"So we can't attack head-on."
Douglas watched the Dementors.
"Bill, ready? We're about to cut off the signals here."
The speedboat stopped roughly five hundred yards from Azkaban.
This was a magical blind spot, a location Sirius had pointed out based on his experience escaping from prison years ago.
"Starting now."
Bill took a deep breath and opened the heavy black case.
Twelve metal stakes covered in Runes flew out and hovered in midair.
"Wide-Area Silencing Barrier, activation sequence... three, two, one."
The wand in Bill's hand moved rapidly, as though he were conducting a silent symphony.
"Descend!"
The twelve metal stakes became twelve streaks of light, shooting precisely toward twelve positions around Azkaban island and sinking soundlessly into the seabed.
"Humm-"
A ripple perceptible only to those sensitive to magic swept past.
Even the previously clamorous wind seemed to grow distant and unreal in that instant.
Valerius abruptly clutched his chest, his face growing even paler.
"Oh, this feeling... it's like being stuffed into a vacuum-sealed tin. Every connection to the outside has been cut off. Even my sense of the stars has grown hazy."
"That's exactly the effect we wanted."
Douglas nodded in satisfaction.
"Now this island truly is isolated. Whatever happens inside, not a scrap of news will reach the Ministry of Magic."
He stood and took off his trench coat, revealing a practical black combat outfit underneath.
"You know the next steps."
Douglas looked at Lupin.
"Remus, stay here with Valerius.
Werewolves and vampires have top-notch sensory abilities.
Stop anything trying to slip away underwater or through the air, even if it's a rat."
"Leave it to me."
Lupin tightened his grip on his staff, his gaze sharpening.
"But Douglas, are you sure you don't need our help? Setting out bait..."
"No need."
Douglas smiled, a