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"It's not very peaceful here; if you come on a mission, it's best to bring a helper," Ethan advised Tonks with a frown.
Hearing Ethan's words, Tonks nodded, feeling embarrassed and regretful about her reckless actions.
She had impulsively pursued a "suspicious target" without informing the Division of Magical Law Enforcement or seeking assistance from colleagues. Tonks only realized it was a trap when it was too late, and she got caught.
Becoming an Auror was no easy feat. The Division of Magical Law Enforcement hasn't recruited anyone meeting the stringent criteria for Auror candidacy in two years. Tonks excelled at Hogwarts, where achieving high marks in multiple subjects was a prerequisite for pursuing an Auror career.
Auror training is incredibly challenging. Aspiring Aurors undergo rigorous personality and ability tests to demonstrate their ability to perform well in high-stress environments.
Applicants must also undergo extensive training in advanced magical combat, defensive strategies, and potentially criminal investigation techniques. Auror training includes subjects such as "Hide and Camouflage," "Sneak and Stalk," and knowledge of potions and antidotes.
Tonks, a Metamorphmagus, effortlessly passed the disguise test but struggled with the stealth test. Under the mentorship of Alastor Moody, renowned as the best modern Auror, the strict instructor intensively trained Tonks. Despite the rigorous training, Tonks found sneaking and stalking to be formidable.
This pressure left Tonks anxious, yearning for an opportunity to prove herself. Fortunately, Ethan came, preventing Tonks from imagining the consequences of failure.
"I'll go first if there's no issue," Ethan said to Tonks, wary of her potential investigation into his identity as a member of the Blank household.[T/N- he is talking about how he is basically an illegal immigrant there]
"Can you send me out of Knockturn Alley, those people took my wand." Tonks blushed scarily, and her hair turned orange with her mood. She had to ask for help from a stranger, which made her a little shy.
"Of course," Ethan responded with a gentleman's smile. Tonks, relieved, rushed to a fallen wizard's corpse, picking up his wand. Though not an ideal match, it was better than being defenseless.
As an Auror, Tonks refrained from commenting on Ethan's actions against the four wizards. She recognized the dire circumstances that left him with no alternative.
Unconcerned about the bodies, Tonks knew that scavenger-like dark wizards in Knockturn Alley would quickly strip them of valuables once she and Ethan departed. She covered her face and upper body with a cloak, previously dismissed as a rag, and cautiously followed Ethan through the deserted, post-battle streets. The once-crowded area had emptied, with closed shops lining the dirty streets.
Ethan and Tonks strolled down a quiet, somewhat eerie street. Malicious eyes seemed to peer at them from the grimy shop windows and the dim corners of the alley.
Tonks, sensing something unusual, nervously gripped her wand. However, the ill-fitting wand didn't offer much reassurance, prompting her to draw closer to Ethan for comfort.
As they continued down the street, a lone figure finally emerged. The person appeared to be a drunken individual, clad in a disheveled and tattered wizard robe, stumbling forward and muttering incoherently.
The intoxicated man ambled unsteadily toward them. Tonks, initially uneasy, gradually eased her guard upon seeing the drunkard. Meanwhile, Ethan remained fixated on the man, discerning a steady and robust heartbeat that contradicted the appearance of a drunk.
As the drunk man continued his swaying approach, the trio eventually converged. Ethan, already detecting the pungent scent of alcohol and the profanity-laden words from the man, suddenly felt a surge of danger.
Instinctively, Ethan pushed Tonks aside just in time, narrowly avoiding a green, life-threatening spell that struck the spot where Tonks had stood moments ago.
The seemingly drunken man discarded his disguise, standing upright and uttering, "Avada Kedavra."
Undeterred by the missed strike, he began chanting another spell for the next attack.
However, he underestimated Ethan. A potent shockwave emanated from Ethan's hand, propelled by "Aard," crashing into the assailant like a forceful impact. The attacker, akin to a truck colliding head-on, was sent flying and slammed into the wall. Blood gushed from his mouth upon impact.
This assailant proved more seasoned than previous wizards, swiftly retrieving his wand. His body then assumed an elusive form, surrounded by a faint ripple of light and a subtle popping sound.
"He's trying to Apparate; don't let him escape!" Tonks shouted. Apparition, a form of teleportation, enables the user to vanish from their current location after focusing on their destination. It's a swift escape method in combat but can lead to catastrophic consequences if not executed correctly.
For instance, if the wizard's determination is not fixed, parts of their body might fail to follow, resulting in a potentially fatal outcome such as a coma due to severe blood loss.
Upon hearing Tonks' warning, Ethan instinctively pulled out his crossbow and swiftly shot an arrow at the disappearing attacker. The crossbow hit its mark just before the assailant vanished, revealing a gruesome sight. The wizard appeared torn apart by some unseen force, erupting into a cloud of blood.
The gruesome aftermath, with blood, viscera, and chunks of flesh resembling a macabre and twisted art painting, littered the street.
Tonks stared blankly at the horrifying scene. Despite her experience as an Auror witnessing numerous murders, this was the first time she had encountered such a gruesome sight.