Cue No. 26

Strings and choir open the cue with ominous chords, projecting the feeling of “what is to come.” A harp glissando aids the transition from Hagrid’s hut to a cell in Azkaban. Muted horns play the danger motif, reflecting the perceived threat of Sirius after he escaped from Azkaban two years previously. The motif is presented here in a much more sinister way. These prisoners who are about to escape, unlike Sirius, are of evil intent, and desire to wreak havoc on the Wizarding World.

Bellatrix is officially introduced to us, accompanied by her theme in a flurry of orchestration. As she realizes that she’s free to escape, the camera zooms out slowly until all of Azkaban can be seen. The entire orchestra builds to a terrifying cataclysmic moment, pushed ahead by timpani that gains more and more intensity.

Newspapers then flash across the screen; news of the mass breakout is spreading, and Fudge continues to deny any claims that this is the work of Lord Voldemort. The motoric strings of previous montages return, built up from the low end of the orchestra and decorated with choir. The Ministry theme is displayed in its most powerful iteration so far, appearing strongly in the horns. At the end of the montage, Bellatrix’s theme gets one more statement in the strings as the camera zooms out from the Daily Prophet, being read by a very concerned Neville.