Lester spoke, Carson's breathing grew heavier. He had once approached the Ministry of Magic with hope after passing the entrance exam, only to realize that the supposedly challenging test was merely a barrier for those without noble bloodlines. Those from well-off pureblood families could easily bypass the system and gain entry, regardless of their qualifications.

"You're in your 30s and have accomplished nothing in this dreary prison. Do your wife and children even know what you're dealing with? Have you brought them happiness? How often do you get to see them each year?"

With each probing question Lester posed, Carson's eyes burned with anger. Here he was, far from home, stationed in this dismal outpost, while pureblood wizards frolicked as if it were merely an upscale vacation spot.

They reveled in family life daily, while he struggled to catch a glimpse of his child throughout the year! To make matters worse, his son was lost in the Muggle world, and the Ministry wouldn't even dispatch Aurors to help—after all, it was only a matter of casting a simple spell!

Seeing the fury on Carson's face, Lester knew he had struck a chord. All he needed now was to provide the right motivation, and Carson would likely pledge loyalty to him, becoming his most devoted supporter!

Tl/N : Reading this? Throw some powerstones then!!