The closer we drew to Azkaban, the denser the mist became. The road ahead had become nearly invisible, our entire field of vision consumed by white vapor beneath the pitch-black night.
Perhaps proximity to the coastline had elevated the air's moisture content. Moreover, this region lay deep within forested territory—towering trees everywhere, their dense canopies having evaporated substantial water vapor throughout the day. Now that darkness had fallen and temperatures plummeted, that vapor condensed into countless droplets, naturally thickening the mist.
As one of the distinguished graduates of the wizarding world's compulsory education system, I understood the meteorological principles behind mist formation. Though fundamentally different from the mechanisms wizards employed when casting fog-conjuring spells, this atmospheric phenomenon could certainly be considered nature's own magic.
Around us, the forest—which should have maintained perfect silence—rustled constantly with sounds of entities passing through branches and foliage. We all recognized these weren't wind-generated disturbances, but rather those abominations accompanying our passage through the woodland. Though invisible to us, the bone-deep chill radiating from their forms remained unmistakably perceptible.
Ah, precisely—that likely represented another contributing factor to the mist's extraordinary density.
Our carriage continued its violent bouncing. Forest pathways proved genuinely treacherous for vehicular travel. The wooden planking beneath us emitted spine-chilling creaks, while shadowy forms occasionally drifted through the pallid mist beyond our windows. Frankly, the atmosphere had grown rather unnerving. Without my colleagues' presence, I suspect I might have abandoned this ominous locale entirely.
"Doesn't tonight's mist seem unusually thick?"
Beside me, a colleague raised this observation during our casual conversation, earning unanimous agreement from everyone present. Indeed, we'd all registered this peculiar phenomenon.
I turned toward him, discovering his features appeared distinctly gray and indistinct—apparently the mist had grown so dense it was actually penetrating our carriage compartment.
"Likely environmental factors combined with those creatures surrounding us."
I contributed my earlier reflections to their discussion. Following my explanation, the compartment's atmosphere noticeably relaxed.
"Still, this journey proves insufferably tedious. If only we could travel to Azkaban independently—a few Apparition jumps would suffice."
"Unfortunately impossible. The situation's been resolved, and maintaining those Dementors at Hogwarts would be entirely inappropriate... Though honestly, even if matters remained unresolved, I consider the higher-ups' decision thoroughly unreasonable."
Our conversation shifted toward the Ministry's interference with Hogwarts affairs. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to regard this arrangement as fundamentally misguided.
Such perspectives were entirely understandable. After all, everyone present maintained some connection to Hogwarts—either as graduates ourselves, or having younger relatives currently enrolled there. Harboring such opinions was perfectly logical.
"Haah..."
My concentration wavering—perhaps due to the interminable journey and our carriage's relentless bouncing—I couldn't suppress a yawn, then immediately pinched my thigh to maintain alertness.
"Hey now, this isn't the time for drowsiness. Push through a bit longer. Poor sleep last night, or were you up late pursuing... recreational activities?"
A colleague teasingly ribbed me, patting my shoulder. I shook my head, smiled, and massaged my temples, attempting to dispel my fatigue.
How peculiar. What's affecting me?
This made absolutely no sense. I maintained impeccable routine—departing work by eight o'clock daily, abstaining from tobacco, consuming alcohol only in moderation, retiring at eleven sharp, ensuring eight full hours of rest, drinking warm milk before bed, followed by twenty minutes of gentle stretching exercises. I typically slept soundly until dawn, peaceful as an infant, never carrying exhaustion into subsequent days. Even medical professionals confirmed my excellent health. Under normal circumstances, I shouldn't experience drowsiness at this hour.
I'd heard yawning could prove contagious. Following my involuntary display, my colleagues began succumbing one after another, including my recent tormentor.
After his own yawn, he chuckled embarrassedly, scratched his head, and offered self-deprecating commentary.
"Well, apparently I'm no better. Really can't handle sleep deprivation anymore. During my youth I could manage all-nighters easily, but age has eliminated that capability entirely."
What ridiculous claims. Everyone present regarded him with amused expressions. Someone jabbed his ribs, laughing mockingly:
"Listen here—you're barely approaching thirty, yet you dare call yourself aged? Claiming inability to handle late nights—who'd believe such nonsense? After completing this assignment, join me at the Leaky Cauldron for proper drinks. We're not leaving until thoroughly intoxicated."
"Honestly, you two... We're currently executing an active mission. Could you possibly maintain some professionalism? Remember—today's prisoner served that person directly. Though He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has perished, those accursed Death Eaters continue their machinations. They've spent considerable time disseminating propaganda and covertly consolidating power. Who can predict whether they'll attempt intercepting our convoy? Everyone maintain maximum vigilance."
From across the compartment, another colleague delivered sharp reprimands, redirecting our focus toward operational priorities.
We were Aurors. Constant alertness remained absolutely mandatory.
Perpetual vigilance demanded maintaining our nervous systems under continuous tension.
Unfortunately, such requirements also accelerated our fatigue accumulation.
Precisely like now—I felt my eyelids threatening immediate closure.
Surrounding sounds gradually diminished, blending into indistinguishable murmurs until I couldn't identify their sources.
Why this overwhelming drowsiness? This shouldn't be occurring.
This was... highly irregular.
"Something feels fundamentally wrong. I'm experiencing excessive fatigue despite adequate rest."
I shook my head vigorously, struggling to preserve consciousness while communicating my concerns to my colleagues.
"Does anyone carry alertness potions? I strongly recommend employing external stimulants to maintain awareness."
"...Absolutely. I feel like closing my eyes would trigger immediate unconsciousness... Incidentally, was the mist this dense earlier? Now it's actually infiltrating our carriage interior—I can't distinguish your faces anymore."
The response originated from behind me. I turned toward the voice, realizing visibility had deteriorated beyond the point where we could recognize each other.
"Yes, I have some available..."
Someone apparently possessed such preparations. He spoke briefly, his voice pausing momentarily, followed by sounds of searching through personal effects.
"...Here—everyone should consume this."
Through the obscuring mist, a hand emerged, grasping a potion vial. I expressed gratitude, accepted the container, and drained its contents completely.
But anticipated mental clarity never materialized. Conversely, I experienced intensifying confusion and exhaustion.
This...
...This isn't an alertness potion!
Who is this individual?!
I attempted raising an alarm, but discovered my entire body had grown powerless. My consciousness seemed enveloped in cotton batting—weightless, floating, incapable even of speech.
During the final moments before losing awareness, my mind recalled a previously observed but fatigue-dismissed detail.
That hand extending the potion—shrouded by black fabric, that pale appendage emerging from dark sleeves.
Upon its surface lay a design woven between obsidian and ivory, half-concealed yet terrifying, indelibly memorable.
The Dark Mark.
"Death... Eater..."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
🔥 Want to read the next 120+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on Patreon - patreon.com/DarkGolds]