By the time the wind swept in from the sea, the gray speedboat had already docked.
It sat low in the water, with a row of dark armor plates fitted along either side and a heavy weapon mounted on top, modified by Muggles but reinforced with magic. A waterproof tarp wrapped its barrel, leaving only the tip exposed. The hull still rocked gently after the engine shut off, and the mooring rope landed on a stone bollard with a dull slap.
Eleven people vaulted over the gunwale, their boots landing on the damp, slippery stone without an unnecessary sound.
The man in front wore his hair in a buzz cut, silver-white bristles showing beneath the edge of his cap like a tuft of tempered steel wire in the gray daylight. He wore a black tactical hunting jacket with a metal badge pinned to its left breast. Even in the dim light, the design was clear-the Enforcement Squad's insignia, marking its direct affiliation with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Silver traced its edges. It did not look counterfeit.
The ten people behind him came ashore in two rows, their steps synchronized. As they spread out, their positions naturally covered every route from the dock to the prison's main building. Two tall figures took the flanks, with the shorter ones between them, but one of the shorter men had two short wands hanging at his waist. Worn leather cords wound around their handles, and his knuckles were thick.
The Aurors at the entrance to the main building had already risen.
There were seven Aurors stationed at Azkaban. During their usual shifts, two or three would be playing cards in the break room while the rest stared blankly at the sea through the windows. The commotion of the speedboat docking made the