In the northern Scandinavian Peninsula, icy waves crashed heavily against the reefs. At the edge of an island stood a dilapidated shack, thick with the fishy stench of seaweed. By the room's sole candle, Igor Karkaroff carefully read a crumpled Daily Prophet. On its pages lay 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.
The terrible news had kept Karkaroff living in fear for the past year. He feared that Death Eaters would come to kill 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 very well that Voldemort had ways to track him, perhaps through the Dark Mark or some other method. Death Eaters who betrayed Voldemort rarely survived longer than a month.
So he gave up on leaving Europe and instead tried to protect himself with the Fidelius Charm.
Karkaroff immediately sought out an old "friend" and used all his wealth to make an Unbreakable Vow with him.
With the man's help, he hid himself completely.
The method had proved effective. Karkaroff had spent a year in peace.
However, not long ago, Karkaroff discovered that the dust-covered Peeping Mirror had actually sounded an alarm. That was undoubtedly a bad sign, for it was a muggle village where there normally were no wizards at all. The Peeping Mirror should never have reacted.
Perhaps the Secret-Keeper had betrayed him, despite Karkaroff having paid