CH: 1 Awakening

"Level [-] Alert!"

"Level [-] Alert!"

"A significant amount of dark energy has manifested in the Cairngorm mountains. All Aurors, prepare to depart immediately!"

"Prepare yourselves for battle!"

...

Amidst the blaring sirens, the atmosphere within the British Ministry of Magic grew increasingly tense.

Many Aurors wore stern expressions as the sub-teams used Portkeys one by one to investigate the Cairngorm Mountains, where a substantial surge of dark energy had been unleashed.

Soon, all the Aurors ventured into the shadowy mountains, advancing swiftly and methodically.

Among them, a young Auror with vibrant pink hair inadvertently became separated from the team and became lost in the intricate mountain terrain.

Nymphadora Tonks, a newly graduated trainee Auror, found herself in this large-scale operation for the first time. In her haste, she lost contact with her comrades.

She attempted to locate her teammates but found herself disoriented within the thickening fog, causing her to unwittingly venture deeper into the darkness of the mountain.

After wandering aimlessly through the mist for what felt like an eternity, just as Tonks' spirits hit rock bottom, a mysterious figure suddenly materialized before her, their silhouette barely discernible amidst the dense fog.

The young trainee Auror immediately assumed a defensive stance, as she had been trained, and raised her wand.

"Who are you? And why are you here?!" Tonks exclaimed loudly, her voice echoing through the eerie silence.

Upon hearing her voice, the figure slowly turned around, their movements shrouded in an air of mystery.

As they moved, the fog in front of Tonks peculiarly dissipated, as if creating a wide path for the figure to traverse.

This miraculous sight brought a slight sense of relief to Tonks, easing her previously tense mood.

As the figure approached her, the fog dissipated on either side, revealing two tall, majestic peaks. Nestled between them was a large, radiant moon, casting a serene glow.

Bathed in the silver moonlight, a man with long silver hair and a peculiar countenance stood before the luminous orb.

Though his appearance suggested youthfulness, his deep eyes held a wealth of ancient experiences.

He spoke slowly and haltingly, as if he hadn't uttered a word in ages:

"Hello," he murmured softly, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "Can you tell me the time?"

His voice shifted from low to resonant, as though it had traversed countless years to reach the young Auror's ears.

Tonks' pink hair turned crimson in an instant, and she stuttered, "Um...hello, it's nearly one o'clock in the morning."

"I mean, the exact time at this moment," the man clarified, his gaze fixed on Tonks.

"The exact time...?" Tonks hesitated for a moment, unsure of why such specific information was being requested.

"I mean, what is the current year, month, and day?" The man continued, his tone filled with anticipation.

"It's April 1991, the 7th," Tonks replied, her voice tinged with confusion.

Tonks was taken aback, not fully comprehending what she had just revealed. The realization of the significance of the date began to dawn on her.

"I see, thank you," The man said, his smile growing slightly wider as he turned to make his way towards the mountain range's exit, leaving Tonks standing there, bewildered and filled with unanswered questions.

Only then did the young trainee Auror remember her identity and mission.

"Sir," she interjected urgently, her voice laced with concern, "the Cairngorm Mountains are currently highly dangerous. Please refrain from wandering around freely!" She hurriedly followed suit and presented her Ministry of Magic ID. "I am an trainee Auror at the British Ministry of Magic. I am here to ensure your safety!"

Upon hearing Tonks' confident words, the man with silver hair couldn't help but curve his mouth into a playful smile as he turned to face her.

"Oh?" He inquired with curiosity, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. "What is the danger that lurks here?"

"According to the Ministry of Magic's findings," Tonks explained firmly, her voice unwavering, "there is a significant presence of dark energy emanating from the Cairngorm Mountains. It is highly likely that a malevolent creature of dark magic is about to be born," she stated with conviction. "So please exercise caution!"

"Is that so?" He mused, a glimmer of amusement dancing in his eyes, causing the smile on his face to grow wider.

"I am being serious, sir!" Tonks responded disapprovingly, her hair turning black in frustration.

Finally, the silver-haired man ceased his smile, his expression turning serious as he pointed towards the front. "I appreciate your concern, but the path ahead leads to the exit of the mountain range. Am I already safe?"

Tonks suddenly realized that, at some point, they had arrived at the same location where the Aurors had initially entered the mountains.

"Huh?" She turned back to look at the intricate mountain road, her expression filled with confusion and a hint of dullness. "How did you manage to find the correct path?" she queried, her voice tinged with curiosity.

The man smiled faintly, as if he wanted to convey something more profound.

But then, his gaze shifted slightly, and he altered his words. "It's almost time," he hinted, his voice carrying a sense of anticipation. "I'm delighted to have met you today, my enthusiastic lady."

With a casual wave of his hand, he gracefully stepped out of the valley exit and vanished into the night, leaving Tonks standing there, her eyes fixed on the spot where he had disappeared.

Tonks stared blankly into the darkness ahead, her mind in a daze, trying to make sense of the encounter she had just experienced.

At that moment, a sturdy wizard with long gray hair, his skin marked with scars, approached. Each step of his wooden leg made a creaking sound, interrupting Tonks's thoughts.

"Tonks, have you forgotten everything you learned in Auror training?" The relieved yet reprimanding voice of Instructor Moody reached her ears. "You can't even keep up with the team? It's the most basic requirement!" he scolded, his tone filled with a mix of concern and disappointment.

"I'm sorry, Instructor Moody..." Tonks awkwardly apologized, her voice filled with remorse. "You know my 'stealth and tracking' skills have never been the best, and I accidentally got separated from the rest of the group..."

"Since this is your first mission and you handled the emergency reasonably well, we'll let it slide this time," Instructor Moody grumbled, his voice softening slightly. "After getting separated from the team, the wise choice is to return to a safe location, which you did."

"Instructor Moody... actually, I was lost before that," Tonks confessed, her voice filled with a mix of embarrassment and curiosity, her gaze fixed on the ground. "But I encountered a handsome man in the valley, and he guided me back here."

Moody's expression turned serious upon hearing Tonks' explanation, his brows furrowing in suspicioun.

"No matter how you look at it, someone appearing at that time is suspicious," he said solemnly, his voice laced with caution. "Perhaps this person is connected to the surge of dark energy!"

"Tonks, which direction did he go? Let's go after him!" Moody suggested, his voice filled with determination.

However, that mysterious figure had long disappeared into the night, leaving no trace behind, leaving Tonks and Moody standing there, contemplating the enigma that had just unfolded before them.

...

The person whom the Aurors of the Ministry of Magic are currently searching for is leisurely strolling, curiously observing the current style and scenery of Scotland.

His name is Vlad Dracula, a vampire who has lived for over 1000 years. He had been in a deep sleep for 200 years and has just awakened.

In fact, Moody's judgment was not incorrect, as this surge of dark energy was indeed closely connected to Dracula.

During his 200-year slumber, the dark energy within him had accumulated to an immensely powerful level. Upon awakening, he initially failed to notice its escape.

This awakening caught the attention of the Ministry of Magic.

However, Dracula didn't pay much heed to this matter. He casually adjusted his black and red robes, which showed no signs of decay even after two centuries of sleep, and retrieved a simple bronze mirror from his pocket.

The back of the bronze mirror was adorned with a gold-plated phoenix relief, emanating a sense of age and wisdom.

Dracula displayed a nostalgic smile, gazing at the mirror and softly murmured, "Not dead yet, old man?"

"Good to see you're still kicking, at least you don't have to spend a century sleeping in a coffin like some old relic," an aged voice echoed from the mirror, responding with an unabashed grin.

"Old friend, it's been 200 years, and I'm pleasantly surprised by your eloquence," Dracula chuckled.

"I'll join you for a while," Dracula said, his voice filled with anticipation.

"Tell me about the interesting events that have unfolded in the past 200 years..." He requested, his curiosity evident in his words.