In the north of the Scandinavian Peninsula, cold seawater hurled waves against the reefs. At the edge of the island stood a dilapidated shack, thick with the fishy stench of seaweed. By the room's only candle, Igor Karkaroff carefully read a crumpled Daily Prophet. On its pages were the wreckage of the collapsed Brockdale Bridge.
Ever since the Dark Mark on his left arm had become increasingly distinct last year, Karkaroff had realized that Voldemort had returned.
That terrible news had kept Karkaroff living in fear for the past year. He feared that Death Eaters would come after him, feared that Voldemort might appear outside his door at any moment.
Leave Europe and flee somewhere else?
Someone had once warned Karkaroff by note to flee to the United States. If he used the Fidelius Charm to hide himself, he could survive Voldemort and the Death Eaters' pursuit.
However, Karkaroff worried that he would die on the way to the United States. He knew full well that Voldemort had ways of tracking him, perhaps through the Dark Mark or some other means. Death Eaters who betrayed Voldemort rarely lived longer than a month.
So, he gave up on leaving Europe and instead tried to use the Fidelius Charm to protect himself.
Karkaroff had immediately sought out an old "friend" and used all his wealth to form an Unbreakable Vow with him.
With that person's help, he had hidden himself completely.
The method had proven effective. Karkaroff had spent a peaceful year in hiding.
However, not long ago, Karkaroff had discovered that the dust-covered Scrying Mirror had actually sounded an alarm. That was undoubtedly a bad sign, because it was a Muggle village where wizards normally never appeared, and the Scrying Mirror should never have reacted.
Perhaps the Secret Keeper had betrayed