A cold, clammy wind blew out from the depths of the cave.
The black lake water swallowed all the light.
Only an ancient stone basin on the distant Island in the Middle of the Lake churned with a melancholy green glow.
Ever since the prisoners here had been sent back to Azkaban, Barty Crouch Jr. had been left all alone. He had the Island in the Middle of the Lake to himself and could keep his master's fragmented soul company every day...
It was just like summer vacation back in his school days, without all those essays to write.
A conspicuous bright red banner hung incongruously down the cliff face.
"The Hogwarts Special Talent Reeducation and Academic Research Center welcomes its second intake of researchers."
An additional clause was embroidered in finer lettering at the bottom right of the banner.
"Write no essays today, and tomorrow you will have no face to meet your master."
This was also Sirius's first visit in a long time. After reading that line, he looked at Douglas.
A strange sobbing sound came from his throat, and his shoulders shook uncontrollably.
"Merlin's holey socks, I swear even a wicked Dementor would be so terrified by that line that it'd spit out every last bit of happiness it sucked up yesterday."
Lupin stood beside him, rubbing his brow.
"You have to admit, Padfoot, Douglas has moved well beyond the traditional boundaries of physical deprivation in the art of tormenting souls."
Bill draped an arm over Douglas's shoulders.
"You call this tormenting souls? Clearly, he stripped a follower of the Dark Lord naked and repeatedly ground them against a Muggle typewriter covered in spikes to produce that line written in blood and tears."
Douglas said mildly, "So, which intake would you three like to join?"
Sirius and